22:00.

So much for plans! I’d originally hoped to be a rolling blog but that idea went out of the window in the early hours of this morning. Shortly afterwards the chance of blogging at all went with it. You’ll learn now why that is.

Like most of the folks on the train I managed to grab between 2-4 hours sleep on the train to Kingussie before we had to disembark at the even more ungodly hour than normal of 02:25 in order to be loaded on coaches which spent the next 90 minutes getting us to the base of Ben Nevis. The logistical challenges of such a short-notice change shouldn’t be underestimated. Once at the mountain and with the teams off up the mountain there wasn’t much for me to do after we’d worked out the only sensible place for the banner teams would have their photo taken behind. So – I donned my midge net, smothered myself in weapons-grade mosquito spray and crashed out of a few hours. At Ben Nevis this is a rare treat as normally the ground will be too wet or the weather too cold. But today I slept like a log for a couple of hours, preparing myself to spring into action when teams started coming down off the mountain.

It was a good move! By the time I woke up the majority of the midges had buggered off leaving the weather as pleasant as I’ve ever known it at Nevis.

Despite all their exertions over the past few days most teams made it up and down the mountain in good time and there were hardly any stragglers which was a real achievement. In fact, the first couple of teams stormed it. The difficulty with this event is that ‘time waits for no man’ although in this you can translate time for trains. A handful of people couldn’t make it off Ben Nevis in time to catch the special so they had to be ferried by road to Dalwhinnie where we picked them up.

The rest of us were coached back to Kingussie where folk decided their priorities. The toilets at the Ben Nevis visitor centre were out of order, so you either added to your intake or made room – rapidly! We were back on the train at 14:25 accompanied to the sounds of the bagpipes – which was a lovely touch and a nod to Katie Mason’s Scottish ancestry. You’ll see from the pictures I’ll add later

The train back South has been a riot! The atmosphere was superb but tinged with sadness as we’re saying goodbye to Katie Mason who’s been the stalwart of the event these past 20 years. The on-board crew did us proud with the service on-board. Mary Grant from Porterbrook (the event sponsor) joined us and yet again braved the sweaty bodies to prevent trophies to the three teams who’s raised the most money. I didn’t stop for a minute as I was constantly in demand to take pictures – either inside the train or out when we could choreograph them.

There’s so many good pictures to show from the event and I’ll add a few when I get home. Right now I’m on a very late running train from Preston to Halifax. I’ve managed to get a table to myself but that may be because I’ve not washed properly since Thursday!

19th June update.

I’ve finally had time to edit some of the pictures, so here’s a first few. The rest will appear over the next few days…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!

05:40.

Good morning folks! Our train’s currently traversing the the North Wales coast towards Chester. Those on-board woke up at silly o’ clock as the train left Holyhead at 03:55. Volunteers immediately swung into action to begin preparing for arrival at Bangor where we’d pick up the walkers. This year the weather’s been ideal so for the first time in many years the teams were already waiting for the train’s arrival. The bonus is that hardly anyone climbing Snowdon has picked up any injuries and the few that have were minor.

Now teams are bedding down on the train in order to get a few hours much needed sleep before we arrive at Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast where we’re due to disembark at 08:46. Here’s a few pictures from the day so far…

07:50.

Good morning from the Cumbrian coast! The train’s woken up and everyone’s tucking into breakfast of ‘posh’ sausage rolls (with brioche baps) and porage., washed down with orange juice, tea or coffee. Meanwhile, the onboard crew have been busy preparing hundreds of sandwiches as part of the packed lunches walkers will be given to take with them to sustain their climb up Scafell. The weather here is glorious but that presents other difficulties, dehydration and sunburn being the major ones.

12:05.

The teams disembarked at Ravenglass 25 minute late due to a track-circuit failure on the Cumbrian coast line. Two trains took them along the narrow gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale railway to Dalegarth when they begin their walk to Wasdale to the climb up Scafell. This year I had the opportunity to get ahead so that I can get pictures if them ascending the mountain. So, here I am. Waiting…

21:30.

Well, that’s been a busy day! The photo above looks idyllic but when you’re sat there for three hours waiting for people to walk up into your lens the view does wane somewhat in the heat. Temperatures reached 27 degrees on Scafell today – unheard of in the history of the 3 Peaks by rail challenge. Understandably, some walkers struggled – even the experienced ones. Yet many managed to make the summit in a real feat of endurance and determination. Here’s a couple of pictures.

