| | The Strathmore route, Stanley Junction to Kinnaber Junction, is one of the few main lines in Britain to have closed completely. The line is remembered with great affection as the last stamping ground of Sir Nigel Gresley's magnificent 'A4' Pacifics which worked the tightly timed Glasgow-Aberdeen 3-hour expresses. Forfar was the principal population centre on the route. In contrast with the high speed runs on the main line are the sleepy branch lines to such places as Blairgowrie, Alyth, Newtyle, Kirriemuir, Brechin and through Kingsmuir to Dundee. The story is illustrated using film from the 1930s to the 1980s, although 1960s footage predominates, maps, the occasional photograph and 'then and now' scenes are included on a journey south from Aberdeen to Perth with a look at the various branches along the way. Contents:
- One of the few mainlines in Britain to have completely closed. the Strathmore route. between Stanley Junction and Kinnaber Junction. is remembered with affection by many as last stamping ground of the A4s on the Glasgow - Aberden three hour expresses. With the exception of Forfar. the line passed through little civilisation, a fast direct route being chosen as the final section of the West Coast Mainline to Aberdeen. The branch lines built to serve towns in the foothills and on the coast offer a complete contrast to the high speed runs on the mainline.
- After a brief introduction to the Caledonian Railway our programme starts at Aberdeen, the Northern outpost of the Caley. Scenes from the 1930s. 1950s and 1960s include action at the joint station and on shed at Ferryhill where A4 and V2 preperation is undertaken. We continue South along the coast through Stonehaven and Kinnaber Junction to Bridge of Dun, now the Eastern Terminus of the Caledonian Railway.
- Scenes are principally from the 1960s. in colour and black & white, lineside footage is intercut with an A4 cab ride.
- Maps, an informed narration, and ‘then and now` scenes combine with the archive.
- The regular J37 worked Brechin freight and the last train to the city are included as we visit the branches to Brechin. Edzell and Montrose.
- We rejoin the mainline to Forfar pausing at Glasterlaw to view the last down passenger train in 1967. 1960s scenes on Forfar shed are followed by 1930s views, including a 4-4-0 still in Caledonian livery.
- In 1980 we pass through the station on one of the last passenger trains to visit Forfar before complete closure of the then truncated Strathmore line. We continue to Arbroath. along the D & A Joint and back to Forfar via Kingsmuir.
- Among the highlights is a classic sequence of a Lambie 4-4-0T shunting al Arbroath as an NB Reid Atlantic passes.
- Freight action at Kingsmuir with a B1, and snow scenes at Forfar in 1961 continue with a cab ride in a Pickersgill 4-4-0 on the truncated Forfar - Brechin route as far as Careston.
- A4s· a Royal Scot. Black 5 and a Standard 5 illustrate everyday services in the 1960s before we continue to Perth along the mainline, diverging with each of the branches en route.
- Locations include Kirriemuir Junction, Kirriemuir, Glamis, Eassie, Alyth Junction, Newtyle (Old), Meigle, Alyth, Coupar Angus, Rosemount, Blairgowrie, Cargill, Stanley Junction, Strathord, Bankfoot, Luncarty and Perth.
Continent: Europe
Country: UK | | Tag cloud: caledonian aberdeen strathmore stanley kinnaber gresley pacifics glasgow-aberdeen 3-hour forfar sleepy blairgowrie alyth newtyle kirriemuir brechin kingsmuir dundee perth glasgow aberden outpost caley ferryhill terminus intercut edzell montrose glasterlaw arbroath lambie 4-4-0t snow pickersgill careston a4s· scot glamis eassie meigle coupar angus rosemount cargill strathord bankfoot | Tell a friend about this publication  |
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