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Carl, Simply outstanding modelling - you've caught the character of the 'West Coast Pirates' perfectly no matter which angle or how close you care to illustrate it from - really well done. Calmac always remind me of 1970's BR. NB My solicitor has asked me to point out that the 'West Coast Pirates' reference is merely that of a business colleague. Bruce

Hi Adrian, First a couple of shots taken at Ladybank (for the Fernie Castle overnight stay) in June 1987. The loco that night was 37085. Note the primitive and temporary platform created specifically for the service - for the modeller an excuse to run traffic to that little used siding - after modelling the rake Some pics of a service in PSG taken in June 1985 The inevitable LL 37 - in this case 37 183. The leading coach is 99886. Then the sleepers, 99885 is nearest the camera State car 10000 Sleeper 99884 Finally the wrinklies... GN 807 LNWR 5159 Last and certainly not least the CR observation car Finally, Ive posted this before - but I like it!! Best of luck with the model - that lining pen is going to be taking a hammering!! Bruce

Hi Stewart, Add a further vote of appreciation from me - really nice work and good to see another GNS layout. The wagons are spectacular and the beauty of modelling the GNS in the fifties is the vast variety of branch line motive power to choose from - and very little of it indigeneous!! Look forward to seeing the locos! Bruce

Really nice work and I'm sure will feel worthwhile seeing through the 2 large rear windows. Great blog as I need a kick up the #### to get started on one of these kits and a couple of the Judith Edge 4mm - and this is just the inspiration I need. Dont be stuck for pics BTW. Bruce

The bogie vehicles were allowed on the Auchmuty branch in the latter years. Must have been a tight squeeze under the A92 but there are a couple of pics on the net and scenes in the Railfreight DVD series of the vehicles on the line - example The two leading vehicles in the scene are the TR PAA hoppers which were blue and sometimes filthy but I'd be surprised if they were confused with a molasses tank. Below is the last image of a branch working that I managed to get - I'd be interested in knowing more about the latter and last known workings. Bruce

Hi SM, The kaolin was moved in the Tullis Russell branded PAA hoppers (or possibly the TRL bogie tanks by this time) - the mollasses vehicles were quite different. I wonder if your source was confusing Markinch for Menstrie. Probably no help but I do have the following (poor) shot of 08 515 shunting stock for the evening SLK service to Mossend at Thornton Yard. On the RHS is a tank which may be molasses but looks more like a cement vehicle to me. The tanks in the train are Distillers CO2. As to other pics at Markinch, I have several hundred... A bit of a mystery but I would certainly like to hear of the outcome. HTH Bruce

Hi SM I'll get the scan organised. Wee bit confused about the other request as there was no molasses traffic at or through Markinch (AFAIK) - coal, kaolin, whisky and scrap metal for the branch/yard in the 80's + the passing stuff. Let me know and I'll see what I've got. Best regards, Bruce

Last days of the 27's In early 1987 Vic Berrys cut up several type 2's in the yard at Thornton. Death row you might say... The beginning of the end for 27020. The black specks are not flaws in the image but the local crow (or is it vulture) population... While all this was going on several of the locos continued in traffic. Here 27 025 sits outside the shed at Thornton. From left to right : the doomed locos; various DMU's being stabled between local duties; class 20's for the local coal traffic and on the RHS the branch line to Westfield - still semaphore controlled. At Grangemouth depot 27 050 is stabled with a 47. Back at Thornton 27 059 sits outside the shed - from this angle the set back of the suspension springs is clearly seen - a very worthwhile mod to the Heljan model IMHO With the SRPS 'Class 27 Farewell' excursion, 27 055 and 27 063 head away from Wormit (Sorry, but I just can't leave without a snap of 27 020 in happier days) Bruce

Sorry mods - looks like I've killed off this thread single handed!! One last attempt to breathe live into good old 1980's Scotrail. A shameless plug for my local station in the days when it could boast junction status, a rare breed of shunter and an LNER pacific in the goods shed. The moral of the story is record it while you can - it may seem timeless but it'll be gone before you know it. May 1980 and still with semaphores, 20221 arrives with the morning trip from Thornton Yard. Coal and china clay for the two paper mills on the branch. 06 003 waits to shunts the stock. 18 months later in January 1982 the 06 has gone and after some structural work on the branch 08 227 is seen with return empties from the TR mill. By this time the DRG mill seen in the background was no longer rail served. All is now a cycle path and new housing. On the main line 27's have taken over the Edinburgh to Dundee services - except when they breakdown. In the background is a failed 27 021. In the foreground is the replacement 20 220 and some cheesed off passengers. D49 Morayshire crosses the viaduct Semaphores no more, 47 109 passes with southbound grain. Hopefully see you at Glasgow Bruce

