BR in the 1980s Glasgow Queen St 1986.MTS

This is a busy scene filmed at Queen Street Station on a visit i paid back in 1986 on 9th October. Willie if you are watching you were the driver on the departing Inverness service hauled by 47604!. First we see 37409 departing with a Fort William service followed closely by a push/pull set of mk III stock hauled by 47709. This was before the 47/7 class were sent south to work the Waterloo-Exeter line. 47604 sporting the Highland Stag departs for Inverness via Perth and a class 101 DMU departs with a local service probably to Dunblane.37406 "Saltaire Society" arrives with a West Highland service followed closely by another PP set from Edinburgh with 47714 suppling the traction.37012 with an over excited secondman shunts out of the platform and onto it's train which then departs north. This loco displaying the "Scotty Dog" emblem depicting an Eastfield loco. The rest of the scene is mainly PP services arriving and departing for Edinburgh which had an excellent schedule throughout the day comprised of mk III stock and a 47 class loco mainly 47/7. Enjoy the scene. Just as i packed up filming, a pair of 20s arrived in the station but i was on a tight schedule so was unable to capture this on film thinking at the time it will be repeated but how wrong could i have been as it was quite rare for even then.

[@marshallman7608]

When I was on driver training with BR in the early '80s the instructors used to take us on a variety of trains. We were on the E&G, DBSO leading, one of the guys commented "I don't know if I like driving a train from a cupboard in the Guard's van!"

[@spompey]

Many thanks Steve, I can well imagine that being said, it is about the time I was in the earlier years of my driving career too and have many a funny tale to tell....best regards...Mark

[@marshallman7608]

Some things that happened still make me laugh . . . . trouble is 99% of them couldn't be put on a public forum!

[@spompey]

You are so right Steve, I want to write a book about my time as a driver, especially the days I spent at Perth, but to do so now would only incriminate a few older drivers, now long retired, but there were certainly some hilarious episodes in my career........my best regards to you Steve....Mark

[@marshallman7608]

Never forget when the Traincrew Concept came in during the '80s, doing away with Guards on the majority of freight trains. All the Guards were being interviewed about whether they wanted to take redundancy. One of the Guards (won't mention names) came back into the messroom after his interview. Everybody asked him what money he had been offered, He replied £25,000, there was a murmur of shock around the messroom. He then said it was £5,000 from the railway and £20,000 from "The Sun" for telling them about you lot!

[@spompey]

Yes we had a very similar case while I was doing my MP12 back in 1981/82 with this time another trainee driver!! and yep guessed again correct "The Sun".......we must have lots to share Steve, my best regards to you.....Mark

[@StrathpefferJunction]

This is simply wonderful! It reminds me of being a wee boy on the platforms of Waverley Station...if only film could convey the smells too! Thank you for sharing!

[@StrathpefferJunction]

PS. I was looking for a way to drop you a message, but don't seem to be able to find one. I was wondering if it would be at all possible to use a shirt excerpt from this film of the DBSOs in action? I'm hoping to make a short video on model DBSOs and it would be wonderful to be able to briefly show the really thing in action. I would of course provide full credits and links ok the description. Please don't feel any pressure to agree if you'd rather not, that's absolutely fine too. If it would be OK though, please could you drop me a line at [e-mail] or let me know how I might contact you? Many thanks indeed. 🙂

[@spompey]

Dear Strathpeffer Junction....Many thanks for your kind comment....perhaps one day they will invent "Smell'o'Vision"... I used to love the smell of diesel fumes...probable cause of my madness!....and yes by all means feel free to use what material you may need.......Mark

[@StrathpefferJunction]

@@spompey Thank you very much, Mark. Really appreciated. When not at Waverley, we used to catch the train from Haymarket, and I still remember to this day the plumes of diesel smoke whooshing out of the tunnel as the loco bolted out of the darkness. Good Times!

[@spompey]

They certainly were good times.......best regards to you.....Mark

[@mikeuk4130]

Great to be watching this, coincidentally just as the refurbished set has started running on the network with 47712. A good selection of both 47s and 37s captured nicely in this very atmospheric video.

[@spompey]

Many thanks....Mark

[@spompey]

Thanks very much for your appreciation Bill, glad it brought back fond memories of that time. Sad to think that is all behind us now for good. Mark I have plans of posting many more old archive material once i have sorted the conversion process out properly.

[@chrisodonnell7122]

Great film,remember these locos well,sadly missed for sure,esp the 37s on the West Highland line,what a sound !!!!!

[@spompey]

Many thanks and well appreciated....Mark

[@chrisodonnell7122]

spompeytransportvideo thank you,most of the locos that passed through Dumbarton were from Eastfield Depot 24s,25s,26s and my fav 27s,oh and the 20s,never saw a 37 or a 47 for years and years !!!!

