DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Inverness - Aberdeen
Swindon Cross-Country DMUs (Class 120s) were introduced to the service in July 1960. Originally this was only a trial during the summer timetable — this was extended, and the DMUs would remain.
The Class 120s continued to be the standard type used and would be fitted with tablet catchers. Some received a modification to enlarge the guards van so more mail could be carried. At times they would be joined by Class 101s and Class 122s. Tail loads were not unusual, especially fish vans.
In 1980 the DMUs were replaced by loco-hauled trains.
Sample Timetables
1st July 1960 until further notice
1st July to 31 December, 1960
Originally issued as to 10th September. Scan courtesy of John Horne.
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.2 mb pdf). They are not shown as DMUs, suggesting this was printed before the trial was extended.
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.2 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.2 mb pdf).
Until 16th June, 1962
From circa October 1961. Scan courtesy of John Horne.
18th June, 1962, until further notice
Scan courtesy of John Horne. In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.2 mb pdf).
1st September, 1962, to 15th June, 1963
Scan courtesy of John Horne. In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable (which started from the 10th) it was Table 36 (1 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.1 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.2 mb pdf).
7th September 1964 to 13th June 1965
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 36 (1.1 mb pdf).
Images
July 1958
In late July 1958 Swindon Cross-Country set W50720 + W59283 + W50676 prepares to leave Inverness with the 12.45pm to Aberdeen. The set was borrowed from the Western Region for a few weeks for trials. Great North of Scotland Railway Association.
31st March 1961
The 08:45 Aberdeen - Inverness is seen leaving Keith on the 31st March 1961. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Two three-car Swindon Cross-Country DMUs are seen in Inverness station forming an Aberdeen service - date unknown, circa mid-1960s. Stuart Mackay Collection.
14th July 1964
Sc51783 leads the 2.30pm Inverness - Aberdeen service at Inveramsay, being worked by a 6-car Swindon Cross-Country formation on 14/7/64. Michael Mensing.
Unknown date
Two Swindon Cross-Country sets depart from Elgin. Date unknown. Norman Smart Collection.
7th August 1967
A mixed formation of a Cravens and a Swindon Cross-Country unit (plus a van on the rear), pass through the ex-GNoSR Kennethmont station on 7 August 1967, working the 18.00 Aberdeen to Inverness. The front DMU vehicle is still in green, the others are in blue, the Swindon DMS with just a yellow panel on the cab. The grain wagons are probably for the nearby Ardmoor Distillery. Kevin Lane Collection.
July 1969
Passing Swindon Cross-Country DMUs at Elgin in July 1969. Both are probably working services between Aberdeen and Inverness, one in each direction, the left one in blue and the one the photographer is travelling on is still in green. Curly42.
12th August 1969
Two Swindon Cross-Country DMUs arrive into Inverurie on 12 August 1969. The leading car has lost its coaching crest - is it painted over? The centre car and at least the first car of the second set is in blue. David Mant.
1970
A Class 120 enters Elgin in 1970. Norman Smart.
circa July 1970
There were no details with this negative other than being Huntly station. It's taken out of a Swindon Cross set, of which the power car nearer the rear is still in green livery. Attached to the back is a Met-Camm TBSL set, the far power car in blue, the closest seems to be green, the centre car is hard to tell. Inverness only had one TBSL Met-Camm, 50186 + 59080 + 50187 on loan from Hamilton between June and September 1970. Note the two BRUTES and at least four trolleys lined up on the left platform, a sign that a lot of mail/parcels was carried - the reason for the Class 120 DMBF conversions. Stuart Mackay Collection.
Unknown date
A Class set heading out of Inverness towards Aberdeen. The bridge behind carries the Highland main line south to Perth. Stuart Rankin.
1972
A Swindon Cross Country unit passes the disused Kittybrewster South Signalbox (Kittybrewster station and loco shed were behind and to the right) heading for Aberdeen with a train from Inverness in late 1972. John McIntyre.
1972
A Class 120 passes through the closed Kittybrewster station with a train to Aberdeen in late 1972. John McIntyre.
October 1972
Two sets depart from Aberdeen bound for Inverness in October 1972. John McIntyre.
11th October 1972
A Class 120 DMU in Inverness Station on a murky morning on the 11th of October 1972. The KDH Archive.
1973
A Class 120 set departs from platform 8 at Aberdeen and crosses to platform 9 with a service to Inverness in 1973. John McIntyre.
circa 1973
A Class 122 in Aberdeen station presumably attached to one (or more?) Class 120s on an Inverness service. This is thought to be circa early 1973, the only 122 at that time in the area would be 55011. Note what seems to be two "coach" ("roof"?) boards on the right, one reading "Evening Express - Lifeline Final", the other "G.C.O. Railway & Transport Society". John McIntyre.
February 1973
A Swindon 3-car Cross Country unit departs for Inverness from Aberdeen during the demolition of the platform canopies and north footbridge in February 1973. John McIntyre.
17th February 1973
Two 3-car units arrive at Aberdeen with the 8:40am from Inverness but are unusually having to use Platform 8 due to a special for Kyle of Lochalsh waiting to depart north in Platform 6. The pillars that once supported the canopies still stand but not for much longer. There is a sprinkling of snow on the ground on 17 February 1973. John McIntyre.
Spring 1973
A rainy day in Aberdeen. A train for Inverness waits in Platform 6, platforms 10 & 11 can be seen on the right without track. Believed to be taken in spring 1973. The van door is open, showing the box for the tablet catcher. John McIntyre.