1959 : A brand new class 126 unit leaves Newton on Ayr station
on a test run prior to full introduction of the units
on services from Glasgow to Ayr and Stranraer.
A uniquely historic Scottish Diesel train will be restored to original condition as shown above with your support.
With grant aid from the Heritage Lottery Fund, matched with public support, the Scottish Railway Preservation Society aims to complete restoration of three historic rail vehicles allowing them to carry passengers in public service once more on the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.
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Not 1959, but 2004...
One of the SRPS vehicles has now been restored to (almost) original condition and is seen here 'on tour' at the Railcar 50 event on the Severn Valley Railway in October 2004, celebrating 50 years since the introduction of the first modernisation plan DMUs.
The full three-car set can be restored with your support.
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Historical significance of this train
2003 saw the end of an era on Scottish railways, with the final examples of first generation Diesel multiple unit trains finally ending operations in favour of newer Sprinter type units. With the run-down of these types over the years, it is difficult to imagine the revolutionary impact the new trains must have made upon introduction. The colourful interior design with bright, contemporary fabrics was revolutionary at the time and represented a major improvement in comfort to the travelling public of the day.
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Contemporary advertisement for an exhibition of the new diesel trains prior to introduction on the premier Edinburgh to Glasgow (Queen Street) services.
(British Railways Poster)
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The class 126 Inter City DMU
The class 126 was one of the first types of DMU to be introduced: The class was a high specification type for inter city use and was used on the premier Scottish Region service from Glasgow to Edinburgh. The quick 'turn around' allowed by the Diesel Multiple Unit concept revolutionised services. Later units (of which the SRPS unit is one), were specially built for services from Glasgow to Ayrshire and Stranraer.
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