Aircraft Carrier Lower Block 04 Section Departs Govan

Another section of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier 'Queen Elizabeth' departed the BAE yard at Govan late this morning.

  Scheduled to depart on Monday of this week - the move was deferred until today.

Three of our Clyde Svitzer tugs - Ayton Cross, Svitzer Milford, and Anglegarth escorted and towed the barge - AMT Trader - carrying the section on it's journey to Rosyth in Fife.

When they arrived at Greenock two sea tugs - BB Troll and Carlo Magno - were waiting to take over the tow for the remainder of the journey.

This section is one of the largest modules housing two engines, a hospital, galley and 242 berths.

On arrival at Rosyth this section will be added to those already constructed and eventually the ship will be completed.

 Lower Block 04 Section Departing Govan

 Lower Block 04 Section Tugs Getting Ready at Govan

Lower Block 04 Section - Govan

Lower Block 04 Section Leaving Govan

Lower Block 04 Section with Supporting Tugs Depart Govan

Lower Block 04 Section with Ayton Cross at the Stern

Lower Block 04 Section Leaves Govan with a Large Audience

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs at Erskine Bridge

 Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs at Erskine Bridge

 Svitzer Milford - Erskine Bridge

Anglegarth - Erskine Bridge

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Heading Downriver

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Passing Port Glasgow

 Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Passing Port Glasgow

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

Tugs for Carrier Section Move

There are two tugs allocated to take the latest carrier section of the 'Queen Elizabeth' aircraft carrier through from Govan (Glasgow) to Rosyth (Fife)

The lead tug is the Italian 'Marco Magno' and the second one is the Norwegian 'BB Troll'.

They both made there way to the 'Tail of the Bank' off Greenock late this afternoon and will await the Clyde Svitzer tugs to bring the barge down from Govan tomorrow.

 BB Troll and Carlo Magno Approach Erskine Bridge

BB Troll - Erskine Bridge
 

 BB Troll - Erskine Bridge

 Carlo Magno - Erskine Bridge

 Carlo Magno - Erskine Bridge

BB Troll Passing Port Glasgow

BB Troll Passing Port Glasgow
 

Carlo Magno Passing Port Glasgow
 

Carlo Magno Passing Port Glasgow

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

BB Troll and Swans

The tug "BB Troll" arrived on the Clyde today and was scheduled to be the second tug on the move of the aircraft carrier section.

She was originally the "Stirling Iona" and built here on the Clyde at Ferguson's Shipbuilders.

The section was to move down the Clyde from Govan this morning but was cancelled late last night due to concerns with the weather.

When the move does take place the section will go to Rosyth.

We are waiting to here when the move will be rescheduled,

BB Troll - Eskine Bridge

 BB Troll - Eskine Bridge

 Swan at Erskine Ferry Lodge

 Meet the Family

 BB Troll - Eskine Bridge

BB Troll - Glasgow Bound

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

West Highland Railway Line - Tour Train

Knowing it would be dark before this steam tour arrived in my own neck of the woods, headed North.

Most of the images are in Crianlarich station when the locomotives stopped for about an hour to take water before continuing on their journey.

Didn't count the carriages but it was a long train and a class 47 diesel took up the rear.

As always we hope for better light but the day was fairly dismal ending in rain before it arrived at Arrochar en-route to her destination.

Heading to Crianlarich Station
 

44871 - Crianlarich Station
 

 44871 in Crianlarich Station

 45407 at Crianlarich Station

Crianlarich Station
 

 44871 in Crianlarich Station

 44871 and 45407 Taking Water at Crianlarich Station

44871 and 45407 Taking Water at Crianlarich Station

Arrochar and Tarbet Station

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

Stirlingshire Views

Chasing steam trains today on the West Highland Line.

Not the best light and getting in to winter temperatures, but wanted to capture some images while in the area.

I can only say that among all the beautiful countries in the world, Scotland is right up there with our wonderful hills and scenery.

 Looking down from the A82 Road

 Stirlingshire Scenery

 Stirlingshire Scenery
 

  Stirlingshire Moors

 Stirlingshire Scenery
 

Near Tyndrum

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

Greenock - Loch Thom Sunset

Light wasn't as spectacular tonight but decided to give it a try.

Drove around looking for something a little different and endd up in the Loch Thom area.

By this time the sun was well gone, but a few efforts are here.

 Setting Sun - Loch Thom

Setting Sun - Loch Thom

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

PS Waverley On Her Final Cruise of 2012 Season

The paddle steamer 'PS Waverley' returned to the Clyde late on Saturday night after experiencing bad weather down South.

As today was her last cruise of the season she was very busy and the weather was kind to those that chose to sail.

I met her at Greenock as she arrived in the early - (but dark) - evening.

Her are some images before she departed to head to Glasgow for the winter.

PS Waverley On Her Final Cruise of this Season Approaching Custom House Quay

PS Waverley - Custom House Quay
 

 PS Waverley On Her Final Cruise of this Season

 PS Waverley On Her Final Cruise - Custom House Quay

 PS Waverley On Her Final Cruise of this Season - Custom House Quay

 PS Waverley On Her Final Cruise of this Season - Custom House Quay

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

Sunset at Custom House Quay in Greenock

Taking advantage of a little free time while awaiting the arrival of the PS Waverley.

Light was nice so here are a few images to enjoy from that tranquil evening.

 'Spirit of Fairbridge' as Sun Sets

Custom House Quay Sunset

 Custom House Quay in the Evening

 Autumn Evening at Greenock Custom House Quay

 Sunset from Custom House Quay

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