Scotland's Railways in the 1980s & 1990s: A Snapshot in Time

By Peter J. Green

“A book full of nostalgia for those who thought railways after the end of steam would be an endless stream of lookalike boxes . . . a revelation.” —Rail Advent

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Scotland was an excellent destination for the railway enthusiast.

The many locomotive hauled trains running through splendid scenery, together with the surviving railway infrastructure and mechanical signaling, provided many fine photographic opportunities.

Peter J. Green’s first railway visit to Scotland was on board the Fair Maid railtour to Perth, behind Flying Scotsman in 1983. The following year, he again traveled to Scotland, this time on the F & W Railtours’ The Skirl o’ the Pipes 4, to Kyle of Lochalsh and Mallaig, his first visit to the Scottish Highlands.

Green had previously been traveling abroad for railways, but impressed by what he saw, he decided that he would quickly return to photograph the Scottish railway scene, before it changed too much.

This was the start of a series of visits, each for one or two weeks, between 1984 and June 1991, covering the whole country.

This book is a photographic record of the locomotives, trains and infrastructure of the railways of Scotland and the landscapes through which the trains ran, as recorded by Green’s various cameras during the period of his visits.

“Lots to enjoy, not just the Scottish locomotives themselves, but their trains and the world beyond, which in some cases has changed beyond recognition in the years since these photographs were taken. Highly recommended.” —The Railway Magazine

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jan 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781526773555

Book preview

THE FAR NORTH LINE, INVERNESS TO DINGWALL

3. The Far North Line, between Inverness and Wick and Thurso, is the most northerly railway in Great Britain. The railway runs for 167 miles, including the branches to Wick and Thurso from Georgemas Junction.

Locomotives 37030, 26038 and 26021 stand at Inverness depot. Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company (Birmingham RC&W) type 2 locomotives 26038 and 26021 were being prepared for the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh leg of F & W Railtours’ The Skirl o’ the Pipes 4. These type 2 locomotives were fitted with Sulzer 6LDA28 engines of 1,160 hp. 12 May 1984.

4. English Electric 37414 runs past Inverness Rose Street signal box. The Highland Stag emblem of Inverness Traction Maintenance Depot (TMD) is on the cabside of 37414, and the locomotive depot is in the background. Rose Street and Milburn Junction signal boxes controlled the lines bypassing Inverness station. 22 May 1986.

5. British Rail diesel-electric locomotive 08717 shunts stock for a train to Wick and Thurso at Inverness station. These shunting locomotives were fitted with 400 hp English Electric engines. 30 May 1985.

6. With a fine array of semaphore signals in evidence, Brush type 4 47210 approaches Inverness with a short, rush hour working from Invergordon. 31 May 1985.

7. English Electric 37114 heads the 17.35 Inverness to Wick and Thurso over the swing bridge across the Caledonian Canal and past the signal box at Clachnaharry, Inverness. 30 May 1985.

8. English Electric 37415 heads the 17.35 Inverness to Wick and Thurso over the River Ness Bridge, soon after leaving Inverness station. 1 June 1988.

9. The crew of 37417 Highland Region pick up the token for the single line, as the 07.10 Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness passes the closed Lentran station, between Muir of Ord and Inverness. The station closed in 1960 and re-opened for a few days in 1982, while the canal bridge at Clachnaharry was repaired. 22 May 1986.

10. Brush 47118 arrives at Muir of Ord with an Invergordon to Inverness train. The Inverness and Ross-shire Railway signal box is on the left. These Brush type 4s were fitted with Sulzer 12LDA28-C engines of 2,580 hp. 27 May 1985.

11. The signal arms have been removed as radio signalling takes over at Muir of Ord. English Electric 37414 departs with the 16.40 Hebridean Heritage from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness. Note the observation saloon behind the locomotive. 23 June 1988.

12. English Electric 37017 heads through Dingwall with a loaded ballast train from Inverness to Brora. The McKenzie & Hollandbuilt signal box is in the background. The line to Kyle of Lochalsh diverges from the Far North Line at Dingwall. 27 May 1985.

THE FAR NORTH LINE, DINGWALL TO WICK AND THURSO

13. The Far North Line to Wick and Thurso and the line to Kyle of Lochalsh divide at Dingwall. Birmingham RC&W type 2 27064 arrives at Invergordon station with fuel tanks and a whisky tank for Invergordon distillery. Invergordon is located on Cromarty Firth, north of Dingwall. This locomotive type was fitted with Sulzer 6LDA28-B engines of 1,250 hp. 30 May