Dougie Coull Photography

Sunday, 1 May 2016

Bo'ness Railway Visit

A while since I'd been though to Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway but there were a few attractions this weekend.

Class J94 (68007) had her first outing in her new colour of black so that was the first treat of the day.

'Royal Scots Grey' diesel locomotive (55 022) was having her final run before she heads down to be stabled at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and was in the guise of 'Pinza' (55 007) so that was another treat on the day.

As always a nice friendly welcome by the volunteers and train crews, and the slightest whisper of a special guest putting in an appearance later in the month. Nothing confirmed as yet but we live in hope.

Hoping my guess is correct, and if so I'll be back through for yet another treat.

Class J94 (68007) at Bo'ness Station

Class J94 Departing Bo'ness Station

'Royal Scots Grey' diesel locomotive (55 022) at Birkhill

'Royal Scots Grey' diesel locomotive (55 022)

'Morayshire' at Bo'ness

Bo'ness Station

Class J94 (68007) Taking Water

Bo'ness Station

Bo'ness Station Yard

Class 47 diesel locomotive (47643) at Bo'ness

Birkhill Station Waiting Room

Birkhill Station

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Friday, 29 April 2016

HMS Bulwark - Glasgow Visit

HMS Bulwark is one of Royal Navy's Albion-Class assault ships and is designed to put Royal Marines ashore by both air and sea.

She celebrated her 11th Birthday yesterday, and arrived in the River Clyde this morning where she travelled up to Glasgow.

She will be docked there over the weekend and depart on Monday.

A bitterly cold morning but worth the very early start to see her arrive.

She is an impressive looking vessel.

Approaching Braehead

Passing Braehead

Landing Craft

Upper Decks

Bound for Shieldhall Quay

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Monday, 25 April 2016

PS Waverley at Greenock for Pre-Season Maintenance

The paddle steamer PS Waverley journeyed down from Glasgow this morning to Greenock.

She went to Custom House Quay first, then was towed up the the Garvel dry dock for maintenance prior to the start of the summer season.

As always she looked a class act and we are fortunate to have her on the Clyde.

Looking forward to seeing her on her many cruises this year.

Passing Langbank

Berthing at Custom House Quay

Biter and Beaver Bay Tow Waverley to Dry Dock

Pilot at Work

Ready to Begin Work

Biter

Entering Garvel Dry Dock

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Thursday, 21 April 2016

Busy Day - Military Shipping in Scotland

Early start and drove over to Glen Mallan in time to see HMS Iron Duke arrive in lovely sunshine.

A quick drive down to the Gareloch and lucky enough to catch the German U-Boat as she came back in to Faslane after the Joint Warrior exercise.

Time for home and pleased to have caught both vessels in pleasant weather.

Decided to take another run across in the afternoon and again was lucky as an American submarine was departing.

Transpired that she was the USS Dallas - the submarine featured in the movie "The Hunt for Red October".

A very early build of the Los Angeles class and very probably one we'll not see here again - but then who really knows.

Arriving at Loch Long

Bridge Activity

Tug Assistance

Helicopter in Hanger

Approaching the Jetty

Beautiful Setting at Glen Mallon

U 34 Heading for Faslane Naval Base

Navigating the Gareloch

Faslane Bound

Busy Office

Heading Out

Bound for Sea

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Vanguard Class Submarine Departing Faslane Naval Base

Up early so thought I'd take a chance and head over to Faslane.

Just managed to catch the outbound submarine as she passed Rhu on her way to sea.

Stayed dry - a bonus - though looked a bit dismal in the morning light.

Approaching Rhu Spit

Entourage

Pilot and Crew

Past the Rhu Spit

Royal Marines Support

Heading to Sea

Escorted Departure

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Wednesday, 16 March 2016

Flying Scotsman - NYMR Day Two

Day two got off to a good start as we rose earlier than planned and headed for Grosmont Station.

Things went a bit awry though as some poor chap had taken a tumble from the platform and landed on the track. Thankfully he was OK after attention form the paramedics.

We however had got delayed in the traffic and then when we got to the car park - where we had paid £5 for an hour the previous evening - it was closed to all but NYMR staff.

The overflow car park was too far away to get down and back quickly enough to catch the Flying Scotsman departing. Long story short, after some persistence we were advised of a place we could utilise and we managed to get parked.

Another disappointment as the Flying Scotsman departed in one almighty plume of steam and all we saw as she passed the viewing area was steam - no train.

Back to the car and off we went along the track to get a new location.

Thereafter the day went well, though opportunities were limited due to her travelling tender first on her return journeys. Just a fact of life with the line.

After her last departure from Grosmont we decided to head home. It had been a long two days and finally got home around 21:30.

Really pleased we made the trip and great to have some images and first hand experience of this fantastic steam locomotive.