3. Inverness-Dundee-12.08.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 49. Scottish tour-10-13.08.15 > 3. Inverness-Dundee-12.08.15

The second full day of our Scottish tour. After changing hire cars in Inverness we headed off along the north and east coasts via Aberdeen to Dundee. Andy copped many new stations and I got some lovely signal boxes. After a grey start to the day, the summer weather came good and it turned into a lovely afternoon. Just a bit of advice, if you want a curry in Dundee, plan ahead, never had we had so much difficulty finding an Indian meal in all of our travels!

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Images 1-53 of 53 displayed.

Nairn East signal box (McK&H & High, 1891)
Nairn East signal box is a McKenzie and Holland Type 3 (Highland variant) structure dating from 1891. It still contains its frame and levers despite being closed in 2000. After closure, it fell into a state of disrepair finally being extensively renovated some five years ago. Along with the station, footbridge, waiting shelter and the West signal box it is has a category listing by Historic Environment Scotland.
Keywords: Nairn East signal box McKenzie and Holland Type 3 Highland variant

Nairn West signal box (McK&H & High, 1891)
Nairn West signal box closed, along with its twin at the eastern end of the station during 2000. Both boxes are McKenzie and Holland Type 3 (Highland variant) structures being very similar in design. It has been recently restored and is a category B listed structure by Historic Environment Scotland. As the station platform has been partially closed photographic access to the box is limited to this position in the former station yard. When the boxes were in use a bicycle was provided to the signalman in order to move efficiently between the two boxes with them being single manned as one.
Keywords: Nairn West signal box McKenzie and Holland Type 3 Highland variant

Nairn station
A station was first opened at Nairn by the Inverness and Nairn Railway in 1855 with the station building seen here opening in 1885. According to Historic Environment Scotland, the station is a ''long single-storey H-plan building on the down platform with low wing to east. Coursed rubble with broached ashlar dressings. Projecting cross-wings with crowstepped gables and carved stone finials, rose, thistle and star; west gable end to platform with canted bay window. Platform canopy borne on clustered cast-iron columns on hexagonal bases. Tall square and round chimney stacks; slate roof.'' All I know is that they sold a smashing cup of coffee at the small café seen on the platform!
Keywords: Nairn station Inverness and Nairn Railway

Forres signal box (McK&H & High, 1896)
Of the three boxes that once existed at Forres, this is the only remaining example, once named Forres East. It's a McKenzie and Holland Highland example dating from 1896 that once boasted a large forty-two lever frame now much reduced. Notice the steps between the lamp post and the relay box for the signalmen to climb in order to ease the exchanging of the tokens.
Keywords: Forres signal box

Forres signal box (McK&H & High, 1896) from Waterford level crossing
Taken from Waterford level crossing that is controlled by Forres signal box the main Aberdeen to Inverness line is seen curving away to the left and Forres station just a short distance away. The stub of track going straight ahead used to lead to the yard that is now completely overgrown. Plans have just been announced that a new station is to be built at Forres and the track realigned probably straight ahead to avoid the sharp curve into the present station. The semaphores and lovely 1896 McKenzie and Holland Highland box will be swept away when all this takes place over the coming few years.
Keywords: Forres signal box Waterford level crossing McKenzie & Holland Highland box

Elgin (West) signal box, ex Mosstowie (Highland, 1902 & 1951)
Elgin West signal box sits adjacent to The Wards level crossing that it controls. The box is of rather mixed heritage and not that old so when resignalling arrives in the next few years I suspect that it will succumb. It has only been at this location since 1951 with the brick base built at this time. The top dates from 1901 and is of Highland heritage being secondhand from Mosstowie (closed in 1948) some five miles west of Elgin.
Keywords: Elgin West signal box Mosstowie Highland

Former Elgin East station (Closed 1968)
Looking more like a hotel than a railway station the former Elgin East station looks very grand despite being closed since May 1968. The station sits just beyond the junction of the Great North of Scotland and Highland Railways. To the north the station served the branches to Lossiemouth and various lines towards Banff. Today the superb and listed 1902 building is the home to a number of business units and appears to be very well and sensitively maintained.
Keywords: Former Elgin station Great North of Scotland Railway GNS

