In December 2014, Class 31, No.31601 embarked on an epic journey. Starting at Derby on Christmas Eve, the loco ran to York, along the ECML to Edinburgh and onto Bo'ness where it stabled, duly taking part in the Bo'ness and Kinneil railway diesel gala four days later.
At 08.30 on Sunday 28th December, the loco departed on a special route-learning journey heading north over the Forth Bridge and onto Dundee, Aberdeen and across to Inverness. The following day it travelled south along the Highland Mainline to Perth and continued all the way to Carlisle. The next day it returned to Derby, completing more than 1000 miles!
In their long and illustrious history, Class 31s have never really been associated with Scotland so workings to the likes of Aberdeen and Inverness have been non existent or very rare indeed. To mark this historic working - and for the purpose of route learning - the majority of the Scottish legs were filmed from the front and are being released as three individual titles on DVD and Blu-ray.
Part Two is perhaps the rarest bit, a loco 'over the top' as 31601 tackles the 109 miles from Aberdeen to Inverness.
To make the occasion almost perfect, for most of the time it was brilliant sunshine, clear blue skies and sub-zero temperatures! Part Three, south from Inverness includes a severe frost and snow on the line at the highest points - all in brilliant sunshine! In addition, although this was only a light engine, a special 'thrash cam' was located in the back cab at all times, recording the loco hard at work.
Filmed with the full assistance of DCR Rail. Part narration, on-screen captions and maps. Filmed in 16:9 widescreen.
Produced by - Train Crazy
Running time - 2 hours 15 minutes
Format - 16:9 widescreen
Blu-Ray and DVD
Released - March 2015