DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Edinburgh - Dundee
This service seems to have been DMU operated by mid-1959. Met-Camm three-cars were the main traction at launch, over the years any other types allocated to Leith Central/Haymarket would also appear such as Gloucesters and Cravens.
Between Inverkeithing and Thornton Junction, normally the Kirkcaldy route would be taken, but at times — such as the 1969 timetable — the Cowdenbeath route was also used.
The service was turned over to locos and coaches on 6 October 1981, but the DMUs would return in 1984.
Sample Timetables
15th June to 13th September 1959
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (5.2 mb pdf).
2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (4.4 mb pdf).
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (6.2 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (5 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (5.9 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 - 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (4.9 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (6.1 mb pdf).
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (4.5 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September, 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (5.4 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (4.8 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (6.6 mb pdf).
7th September 1964 to 13th June 1965
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 27 (5.3 mb pdf).
14 June 1965 to 17 April 1966
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 22 (12 mb pdf).
18 April 1966 to 5 March 1967
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 18 (13.4 mb pdf).
6 March 1967 until further notice
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 18 (7 mb pdf).
4 September 1967 to 5 May 1968
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 18 (5 mb pdf).
6 May 1968 to 4 May 1969
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 18 (4.7 mb pdf).
5 May 1969 to 3 May 1970
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (3 mb pdf).
4 May 1970 to 2 May 1971
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (2.2 mb pdf).
3 May 1971 to 30 April 1972
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (2.2 mb pdf).
1972
A single sided 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" leaflet giving off-peak fares to Edinburgh for stations at the southern end of the service.
1 May 1972 to 6 May 1973
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 17 (1.6 mb pdf).
7 May 1973 to 5 May 1974
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (2.2 mb pdf).
6 May 1974 to 4 May 1975
3" x 4" when folded
In the Great Britain Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (1.9 mb pdf).
10 Jan, 1977 to 1 May, 1977
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
2 May, 1977 to 7 May, 1978
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (2 mb pdf).
3 October, 1977 to 7 May, 1978
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 — link in 2 May.
8 May, 1978 to 13 May, 1979
3" x 4" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (2.1 mb pdf).
2 October, 1978 to 13 May, 1979
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 — link in 8 May.
14 May, 1979 to 11 May 1980
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
14 May, 1979 until further notice (revised edition)
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
20 August, 1979 until further notice (2nd revised edition)
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
12 May, 1980 to 10 May, 1981
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
1 June, 1981 to 16 May, 1982
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
5 October, 1981 to 16 May, 1982
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
4 October, 1982 to 15 May, 1983
3" x 4" when folded
30 September 1985 to 11 May 1986
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (2 mb pdf).
12 May to 28 September 1986
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (1.9 mb pdf).
Images
29th July 1959
Three Met-Camm twins approach Dalmeny with a Dundee Tay Bridge service on 29 July 1959. Stuart Mackay Collection.
November 1959
Two Met-Camm triples at Leuchars in November 1959. Stuart Mackay Collection.
15th May 1960
An eBay purchase was this negative of an almost new Metro Cammell 3 Car DMU at Inverkeithing. The negative is dated 15th May 1960 so we are just a few weeks into the Fife Diesel Interval service which was launched a few weeks previously on 4th April along with dieselisation of the Edinburgh to Aberdeen service. Unlike me, the photographer took the trouble to record the numbers of all three cars. The unit was composed of Driving Motor Composite Sc51538, Trailer Composite Sc59566 and Driving Motor Brake 2nd Sc51468. An ex BR Document in the National Archives of Scotland shows all three vehicles as being new to Leith Central on 17th September 1959. The set is probably working an Edinburgh to Dundee service although it could also have originated in Glasgow as services from both Queen Street and Buchanan Street also came this way. Note the “D1 Wed” board which indicates the duty the set is working. Brian McDevitt Collection.
