Info: This section of the west Highland line is a 60 mile route, starting in the urban glasgow city centre, and making its way out beside the Clyde, before turning off towards the Highland. Most services would take around 2 hours to complete, although services on the Anniesland branch would take only around 20 minutes. Service examples: 2w66 16:28 Anniesland-Glasgow Queen street Calls at: Kelvindale (16:31), Summerston (16:34) Gillshochill (16:36) Possilpark & parkhouse (16:38) Ashfield (16:41) Glasgow Queen street (16:48) Time taken: 20 minutes Operated by: Class 156, class 158, class 170. (Single sets only) 1Y21 08:21 Glasgow Queen street to oban and mallaig Calls at: Dalmuir (08:40) Dumbarton central (08:52) Helensburgh Upper (09:05) Garelochead (09:18) Arrochar and Tarbet (09:37) Ardlui (09:51) Crianlarich (10:07) Time taken: 1 hour 49 minutes Operated by: Class 156, may occasionally have a Highland explorer 153 attatched. 2F21 11:41 Cumbernauld to dalmuir Calls at: Westerton (start) 11:41, Drumchapel (11:44) Drumry (11:46) Singer (11:48) Dalmuir (11:51) Time taken: 10 minutes Operated by: Class 314 (stand in for 318 and 320) Rolling stock and DLC: Class 156 The class 156 is a 2 car diesel multiple unit with a 75mph top speed, this unit would operate most services to crianlarich and some to Anniesland. Layers: Cathcart circle (AI/Depot moves) Edinburgh glasgow (AI and depot moves) Fife circle (Substitutions only) Class 153 (Highland explorer) These single car DMUs are in use with scotrail for increased bicycle capacity on some Highland line services, which are coupled to the 156s. The smaller cabs are not used outside of depot movements. Layers: Edinburgh glasgow, (AI, depot moves) Layers (in) Class 158 The scotrail class 158 would operate most services on the Anniesland branch, as well as being driveable to eastfield depot, and AI mainline services. Class 170 The class 170 may substitute on Anniesland services occasionally, as well as depot moves and AI mainline services. Class 66 The class 66 would operate some freight around the route (potentially including a new GBRF livery.) Class 385 The class 385 would be AI only around the Queen street area, and eastfield depot. Class 314 Although the 314 was withdrawn by the time this route was set, it would substitute on services operated by class 318 and 320s to increase variety. Class 37 The class 37 would operate a mk1 hauled railtour along the full length of the route. Overall: Being one of the most famous and scenic routes in the world, if the scenery and Rolling stock are done right it could be one of the best selling routes available, as well as providing more variety to the other Scottish routes.
I believe the line uses semaphore signals after Dumbarton central as well as an RETB token system for the single track sections.. Beautiful line. Would love to see this! Great suggestion!
Never been there but would be nice to travel through the homeland of the dog breed I grew up with, the West Highland White Terrier. Could you add some photos of the scenery?
This route would complete Scotrail's diesel division. A spectacular journey through wild Scotland! Count on me for this! PS. The Caledonian Sleeper is also present here, don't forget it!
You can link the address of pictures on other websites instead of uploading them. Or you could make a second post.
Good shout as that is the busiest section, but personally I think better set in the loco hauled era with 27’s and Mark Ones when there was also much more freight about. Or @1983 in the transition to 37’s. The issue with the 156 or 153 is the relatively restricted view out the cab window would be wasted on a scenic route like this.
