‘GLASGOW HIGHLANDER’ TO RETURN FOR 2018

When Ian Riley changed ‘Black Five’ No. 45407’s identity in 2000 to represent a rare named classmate, it was intended to last for a matter of months (SR245). In the end, the temporary resurrection of No. 45157 The Glasgow Highlander lasted more than three years (if you can remember it, I’m afraid it’s already 15-odd years ago). However, Ian still has the plates and now ‘No. 45157’ is set to make a comeback for this year’s 150th anniversary of the Glasgow Highlanders themselves. The unit was formed in 1868 as the 105th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers and survives today as an Army Cadet unit. Ian expects the re-resurrected ‘No. 45157’ to occupy itself for the 2018 season at Fort William, alongside classmate No. 44871. The third ‘Five’ running in Riley’s care, No. 45212, is to head for London in March to cover for the now under-overhaul Duchess of Sutherland on the Steam Dreams programme (SR476). This latest incarnation of No. 45157 comes more than 55 years after the real thing was withdrawn from St Rollox in December 1962, having gone into store that October. The 1935-built 4-6-0 was one of only four ‘Black Fives’ to be named. As for how long ‘Glasgow Highlander’ will grace our railway this time around… well, Ian says it’s intended to be for “just this year.”