After a number of days spent primarily on development work, some running seemed in order. Apart from reminding myself that running is an important part of what I enjoy about modelling, it enables me to further test and prove the enhanced power BUS. Frustratingly I have found that the more power droppers I install, the more I seem to need! It may be that the lack of running means that both track and loco wheels are in need of a good clean but I am still disappointed by the number of power drops and/or interruptions which adversely affect the sound fitted locos. The locos either stall, shut down or disrupt their sound continuity which is irritating. At the current rate of adding droppers, I will end up with power direct to each length of rail.

On the positive side, the days running provided an interlude and an opportunity to draw breath before I bite the bullet and lift the Fort William station section for refurbishment. After reference to the Class 37 Loco Groups website, I identified that most services on 28/7/82 were hauled by locos in my fleet. I therefore borrowed the space/time displacement machine of Dave from Waverley West fame and programmed it to return to 28th July 1982. With a little artistic licence, the following workings were seen.

20045 shunts the Fort William oil terminal

37192 runs 1T45 over Mallaig Junction en route to Fort William

37192 arrives at Fort William station

37049 replacing failed steam loco on Mallaig service and 37192 on 1T45 both await departure from Fort William. (Time displacement failure noted here as steam service did not start until 1984!)

37022 brings the midday Oban service from Glasgow 1B11 into Ardlui

37022 awaits departure from Ardlui with 1B11

37049 heads the steam service to Mallaig through Mallaig Junction Yard

37108 arrives at Garelochead with 1T32, the afternoon service to Glasgow from Oban

37264 on 7B13 arrives at Garelochead and passes 1T32

37264 departs Gare4lochead with 7B13

37085 arrives at Mallaig Junction Yard with 7D12, the midday service from Corpach to Mossend