Locomotive Performance

West Highland Tractors

 
I have been to Fort William four times, and all the visits were between January 1983 and September 1984. Three of these were SLOA Land Cruises and the fourth a family holiday in August 1984. Those who remember 1984 will recall that the sun started shining in March, and didn't stop until November. It was a glorious year. Haulage on the West Highland line was exclusively class 37, in pairs or singly depending on the load. 

15th January 1983:  Not so much a Scenic Land Cruise, indeed an element of risk was involved in travelling to Fort Wiliam and Mallaig in mid-January, but a "testing of the waters" for the future. The excuse was the SLOA Annual General meeting, traditionally held at such places as York or Dinting. Bernard (Staite) thought it would be rather a nice idea to take the SLOA membership up the West Highland line. Possibly  he was in the know about what was "on the cards" for 1984. In fact the weather was kind and it turned out to be an excellent weekend. We had "Loch Long" and "Loch Eil" on the outward journey, with an 11 coach load of 440 tons full. [view log of 37081 and 37027]

16th January 1983:  Probably the highlight of the weekend was the excursion from Fort William to Mallaig and back. Even in January a superb experience. The speeds of course were determined by the curvature and steep gradients. Outwards our running times totalled 80 min 54 secs, and back 82 min 23 sec. The Log is station passing times and average speeds only. The scenic views took precedence.  [view log of 37081 and 37027] 

Since the return journey from Fort William south to Mossend was mainly in the dark, I did not time it, although I do recall that one of the 37's was playing up, and we lost quite a lot of time.

26th May 1984: The "West Highlander" This was the "Big one". The launch of regular steam running on the Fort William to Mallaig line. We were 39 late off Mossend, and suffered checks on the opening section to Craigendoran Junction. Then a brake problem caused another halt before Helensburgh. After that, we were clear. A double dose of "Growling" from the front end, another brake stop beyond Rannoch, and we were 28 late in to Fort Wiliam. [view log of 37081 and 37264]

During the weekend we did 2 return steam trips to Mallaig and back on "Black 5" 5407.  On the first, just beyond Glenfinnan Viaduct the train was stopped, and those who wished to detrain clambered down on to the ballast, then found good hillside viewing positions to watch a couple of runpasts over the viaduct. On the Monday another treat was in store. "Maude", the 1891 built North British 0-6-0, was also doing a Mallaig trip. In deference to her size, the load was to be limited to 4 coaches. The story of "Maude's Adventure" will have to wait for another time. Let us just say that we only got as far as Arisaig, and the round trip from Fort William took 7 hours 20 mins, which had repercussions on the return journey south.

28th May 1984: And so we were 166 mins late off Fort William, and despite hard running, we were no less than 221 minutes late into Mossend. Having lost our path, we had several extra crossing stops on the single line. [view log of 37112 and 37081]

14th August 1984: A weeks holiday at Fort William, and what better way to get there than on the "sleeper", which we joined at Crewe. With my wife and 10 year old son claiming the sleeper berths, I was consigned to the Mk2 TSO, which meant I got little sleep, but witnessed the West Highland scenery in the early morning sun. 37012 was the loco, and the load, 7 coaches plus an "Ethel" (ET Heating vehicle), which amounted to 313 tons tare, 330 tons full, was probably a little too much for the timings.  We were 21 late from Glasgow, and despite hard work from the loco throughout, we ended up 39 late into Fort William, most of the lost time being accounted for by a lengthy signal check at Partick. But a bright summers morning behind a hard working class 37 was an experience not easily forgotten. [view log of 37012] 

21st August 1984: Returning south a week later, it was the same story, except this time I was in a compartment by myself for the whole journey to Rugby. And I did get a good 4 or 5 hours sleep. Again the loco was worked hard, but with no delays of any note we were 4 mins early into Glasgow Glasgow Queen St.[view log of 37085] 

1st September 1984: Less than two weeks later, I was heading north again, this time on the "Lochaber" railtour, formed of the SLOA "Pullman" rake. This was a superb tour. 37081 came on at Mossend and we made the journey to Fort William with only two crossing stops, at Bridge of Orchy, and at Corrour. [view log of 37081]  "Maude" had another go at Mallaig, and made it, albeit in the company of Black 5 no 44767. We ran back from Fort William to Clainlarich, then reversed and headed for Oban. From there we crossed to Mull, had a trip on the "Mull and Craignure" miniature steam line, a coach drive across the island, then a Ferry crossing to the Island of Iona.

2nd September 1984: So on the return journey of the "Lochaber" 37051 took us from Oban to Mossend Yard, with a long crossing stop at Dalmally, and a crew change stop at Cowlairs. I didn't time in detail, I was too tired. So it is Passing times and average speeds only. We were 30 mins late into Mossend, but who cared after an unforgettable weekend. [view log of 37051]
By now you are probably asking the question "Isn't this suppose to be a page about class 37 locomotive performance?" Quite right too. So below are comparisons of the various runs over each of the principal inclines, both northbound and southbound.
 

NORTHBOUND: GARELOCHHEAD TO GLEN DOUGLAS: mp 10 to mp14: Avge grade 1/80 

 

date

locos

load..t/f

time.m/s

av spd

spd s/f

 

26/05/84

37081+37264

434/460

07.00

30.8

28/41

14/08/84

37012

315/330

07.47

27.7

25/34

01/09/84

37081

267/280

07.12

30.0

26/36

 

NORTHBOUND: ARDLUI TO CRAINLARICH: mp 31.25 to mp 34.75: Avge grade 1/65 

 

date

locos

load..t/f

time.m/s

av spd

spd s/f

 

26/05/84

37081+37264

434/460

06.49

31.7

33/27

14/08/84

37012

315/330

07.56

26.5

32/25

01/09/84

37081

267/280

07.28

28.1

29/28

 
NORTHBOUND: CRAINLARICH TO TYNDRUM: mp 38 to mp 41: Avge grade 1/67 
 

date

locos

load..t/f

time.m/s

av spd

spd s/f

 

26/05/84

37081+37264

434/460

05.42

31.6

34/31

14/08/84

37012

315/330

06.50

26.3

30/25

01/09/84

37081

267/280

06.18

28.6

32/27

 
NORTHBOUND: BRIDGE OF ORCHY TO GORTAN: mp 53 to mp 57.5: Avge grade 1/75 
 

date

locos

load..t/f

time.m/s

av spd

spd s/f

 

26/05/84

37081+37264

434/460

07.36

35.5

36/38

14/08/84

37012

315/330

08.59

30.0

27/33

01/09/84

37081

267/280

08.22

32.3

31/34

  
SOUTHBOUND: TULLOCH to CORROUR: mp 78 to mp 72: Avge grade 1/67 
  

date

locos

load..t/f

time.m/s

av spd

spd s/f

 

28/5/84

37112/37081

434/460

10.57

32.9

32/33

21/8/84

37085

315/330

12.53

28.0

32/26

 
SOUTHBOUND: HORSESHOE to COUNTY MARCH: mp 45 to mp 43: Avge grade 1/55 
 

date

locos

load..t/f

time.m/s

av spd

spd s/f

 

28/5/84

37112/37081

434/460

04.17

28.0

28/28

21/8/84

37085

315/330

05.01

23.9

30/23

 

Note: Both pictures above are copyright D Bailey and are reproduced with his consent.

 

 

 

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