30th May 2009

After 66432 was declared a failure earlier in the afternoon, the 4N47 13.22 Inverness to Grangemouth Stobart Rail Tesco intermodal left, on time, with Class 37 no. 37611 at the helm, complete with the 66. What ensued was a monumental battle against gravity to take the southbound train up and over the Highland Main Line, as 37611 single-handedly met the challenge with the predictable and dramatic exertions that only an English Electric "Growler" could make.

Having taken a few shots of this train being made up in the yard, we headed over to Culloden to get this classic image at 13.29 as the train exited the viaduct. The chase was then on, as we sped along the back-lanes, with the train staying pretty much alongside, and a wonderful audible sound emanating at the front spurring us on. We caught up with the train at several points, culminating with a last look as it breasted Slochd.

Operationally I am sure this run proved to be a real headache. For us, it was shear drama on the rails, and great fun too!