Scotland for Steam – Part Two
Thursday 10th October 2024

Inverness depot in the early 1960s
To launch proceedings at its new venue, the Branch was delighted to welcome Rev’d Canon Brian Arman, Society President, with Part 2 of his “To Scotland for Steam“ presentation, this time concentrating on HR, CR and G&SWR lines. Starting in Keith we travelled via the original Forres station to Inverness. From Inverness the Black Isle stations at Avoch and Fortrose were viewed. The last HR Clan Goods in 1949 was seen, then Dornoch branch with HR 0-4-4 tank, Wick with Pickersgill 4-4-0, Inverness shed roundhouse and HR 103 on the turntable.

Down express restarting from Beattock station
Into CR territory, Kirriemuir station featured a coalman and horse, then we saw D263 on the “St. Mungo” service near Gleneagles in 1964 – an image which one of the audience confirmed was his, and that his footsteps could be seen in the snow! Continuing around Scotland, D5342 crossed Glen Ogle viaduct with an Oban-Glasgow Buchanan Street service, then blue 6107 appeared on another Oban service at Crianlarich Upper. Further historic images depicted Wemyss Bay station and pier and included Tank 55359 banking at Beattock in 1953, while A4 60011 Empire of India stood at night in Stirling.
Lastly, GSWR territory provided Glasgow St. Enoch station with a Baltic tank, Clayton 8525 on a Glasgow-Ayr local at Barassie in 1966, a Crab on coal empties crossing Dalrymple viaduct, 45687 Neptune at Ardrossan in 1960, a Dalmellington local and Cl.20s on a Heads of Ayr summer Saturday working crossing Ayr viaduct in 1963. We rounded off with scenes such as a Compound at Loch Skerrow in 1952 and a railbus at Darvel.
This was an excellent presentation containing many historical and rarely seen images of long closed routes and now withdrawn locomotives, much appreciated by the attendees.