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DMU Operations: Scottish Region


Kilmacolm Branch

Kilmacolm was originally a stop on the Greenock and Ayrshire Railway, trains running through from Glasgow to Greenock. Stopping services on the Kilmacolm to Greenock section ceased from February 1959[1] with the line beyond Kilmacolm gradually being whittled back until Kilmacolm was a terminus.

The DMUs took the Paisley Canal line from Shield Junction rejoining the Glasgow - Ayr line at Elderslie East Junction before taking the Kilmacolm branch at Elderslie West Junction.

Kilmacolm - Glasgow route diagram

The DMUs used would normally be Hamilton sets, occasionally Ayr sets. Class 107s were a staple, 116s not unknown. In later years 101s, 105s and even 126s would make an appearance

The last services ran on Saturday 8 January 1983, the Elderlie-Kilmacolm section closing on Monday 10 January 1983. The stations on the Paisley Canal line also closed, services from Glasgow Central to Paisley Canal would be reinstated in 1990.

Sample Timetable

5 October 1970 to 1 May 1971

This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/2" when folded.

October 1970 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable front October 1970 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable back October 1970 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable inside

12 May 1980 to 9 May 1981

This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded.

May 1980 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable front May 1980 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable back May 1980 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable inside

17 May 1982 to 14 May 1983

This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded.

May 1982 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable front May 1982 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable back May 1982 Kilmacolm - Glasgow timetable inside

Images

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

April 1969

A Class 107 set is seen in Kilmacolm station in April 1969. Corriebob.

Class 116 DMU at Bridge of Weir

Unknown date

A Derby suburban Class 116 set rolls into Bridge of Weir. If nothing else the trousers of the lady second closest to the cab gives this away as being the early 1970s. John Law.

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

Unknown date

Class 107 set 132 at Kilmacolm, date unknown. Stuart Rankin.

Class 107 DMU at Paisley Canal

October 1976

A Class 107 DMU departs from Paisley Canal while a Class 116 sits in the sidings, October 1976. Alistair Ness.

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

April 1977

Class 107 set 133 at Kilmalcolm, Scotland, in April 1977. The guard is carrying the tail lamp to the rear ready to work the return service to Glasgow Central. Graeme Phillips Collection.

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

13th April 1977

Class 107 DMU set 133 Kilmacolm 13 April 1977. Alistair Ness.

Class 107 DMU at Glasgow Central

18th May 1978

A Class 107 arrives into Glasgow Central on May 18, 1978, it's destination blind already set to Kilmacolm for the return journey. It carries set number 132 in the left cab window. Rex Holt.

Class 116 DMU at Kilmacolm

4th August 1979

Instamatic Interludes. Derby Suburban DMBS sits quietly at Kilmacolm, waiting to form the 16:03 service to Glasgow Central. No passengers visible, perhaps a portent of the ill winds to come. However, passengers weren’t likely to take a train into town at this time as there were no return services from Glasgow beyond early evening. Nearest is DMBS Sc50090 which looks to be reasonably fresh out of works and doesn’t seem to have a destination blind fitted. Despite displaying Set 128, the other vehicles are 107 TS Sc59805 (all blue) and 107 DMS Sc52017. Saturday 04 August 1979. alicia hartman.

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

4th August 1979

Instamatic Interludes. Having arrived with the 14.07 ex Central, Derby Class 107 triple waits quietly at Kilmacolm to form the return 15.09 to Glasgow Central. Set 143 is displayed in the non-drivers window of the DMC. Saturday 04 August 1979. alicia hartman.

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

4th August 1979

Instamatic Interludes. Derby Class 107 triple on the outskirts of Kilmacolm. Set 143 is on the 15:09 working to Glasgow Central. Summer-times! Saturday 04 August 1979. alicia hartman.

Class 116 DMU at Kilmacolm

28th December 1979

A Class 116 set near Kilmacolm on the 12:07 Glasgow Central - Kilmacolm, 28/12/79. Hamish Stevenson.

Class 116 DMU at Kilmacolm

28th December 1979

The 13:03 Kilmacolm - Glasgow service is seen near Kilmacolm on December 28, 1979. Formed of a three-car Class 116 DMU, note that the centre car has gangways fitted but the power cars do not! Hamish Stevenson.

Class 107 DMU at Bridge of Weir

May 1980

A class 107 DMU is seen arriving at Bridge of Weir in May 1980. The line here was singled in the early 1970s and closed completely in 1983. Murray Liston.

Class 107 DMU at Kilmacolm

8th August 1980

A class 107 DMU (set 136, 52016 closest) waits for time before leaving Kilmacolm with the 14.03 to Glasgow Central on 8 August 1980. Kevin Lane Collection.

Class 107 DMU at Crookston

September 1980

Class 107 Crookston Dec 1980. Living in Paisley at the time I took a day out one Saturday to film the Ayr (formerly Hamilton based) Derby's as we called them on the Paisley Canal line and Kilmacolm branch. Why I did this in December and not when the weather was better I'll never know! Leaving everything to the last minute I suppose. Alistair Ness.

Class 107 DMU at Crookston

27th September 1980

Derby Heavyweight 107 DMU departing Crookston station and next stop is Paisley Canal on the 15.07 Glasgow Central to Kilmacolm. Saturday 27 September 1980 and the signalman is on duty, just visible inside the Signal Box. alicia hartman.

Class 116 DMU at Crookston

27th September 1980

Class 116 DMU about to brake for the stop at Crookston station, Saturday 27 September 1980. Set 141 is forming the 15.03 Kilmacolm to Glasgow service. The mixed livery suggests that this unit may be assembled from different sets. Note driver and 'secondman' in the cab. alicia hartman.

Class 107 DMU at Paisley Canal

15th November 1980

Derby Set 149 pulls away from Paisley Canal on 13:07 Glasgow Central - Kilmacolm as passengers cross the temporary footbridge. The operational station building and footbridge was on the Causeyside Street overbridge, behind the DMU. However, this burned down and was replaced by a Portakabin on the Glasgow bound platform (visible to the left of the leading cab) adjacent to the moribund main station building. Ironically, the building survived closure as a pub / restaurant. Saturday 15 November 1980. alicia hartman.

Class 107 DMU at Elderslie No.1

15th November 1980

Derby Class 107 DMU crosses the mainlines at Elderslie No.1 Signal Box onto the Paisley Canal lines with 14:03 Kilmacolm - Glasgow Central working. There was one Kilmacolm train a day via Gilmour Street in the last public timetable, an early morning service that stopped at Hillington West, Gilmour Street thence Houston and Crosslee as normal. There was no return working in the public timetable. Kilmacolm line services from Cart Junction and Elderslie No.2 came in on the line second from left. Kilmacolm bound trains were routed onto the line leading off to the right towards Elderslie No.2 Signal Box. Elderslie station closed in 1966 and the two island platforms were in the large gaps either side of the mainlines in the foreground. Saturday 15 November 1980. alicia hartman.

Class 116 DMU at Bridge of Weir

December 1980

Class 116 SC50829 leading & 107 Bridge of Weir Dec 1980. Living in Paisley at the time I took a day out one Saturday to film the Ayr (formerly Hamilton) Derby's as we called them on the Paisley Canal line and Kilmacolm branch. Why I did this in December and not when the weather was better I'll never know! Leaving everything to the last minute I suppose. Alistair Ness.


References

  1. Greenock and Ayrshire Railway, Wikipedia, accessed 24 October 2021