4. Dundee-Edinburgh & return trip-13.08.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 49. Scottish tour-10-13.08.15 > 4. Dundee-Edinburgh & return trip-13.08.15

Our final day in Scotland. We made a really early start from Dundee's Travelodge on a stunning morning making for Perth and then Stirling. We then headed towards Edinburgh via the Central Belt to drop off the hire car near Waverley station. Andy and I then returned south courtesy of Virgin changing at Crewe finally arriving at Milton Keynes at just after 21.30. The day capped off a superb trip with Andy where we both scored, him with a shed load of stations and me with some signal boxes that are not destined to be around for much longer.

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Longforgan signal box (LMS, 1929)
As was common practice in times past, the names given to stations, and in this case, the adjacent signal box, often related to the settlements that they professed to serve that were some distance away. The village of Longforgan is some two miles from the railway that runs along the side of the Firth of Tay between Dundee and Perth. The station closed on 11.06.56 but the delightful LMS box dating from 1929 remains. The box controls the level crossing and just two semaphores. The box typifies the LMS' approach to the design of its Scottish division boxes having the small extension at the front and a sprocketed roof. It's a shame that the frame roof windows have been bricked up but this must have been done very early as I can find no photographs of the box with them glazed.
Keywords: Longforgan signal box LMS

Errol signal box (Caledonian, 1877)
The fine and now rare 1877 Type 1 Caledonian signal box at Erol basks in the early morning summer sun. Whilst the ugly extension to the rear of the box spoils the proportions of somewhat it still retains a slate roof and timber barge boarding. The box is a B listed structure by Historic Environment Scotland.
Keywords: Errol signal box Caledonian

Errol station (Closed 30.09.85)
Errol station was run down in typical BR style during the 1970s eventually closing in September 1985. It was turned into a coffee shop and craft store that ran to about 2000 when the station became a private residence as is the case today. The former platforms are now extremely overgrown but the station remains in good condition with the cast-iron latticed footbridge still in place but devoid of wooden flooring that may well deter people from crossing the tracks!
Keywords: Errol station

Andy & Errol station (Closed 30.09.85)
Andy walks along the track by the side of the now-closed Errol station. The cast-iron footbridge is now somewhat of a skeleton against the brilliant blue summer sky but at least it remains linking together the now very overgrown platforms. Interestingly, on Ordnance Survey maps the small hamlet clustered around the station and the level crossing is named Errol Station with the much larger village of Errol some mile or so to the south close to the Firth of Tay.
Keywords: Errol station Closed

Barnhill signal box (Caledonian, 1874)
The 1874 Caledonian signal box at Barnhill is a little tricky to get to and even more so to get a decent photograph of! It is an important point to the east of Perth where the double track from Dundee singles to permit trains to pass the twin Perth River Tay viaducts. Even in this location that is awkward to access, the graffiti vandals have done their worst on the walls of the Caledonian hut.
Keywords: Barnhill signal box Caledonian

170434, SR 08.17 Dundee-Glasgow Queen Street (1T30), Barnhill NO124226
170434 takes the sharp reverse curve on the approach to Perth from the east at Barnhill. The 08.17 Dundee to Glasgow Queen Street will pass the signal box and take a sharp left curve to cross the River Tay over the twin single track viaducts.
Keywords: 170434 08.17 Dundee-Glasgow Queen Street 1T30 Barnhill NO124226 ScotRail Perth

170478, SR 06.50 Inverness-Edinburgh Waverley (1B08), Perth station
When Perth station was opened in 1848 the structure, designed by Sir William Tite won an architecture prize and seeing the sun stream through the glazed roof here it is clear to see why. Passengers board 170478 as it prepares to leave with the 06.50 Inverness to Edinburgh Waverley. Without wishing to open up a massive debate and to incur the wrath of quizzers, I will simply state that the platform is use here is considered to be one of the longest on the UK network up there with Gloucester, Colchester and Bournemouth.
Keywords: 170478 06.50 Inverness-Edinburgh Waverley 1B08 Perth station ScotRail

