314208+314207 at Glasgow Central314207 is seen on the rear of a 6 car set with 314208 at Glasgow Central prior to working 2N36 Glasgow Central - Neilston 7.11.18 Glasgow Central and Newton Class 314 sightings 7.11.18

I was passing through Glasgow Central on my way to/from dinner in the city centre and spotted 9 of the remaining 13 class 314's in service.   I also travelled into Central on 314214.

The reduction to 13 in service has happened as 314213 was withdrawn for the second time in recent months and 314204 has also been removed from service.  

Both units were moved to Yoker depot sometime last weekend for storage alongside 314212 which was already there.  

The units seen were: 314202, 203, 205, 207, 208, 210, 211, 214, 216. There was at least another Carmine and Cream 314 in service, which was running on the 17.12 service to Paisley Canal, unfortunately I didn't manage to catch the number as it was too dark to see it from 314214.

314214 at Newton314214 awaits departure from Newton with 2P18 16.49 service to Glasgow Central - via Queens Park service 7.11.18	314214 at Newton314214 awaits departure from Newton with 2P18 16.49 service to Glasgow Central - via Queens Park service 7.11.18	314208+314207 at Glasgow Central314207 is seen on the rear of a 6 car set with 314208 at Glasgow Central prior to working 2N36 Glasgow Central - Neilston 7.11.18	314211 at Glasgow Central314211 prepares to depart Glasgow Central with 2O34 Glasgow Central - Glasgow Central via Queens Park (Outer Circle) 7.11.18
314202 at Glasgow Central314202 prepares to depart Glasgow Central with 1W17 17.55 Glasgow Central - Weymss Bay service 7.11.18	314211 and 314207 at Glasgow Central314211 prepares to depart 2I15 19.15 Glasgow Central - Glasgow Central via Maxwell Park (Inner Circle) and 314207 on the rear of 314208 awaiting to depart with 5N03 19.28 ECS working to Corkerhill CSMD 7.11.18	314207 at Glasgow Central314207 on the rear of 314208 awaiting to depart with 5N03 19.28 ECS working to Corkerhill CSMD 7.11.18	314208+314207 at Glasgow Central314208 + 314207 awaiting to depart with 5N03 19.28 ECS working to Corkerhill CSMD 7.11.18

Glasgow Central at nightGlasgow Central at night 7.11.18 The forecourt of Glasgow Central has been decorated for Remembrance Day.   Four large poppies can be seen hanging from the rafters, whilst a poppy Scotland shop is also seen behind the lounge.  

The Station clock has also had it's bulb changed and is shining red.   Inside the clock faces are silhouettes with the following: 'Lest we Forget', '1914-1918' a poppy and a soldier next to a cross. 

Station Clock at Glasgow CentralThe Station clock at Glasgow Central decorated for Remembrance Day 7.11.18

Station Clock at Glasgow CentralThe Station clock at Glasgow Central decorated for Remembrance Day 7.11.18

Station Clock at Glasgow CentralThe Station clock at Glasgow Central decorated for Remembrance Day 7.11.18

19, 419 and 828 at Bo'nessCaledonian Railway 439 class no 419 and 812 class no 828 have just arrived at Bo'ness on the rear of the 12.38 service from Manuel. No 1 'Lord Roberts' is on the front of the train. NCB Fife area No 19 is also seen awaiting it's next duty 3.11.18 The Bo'ness Autumn Steam Gala took place from 2nd - 4th November.  

It was a fantastic weekend, featuring 5 steam locomotives:

• Coltness Iron Works No.1 - 'Lord Roberts'
• N.C.B. No.6
• N.C.B Fife Area No.19
• Caledonian Railway 439 class No.419
• Caledonian Railway 812 class No.828 (on loan from the Strathspey Railway)

I visited for a short time on Friday afternoon and 419 and 828 were being prepared for their starring role on the Saturday and Sunday. No. 19 was working on the passenger service and No.1 arrived into Bo'ness with a short demonstration freight, which No. 6, which was acting as shunter for the weekend, shunted from the yard to the bay platform.

On to the Saturday and I was there for a couple of hours.  828 was in the bay platform with the 2 Caledonian Railway coaches. 419 was then coupled onto the front.   A short time later, No.1 and No.19 top and tailed with the Mark 1 set arrived from Manuel. No.1 remained on the rear of the set while No.19 came off the train and 419, 828 and the 2 caledonian coaches coupled onto the front and worked the 12.09 to Manuel.  

