DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Glasgow - Largs
DMUs were introduced to these services in 1960, along with Glasgow - Girvan and Stranraer. Many different types of DMUs were used allocated to Ayr, Corkerhill and Hamilton.
Services ran from Glasgow St Enoch station until it closed in June 1966 when they were transferred to Glasgow Central.
The DMUs were replaced by EMUs upon electrification in January 1987.
Sample Timetables
The service was included in the timetable for Glasgow - Ayr and Stranraer.
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
August 1967
Two Met-Camms sets at Lochwinnoch in August 1967, with Largs to Glasgow train diverted from main line due to engineering works. The leading car is painted in rail blue with just a small yellow panel, the car behind has a first class stripe and still seems to be in green. Corriebob.
1969
A Met-Camm power-trailer and a Derby suburban triple at Dalgarven, near Kilwinning, with a train for Largs in 1969. The line had just been reduced from 4 track to 2. Corriebob.
June 1969
A Swindon Inter-City DMU is seen heading for Largs in June 1969. It is about to pass Dalgarven signal box, closed and in the course of demolition. Corriebob.
April 1977
A Class 107 set in Largs station in April 1977. Alan Rintoul.
14th May 1977
Several Class 107 DMUs seen in Largs station on 14 May 1977. Ian 10B.
11th June 1977
Largs station has many DMUs in this view on June 11th, 1977. Most of them are 107s, second from the left is a 116. The 20s (002 and 122) are on an excursion from Largs. Image by A. Wilson. Gordon Thomson.
27th August 1977
Largs station on 27 August 1977 contains a Class 116 (right - set 162, SC50899) and a Class 107 (left, set 146, SC52000). Tom Burnham.
27th August 1977
At Fairlie (High) station on 27 August 1977 Class 107 DMU sets 131 and 138 are working the 17.55 Largs to Glasgow train. On the left is a crane used for transferring nuclear fuel flasks from road to rail (it was labelled safe working load 53t 6cwt). This work would later be transferred to Hunterston Causeway Sidings on the low level branch. Tom Burnham.
18th May 1978
Class 107 set 132 passes 303066 on it's departure from Glasgow Central with a Largs service on May 18, 1978. Rex Holt.
4th October 1978
A class 107 Dmu waits to leave Largs for Glasgow Central on 4/10/78. It appears recently ex-works, with the cab front set number covered over, yet it carries number 152 in a cab window. Stephen Burdett.
1979
Class 107 set 154 (with 52008 closest) awaits departure at Largs station in 1979, the pre-electrification era. John Law.
1978
A mixed-livery Class 107 and Class 131 55014 in Largs station in 1978. John Law.
circa 1979
Swindon 3-car "Intercity" Class 126 DMU 126418 (DMS SC51025 nearest camera) at Largs with a train for Glasgow Central - c.1979. 53A Models of Hull Collection.
18th August 1979
Class 107 set 155 in Glasgow Central 18/08/1979. Destination Largs. Alistair Logie.
1980
A six-car formation on a Largs service, with a Class 116 set (possibly 116388) leading a 107, seen at Johnstone in the early 1980s. Andrew McConnell.
December 1980
Largs station in December 1980 and a six car 107 set departs for Glasgow on a typically dreich afternoon. At that stage, Largs still had three platform faces - Platform 1 nearest with the Derby Heavyweight departing from Platform 2. Platform 3 is behind the DMU. Note the 'running in board' in the middle of the platform and the signal box beyond the road bridge. Despite the three platforms the station throat was rationalised some years previously. The signal box burned down in the mid eighties, before electrification and further track rationslisation. Today, Largs has two platform faces (what were Platforms 2 and 3) at the end of what is effectively a single track electric branch from Ardrossan South Beach. alicia hartman.
December 1980
Metro Cammell Set 177 with Ayr Depot sticker at the stops as part of a six car set at Largs station in December 1980. Platform 1 is to the very left whilst Platform 3 is on the right. The sign hanging adjacent to the 'Platform 2' probably faces drivers warning them to stop here due to the impending platform ramp. Note the passenger luggage trollies on the platform - perhaps put to good use in summer months with holiday makers bound for the Isle of Cumbrae and Millport! The lattice footbridge in the background merely crossed the station and there was no access to or from the platforms. alicia hartman.
December 1980
Largs Station on a very dreich day, December 1980 and Metro Cammell 101 units at Platform 2. The DMU at the stops is probably Set 177. Platform 3 is in the foreground and both are still extant (but re-numbered). However, the then Platform 1 did not survive rationalisation during electrification. The brick station building beyond the buffer stops did survive electrification but was demolished later by an errant ECS Class 318 EMU one morning in July 1995. A replacement station building was eventually constructed behind the DMU on Platform 2. The station canopies also survived electrification but are now long gone. alicia hartman.
circa 1981
A Class 120/101 hybrid set with a refurbished Met-Camm departs Fairlie High station en route to Largs circa 1981. It's an ex-Inverness DMS, of which two were at Ayr at the time. It is probably 51794 rather than '89, as it was noted working with 59680 + 51470 in February 1981. Andrew McConnell.
circa 1981
DMU set 343 with SC51795 leading departs from Glasgow Central for Largs circa 1981. Class 101 DMBS SC51795 leads, the centre car is a Met-Camm and the rear car a Class 107 DMSL. Paul Redmond.