Today has been marvellous. I had been awake far earlier than intended and after a substantial continental breakfast at my city centre hotel, I walked leisurely to Edinburgh’s massive Waverley Station, picked up my tickets as instructed and awaited the arrival of LNER’s beautifully restored High Speed Train. These trains, had, until recently, dominated the East Coast main line and the route from London Paddington to Penzance since 1978. They appeared later also on the Midland main line between London St. Pancras, Derby and Sheffield.
I was very pleased with the hotel which came recommended by a neighour whose daughter had stayed there, and having picked up an envelope containing my tickets, I joined a gathering crowd waiting eagerly for the seven car train, resplendent throughout in its original blue and light grey Inter City livery to arrive. A sharp intake of breath heralded the sight of this freshly painted train as it made its head-turning entrance into Waverley Station. Only the orange hazard warning lights, orange line along the entire train warning of proximity to the overhead electrification, and yellow highlighted steps betrayed the train’s convincing and highly detailed 1978 image. I was pleased to see the coach numbers and Inter City decals as originally applied to each vehicle. No corner was cut in this astonishingly accurate restoration; all those on board, or who just saw the train were more than suitably impressed. Only a tourist from the Far East asked me why so many people were taking photographs!
Scotland in winter is rarely a good time to hope for bright weather. But today, although cool, hardly a cloud in the sky made for endless lovely countryside and magnificent sea-scapes as our gorgeous train headed north. Within minutes, we were crossing the Forth Bridge, and for the first time since I was 16, I was astounded as we crossed the huge Tay Bridge, making a sharp right hand turn towards Dundee Station. The pictures below merely illustrate the train at Edinburgh, also, a backwards view of the Tay Bridge, a photo call at Arbroath and a couple of interior images. Arrival at Inverness in the dark will be illustrated in the next blog.
I am now settled in at the Royal Highland Hotel, formerly the Station Hotel right by Inverness Station. My room here is adequate, but smaller than those I have stayed in at other former railway hotels. It appears to be thriving with many guests moving about, not very quietly! The electric heater in my room is effective against the Scottish cold. It seems reception staff have to point out to guests the connection between the grand staircase to that of the Titanic. I am given to understand that the creator of Titanic’s staircase had been a guest of what was The Station Hotel and the staircase here inspired that on the White Star’s ill-fated liner.
I was a little sad to leave the train at Inverness, but am rather pleased at the thought of a further three days as we head towards London. All I have met on board are excellent company, particularly a young 14 year old whose enthusiasm is joyous and knowledge far more mature than mine was even in later years. His journey to Inverness was a Christmas present from his parents. Just like I still do, he scooped up as much memorabilia as he was able to, from traders on board, and LNER personnel.
Tomorrow, we return to Edinburgh via Perth and Stirling.
Thanks for reading,
David.
David's Cruise 