This is a record of a journey over the picturesque West Highland Railway in Western Scotland behind two former North British Railway 'Glen' class 4-4-0 locomotives. The locos were long associated with the line. The film takes place in their twilight years shortly before their withdrawal and general replacement of steam by diesel locomotives. The opening sequence is a close up of the smokebox and chimney of a 'Glen' 4-4-0 followed by a more distant view of the engine with...

This is a record of a journey over the picturesque West Highland Railway in Western Scotland behind two former North British Railway 'Glen' class 4-4-0 locomotives. The locos were long associated with the line. The film takes place in their twilight years shortly before their withdrawal and general replacement of steam by diesel locomotives. The opening sequence is a close up of the smokebox and chimney of a 'Glen' 4-4-0 followed by a more distant view of the engine with its safety valves blowing off, probably at Crianlarich. Next there is a forward view from the moving train showing two 4-4-0s ahead passing over one of the concrete viaducts which characterise the line. An elevated view from above the track then shows both engines on a curve, the train engine (ie rearmost) 'blowing off'. A rail level view shows both locomotives setting off with a strong exhaust from the pilot (leading) engine, BR No.62496 Glen Loy. Both 4-4-0s pass and move into the distance, and the train enters an unidentified station (Tyndrum?) with characteristic WHR central 'island' platform. The driver is seen oiling the motion of Glen Loy, with a locomotive inspector on hand. The train then departs, and with a scene taken from the footplate of the pilot engine, the track stretching ahead can be seen with the distinctive conical mountain Ben Dorain beyond, its summit obscured by cloud. Both locomotives the train make stately progress up the hill which follows the contour well up the mountainside. From the footplate a station is seen (Bridge of Orchy?), at the end of which is a signal with distinctive metal lattice post. Beyond the end of the platform is a sharp reverse curve. The locos then work hard passing across moorland with mountains beyond. Then there is a view from the footplate of the train engine when passing over another curve. The train runs across desolate Rannoch Moor before pausing at Rannoch Station (?). Glen Loy is seen in close up, before moving off again on the line ahead, which includes a short steel viaduct standing on short piers. The train engine passes through a station and then through open countryside before entering Fort William. Only now is the train engine identifiable as BR No.62471 Glen Falloch. There is a view of Fort William Station forecourt with contemporary road vehicles with Glen Loy alongside. Glen Loy has now detached and is seen taking water on shed while a cleaner wipes down the tender of Glen Falloch (which carries the only recently introduced British Transport Commission emblem, whereas Glen Loy still displays the earlier 1949 British Railways lion and wheel device). Glen Loy is turned on the turntable and moves off, a Class K1 2-6-0 visible beyond. Glen Falloch then moves forward onto the turntable. There is a close up of the cab, and the fireman climbs aboard. From across Loch Linnhe the train can be seen departing. This is followed by a view from the train of the two 4-4-0s ahead, passing over a short viaduct. END Historical Notes: For simplicity the film appears to concentrate on the Crianlarich (?) - Rannoch stretch, virtually ignoring the equally long Rannoch - Fort William section. Steam working on the West Highland line ended in 1961, but a sister locomotive to the two locomotives featured in the film, NBR No.256 Glen Douglas, has been officially preserved.