Dunblane
Fans of classic diesel haulage in Scotland found the 1990s increasingly disappointing as a new generation of DMUs took over most loco-hauled passenger duties, and freight services became scarce. Then, in Spring 1999, shortly after EWS took charge of UK freight services, there was a minor miracle. Parts of the Scottish system suddenly took on the character of a busy heritage railway as Classes 37 (often paired), 47 and 56 started to appear frequently on freight duties. There was a 1970s feel too, in that many of the locos were in poor external condition and still bearing obsolete liveries. This photo shows a typical working heading south through Dunblane Laighills during the afternoon of 30th April 1999. Lead loco is 37 678 and the second is 37 682 “Hartlepool Pipe Mill”. As seen here, short formations were common, so it was no surprise when this diesel “swansong” soon faded away, presumably as consolidation of services and routes took place. EWS purchased new Class 66 locos to replace most of the veterans. The two locos recorded here have not survived.
Location: Dunblane
Original line: Scottish Central Railway
Photographer: Mark Dufton
Contact photographer: Mark Dufton
Date: 30/04/1999
Image number: 83931
Other photographs of Dunblane on RailScot
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