158723, SR 07.34 Edinburgh Waverley-Perth (1L03), Perth station
158723 arrives at Perth station with the terminating 1L03 07.34 from Edinburgh Waverley. In contrast to our experience at Dundee earlier in the morning when Andy was declined access to the platform by the gateline staff, at Perth things could not be more different! Staff were interested in what we were doing and most accomodating.
Keywords: 158723 07.34 Edinburgh Waverley-Perth 1L03 Perth station ScotRail Express Sprinter

$170478, SR 06.50 Inverness-Edinburgh Waverley (1B08), Perth station 170478 emerges into the glorious summer sunshine leaving Peth with the 1B08 06.50 Inverness to Edinburgh. The train is passing under the station new footbridge that opened in 2013 at a cost of one million pounds. It has just been awarded the 2015 Carbuncle Award which recognises the worst planning decisions taken throughout the UK. The bridge, as well as being totally out of character with the rest of the superb Victoria station, is inconveniently located and simply duplicates other footbridges around the station. Whilst the vast majority of passengers will not use it as it will involve an unnecessary and convoluted walk around the station it does provide full disability access for those with particular needs. However, why this provision could not be provided within the existing structures at a fraction of the cost remains a mystery? Keywords: 170478 06.50 Inverness-Edinburgh Waverley 1B08 Perth station ScotRail$

Perth power signal box (BR, 1962)
The railways around Perth station have always been complicated and a bit of a signalman's nightmare! In 1962, British Railways completed a pretty comprehensive re-signalling of the whole area. They built the Perth power signal box on the site of the former south shed and abolished no less than seven mechanical boxes within the station area. The power box still operates today but a further re-signalling of the wider area is on the cards so this structure is now operating on limited time.
Keywords: Perth power signal box

Hilton Junction signal box (Caledonian, 1873)
This signal box proved to be very awkward to get to and even then I only managed this rather distant photograph. Hilton Junction signal box is reputedly Scotland's oldest box still in use dating from 1873 and is of a classic Caledonian Railway design. Unfortunately, the rare gantry supported on the retaining walls of the cutting that supports junction signals HJ6 and HJ3 is in total shade. The former signal routes trains towards Ladybank and the latter towards Dunblane and Stirling.
Keywords: Hilton Junction signal box Caledonian Railway

Auchterarder signal box (Caledonian, 1895)
Like the previous signal box, Auchterarder also took some finding! Located off a narrow country lane and up a private road leading to a car and commercial body repairs and refinishers Andy and I managed to track it down. It is a classically styled Caledonian box dating from 1895. In the bottom right-hand corner, partially concealed by the undergrowth, is the ground disc signal sixteen which could be cleared for a movement either into the siding or 'through the road' on to the Up line. However, whilst the crossover still exists, I am not sure if the siding survives?
Keywords: Auchterarder signal box Caledonian

43272, GR 07.55 Inverness-London King`s Cross (1E13), Gleneagles station
There is no doubting as to where this picture is taken with its huge running in signs at ninety degrees to where they are usually placed. HST power car 43272 brings up the rear of the 07.55 Inverness to King's Cross 1E13 service as it leaves Gleneagles' impressive station. For such an undefined location and with there being no settlement of that name, Gleneagles station obviously has an interesting history. It was opened as Crieff Junction in 1856 to be renamed by the Caledonian Railway in 1912 and then comprehensively rebuilt in 1919 following the end of World War One. The purpose of the rebuild was that the very grand Gleneagles Hotel had just opened very close by to the north and it was felt that a station of suitable stature should match the opulence of the hotel. Last year (2014) the hotel and golf course hosted The Masters won by Bubba Watson at eight under. In preparation for this event, the station underwent a one million pound improvement package that included a new link road (seen in the far right of the photograph) and car parking. In the past, the hotel has also hosted the G8 meeting of political leaders in 2005 hosted by the then prime minister Tony Blair.
Keywords: 43272 07.55 Inverness-London KIng`s Cross 1E13 Gleneagles station East Coast HST Virgin East Coast High Speed Train

Blackford signal box (LMS, 1933)
I really like the design of the LMS' Scottish division boxes with their sprocketed hipped roofs and central observation windows, they appear both architecturally balanced, attractive and sturdy. Unlike Longforgan box https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/28963896804/longforgan-signal-box-lms seen earlier in the day, Blackford retains its frame room windows that appear to be the original frames. The box is at a remote location at the level crossing to the north of the village where the old A9 main road used to cross the line now replaced by a dual carriageway that bypasses the village opened in 1978.
Keywords: Blackford signal box LMS

