Bo'ness Railway Visit

A while since I'd been though to Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway but there were a few attractions this weekend.

Class J94 (68007) had her first outing in her new colour of black so that was the first treat of the day.

'Royal Scots Grey' diesel locomotive (55 022) was having her final run before she heads down to be stabled at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and was in the guise of 'Pinza' (55 007) so that was another treat on the day.

As always a nice friendly welcome by the volunteers and train crews, and the slightest whisper of a special guest putting in an appearance later in the month. Nothing confirmed as yet but we live in hope.

Hoping my guess is correct, and if so I'll be back through for yet another treat.

 Class J94 (68007) at Bo'ness Station

Class J94 Departing Bo'ness Station

'Royal Scots Grey' diesel locomotive (55 022) at Birkhill

 'Royal Scots Grey' diesel locomotive (55 022)

 'Morayshire' at Bo'ness

 Bo'ness Station

Class J94 (68007) Taking Water

 Bo'ness Station

Bo'ness Station Yard

 Class 47 diesel locomotive (47643) at Bo'ness 

Birkhill Station Waiting Room

Birkhill Station

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Flying Scotsman - NYMR Day One

First of the two day trip planned to see the Flying Scotsman.

Off to a bad start as Amey didn't open the motorway as per their schedule and their employee said it wasn't his problem. He also couldn't say when they would open the motorway so it was a lengthy detour around back roads, with a long drive ahead, and a schedule to meet.

However we had a fair run down after that and arrived in time to get to Pickering after checking in to our accommodation.

The NYMR was busy to say the least as everyone was keen to catch a glimpse of this iconic locomotive.

It was however mostly good natured and much banter amongst the crowds.

The volunteers on the line were also very helpful but a friend had a poor experience that blighted his day.

The diesel locomotive service had been cancelled so no way back to Pickering for three hours, and it was getting colder and colder.

NYMR organisation was very poor in dealing with situation. All day ticket travellers at intermediate stations were effectively abandoned with station staff making no effort to help.

The best they could offer was a number for a taxi - not even willing to make the call. As no mobile phone signal this was less than useless.

After a lot of pressure and debate they seemed to get a grip and stopped the Flying Scotsman at each intermediate station, and gave the stranded passengers a lift in the guard van.

What was also poor was that they deleted comments about the failure from their Facebook page - would have though an apology and recognition of the problem would have been the thing to do, not just ignore and censor.

Anyway, day two will follow.

'Flying Scotsman' at Pickering Level Crossing

 Levisham Station

 Class 37 Diesel (37264) approaching Levisham Station

'Flying Scotsman' approaching Goathland Station 


Class 37 Diesel (37264) approaching Levisham Station

'Flying Scotsman' approaching Goathland Station

Warm and Steamy Cab

 Stationary Locos at Grosmont Sheds

 'Flying Scotsman' approaching Levisham Station

'Flying Scotsman' approaching Levisham Station

 'Flying Scotsman' Cab

 'Flying Scotsman' at Goathland Station

 'Flying Scotsman' arriving at Goathland Station

Steam Locomotive Ex BR 76079 at Goathland Station

 76079 gets cleaned down for the night at the Grosmont Depot

Evening service with “Daisy” about to depart Grosmont Station

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

A1 Class Tornado Travels Scotland

The A1 class steam locomotive 'Tornado' is hauling rail tours in Scotland this month.

She was built by steam train enthusiasts in Darlington at a cost of £3m.

The original design was by Arthur H Peppercorn and forty-nine were built in the late forties by BR before being scrapped in the mid sixties.

Four tours are being run by Abellio ScotRail and yesterday was her Stirling to Inverness run.

So, a bit of chasing around the country to get a few images on a day that turned quite sunny was a lot of fun.

 Approaching Greenfaulds Station at Speed

Greenfaulds Station

Approaching Blackford 


At Blackford


Through Blackford 


Blackford Signal Box

Approaching Dunkeld & Birnam Station 

Tornado at Dunkeld & Birnam Station 


At Dunkeld & Birnam Station 

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway

A nice day trip through to Bo'ness today.

This was the first day of the trains running this season at Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.

National Coal Board (NCB) locomotive No 19 had her first trip out after the winter renovations and looked great.

Fortunate to see the 'Royal Scotsman' diesel locomotive as she departed, and also diesel locomotive 20 020 stationed at the platform in Bo'ness.

Birkhill station has had a makeover and change of colour scheme to the style of the 'Caledonian Railway' and the volunteers are to be commended for their hard work.

All in all a rewarding day and nice to see some familiar faces while chatting to the volunteers.


 NCB No19 approaching Kinneil Halt

 Diesel Locomotive '47851' at Bo'ness Station

 Diesel Locomotive 20 020 at  Bo'ness Station

 Steamin'

Bo'ness Station


Platform on Birkhill Station

 Birkhill Station

Timetable at Birkhill Station

 NCB No19 arriving at Birkhill Station

Arriving at Birkhill Station

 Smoke and Steam


Ready for Departure from Birkhill Station

 Uncoupling

Driver of NCB No19 at Bo'ness Station

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.