08;45.

Today’s the last official day of my RAIL rover as I finish the trip in Mallaig this afternoon. Of course, that’s not the end of my travels – I’ve got to get home to West Yorkshire tomorrow, but that’s another story.

Right now I’m sipping coffee and preparing to leave my hotel here in Anniesland before heading back into the city for a last spin on some of the Glasgow rail network before catching the train to the Highlands. The fantastic weather we’ve been having has deserted me for this last couple of days. There’s low cloud and the treat of more rain here in Glasgow, whilst the forecast for Mallaig is wet, wet, wet. At least it’ll keep the midges at bay…

All blog as I can with a final update this evening.

11:45.

Best laid plans pt 56932…

Despite having checked with the National Rail Enquiries and Rail Times Trains websites just a few days ago, today I find that my train to Malliag isn’t running. In fact, there’s only one through train from Glasgow today, and that isn’t until 18:20!

After muttering some curses whilst checking various websites and timtables I found that there is (or should be) a 14:29 from Crianlarich to Mallaig, which is a return working of an earlier train. I’m assuming this is running as it’s crewed by Fort Bill staff.

But how to get to Crianlarich? I got a train as far as Dumbarton where I hoped to get a coach. This was a punt as the operators website told me they were all full. I walked the mile out to the bypass and hoped for the best. Bang on time at 11:04 the No 377 pulled up – and it had free seats! So, I’m now skirting the bonny banks of Loch Lomond by road rather than rail.

Let’s just hope that 14:29 isn’t cancelled at the last moment eh?

13:10.

Things are looking up. I’ve made it to Crianlarich, the rain’s stopped, the sun’s poking through – and the train’s running. The inbound service is due at 1342. The only downer is that the tea room on the station has closed down. Apparently, in the current climate the business simply wasn’t viable. However, the local post office/shop survives, so I’ve been able to buy supplies.

Made it! The train to Mallaig arrived at Crianlarich early. The reason for the problem was all too obvious. This was to do with the staff dispute over rest day working. Normally, trains change crews here. A Fort William crew work the service from the North to/from Crianlarich, whilst a Glasgow based crew work it to/from the South. They swap over trains here as this is normally where they pass. There’s a mess room on the station so crews can have their PNBs (personal needs breaks). The Fort William crews were still working so – so was the train.

Only there were no passengers. A couple of dozen came down from Fort William with the train, but only five of us went North. I had the rear car to myself whilst the front set was completely empty all the way to Fort William.

Normally (especially in August) you’d expect these trains to be standing room only. It was quite surreal.

Still, it got me to where I needed to be and it was a fabulous journey, despite the deteriorating weather. You’ll be able to read the full story in RAL magazine later this year. Now I’m kicking back in Mallaig, which is hardly ‘sin city’ – just a small town with a working harbour. Like just about everywhere it’s been hit by Covid and the recession. One of the three pubs has closed, as have some shops. I had a little wander when I first arrived as the rain eased for a short while. There’s really not a lot going on here, but that’s fine by me. I’m happy to have a quiet night in the hotel, having just gorged myself on fish and chips in the hotel restaurant, my first proper meal since I left home on Wednesday.

Tomorrow I’ll be making the long trek back to West Yorkshire, this could be fun as there’s a yellow weather warning for heavy rain…

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