Elgin Centre signal box (Closed) (GNS, 1888)
The former Elgin Centre signal box dominates this scene taken from the A941 New Elgin Road bridge. This delightful Great North of Scotland Railway structure has been shrouded from view until a recent bout of tree clearance has revealed it again. It was closed in 1973 when the Aberdeen to Inverness line was largely singled meaning that one box was sufficient at Elgin. It is astonishing that the box has stood unused for over forty years and not been burnt to the ground by vandals. The only damage appears to be from a fan of 50040 that would never have ventured this far north! Also in this view are the canopies former Elgin East station with the platform boarded off and the infrequently used crane in the remains of the once extensive yard.
Keywords: Elgin Centre signal box GNS Great North of Scotland Railway

Elgin Centre signal box (Closed) (GNS, 1888)
Showing just a slightly sagging ridge and eves, the former Elgin Centre signal box dating from 1888 looks in remarkable condition especially considering that it has been closed since 1973! The box is a listed structure so its present state is assured until the vandals do their worst unless somebdy can take it on.
Keywords: Elgin Centre signal box GNS Great North of Scotland Railway

Interior, former Elgin East station (Closed 1968)
The interior of the former Elgin East station looks absolutely superb. Now the home to the Elgin Business Centre and having been split up into nineteen units it has been sympathetically restored and is well looked after. This part of the building was the booking hall with access to the platforms through the doors at the end.
Keywords: Interior, former Elgin East station Great North of Scotland Railway GNS

Platform & bookstall, former Elgin station (Closed 1968)
Looking along the quite wide platform of the former Elgin East station under the large canopy. I am standing on the only through platform with the track to the left behind the wooden boarding now in place. There are still some tracks to the left of the boarding that gives access to the small freight depot that still sees infrequent use. It is fascinating to see the small John Menzies bookstall still in place on the platform complete with its wooden shutter door.
Keywords: Platform & bookstall former Elgin station Great North of Scotland Railway GNS

Weighing machine, former Elgin East station (Closed 1968)
A Henry Pooley and Son Limited platform weigh machine still in place on the former Elgin East station that closed in 1968. Pooleys made all manner and varieties of weighing machines that could be seen throughout the world. Initially based in Liverpool they later moved to Birmingham to become part of the Avery group in 1913.
Keywords: Weighing machine, former Elgin East station Great North of Scotland Railway GNS platform scales Henry Pooley and Son Limited

Former branch & goods shed, Keith station
The former platform one at Keith Junction (now just Keith) station is seen looking south-west. The two tracks remaining are connected to the Aberdeen to Inverness line and see occasional turnback use, indeed, the track nearest to the platform had recently been used as it was reasonably shiny. Just around the curve in the trees, two-track panels have been removed to disconnect Network Rail from the Keith and Dufftown heritage line that continues onwards. They hope to reinstate the two panels and extend running into platform one again making it the northern terminus of their operations. Notice the granite built goods shed constructed by the Great North of Scotland Railway.
Keywords: Former branch goods shed Keith station

Keith Junction signal box (GNS, 1905)
Formally known as Keith Junction signal box, now named Keith, is a GNSR Type 3b box opened in 1905 and fitted with a 40 lever frame. It used to control an extensive yard as well as the junction with the Dufftown line that offered an alternative (to the Highland Railway) and somewhat winding route to Elgin and also a useful direct route to Aviemore. There are still a small number of sidings remaining including a turnback through the former platform one that sees occasional use.
Keywords: Keith Junction signal box

Huntly (South) signal box (GNS, 1890)
With the milepost showing forty and a half miles from Aberdeen, Huntly signal box is seen in its full UPVC glory! Until it was 'improved' it was typical compact Great North of Scotland wooden structure dating from 1890 being effectively a mini version of Elgin central, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/28943039604/elgin-centre-signal-box-gns-great It used to be named Huntley South but was renamed when the identical north box was closed following the singling of the line in 1970. Despite the recent work undertaken the box is facing closure in the next couple of years with the resignalling of the line between Inverness and Aberdeen.
Keywords: Huntly South signal box Great North of Scotland railway GNS