[@pete37038]

Really enjoyed the memories here, wow, thank you !

[@spompey]

Your very welcome Pete......Mark

[@philstanley77]

Really good footage. Very well filmed - loved the zoom in on 37 406! The Scotrail version of the Intercity livery looked very smart. In fact all the stock looked very clean. Icing on the cake was the 120 DMU! Not many people bothered with DMU's, so well done. Thanks very much for sharing.

[@spompey]

+Phil Stanley Thank you very much for your kind comment Phil, those were the days eh......Mark

[@84asrd84boxy]

Great video, brings back memories from the couple of 7 day all line rovers I did in May 1985/86, nice to see Queen Street with the 37s and 47s, I only took photo's at that time. This is great to watch, it's a like and faved, thanks for sharing, cheers...Bill

[@DeanPark]

Happy memories of days away to Glasgow with my dad. Cheers for sharing.

[@machosker]

great video, some classic british diesel traction. I remember the 47 push-pulls sets.

[@spompey]

Many thanks machosker, glad you liked the video, always appreciated.....Mark

These archive pictures are particularly amazing for me !

[@spompey]

I am pleased that you find the video sparks fond memories there.....much appreciated....Mark

[@spompey]

Glad it brought back fond memories, it was a good time i admit for me as well. many thanks. Mark

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Enjoyed. Take me back to the good old days. Big diesels in abundance

[@spompey]

Many thanks for your comment, glad it evoked fond memories of good old times, and they were good.....Mark

[@davidgriffiths464]

Fantastic.What happy days.Even better when the Dundees and West Highland trains were banked up the tunnel ..

[@spompey]

+David Griffiths Yes I remember that well, a lot of the Perth/Inverness trains were banked up as far as Eastfield Depot then too. I just wish for one day to go back to those days armed with my camera......many thanks for your kind comment......Mark

[@spompey]

Thanks Andy. Those days are truly missed. Mark

[@MJ-jq5rt]

Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for posting.

[@spompey]

So glad it prevoked fond memories. More to follow. many thanks. Mark

[@84asrd84boxy]

I do hope you manage to sort out your conversion process, I would dearly love to see what else you can come up with, I really enjoyed watching your Queen St video, cheers...Bill

[@spompey]

Many thanks for your kind comment, glad to have been able to take you down memory lane a little. I do have a slight fondness for the 150s with their oh so evocative slab front ends with the same aerodynamics that of a dinner plate!!.

[@orion1983uk]

Excellent video and thanks for uploading. I was only 3 when this was filmed, but I can still vaguely remember the 101s and 47/7 push-pulls in Queen Street. Much as I like the Class 156/158/170 DMUs, I bet they aren't a patch in terms of the comfort a class 37 with a rake of Mk2 coaches offered on a trip to Oban/Fort William/Mallaig, or a 47/7 with mk3s + DBSO offered on the Glasgow-Edinburgh or Glasgow-Aberdeen service.

[@spompey]

+orion1983uk There isn't as much comfort at all compared to a rake of mk1s or mk2s......many thanks.....Mark

[@orion1983uk]

+spompey Haha, suspected so. The Class 170 DMUs are not too bad in terms of comfort and refinement, but I do think getting them to do journeys of the distance between say Glasgow - Aberdeen, or Glasgow - Inverness, is a bit much for a DMU. No way I'd want to spend 3 hours or more on one. Its a shame, if nothing else, the 47/7s with DBSO setup with either mk3 or mk2F coaches couldn't have be retained for these sort of journeys.

[@spompey]

+orion1983uk I agree, some journeys were designed for engine and coaches! many thanks........Mark

[@Pmjs]

Have been from Edin to Inverness by 37 loco hauled then to Skye& on the West Highland line.

[@keithedmunds7536]

nice vid thanks for sharing it the 1980s were for me the best years rail blue,large logo, railfreight red stripe,i hope you have more from this period keep them coming.r

[@84asrd84boxy]

Thanks a lot Mark, I shall look forward to your future uploads, cheers...Bill

[@spompey]

They certainly were and many thanks for the kind comment.

[@westerleighwerek1493]

Remember trips to scotland and found the mk1/mk2's had yellow interiors when boarding!

