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.
New Glasgow Subway Train on the M74 24.4.22
Today as I was driving along the M74 and passing Hamilton Services (Northbound only services between Junction 6 Hamilton / Motherwell and Junction 5 Raith Interchange) I happened to notice one half of one of one of the new Glasgow Subway Trains on the back of a low loader in the lorry park so decided to visit the services to investigate!
It so happened that the other half of the same set was also parked up at the far end of the lorry park! The as yet unidentified set number was enroute to Broomloan Depot from Altenrheim in Switzerland and was being held at Hamilton Services until later in the day when the remainder of the route into Glasgow was a bit quieter with less traffic.
Glasgow Subway have ordered 17 Stadler built 4 car Metro trains to replace the 32 1970s built Metro Cammell Motor Cars and 8 1992 built Barclay trailers which are currently used on the system. The new trains are made up of 2 longer outer cars with 2 shorter centre cars and should be roughly the size of the trains they are replacing, with the added advantages of being fully accessible and each vehicle being interconnected, which is not the case just now. Once fully in service, these trains will eventually operate in Driverless mode, with the stations being adapted to have platform screen doors, where the screen doors line up with the train doors and open and close at the same time as the train doors.
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Sheffield Supertram 12.4.22
The Sheffield Supertram network is a series of three tram and one experimental Tram-Train line in the city of Sheffield, with the Tram-Train line also service the town of Rotherham.
The Supertram network opened in stages between 1994 and 1995 as follows:
- 21.3.94: Meadowhall - Fitzalan Square
- 22.8.94: Spring Lane - Fitzalan Square
- 5.12.94: Spring Lane - Gleadless Townend
- 18.2.95: Fitzalan Square - Cathedral
- 27.2.95: Cathedral - Shalesmoor
- 27.3.95: Gleadless Townend - Halfway
- 3.4.95: Gleadless Townend - Herdings Park
- 23.10.95:Shalesmoor - Middlewood / Malin Bridge
An additional extension in the form of a Tram-Train line, where the Tram-Train operated as a normal tram from Cathedral to Meadowhall South / Tinsley opened in 2018. Just past this stop, there is a junction which takes the tramway onto the Heavy rail network, and after a quick stop to change from Tramway control to Network Rail signalling, the TramTrain travels along the heavy rail line, with stops at Rotherham Central, where the stop is configured with tram train platforms and heavy rail platforms next to each other, before the line continues onwards to Rotherham Parkgate. If and when the heavy rail line to and through Rotherham is electrified, the built in switching equipment to allow the trams to change from the tramway's 750 volt power to the 25Kv Network Rail OHLE will come into use.
The services are formed with three colour coded routes and the Tram-Train serving the city centre, suburbs, shopping centres and park and rides with 50 tram stops around the city.
The 4 routes are:
- The Purple Route: Cathedral - Herdings Park (hourly)
- The Blue Route: Malin Bridge - Halfway (12 minutes)
- The Yellow Route: Middlewood - Meadowhall Interchange (12 minutes)
- Tram-Train Route (TT): Catherdral - Rotherham Parkgate (half hourly)
The routes themselves featured a mixture of on street running, seperate reservations and running on former / or alongside current heavy rail lines and all meet in the City Centre with all services serving the main stops of Cathedral, Castle Square and Fitzalan Square. Some impressive structures were built to carry the tramway over roads and existing railways with the bridge over Commercial Street and Park Square roundabout being particularly stunning. Just south of that bridge is also an impressive triangular junction allowing trams from the city centre / Malin Bridge / Middlewood to head left to Meadowhall / Rotherham Parkgate or right to Herdings Park / Halfway. The third end is rarely used and is mostly used for depot runs or diversions. Nunnery Depot, where the full fleet is maintained, can be found on the Yellow Route.
The Trams
The tram fleet is made up of two types of tram, these are the Duewags, consisting of 25 trams (numbered 101-125) and the Class 399 Stadler Citylink tram-trains (made up of 7 tram-trains numbered 399201-399207).
Siemens Duewags:
Built in 1992, the Siemens Duewag fleet have been the mainstay of the three all tram lines since the system opened. Each tram contains three articulated sections with two driving ends and a central section. The doors are found in the driving ends with 40% of each tram being low floor and step free access. Each tram holds 86 seated passengers with up to 155 standing passengers also accomodated.