1, 828 and 419 returned to Bo'ness on the 12.38 from Manuel and 828 and 419 with the 2 caledonian coaches came off and returned to the bay platform.   No.19 then returned to the front of the train and worked the next service out to Manuel with No.1 on the rear.   419 then headed to fill up with water next to the steam shed.   Unfortunately I had to leave at that point but it was a fantastic event.   419, which was returning to service after 10 years looked superb and visiting loco 828 was also amazing.   This was the first time both locomotives had worked together in preservation.

More photos from the weekend can be found at https://scottishtrains.zenfolio.com/p326245263

19 at Bo'nessNational Coal Board Fife Area No 19 prepares to depart Bo'ness with the 14.06 service to Manuel 2.11.18	no1 at Bo'nessColtness Iron Works No1 'Lord Roberts' seen at Bo'ness having arrived with a short demonstration freight train from Birkhill 2.11.18	NCB no6 at Bo'nessNCB no 6 prepares to shunt the demonstration freight from the run round loop to the bay platform at Bo'ness 2.11.18	828 at Bo'nessCaledonian Railway 812 class no 828, on loan from the Strathspey Railway is seen in the bay platform with 2 Caledonian Railway coaches at the Bo'ness Steam Gala 3.11.18
NCB no6 at Bo'nessNCB no6 is seen stabled by the signalboxat Bo'ness awaiting its next duty 3.11.18	no1 and no19 at Bo'nessColtness Iron Works No1 'Lord Roberts' top and tailed with National Coal Board Fife Area No19 approaches Bo'ness with the 11.31 service from Manuel 3.11.18	419 and 828 at Bo'nessCaledonian Railway 439 class no 419 and 812 class no 828 are seen shunting the 2 Caledonian Railway coaches into the bay platform 3.11.18	19 and 419 at Bo'nessNational Coal Board Fife Area No 19 leaves the run around loop at Bo'ness to couple onto the coaching stock in the main platform at Bo'ness while Caledonian Railway 439 class no 419 awaits its next duty in the bay platform 3.11.18

314215+314214 at Glasgow CentralDebranded SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 314215 + Saltire liveried 314214 arrive into Glasgow Central with 2N01 11.58 Neilston - Glasgow Central 20.10.18 I was in Glasgow this morning and saw 15 of the 16 314's. The workings I saw them on were:

314203 on 10.20 and 13.20 services to Newton via Queens Park
314202+314204 on 10.35 Glasgow Central - Neilston
314216 10.55 Glasgow Central - Gourock
314210 10.57 Glasgow Central - Weymss Bay
314214+314215 11.05 Glasgow Central - Neilston
314206 11.12 Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal
314208 11.35 Glasgow Central - Neilston

314201 and 314209 were stabled at Corkerhill
314205, 314207, 314211 and 314213 were stabled at Shields

The only set I didn't see was 314212.

314203 at Glasgow Central314203 awaits departure from Glasgow Central on 2P18 10.20 Glasgow Central - Newton via Queens Park 20.10.18	314202+314204 at Glasgow Central314202+314204 prepares to depart Glasgow Central with 2N28 Glasgow Central - Neilston 20.10.18	314202+314204 at Glasgow Central314202+314204 departs Glasgow Central with 2N28 Glasgow Central - Neilston 20.10.18	314215+314214 at Queens Park314215 + 314214 approach Queens Park with 2N28 10.28 Neilston - Glasgow Central 20.10.18
314215+314214 at Queens Park314215 + 314214 pause at Queens Park with 2N28 10.28 Neilston - Glasgow Central 20.10.18	314214+314215 at Glasgow CentralScotrail Saltire liveried 314214 and debranded SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 314215 depart Glasgow Central with 2N32 11.05 Glasgow Central - Neilston service 20.10.18	314206 at Glasgow Central314206 waits to depart Glasgow Central with 2D25 12.12 service to Paisley Canal 20.10.18	158734 and 314208 at Glasgow Central158734 arrives with 2Y71 11.26 Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Central while Saltire liveried 314208 arrives into Glasgow Central with 2N03 12.28 Neilston - Glasgow Central 20.10.18
314216 at Glasgow Central314216 departs Glasgow Central with 1G07 12.55 Glasgow Central - Gourock service 20.10.18	314206 at Glasgow Central314206 arrives into Glasgow Central with 2D26 12.35 service from Paisley Canal 20.10.18	314203 at Glasgow Central314203 arrives into Glasgow Central with 2P03 12.49 Newton - Glasgow Central via Queens Park 20.10.18	314203 at Newton314203 prepares to depart Glasgow Central with 2P07 13.49 Newton - Glasgow Central via Queens Park 20.10.18