Blackford station (Closed 11.06.56)
The former station building at Blackford looks a little forlorn. It was opened in 1848 closing in 1956. The station yard out of sight to the left of the photograph is going to be redeveloped over the coming years with sidings reinstated in order to rail serve the adjacent Highland Spring bottling plant. As usual, progress towards this is slow going but if it means more freight comes off the ridiculously busy roads then it is worth waiting for!
Keywords: Blackford station

Greenloaning signal box (Caledonian, 1891)
Greenloaning signal box was another one that required quite a trek! It is a refurbished Caledonian structure dating from 1891 that still retains its frame room windows. The box is usually switched out but was in use on the day of our visit. Unfortunately, I missed the last remaining co-acting signal post on the Scottish network located on the up main with twin GL27 arms, very close to where I left Andy in the parked up hire car; another example of the one that got away!
Keywords: Greenloaning signal box Caledonian

Dunblane signal box (Caledonian, 1902)
Taken from the footbridge that spans the line to the north of the station Dunblane's 1902 Caledonian signal box is seen. Until the South box closed in 1955 this was Dunblane North. It controls all the semaphores and points within the station area and it can get pretty busy at times with numerous terminating trains needing to pull forward from the station and cross over to return south again. The box is a later design with the Caledonian having moved away from their traditional red-brick structures to timber. Underneath the more recently applied UPVC cladding is a timber frame. The roof is an example of a crowstep gabled design by William Tite and is probably original. With the arrival of the electrification over the coming few years the importance of the box will be somewhat diminished with it becoming the first block post north towards Perth.
Keywords: Dunblane signal box Caledonian

170426, SR 10.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen (1A59) & 158730, 10.03 Edinburgh Waverley-Dunblane (2P33), Dunblane station
170426 gets away from Dunblane permitted by the down main semaphore DB45 controlled by the box behind where I am standing on the busy footbridge. The Class 170 is working the 1A59 10.41 Glasgow Central to Aberdeen. Sitting at the platform in the background is 158730 that has just terminated with the 10.03 from Edinburgh. Once 170426 has cleared out of section the signalmen will permit the Class 158 to draw forward, perform a crossover and then retrace its steps back into the station. Unfortunately, Dunblane is probably best remembered for the horrific events of Wednesday 13th March 1996 when Thomas Hamilton ran amok at the town's primary school killing seventeen people, mainly young school children. However, on a brighter note, it is also known for being the birth town of the tennis player Murray brothers Andy and Jamie with mum Judy still living in the town.
Keywords: 170426 10.41 Glasgow Queen Street-Aberdeen 1A59 158730 10.03 Edinburgh Waverley-Dunblane 2P33 Dunblane station ScotRail Super Sprinter

158730, SR 11.17 Dunblane-Dunblane ecs (5P36), Dunblane station
Having just terminated after arrival from Edinburgh Waverley, 158730 leaves Dunblane station making the first part of its ecs reversal back into the station. It even has a reporting number 5P36!
Keywords: 158730 11.17 Dunblane-Dunblane ecs 5P36 Dunblane station ScotRail Empty coaching stock Super Sprinter

158730, SR 11.17 Dunblane-Dunblane ecs (5P36), Dunblane
Another image of 158730 working the 11.17 Dunblane to Dunblane 5P36 out and back reversal move. In this view, the 1902 Caledonian box is to the right and with this end-on view, the unusual crowstep gabled roof clearly seen. Notice the up main home (DB6) is pulled off so once the unit has joined the down main it will have to wait until the up train has passed before it can crossover.
Keywords: 158730 11.17 Dunblane-Dunblane ecs 5P36 Dunblane station ScotRail Empty coaching stock Super Sprinter

