AC Cars Railbus

Scottish Arrival

Sc79979 was the first railbus to enter Scotland on the 8th August 1958, and a special stop was made at Gretna border sign for a series of photographs.

The second image shows the railbus crew: Inspector D. Robertson (Perth), driver D. Brown and guard W. Scott (Polmadie). The third image shows the officials making the journey: left to right -: C Ross Campbell (Motive Power Superintendent ScR); CW Stewart (Assistant General Manager ScR); James Ness (General Manager ScR); and MG Maycock (Chief Civil Engineer ScR). Note the retractable steps are up in the first image and down in the other two.

Inspection

A formal inspection was held at Gleneagles on the 19th August 1958. Attended by Sir Ian Bolton (Chairman of the Scottish Area Board), James Ness (ScR General Manager), who welcomed Sir George McGlashan (Convener of Perth & Kinross County Council), Sir James Denby Roberts, Principal T.M. Knox (St Andrews University), the Provosts of Auchterarder and Crieff, and representatives of commerce, industry and press of the district. Afterwards there was a short demonstration run to Blackford and back. At the time it was mentioned that it would operate the Glaneagles, Crieff and Comrie branch for a period of twelve months to enable an evaluation regarding the vehicle's popularity with local travellers.

Above left: first Scottish railbus at Gleneagles station. Above centre: Sir Ian Bolton speaks with Driver D. Stewart. Above right: from left to right - Mr James Ness, Provost J. Paterson (Auchterarder), Sir George McGlashan, Sir Ian Bolton, Provost D. McLean (Crieff), Principal T.M. Knox, and Sir James Denby Roberts.