314214 at Paisley Gilmour Street314214 pauses at Paisley Gilmour Street with 1G03 10.55 Glasgow Central - Gourock 13.10.18 I was heading into Glasgow for lunch, but decided to head in early to ride on and photograph some class 314's.   Over the space of 3 hours, I managed to spot, photo or ride on 13 of the 16 members of the fleet.

Starting at Newton, I caught 314203, the only 314 that I had still to get a decent photograph on.   314203 of course is the unit with the unique driving trailer, 64588.   64588 is the second vehicle to carry this number as the original was destroyed in the Newton crash in 1991, when 314203 and 303037 collided just outside the station.  Today's 64588 is actually vehicle 64426 from disbanded 3rd rail class 507022.    It was converted to work from ac power and used to reform set 203.    When it returned to service in the mid 1990's, 64588 was used as a test bed for a number of different types of seating, flooring, lighting diffusers and grab handles. It now carries the standard class 314 low backed seating.   

314203 was working 2P15 9.49 Newton - Glasgow Central via Queens Park and ran to time until it reached Croftfoot, when one of the doors didn't close properly and the driver had to get out and close them.   This also happened at Kings Park and Mount Florida. 314203 arrived at Glasgow Central 2 minutes late. 314203 then worked 2P18 10.20 Glasgow Central - Newton via Queens Park and also the 11.20 and 12.20 workings.

Enroute, 314207 was seen between Mount Florida and Cathcart with a Cathcart Outer Circle service and 314206+314216 passed at Pollockshields East with a Glasgow Central - Neilston service. The Neilston services were all worked by pairs of class 314's.

I then headed out to Paisley Gilmour Street, 314202 was just arriving into Central with a Neilston service as the service I was on departed.  I noted 314213 and 314211 at Shields EMD, 314213 had it's pantograph down.    At Gilmour Street, 314214 on 1G03 10.55 Glasgow Central - Gourock was the first of 2 314's seen there, with 314205 on 1W33 10.57 Glasgow Central - Weymss Bay next to arrive. I then headed back to Central, just in time to see 314206+314216 depart with 2N34 11.35 Glasgow Central - Neilston service.  

A short time later 314207 arrived into platform 10 at Glasgow Central with 2M91 11.19 Newton - Glasgow Central service then shortly afterwards Saltire liveried 314209 arrives into platform 11 with 2D22 11.35 Paisley Canal - Glasgow Central service.  They would depart with 207 working 2G63 12.05 service to Gourock and 209's next working was 2D25 12.12 service to Paisley Canal.

314202 next arrived coupled to 314201 and would form the 2N02 12.05 service from Glasgow Central - Neilston. I got on this working as far as Mount Florida, where I caught 314210+314204 on 2N01 11.58 Neilston - Glasgow Central. 204's rear vehicle was locked out of use. The double set departed Glasgow Central at 12.35 with 2N04 12.35 service to Neilston.

Heading home in the evening, 314203 was seen getting ready to depart Glasgow Central with 2W15 18.38 service to Weymss Bay, while 314207 was seen arriving with it's centre coach in darkness and locked out of use.   The only 3 units I didn't see were 314208, 314212 and  314215.

