VXC 125
The
Scottish East Coast route from Aberdeen to Edinburgh must be one of the
most under-estimated routes in Britain. Pleasant scenery, impressive
structures and semaphore signalling combine to produce a 130 mile
journey that is packed with interest. And what better way to view it
than from the driving cab of an HST. With the route also presenting a
series of varying gradients, power car 43 093 was specially Wired for
Sound to capture the once-familiar sound of the Paxman Valenta engine.
This journey was filmed on September 23rd 2003, during the final week of
HST on this service prior to going over to ‘Voyager’ operation.
After setting off from Aberdeen at 08.55 in glorious morning sunshine,
the train climbs its way south through the Grampian countryside,
skirting the coastline past Cove Bay before pausing for the first of
nine stops stop at Stonehaven. The journey continues uphill again
through Carmont before dropping through Laurencekirk to Montrose. From
there a single track viaduct carries the line across the River Esk
before climbing up to Lunan. After Arbroath the route continues through
the golf links at Carnoustie before descending into Dock Street tunnel
prior to arriving in Dundee station. On leaving the city, the HST
crosses the spectacular two-and-a-quarter mile long Tay Bridge which
carries the line into Fife. More stops follow at Leuchars and Markinch
after which the train is routed onto the scenic half of the Fife Circle.
Following another stop at Kirkcaldy the line then skirts the shores of
the Forth estuary through Kinghorn, Burntisland and Dalgety Bay. After
Inverkeithing is the short sharp climb up to North Queensferry. There
then follows a leisurely amble across the routes most impressive
structure – the Forth Bridge. Full power is resumed at Dalmeny as the
HST speeds towards Edinburgh with a final stop being made at the
city’s Haymarket station. The last mile of the journey is through the
Mound Tunnels and Princess Gardens before journeys end in Waverley
station.
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