[@spompey]

yes those were the days.... happy the video brought back fond memories.......Mark......merry xmas to you

[@spompey]

Thanks for the kind comment. The coaches were far more relaxed than any DMU could offer with the open space but yet the Clansman used to get unbearably over crowded south of Perth at times in the summer so i imagine once the HST sets stop going north then things will be impossible for direct travel from London to the far north. Keep looking as i will be posting more vintage material. Mark

[@spompey]

many thanks for your kind comment

[@30453trains]

Great footage, really enjoyed watching it. I'm not from Scotland but my wife is from Aberdeenshire, and as such I've travelled a fair bit around Scotland by rail in recent years. To echo some other comments on here, and without wanting to sound like and old man, it's difficult to avoid coming to the conclusion that we've gone backwards. I have travelled both Queen St-Aberdeen and Inverness-Waverley on 170s, and whilst they're nice enough on short trips (Queen St-Dunblane, say) they are so not suited to long distance work. It's a pity that there's so many Mark 3s sat rusting away in sidings (with more to join them now the ECML and GWR is going over to more 'modern' traction) that could do a much better job given a refurb. My opinion, of course. Anyways, thanks once again.

[@superpoodle2]

Thanks for uploading this I wish I could see Queen st in that era... Sad that the locos are now replaced by DMU's But great upload! :)

[@spompey]

Thanks for your comment, I do have some archive material of Inverness as well which I will get around to posting once my conversion of format process has been completed. I plan to visit Australia for some serious filming in the next few years. Cheers Mark

[@spompey]

No problem Dave, glad it erouses old memories. Thanks .Mark

[@spompey]

Many regards Keith, I do have many hours of this era and will get round to posting at a later date I am in the process of format conversion and want to get it right for posting, please keep an eye on things. Cheers . Mark

[@spompey]

cheers Bill i will keep you updated but it is quite a lengthy process. Mark

[@scottzane4518]

I left from there last September to go to Inverness for a couple days I'm a scot living in Australia now

[@spompey]

Many thanks, afraid those days have gone but i have more to upload will take a while yet. Mark

[@joeturner1597]

I was a guard at Queen street from 85 to 91. Then a driver to 95 when I moved to Reading.

[@spompey]

Yes I know you were Joe, I was also a driver at Reading from 1988 to 2002, Smudger, Keep watching the vids Joe and I give you all my best regards and hope all is well with you...............Mark

[@pj1312xx]

ive been here for 15 yrs,not like that now, pity ...the 37's......miss the noise off them.......

[@spompey]

Yes it has all gone now sadly, I will get round to uploading more archive material, just get the busy December steam out the way, much appreciate your viewing and comment.....Mark

[@andythesoupdragon]

Favourite time on the E-G,shove-duffs,class 101s & steam heat 37s. I'll need to travel on the SRPS to Mallaig to get anywhere near this

[@spompey]

Sorry for very late reply Andy, best regards, enjoy the trip to Mallaig !!........Mark

[@scottishtransport437]

It would be rare seeing those trains these days

[@spompey]

+Finn Adie It certainly would , especially as most of the Locomotives are no longer unfortunately, they could still put on a few specials though to evoke something of days gone by..........best regards........Mark

[@scottishtransport437]

spompey They could be at Bo'ness

[@scottishtransport437]

spompey I went to Queeen Street yesterday but there was a big white barrier up and a loud engine noise coming from there

[@spompey]

Finn Adie Did you find out what the noise was it could have been an unveiling of some kind? Mark

[@scottishtransport437]

+spompey I didn't

[@class170rocks9]

wow im glad you keeped this video

[@spompey]

+Class170Rocks Glad you liked it.....Mark

[@spompey]

as far as i know they all were employed on the waterloo - exeter st davids line and also appeared on RES services on dover - manchester TPO services, many succumbed to the red RES livery and were gradually withdrawn around 2002/03.

[@cedriclynch]

These 47/7s did indeed go to the London Waterloo - Exeter line, on which I travelled weekly between London and Honiton from 1990 to 2002. The locomotives were no longer used in push-pull, they were put on the front of the trains. One, 47706, kept the ScotRail colours but not the logo. Some kept the names from ScotRail: Saint Cuthbert, Holyrood, Haymarket, Duke of Edinburgh's Award; some had their names removed, and some were given new names: Old Oak Common Traction and Rolling Stock Depot, The Queen Mother, Templecombe, Capital Radio's Help a London Child, Lady Diana Spencer. Most were repainted in the Network South East colours, a few in Post Office red. There were a number of other Class 47s on the line, and also a few Class 33s the use of which on an 8 or 9 coach train would result in a late arrival. After a few years they were replaced on the London to Exeter route by the Class 159 diesel multiple units, that still run this line now and are so well maintained that you wouldn't guess how old they are.

[@spompey]

Many thanks Cedric for the info.....Have a great new year and best wishes....Mark

[@orion1983uk]

Nice video, thanks for uploading. It's a real shame they didn't keep the Class 47 coach hauled trains for the likes of Inverness and Dundee/Aberdeen runs. While I have nothing against the Class 170 DMUs, the coach hauled traines must have been so much more comfortable for those longer distance services. Oh and the infamous Class 47/7's used for the express push-pull service between Glasgow and Edinburgh :-)

[@Pmjs]

A Push Pull replaced by 158 with 2 or 4 coaches. No wonder it was standing room only on the 158s at Peak times.

