16/1
I was up early for the main purpose of my visit. This was to cover the Far North Line, which was going to be more interesting as a snow-based apocalypse had been forecast.
I checked out and walked out of the hotel to find a small amount of white stuff on ground, and even more in the air. Being an Englander, this gave me a sudden desire to close all schools in the vicinity, despite not having the relevant authority.
Inverness Castle
I was on the 0700 off Inverness. Arriving about 17 minutes early, the barriers were closed and the platform not displayed, despite the unit sitting in the platform with 'Wick' on it. The management here, evidently think they're running London Euston in the evening peak rather than the deserted Inverness taking such unnecessary measures. I went to the Costa for a supply raid, just in case. Then I waited until the platform was announced and I simulated a one-man Euston style mad rush to the train, with absolutely nobody else around (this sentence may have been embellished for your entertainment).
0700 Inverness-Wick. Scotrail 158.
I think about 5 other passengers boarded in the end. This 158 was refurbished, so it didn't have the pseudo-first class section. I settled for a table of four which nobody joined for the entire duration of the journey. I like the Scotrail 158's, they seem to have more comfortable seats than their Northern 2-car cousins. As we departed urban Inverness, the snow became 'substantial' on Iskra's snow scale, which being an Englander gave me a sudden urge to head to the nearest supermarket and hoard 5 days worth of supplies. Unfortunately, this urge had to go unfulfilled as I was trapped on a 158 on an advance ticket to the end of the world, no break of journey being allowed. The train became quite busy up to Dingwall, but the conductor was unable to sell any tickets due to a broken machine. As we approached Invergordon we reached 'blizzard' on Iskra's snow scale, which had me sheltering under the table on the 158 listening to the BBC on the wireless to protect myself from the oncoming apocalypse. The snow didn't bother the driver at all and a coffee from the trolley returned me to my senses. On the approach to Invergordon there were oil rigs out in the estuary their top halves lit up, but their supporting superstructure in complete darkness making them look as if they were floating in mid air. Invergordon is famous for a rare British armed forces mutiny. The scenery is very impressive on this line, and it looked surreal all in the snow. Scotrail had gone to great lengths to keep the line functional today, even the request stops platforms had been cleared of the snow.
A scotrail snow clearing van
The line hugs the rugged coast up until Helmsdale, with snow flying past the windows, where it cuts inland to what can only be described as absolute wilderness- deer are more plentiful than sheep up here. In all honestly, it is absolute madness that this rail line even exists, it's economics must be dubious at best and it must have been horrendous to build. Amazingly a party of 5 boarded at Altnabreac. We reversed at Georgemas Junction station (the most over-served station in Britain?) to reach Thurso where the sun finally appeared. And then we reached Wick, which is quite an underwhelming end to a 4.5 hour journey. I was the only passenger to get off.
158725 at Wick
I went for a quick wander around Wick, mainly to prevent myself from getting Deep Vein Thrombosis. Wick today was a cold, grey, windswept place, with very little going on.
The view from the bridge at Wick.
1234 Wick-Inverness. Scotrail 158.
It was back onto 158725, I chose to sit in the other carriage for a bit of variety, but soon regretted my choice when it became apparent that the heating wasn't working in there, so I moved into the rear carriage which had about 4 other occupants. This train was lacking a trolley due to staffing issues, so it was a good job that I'd stocked up a packed lunch at the Costa in Inverness in the morning. The journey back, was as you'd expect very similar to the way up. With the snow the line was looking very colourless and 'black and white' so I think I'd like to travel it again in a more colourful season such as Spring or Autumn as I suspect it would give a very different impression.
At Inverness I went to the Kings Highway Wetherspoons for some cheap-ish tea- I recommend the Doombar Steak and Ale pie, and I had a couple of pints of Doobar with it, which I very much enjoy. After that it was over to the sleeper lounge, where I was greeted by a lovely host. I used the showers here, which are the best I've used on the rail network. I normally prefer a shower in the morning, but I took one just in case the sleeper was delayed into Euston. After that I just chilled out and enjoyed the snacks etc, charged my phone. 67018 had had ETH issues the previous night, so I'd struck sleeper gold again, as I did the previous year in getting a double-headed working. This time a pair of 73's, to my delight.
Double headed 73's at Inverness.
On approaching the steward to book-in, the steward didn't seem to have much faith in us actually getting to Euston, quizzing me about my onward plans in case of disruption. I was more confident than he was, knowing the sleeper has lots of padding time, there were rescue loco's around and it can run faster if needed to make up time, but it's not great when the staff don't think you'll reach your destination.
2045 Inverness-London Euston. Caledonian Sleeper LHCS 2x73 & 92. Solo Berth.
I took up a seat in the lounge with around 8 other occupants, where I had the customary cheeseboard and a couple of Avalanche real ales, which was all very good. Before going to my berth I went to listen to the 73/9's pull out of Kingussie. They sound like a cross between a HST and a 50, very enjoyable. I then went to my berth and turned the lights out but opened the blind to watch the world go by. This trip will probably be my last on the Mk3 stock so I was having a nostalgic one!
The snow at Newtonmore
We'd been dropping time since departing Inverness and it was noticeable that the heating kept cutting out. We stood for quite a time at Newtonmore and I heard the staff discussing a fitter joining us at Dalwhinnie.
I took breakfast in the lounge car in the morning and a quick check of RTT revealed us to be running around 40L, the Fort William portion had been delayed due to snow. Serco have tried to improve the presentation of the sleeper breakfast:
We then ran pretty slowly into Euston, where I was keen to ID the loco. It was 92010- my first class 92, which I was very happy with! I was also quite happy with the delay repay.
92010 at Euston
I then dashed up to the lounge where I was issued with a towel without any quibbling about shower tokens, I didn't have time for one.
0920 London Euston-Stockport. VTWC 390. 1st.
The 0920 is so much quieter than the 0940 which was rammed- definitely worth getting on an advance to avoid sardine-like conditions.
VTWC Breakfast
I enjoyed the service on this train, they were basically throwing toast at me as it was quiet and they'd made loads!
A quick change at Stockport saw me onto a TP 185, my first trip on an internally refurbished specimen- it's nice! A bloke thought he was on the wrong train so was banging on doors for the platform staff to let him off, but it was too late. It turned out he was on the right train anyway. I was surprised how much snow was in the Hope Valley. I changed at Meadowhall onto a 144 back to Chapeltown.
A successful couple of days, covering the Far North Line and getting 3x new locos into the book, with the 92 being new traction and saying farewell to the MK3 sleeper stock.
To be fair, it must be difficult with itinerary's that frequently change. 
