DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Glasgow - Girvan
DMUs were introduced to these services from Monday 2nd November 1959, along with Glasgow - Ayr, Glasgow - Stranraer, and Glasgow - Largs. Swindon Inter-City sets (Class 126s) allocated to Ayr depot were used.
Services ran from Glasgow St Enoch station until it closed in June 1966 when they were transferred to Glasgow Central.
The Class 126s were withdrawn in the early 1980s, and a variety of different DMU types would then be used (101s, 104s, 107s etc).
Sample Timetables
2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.2 mb pdf).
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (5 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (3.5 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (3.6 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
7th September 1964 to 13th June 1965
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4 mb pdf).
14 June 1965 to 17 April 1966
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 11 (7.6 mb pdf).
18 April 1966 to 5 March 1967
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (8.8 mb pdf).
27 June 1966 until further notice
8" x 10"
Download (9mb PDF). 32 page booklet marking the transfer to Glasgow Central station.
2 May 1977 to 7 May 1978
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
8 May 1978 to 13 May 1979
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
14 May 1979 to 11 May 1980
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
12 May 1980 to 9 May 1981
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
1 June 1981 to 16 May 1982
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
Images
28th June 1960
On Tuesday 28th June 1960 the six-car Swindon Inter-City set working the 7.52pm Girvan to Glasgow service failed after departing Girvan. It would be propelled, at some points reaching 40mph, by steam loco 45086 (behind the tree) working the "Lothian Piper" fitted freight (just two vans and a brake). It is seen on the approach to Ayr where it arrived one hour late. At Ayr the fault seems to have righted itself and the DMU would run under its own power as the 9.30pm Ayr to Glasgow. Bill Hamilton.
10th August 1973
A Class 126 DMU arrives into Girvan station with the 2.00pm ex-Glasgow Central on 10 August 1973. Closest appears to be SC51045 which is displaying set number 115 in the left cab window. Michael Mensing.
10th August 1973
A six-car Class 126 DMU in Girvan station after terminating with the 2.00pm from Glasgow Central on 10 August 1973. It will depart to the south of the station to reverse for the return journey. Michael Mensing.
10th August 1973
A Class 126 DMU, having terminating at Girvan with the 2.00pm from Glasgow Central, departs to the south of the station to reverse for the return journey. 10 August 1973. Michael Mensing.
10th August 1973
Two Class 126 sets arriving into Girvan station after changing roads ready for the journey back to Glasgow Central on 10 August 1973. They had arrived on the 2pm ex-Glasgow. Michael Mensing.
9th July 1977
A Class 126 Swindon Inter-City DMU sits in the siding at Girvan in-between turns on 9/7/77. David Christie.
May 1978
A six-car Class 126 DMU approaches Girvan from Ayr in May 1978. The signal shows it will change roads and terminated there for a return service to Glasgow. Stuart Mackay Collection.
12th April 1979
Instamatic Interludes. Class 126 with DMSL leading has the road south to Belmont Crossing thence the single line to Girvan. The Inter-City is on the 13:35 Glasgow Central to Girvan working. The excursion platform is visible beyond the over bridge. The rear of the imposing Station Hotel is to the right, long before closure and the slide into ruination. Thursday 12 April 1979. alicia hartman.
1981
126 414 led by Sc51044 leaves Ayr for Girvan in 1981. 126 414 was one of the best condition 126 sets at the time, but was withdrawn in a cull of 8 complete sets in 8/82, leaving only 126 406 and 413 in service. Andrew McConnell.
1981
126 413 led by 126 414 leave Ayr for Maybole and Girvan, 1981. The use of oil lamp was necessary on the Class 126 units as the class did not have electric tail lamps. The rear car (Sc51043) is part of the preserved set owned by the SRPS at Bo'ness. www.class126.co.uk Andrew McConnell.
30th May 1981
The Way it Was. Inter-City Class 126 DMU flying through Hillington East on the 16:35 Glasgow Central to Girvan working. Unless checked by signals, DMUs by this point would be flat out. Only Inverclyde EMU services stopped here and on late afternoons at that time, guards would deposit bundles of evening newspapers from their EMU brake vans for waiting delivery boys. Saturday 30 May 1981. alicia hartman.
September 1983
A Class 107 DMU in the sidings at Girvan in September 1983. Closest in set 107 448 is 52009, one of the vehicles that would be withdrawn after the fire at Ayr Depot a few months later. Stuart Mackay Collection.
31st March 1984
The Saturdays only 1108 Girvan to Glasgow Central rasps its way out of Paisley Gilmour Street. Class 107 DMBS SC52002 leads the way but as was normal for the period the 6 car rake comprises a mix of unit types. Bruce Galloway.
7th August 1985
Two sets near Girvan with a northbound service on 7th August 1985. The leading has had the 432 removed from the set number, it would probably mean this is 52026. It seems to be a 107/107/possibly 104 formation. John Crooks.
1986
A busy scene at Girvan in 1986. Set 518 was a hybrid, two Class 120 power cars and a Class 101 centre car, the front two vehicles are 53741 and 59063. Andrew McConnell.
Unknown date
107 437 sits in Girvan, presumably 51998 + 59782 + 52021. Date unknown. Tom Clift.
August 1986
A Class 120/101 hybrid set (probably 53647 + 59063 + 53741) prepares to head north from Girvan, August 1986. Andrew McConnell.
August 1986
Cravens DMBS E53380 leads mixed class 105/120 Set 551 during reversal at Girvan (had the train arrived from Stranraer the signalman would have been collecting the token at this point). Andrew McConnell.
August 1986
Class 120 53741 sits in Girvan station in August 1986. Andrew McConnell.
August 1986
A Class 120 DMS - probably 53647 - is seen at Girvan in August 1986. Andrew McConnell.