On time arrival at the end of the line
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Not much to see in the town, a hotel, fish processing shed and a view of the Skye Bridge
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The local friends of the line joined the train to push their cause which is currently focused on the rebuilding of a fire damaged signal box. They have a small museum and model of the railway as it was in its heyday...well worth a visit if you are "passing"
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Short turn round then back to Inverness a round trip of 164 miles bringing the running total to 604 miles by the time we made it back to Inverness.
Due to the on time arrival we were able to update our plans and take an earlier train to Perth with a change for Edinburgh rather then wait for the direct train an hour later.
No images but the Class 170 to Perth provided the comfiest seat to date, good service from the catering crew and an on time arrival into Perth...little to fault with that leg at all.
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The train down to Edinburgh was busy, it was late Saturday pm and some of the passengers were "priming themselves for a night out"....red wine from the bottle is not very ladylike. At least those in the 1st Class came pre-prepared with plastic glasses for the wine. :-)). No catering service offered which was poor, the first real let down by Scotrail.
OK train, can't even remember what it was...a 158 probably. a further 174 miles bringing the total to 778 miles into Edinburgh.
So overall for Scotrail's first go (we return later in the week). I put them in the league of TPEx, medium long runs but not frontline top class league. And if that is their place they easily top TPEx. Nicer trains, Nicer staff, punctual and relatively clean and tidy. I know blue and white is "Scotlands colours" but the trains look like Northern/TPEx/FCC.....have a re-think on the paint scheme at the next change over and be distinctive.
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Overall a good 8/10 but the seating on the 170 was good for me and that is up there with a 9/10