[@spompey]

I agree ,as like so many services, summer peak times on the North Wales Routes for example, Ridiculously cramped....Reading to Penzance via Bristol in the 90s, begs wondering if anyone endured the 7 hour 2 car sprinter ride.....many thanks for the comment....Mark

[@Pmjs]

I used to work E&G 47 Push Pulls also HSTs the platforms were too short!

[@spompey]

Were you a driver or a guard? I was based at Perth so we never got to work those services but did work the E to Inverness and G to Inverness/Aberdeen services. We may have shared the same messroom maybe. Many thanks for the comment and for watching.....best regards.....Mark

[@Pmjs]

+spompey I was a shunter then a guard. I used to couple 26s,37s,47s&56s on&off train's at Craigentinny.I loved working the Caledonian sleepers to Carlisle as we had 86s 87s 90s& from Edin to Abdn with my fav loco the 47s.

[@spompey]

Yes indeed good old loco hauled days, we used to do a lot of banking out of Queen St through the tunnel, great with a class 40......aah what memories.......many thanks ........Mark

[@dvidclapperton]

Class 37's and mark 2 carriages with the opening windows would have been better on the West Highland line than class 156's.

[@johnclements8534]

They are the real scotrail trains

[@nigelsmith6907]

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE OLD DIESEL LOCOS PULLING PASSENGER TRAINS IN GLASGOW BUT THE LAD DRIVING SEEMSSO YOUNG BUT GOOD

[@spompey]

+NIGEL SMITH your very welcome Nigel.....Mark

[@spompey]

Thanks Keith for your sub

[@lefthand84]

I'd hate to be driving the back end of one of those push/pulls knowing I had a big old 47 at the other end!

[@spompey]

It was nice and quiet with the loco at the back though, i'd prefer to be with the loco personally.......best wishes......you may like to watch the updated version of this video.....Mark

[@johnclements8534]

These were the days when you had 3 trains a day from Inverness to London instead of 2 le the clansman Inverness to London euston via cumbernauld coatbridge cental and motherwell and the Highland chieftain to King's x then the night sleeper to euston

[@playpaulbee]

nice to see 37012 sadly without her "Loch Rannoch" nameplates

[@spompey]

Many thanks Paul and yes sadly 37012 minus her plates.....Mark

[@Image_72]

Superb videos. Those were THEE days !

[@TheHairybaz]

canna beat a 47 pullin oot! love that scotrail livery

[@spompey]

Glad you enjoyed the video....cheers and Happy New Year......Mark

[@SalakSelatan]

What a smoke! We never had this in Switzerland as our railway has been electrified from the begining.

[@spompey]

+SalakSelatan I am not sure why the U.K was so slow to adopt the overhead system..... I loved the Swiss railway system it was so clean........Mark

[@tsangpogorge]

+spompey the discovery of North Sea oil probably made a difference.

[@iainmaturin8460]

nice video - I have a couple of boxes of slides taken at Polmadie and Eastfield back in the late 70's if you are interested.yes I know I'm showing my age

[@spompey]

Eastfield would be interesting to me as I worked into Eastfield as a Driver's Assistant back in the 70s, now I am showing my age too!!.....Many thanks again Iain.......Mark

[@iainmaturin8460]

Hi Mark, They are at my mothers back in Surrey, Ill dig them out hopefully, and if there Ok we can exchange details and I would be happy to post them on to you. I don't want anything for them by the wayregards Iain

[@spompey]

iain maturin That would be fantastic Iain, much regards to you....Mark

[@angelahamilton1980]

oh wow now i feel old lol. i was 6. yikes

[@spompey]

Thanks for the comment Angela..... Hey how do think I feel.....pretty damn ancient... Glad you enjoyed the clip. Mark

[@angelahamilton1980]

spompey would be great to see Engines like this again. I think they should run special services using them once a week or even once a month.

[@spompey]

angela hamilton I agree totally, replace all the DMU's with Engine & Coaches.

[@spompey]

Probably because they're cheap and nasty ( the sprinters that is not the mk3 or mk2 ) long gone have the days of the even better mk 1 s. More nostalgia to follow, unfortunately i have recently been the victim of a break in and have had many items stolen such as DVD and camera equipment, so am waiting for replacements and the Police have been USELESS and basically Unreasonable.

[@spompey]

Many thanks for your kind comment, glad to have been able to take you down memory lane a little. I do have a slight fondness for the 150s with their oh so evocative slab front ends with the same aerodynamics that of a dinner plate!!.