13th September 1961
A Scottish Region publicity image (negative 8202) showing a Met-Camm DMU heading south on the Tay Bridge on Wednesday 13 September 1961. The number of the leading DMCL can only be partially read - SC5152x. It carries a board in the left can window with "L4 Thur". Image courtesy of the AA McLean collection. British Railways.
26th May 1962
A Met-Camm twin and a Derby triple on an Edinburgh Waverley - Dundee service pass D5316 in Princes Street Gardens 26 May 1962. Stuart Mackay Collection.
27th September 1969
The 13:40 Edinburgh - Dundee service departs from Thornton Junction station on 27 September 1969. The power cars are in Rail Blue, the centre car is still in green. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa early 1970s
Mail is getting unloaded from an Edinburgh Waverley bound DMU at Cupar, circa early 1970s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
April 1972
Class 101 Dysart (near Kirkcaldy) with an Edinburgh-Dundee service, April 1972. This was a good vantage point to watch trains with a great view across the Firth of Forth but you can’t stand here now as you’d be in someone’s front garden! The parish church of my dad’s family St Serfs is in the background. Unfortunately for most of the day you are looking east and south into the light and trains are always in shadow. Alistair Ness.
28th July 1973
GRCW DMBS No SC50342 at Edinburgh Waverley awaiting departure with 2L35, the 13:00 to Dundee on Saturday 28 July 1973. Its partner is a blue Met-Camm. Mr Deltic.
31st July 1973
Inverkeithing Station looking south on 31/07/1973 at 0900 hours. Class 100 car SC50342 trails a 3-car set as it leaves for Edinburgh. Robert Hope.
20th July 1974
A three-car Class 101 DMU is crossing the Tay Bridge on the 12.15 Edinburgh to Dundee service on 20th July 1974. The KDH Archive.
August 1975
Scottish Region Metro Cammell DMU (set 237) at Dundee station. Whilst based in Montrose on holiday, the young photographer managed to visit Aberdeen, Dundee, Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh Haymarket. A 6-car DMU is seen in one of the bay platforms at Dundee, headed by a 3-car Metro Cammell unit. Interestingly, the Dundee-Edinburgh trains reverted to loco haulage in the 1980s - many a fine ride behind steam heat 'Tip Tops' (Class 27s) was to be had until 1986. Taken with my basic Kodak Instamatic using 126 cartridge film. Chris McKee.
28th May 1977
A three-car DMU formed of a Met-Camm twin with a Cravens DMBS attached at Inverkeithing with an Edinburgh-Dundee service on 28 May 1977. George Woods.
5th July 1977
Looking out from a Met-Camm unit as it leaves the Tay Bridge (looking north) at Wormit. 5/7/77. David Christie.
5th July 1977
Looking back towards Dundee from a Met-Camm unit as it starts its journey south over the Tay Bridge on 5/7/77. David Christie.
13th July 1977
A Dundee-bound Metro-Cammell (Class 101) 3-car DMU passes the site of Dysart Station on 13th July, 1977. Michael Laing.
13th July 1977
An Edinburgh-bound Metro-Cammell (Class 101) 3-car DMU approaches the site of Dysart Station on 13th July, 1977. Michael Laing.
15th May 1978
A Class 101 formed of DMCL SC51524, TCL SC59562 and DMBS SC51467 call at a very peaceful Leuchars Station with an early afternoon service from Dundee to Edinburgh Waverley on the 15th May 1978. All had been refurbished in the white & blue colours and were allocated to Glasgow Eastfield MPD at this time running as Set 187. The central bay platform for the St Andrews branch which closed in January 1969 is clearly still visible. The white houses to the right of the image are part of the married quarters for RAF Leuchars which at this time was a very busy RAF Fighter Station. Bob Woolnough.
June 1978
A three-car Class 101 DMU at Dysart in June 1978. Alistair Ness.
5th July 1978
A Edinburgh - Dundee Met-Camm DMU is seen at the north end of the Forth Bridge on 5/7/78, taken from a southbound Met-Camm. David Christie.