Insch station & signal box (GNS, 1886)
Taken from the station footbridge Andy inspects the delightful Insch station along with the signal box and the North Road level crossing. I have said it before but make no apologies for repeating it, ScotRail really do make an extra effort to maintain their stations and Insch is no exception. The station building is now home to the Insch Connection Museum, see..... http://www.inschmuseum.org.uk/ On the skyline atop the conical hill in the background are the remains of Dunideer Castle that is a popular local walking and visitor spot.
Keywords: Insch station signal box Great North of Scotland Railway GNS

Insch signal box (GNS, 1886)
The window boxes do their best to disguise the rather ugly modernisation of Insch signal box! Underneath the UPVC cladding and corrugated roof lies a delightful GNSR Type 2a wooden building opened in 1886 that is fitted with a twenty lever frame. It controls the level crossing and marks the eastern end of the double track section to Kennethmont.
Keywords: Insch signal box Great North of Scotland Railway GNS

Andy, Insch station
Andy is a little older than me but not quite that old! He stands on the lovely Insch station under the somewhat elaborate pediment on the front of the station building that now houses the Insch Connection Museum that unfortunately, on the day of our visit, was closed. It was about now, on consulting my signalling atlas, that I realised that we had missed Kennethmont signal box some miles back west. As we were on a bit of a mission to get to Dundee I had to forget that one but realised that I would not be likely to ever get back to visit it again as resignalling of the entire Aberdeen to Inverness line is imminent.
Keywords: Andy Insch station

Inverurie signal box (GNS, 1902)
Inverurie signal box sits somewhat remotely from the running lines that it controls. Originally it was named Inverurie New Station when it was opened in 1902 with the name simplified soon afterwards. Unlike many of the GNS's boxes, the Type 3b has a hipped roof with elegant roof ridge-tiles, large window panes and decorative treatment to the timberwork. This elegant design reflected that Inverurie was the headquarters of the GNS Railway and the box sat right opposite its locomotive works and it controlled a vast yard of sidings associated with it. Today it looks a little lonesome and isolated but at least the structure has not been too brutally treated when it was 'improved' with just UPVC cladding around the base covering up the frame room windows. In a nod to its heritage, the replacement windows mimic the original one pane over two glazing pattern even if with internal plastic bars.
Keywords: Inverurie signal box Great North of Sotland Railway GNS

158709, SR 12.00 Aberdeen-Inverness (1H31), Inverurie Souterford Road bridge
Taken from Souterford Road bridge, 158709 arrives at Inverurie with the 12.00 Aberdeen to Inverness service. The train is just coming off the single track section that extends all the way from Dyce on the outskirts of Aberdeen. In the next few years, this situation is going to change as it is proposed to re-double this section of line eradicating a bottleneck that can have a serious effect on services. I hope that when this is undertaken that some serious clearance takes place to clean up the trackbed as that in the foreground is extremely overgrown.
Keywords: 158709 12.00 Aberdeen-Inverness 1H31 Inverurie Souterford Road bridge ScotRail Sprinter

158709, SR 12.00 Aberdeen-Inverness (1H31), Inverurie station
Inverurie is a smashing station that was busy with passengers and visitors many of whom were using the excellent little coffee shop that Andy and I also took advantage of. This station was opened by the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1902 when the company also built its main railway works on land beyond the station where the two tall trees are growing. In this scene, 158709 is pausing with the 1H31 12.00 Aberdeen to Inverness train.
Keywords: 158709 12.00 Aberdeen-Inverness 1H31 Inverurie station ScotRail Sprinter

158709, SR 12.00 Aberdeen-Inverness (1H31) & frontage, Inverurie station
Whilst the frontage of Inverurie station looks very pleasant with its hanging baskets somebody really ought to get up on the roof and canopy and clear the gutters! The GNS 1902 station building is built of granite to pleasing design complete with an ornate cupola topped with a wind vane. In the background, 158709 leaves the station heading north-west with the 12.00 Aberdeen to Inverness ScotRail service and beyond that this signal box is seen.
Keywords: 158709 12.00 Aberdeen-Inverness 1H31 frontage, Inverurie station GNS Railway ScotRail Sprinter