Each tram has a maximum speed of 50mph and with every axle powered, can manage the gradients, some as steep as 10% across the network with ease.
Each tram underwent an overhaul between 2006 and 2009 with the majority being painted in the standard red, yellow and blue Stagecoach livery, with some exceptions.
Unfortunately due to not having the relevant Network Rail safety systems and crashworthiness, the Duewags cannot be used on the Tram-Train route between Meadowhall South / Tinsley and Rotherham Parkgate.
| Number | Livery | Status | Notes |
| 101 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 102 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Following an accident in 1995, 102 was reformed with a driving end from 111 |
| 103 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 104 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 105 | Stagecoach Standard | Accident Repairs | Currently at Kilmarnock Bonnyton works for accident repairs |
| 106 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 107 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 108 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 109 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 110 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 111 | Advert for Prettylittlething.com | In service | Following an accident in 1995, 111 was reformed with a driving end from 102 |
| 112 | Advert for Stagecoach Supertram: on track for a greener future | In service | |
| 113 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 114 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 115 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 116 | Advert for XPO Logistics | In service | |
| 117 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 118 | Advert for Prettylittlething.com | In service | Following a collision in 2015, 118 was reformed with a driving end from 120. |
| 119 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 120 | Sheffield Corporation Blue and Cream | In service | Following a collision in 2015, 120 was reformed with a driving end from 118. |
| 121 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 122 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 123 | Stagecoach Standard with 21st Anniversary Window vynals | In service | |
| 124 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | |
| 125 | Stagecoach Standard | In service |
Stadler Citylink Tram-Trains:
Built in 2015, the Stadler Citylink Tram-Trains have two main uses, numbers 399201-204 are allocated to operate on the Tram-Train service between Cathedral and Rotherham Parkgate , with numbers 399205-207 being used as Tram only and can operate on the Blue, Purple or Yellow routes to provide additional capacity.
Due to 201-204's wheels being profiled for heavy rail and 205-207's wheels being profiled for tram track, 201-204 are confined to the Tram-Train route and 205-207 are confined to tram routes.
The TramTrains consist of three sections and are fully low floor. They hold 96 seated and 150 standing passengers and have a maximum speed of 60mph.
| Number | Livery | Status | Notes |
| 399201 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram-Train line use only |
| 399202 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram-Train line use only. Named 'Theo' 399202 reformed with part of 399204 following a collision with a road vehicle on a level crossing. |
| 399203 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram-Train line use only |
| 399204 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram-Train line use only. 399204 reformed with part of 399202 following a collision with a road vehicle on a level crossing. |
| 399205 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram line use only |
| 399206 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram line use only. Initally used on Tram-train route, wheels reprofiled to tram profile 2020. |
| 399207 | Stagecoach Standard | In service | Tram line use only |
My trip:
I only had just over 3 hours to spend in Sheffield on the 12th on my first ever trip to the area so had to make the most of it. I met up with @JamesTGlossop from Twitter, who showed me round! Firstly from Sheffield Station, we bought Day Tickets from the onboard conductor for the excellent price of £4.60 and headed into Sheffield onboard 108 on a Blue Route service towards Cathedral.
After a short time photoing here, we caught Tram 122 on a yellow route service to Meadowhall South / Tinsley, where we caught 399201 to Rotherham Parkgate then back to Meadowhall South/Tinsley. We then walked round to Meadowhall Interchange and caught 120 on a Yellow service as far as Netherthorpe Road.
After a few photos there, we caught 106 on a blue route service to Park Grange Croft, then 112 to Granville Road, where we got off and walked back to Sheffield station taking a few photos on the way!
On the day of my visit, trams on the Blue Route were terminating at Beighton / Drake House Lane due to overhead line issues.
