DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Aviemore - Elgin
Railbuses would be introduced to the 51 mile Speyside route between Elgin, Granton-on-Spey and Aviemore, on 3 November 1958. As with steam, there were three services each way, a daily diagram of around 300 miles.
In the month of November, takings on the line increased dramatically compared with the previous year, £228 (1958) against £108 (1957), a 111% increase.
With the summer 1959 timetable on June 15th four new halts were opened on the line: at Imperial Cottages and Gilbey's Cottages (between Carron and Knockando); Dalry Farm (between Advie and Cromdale), and Ballifurth Farm (between Granton-on-Spey East and Nethybridge)[1]. Drivers were warned of their approach by white boards stating 'Request Stop 100 Yards Ahead'. The frequency of services was also further improved and overall journey times reduced by up to 15 mins.
Passenger services ended on the route in October 1965.
Railbuses
Many different railbuses would be allocated at some point to Aviemore depot for the service. They included both the Bristols, all five Wickhams, and four of the five Park Royals. Sc79974 was the Park Royal that didn't make it, and none of the AC Cars type were allocated there, although only Sc79979 was allocated to the Region at the time, the four Western Regions arrived in Scotland after these services had ended.
The table below shows the Aviemore railbus allocations in order of arrival date. This should give an indication of what vehicles could be found on the service on particular dates, although there are signs that allocations could lag behind vehicle locations. From the June 1962 timetable, the Aviemore railbuses had an additional duty: an Aviemore - Inverness service via Carr Bridge.
| Vehicle | Type | From | Till |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79958 | Bristol | Nov 58 | Dec 58 |
| 79959 | Bristol | Dec 58 | May 59 |
| 79970 | Park Royal | Aug 60* | Aug 61 |
| 79966 | Wickham | Aug 59 | Dec 60 |
| 79973 | Park Royal | Jul 60 | Sep 60 |
| 79973 | Park Royal | Dec 60 | Jan 61 |
| 79973 | Park Royal | Feb 61 | Mar 61 |
| 79967 | Wickham | May 61 | Jul 61 |
| 79969 | Wickham | Jul 61 | Aug 61 |
| 79971 | Park Royal | Aug 61 | Nov 61 |
| 79970 | Park Royal | Sep 61 | Mar 63 |
| 79973 | Park Royal | Dec 61 | Jun 62 |
| 79966 | Wickham | Feb 62 | Dec 62 |
| 79965 | Wickham | Mar 62 | Apr 62 |
| 79973 | Park Royal | Oct 62 | Mar 63 |
| 79969 | Wickham | Dec 61 | Dec 63 (w) |
| 79968 | Wickham | Aug 62 | Dec 65 |
| 79958 | Bristol | Dec 62 | Mar 63 |
| 79966 | Wickham | Mar 63 | cJan 64 |
| 79958 | Bristol | Dec 63 | Oct 66 (w) |
| 79972 | Park Royal | Apr 64 | Dec 65 |
| 79973 | Park Royal | Oct 64 | Dec 65 |
| 79959 | Bristol | Oct 64 | Oct 66 (w) |
| 79967 | Wickham | Oct 64 | Oct 66 (w) |
* 79970 had been noted on the line since May 1959 replacing 79959
Sample Timetables
2nd November, 1958 until further notice
Scans courtesy of John Paton.
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.5 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.5 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.4 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.2 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.4 mb pdf).
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.4 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.4 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.5 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.4 mb pdf).
7th September 1964 to 13th June 1965
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 41 (0.5 mb pdf).
Images
1959
Park Royal Railbus SC79970 at Aviemore in 1959. Hamish Stevenson.
1959
Park Royal railbus SC79970 heading away from Aviemore with an Elgin service in 1959. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
A Wickham railbus heads out the north end of Aviemore in the early 1960s, probably to Craigellachie. Note the vehicle number seems higher than normal. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Sc79966 entering the south end of Aviemore station. With both the driver and tail lamp at this end, the vehicle is probably changing platforms after arriving from Craigellachie. Date unknown. Hamish Stevenson.
8th October 1965
Park Royal railbus M79973 leaves Craigellachie with the 12.18 Aviemore to Elgin on October 8th, 1965. Hamish Stevenson.
8th October 1965
Leaving Craigellachie with the 12.18 Aviemore to Elgin service is Park Royal railbus M79973 on October 8th, 1965. Hamish Stevenson.
8th October 1965
M79973 arrives into Craigellachie with the 2.45pm Elgin to Aviemore service on October 8th, 1965. Hamish Stevenson.
8th October 1965
Park Royal railbus M79973 is seen in Cromdale station while working the 2.45pm Aviemore to Elgin service on October 8th, 1965. Hamish Stevenson.
8th October 1965
Park Royal railbus M79973 is seen departing from Nethy Bridge station on the Elgin - Aviemore line, October 8th, 1965. Hamish Stevenson.
References
- ⋏ p225 August 1959 Railway Observer (Railway Correspondence and Travel Society)