Highland Line Coaching Stock.

[03_179]

Gents,

I know one or two of you are into the Scottish scene and wondered if you can supply me with some info for an article I am writing.

Below is a list of the known numbers, names and type of coaches:
5132 - CLAN MUNRO (TSO)
5139 - CLAN ROSS (TSO)
5154 - CLAN FRASER (TSO)
5166 - CLAN MACKENZIE (TSO)
5191 - CAPERCAILZIE (TSO)
5230 - CORRIEMOILLIE ((TSO(T))
5234 - CLAN MACINTOSH (TSO(T))
5293 - CLAN MCLEOD (TSO)
6300 - HEBREDIAN (DMU)
9385 - BALMACARA (BSO)
9388 - BAILECHAUL (BSO)
9414 - BRAHAN SEER (BSO)

Which ones of these are MkI or MkII?

Have I missed any off the list?

The livery was green (L.N.E.R. Coach Green) and Cream (L.N.E.R. Coach Cream).

Where these (above list) used on the West Highland line as well as the Inverness to Kyle Line?
Is the Hebridian line also known as the Kyle line?
Did these coaches ever go up to the Thurso/Wick lines?

All and any information on these coaches, their timetables and history would be gratefully received.

Thanks guys.

 

[sprinterguy]

It was 5193 that was named CLAN MACLEOD, and you can also add 5212 CAPERKAILZIE. All were mark 2s, except for 6300 which was an observation car converted from a class 101 driving trailer in 1987. They were all allocated to Inverness so it is unlikely that they would have found their way onto the West Highland. It's plausible that they could have seen use in Thurso/Wick trains, but I can't recall seeing any photos of them being used thus.

5230 and 5234 had formerly been used as restaurant cars, and they, along with two of the brake vehicles, 9385 and 9388, had previously been allocated to Norwich Crown Point.

 

[Rover]

The following is from BR Mark 1 & 2 Coaching Stock by Hugh Longworth:

5132: introduced to Midland region 11/66; transferred to SC region 01/75; withdrawn 06/99

5139: introduced to Midland region 05/66; transferred to SC region 04/75; withdrawn 08/96; cut up 08/96

5154: introduced to Midland region 04/67; transferred to SC region 12/74; named Clan Fraser 06/89; withdrawn 08/02

5166: introduced to Midland region 04/67; transferred to W region 02/74; transferred to SC region 07/76; withdrawn 06/99; named Clan Mackenzie 10/89

5191: introduced to Midland region 04/67; transferred to SC region 10/74; named Clan Donald 10/89

5193: introduced to Midland region 04/67; transferred to SC region 04/75; named Clan Macleod 10/89; withdrawn 01/11

5212: introduced to Western region 02/67; transferred to E region 07/73; transferred to SC region 10/76; named Capercailzie 04/89; withdrawn 01/11

5230: introduced to Midland region 03/66; transferred to E region 06/73; named Corriemoillie 04/89; withdrawn 08/95; cut up 11/95

5234: introduced to Midland region 07/66; transferred to E region 06/73; withdrawn 08/95; cut up 11/95

9385: introduced to Midland region 05/66; transferred to E region 05/82; withdrawn 11/90; reinstated 03/91; withdrawn 08/95

9388: introduced to Midland region ??/66; transferred to W region 01/75; transferred to SC region 02/76; transferred to E region 04/83; named Bailechaul 10/89; withdrawn 08/95

9414: introduced to Midland region 04/67; transferred to SC region 07/74; named Brahan Seer 10/89; withdrawn 05/98

Personally I've never heard the Kyle Line referred to as the Hebridean Line.

Kev

 

[47513 Severn]

9385 was part of the Cambridge to Kings Lynn fleet right up to the end of loco hauled services in May 1990. It then appears to have had short spell at Norwich Crown Point although I'm not sure what it was used for while there, spares perhaps? I was only aware of a couple of the former Cambridge based RMB buffet cars continuing in Anglia service from Crown Point.

Quite a journey for 9385 to have ended up on the Kyle line! In fact the dispersal of the former NNEA stock is quite fascinating for what was a relatively small vacuum braked fleet, with many still extant. Several have ended up at the nearby Mid Norfolk Railway but not necessariy straight from withdrawal.

 

[03_179]

Amazing thank you all very much.

Any info is great and helpful.

 

[30907]

I've never heard the Kyle Line referred to as the Hebridean Line.

AFAIK it was only a name attached to the train that carried the ex-101 Observation Car. But historically Kyle was, along with Mallaig, the steamer terminal for Portree and Stornoway, so the name isn't totally unjustified.

 

[GrimShady]

They should have trains like this running in the summer time and stop subjecting everyone to horrible sprinter experiences. I know a good few people who wont travel these lines again due to Sprinters!

 

[sprinterguy]

The refurbished class 158 units that will be introduced on the West Highland route should help in this regard, although I admit that these are still a disappointment compared to the innovative potential of scenic trains on the highland lines that was suggested by the franchise Invitiation to Tender, and as an enthusiast I agree will fall well short of the experience provided by a class 37 hauling mark 2 stock.

I'm a fan of the Super Sprinter trains in general, as suggested by my username, but at present the travelling experience offered by them to a passenger on the West Highland line fails to compare with that offered by the competing Citylink coach between Fort William, Crianlarich and Glasgow.

 

[GrimShady]

Gents,

I know one or two of you are into the Scottish scene and wondered if you can supply me with some info for an article I am writing.

Below is a list of the known numbers, names and type of coaches:
5132 - CLAN MUNRO (TSO)
5139 - CLAN ROSS (TSO)
5154 - CLAN FRASER (TSO)
5166 - CLAN MACKENZIE (TSO)
5191 - CAPERCAILZIE (TSO)
5230 - CORRIEMOILLIE ((TSO(T))
5234 - CLAN MACINTOSH (TSO(T))
5293 - CLAN MCLEOD (TSO)
6300 - HEBREDIAN (DMU)
9385 - BALMACARA (BSO)
9388 - BAILECHAUL (BSO)
9414 - BRAHAN SEER (BSO)

Which ones of these are MkI or MkII?

Have I missed any off the list?

The livery was green (L.N.E.R. Coach Green) and Cream (L.N.E.R. Coach Cream).

Where these (above list) used on the West Highland line as well as the Inverness to Kyle Line?
Is the Hebridian line also known as the Kyle line?
Did these coaches ever go up to the Thurso/Wick lines?

All and any information on these coaches, their timetables and history would be gratefully received.

Thanks guys.

Did you ever publish the article you were writing? I'd love to have a read!

 

[03_179]

Did you ever publish the article you were writing? I'd love to have a read!

I'm still trying to get more info together will put a link in when I do.

 

[GrimShady]

If memory serves there was a old commercial VHS tape knocking around which was filmed on board this train. Ill do some digging!

 

[03_179]

I have a few old 1991 photos when I was in Inverness on Honeymoon of the coaches ... They were hauled by 37025 in the Dutch livery

 

[GrimShady]

There's "Skye Train - Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh" VHS from 1987 however I'm sure there's another one where the Hebridean stock was featured.