Why are we going to Oban?

People have been asking “why?”. Well, this isn’t Vern’s first large scale adventure. Last year marked the 100th anniversary of Ransomes in Ipswich. To celebrate, steam engines were invited to a special event at the Transport Museum, with most arriving on low loaders and taking part in a commemorative drive around Ipswich. Vernon, however, took a different approach, driving all the way from his home in the Peak District to Ipswich via Newark, Lavenham and other stops along the way.

The journey took over a week and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone involved and we wanted to do it again"!

Several months later, while in a pub, (where most crazy ideas are thought up) Vernon’s owner, Chris Hutton, and Dave “Moose” Nixon were sitting with Rick Ellison, owner of The Atlantik Inns Group, discussing where Vernon’s next adventure should be. Rick had recently purchased the Cuilfail Hotel near Oban so the three decided this should be Vernon’s next destination.

After much planning, a new adventure was set: a return journey from Oban. Following a trip on the Waverley paddle steamer, and crossings via a couple of CalMac ferries, Vernon will take approximately three weeks to travel back to the Peak District.

Vern is being joined by two other engines “Nelson” and “Queen Mary”

Although our original purpose was just to have fun, we thought it would be a good oppurtunity to raise some money for a couple of very worthy charities. The RNLI and ‘Give a Kidney’

Some pics from Vern’s adventure to Ipswich