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.
Originally services ran from Glasgow St Enoch, switching to Central when St Enoch closed in 1966. With a few exceptions the route the DMUs took was Paisley Canal line from Shield Junction rejoining the Glasgow - Ayr line at Elderslie East Junction before taking the Kilmacolm branch at Elderslie West Junction.
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 Timetables
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.3 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.4 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.1 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.3 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.3 mb pdf).
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.2 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.4 mb pdf).
7th September 1964 to 13th June 1965
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 12 (2.1 mb pdf). The services operated by DMUs were not defined.
5 October 1970 to 1 May 1971
This measured 3 7/8" x 8 1/2" when folded.
12 May 1980 to 9 May 1981
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded.
17 May 1982 to 14 May 1983
This measured 2 7/8" x 4 1/8" when folded.
Images
April 1969
A Class 107 set is seen in Kilmacolm station in April 1969. Corriebob.
18th August 1969
Derby Heavyweight triple set 136 in Kilmacolm station with a service to Glasgow Central on 18 August 1969. Stuart Mackay Collection.
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.
Unknown date
Class 107 set 132 at Kilmacolm, date unknown. Stuart Rankin.
October 1976
A Class 107 DMU departs from Paisley Canal while a Class 116 sits in the sidings, October 1976. Alistair Ness.
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.
13th April 1977
Class 107 DMU set 133 Kilmacolm 13 April 1977. Alistair Ness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
28th December 1979
A Class 116 set near Kilmacolm on the 12:07 Glasgow Central - Kilmacolm, 28/12/79. Hamish Stevenson.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
circa October 1980
A Class 107 DMU with SC51996 closest in Kilmacolm station. The slide process date was October 1980. Stuart Mackay Collection.
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.
References
- ⋏ Greenock and Ayrshire Railway, Wikipedia, accessed 24 October 2021