Trams Seen:
Tram-Train 399201, 399203
Yellow Route: 122, 103, 101, 120, 102, 113
Blue Route: 115, 108, 112, 111, 117, 106, 123
Purple Route: 124
Not In Service (0): 109
On depot: 116, 119, 121
I'd definately recommend a visit to Sheffield for the trams and the Tram-Trains and hope to go back there sometime soon! For photos from my trip, either click on the links in the fleet lists above or visit my gallery at: https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p1025895743
47614 + 47593 at Carluke 27.2.22
BR Blue liveried 47614 and BR Large Logo liveried 47593 'Galloway Princess' are seen heading south through Carluke with 0Z42 Mossend - Carlisle High Wapping Sidings light engine move 27.2.22
47593+47614 at Greenfaulds 26.2.22
BR Large Logo liveried 47593 'Galloway Princess' and BR Blue liveried 47614 and a set of Intercity Mark 3's pass through Greenfaulds with 1Z59 London Euston - Inverness 'The Clansman' railtour 26.2.22
Blackpool Heritage Gold Day and Depot Tour 19.2.22
The weekend of 19th and 20th February saw Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours first 'Gold Weekend' of 2022. The weekend was due to start of Friday 18th with an evening tour onboard the Western Train, however the tail end of Storm Eunice put paid to that and an additional tour operated on Saturday 19th instead.
The Gold Weekend saw the use of 6 heritage trams on a series of workings from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham, Thornton Gate or Fisherman's Walk in Fleetwood. Due to gas pipe works in Fleetwood, both the service and heritage trams could not reach Fleetwood Ferry so terminated at Fisherman's walk instead. There was also the chance for a twice daily run by heritage bus to Fleetwood and back on both the Saturday and Sunday and twice daily tours of Rigby Road Depot.
The initial allocation for the Heritage Fleet on the Saturday was Diagram A: Balloon 717, Diagram B: Brush Car 631, Diagram C: Millennium Balloon 718, Diagram D Boat 600, Diagram E: Bolton 66 and Diagram F: Centenary 648. This was to be Centenary 648's first run in service since pre pandemic in early 2020. Due to the poor weather, Boat 600 and Bolton 66 were removed from the roster and replaced by the more suitable enclosed Brush Car 621 and Balloon 715.
I arrived in Blackpool around 10.15am to torrential rain. By the time I got parked at Pleasure Beach and made my way to Rigby Road depot, the rain had turned to rather large flakes of snow and spotted enroute were Brush Car 621 and Balloon 717! I was booked on to the 11am tour at Rigby Road and luckily we were allowed in early to take shelter in the main tram shed!
The tour began with a trip to the Fitting Shop, which incidentally was the warmest building on the tour! In the Fitting Shop was Standard 143, which had been getting attention to it's motors and was being prepared a potential return to service at Easter!
We were also shown the Blacksmith's forge and some of the tools used. Due to the uniqueness of the heritage fleet and the lack of spares, many of the replacement parts are home made in Rigby Road depot, an example of homemade parts was also layed out in the fitting shop in the form of a brand new underframe for Balloon 704, which was built by only one person!
Balloon 704 has been stripped to a shell for a heritage restoration back to 1950's style. It was good to hear that a second new underframe was also in the pipeline, this one being for open top Balloon 706, which is currently withdrawn.
We also saw the gas burner that is used for the removal / fitting of tyres to the wheels. Also seen in the Fitting shop was a couple of refurbished truck frames from a Centenary car.
Next we were taken into the Paint Shop, it was interesting to hear that all the buses and trams are still hand painted, being worked on at the time was a single and a double deck Palladium bus as well as the replica tank tram. The replica tank tram was a project by some local colleges to replicate a vehicle that would have been created from the body or around the frame of a disused tram on many systems across the country during World War 1 to raise money to buy tanks. There was also an interesting array of art work and posters on the wall.
After the Paint Shop we moved next door and visited the body shop where the body and frames of Lytham 43 and Glasgow 1016 are stored along with a large scale model of Standard car 40, which was used as part of a display back in 1985 for the Centenary year.
In the Body Shop, Work was well underway on the bodyframe being carried out on Balloon 704, which as mentioned above had been stripped to a shell for restoration to commence. Once its new underframe is complete, the old underframe will be rolled out from underneath it and scrapped, whilst the new frame is rolled underneath the body frame and work can commence on the restoration. Also in the body shop was Brush Car 634, which was repainted into Terror Tram advert during 2021, complete with skulls on the end, a recreation of an advert carried by the tram in the late 1990s. 634 was awaiting the fitting of a trolley tower and pantograph, to allow it to re-enter service for the first time since 2004.
