West Highland Railway Line - Steam Train

Steam locomotive 'The Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 headed North today to take up her duties on the 'Jacobite' train tours that operate between Fort William and Mallaig over the summer months.

Here we can see her at Garelochhead station as she awaited the South bound Sprinters before she could continue her journey.

As usual she looked spick and span and as always she attracted a fair amount of attention from her admirers.

'The Lancashire Fusilier' Arrives at Garelochhead Station

'The Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 Cab Interior

'The Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 Cab Interior

'The Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 - Garelochhead Station

'The Lancashire Fusilier' Firebox 

Some Maintenance

Checks Before Departure


Sprinter Goes Through

'The Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 - Garelochhead Station

'Sam' Goes for a Walk

'Sam' Has a Nosey

Powering Uphill as She Heads North 

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to purchase.

Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

A quick dash from home to get here in time - made it with less than a minute to spare.

Really pleased as this bridge doesn't lift too often - first time I've ever seen it this way.

They are expecting it to be open again for the barge to depart on Wednesday 19 June 2013.

 Inchinnan Bascule Bridge

 Beaver Bay Approaching the Bridge

Barge and Stern Escort Pass Beneath the Bridge

Upright and Traffic Stopped

 Quite Noisy on the Way Down

 Maintenance Time

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to purchase.

Weekend Trip

Well my weekend aboard the SD Northern River comes to a close.

Up for breakfast at 07:00 - and a tasty breakfast it was too.

Then some fond farewells to the officers and crew who so kindly hosted the group.

Not such a sunny day for our trip back, but we're all in good spirits for the journey to Greenock on the SD Eva.

Cabin on the SD Northern River

NSRS NSRS 'Intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle

 Berthed at Glen Mallon Jetty

 Departing on the SD Eva

 My Fellow Travellers

 Moody Looking as We Head Down Loch long

Cold But Refreshing

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

NSRS - SRV1 - NATO Submarine Rescue System

As part of my visit to 'SD Northern River' over the weekend I was very fortunate to witness some of the training with SRV1.

Based at Faslane on the Clyde, the unit was at Glen Mallon for training. It is owned owned jointly by the UK, France, and Norway.

SRV1 can be loaded on to aircraft for fast response anywhere around the world when required.

It has a crew of two pilots and can rescue up to 15 people at a time.

It is truly spectacular and I felt privileged to spend some time aboard  and see just what the unit was capable of - though we hope she is never needed.

 SRV1 Starting to Submerse

 Recovering from the Sea

 Looks Very Space Age

Multitude of Switches and Panels

 Space is Very Tight

Checks


SD Northern River Weekend Visit from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Langbank Walk

A walk with Maya in the warmth of the evening sun.

Love these long days, and at last we're getting something that resembles summer.

More Cows Than Usual

Maya Enjoys Her Walk

Colourful Flowers 

Buttercup

Sun Sets 

Sun Well Down

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to purchase.

'Big Eagle' and 'Shoalway'

The luxury yacht 'Big Eagle' departed Greenock this morning and headed for Glasgow.

The cost of chartering her is about £109,000 for the Caribbean, and £116,000 for the Mediterranean.

Dredger 'Shoalway' is currently plying her trade dredging the Clyde at Glasgow.

'Big Eagle' Passing Port Glasgow


Dredger - Shoalway at Erskine Bridge

Dredger - Shoalway at Erskine Bridge

'Big Eagle' is Glasgow Bound

'Big Eagle' Tender 

'Big Eagle' Passing Erskine Bridge 

Dog Walkers at Erskine Bridge

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to purchase.

MSC Magnifica - Cruise Ship in Greenock

The cruise ship 'MSC Magnifica' paid her first visit to Greenock today.

She arrived very early - around 06:20 - and was met with heavy rain and not too warm weather.

I'm pleased to say that when she departed at 18:00 the weather had improved considerably.

Off the Greenock Ocean Terminal 

Onlookers Gather to watch Her Departure

Heading Out to Open Sea



Cruise Ships in Greenock - May 2013 from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.


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On my way home I popped in to the James Watt Dock and took a few images of 'Big Eagle' - a luxury yacht.

The cost of chartering her is about £109,000 for the Caribbean, and £116,000 for the Mediterranean.

'Big Eagle' Berthed in the James Watt Marina

'Big Eagle' Berthed in the James Watt Marina

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - are better resolution and can also be purchased.

'Quest for Adventure' - Departing Greenock

'Quest for Adventure' departed Greenock tonight and headed on to her next destination - Douglas on the Isle of Man.

She had a lovely sunny night for her passengers to take in the scenery, albeit still a bit chilly on the Clyde.

Canting 

On the Turn

New Funnel Colours This Year

Looking Splendid Against the Hills 

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - are also better resolution and available to purchase.

MV Lochinvar Launch at Ferguson Shipbuilders

The second of the hybrid diesel electric ferries for CMAL was launched this morning at Ferguson Shipbuilders in Port Glasgow.

The sun shone brightly, though we are still enduring a cold wind even this far in to the year.

As always Fergusons are good hosts to the local community and we are privileged to be able to watch their fine vessels be launched. It is so much part of the Clyde tradition.

Great to see the local school children enjoy the spectacle and witness their future heritage first hand.

The launch was carried out by Patricia Platten - wife of Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) CEO - Guy Platten. 

All went smoothly thought he wind did carry her a bit further upriver than perhaps was anticipated.

However she was soon secured by Clyde Marine's tugs and berthed where she will now be fitted out before sea trials.

 Welcome to the Launch

 Waiting to Go

Deck Party

Pupils and Teachers Await the Launch

Dignitaries at the MV Lochinvar Launch

MV Lochinvar Makes a Splash

Last Minute Checks Before the Launch

Final Manoeuvres to Berth 'MV Lochinvar' 

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution and available to order.