Class 126 Swindon Inter-City 3-car DMUs

Liveries

Green with whiskers

Almost all the vehicles were delivered in the lighter 'Multiple Unit' green with cream lining, and whiskers on the leading cabs only. The two exceptions were the two buffet cars (59098/9) which appeared in the darker 'Loco Green' which was by then the standard.

The image shows a six-car formation departing from Stranraer Harbour with the 1.30pm Stranraer Harbour - Glasgow St. Enoch service on July 12, 1962. Michael Mensing.

Green with yellow panel

Initial repaints were into the darker Loco Green, with yellow panels appearing at the same time. In this livery a set forming the 12.11pm Glasgow - St.Enoch - East Kilbride service arrives into Thorntonhall station on May 23rd, 1964. WAC Smith.

This image shows the barely visible yellow panel on the intermediate power car. It is set number 162 unloading its passengers in Corkerhill station on April 2nd, 1967. Hamish Stevenson.

Rail blue with small yellow panel

In the late 1960s when blue appeared at least one Ayrshire set in an early blue variation of small yellow panels. This image - a still taken from a cine film by George Miller - is the only one of this variation I've came across.

Rail blue with full yellow ends

Although technically 'Inter-City' vehicles, they were not classed as such and so received plain blue livery unlike other 'Inter-City' DMUs and coaching stock which normally went straight into blue/grey livery.

The image shows DMS SC50936 awaiting departure from Glasgow Central on 12th August 1970. David Mant.

Inner ends were also blue as this 1976 image of TCL Sc59400 shows.

Blue / Grey with GG branding

Blue/grey started to appear in 1977. One other important change with this livery was that on power cars the BR double arrow logo was now only carried on the number two (non-drivers) side, the other would have a PTE logo. Initially this was a "GG" representing the Greater Glasgow Passenger Transport Executive.

Carrying the Greater Glasgow logo, a Class 126 formation is seen in Johnstone station, date unknown. Andrew McConnell.

Blue / Grey with GG and Trans-Clyde branding

In 1978 the slogan 'Trans-Clyde' would appear adjacent to the 'GG'. This was a name now given to the Glasgow local transport network after the reopening of the Argyle Line.

On DMSL vehicles it meant moving the 'GG' branding from the cabside to under the passenger windows.

The image shows Set 411 (DMBS Sc51041, TSL Sc59393, DMSL Sc51026) in blue / grey livery with the GG Trans-Clyde branding. In their latter years workings to Carlisle were not unknown, this shot is dated 6th August 1979. Robert Frise.

Blue / Grey with Trans-Clyde branding

At least two power cars — DMBS Sc51034/7 — were noted without the 'GG' in the early 1980s.

The image shows SC51037 at the front of set 126 407 seen in Johnstone station, date unknown. Ian MacDonald.