Dyce (ex Dyce Junction) signal box (GNS, 1880)
The impressive Dyce signal box stands proudly at the end of the up platform. Despite its recent modernisation, it unmistakably of an earlier GNSR design being of their Type 1 design having a brick base and a hipped roof. The box once controlled a very important junction where branches serving the termini at Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Boddam diverged from the Aberdeen to Keith and Elgin line. Today it has a mini panel and marks the start of a long section of single track to Inverurie. It is also adjacent to the very busy Aberdeen airport with direct access from the station the east terminal. The box is due to be superseded in the coming few years when the single track is doubled and complete resignalling is introduced. I hope that the box is preserved as it is such an early and very rare example of this type.
Keywords: Dyce Dyce Junction signal box Great North of Scotland railway GNS

170414, SR 12.50 Aberdeen-Inverurie (2A52), Dyce station
After such a grey and dull start to the day, it's lovely that the sun has come out! Wearing its one-off Borders Railway livery 170414 arrives at Dyce station with the 12.50 Aberdeen to Inverurie service. Behind the train is the superb 1880 GNS Railway signal box that, despite is plastification, still looks very impressive with its commanding position over the station.
Keywords: 170414 12.50 Aberdeen-Inverurie 2A52 Dyce station ScotRail

170414, SR 12.50 Aberdeen-Inverurie (2A52) & 170415, SR 10.57 Inverness-Aberdeen (1A50), Dyce station
With 170415 having just arrived at Dyce station with the 10.57 Inverness to Aberdeen service the single line section to Invuruie is now clear for 170414 to depart with the 2A52 12.50 from Aberdeen. The latter service will terminate at Inverurie. When I last visited this station it was ten years ago and on a wet and windy November night, after arriving at the adjacent airport on a heavily delayed flight from Luton. This was before the station had been rebuilt and it was a particularly inhospitable place but we found solace in the nearby Spider's Web bar whilst waiting for the last train north alighting very late at Forres!
Keywords: 170414 12.50 Aberdeen-Inverurie 2A52 170415 10.57 Inverness-Aberdeen 1A50 Dyce station ScotRail

170415, SR 10.57 Inverness-Aberdeen (1A50), Dyce station
170415 departs from Dyce station wit the 10.57 Inverness to Aberdeen service. Notice Andy on the down platform walking along with his camera around his neck; a man at one with his hobby!
Keywords: 170415 10.57 Inverness-Aberdeen 1A50 Dyce station ScotRail

170453, SR 13.38 Aberdeen-Inverness (1H33), Aberdeen station
In lovely afternoon sun at Aberdeen station, 170453 is ready to leave with the 13.38 to Inverness. The last time that I visited Aberdeen station was during my Scottish railrover over Easter 1984.
Keywords: 170453 13.38 Aberdeen-Inverness 1H33 Aberdeen station ScotRail

170415, SR 14.04 Aberdeen-Edinburgh (1B35), Aberdeen station
170415 waits at Aberdeen's platform six. It will work the 14.04 1B35 to Edinburgh Waverley that will follow the very sceneic coastal route to the Scottish capital.
Keywords: 170415 14.04 Aberdeen-Edinburgh 1B35 Aberdeen station ScotRail

170404, SR 11.30 Edinburgh Waverley-Aberdeen (1A71), Newtonhill
170404 passes the village of Newtonhill approximately six miles south of Aberdeen. 170404 has just passed Newtonhill's down home signal working the 11.30 Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen ScotRail service. The village was once served by a station that closed relatively early on 11.06.56.
Keywords: 170404 11.30 Edinburgh Waverley-Aberdeen 1A71 Newtonhill

Newtonhill signal box (Caledonian, 1876)
Apart from replacement windows the 1876 Caledonian Railway N1+ signal box looks largely unmolested complete with its hipped roof. The signal box used to sit at the northern end of the down station platform that closed in 1956. Network Rail has plans to re-signal this section of line to Stonehaven (and eventually beyond) in the next few years so I suspect that the box is living on borrowed time.
Keywords: Newtonhill signal box Caledonian Railway

