An extremely fancy Friday

This morning in town I heard the rumbling whine of an idling class 66 diesel locomotive.  Looking down onto the eastern end of Waverley station I spotted a rather posh train sitting quietly alongside the Pride-liveried Together, another of the named Azuma electric trains.  Later on at my desk I looked up the train departures and found the posh one heading out to Craigentinny but returning at lunchtime for its scheduled passenger departure.  Well, you don't need to tell me twice!  So after a quick lunch with Random Colleague, I headed over to the station.

Here is the Belmond British Pullman's The Royal Scotsman luxury sleeper service, about to head off to Spean Bridge, Glenfinnan viaduct, the Isle of Bute, Wemyss Bay, Kilmarnock and back to Edinburgh after four days.  This piper was skirlin' away, while well-dressed guests assembled on the platform to be met by immaculately turned out staff.  And yes, that is a red carpet that greets one as one boards the train.  If you turn up wearing a t-shirt, jeans and your favourite Converse trainers you shall not be allowed on board, but smart casual may be sufficient.  But for the formal dinners, one shall wear evening dress and nothing but.

At the low, low price of just £7,700 for a single person cabin for the trip, I think buying a nice cocktail dress to go with it would be a mere trifle.

I watched as the train departed, getting a good view of the observation carriage, and then headed back to work for a couple more hours.  Afterwards I did a quick bit of shopping in town, and then rode home, fighting the wind and occasional showers as I went.  It was nice being on my little laid back tourer again.