One of the main reasons the tours are taking place is to help to raise funds to repair the roof of the main tram shed, which is in a terrible state with holes and leaks everywhere and that's where we headed next! We were firstly taken into the Electrical compound, which being the driest part of the main depot is used to store the boat cars and some others that are awaiting attention. Boats 600, 227 (602) and 230 (604) along with
Centenary 642, Standard 147 and Millennium Balloon 707 were seen in there. We were then taken along the rear of the main sheds, where we saw some of the withdrawn trams such as Balloon 726, Coronation 304, Balloon 720, Brush car 290, Twin Cars 676+686 and 272+T2. We were then taken into Bolton 66 for a heat! At this point the main tour was over, though I would like to thank Paul, who took me round to the far side of the sheds to photo the hovertram, Balloon 708, Brush 625 and 632.
I then headed back to the prom and by this time, the snow had halted and had began melting. It was a strange sight seeing Brush Cars 621 and 631 with their fronts covered in snow! I caught Brush Car 631 up to Bispham for a few shots of the trams in the snow, then caught 718 down to North Pier. On reaching North Pier, Balloon 711 had appeared in the loop and was being used as the shop tram and the sun had came out! After getting a few photos at North Pier, I walked back along the prom in the wall to wall sunshine, taking photos of the t
rams on the way. I reached Pleasure Beach at 3.20 and was hoping to catch a couple of photos of 648, however the tram had suffered from a loss of power fault and by the time it was repaired, it was over 20 minutes late in reaching Pleasure Beach. 648 was returned to depot and Balloon 711 took over the remainder of 648's duties. It was at this point it was time for me to head back home.
Overall, it was an enjoyable day, I'd thoroughly reccomend the depot tour though you will need to be quick to book as they are fully booked up for months! More photos from the day can be found at: https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p490848536
My entire collection of Blackpool Tram photos from 2003 to today can be found at: https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/f595940839
303 and 314 journey log from 2000-2001
I was clearing out my Portable Hard Drive and came across a list of some of my journeys of class 303s and 314s from 2000 and 2001. It's not a complete record as it only features the days that I actually remembered to keep a note! It does however give a snapshot of what was operating on both the Argyle and Cathcart Circle lines in the final years of 303 operation.
Class 303s in service during this period were: 303001, 003, 004, 006, 008, 009, 010 (till Dec 2000), 011, 012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 019, 020, 021, 023, 025 (till Sep/Oct 2000), 027, 032, 033, 034, 037, 043, 045, 047, 054, 056, 058 (till Sep 2000), 065, 070, 077, 079, 080, 083, 085, 087, 088, 090, 091.
29th August 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303070+303034
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314208
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314205
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303045
30th August 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303021
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314203
- 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314210+314206
- 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303085
1st September 2000:
- 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303033
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303008
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303083
4th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303006+303065
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314207
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303019
5th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303077+303054
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303087
6th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303016+303043
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314207
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303001
7th September 2000:
- 8.02 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303021
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
- 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303014+303077
- 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303020+303088
8th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303012
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314213
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303001
11th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303020+303013
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314214
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314214
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303033
13th September 2000:
- 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303013
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314202
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314212
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303087
14th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303006+303045
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314204
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303004
8th September 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303012
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314213
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303001
5th December 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303025+303083
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303047
6th December 2000:
- 8.02 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303083
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314213
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303043
7th December 2000:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden Express: 303085+303032
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303014
8th December 2000:
- 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303001
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303014
11th December 2000:
- 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303003
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314206
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303009
12th December 2000:
- 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303003
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314214
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303016
13th December 2000:
- 8.02 Carstairs - Garscadden Express: 303008
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314208
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303033
15th January 2001:
- 7.50 Motherwell - Dalmuir: 303070+303088
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314209
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314212
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303023
23rd January 2001:
- 7.50 Motherwell - Dalmuir: 303088+303077
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 303021
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303027
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303047
30th January 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303003
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314209
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314212
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303085
7th February 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303083+303033
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314216
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314203
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303088
13th February 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303020+303043
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314209
- 15.50 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 318258
- 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303045
19th February 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303013+303012
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314204
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303020
20th February 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303014+303034
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314205
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314204
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303037
25th February 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303037+303027
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314201
- 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 303011
- 16.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303085
- 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303009+303019
6th March 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303014+303090
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314209
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303047
7th March 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303070+303090
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314204
- 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314206+314213
- 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303008
8th March 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303090+303011
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 303004
- 12.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314214
- 12.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303011
19th March 2001:
- 7.44 Lanark - Garscadden express: 303023
- 8.50 Glasgow Central - Neilston: 314213
- 16.13 Mount Florida - Glasgow Central: 314209
- 16.38 Dalmuir - Motherwell: 303085
- 16.44 Dalmuir - Lanark: 303088+303011
87002 at Carlisle 14.1.22
Locomotive Services Limited's Intercity Swallow liveried 87002 'Royal Sovereign' along with matching set of Mark 3s and DVT 82136 visited Carlisle on 14th January.
