DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Ballater Branch
The Ballater branch used sets based in Aberdeen (Kittybrewster). It is best known for being the route that the Battery Multiple Unit was built for, introduced in April 1958. Two trains were needed to cover the diagrams, DMUs were introduced on the other circa May 1959 when Cravens sets arrived in the area. Met-Camm and Swindon Cross-Country sets could also occassionally be found as seen in the images below.
The line closed on 28 February 1966.
Timetables
A tri-fold brochure was produced for the launch of the BMU, which contained the timetable from April 21 to June 7th 1958.
This is the bi-fold Summer 1960 timetable, courtesy of John Paton.
Images
Unknown date
The Battery Multiple Unit (Sc79998 + Sc79999) departs from Aberdeen with a Ballater service. Date unknown. Hamish Stevenson.
19th May 1959
A Cravens set operating the 6.08pm Aberdeen to Ballater, seen at Park station on the 19th May 1959. Hamish Stevenson.
19th May 1959
The Battery Multiple Unit 79998 / 79999 seen at Park station on the 19th May 1959 on a Ballater - Aberdeen service. Hamish Stevenson.
19th May 1959
The Battery Multiple Unit (Sc79998 closest) on an Ballater - Aberdeen service sits next to a Cravens set on the 6.08pm Aberdeen - Ballater in Park station on May 19, 1959. Hamish Stevenson.
1963
Cravens Class 105 unit heading past Aberdeen's Ferryhill Junction working to Ballater. Taken in 1963 and uploaded with the kind permission of Tony Grubb. Tony Grubb.
16th May 1964
The Battery Multiple Unit Sc79998 / Sc79999 between duties at Aberdeen. Thought to be taken on 16 May 1964. Stuart Rankin.
17th June 1964
A twin Met-Camm DMU (Sc51247 + Sc56405) heading to Ballater is seen near Banchory on 17 June 1964. It was the only Met-Camm set allocated to Kittybrewster at the time. Michael Mensing.
July 1964
Sc56405 (and presumably Sc51247) arrives into Culter station on the Ballater branch in July 1964. Michael Mensing.
July 1964
Sc56405 and presumably Sc51247 with a Ballater - Aberdeen service between Park and Crathes in July 1964. Michael Mensing.
July 1964
A Cravens set at Banchory in July 1964 with an Aberdeen - Ballater service. Michael Mensing.
July 1964
Sc56405 and presumably Sc51247 with a Ballater - Aberdeen service just east of Milltimber station in July 1964. Michael Mensing.
5th July 1964
On Sunday 5th July 1964 battery vehicle Sc79999 is seen being recharged in Aberdeen station. Michael Mensing.
13th July 1964
Sc56482 (and presumably Sc51493) are seen at Glassel near Banchory on the Aberdeen to Ballater line on July 13, 1964. Michael Mensing.
13th July 1964
Sc51493 (and presumably Sc56482) and a 101 set are seen east of Lumphanan with the 1.55pm Aberdeen - Ballater service on July 13, 1964. Michael Mensing.
13th July 1964
The 8.03pm Ballater - Aberdeen service is seen south of Lumphanan on July 13, 1964. Sc56405 leads, presumably with 51247, and working with a Cravens set. Michael Mensing.
13th July 1964
With 'LW' stencilled on the blue squares, Met-Camm DTC Sc56405 and presumably DMBS Sc51247 is seen a mile east of Dinnet with the 3.25pm Ballater - Aberdeen service on 13 July 1964. Michael Mensing.
17th July 1964
Sc51478 and Sc56467 on a late afternoon Ballater to Aberdeen service somewhere on the Ballater branch, July 17th, 1964. Michael Mensing.
17th July 1964
A Cravens twin formed of Sc56467 and Sc51478 is seen on the Ballater Branch on 17 July 1964. Michael Mensing.
17th July 1964
A Cravens twin DMU formed of Sc56467 and Sc51478 is seen west of Banchory with the 3.45pm Aberdeen - Ballater service on 17 July 1964. Michael Mensing.
17th July 1964
A Cravens twin DMU formed of Sc56467 and Sc51478 is seen west of Banchory with the 3.45pm Aberdeen - Ballater service on 17 July 1964. Note the bolt heads on the vehicle where the footsteps have been removed, the board above the gangway remains. Michael Mensing.
26th February 1966
At the time when there were other routes in the Averdeenshire area, the Aberdeen - Inverness Class 120 sets sometimes strayed. Here the 1.55pm Aberdeen - Ballater is seen at Dess. on 26/2/66. The ScR sets were easily identified by their 'clipped' buffers. Hamish Stevenson.
26th February 1966
The 1.55pm Aberdeen - Ballater service at Culter station on February 26, 1966. This is the last day of services on the line, and the Class 120 has a Class 105 on the rear. Hamish Stevenson.