Hi, Welcome to my blog. It will contain my latest sightings, links to my latest photos and info pages and any relevant news updates. It will be updated when possible.
86259 at Kirknewton 23.11.24
British Railways Electric Blue liveried 86259 'Les Ross' speeds through a snowy Kirknewton with 1Z54 5.23 Gloucester - Edinburgh Waverley 'The Edinburgh Festive Explorer' Pathfinders Railtour 23.11.24
769006 + 769959 at Kilmarnock 22.11.24
All over White liveried 769006 + Dark Blue with grey doors liveried 769959 are seen at Kilmarnock with the 5Q75 14.16 & 5Q78 15.37 Kilmarnock Bonnyton - Kilmarnock Bonnyton via Barassie DPL test workings on 22.11.24.
769006 was one of 9 units converted from class 319s to bi mode class 769s to operate on the Rhymney - Penrath line. The Transport for Wales units were in use from 2020 until 2023 and their fleet was made up of 769002, 003, 006, 007, 008, 421, 426, 445 and 452.
769006 has been repainted out of it's TfW livery, it has also been converted for transporting mail or parcels and has all the seats in the passenger saloons removed.
006 still carries TfW posters internally and was displaying, "Welcome to this TfW service to Cardiff Central" on the destination screens. Like the other ex TfW 769s, 006 has no pantograph.
769959 was one of 19 769/9s converted to operate on Oxford / Reading to Gatwick Airport services, however GWR decided to abandon plans for their introduction in 2022 and all of the sets were handed back to their owners, Porterbrook. 769959 (and 769922) were transported to Kilmarnock for testing and were repainted into dark blue livery with grey doors. Both units retain their GWR interior. When seen on testing on 22.11.24, 769959 was displaying 'Ayr' on its destination screens.
Merseyrail Class 507s in service 26.10.24
With only a couple of months left before they go off lease, 46 years of service for the remaining Merseyrail fleet will soon be coming to an end. 6 of the 507s remain available for service: 507001, 003, 007, 018, 023 and 029.
On 26th October I headed down to the Merseyrail area to photo some of the remaining fleet for what is probably the last time for me.
Initially, only 507018 was out on the Chester line so I headed out to Rock Ferry for it. I was just getting ready to leave when I noticed that 5C31 was activated at West Kirby and I knew that 029 was there so I headed up to Bidston to photo the ECS move. 029 was heading to Birkenhead North, then onwards to Hamilton Square to take over a Chester diagram from a 777 so I headed back to Rock Ferry (getting lost enroute!) and arriving just in time to catch 507029 heading to Chester. So I decided to wait to catch 018 again this time with the yellow side in the sun as it stopped at Rock Ferry. Unfortunately at this time I had to call it a day and head home.
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An hour of BREL Class 318s & 320s at Newton 31.8.24
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 320320+320411 arrive at Newton with 2L01 12.03 Larkhall - Dalmuir service 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 318253 arrives at Newton with 2F27 12.17 Motherwell - Dalmuir service 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 320401+320322 pause at Newton with 2L02 11.47 Dalmuir - Motherwell service 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 320308+320417 arrive at Newton with 2P02 12.20 service from Glasgow Central via Queens Park 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 320313+318261 arrive at Newton with 2L03 12.33 Larkhall - Dalmuir service 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 318268+320310 arrive at Newton with 2L04 12.17 Dalmuir - Larkhall service 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 318263+318255 pause at Newton with 2C34 12.28 service from Dalmuir - Motherwell 31.8.24 |
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Scotrail Saltire liveried 320413+318256 are seen at Newton, having arrived with 2M74 12.45 service from Glasgow Central via Maxwell Park 31.8.24 |
The full list of workings and times
| Units | Working | Time |
| 320320+320411 | 2L01 12.03 Larkhall - Dalmuir | 12.26 |
| 318253 | 2F27 12.17 Motherwell - Dalmuir | 12.35 |
| 320401+320322 | 2L02 11.47 Dalmuir - Motherwell | 12.36 |
| 320308+320417 | 2P02 12.20 Glasgow Central - Newton via Queens Park | 12.43 |
| 320417+320308 | 2P03 12.49 Newton - Glasgow Central via Queens Park | 12.49 |
| 320313+318261 | 2L03 12.33 Larkhall - Dalmuir | 12.53 |
| 318268+320310 | 2L04 12.17 Dalmuir - Larkhall | 13.05 |
| 320301+320309 | 2F29 12.17 Cumbernauld - Dalmuir | 13.08 |
| 318263+318255 | 2C34 12.28 Dalmuir - Motherwell | 13.14 |
| 320413+318256 | 2M74 12.45 Glasgow Central - Newton via Maxwell Park | 13.14 |
| 318256+320413 | 2M75 13.19 Newton - Glasgow Central via Maxwell Park | 13.19 |
Glasgow Subway Car 101 on low loader 1.8.24
On Thursday 1st August, I'd came off the M8 at Govan to stop off at Starbuck to get a cup of tea prior to heading else where, when I noticed a crane over at the Stadler test track so I had to go and investigate! When viewing from the bridge over Edmiston Drive, Glasgow Subway Metro Cammell Power Car 101 was seen on the rear of a low loader also noted was that there was a different set of cars from the previous batch that was there a few days earlier.