170414, SR 14.04 Aberdeen-Edinburgh Waverley (1B35), Stonehaven station
170414 was seen a little earlier in the day at Dyce station working to Inverurie, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/28943042804/x170414-12-50-aberdeen-inverurie and here it is again working the 14.04 Aberdeen to Edinburgh 1B35. It is arriving at Stonehaven station passing SV17, the down starter. This special one-off livery was applied to 170414 to commemorate the imminent re-opening of the Borders Railway as far as Tweedbank.
Keywords: 170414 14.04 Aberdeen-Edinburgh Waverley 1B35 Stonehaven station Borders Railway ScotRail

Stonehaven signal box (Caledonian, 1901)
Stonehaven signal box is a delightful structure that presents in excellent condition and looks to be relatively unmolested, even the windows look original. It is a Caledonian Railway (Northern Division) Type 2 box installed in 1901 in a prominent position on the up platform next to the station building. According to Historic Environment Scotland, it is of historical importance along with the station as a whole having a "piend-roofed, rectangular-plan signal box comprising painted brick base with two blocked round-arched openings flanking shallow projection at centre, and small-pane glazing to timber frame windows to NW, NE and SW. Small boarded timber outshot to left at SE. Timber forestair to signal cabin. Grey slate". When the mechanical signalling is replaced in the coming few years I think that it would make a great station café rather like Totnes, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/24745324204/signal-box-cafe-totnes-totnes-station
Keywords: Stonehaven signal box Caledonian

Frontage, Stonehaven station
The grand frontage of Stonehaven station is seen complete with its original canopy. It was built 1849 in an Italianate style by the Aberdeen Railway Company. In the late nineteenth century, it was extended with the addition of the single-storey wing to the right in this image in a similar style. The station was comprehensively restored by Railtrack in 2000. It is a Grade B listed structure according to Historic Environment Scotland and in my opinion, this status is thoroughly deserved.
Keywords: Frontage Stonehaven station

Carmont signal box (Caledonian, 1876)
The naming of this signal box a Carmont is a bit of a misnomer as the hamlet and hill of this name is some distance from this spot. The gathering of farm buildings behind the box are called Newmill (or New Mill) and this was the name on the front of the box prior to 1912. The box is a brick built Caledonian structure dating from 1876 that has had some rather ugly render applied at some time in the recent past that has spoilt its traditional look. Andy and I would have loved to have spent some time at this delightfully remote spot and take some photographs of trains passing but time was pressing.
Keywords: Carmont signal box Caledonian

Laurencekirk signal box (Caledonian, 1910)
Laurencekirk signal box is a Caledonian Railway building dating from 1910 and contains a forty-lever frame. It stands around two hundred and fifty yards north of the station, on the east side of the line, and controls five semaphore arms and a number of disc shunt signals including three in a row on the down siding that unfortunately I did not capture during my visit. The box has had a fair amount of work done to 'improve' it including the very bright replacement roof! It is interesting to note the older and more traditional signal post compared with the more recent example installed by Network rail in recent years.
Keywords: Laurencekirk signal box Caledonian

170452, SR 14.39 Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street (1T32), Laurencekirk station
There are no fewer than seven mechanical signals in this photograph taken from the platform end at Laurencekirk station. 170452 is running at speed working the 1T32 14.39 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street that will not stop at the station. Laurencekirk station was shut in 1967 only to be rebuilt and opened again in May 2009 with passenger numbers far in excess of those projected. Funding came largely from the forward-thinking Scottish parliament. Whilst I am a strong unionist I have to hand it to the devolved administration acknowledging that their pro-rail stance is breath of fresh air and something we in England and Wales should learn from.
Keywords: 170452 14.39 Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street 1T32 Laurencekirk station ScotRail

Craigo signal box (Caledonian, 1871)
Craigo is a small village between Laurencekirk and Montrose that used to boast a station that was closed 11.06.56. Whilst there are no signs of the station the 1871 Caledonian signal box still stands but is switched out. Of note are the Caledonian latticed signal post that has, unfortunately, lost its final and the vintage gradient post below it. It seems to have been common practice in Scotland to replace the roofs of their boxes with some sort of corrugated material and Craigo is no exception.
Keywords: Craigo signal box Caledonian

