Open Days

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A Historic list of Public Events in Scotland with Rolling Stock displays.
Click the year for more details.

Aberdeen 1981 & 1992
Ayr 1983 & 1985
Bathgate 1986
Glasgow Eastfield MPD 1972
Glasgow Central 1959 & 1979
Glasgow Shields Road 1978
Glasgow Works 1973, 1975 & 1981
Edinburgh Haymarket MPD 1977 & 1985
Inverness 1986
Kilmarnock 1988
Longannet 1992
Maxwell Park 1993
Methil 1991
Oban 1985
Perth 1985
Stirling 1972 & 1973



Polmadie: Saturday 16th September 2000
At Glasgow Train Care Centre, celebrating 125 Years of Polmadie Depot.

Exhibits included preserved locos brought from Bo'ness:
  • Steam locos 65243 Maude, 80105,
  • Diesels Class 20 D8020, 25235, 26004, 27001 and 50021 Rodney.
Main line stock on display included:
<Some photos>
<YouTube Video>


Maxwell Park Station: Sunday 20th June 1993
Marking the restoration of the station.
Locos present were: BR Green 26001 Eastfield, RR ScotRail 37427 Highland Enterprise, Res red 90017 and Blue EMU 303048.


Aberdeen Station: 4th-8th November 1992
Celebrating 125th Anniversary of Aberdeen Joint Station.
Diesel locos Present: Class 55 D9016 'Gordon Highlander' Class 26 D5301 'Eastfield' <Photo>
Steam Loco: 60009 Union of South Africa <Photo>
InterCity loco 37251 named 'Northern Lights' on 4/11/92 <Photo>


Longannet Power Station: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 1992
On display were:
Diesel:
37694 The Lass of Ballochmyle, 56089 Ferrybridge 'C' Power Station, 60076 Suilven, RH 0-4-0DE Shunter <Photo>
Steam: 60009 Union of South Africa.
A shuttle service operated between Culross and Longannet top and tail with diesel 26007, and steam 44871 Sovereign. <Photo>



Methil Power Station 28 September 1991
On Display: 37694 The Lass of Ballochmyle, 56094, 60021 Pen-y-ghent
Steam 44871 Sovereign, 0-4-0T Clydesmill No.3 <Photo>


Kilmarnock: Sunday 11th September 1988
To promote the introduction of Class 156 Super Sprinter trains on the South West Scotland routes.
47604 Women's Royal Voluntary Service, 37423 Sir Murray Morrison, 26005, 20208, 08735, 20211, 26024.
DMU 141111.
Steam: LMS 5407, NCB No.10 (0-4-0ST)
47283 named Johnnie Walker at station.
EMU 318258 in Kilmarnock Station
156434 and 156436 on Ayr - Kilmarnock shuttles
<Photos>


Inverness: Saturday 28th June 1986
On display in the Carriage Maintenance shed:
47541 'The Queen Mother', 08717, 26038, 37421.
Snowblower ADB968500 + Support vehicles, Snowplough ADB965198
On display in Sidings:
D9000 Royal Scots Grey (green), 60009 Union of South Africa
Various Engineers machines including Tamper DR73227, TASC DX68501, Crane ADRC81546, BRUFF C959 YOR.
Stock in Station (Platform 5) including TPO van, ScotRail Mk3, and Sleeper coach.
37420 named The Scottish Hosteller at the station.
NBR 673 Maude and 2 CR coaches in platform 7.
40122 (and 37154) arrived on Railtour <Photo>
<Photos>, <Various Photos>
<Photos>.
<Photo of D9000 and 60009>, <Video>


Bathgate: Sunday 23 March 1986
Marking the reopening to passengers of the Bathgate - Edinburgh line, on 24th March.
Exhibits: 08764, 20227, 26040, 37310 British Steel Ravenscraig, 37401 Mary Queen of Scots, D9000 (Green) Royal Scots Grey,
DMU 143006, Mk3 TSO (ScotRail), Mk3 Sleeper.
Steam 60009 Union of South Africa,
NBR 673 Maude on 2-coach shuttle train to Livingston North..


