Down to Bath Spa station and heading for the TWSW meeting in Taunton, and what should be at the platform at 8:57, apparently in the path of the old 8:57 to Penzance, was... an HST, but instead of heading off in the direction of Exeter with a travelling chef on board, this was a charter heading for Fort William, a destination it reached precisely 12 hours later (with a complement of several 'travelling chefs').

Mark

 
Taking an HST on the West Highland line is something I’d love to do.

Two things have put me off doing this charter in the past. By the time the HST reaches the West Highland line it will be dark. And the cost! This does not include accommodation either.

Looking at the return journey, which leaves Fort William at 9am, is quite an early start to have breakfast, check out of hotel and be at the station for a 9am departure.

I think if this rail tour was in the summer, I might one day be tempted.

 
It's a great experience. I always try and do it every year if I can, as well as the one to Inverness & Kyle. They're only going to Fort William twice next year, due to Royal Scotsman taking the path to Mallaig on Day 2. So I've booked on the one in March from Birmingham.

Most passengers, as well as the train crew, stay at the Premier Inn as it's just a 5 minute walk across Morrison's car park to the station. So it's not actually too bad. One year I shared breakfast in the Premier Inn with the driver and guard, before they had to head off to the depot to get the train ready. Plus, Fort William station doesn't normally open until around 11 on Sundays, as the first train isn't until 11:41. So the station gets opened specifically for the charter passengers and then locked up again once we've left. Which is quite a fun experience.