158730, SR 11.17 Dunblane-Dunblane ecs (5P36), Dunblane
A final photograph of 158730 as it passes the down passenger loop (home 2) DB42 semaphore that has permitted the ecs move to join the down main from the station loop. Once clear of the junction it will pass the ground disk signal that is seen just in front of the train and then pause while the driver changes ends. Once the disk signal is pulled off he will be able to negotiate the crossover and join the up main to re-enter the station again. All these moves are controlled by the signal box out of sight to my immediate right.
Keywords: 158730 11.17 Dunblane-Dunblane ecs 5P36 Dunblane station ScotRail Empty coaching stock Super Sprinter

158730, SR 11.28 Dunblane-Edinburgh (2P36), Bridge of Allan station
Having seen 158730 undertake a complicated ecs move at Dunblane a little earlier, it is seen now pausing at Bridge of Allen station. The ScotRail unit is working the 2P36 11.28 Dunblane to Edinburgh Waverley service with its next stop being Stirling.
Keywords: 158730 11.28 Dunblane-Edinburgh 2P36 Bridge of Allan station ScotRail Super Sprinter

170470, SR 11.18 Glasgow Central-Alloa (2N67), Stirling station
Changes are on their way! With one lone electrification gantry in place at Stirling, the march northwards of the wiring continues whilst the one hundred and fourteen-year-old signal box in the background lives on; for the moment anyway controlling the newly installed colour lights. 170470 arrives at Stirling with the 11.18 Glasgow Central to Alloa working. Alloa is on the fright only line that continues along beside the Fife estuary to Dunfermline. It serves the huge Longannet coal-fired power station but with its imminent closure, the future of the line beyond Alloa is in question.
Keywords: 170470 11.18 Glasgow Central-Alloa 2N67 Stirling station ScotRail

Stirling North signal box (Caledonian, 1900)
Stirling North signal box is classified as an A structure by Historic Environment Scotland not as a stand-alone structure but as part of the wider station environment that should secure its future even once it is made redundant by the arrival of the forthcoming electrification. It is a later Type 2 Caledonian box dating from 1900. It is of brick and timber with piended roof. It has a traditional four-pane glazing pattern to four round-arched openings to the frame room. The operating room has six-pane timber glazing with twenty-one windows running length of trackside elevation. Unusually it has a twin bay projecting to left of centre. It contains a forty-eight lever frame. Notice the rarely used disc shunt signals (SN3) for the down north siding exit.
Keywords: Stirling North signal box Caledonian

Stirling MIddle signal box (Caledonian, 1901)
I knew that I had taken my trusty step ladder all the way to Scotland on the sleeper and then in the back of two hire cars for a reason! I put it to good effect here to get a bit of height to capture Stirling Middle signal box. It's horribly back-lit but positions to get a picture was somewhat limited. The superb 1901 Type 2 Caledonian box now had been modified from operating a super suite of mechanical signals to a modern set of colour lights. This is a temporary measure whilst the electrification of the lines takes place. The box is a classic design complete with its two chimney stacks and wooden nameboard. Notice the two-bays projecting to right of centre that would have allowed the signalmen to view, flag and communicate with drivers without having to walk to the far end of the lengthy box. It's a shame that the five locking room windows have been bricked up taking away a little of the boxes character when compared to its North sibling, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/28963914004/stirling-north-signal-box-caledonian
Keywords: Stirling MIddle signal box Caledonian

Larbert North signal box (Caledonian, 1892)
This is the best view that I could get of Larbert North signal box from the station platform end as Network Rail have built a huge training centre right opposite precluding photographic access. The box is a Caledonian structure dating from 1892 but has undergone various 'improvement' in recent years. The arrival of the electrification masts is imminent along with the resignalling of the line so by 2017 the box will probably be closed. However, with direct access from Muirhall Road behind the box, it would make an ideal café for the people of Larbert and a perfect viewing spot for enthusiasts whilst they enjoy a coffee and piece of cake!
Keywords: Larbert North signal box Caledonian

Carmuirs East signal box (NB, 1882)
This box wasted a fair bit of our valuable time and in the end, we could not get anywhere near to it! So, I have had to present this dreadful photograph taken from the centre of the digital image. However, as I am never likely to get back to this area and with the box's closure coming in the next two years this record shot will have to do. It shows the front face of Carmuirs East signal box that controls the eastern side of the triangle of lines between Falkirk, Larbert and Bonnybridge. The box is a North British Type 4 box that has had a lot of work done to it in recent years making it unrecognisable from the original design. There is an interesting an informative video about the busy triangle, including film inside East box at .....https://www.s-r-s.org.uk/videoPages/Carmuirs.php
Keywords: Carmuirs East signal box NB North British

