The Great Britain 3, Day5 

Sat 10th April 2010: Glasgow-Stranraer-Glasgow
With sharp curves and gradients as steep as 1-in-50, the single line from Ayr to Stranraer is hard work for locos and their crews. 44871 & 45407 proved to be more than capable. After a gentle canter past Barr Loch and Kilbirnie Loch in the morning, the climbing starts at Ayr and continues at Girvan and Barrhill. On the return, with the locos running tender first, there’s more hard climbing through Glen Luce to Glenwhilly, and again to the tunnel at Pinmore. After a final water stop, the train leaves Girvan against a backdrop of sunset over the islands.