AC Cars Railbus
Scottish Services Begin
On the 15th September 1958, the start of the winter timetable, Sc79979 commenced operations between Gleneagles, Crieff and Comrie, providing a more frequent service of nine trains each way between Gleneagles and Crieff, with three extended to and from Comrie. Previously there were seven steam services, of which only two extended to Comrie. Some of the connections at Gleneagles were still very bad, with up to a 30 minute wait for passengers travelling to/from Glasgow. The vehicle was stationed at Crieff, and manned by Crieff drivers and guards. It was stabled at Perth on a Sunday, working a 9.00pm SO from Crieff.
The fitting of the folding steps allowed stops to be made at local crossings etc. New halts were opened at Strageath (one mile north of Muthill) and Pittenzie (700 yards east of Crieff) level crossings. No platforms were needed, but a dry standing area was provided formed of several cement slabs.
Four pictures from the busy first day on 15/9/58. In the first image Guard Tom Blair is issuing tickets. The ticket machine was similar to that used by bus conductors. Using this he could issue tickets for the Branch and Gleneagles stations, and he could also handwrite through tickets to destinations such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth etc.
The second images shows a pram being loaded at Pittenzie Halt, the lack of platform obviously causing extra work for the staff.
Image three is Driver Charlie Robertson while at Crieff.
The last image shows a young passenger climbing aboard at Strageath Crossing. The boy — John Young — later went on to write a book 'Branch Lines of Strathearn' in which he describes the incident on page 263. He had joined the train at Gleneagles but had been asked to get off and get on again for the photo. The guard (Tommy Blair) was not a fan of enthusiasts, but was doing his best to smile.[1]
The services brought in a marked increase in traffic despite the fact that the connections at Gleneagles with main-line expresses were not too good.
In this image Sc79979 is seen leaving Pittenzie Halt on the 11th October 1958.
An early assessment of figures in December 1958 showed that the Gleneagles - Crieff - Comrie service along with the Aviemore - Craigellachie - Elgin service receipts were up dramatically, £116 in September compared with £57 the year before, an increase of 104%, and in October there was a 233% increase, takings being £90 over the previous year's £27. Read the full report.
Sc79979 would move to Beith - Lugton duties in May 1959, but the AC Cars line drawing continued to be used on Gleneagles - Crieff - Comrie publicity material.
Shown here are the handbill for the period 15th June 1959 to 12th September 1959, and the poster (courtesy of John Paton) for 2nd November 1959 to 12th June 1960.
References
- ⋏ p263 Branch Lines of Strathearn, John Young, (Lightmoor/CRA, 2014)