Montrose North signal box (NB, 1881)
Montrose North signal box has not had its roof replaced despite it undergoing significant improvement when it was brought back into use in 2010. The 1881 former North British box had been out of use for a number years with Montrose South controlling signalling around the station including the single track section over the Esk viaduct as far as Usan using tokenless block regulations. After significant improvements to the track and signalling, both the South box and Usan were closed and unceremoniously demolished with control moving to the resurrected north box.
Keywords: Montrose North signal box North British

170457, SR 13.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen (1A67), Montrose station
170457 arrives at Montrose station forming the 13.41 Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen ScotRail service. The new station footbridge and lifts dominate this scene that were opened in 2013. The station is a pretty soulless affair that on a balmy day such as this was acceptable but on a cold day in February offers little to the waiting passengers.
Keywords: 170457 13.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen 1A67 Montrose station ScotRail

170457, SR 13.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen (1A67), Montrose station
170457 gets away from Montrose station passing the North signal box with the 13.41 Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen working. It's shame that I have not positioned the train better so that it was between the two signal posts one of which is partially obscured behind the rear of the train. I think that it would just about have fitted between that post and the box! However, I like the lighting in this image, something that we enjoyed during the second half of this day touring the railways of northeast Scotland.
Keywords: 170457 13.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen 1A67 Montrose station ScotRail

66014, 14.27 Dyce Raiths Farm FD-Mossend Down Yard, Inverkeilor NO668491
This must rank as one of my ultimate grab shots! As we pulled up to the bridge the train emerged from around the curve in the background. As I had my camera around my neck I leapt from the car and pointed it without even checking the settings. By hook or by crook the image that resulted was a reasonable one even if the composure could have been better given another minute or so! 66014 passes Inverkeilor with the 14.27 Dyce Raiths Farm fuel depot to Mossend yard empty tankers. The train is conveying empty aviation fuel tanks back from Aberdeen airport. I have been unable to find the reporting number of this working, if anybody can help with this it would be appreciated.
Keywords: 66014 14.27 Dyce Raiths Farm FD-Mossend Down Yard, Inverkeilor NO668491 Oil tanker

66014, 14.27 Dyce Raiths Farm FD-Mossend Down Yard, Inverkeilor NO668491
60014 accelerates past Inverkeilor signal box leading the 14.27 Dyce Raiths farm fuel depot to Mossend. This was a really pleasant spot in rural Angus that Andy and I would have loved to have spent a little time at, however, it was approaching 16.00 and we needed to carry on towards Dundee.
Keywords: 66014 14.27 Dyce Raiths Farm FD-Mossend Down Yard Inverkeilor NO668491

Inverkeilor signal box (NB, 1881)
As well as having a crossover Inverkeilor signal box also controls two small sidings and their associated semaphores. The box is a North British Type 1 structure dating from 1881 that was extended to the rear in 2000 contributing towards its unusual and somewhat unbalanced shape from this angle. Until September 1930 there was station at Inverkeilor situated between where I am standing and the signal box.
Keywords: Inverkeilor signal box North British

43257, GR 10.00 London King`s Cross-Aberdeen (1S11), Arbroath station
The 10.00 King's Cross to Aberdeen HST service gets way from Arbroath station with power car 43257 bringing up the rear of the train. The train has just passed Arbroath's down starter signal AH47. Notice the five disc signals two of which are in amongst the undergrowth to the far left of the image.
Keywords: 43257 10.00 London King`s Cross-Aberdeen 1S11 Arbroath station Virgin East Coast HST

43257, GR 10.00 London King`s Cross-Aberdeen (1S11), Arbroath station
A second view of 43257 at the rear of the 10.00 King's Cross to Aberdeen service as it leaves Arbroath station. Whilst the train is partially obscured I was more interested in capturing the box and the signals that it controls. As can be seen in this image, the North British box dating from 1911 cantilevers out over the line with iron supports emanating from a narrow brick base.
Keywords: 43257 10.00 London King`s Cross-Aberdeen 1S11 Arbroath station Virgin East Coast HST

