DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Glasgow - Oban
In 1962 a summer only Glasgow Queen Street - Oban Tourist Train was introduced. It ran on Mondays - Fridays, and took the route via Loch Lomond — the normal Oban service train ran from Glasgow Buchanan Street via Callander.
A souvenir brochure was produced for the trains which described the sights to be seen on the journey, with the timetable inside. The cover and first set of pages are shown, scans courtesy of John Paton.
Class 120s were used, with the buffet being open, in 1971 Class 101s took over. The service ran until at least 1975. Other types, such Class 107s, were sometimes used.
Sample Timetables
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable the service was in Table 33 (Oban, 0.9 mb pdf) and Table 34 (Fort William, 0.8 mb pdf).
17th June to 18th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable the services were covered in Table 33 (Oban, 0.8 mb pdf) and Table 34 (Forst William, 0.6 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable the services were covered in Table 33 (Oban, 0.9 mb pdf) and Table 34 (Fort William, 0.7 mb pdf).
Images
Unknown date
A Swindon Cross-Country DMU in Oban station, date unknown. This was likely one of the summer 'tourist' services from Glasgow Queen Street that ran via Loch Lomond (rather than Callander as the service trains did). Note the sideboard. Paul Redmond.
2nd August 1967
Sc51787, taken at Dalmally heading for Oban on August 2nd, 1967. Note the yellow first class stripe. Graham Johnston.
2nd August 1967
Sc51787 at Dalmally heading for Oban on August 2nd, 1967. The tablet catcher can be clearly seen. Graham Johnston.
22nd August 1967
Oban station on Tuesday 22 August 1967. On the left is a Derby (Class 107) unit, which looks like it has a Cross-Country (Class 120) centre car. This would likely be working the additional summer weekday service that was booked for a Hamilton DMU. On the right is D6123. Peter James.
21st August 1968
A Swindon Cross-Country DMU arrives into Taynuilt station on Wednesday 21 August 1968. This would likely be working the additional summer weekday Glasgow - Oban service that was booked for a Hamilton DMU. Peter James.
4th September 1968
A Derby triple DMU in Oban station on Wednesday 4 September 1968, likely on the additional summer weekday Glasgow - Oban service that was booked for a Hamilton DMU. The closest car is in blue livery, the centre car still in green. On the left is D5354. Peter James.
23rd June 1970
A Class 120 DMU waits in Dalmally station for a southbound service to arrive before it can continue its journey to Oban. Tuesday 23 June 1970. That summer Hamilton had 51788/59684/51781 on loan from Inverness for the service, the DMBC still in green livery. Peter James.
23rd June 1970
Passing trains at Dalmally on Tuesday 23 June 1970. 5349 is heading south and once past the Class 120 will be able to continue its journey to Oban. That summer Hamilton had 51788 + 59684 + 51781 on loan from Inverness for the service. Peter James.
summer 1970
A Swindon Cross-Country set in Oban station in summer 1970. That summer Hamilton had 51781/59684/51788 on loan from Inverness. Mike Cooper Collection.
26th July 1972
An ex-works 3-car Class 101 in Oban station on the 26th July 1972. The DMBS is SC51467. Ian Francis.
1st September 1973
A Class 101 DMU awaits 5361 to arrive into Dalmally station so that it can continue its journey to Oban on Saturday 1 September 1973. This is very likely to be SC50264, as SC50254 is at the opposite end. Peter James.
1st September 1973
A Class 101 DMU in Dalmally station with DMBS SC50254 in view, ready to depart for Oban. On the other side is 5361 with a southbound service. Peter James.
1st September 1973
Oban station on Saturday 1 September 1973. 5353 is on the right, the Class 101 DMU on the left is thought to contain power cars 50254 and 50264. Peter James.
4th September 1973
A Class 101 DMU in Oban station on Tuesday 4 September 1973. On the right is 5385. Peter James.
6th August 1974
Oban station on Tuesday 6 August 1974. The Class 101 on the left has DMBS SC51467 closest, 27043 is on the right. Peter James.
6th August 1974
Class 101 DMBS SC51467 in Oban station on Tuesday 6 August 1974. In the other platform is 27043. Peter James.
21st July 1975
The prototype refurbished Class 101 DMU, 51451 + 59545 + 51518 at Arrochar and Tarbet on 21 July 1975. The set was diagramed to work the 10:35 Glasgow Queen Street - Oban and return from May 26th till October 4th that year. Stuart Mackay Collection.
circa August 1975
The first refurbished Class 101 DMU - 51518 + 59545 + 51451 - are seen on a Glasgow Queen Street - Oban service at Crianlarich circa August 1975. David Rhodes.
circa summer 1986
A Glasgow Queen Street - Oban train passes through Dalmuir station circa summer 1986. On the rear is the "Mexican Bean", BRC&W set 104325 (53424 + 53434). Brian Ward.
circa summer 1986
The Class 104 "Mexican Bean" (53434 + 53424) on the rear of a Glasgow-Oban service circa summer 1986. It travelled back and forward this way to Eastfield for servicing. Brian Ward.