ScotRail 2H62 Train from Wick to Inverness

After a short but fulfilling trip up to Caithness, it was time to head back to Edinburgh. The first leg of my journey would be by ScotRail 2H62 from Wick back down to Inverness where I would change to the next train.

Wick Railway Station

The façade of Wick Railway Station.

I had wanted to head into Wick Railway Station…

… but as the ticket office staff was not around on the day of my departure, the station building was closed in its entirety. Access to the platform is still possible via the car park.

Walking along the side also allowed me to see the Wick Station name as it was in 1874.

Heading to the platform of Wick Railway Station via the car park.

My ScotRail 2H62 train was operated by Class 158 Express Sprinter 158 717, the same set that I spotted the day before at Thurso Railway Station.

The interior of the ScotRail Class 158 Express Sprinter.

Refuelling was taking place at Wick.

The ScotRail 2H62 train at the end of the Far North Line at Wick.

The door to the station building from the platform was locked as well.

Heading back to the train.

USB power sockets are available on board the Class 158 Express Sprinter.

A luggage rack is available in the middle of the coach…

… and also near the door.

A space for wheelchairs or bicycles is also available near the train door.

Toilets are also available on board.

Additional space for wheelchairs, bicycles, and standees are available in the next coach with tip-up seats.

The siding at Wick Railway Station has a scotch sleeper laid before the shed area.

Looking down the Far North Line.

Points at Wick Railway Station are still operated by manual levers.

Passing by the token signal at Wick for the Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) Signalling system.

Goodbye Wick.

My ticket for the journey from Wick to Edinburgh, costing me £22.10 after my 26-30 Railcard discount. While I had a seat reservation booked with my Advance Single ticket, seat reservations were not available on board my ScotRail 2H62 train.

The conductor comes around to check for tickets after departure from Wick.

Passing by Loch Watten.

Georgemas Junction Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Georgemas Junction Railway Station.

The driver alights to obtain permission from the Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) Signalling system to proceed to Thurso.

Heading off the main line to head to Thurso.

Thurso Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Thurso Railway Station where the train changes direction again to head back to Georgemas Junction. Thurso Railway Station is the northernmost railway station on the National Rail network in Great Britain.

The bulk of the passengers from Caithness boarded at Thurso Railway Station.

The ScotRail 2H62 train did not enter the shed area at Thurso Railway Station.

Departing from Thurso Railway Station.

Passing by cows grazing in the fields.

Approaching Georgemas Junction.

Georgemas Junction Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Georgemas Junction Railway Station again.

The ScotRail 2H62 train changes direction at Georgemas Junction Railway Station to continue on south to Inverness.

The driver alights to obtain permission from the Radio Electronic Token Block (RETB) Signalling system to proceed to Forsinard.

Departing from Georgemas Junction for the second and last time on this trip.

Altnabreac Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Altnabreac Railway Station.

The simple grass and ballast platform of Altnabreac Railway Station with a station sign sticking out reminded me of pre-upgraded halts on the KTM East Coast Line.

Forsinard Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Forsinard Railway Station.

Passing through the railway crossing after Forsinard Railway Station.

Passing by Loch an Ruathair.

Kinbrace Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kinbrace Railway Station.

Crossing over the River Helmsdale.

Heading alongside the River Helmsdale.

Kildonan Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Kildonan Railway Station.

Continuing alongside the River Helmsdale.

Helmsdale Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Helmsdale Railway Station.

Heading out to the coast of the North Sea after Helmsdale.

Brora Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Brora Railway Station.

Crossing over the River Brora.

Passing through Dunrobin Castle Railway Station with no passengers requesting to board or alight.

Stations that I have missed out so far are request stops that the train had passed by without passenger activity.

Golspie Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Golspie Railway Station.

Passing by Loch Fleet.

Rogart Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Rogart Railway Station.

Lairg Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Lairg Railway Station.

It was starting to get warm inside the train, so the conductor came around to unlock the hopper window for ventilation.

Culrain Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Culrain Railway Station.

Ardgay Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Ardgay Railway Station.

Cruising along the Dornoch Firth.

Tain Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Tain Railway Station.

Fearn Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Fearn Railway Station. Steps are provided at Fearn Railway Station due to low platforms.

Invergordon Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Invergordon Railway Station.

Invergordon Railway Station has some murals and old railway posters on display at the main station building.

Alness Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Alness Railway Station.

Dingwall Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Dingwall Railway Station.

Passing by Conon Bridge over the River Conon.

Conon Bridge Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Conon Bridge Railway Station.

Conon Bridge Railway Station has short platforms, and signs out of the platform tell passengers not to alight there.

Muir of Ord Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Muir of Ord Railway Station.

Beauly Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Beauly Railway Station, which has short platforms as well.

Heading along the Beauly Firth.

Crossing the Clachnaharry Railway Swing Bridge over the Caledonian Canal.

Urbanisation sweeps in at Inverness.

Passing over the River Ness.

Leaving the through line down to the rest of the UK turning into Inverness Railway Station on the wye junction.

The direct line linking the Far North Line with the Highland Main Line is taken up by Inverness Depot, and no passenger services run through the bypass wye.

Arriving at Inverness Railway Station.

Inverness Railway Station

My ScotRail 2H62 arrived at Inverness Railway Station on time at 5.06pm.

Lots of Sprinters for the Far North Line at Inverness Railway Station.

A “Not To Be Moved” scotch was fixed to my train upon arrival at Inverness.

The end of the platform for the Far North Line at Inverness.

I wonder what (or rather, who) caused the sign to be so specific to train spotters.

Heading out of the gate line to check for my next connecting train at 6.53pm. Or so I thought. But either way, I definitely need to change platforms since I’m continuing south.

Conclusion

The trip on the Far North Line is scenic with the ScotRail 2H62 train running fully on a single track heading from almost the northeastern tip of Great Britain. It’s also an achievement for railway fans to be on the Far North Line to ride on the the northernmost railway line in the United Kingdom and to visit the northernmost railway station, Thurso, in the United Kingdom too.