The Grid is hauling the 7G80 merry-go-round, conveying 1,200 tonnes ofimported coal from Hunterston to Longannet power station in Fife, andfor good measure the loco has been "Wired for Sound"!
The journey begins with a stiff southbound climb out of the loading terminal up to West Kilbride.
After skirting the coast at Saltcoats, the train heads norththrough Dalry and Lochwinnoch to reach the outskirts of Glasgow atPaisley, which marks the start of a complex 20 mile trek across thecity suburbs via Shields Junction, Polmadie, Ruthergien, Coatbridge andGarnqueen North Junction.
At Cumbernauld, the 7G80 continues onto the freight-only line toGreenhill Lower Junction, followed by the semaphore-signalled junctionsof Carmuirs West and East.
The run continues via Falkirk Grahamston, Polmont, Linlithgow andDalmeny before reaching one of Britain's greatest railway structures -the Forth Bridge.
At the north end of the 2766 yard bridge is North Queensferry, wherefull power is resumed for the run through Inverkeithing, Rosyth andDunfermline - with its notoriously steep bank!
Two miles further on, the 7G80 enters the sidings at Townhill to enablethe 56 to run round its train before completing the final leg of thejourney.
After heading back through Dunfermline, the train diverges onto the truncated remains of the line to Alloa.
This 10 mile freight-only branch provides some delightful scenery as itskirts the banks of the Firth of Forth before reaching Longannet powerstation, where the discharge loop is still equipped with semaphoresignals.
With the reign of Class 56s on Scottish coal traffic ending with theold century, what better reminder of the Golden Age of the Grid!
This programme has been digitally re-mastered for enhancedpicture quality and includes previously unseen footage as well as anupdated and revised narration.