Shortly after I arrived, the low loader departed and headed westwards. I followed the low loader and it went to JR Adams scrap yard at George V Docks near Braehead. There were more cars already there, which I assume to be the cars that were stabled outside on the test track the previous week. These were 101, 103, 104, 113, 116, 119, (probably 132), 203 and 205.
Replacing the cars mentioned above at Edmiston Drive were: 107, 110, 117, 121, 124, 129, 133 and 206. By 26th August those cars were joined by 106, 111, 120, 125, 207 and a couple of other cars which it wasn't possible to identify.
The status of the G2 fleet at the moment appears to be:
Scrapped: 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 113, 114, 115, 116, 119, 122, 123, 127, 131, 132, 203, 205, 208
Stored at Edmiston Drive: 106, 107, 110, 111, 117, 120, 121, 124, 125, 129, 133, 204, 206, 207
Unknown: 105, 112, 118, 126, 130, 201, 202
Preserved: 128
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50007+50049 at Perth 25.8.24
Over the English Bank Holiday Weekend of 24th - 26th August, Pathfinders Railtours operated a 3 day tour departing from Taunton in Somerset called the 'Grampian Highlander', initially using 66306 to haul the train to Gloucester, where 306 was removed and swapped over for newly repainted class 50s 50007 & 50049, which would remain on the tour over the weekend. The tour then made the long journey north, heading to Aberdeen!
Sunday 25th August was day 2 of the 'Grampian Highlander' railtour, which travelled from Aberdeen to Inverness, then Inverness to Perth and back to Aberdeen. Monday 26th was the final day of the tour, departing from Aberdeen and visiting the recently opened branch to Leven, before heading south back to Gloucester and a traction swap back to a class 66 for the final leg to Taunton.
I had went out to photo the tour on the Saturday at Greenfaulds, however, having been cloudy and raining off and on for most of the afternoon, the sun came out just before the tour arrived and was right behind the train and unfortunately the backlighting from the sun wrecked the shot! I knew I wouldn't be able to get any photos on the Monday as I was working (Monday wasn't a Bank Holiday in Scotland), so I decided to make a 2nd attempt to photo the tour and headed up to Perth on the Sunday afternoon!
Rather than heading into the station it's self, I parked on Priory Place, and took photos from St Lenoards Bridge, which overlooks the station and also provides a good vantage point for movements from the south.
Having been a dreadful day weatherwise, I didn't hold out much hope of staying dry, however it did stay mostly dry apart from a couple of showers and the sun also came out very briefly as well! The tour was in the vacinity of the station for around an hour with various movements and shunts to get the stock from Platform 4 (on the Inverness line) to Platform 2 on the Aberdeen line. Below are a few photos of the action with a brief description under the shots. The tour featuring the newly repainted GBRF class 50s: 50007 'Hercules' & 50049 'Defiance' in BR Large Logo livery.
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| 50007 & 50049 have just arrived at Perth working as 1Z50 from Inverness | 50007 & 50049 await the departure of BTP liveried Scotrail Turbostar 170405 with 1T84 15.32 Aberdeen - Glasgow Queen Street service |
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| 50007 then draws forward out of Platform 4, under the road bridge | Having crossed over to the northbound line and then reversed, 50007 once again approaches the station and will pass through platform 7 and will reverse onto the rear of the train. |
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| 50049 then leads the tour out of platform 4 with 50007 now on the rear of the train, initially south before crossing over to head northwards via platform 2 | 50007 is seen on the rear as the tour snakes across onto the northbound line before reversing back into the station |
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| In a brief moment of sunshine, 50007 now leading, heads the tour stock as it heads into platform 2, now working as 1Z51 to Aberdeen. | After picking up some of the passengers that didn't get back on at Platform 4, the tour departed northwards, 50049 is seen on the rear of the stock as the tour leaves. |
37405+56090 and Snowploughs at Larbert 19.8.24
It's usually rare to see snowploughs out and about in Central Scotland even in the Winter, and even rarer to see them out in the summer! However, on 19th August, with not a drop of snow in sight, only the typical Scottish summer weather: heavy rain, Harry Needle's 37405 + Colas liveried 56090 are seen with the Inverness independent snowploughs (Front ADB965224 and Rear ADB965230) at Larbert as they are about to reverse into Larbert CE Sidings, having worked 7Z33 from Inverness Millburn Yard.
