The legend of 'Concrete Bob' and a horse and cart

            Scotland, and more particularly the West Highlands, at it's best: some welcome afternoon sunshine emerges between the heavy showers to illuminate  the head of Loch nan Uamh, which is a sea loch. Draining into the loch is Allt a'Mama (Mama Burn), which flows beneath the third arch from the left of Loch nan Uamh viaduct. This is one of the distinctive structures on the Mallaig Extension Railway, so called as it runs from the West Highland Line at Fort William to the fishing port and ferry terminal of Mallaig. It was built between 1897 and 1901 by Robert McAlpine & Sons: Robert McAlpine is better known as 'Concrete Bob' for his use of concrete as a building material at the time, and particularly in the construction of the viaducts along this route. The eight-arch Loch nan Uamh viaduct is one such structure gracing the head of the loch, which also provides spectacular views towards the Sound of Arisaig from the train as it passes over the structure. On 1st July 2016 Black 5 No. 44871, heading 'The Jacobite' 2Y68 1440 Fort William  - Mallaig is about to enter the tunnel situated immediately at the north end of the viaduct: the boiler pressure is high as evidenced by the safety valves lifting, and the fireman is consolidating his fire in anticipation of the hard climb to Beasdale summit which is over two miles of hard slog up a consistent  gradient of 1 in 48. The viaduct has one other claim to some dubious fame: when the line was constructed a folklore emerged that a horse and cart had fallen into one of the piers of Glenfinnan Viaduct, perhaps the most iconic structure on the route. This story persisted until finally debunked when the the two piers large enough to accommodate such an animal where subject to internal photographic examination. However, it later transpired that a similar rumour existed concerning Loch nan Uamh viaduct, but an initial survey of the large central pier by the same photographic technique revealed just rubble. However, in 2001, state of there art scanning equipment was utilised for a further investigation, which eventually revealed the clear outline of the remains a horse and cart entombed in the large central pier. A plaque now records the event at the location. Copyright Photograph: John Whitehouse - all rights reserved
   

Taken on: July 1, 2016

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Sets appears in: • July • Trains in Scotland

Groups appears in: • UK Steam • Steam in the UK more » • Railway Photographers • West Coast Railway Company (WCRC) • Light, Composition, Imagination (Railways) • UK Railway Landscapes • Railways Side on • Train's on Bridges • Steam on the West Highland Line • A TARTAN COUNTRY. • flickrailroad « less

Camera: Nikon D300, f/11.0, 1/1000 sec, 86mm (=129mm), ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D300
Lens:	AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Aperture:	f/11.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	86mm (35mm equivalent: 129mm)
ISO:	500
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Shutter speed priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Photos 1.5
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