DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Kilmarnock - Ayr
Park Royal railbus Sc79974 was introduced to Ayr - Dalmellington services on 6 April 1959, and this included some through workings to Kilmarnock. The Winter 1959 timetable from 2 November added a morning return Kilmarnock - Ayr diesel working, this was not shown as 2nd class only so would be a DMU rather than a railbus. In each timetable the number of diesel workings would increase.
The service has its own table in the timetable (with Dalmellington, Heads of Ayr and Largs in the earlier years), but was also included in the Glasgow - Ayr - Stranraer table. In 1965 its own table was discontinued (the Dalmellington branch closed to passengers in April 1964), and it was only shown in the Glasgow - Ayr - Stranraer table.
The railbuses continued on the route until 1967, when Gloucester bubble car 55000 took over, soon to be joined by others of that type, and in time any DMUs operating in the area could be found on the service.
Sample Timetables
15th June to 13th September 1959
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.9 mb pdf).
2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.7 mb pdf).
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (1 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.7 mb pdf).
12th June to 10th September 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.8 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.9 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.9 mb pdf).
10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.8 mb pdf).
17th June to 8th September 1963
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.8 mb pdf).
9th September 1963 to 14th June 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.9 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.6 mb pdf).
7th September 1964 to 13th June 1965
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 10 (0.6 mb pdf).
14 June 1965 to 17 April 1966
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in 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).
Images
Unknown date
A new looking SC79974 arrives into Prestwick station with an Ayr - Kilmarnock service. Date unknown. Hamish Stevenson.
Unknown date
Park Royal railbus SC79974 seems to be fairly new when seen in this undated image in Kilmarnock station, but has already received a bash to the cab corner. Hamish Stevenson.
circa 1964
A Park Royal railbus at Kilmarnock probably on an Ayr service circa 1964/5. The headlamp above the blind shows it's one of the two original ScR vehicles 0 or 4. They differed in the yellow panel era - 79974 had the corresponding part of the headcode panel painted yellow (this one), on the other vehicle it remained green. Stuart Mackay Collection.
31st December 1966
Park Royal railbus M79971 at Drybridge station with an Ayr - Kilmarnock service on December 31st, 1966. JL Stevenson.
10th June 1968
55011 at Kilmarnock, waiting to depart with the 1:58pm to Ayr, 10th June 1968. Hamish Stevenson.
circa 1969
On a rainy day at Kilmarnock Class 122 55011 runs into the bay platform, probably on a service from (or to form a service to) Ayr. Already in the platform is 55000, still with a W prefix. There's no yellow on the cab side, so it's carrying blue livery with small yellow panel. Circa 1969. Stuart Rankin.
circa 1969
Class 122 55011 seen in Ayr station on a service from Kilmarnock, circa 1969. Stuart Rankin.
Unknown date
Class 122 55011 at Barassie, where the line from Kilmarnock joins the main Glasgow to Ayr line (thanks to "Mad Mac" for identifying the location). Circa 1969. Stuart Rankin.
circa 1969
Three Class 122 bubbles in three liveries in the bay platforms at Kilmarnock, circa 1969. At the time they were used on services to Ayr. 55011 is closest, the green unit on the left is 55013, behind is 55000 carrying blue livery with a small yellow panel. Stuart Rankin.
Unknown date
Three GRC&W Bubble Cars in Kilmarnock station, circa 1968/9. The nearest 55013 is still in green, the middle vehicle 55000 is in the early blue livery with small yellow panel, the furthest 55011 is in blue with full yellow ends. Stuart Rankin.
1st March 1969
55000 at Barassie on the 5:15pm Ayr - Kilmarnock, 1/3/69. It's carrying an early version of rail blue livery. Hamish Stevenson.
15th September 1986
A scene at Ayr station on 15/9/86, with a class 120 "scratch set", formed of 53722/59682/53742, waiting to work the 13.40 to Kilmarnock. Alongside is unit 101 321 (51249/59542/53146). Leonard Rogers.