DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Edinburgh - Dundee
This service seems to have been DMU operated by mid-1960. 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.
The service was turned over to locos and coaches circa 1983.
Sample Timetables
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).
6 May 1974 to 4 May 1975
This measured 3" x 4" when folded
10 Jan, 1977 to 1 May, 1977
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
2 May, 1977 to 7 May, 1978
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
3 October, 1977 to 7 May, 1978
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
8 May, 1978 to 13 May, 1979
This measured 3" x 4" when folded
2 October, 1978 to 13 May, 1979
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
14 May, 1979 until further notice (revised edition)
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
12 May, 1980 to 10 May, 1981
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
1 June, 1981 to 16 May, 1982
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
5 October, 1981 to 16 May, 1982
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded
4 October, 1982 to 15 May, 1983
This measured 3" x 4" when folded
Images
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.
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.
Unknown date
Two mixed-livery Class 101s pass through Princes Street Gardens after leaving Edinburgh Waverley with a Dundee service on 22 August 1980. Set 197 leads, probably SC50141 at the front. Its centre car is one of the Met-Camm buffets. Taken by HC Casserley. Stuart Mackay Collection.
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.
25th August 1978
SC51232 on the rear of a set checked at signals in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh on 25/08/78. The set number is covered over under the drivers window but it still carries the old style number in the opposite cab window. The unpainted windows on the DMS means it was probably recently transferred to the ScR. Steve Jones.
Unknown date
Refurbished Met-Camm set 187 departs from Edinburgh Waverley, date unknown. Walter Burt.
7th April 1979
Met-Camm set 223 Dundee at 1346 on Saturday 7th April 1979 - note the window bars on the DMC passenger doors and lack of destination blind - a recent transfer from the Newcastle area? Not sure why the DMU should be running as the terminating service from Edinburgh is due in at 1352... could be early as the red tail light is still illuminated and the station clock may be a little slow? John Simmonds.
6th July 1979
A class 101 three-car DMU heads north past Sinclairtown in what was then a heavily-industrialised area of Kirkcaldy, Fife, on an Edinburgh-Dundee service on 6th July, 1979. Fife Forge, and Nairn's huge linoleum factories in the distance are now almost all either derelict or demolished. Michael Laing.