68001, 12.23 Grangemouth Tdg Sidings-Aberdeen Craiginches (4A13), Camelon station
68001 'Evolution' accelerates its way noisily through Camelon station leading the 4A13 12.23 Grangemouth to Aberdeen intermodal working. It would have been all too easy for these boxes have to made the relatively short journey by truck causing even greater congestion on the M90 motorway and A90 trunk road but the DRS flow avoids this and must be the way to go for the future of freight.
Keywords: 68001 12.23 Grangemouth Tdg Sidings-Aberdeen Craiginches 4A13 Camelon station DRS Intermodal Evolution

68001, 12.23 Grangemouth Tdg Sidings-Aberdeen Craiginches (4A13), Camelon station
68001 'Evolution' slows for Carmuirs East junction that it will take and turn north towards Stirling with the 12.23 Grangemouth to Aberdeen DRS intermodal working. The photograph is taken from Camelon station footbridge with Carmuirs East signal box just in view.
Keywords: 68001 12.23 Grangemouth Tdg Sidings-Aberdeen Craiginches 4A13 Camelon station DRS Intermodal Evolution

170394, SR 12.58 Dunblane-Edinburgh Waverley (2P86), Camelon station
Camelon Station is located in the north-western suburb of Falkirk and, indeed, its first station that closed 04.09.67 was named Falkirk (Camelon). The present-day station is a short distance west of the first one and opened in 1994. 170394 arrives with the ScotRail 12.58 Dunblane to Edinburgh service. In the next few years services are to be transformed with the arrival of electrification and new units operating the frequent services.
Keywords: 170394 12.58 Dunblane-Edinburgh Waverley 2P86 Camelon station ScotRail

Fouldubs Junction signal box (Caledonian, 1908)
Fouldubs Junction signal box sits at the southern end of the Grangemouth branch controlling exit and entry into it. It's instantly recognisable as a Caledonian box that dates from 1908. It is complete with its small bay extension to aid sighting for the signalman and it is also unique being the only Scottish box located within a goods network. The line in and out of Grangemouth is to be electrified over the coming few years so one must wonder if the box has a future beyond that?
Keywords: Fouldubs Junction signal box Caledonian

Commemorative plaque, Polmont station
A plaque attached to a wall at the western end of Polmont station to commemorate those who lost their lives as a result of the derailment of the 17.30 Edingburgh to Glasgow push-pull service on 30.07.84. The train was travelling through the station at about eight-five miles per hour with 47707 'Holyrood' providing the power at the rear. Just beyond the station the DBSO (converted Mk. II) hit a cow that had escaped onto the line from an adjacent field. The subsequent derailment caused thirteen fatalities and numerous injuries. The chief finding of the report was for object deflectors to be fitted to the leading vehicles of trains that had an axle load of less than sixteen tonnes.
Keywords: Commemorative plaque Polmont station

334023, stabled, Edinburgh Waverley station
334023 sits in the afternoon sunshine stabled at Edinburgh Waverley station. I am not sure about the design and looks of the Alstom built units that are part of the Juniper family. Introduced on the Clyde coast route in 2001 they are about to go through a huge overhaul programe, I wonder when they return from this if they will keep their oversized front numbers?
Keywords: 334023 Edinburgh Waverley station

67007, stabled, Edinburgh Waverley station
67007 sits stabled at Edinburgh Waverley station. Constructed in Spain by Alstom at their Meinfesa plant, 67007 entered service during early 2000 but work has always proved limited due to loss of the Royal Mail work that they were ostensibly designed and built for.
Keywords: 67007 Edinburgh Waverley station

334021, SR 16.41 Edinburgh Waverley-North Berwick (2Y10), Edinburgh Waverley station
334021 waits at the far eastern end of Edinburgh Waverley's extra-long platform eleven to leave with the 16.41 to North Berwick. The train cleaner's trolley can be seen on the platform whilst the train is being prepared.
Keywords: 334021 16.41 Edinburgh Waverley-North Berwick 2Y10 Edinburgh Waverley station ScotRail Juniper

