When I first noticed this BWC2 [Because We Can] railtour, I thought WN (Why Not?). I thoroughly enjoyed BWC1 and looked forward to three days of quality travel with an interesting heritage loco and the added bonus of assistance by a GBRf Class 66 on Day 3. I have to admit to being partial to Class 37s, as they used to operate all the freight trains on the line close to where I lived as a child. Although that line was in a cutting, there was no mistaking when a train was going past!

I have travelled to Fort William and Oban numerous times during the years when the trains were hauled by Class 37s but rather less so since the Class 156 DMUs took over. This provided an ideal opportunity to relive old times with the added bonus that there would be familiar faces onboard.

My last journey between Oban and Fort William had been an 'interesting' experience on one of the two, then, weekday buses. This was the afternoon service, which was also a school service. On arrival in Oban town centre, it was already very heavily loaded but the children kindly rearranged themselves, without anyone asking, so all who boarded had a seat. There was quite a bit of noise as we left Oban but it was nowhere near as pleasant as the sounds that would be heard on our BWC2 departure!

You may be wondering why I'm mentioning a bus journey in BLN but the reason is that it allowed me to score a required piece of track, well sort of, in the form of the magnificent Connel Bridge. The single track bridge originally carried the Connel Ferry to Ballachulish branch of the Callander & Oban Railway. Opened on 20 Aug 1903, it today carries the A828 road between Oban and Fort William. On opening, the bridge had a longer span than any other rail bridge in Britain except the Forth Bridge. Originally, it carried just the single track railway and, in 1909, a train service started running between Connel Ferry and Benderloch (2¾ miles), on which road vehicles could be transported over the bridge. A single car was carried on a wagon hauled by a charabanc that had been adapted to run on rails at St Rollox railway works in Glasgow. It also called at North Connel station on the north side of the bridge.

In 1914, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line. The road occupied the western side of the bridge, with the railway running parallel immediately to the east. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. The road crossed to the opposite side of the railway at the north end of the bridge. A toll was payable by road users. After the branch closed in 1966, the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, with the toll abolished. Despite removal of the railway track, the roadway is still not wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other, so traffic lights are installed at each end of the bridge.

Anyway, back to BWC2. At my Fort William hotel, 'The Alexandra', we were offered the option of a packed lunch in lieu of breakfast, due to our rather early start that morning. Having completed a form at check-in the previous evening selecting what we would like, we arrived at reception to find a table filled with goodies but with no obvious sign of what was for whom. This wasn't assisted by the sandwich contents being labelled incorrectly, so our carefully planned lunches became pot luck!

Random lunch selected, it was time to head for the station. Unsurprisingly, there were lots of familiar faces waiting on the platform, some rather more awake than others. At 06.30 we boarded the train and a right time departure at 06.35 saw us going 'Over The Top To Oban'. The previous day, buffet stewards had taken orders for breakfast rolls, which helpful volunteers soon served to our seats. At Bridge Of Orchy, we crossed GBRf 66739 +73967 on the Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William.






On arrival at Crianlarich, our special train paused whilst 37403 ran around the train, ready for our journey onwards to Oban. We departed Crianlarich four minutes late and, at Dalmally, passed 156492 on a service to Glasgow Queen Street at 09.45. Passing Anderson's Piano (BLN 1442.415), we could hear no tune, just the sweet sounds of 37403 in the air. On arrival at Oban, 9 minutes late, everyone headed off in various directions, some for a walk, some just around the corner for refreshments.









After our break, we all headed back to the station where 156446 was on the 12.11 to Glasgow Queen Street, which was delayed and left at 12.35. This in turn delayed our departure by 15 minutes. With a stop for the operation of the ground frame, we were on our way again at 13.00, back over the top to Fort William. En route to Connel Ferry, some horses in a field next to the line took exception to 37403 and scattered into the distance. After a pause at Connel Ferry, presumably to allow the Glasgow train to clear the section, we continued to Taynuilt, where we passed 153373 & 156457 heading for Oban.

We left 32 min late and, as a result, waited at Dalmally to cross 156492 on the 14.44 Oban service, which we were booked to cross at Crianlarich. The Martin House Bear made an appearance, cheerfully waving to everyone and posing for photos. A road / rail vehicle also provided extra interest for some.

Once the Oban service had arrived, we continued to Crianlarich where 37403 again ran around the train in the rather damp conditions, before we headed back to Fort William, departing just over an hour late. Due to our late running, we waited at Spean Bridge to cross 156474 on the 17.51 departure to Glasgow. A clear run onwards resulted in us arriving back in Fort William almost spot on RST (Railtour Standard Time), that is an hour late. After an enjoyable day I was looking forward to Day 3.