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.

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.

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.

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.


Spectator falls on the tracks at Grosmont Station

 'Flying Scotsman' at Grosmont Station

 'Flying Scotsman' on the Moors

'Flying Scotsman' on the Moors as Crowds Gather

 Goathland Station

Grosmont Depot
 

 'Flying Scotsman' passing Grosmont Depot 

 Two Happy and Friendly NYMR Volunteers  

'Flying Scotsman' at Grosmont Station

 'Flying Scotsman' at Grosmont Station

'Flying Scotsman' Cab

 'Flying Scotsman' at Pickering Station

 'Flying Scotsman' at Pickering Station

  'Flying Scotsman' on the Moors

 Diesel Arrival at Goathland

Steam and Diesel


Waiting on the 'Flying Scotsman'


Pulling Strong Uphill


 'Flying Scotsman' - Final Departure

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

Flying Scotsman - NYMR Day One

First of the two day trip planned to see the Flying Scotsman.

Off to a bad start as Amey didn't open the motorway as per their schedule and their employee said it wasn't his problem. He also couldn't say when they would open the motorway so it was a lengthy detour around back roads, with a long drive ahead, and a schedule to meet.

However we had a fair run down after that and arrived in time to get to Pickering after checking in to our accommodation.

The NYMR was busy to say the least as everyone was keen to catch a glimpse of this iconic locomotive.

It was however mostly good natured and much banter amongst the crowds.

The volunteers on the line were also very helpful but a friend had a poor experience that blighted his day.

The diesel locomotive service had been cancelled so no way back to Pickering for three hours, and it was getting colder and colder.

NYMR organisation was very poor in dealing with situation. All day ticket travellers at intermediate stations were effectively abandoned with station staff making no effort to help.

The best they could offer was a number for a taxi - not even willing to make the call. As no mobile phone signal this was less than useless.

After a lot of pressure and debate they seemed to get a grip and stopped the Flying Scotsman at each intermediate station, and gave the stranded passengers a lift in the guard van.

What was also poor was that they deleted comments about the failure from their Facebook page - would have though an apology and recognition of the problem would have been the thing to do, not just ignore and censor.

Anyway, day two will follow.

'Flying Scotsman' at Pickering Level Crossing

 Levisham Station

 Class 37 Diesel (37264) approaching Levisham Station

'Flying Scotsman' approaching Goathland Station 


Class 37 Diesel (37264) approaching Levisham Station

'Flying Scotsman' approaching Goathland Station

Warm and Steamy Cab

 Stationary Locos at Grosmont Sheds

 'Flying Scotsman' approaching Levisham Station

'Flying Scotsman' approaching Levisham Station

 'Flying Scotsman' Cab

 'Flying Scotsman' at Goathland Station

 'Flying Scotsman' arriving at Goathland Station

Steam Locomotive Ex BR 76079 at Goathland Station

 76079 gets cleaned down for the night at the Grosmont Depot

Evening service with “Daisy” about to depart Grosmont Station

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