My favourite Scottish railway - the GNSR The former shed at MacDuff in June 1980 27 109 leaves Keith with Aberdeen bound train in the same month. View of the interior of Kennethmont box. June 1986 47517 passes box on same day 47 454 crosses the River Bogie near Huntly with the 17.50 Aberdeen to Inverness. June 1986 Bruce

Some more bits and pieces. 40 158 is refuelled at Inverness 46 039 draws out a rake of carflats from Leith docks. 06 003 battles through the undergrowth on the Auchmuty branch with a mixed freight for the TR mill. SC51035 at the end of a 3 car rake inside Ayr depot. Bruce

Bernard, Perhaps you're thinking of Seafield Colliery in Fife and Thornton's use of a J36. A pic, I think, in one of Bill Anderson's books. Fascinating thread. Bruce

Thanks Peter. I did actually video most of these scenes as well so it is still possible to hear the 37's Bruce

Hi Bry, I've started posting a few in one of my galleries. I've one or two more to follow. Bruce

A weekend on the Kyle line - part 1 A typical summer Saturday service - 3 trains each way + any excursions The first pair of trains Up Down The midday trains meet at Achnasheen and 37 416 heads off west (Edit : note the strengthening vehicles added to the morning Up service - the rear vehicle is a former LMS inspection saloon being used as an observation vehicle) In between all this 37/4 monotony 37 114 passes Loch Sgamhain with the Royal Scotsman The evening service The Up arrives at Strome ferry (Edit : the inspection saloon was shunted at Kyle and is now the rearmost vehicle) The Down is shunted after arrival at Kyle. (Edit : the support vehicles for the Royal Scotsman are parked on the station approach ramp - the stock is stabled behind) Bruce (Apologies for some repeated pics)

Apologies from moving away from the relative exotica of the Swindon 126 but the archetypal ScR train of the 1980's has to be the 101 3 car unit - capable of breaking down virtually anywhere in the region. Just to be difficult, 3 pics separated but by yards.... A UID 101 approaches Lindores loch with the 18.38 Kirkcaldy to Perth. May 1986 The 10.40 Perth to Edinburgh passes the other end of the Loch. April 1986 The 09.38 Kirkcaldy to Perth approaches Lindores Loch in the snow. Feb 1986 Which reminds me, must get that Hornby 101 remotored..... Bruce

A 126 on Ayr to Glasgow Central duties in April 1981 and the superbly restored unit at Bo'ness. Bruce

The other side 27017 arrives with the 12.17 Edinburgh to Dundee as a MC 3 car unit leaves. April 1982 Bruce

Edinburgh's less glamourous 'gare'.. A member of the station staff enjoys a break in the sun. Class 101 with service from Fife arrives. Somebodies nicked the train shed revealing the dreadful state of the paintwork behind. April 1982 47 708 propels the 15.00 Edinburgh to Glasgow QS out of Haymarket. Feb 1981 26001 shunts CO2 tanks in the Caledonian Distillery sidings. Note the BR built LMS design goods brake. The distillery closed in 1988. Feb 1981 Re my previous post - can't help with any explanantion for the 126 unit, Jim - although I took a few pics on that particular day none were of this unit and my scrawled notes don't help. Bruce

A Guid New Year to all Some more Waverley shots. 47 430 at the head of a Dundee service looks on as stock for an Inverness train is backed in. Night shot of 47 711 at buffers with 20.00 to Glasgow QS. Oct 1981 On the same night, 101 303 waits to leave with Cowdenbeath service. 55 021 waits to leave with 1V93 09:50 Edinburgh - Plymouth, to York. June 1981. Lang may yer lum reek, as they say. Bruce

47337 Add my name to list of those wanting more. Great pics from great days - although I dont think we really appreciated it then. Nostalgia is not what it used to be... Bruce

Thanks Bob. The best excuse for not noticing this myself is the whisky induced myopia - and I'm sticking to it!! Bruce

Thanks Jamie. Now, a question - probably the wrong place but here goes... How can I add a caption to a gallery image that has already been posted? I can add a comment but a proper caption looks so much better. In order to divert attention away from that, another pic for the 08717 fan club - this time in Sassenach territory I've added a couple more ScR 08 pics to my gallery. Bruce

Hi guys, An interesting day at Warley yesterday. XC excelled themselves with on time or even early arrivals and the show was very interesting for a first timer. Anyway I digress..... A couple of more pics from the days of yore I have started a gallery Scottish Region in the 80's - to gather some of the stuff together.- I hope you like it. (I know, I know no captions - I'll get there eventually.) Bruce

Very atmospheric pics Crossfell5 :icon_clap: The earlier Perth shots just made me dig out one or two images - very beautiful stretch of line. Nothing to rival a split headcode 40 though I'm afraid :icon_e_sad: Bruce