They worked as 5Z50 from Crewe and as 5Z51 back to Crewe mid afternoon as ECS workings as test runs and route learning prior to working on tour duty to Glasgow Central on Thursday 26th January. 87002, the coaching stock and DVT 82136, looked fantastic in their heritage livery and a massive well done goes to all those who restored the vehicles back to this livery.
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303032 at Bo'ness 29.12.21
303032 is one of the original set of 35 class 303s (Then known as class AM3) built in 1959 by Pressed Steel of Elderslie for the electrification of the North Clyde lines, a subsequent order of 56 sets raised in 1960 took the number of units up to 91. 303032 wore a succession of liveries starting with Caledonian Blue, then BR Blue and Grey then Strathclyde Transport 'Red' and Black livery from the 1980's through till withdrawal, receiving it's final repaint in the mid 1990's. 032 would operate on the North Clyde lines, Argyle Lines, Cathcart Circle and Clyde Coast lines over 42 years until withdrawal around June / July 2002.
After withdrawal, 303032 was taken to Immingham along with a number of sets that were going for scrapping. 303032 was the lucky one however as it was going for asbestos removal prior to preservation at Bo'ness. Unfortunately 303032's original Motor Coach (the centre coach) 61512 was damaged at Immingham and was scrapped, however 61512 was substituted for Carmine and Cream liveried 61503 from set 303023, which was there for scrapping. Both driving trailers (75597 and 75632) are 303032s originals. 303032 was returned to Bo'ness by low loader from Immingham for preservation in April 2003.
303032 is still occasionally hauled up and down the line at Boness by a Class 26, 27 or 37 working in blue star mode. A ride on the set during the diesel galas brings back memories including the sound of the door closing alarm, the hiss of the air brakes and the driver having to get out and force a set of doors closed before the set will move! 303032 is still in the same coat of paint as it was when it arrived at Boness with the trailers in Orange and Black Strathclyde Transport livery and the motor coach in the SPT Carmine and Cream livery. 303032 hasn't been used for many years and has been on display in the display shed. It was extracted from the shed and placed in the display siding for the Diesel Gala at Bo'ness on 29th December 2021.
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Bo'ness Diesel Gala 29.12.21
The Bo'ness Diesel Gala took place on Wednesday 29th December. The gala featured the home fleet with BR Large logo liveried 37403 making its debut at Bo'ness following its time on hire to DRS, BR Blue liveried 37703 making its last appearance on loan from DRS, 47643 in its Scotrail Intercity livery and 27001 in BR Blue livery.
The visiting locomotive was supplied by GBRF and was 66773 'Pride of GB Railfreight' with Pride rainbow branding.
On display was DRS liveried 20302+20305, which will shortly be leaving Bo'ness as well as Hydrogen Multiple Unit 614209 and former Blue Train: 303032, which was making it's first appearance out in the open for around 6 years.
It was torrential rain for most of the morning, which made photography difficult (and meant having to take most photographs on my phone instead of the camera), however the highlight was seeing 303032 out on display and having a look round the interior and seeing 37403+37703 double heading the 12.30 working.
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