314203 at NewtonSaltire liveried 314203 waits to depart Newton with 2P15 9.49 Newton - Glasgow Central service 13.10.18	314203 centre coachAn inside view of vehicle 71452, the pantograph trailer of 314203. 13.10.18	314203 driving vehiclean interior view of the unique driving motor 64588 from set 314203. 64588 was used as a test bed for a number of different types of seating, flooring, lighting diffusers and grab handles. It now carries the standard class 314 low backed seating. 13.10.18	314214 at Paisley Gilmour Street314214 pauses at Paisley Gilmour Street with 1G03 10.55 Glasgow Central - Gourock 13.10.18
314205 at Paisley Gilmour StreetDebranded SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 314205 is seen arriving at Paisley Gilmour Street with 1W33 10.57 Glasgow Central - Weymss Bay service 13.10.18	314206+314216 at Glasgow CentralCarmine and Cream liveried 314216 on the rear of a 6 car set with 314206 is seen at Platform 10 at Glasgow Central awaiting departure with 2N34 11.35 Glasgow Central - Neilston service 13.10.18	314207 at Glasgow CentralHaving been recently reinstated to service, following issues with the class 385's, 314207 arrives into Glasgow Central with 2M91 11.19 Newton - Glasgow Central service 13.10.18	314209 at Glasgow CentralSaltire liveried 314209 arrives into Glasgow Central with 2D22 11.35 Paisley Canal - Glasgow Central service 13.10.18
314207 and 314209 at Glasgow Central314207 and 314209 await their next departures from Glasgow Central. 207's next working is 2G63 12.05 service to Gourock and 209's next working is 2D25 12.12 service to Paisley Canal 13.10.18	314201+314202 at Mount Florida314202 seen on the rear of a 6 car working with 314201 as they depart Mount Florida with 2N02 12.05 service from Glasgow Central - Neilston 13.10.18	314204+314210 at Glasgow Central314204+314210 await departure from Glasgow Central with 2N04 12.35 service to Neilston 13.10.18	314204+314210 at Neilston314204+314210 await departure from Glasgow Central with 2N04 12.35 service to Neilston 13.10.18

419 at Bo'nessThe beautifully restored Caledonian 439 class number 419 is seen stabled outside the steam shed at Bo'ness 12.10.18 The beautifully restored Caledonian 439 class number 419 is seen stabled outside the steam shed at Bo'ness in torrential rail on Friday 12th October.  

The loco, which has just undergone a lengthy overhaul, is due to be relaunched into service at the Bo'ness steam gala, which is taking place from November 2nd - 4th November.  

As well as 419 being in service, Caledonian Railway 812 class no 828 is visiting on loan from the Strathspey Railway for the weekend and should make a fine sight as it travels along the banks of the Forth.

An interesting fact about the 812 class that I didn't know about until recently is that they were the inspiration for 'Donald' and 'Douglas', the Scottish twin locomotives from Rev W Awdry's 'Railway Series' and it's TV adaptation 'Thomas the Tank Engine'!

419 at Bo'nessThe beautifully restored Caledonian 439 class number 419 is seen stabled outside the steam shed at Bo'ness 12.10.18

419 at Bo'nessThe beautifully restored Caledonian 439 class number 419 is seen stabled outside the steam shed at Bo'ness 12.10.18

314206 at NewtonDebranded SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 314206 is seen at Newton prior to departure with the 2P23 11.49 service from Newton - Glasgow Central 6.10.18 Debranded SPT Carmine and Cream liveried 314206 is seen at Newton prior to departure with the 2P23 11.49 service from Newton - Glasgow Central. 

Following the recent withdrawal of the class 385's due to issues with their brakes, 314207 and 213, which had been withdrawn only 2 weeks ago, have been reinstated to service.  

This is due to class 380's currently working on the Inverclyde lines being required to work on the Edinburgh - Glasgow line to cover for the class 385's. 

230002 at Bo'nessVivarail's BEMU demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes 5.10.18 Vivarail's Battery Electric Multiple Unit demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes.  

Bo'ness are offering free rides on the unit on Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th October.

See https://www.bkrailway.co.uk/free-rides-on-vivarail-new-class-230-battery-train-at-boness-kinneil-railway/ for more details.

230002 at Bo'nessVivarail's BEMU demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes 5.10.18	230002 at Bo'nessthe cab of vehicle 300102 of 230002 at Bo'ness 5.10.18	230002 at Bo'nessVivarail's BEMU demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes 5.10.18	230002 at Bo'nessVivarail's BEMU demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes 5.10.18
230002 at Bo'nesssnow plough / object deflector and coupler on 230002 5.10.18	230002 at Bo'nessVivarail's BEMU demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes 5.10.18	230002 at Bo'nessone of the wheel bogies on 230002 at Bo'ness 5.10.18	230002 at Bo'nessVivarail's BEMU demonstrator unit 230002, which was constructed from former London Underground 'D' stock, is seen charging at Bo'ness. 230002 is at Bo'ness for testing and demonstration purposes 5.10.18