3rd August 1984

(1) Maude at Glenfinnan. 1984 marked the launch of the now-popular "The Jacobite" steam train between Fort William to Mallaig. I recall that I was unaware of this so you can imagine my surprise as my train from Mallaig pulled into Glenfinnan station to see through the window the wisps of steam floating up in the air! Surely not a steam train? Indeed it was. Former North British Railway no. 673 "Maude" (later LNER J36 Class no. 9673 and later 5243, then BR no. 65243) was standing in the station heading the 11.10 Fort William to Mallaig service. She was waiting for my train, the 12.20 Mallaig to Fort William to arrive so that she could proceed. My train was headed by Class 37 no. 37043 "Loch Lomond". It was a total surprise to me but fortunately there was the time to take two very quick "snap shots" of the train. I recall the train being made up of just four BR Mark 1 coaches.