Ayr Townhead depot: Saturday August 31 1985
Opening of new depot ahead of electrification.
Locos: 08693, 20089, 26010, 37401, 81008.
DMU: Class 107 52033/59806/52001. Mk 1 RMB Coach 1871.
EMUs: 303001 (original blue), 314210 (Strathclyde Orange)
<Photo link>
At Ayr station, 60009 Union of South Africa, was in steam at Platform 2.
44767 George Stephenson worked a railtour from Edinburgh to Ayr, then Ayr - Kilmarnock - Ayr, and Ayr - Kilmarnock.


Haymarket Depot: Saturday 24th and Sunday 25 August 1985
Exhibits: 37114 Dunrobin Castle, 37401 (unnamed), 40122, 9000 Royal Scots Grey, 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier,
20093, 26010, 31438, 58016, 81008
DMU 107436 (Strathclyde Transport orange)
97250 ETHEL 1 + Mk3 Sleeper, ADB968500 (Snowblower), RM62 Ballast cleaner.
Steam: 44767 George Stephenson, NBR 673 Maude, 60009 Union of South Africa, 0-4-0ST Lord Mayor (from KWVR)
Loco 47715 was named Haymarket
Other locos on depot included: 08764, 08881, 27040, 27052, 47614
Waverley - Depot shuttle: Sprinter 150 001, and 47716 Duke of Edinburgh's Award with 4-coach Push-pull set.
50030 Repulse stabled at depot on Sunday between railtour workings.
<Souvenir Programme>


Oban: Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 1985
37188 was named Jimmy Shand.
Other rolling stock: 20089, 27038, 37190, 97250 ETHEL 1, Mk3 Sleeper 10610
DMU 104325 (the Mexican Bean)
26027+26036 and 27054+27207 visited on railtours.


Perth: Saturday 13th April 1985
Yard: 20078, 27052, 47546, 9000 Royal Scots Grey, ADB968500 (Snowblower).
Steam LMS 5690 Leander, 60009 Union of South Africa (arrived on Railtour)
<Photo>, <Photo>, <Photo>,
Station: 37262, 97250 ETHEL 1, 08753 (with face) Kinnoull Kid
Station - Yard shuttle: 47708 Waverley with 4-coach Push-pull set.
Steam 44767 George Stephenson arrived on Railtour.
<Photo>, <Photo>


Ayr Depot : Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th October 1983
Ayr Railfair, celebrating the start of the Ayrshire Electrification Project.
Locos: 08855, 20069, 20146, 20146, 20189, 26025, 37081 Loch Long, 40122 (green), 47593 Galloway Princess, 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (green), 87006 City of Glasgow.
EMU 314211 (Strathclyde Orange).
Steam: 60009 Union of South Africa, LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman, 46229 Dutchess of Hamilton, NBR 673 Maude, replica of Sans Pareil.
Also Present: 08345, 08446, 20156, 20204, 27049 plus various DMU sets.
60009 arrived on Saturday with railtour from Edinburgh, and departed back to Edinburgh on Sunday. 46229 arrived late on Saturday night.
EMU 317335 present at Ayr station from Friday 28th. <Photo>


Glasgow Works: Saturday 27th June 1981
Marking the Garnkirk and Glasgow Railway 150th Anniversary, and St. Rollox Works 125th Anniversary
  • On display: 37027 (yellow cabsides), 81013, preserved diesel 44008 Penyghent, APT 370006, EMU 314201.
  • Steam: 60009 Union of South Africa, LNER 246 Morayshire.
  • LMS 5025 and NBR 673 on steam specials to/from the Works.
  • Other locos present: 08721, 08727, 08735, 20135, 20138, 20153, 20207, 20219, 20224, 25072, 26001, 26004, 26030, 26035, 26046, 27007, 27018, 27023, 27028, 27041, 27106 (27050), 27112 (27056), 27206, 47703 Saint Mungo.
  • Withdrawn Locos: 08077, 08314, 08279, 25068, 26016 (cab only), 26022 (partly cut), 27009, 27044, 27202.
  • (A HST set with one powercar may have been present).
  • <Photos>, <Photos>,< Photos>,< Photos>
  • <Leaflet>


