DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Glasgow - Ayr
DMUs were introduced to these services from Monday 2nd November 1959, along with Glasgow - Girvan and Stranraer. Swindon Inter-City sets (Class 126s) allocated to Ayr depot were used.
Services ran from Glasgow St Enoch station until it closed in June 1966 when they were transferred to Glasgow Central.
The Class 126s were withdrawn in the early 1980s and a variety of different DMU types would then be used (101s, 104s, 105s, 107s, 116s, 120s etc) until electrification in September 1986.
Sample Timetables
13th June to 11th September 1960
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
12th September 1960 to 11th June 1961
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (5 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
15th June to 6th September 1964
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was Table 9 (4.5 mb pdf).
27 June 1966 until further notice
8" x 10"
Download (9mb PDF). 32 page booklet marking the transfer to Glasgow Central station.
Make the most of the fresh-Ayr coast
4" x 8 1/2"
A promotional leaflet for the Ayr coast service. Undated, the weekend events listed narrows it to 1971 or 1976, the style of the set number on the 107 suggests the former. The interior image is of a Class 126.
5 May 1975 to 1 May 1975
3 7/8" x 8 1/4"
A single-sided leaflet for travel between Largs and Ayr. These were not direct services, a change was required at Kilwinning.
2 May 1977 to 7 May 1978
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
8 May 1978 to 13 May 1979
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
14 May 1979 to 11 May 1980
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
12 May 1980 to 9 May 1981
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
1 June 1981 to 16 May 1982
2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
Images
3rd November 1959
An official British Railways image - "Glasgow - Ayr - Girvan Inter-City Diesel Train, In Ayr Station - Terminal Platform, 3/11/59". Courtesy of G&SWR Association. British Railways.
3rd November 1959
An official British Railways image - "Glasgow - Ayr - Girvan Inter-City Diesel Train (when new), crossing the River Ayr, 3/11/59". Courtesy of G&SWR Association. British Railways.
17th March 1961
The 11.0pm Glasgow - Ayr service (formed 51022 + 59392 + 51032) was involved in a sidelong collision with Clan 72001 'Clan Cameron' when departing from St Enoch. DMS 51022 is seen after the incident, it would be returned to traffic after repair. Unknown Newspaper.
May 1963
The 7.0pm St. Enoch to Ayr is seen at Hillington West in May 1963. The distants are for Cardonald box, and a steam train is behind on the down slow. Corriebob.
August 1963
A Swindon Inter-City formation enters Barassie station in August 1963 with a St Enoch - Ayr service. The two three-car sets contain a mix of 5xxxx and 79xxx series vehicles - the third vehicle in both sets have the van at the far end - next to the cab - meaning they are the earlier 1956 build. Corriebob.
15th June 1967
Two Swindon Inter-City sets pass through Arkleston Cutting on June 15th, 1967, with the 2.30pm from Glasgow Central to Ayr. Corriebob.
31st August 1973
The remains of Class 126 DMS Sc51011 are recovered at Bellahouston on 31 August 1973. It had been struck by an EMU the previous evening while working the 9:10pm Ayr – Glasgow Central service, the rear car of the DMU ending on top of the EMU (seen behind the cranes) which then caught fire. Unknown Newspaper.
September 1975
A Class 126 DMU heads out of Kilwinning station on an Ayr to Glasgow service in September 1975. Arnie Furniss.
26th February 1977
Swindon Inter-City centre car SC79479 in Ayr station on 26-02-77. Built as a TF(L), it is now a TC(L). Vincent Haworth.
April 1977
A Class 126 Swindon Inter-City set at Kilwinning with an Ayr - Glasgow Central working in April 1977. It is carrying set number 110 in the cab window. Alan Rintoul.
April 1977
A Swindon Inter-City Class 126 DMU at Kilwinning station in April 1977 with a Glasgow Central - Ayr service. Graeme Phillips Collection.
April 1977
Two Swindon Inter-City sets pass in Kilwinning station in April 1977, one bound for Glasgow Central, the other Ayr. Alan Rintoul.
August 1977
Forming a train for Glasgow Central, a BR Swindon 'Inter-City' (BR TOPS Class 126) makes a typically-smoky departure from Ayr Station during August 1977. The leading car is in plain blue livery, the second in blue/grey. Michael Laing.
1978
A Class 126 Swindon Inter-City set on the Ayr line arrives at Troon in 1978. John Law.
25th January 1978
Class 126 Swindon Inter-City DMU set 410 clatters into Ayr, working in from Glasgow on 25 January 1978. Kevin Lane.
17th April 1979
A Class 126 Swindon Inter-City DMU on an eastbound service at Johnstone on 17 April 1979. Jeremy Chapter.
17th April 1979
A westbound service seen at Johnstone on 17 April 1979 formed of a Class 126 DMU. Jeremy Chapter.
17th April 1979
Sc51037 at the front of a Class 126 DMU at Johnstone on 17 April 1979. Jeremy Chapter.
26th May 1979
Two Class 126 DMUs depart from Newton-on-Ayr station heading to Glasgow Central on 26 May 1979. Stuart Mackay Collection.
September 1979
SC51016 leading an Inter City DMU at Ayr, September 1979. The DMS on the left is Sc50936. Karel 1999.