The ploughs will be taken onward from Larbert CE to MOD Eastriggs for storage. The ploughs from Kingmoor and Motherwell TMD should also be collected and transferred to Eastriggs during the week.
Keith and Dufftown Railway 2.8.24
On Friday 2nd August, I finally managed to tick off a Heritage Railway that I've wanted to visit for a long time: The Keith and Dufftown Railway!
About the Railway
The Keith and Dufftown Railway is the UK's most northerly Heritage Railway, and is situated around 40 miles North East of Aviemore and 55 miles northwest of Aberdeen in the heart of Whisky Country with many Distilleries close to the railway!
The railway's eastern terminus of Keith Town, is an approx 30 minute walk from the National Rail station in Keith, which is on the Aberdeen - Inverness line.
The Keith and Dufftown Railway running for 11 miles from Dufftown railway station to Keith Town via Drummuir and a request stop at Towiemore Halt.
Originally part of the former Great North of Scotland Railway line which linked Aberdeen with Elgin, the line closed to passengers in 1968 but was retained as a freight-only branch for British Rail, mainly for the many local distilleries, with the line truncated at Dufftown. Sporadic visits to the line by the Northern Belle followed and even an Intercity 125 HST visiting the line until complete abandonment of the line in 1991. The line passed into the hands of the Keith and Dufftown Railway Association in 1998 and the branch was severed from the National Network with the removal of some track panels at Keith. The line was re-opened between Keith Town and Dufftown in 2000 and the scenic line passes through forests and farmland and past lochs, glens and distilleries with wildlife to be seen (when I was there, there was plenty of deer that could be seen lineside and crossing the track in front of the train). There are plans to reopen the line from Keith Town up towards the Junction with the main line to enable better access to the line for the public.
Ticket office facilities and toilets are available at both Keith Town and Dufftown, with a gift shop also being available at Keith Town. Food and refreshments are available at The Buffer Stop cafe at Dufftown, which is located in a pair of Mark 1s and a mark 2 carriage (and is open Tuesday - Sunday during the operating season and is so popular that booking is required to sit in).
Trains operate on Fridays - Sundays from Easter till the end of September with departures from Dufftown at 10.30, 13.30 & 15.30 and Keith Town at 11.30, 14.30 and 16.20 (Journeys last approx 40 minutes each way). There are also special events at other times of the year.
Rolling Stock
Motive power on the line is mainly provided by 5x class 108 vehicles, which can be marshalled into 2 car or 3 car formation depending on demand one of the vehicles, DCTL 56491, has been converted into a mobile Function Coach, housing a bar, whisky snug and tables and chairs and can be used as part of the service train. A recent purchase of an ex Northern 3 car class 144 Pacer, also provides a higher capacity unit for busier times and is also used on the first journey of the day. Another recent purchase is of a class 107 multiple unit from the Strathspey Railway, which will be a future restoration project. Another future restoration project is the Class 140 prototype Pacer unit, which was one of the early purchases for the railway. There are also 3 small shunters which are used for Driving experiences and for works trains on the line.