67020, stabled, Edinburgh Waverley station
Unlike the WCML that uses Class 57s the East Coast uses Class 67s as their thunderbird rescue locomotives. 67020 sits in one of Edinburgh Waverley's bay platforms awaiting the call from control to rescue an errant HST or an IC225 set, hopefully, not many such calls come through!
Keywords: 67020 Edinburgh Waverley station Thunderbird

390015, VT 16.52 Edinburgh Waverley-London Euston (9M60), Edinburgh Waverley station
The first leg of our journey home to Milton Keynes from Edinburgh took us to Crewe. Andy and I travelled on 390015 ' Virgin Crusader' that was working the 16.52 to Euston that is seen at Edinburgh Waverley prior to departure.
Keywords: 390015 16.52 Edinburgh Waverley-London Euston 9M60 Edinburgh Waverley station Virgin Trains Pendolino

57302 stabled thunderbird, Carlisle station
Taken from through the train window as we entered Carlisle thunderbird 57302 'Chad Varah' is seen over on the far western side of the station. This locomotive is owned and operated by DRS and is only a short distance from their northern operation headquarters at the southern end of Kingmoor yard.
Keywords: 57302 stabled thunderbird Carlisle station Chad Varah Direct Rail Services DRS

175005, AW 19.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Carmarthen (1V64), Crewe station
A busy scene at Crewe station sees a lot of passengers waiting to board ATW's 19.30 Manchester Piccadilly to Carmarthen service. The train is being worked by two-car 175005 that with a seating capacity of one hudred and thirty six is not really sufficent for a service such as this.
Keywords: 175105 19.30 Manchester Piccadilly-Carmarthen 1V64 Crewe station Ariva Trains Wales

153381, EM 20.45 Crewe-Derby (1K28), Crewe station
Single-car 153381 will work the 20.45 1K28 to Derby later in the evening. The unit is seen at Crewe's platform four in the gathering gloom of this mid-August evening.
Keywords: 153381 20.45 Crewe-Derby 1K28 Crewe station East Midlands Trains EMT

350376, LM-19.34 Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street (1L93), Crewe station
London Midland's 350376 stands at Crewe station with the 1L93 19.34 Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street service. After a few days away in the north of Scotland enjoying strange and exotic trains and operators, a familiar Class 350 is like coming home; shame that we are still at Crewe!
Keywords: 350376 19.34 Liverpool Lime Street-Birmingham New Street 1L93 Crewe station London Midland Desiro

323228, stabled for 20.53 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly (2H27), Crewe station
Held just north of Crewe station by the ground signal to the right-hand side 323228 awaits its turn to enter the station in the quarter of an hour or so. Once at the platform, it will then work the 2H27 20.53 to Manchester Piccadilly that will travel via Alderley Edge but from Wilmslow, I am not sure if it would take the Gatley or the Stockport route, advice anybody?
Keywords: 323228 20.53 Crewe-Manchester Piccadilly 2H27 Crewe station Northern Trains

390138, 19.55 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston (1A71), Milton Keynes Central-station
A desperate grab shot but one that maintains my unwritten rule of photographing every train that I travel on so it will have to do! Andy and I took the 19.55 Manchester Piccadilly to Euston service from Crewe. The rear car of 390138 'City of London' waits at Milton Keynes station with Andy and I having alighted with all our kit. It was a pretty intensive few days away but what we achieved was very pleasing. Here's to next summer's trip' wherever it may take us and thanks to Andy for the great company!
Keywords: 390138 19.55 Manchester Piccadilly-London Euston 1A71 Milton Keynes Central-station Virgin West Cast Pendolino City of London

Tickets, Edinburgh-Milton Keynes Central
Here are our single tickets from Edinburgh to Milton Keynes. With our two-together discount loaded it works out at a ridiculous £23.48 each! This is great value and equates to just about 0.7p per mile that just goes to prove that there are real value fares out there depending on when you choose to travel, when you wish to buy them and, in the case of this journey, taking advantage of splitting the ticket at Wigan.
Keywords: Tickets Edinburgh-Milton Keynes Central

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