Taking Stock
Between
May 2013 and November 2014, Deltic locomotive 55 022 Royal Scots Grey
was used by GB Railfreight on a series of EMU stock moves between
Scotrail’s Yoker depot in Glasgow and the Brodie Engineering workshops
at Kilmarnock. Thanks to the co-operation of GBRf and Beaver Sports (the
locos owner), we were able to travel on board the Deltic-hauled 6V53 in
October 2014 which conveyed the 40th and final Class 334 unit for
refurbishment. The first stage of the journey is a circuitous and
complex trip around Glasgow, from north of the River Clyde to south of
the river. After setting off from Yoker depot, the Deltic heads along
the Argyle Line through Partick to Finnieston West Junction. Here, we
descend under the city on the Low Level Lines via Anderston, Glasgow
Central and Argyle Street.
This three-mile section of the journey has to be one of the most
bizarre cab sequences we have ever filmed. It includes an exhilarating
standing start from Exhibition Centre as the 6V53 waits for the train
ahead to clear the underground section, so the Deltic can get a clear
run without setting off any of the station’s smoke alarms!
After emerging at Dalmarnock, we cross the Clyde just before
Rutherglen North Junction where we take the short non-passenger carrying
spur to Rutherglen West Junction. We then briefly head along the West
Coast Main Line past Polmadie depot to Larkfield Junction, Terminus
Junction and Shields Junction. From there we join the busy ‘Paisley
Corridor’ section of the Ayr Line where 55 022 performs an overtaking
manoeuvre on a passenger service. Full power is applied under the
majestic glass roof of Paisley Gilmour Street station before continuing
through Milliken Park and Dalry to Kilwinning. There, we bear left and
head through Irvine to Barassie. Royal Scots Grey runs round its train
in Barassie yard before continuing over the delightful single-track
route through Gatehead to Kilmarnock. After reversing the EMU into the
Brodie yard, 55 022 performs a series of shunting moves prior to
departing with a refurbished 334 Scotrail EMU. The programme was filmed
on a fine autumn afternoon, and as a bonus, the Class 55 was ‘Wired
for Sound’ to fully capture the unique Napier sound. The post-BR
career of 55 022 has been truly remarkable and this programme is a
record of yet another chapter in the locomotive’s long and
distinguished history.