Now – after a couple of hours break in Ravenglass where people could enjoy a couple of glasses of ‘muscle relaxant’ we’re back on the train and heading for Scotland. The crew served the weary walkers an excellent Lasagne followed by Banoffee pie. Most people are already getting their heads down as we’re off the train at 02:15 to get coaches from Dalwhinnie to Ben Nevis in order to start the final challenge. Yet again the weather forecast is predicting a warm one.

22:30.

Our train’s looped at Beattock summit so all you can hear is the sound of the air-con which is often drowned out by the sound of people snoring. I’m the last one alive – but not for much longer. I’ve spied that someone’s left a gap between the back to back seats, so it’s my chance to stretch out and get some shut-eye. I’ll blog as I can tomorrow. It’s going to be a long day but I should have plenty of time between the teams going up on the mountain and me getting the shots of them crossing the finish line. Well, once Fort Bill opens, anyway…

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!

10:10.

Having completed two sets of packing this morning the adventure’s begun. Dawn was good enough to give me a lift to the station with all my kit as I’m not exactly lighly loaded. You don’t bring an overnight bag for a trip like this – especially when you’re the event photographer!

I’m now en-route to Crewe via Manchester on a busy Northern service from Sowerby Bridge. Other volunteers are on their way from across the country via road and rail, ready to provision the train when the empty stock arrives in the station. But first, a few of us have a little assignment on the depot before that happens…

The weather this year means the event’s going to be a warm. one which presents its own challenges for the teams. Never let anyone tell you this trip is a cakewalk. It’s bloody hard work! At the moment thunderstorms are forecast for the Ben Nevis area but we may be lucky and just dodge them. On the bright side – they could keep the midges at bay.

This is my 6th year as volunteer which I’d never dreamed would happen when I was first asked to help back in 2017. But, like a lot of the crew, I’ve enjoyed it so much I’ve kept coming back – despite the challenges and lack of sleep. Mainly because it’s such a great cause and we raise lots of money, but also because of the camaraderie. Every year’s different too. Each one has its own logistical and weather challenges which add to the fun – and the grey hairs. Well, for those with any left!

The first challenge this year is that due to earlier flood damage on the West Highland line our train can’t get to Fort William on Saturday. Instead, we’ll run to Kingussie on the main line to Inverness. It’s a hour by road from there to the start of the path up Ben Nevis. This change means walkers won’t get as much sleep as normal on Friday night, adding to the difficulty.

11:30.

I’m just leaving Manchester Piccadilly aboard this ancient beast which is working all the way to Carmarthen. Thank God I’m only going as far as Crewe!

Needless to say, with it only being a 2-car, it’s full and standing. At least with it only having forced-air ventilation I don’t have to worry about the air-conditioning breaking down!

16:30.

Apologies for the gap there. I’m now back at the station having spent the past few hours at the depot helping to prepare the stock for the trip. There’s a lot of work to do before the train even arrives at the station. Volunteers are already aboard preparing food whist other of us have labelled the vehicles and laid out information and supplies. I can’t show you any photos as pictures are verboten on the depot, but there’ll be plenty from the trip later – including of the surprise…

18:25.

OK, we’re almost ready for the off and the secret is out. We have rather special traction to Bangor to celebrate Katie Mason’s 23 years at the Railway Children.

22:15.

Time for an update and a load of pictures. The train’s certainly turned a few heads as it made its way along the North Wales coast. En-route our teams were fed a 2 course meal of pies, coleslaw and potato salad followed by cheescake.

We had a 30 minute stop at Llandudno Junction so that ‘Britannia’ could take on water which also gave people chance to pose for pictures with the loco in a much better location than platform 12 at Crewe!

At Bangor we dispatched the walkers who boarded coaches to get them to Snowden and also said goodbye to ‘Britannia’ which was detached to run light engine to Valley where it could turn around on the triangle. Class 47 No 47614 was waiting to take over in its stead to take the empty stock to Holyhead.

The fact the walkers were on their way is only part of the story. I stayed aboard with the traincrew who immediately swung into action, clearing up the rubbish, washing hundreds of plates and then preparing their own meal.

I’ve a small favour to ask…
If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website –  https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/

Or – you can now buy me a coffee! https://ko-fi.com/paulbigland68312

Thank you!