03:48.
Here’s a bleary eyed good morning from the West Highlands! After a fitful night’s sleep we were woken up by the train crew volunteers who served tea, coffee and croissants along with hot bacon rolls. We’re due into Fort William at 04:19, when the fun begins. I’ll keep you posted…
05:33.
All the teams are on the mountain, the base camp is established and the banners and finishing line is being set up. Here’s some scenes at departure.
The Rail Delivery Group team in good spirits as they begin their climb. From L-R Robert Nisbet, Jac Starr, Naomi Rial and Paul Plummer
The weather’s wet but the rain’s light and it’s forecast to cease later on. Now it’s just a question of waiting for anyone returning injured until the first teams make it back, which is normally around 10:00. That’s when my work starts as we get individual team photos one they’ve crossed the finish line, registered their time & checked in their kit.Here’s how the mountain looks right now.
Rather than hang around and be midge bait I’m going to walk into Fort William for a few hours.
07:07.
I’m now sat at Fort William station (which has just opened), using their free wifi to update the blog after having had a wander around the town. It’s not exactly the most exciting place at the best of times, but at 06:30 it’s deserted. I did find one thing of interest. A statue dedicated to the name whom, in 1911 drove a model-T Ford to the top of Ben Nevis!
Once the station opened I had chance for a mooch around with the camera and caught one of the two Class 37s that are hauling our 3 peaks train. As there’s too many coaches to fit on the platform one of the loco’s is detached to create a bit of extra space.
07:52.
I’ve moved on to the local McDonalds, which is where we take the walking wounded. There’s four of them from various teams, all somewhat dispirited, but not wanting to spoil their team-mates chance of succeeding. I’m sipping a much-needed caffeine (I got very little sleep last night) whilst I download a few more pictures to the blog. My time will be cut short as I’ve just had a call from Katie Mason, the Railway Children’s events organiser. The first team is expected down off the mountain by 09:30, so I need to head back in an hour.
09:56.
The first team (from DRS) crossed the finish line at 09:26.
19:54.
Sorry for the gap in blogging, but it’s been a day full of challenges for us all – not least physical one of the teams who’ve climbed the three peaks, but also the mental ones of the folk who’ve organised all the logistics. Either way, everyone’s knackered due to the level of commitment- and the lack of sleep!
We’ve had a fantastic day and we’ve got everyone off the mountain off safe – and raises a huge amount of money for the Railway Children. The different skill groups involved in such a complex event have worked brilliantly – and not for the first time
10:01.
The atmosphere aboard’s happy but damp!
Now we’re in the first of our pubs. Nowadays it’s called ‘The Dispensary’. I remember it by it’s old name, ‘The Grapes’.
14:00.Next pub. The Little Grapes.
Here’s the crew.
Yesterday’s persistent rain has vanished although the skies are full of clouds displaying the entire palette of grey from off-white to battleship, daubed across a clear blue sky which briefly manages to show its face. Let’s see how the day develops…11.15.A few minutes ago we pulled out of Peterborough, our first stop since Doncaster. It’s been a very pleasant trip. I’ve a table in the half empty Quiet coach on LNER’s 09:45 from Leeds which is made up of a Mk 4 set.
The wifi tells me that we’re belting along at 114mph and that we arrived 5 mins early into Peterborough, where we sat waiting a right time departure.But the times are a changing, as old Bob Dylan sang. The first of LNER’s Mk4 sets went off-lease this week. It was moved to the former coal wagon sidings at Worksop for storage (alongside brand new trains like the Crossrail Class 345s). More Mk 4s will follow shortly as the new Azuma fleet takes over more and more services. Sights like this will soon be a thing of the past.
Today the group’s splitting up for different cultural activities. Some are off on a busman’s holiday and visiting the East Lancashire Railway. I’m taking the second group back to my birthplace – Liverpool – for a tour of the city. No doubt we’ll be taking in a few of some of the architectural gems that make up the port’s pubs. Expect a few memories and pictures later…09:35.For once, I’m glad a train was late! I’m currently sat on the 09:22 from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester, which I was due to miss by about 5 mins but as it was running 6 mins late I breezed straight onto it as it was already sat at the platform.11.05.Whilst waiting for the sore heads to arrive I’ve been taking pictures at Manchester Victoria station. Having known this place since the early 1970s it’s fantastic to see its resurgence after years of decades of decline and neglect. Nowadays the main concourse is buzzing with people, some of whom now linger at the bars and cafes like these.
Whilst waiting I’ve also been observing. As a photojournalist I’m always observing and looking for shots that tell stories. One thing I noticed today was the number of otherwise healthy young men missing legs. My suspicion is that they’re ex-servicemen. Unlike an earlier generation, they don’t hide their injuries by wearing long trousers. Their prosthetics are on display.12:15.Our stag group are now on the way to Liverpool aboard a packed and late running TPE service where the numbers aboard have been bolstered by dozens of Liverpool football supporters.17:16.We’re heading back to Manchester after a wonderful afternoon in Liverpool. I take back what I said about football supporters as the city centre was lacked with them, yet the atmosphere was excellent.
18:03.
Paul Bigland 