170404, SR 15.33 Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street (1T34), Arbroath Wellgate level crossing
Taken from the lofty heights of the latticed cast-iron footbridge at Wellgate level crossing 170404 slows for its stop at Arbroath with the 15.33 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service. Unfortunately, the train is entirely in the shade as the sun has got low in the sky and is obscured by the large building to the left. Until relatively recent times there was another large factory to the right in the scene where the saplings are now growing.
Keywords: 170404 15.33 Aberdeen-Glasgow Queen Street 1T34 Arbroath Wellgate level crossing ScotRail

170409, SR 14.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Inverness (1A69), Arbroath Wellgate level crossing
This angle really shows off the design of Arbroath North signal box with aplomb! It is the only example of a signal cabin oversailing the base on the Scottish network meaning that it and the footbridge spanning the line at Wallgate level crossing are listed structures by Historic Environment Scotland. The box and crossing is about to be passed by 170409 working the 14.41 Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness that goes via Aberdeen rather than the more direct Perth and Avimoore route.
Keywords: 170409 14.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Inverness 1A69 Arbroath Wellgate level crossing ScotRail Arbroath North signal box

Arbroath (North) signal box (NB, 1911)
The absolutely superb North British Arbroath North signal box dating from 1911 sits in the late afternoon sunshine. Whilst Railtrack undertook some remedial modernisation work in the early 2000s the box is largely original save for replacement windows to the cabin. It still retains its dog-leg wooden steps, chimney stack, hipped slate roof and three over three glazed windows to the frame room. When combined with the cast-iron latticed footbridge it makes for a superb scene. It's just a shame that the telecoms mast and electric barriers spoil things! Incidentally, there is no longer a South box (closed in 1971), or any other for that matter, in the Arbroath area it's just that the North box has never lost its old name adding to the historical interest.
Keywords: Arbroath North signal box North British

Carnoustie signal box (Caledonian, 1898)
The rear of the 1898 former Caledonian Carnoustie signal box is seen with the lovely and traditional cast iron latticed footbridge that crosses the line at the southern end of the station. Notice that the level crossing warning lights are flashing and that the barriers have lowered.
Keywords: Carnoustie signal box Caledonian

170403, SR 15.28 Edinburgh Waverley-Inverurie (1A78), Carnoustie station
Taken right into the afternoon sun but I like to break the rules at times! 170403 slows for its stop at Carnoustie station forming the 15.28 Edinburgh to Inverurie ScotRail service. It is passing the location of the first station at Carnoustie that closed in 1900 to move to its present location behind where I am standing. The fine 1898 Caledonian Railway signal box still stands that controls the level crossing and colour lights in the area.
Keywords: 170403 15.28 Edinburgh Waverley-Inverurie 1A78 Carnoustie station ScotRail

170450, SR 15.24 Inverurie-Edinburgh Waverley (1B40), Barry Links station
170450 passes Barry Links station working the 15.24 Inverurie to Edinburgh Wavery ScotRail train. It is passing the station without stopping as do most trains making Barry Links Scotland's least used station with only one train stopping in each direction (two in total) per day. I am standing on the platform end where it is fenced off with the remains of the now unused platform extensions still in place.
Keywords: 170450 15.24 Inverurie-Edinburgh Waverley 1B40 Barry Links station ScotRail

Broughty Ferry signal box (rebuilt) (Caledonian, 1887)
The rebuilt Broughty Ferry signal box looks very impressive relocated to the up platform at the station incorporated into a new restaurant. This makes a marked contrast to the situation fifteen years ago with a very run-down and dowdy station made all the more concerning as it was the oldest station in Scotland still in use, dating from 1838. The signal box is a Caledonian box built in 1887 and was very unusual as it was of a bespoke timber construction. Part of the reason for this was that it had part of the station footbridge passing through its base that must have made the arrangement of the frame room somewhat tricky! After proposals by Network Rail to demolish the station and box were, quite rightly, thrown out by the local council a new plan was devised to take a more sympathetic approach to the redevelopment of the site. One result of this was the dismantling of the box located at the down end of the northbound platform and its rebuilding on the southbound side as seen here.
Keywords: Broughty Ferry signal box Caledonian 1887

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