grid56104

Following a number of years without any comment by myself on my layout, it was exhibited at Warley in November last year (2022) and this was its last show, which mirrors real life given the collapse of the movement of coal by rail, the demise of almost all collieries and opencast disposal points including loading towers. It was an enjoyable show and we recieved some positive comments from the public. Over the Christmas and New Year period, one of the boards was stripped of its wiring and others will follow as time permits. I want to save as much as I can, to re-use on the next layout although what that will be has still to be decided. I have enjoyed the exhibitions it attended but time moves on. Thanks - Max

Some more slide scans. Max 66 045? approaches Greenfoot Signal Box with coal empties from Longannet Power Station to Mossend Yard in August 2006 up to 8 class 66s are seen on Ayr Depot in July 2001 66 236 approaches New Cumnock Station while sister 66 024 is seen being loaded with coal at Crowbandsgate loading point on 8th September 2000 66 175 passes Polquap on 28 January 2004 with empties for Knockshinnoch an unidentified 66 approaches Prestonpans on 14 February 2003. A new track is being built to the left of the train due to subsidence (from mine workings) causing issues with the current track

86 214 at Motherwell in 2001 with a 'Virgin Trains' service to Glasgow Central. Max

1st - 66 202 heading south at Lochgreen (Troon) with loaded coal to be stabled at Falkland Yard in 2001 2nd - 66 062 heading south at Lochgreen (Troon) with coal empties for Knochshinnoch in 2001 3rd - 66 147 & 039 depart Falkland Yard on 27th July 2001 with coal empties 4th - 66 022 loading at Greenburn near New Cumnock on 9th July 2004 with 6R55 to Toton up sidings

a class 31 at Ayr. 31s in Ayrshire are very uncommon. Max

Another shot of a 117 at Dalmeny with an Edinburgh to Fife Circle working. Max

some of my recently scanned slides. Max

some of my recently scanned slides. Max

a couple of recent scanned slides. Max

following purchase of a new scanner here are some of my slide collection. Max

sorry no loco number or the exact service but a class 47 storms south through Cumbernauld (where I grew up) with a motorail train probably bound for Kensington Olympia or St Austell. Max Fowler

Another set of phots. Max Lead by 43 195, the Highland Chieftain from Inverness to London Kings X approaches Aviemore An Aberdeen to London Kings X service runs through Princes St Gardens in Edinburgh Set 253 042 passes the Caledonian Railway Signal Box at Cumbernauld (long since demolished) with an Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen St diverted Sunday working. The return service will be for London Kings X. 253 015 arrives at Newcastle with a service from London Kings X 43 105 sits at Newcastle with a service to London Kings X A Virgin HST crosses the River Clyde at Abington (better know as Derek Cross's bridge) with a northbound service. 43 028 (set 253 009) departs Newton Abbott with a service to Plymouth or Penzance. An East Coast service from Edinburgh or Newcastle departs York for London Kings X

1st of a number of hst pictures. Max Fowler 43 042 passes through Cumbernauld heading to Glasgow Queen Street with a Sunday diverted working from Edinburgh with the return working heading for London Kings X 43 106 passes Cadder Yard at Bishopbriggs with an Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street (to London Kings X) working set 253 023 passes Craigentinny and the Edinburgh Freightliner terminal with an Edinburgh to London Kings X service

Some of my not very large collection of class 40s. Max Fowler On the East Coast Mainline near Gransthouse heading north. Think the train was from Haverton Hill Different engine but same location as above and looks likely the same working but with a lighter load? Running along the recently opened Pemanshiel Tunnel diversion with empties presumably for gas pipes? 40 119 awaits its end at Swindon Works An unidentified loco runs through Cumbernauld with a Sunday diverted Glasgow Queen St to Aberdeen service Another undidentified 40 has just past Greenhill Lower Jcn and takes the Cumbernauld line with a Sunday diverted Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen St working.

I only have a very limited collection of this class. Max Fowler 33 019 on Motherwell Shed 33016 at Bristol Temple Meads Unidentified in Exeter Riverside Yard

Grangemouth Depot Variety!! Max Fowler

some recent pics while on business trips. Max Fowler Approaching Grantham at speed Flying Scotsman 1 Flying Scotsman 2 Passing at Peterborough

windscreen wash for an HST at Newcastle. Max

Another batch of pics north of the border. Max on the single line to Bank Junction after leaving Knockshinnoch and ultimately heading for Ayr Harbour leaving Methil Power Station with slurry empties for Westfield Open Cast or Killoch trundling along the line at Kinglassie from Westfield Open Cast to Thornton Yard Departing Thornton Yard with empties for Westfield Open Cast Departing Falkland Yard in Ayr with empties for Knockshinnoch Running along the banks of the River Forth at Culross with coal from Westfield Open Cast to Longannet Power Station Running back along the banks of the River Forth at Culross having deposited its coal at Longannet Power Station (on the left of the picture). While the class 20s have gone, so has Longannet which is currently in the process of being demolished!! Progress some would say

some shots in Scotland. Max Fowler a wave from the guard as the train arrives at Ayr Harbour with loaded coal from Knockshinnoch for Belfast passing Haymarket Depot with a train from Fife for Millerhill Yard Coal from Westfield Open Cast arrives at Thornton Yard a Invergordon to Hunterston Power Station passes Lindores in Fife approaching Garnqueen North Junction with coal empties for Falkland Yard from Methil Power Station

one from Aberdeen Ferryhill as a Class 26 gets a hose down. Max Fowler

Another batch of Scottish Photos. Max A double headed Ravenstruther to Millerhill (ultimately to York) loaded coal approaches Kingsknowe station in Edinburgh The driver of 56 066 asks for the road at Thornton Yard in Fife 56 066 passes the redundant signal box at Thornton Yard with a loaded train from Westfield Open Cast. 56 087 awaits entry into the Yard with empties from Millerhill 56 087 draws forward into Thornton Yard with coal empties from Millerhill 56 076 trundles along the single track between Westfield Open Cast and Thornton Yard with loaded wagons from the former location

some shots at M C Metals at BRML Springburn. The end of the road for these 31s. Max Fowler

next batch of photos 56 089 and Loadhaul livered sister power away from New Cumnock with a Sunday Killoch to Fiddlers Ferry working 56125 slowly eases its train through the rapid loader at Knockshinnoch Having loaded, 56 125 awaits the signal to proceed. There is manually operated level road crossing behind me. 56 085 and sister loco storm through Carstairs with empties bound for Ravenstruther.

black and white shots of Scottish Coal traffic - my favourite subject and favourite locos (1st of a few posts on this subject). Max Fowler 56 082 and sister loco approach Carstairs with a Ravenstruther (or Renstrie) to York Holgate Yard. Trains heading south from Ravenstruther have to go to Carstairs wrong line 56 104 (my username) trundles at slow speed towards Monktonhall Colliery Loading Point with empties from the adjacent Millerhill Yard 56 104 has now run round its wagons and slowly loads up before departing to nearby Cockenzie Power Station 56 063 approaches Newton Jcn at Newton-on- Ayr with coal empties from Ayr Harbour bound for Killoch