Visit to Central Scotland

The Branch has not visited Strathclyde since 2019 so it was deemed imperative that a visit was undertaken this year.

As usual the main party met at Warrington Bank Quay travelling north aboard 390039 working 1S37 05.31 Euston – Glasgow Central departing 8 minutes late. Other Members joined at Wigan N W & Preston making a total of seven.

We diverged at Law Junction and travelled via the alternative route via Bellshill with an on time arrival at Glasgow Central of 10.42.

Tickets were quickly purchased and we were on the Queen St platforms by 11.10. We travelled to Stirling on the 11.41 Aberdeen with Class 43’s 43126+43032.

Upon arrival we recorded 68001 working 4D01 11.51 Blackford Freight Terminal – Mossend Down Yard. Several members had not previously travelled on the Alloa Branch [reopened 19 May 2008] so we rode 385023+385024 to & from Alloa. We then enjoyed a further 55 minutes on the beautiful Stirling Station before 170432 took the party back to Glasgow Queen St on 1T34 11.45 ex Aberdeen.

43028+43179 were seen at Cadder Depot [opened Sunday 11 December 2021]

An hour was then spent at Queen St before we travelled to Hyndland with 334013+334015 [2H15 14.07 Edinburgh – Helensburgh Central].

Another hour was spent on Hyndland before we returned to Glasgow Central Low Level [320308 2L20 16.17 Dalmuir – Larkhall].

The day had gone brilliantly but that was not to last. 1S63 12.30 Euston – Glasgow Central which formed 1M18 17.30 to Euston [on which several members were booked] did not arrive until 18.03, some 62 minutes late which resulted in a 47 minutes late departure. The problem for the late arrival of 1S63 was caused by overhead catenary damage in the Motherwell area. The train had reached Shieldmuir and then had to return to Law Junction before reaching Glasgow Central via Bellshill. 1M18 was also diverted via Bellshill and steadily lost time resulting in an arrival at Warrington Bank Quay at 21.32, some 67 minutes late.