Trains at Inverness 1986 + Journey to Aberdeen

Another dive into my Scotrail Archive from 1986, you get two for one this time with a look around Inverness Station with 37's & 47's on the move which is then followed by a Journey to Aberdeen with 47643, Once again apologies for the poor quality, this was taken from a 2nd generation VHS copy. I hope you will find it of interest. ( check out the line to Aberdeen as it is today on this:- • Inverness To Aberdeen )

[@aljonflavin6760]

Enjoyed film ,so busy and so much of the past thanks.

[@JR-SCOOT]

Good one Roy, enjoyed the trip from Inverness to Aberdeen and the variety of locos.

[@royharrison4122]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mikeuk4130]

A great selection of proper trains, thanks Roy. Good to see 37419, which I've seen recently in Norfolk wearing retro Intercity livery and named "Carl Haviland 1954 - 2012".

[@royharrison4122]

Glad you enjoyed it Mike

[@russellsawyer2742]

thanks for posting this great loco haulage and wonderful to see all the semaphores and the boxes. Made my eyes hurt a bit everyone looking like the Ready Brek advert but worth every bit!

[@royharrison4122]

Many thanks! Russell

[@bryannewman5012]

Great video Roy. Time rolls by, lots of changes, we’re still lucky to have some 47s and 37s running on the main line though out the system though.

[@royharrison4122]

Very true Bryan

[@luath5579]

An interesting video. It was interesting to see Huntly and Elgin stations (my Watt ancestors came from the former and went to Aberdeen University) and William Robertson, my 4 x great grandfather was Stationmaster at Elgin before becoming the Superintendent of the Line for the HR (based in the offices next to Inverness railway station).

[@royharrison4122]

Interesting!

[@ianmcclavin]

My first journey from Inverness to Aberdeen was loco-hauled in 1988 behind a Class 37. I did the Kyle of Lochalsh line and back loco-hauled that day too. The following year, Sprinters had encroached on both lines, so that was a "last chance" for loco-haulage for Kyle, although there were still some locos and stock around on this line. Ancient history now!!

[@royharrison4122]

So much as changed over the years, the Aberdeen line is unrecognizable now.

[@kevinfowkes2327]

From memory, Inverness-Aberdeen remained mostly loco-hauled at least through to late 1990 when the 158s started to arrive. The Kyle and Far North lines did partly switch to 156s in 1989 but this was complicated somewhat by the Inverness bridge collapse which cut off the line for quite some months, leaving a few locos stranded to the north. The real threshold year was 1991 by which time almost everything at Inverness was Sprinter except the Clansman, Highland Chieftain, sleepers and summer extras.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Saw title.clicked thumbs up. Then started to watch cus you know its gunna be quality reminiscing.....

[@royharrison4122]

Cheer's!

[@PerthMRC]

Roy another great video, no need to apologise about the vhs quality, give me a slightly grainy vhs train video from the 80s any day over an HD video of the current rail scene. Inspection saloon near the start at Inverness. Was involved in a long discussion on a modelling forum about whether or not it was used for passengers on the Kyle line or for engineer purposes only. In the end I think it was shown that for a period of time the inspection saloon was used for passengers. Later on a modified 101 DMU was used. The Inverness to Aberdeen line would not be my favourite line, but great locos and great liveries anyway. Both Inverness and Aberdeen were interesting Stations back in those days though. Thanks again for uploading.

[@royharrison4122]

Interesting Info, Thanks!

[@walthamwalker]

Health and safety absolute non existent Great video

[@royharrison4122]

Cheers!

[@edwinfitchett6033]

when I did that journey last (1977) class 26's did all the Inverness Aberdeen trains the Duffs hauled expresses South from Aberdeen

[@davidh2608]

Truly fascinating video and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it! Took me back to better days and happier, simpler times. I bet it is all DMU's now, no character like the loco hauled trains had.

[@kevinfowkes2327]

There is a great video somewhere on YT of a class 40 on a 1980s Transpennine express...I think at Huddersfield. Loads of comments beneath it similar to yours and others here, moaning that modern trains don't have any character any more. Towards the bottom is a comment from a rail industry insider: "Everybody would prefer a class 40 except the poor bugger who has to pay the bill". Essentially true here as well. Also note the low line speeds, clickety-clack track, and almost complete absence of (normal) passengers compared to what we are used to today.

[@benGBRf]

Very interesting video Roy. Scary its 35 years ago 😳

[@AndreiTupolev]

Remarkable that some of those locos are still running!

[@benGBRf]

@@AndreiTupolev definitely not complaining 😁

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

It brings me back memories for me

[@benGBRf]

@@madtrainspottermacrae6744 yes great times

[@madtrainspottermacrae6744]

I used to go out to whelchs bridge and back again

[@andrewbennett7756]

Proper locomotive work horses