Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh
20th January 2007

It did not get any better than this for me. Arguably the most scenic line in the country and class 37's as traction. My first visit in 1988 was a bit of a disaster due to poor weather and lack of experiance and line knowledge. Due to this I did not visit again until 1992 when regular passenger trains were in operation again. On this trip I sat it out in all weathers and only managed a few shots for my efforts. However by now I was hooked and after a re-think of strategy the decion was to head for the Kyle and other parts of Scotland only on a good forecast. This could mean for just the weekend and a number of overnight drives thus followed. This did in time pay off and a number of visits were made during 1993 and 1994. Not all were succesful but the number of locations meant that returns visits would produce new shots. A lot of patience was needed on the Kyle as you did not get much for your money. After the morning departure from Kyle the next train was not until 1pm with the first arrival from Inverness. This was the start of a busy period for the kyle with four trains in four hours ! Some of the time was passed by walking to locations as a number were a fair distance from the nearest road. During 1993 class 26's worked the line every Wednesday and proved very difficult to get in sun. This was also the last year that 37/0's dominated as 1994 saw 37/4's take over most turns. August 1994 was my last visit for regular passenger trains as Sprinters then took over shortly after. Looking back the long overnights drives, sleeping in the car and putting up with the midges was all worthwhile. Some of the shots taken on this line are without doubt some of my best and my personal favorites and I do hope you enjoy the splendour of the Kyle line as much as I did. It was truly scenic photography at its very best.

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37430 passes Drumbuie on the Sunday only 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. This would turn out to be my last sun lit shot on the line. We waited for the first lunch time train but by then the cloud had spead in and so set off south for a long drive home. Looking at the shots again in this area I supect that a lot of views are now over grown. 14/8/94
37430 passes Drumbuie on the Sunday only 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. This would turn out to be my last sun lit shot on the line. We waited for the first lunch time train but by then the cloud had spead in and so set off south for a long drive home. Looking at the shots again in this area I supect that a lot of views are now over grown. 14/8/94
 Having photographed the train only 10 minutes earlier, 37232 is just about caught again. 7/8/94
Having photographed the train only 10 minutes earlier, 37232 is just about caught again. 7/8/94
 Having photographed them near Kyle a dash was made inland to catch them again. This was not to difficult as the train was by no means an express. 37431 and 37170 pass Kirkhill with 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. 5/9/93
Having photographed them near Kyle a dash was made inland to catch them again. This was not to difficult as the train was by no means an express. 37431 and 37170 pass Kirkhill with 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. 5/9/93
 On a glorious Sunday morning 37431 leads failed 37170 on 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. This was a difficult shot to crack as the train only ran once a week. The Isle of Skye forms the back drop. 5/9/93
On a glorious Sunday morning 37431 leads failed 37170 on 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. This was a difficult shot to crack as the train only ran once a week. The Isle of Skye forms the back drop. 5/9/93
37430 passes Craig Highland Farm with 15.10 Kyle - Inverness. The Wednesdays only signal man strikes of 1994 did not effect the kyle due to radio signaling so it was a good place to head for during that period. 10/8/94
37430 passes Craig Highland Farm with 15.10 Kyle - Inverness. The Wednesdays only signal man strikes of 1994 did not effect the kyle due to radio signaling so it was a good place to head for during that period. 10/8/94
 37430 passes Craig Highland Farm with 12.28 Inverness - Kyle. This was a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. 10/8/94
37430 passes Craig Highland Farm with 12.28 Inverness - Kyle. This was a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. 10/8/94
 37428 approaches Plockton with 12.28 Inverness - Kyle. Plockton was a great place to pass some time until things got busy after lunch. 13/8/94
37428 approaches Plockton with 12.28 Inverness - Kyle. Plockton was a great place to pass some time until things got busy after lunch. 13/8/94
 37428 passes Drumbuie in glorious conditions with 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. 12/8/94
37428 passes Drumbuie in glorious conditions with 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. 12/8/94
Another at Craig Highland Farm, this time a pair as 37402 leads 37294 on the 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. 4/9/93
Another at Craig Highland Farm, this time a pair as 37402 leads 37294 on the 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. 4/9/93
 37294 leads 37402 past Erbusaig on 17.00 Inverness - Kyle. 4/9/93
37294 leads 37402 past Erbusaig on 17.00 Inverness - Kyle. 4/9/93
 37240 passes Erbusaig with the 17.00 Kyle - Inverness. 16/8/93
37240 passes Erbusaig with the 17.00 Kyle - Inverness. 16/8/93
 37232 snakes around Loch Carron near Attadale with 10.26 Inverness to Kyle. 10/8/94
37232 snakes around Loch Carron near Attadale with 10.26 Inverness to Kyle. 10/8/94
37232 accelerates past Drumbuie on the last part of its journey with the 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. 4/9/93
37232 accelerates past Drumbuie on the last part of its journey with the 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. 4/9/93
 37221 and 37152 approach Duirinish with the
37221 and 37152 approach Duirinish with the "Land Cruiser" on a glorious Sunday morning. 29/5/94
 37156 passes Drumbuie with 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. This was one of the best locations on the line especially in these conditions. 16/8/93
37156 passes Drumbuie with 10.26 Inverness - Kyle. This was one of the best locations on the line especially in these conditions. 16/8/93
 37152 skirts Loch Carron with the Sunday only 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. 7/8/94
37152 skirts Loch Carron with the Sunday only 10.30 Kyle - Inverness. 7/8/94
37152 and 37170 haul the
37152 and 37170 haul the "Land Cruiser" past Drumbuie. 4/9/93
37088 passes Loch Achinalt with 6.50 Kyle - Inverness. Although not as spectacular as the coastal views some good locations could be had further inland. 24/7/92
37088 passes Loch Achinalt with 6.50 Kyle - Inverness. Although not as spectacular as the coastal views some good locations could be had further inland. 24/7/92
 37088 passes Attadale on the 12.28 Inverness - Kyle. 24/7/92
37088 passes Attadale on the 12.28 Inverness - Kyle. 24/7/92
 Got them at last. 26001 and 26007 pass Maryburgh with 17.00 Kyle - Inverness. Having watched them go by in cloudy skies near Kyle the race was on to get ahead and find some sunshine and a location. This was the result. 28/7/93
Got them at last. 26001 and 26007 pass Maryburgh with 17.00 Kyle - Inverness. Having watched them go by in cloudy skies near Kyle the race was on to get ahead and find some sunshine and a location. This was the result. 28/7/93
© 1998-2009 Dean Cornthwaite - All copyrights rest with the Author
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