Aberdeen Ferryhill TMD: Saturday 30th May 1981
To mark the start of the HST Flying Scotsman service from Aberdeen.
On display: HST power car 43113, 55002 (green) King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantary <Photo>, 60009 Union of South Africa. <Photo>
<Video>



Glasgow Central: Sunday 5th August 1979
Celebrating 100 years of Glasgow Central station
At Platform 9: Steam loco Caledonian 0-4-4T 419, VTG ferry wagon, TEA tank bogie wagon, old BP tank wagon, Class 107 DMU.
At Platform 10: 87006 City of Glasgow, EMU 314201, short APT set 370001/2 including Sc48102 & Sc48101
<Photos>, <Photos>


Shields Electric Traction Depot: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September 1978
Steam: CR 419, NBR 673 Maude, Stephenson's Locomotion replica
Diesel: 08402, 27014, 40151, 47037, 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier
HST production set 254007
HST prototype power car 43001 <Photo>
APT half set 370001 with power car 49003 City of Derby
<Photo of HST 254007 + APT 370001>,
<Photo of CR 419>, <Photo of 673>, <Photo of 43001>
<Photo of 55019>, <Open day leaflet>
<Open day site map>


Haymarket Depot: Saturday 24th September 1977
Diesel: 08881, 25237, 26007, 27202, 40061, 40080, 47271, 55022
HST set 254002 (E43058/59, E40031, E40513 E41058/72, 42115/7)
Electric: 87001 Royal Scot
DMU class 101 set 176 with GG(PTE) branding
Steam:60009 Union of South Africa, replica Locomotion
<Souvenir Programme>, <Photo>, <Photo of HST>


Glasgow Works: Saturday 17th May 1975
Diesels on display: 06001, 26036, 47269 <Photo>
Steam:60009 Union of South Africa <Photo>
(twenty three withdrawn Class 17 locos stored in the Yard)
Also on display: Caledonian Saloon 41, Breakdown crane.


Inverness Depot - Railfair 1973: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June 1973
Diesel: Class 55 9004 Queen's Own Highlander (loco originally named at Inverness), Class 40 367 and a Class 08.
Electric: 84005, Class 303 set 063.
Steam: 60009 Union of South Africa
<Photo>, <Photo>


Glasgow Works: Saturday 12th May 1973
On Display outside:
Steam CR 419, Class 55 9010 The King's Own Scottish Borderer, and Electric 84005
Inside the works were 368, 3416, 3730, 5019, 5127/57/78, 5343, 5358/68/85, 8096, 8120, 8319 and 8325.
<Photos>


Stirling Station - Steam Fair, Saturday 28th April 1973
Steam CR 419 (on shuttle with LMS & CR coaches), and late arrival 60009 Union of South Africa.
<Photo>


Eastfield Depot - Railfair 1972: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September 1972
On display on the Glasgow side: Class 55 9021 'Argyll & Sutherland Highlander', Class 27 5362, Class 37 6848, class 47 1969 (BR Green), Class 20 8004, Class 08 3416. Independent Snowplough No.1. <Photo>
Electric 83005, Steam CR 419 <Photo>.
<Photo>, <Photo>
<Open Day Programme>


Stirling Station - SRPS Open Day: Saturday 22nd April 1972
Steam CR 419, Clydesmill No.3 (locos arrived from Falkirk under own steam previous day)
<Photo 1><Photo 2>


Glasgow Central: 3rd to 19th September 1959
In association with the Scottish Industries Exhibition held in Kelvin Hall, British Railways had a selection of Modern rolling stock on display in platforms 5 & 6 at Glasgow Central Station, including:
Class 26 D5329 with freight wagons <Photo>
Class 303 EMU set 004
Wickham Railbus Sc79969 <Photo>
An "Ayr Diesel vehicle" Presumably from a Class 126 DMU was also reported as present.
<Brochure>

See Also

External Links