Multiple unit Fleet List
| Vehicle Type > | DBMS | DMSL | DMCL | DMCL | DTCL | Unit Name | Livery | Notes | Image |
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| 107 | 52030 | 52008 | British Railways Green (faded) | Purchased 2023 from Strathspey Railway, awaiting restoration |
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| 108 | 51568 | 52053 | Spirit of Banffshire | British Railways Green | Both 51568 & 52053 are power vehicles meaning the unit can tackle the line's gradients with ease! 51568 facing Dufftown and 52053 facing Keith. Both vehicles arrived in 2001 and the KDRA took ownership of them in 2005. |
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| 108 | 53628 | 56224 | Spirit of Speyside | British Railways Green |
53628 faces in the Dufftown direction. Built in 1958 and was based in Chester / Manchester area before transferring to Oxfordshire. Part of the final class 108 working in Oct 1993 and stored at Southall till 1998. Moved to East Anglia Railway Museum in 1998, then to Dufftown on 7th March 2000. 56224 faces in the Keith direction and is a driving trailer. Built in 1959 and initially allocated to Bletchley depot and worked on the Cambridge - Oxford line. Was withdrawn in early 1990s and moved to Mid Norfolk Railway followed by Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in 2004. Arrived at Dufftown on 17th March 2010. |
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| 108 | 56491 | 'Uisge Beatha' | British Railways Green | 56491 faces in the Keith direction. Built in 1960, and after withdrawal eventually ended up at Dufftown. In 2022, the vehicle was converted into a mobile function coach known as the 'Dram Tram' complete with bar, snug and seating compartment. Can carry 28 passengers. |
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| Fleet Number | DMS | DMSL | Livery | Notes | Photo |
| 140001 | 55500 | 55501 | BR Blue Grey | 1981 built prototype Pacer unit. Was initially used as an evaluation unit before becoming a driver training unit at Neville Hill Depot in Leeds in 1985 before falling out of use. The unit moved to Dufftown in 1994 and work has been carried out for restoration as and when time, resources and funds permit. |
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| Fleet Number | DMS | MS | DMSL | Livery | Notes | Photo |
| 144022 | 55822 | 55858 | 55845 | Debranded Northern | Built in 1986/87 in Derby and mainly used on services around York and Leeds. Withdrawn in 2000, 144022 moved to Dufftown on 8th September 2000. 144022 Generally used on the 10.30 service from Dufftown and 11.30 return |
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Trip Report
I left home around 8.15am and drove the 188 miles up to Dufftown via the M9, A9 and A95 with a 30 minute stop off at Pitlochry and 15 minutes at Boat of Garten, arriving at Dufftown around 1pm. Due to the current temporary timetable in operation on Scotrail services at the moment, I decided not to risk going by train.
Upon arrival I bought a ticket for the 13.30 departure (£16 for a 22 mile round trip which is very reasonable) then went to the Sidings cafe, which is housed in a pair of Mark 1s and a Mark 2f on the platform to buy a tea and cake before getting on the train. The train was formed of DTCL 56491 'Uisge Beatha' + DMCL 52053 +DMCL 51568. I sat in 51568 near to the rear cab so as to get the drivers eye view out through the cab and sat on one of the very comfortable 3+2 seats! It was a lovely journey through the countryside and all too soon, we were at the terminus at Keith Town, where I got off and had a look about the station and got a few photos of our train.
On the 14.30 return journey I once again sat in 51568 and this time had the forward view! We stopped at Drummuir for 5 minutes, which allowed passengers to get off and have a look at some carved wooden statues near the station as well as the view of the nearby river. Once back on, we made our way towards Dufftown passing some deer on the way and having to stop a couple of times as they were on or very near to the track.
We were soon back in Dufftown where I got some photographs of the station and of the recently acquired class 107, awaiting restoration and of DBMS 53628, 'Spirit of Speyside' which was parked up further down the platform. After the 15.30 service departed, I asked if I could photograph 144022 and 140001, which were stabled in a siding outwith the station and the chairman of the KDR Association took me up to see them and also let me go aboard both units for some photos of the passenger saloons and the drivers cabs!
Once I had a look round, it was unfortunately time to head back home. The return journey was not quite as straight forward due to an accident on the A9, leading to a diversion through Aviemore, the closure of the M80 at Haggs (and diversion via Kilsyth and Croy) and the M73/74 junction at Maryville (diversion via Uddingston and Bothwell) , meaning that it took over 5 hours to get home!
I had a fantastic visit to the Keith and Dufftown railway and will definately return there! The railway is very enthusiast friendly, the volunteers and staff were all extremely friendly and could not do enough for you and I would like to say a huge thanks to the chairman, who showed me round the 144 and 140 for taking the time to do this! I would thoroughly recommend a visit! More information on the KDR can be found on their website: https://keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk/
Glasgow Subway G2 stock last day in service 28.6.24
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More withdrawn Glasgow Subway G2 Stock 23.6.24
With the Stadler compound at Edmiston Drive almost empty of G3 Stadler stock (apart from 315 which was stabled on the test track), it was possible to get a side shot of some of the latest batch of withdrawn G2 stock awaiting their fate.
The stock includes trailer 205 and Met Cam Power Cars 104 (in advertising livery), 113 & 116. Going by the advertising livery, the 5th vehicle which is partially visible is either 118 or 125. There is likely to be at least 1 possibly 2 more power cars behind the shed. 23.6.24
Confirmed withdrawn and / or disposed of cars to date are: 102, 104, 108, 109, 113, 114, 115, 116, 122, 123, 127, 128 (preserved), 131, 205 & 208
The final G2 cars are expected to run for the last time on Friday 28th June between 1pm and 3pm with one train per circle.
https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p766507381
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