16th June 1956

???
Clan Cameron Gathering

Route :

Notes :
(1) Route confirmation required. David Whittaker comments: This tour ran in conjunction with a gathering of Clan Cameron at Achnacarry Castle (ancestral home of the clan) near Spean Bridge. This was a rare event and so arrangements were made for 72001 'Clan Cameron' to work the train with clan members, from Glasgow (Queen Street) to Spean Bridge, and also for the driver, fireman and guard to have the surname Cameron! Pacifics were not normally allowed on the West Highland and so the trip made history. The Chief of Clan Cameron Col. D H Cameron (Cameron of Locheil) was, for many years, a member of the Scottish Region Area Board of B.R. The loco and stock went on from Spean Bridge to Fort William for servicing. As additional insurance K4 61995 Cameron of Locheil was sent down the West Highland ahead of 72001 on a freight and was used as a standby engine at Crianlarich, where the special passed it. During the previous week 72001 had been seen in Fort William (June 9th) and also working the line and may have made a preliminary trip with the 15.46 Glasgow -Fort William on May 10th. The West Highland engine crews -according to contemporary reports - reported the Pacific to be unhappy with some of the curves on the West Highland.

Sources : John Clifford (from contemporary sources) & David Whittaker

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