Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway

Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
Legend
Bo'ness
Kinneil
Birkhill
Manuel Junction
Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line

The Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway is a heritage railway in Bo'ness, near Edinburgh, Scotland. It is operated by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS), and operates a total of over 5 miles of track (between Bo'ness and Manuel Junction, via Kinneil and Birkhill), virtually the entire Slamannan and Borrowstounness Railway that became part of the former North British Railway on the Firth of Forth. Bo'ness railway station is the nucleus of the planned Scottish Railway Museum.

The railway has three main stations and small halt:

A view of the railway at the Bo'ness end of the line in 1985

Steam locomotives

Most of the steam fleet have had major industrial careers in Scotland, but a few ex-mainline types are also in constant service.

Operational

Number & name Description History & current status Livery Owner(s) Date Photograph
No. 7. J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST Operational. War Department Green 1945
No. 62712 Morayshire LNER Class D49 4-4-0 Built in 1928 for secondary expresses thus allowing the withdrawal of her ageing North British Railway and North Eastern Railway counterparts. From out shop to withdrawal, Morayshire was a Scottish-based locomotive, working over the East Coast Mainline and the Waverley Route amongst others. During this time 246 was based at Perth, Haymarket and Dundee. When the London North Eastern Railway renumbered in 1946, 246 gave way to 2712, and when British Railways arrived on the scene a prefix of ‘6’ was added, giving Morayshire her final number of 62712. In 1958, 62712 was moved to Thornton where she carried on doing the jobs she was designed to do. After two years at Thornton, she was moved to Hawick where she remained until withdrawal in July 1961. In the engine's luck, a laundry in Edinburgh required a stationary boiler, so she was moved to Slateford to carry out this less than flattering task for such a locomotive and by this time Morayshire was the last remaining member of her class. Morayshire’s time spent as a stationary boiler undoubtedly saved her as in July 1962 Ian Fraser, who had worked on the class as a railwayman, stumbled upon the locomotive's existence. He quickly began negotiations with British Railways with a view to getting her moved to Dawsholm Shed in Glasgow, and eventually Inverurie Works. He succeeded, and in 1964 she was hauled from Dawsholm by D40 “Gordon Highlander” to Inverurie. She remained there until 1966 when she was officially donated to the Royal Scottish Museum (now National Museums Scotland). She was placed on displaye until 1974 when a loan agreement was reached that would see the Scottish Railway Preservation Society (SRPS), then based at Falkirk, restore her to working order. The SRPS carried out the overhaul to working condition for the first time in preservation, in time for the 50th Anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in August 1975. On return, she worked mainline specials until her boiler certificate expired in 1983. The locomotive was dismantled and overhaul was completed in 2003 in time for her to visit Doncaster works to celebrate their 100th anniversary. She then entered traffic on the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway in 2005 where the locomotive ran successfully as the main traffic engine until 2011, when she was withdrawn for a mid-life overhaul, which saw the tyres replaced and major work on the bottom half. She re-entered service in June 2012. As a result of the major work undertaken in 2011/12, it is hoped that when she next comes out of traffic in 2014 that the boiler will be the main focus whereas the bottom end will receive remedial attention. BR Lined Black. Museums Scotland 1928
No. 19. J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 19 was purchased by the railway from Comrie Colliery. She returned to service in March 2015 following overhaul. Boiler ticket expires in 2024. NCB Green 1954

Undergoing overhaul/restoration

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 1 Lord Roberts Neilson Reid 0-6-0T No. 1 was built by the former Glasgow-based company and was sold to Coltness Iron Company near Lanarkshire in 1902, and that year was named after a famous Field Marshal of the Victorian and early Edwardian eras. After many decades spent both in operation and in store, the National Coal Board acquired it for further duties in 1955. Major damage was the cause of withdrawal in 1968 and she was eventually donated to the SRPS for restoration and future use. Restoration was completed in 1996 and she became a fully licensed Thomas replica for events. She is currently at the start of a rapid heavy overhaul and is expected to be in service for mid 2015. Thomas the Tank Engine Blue. 1899
"Fair Maid of Foyers". 3ft gauge Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-4-0T Supplied new to Morrison & Mason, Bucknall. Undergoing restoration and will move to Fintown Railway, Co. Donegal, Ireland when complete. Lined Green 1899
No.419 (55189) Caledonian Railway 439 Class 0-4-4T Undergoing overhaul BR Lined Black - Will return to service in Caledonian Railway Perth blue. 1908
No. 17 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Undergoing restoration at Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. NCB 1950
No. 80105 BR standard class 4 tank 2-6-4T Undergoing overhaul (carried out by LOGS), boiler still in frames awaiting lifting. BR Lined Black with early crest. 1955

Stored/static

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 13 "Kelton Fell" William Baird & Co. 0-4-0ST On static display in the museum. NCB 1876
No. 42. (68095) NBR G Class (LNER Y9 Class) 0-4-0ST On static display in the museum. NBR Brown/Green 1887
"City of Aberdeen" Aberdeen Gas Works 0-4-0ST On loan to the Tanfield Railway. Blue 1887
No. 673 (65243) "Maude". North British Railway Class C (LNER Class J36) 0-6-0 Recently returned from the National Railway Museum in preparation for its overhaul to working order. BR Black 1891
No. 3 "Lady Victoria". Andrew Barclay 0-6-0ST Stored, awaiting restoration. Yellow 1916
No. 49 (62277) "Gordon Highlander". GNSR Class F (LNER Class D40) 4-4-0 On display in the museum, on loan from Glasgow Transport Museum. GNSR Green 1920
No. 6 "Lord King". Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST Awaiting overhaul. On static display during Day out with Thomas events. Currently painted as "Percy". 1926
No. 3 "Clyde's mill". Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Stored, awaiting restoration. Green 1928
"Lord Ashfield" Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-6-0 Fireless Locomotive Museum display. Red 1931
No. 4 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Stored, awaiting restoration. NCB Black 1937
No. 3 Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Stored, awaiting restoration. Blue 1937
ex-Wemyss Private Railway No. 20 Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T Awaiting a full-overhaul which could start once the Austerities are finished. W.P.R. Brown 1939
No. 45170 LMS Stanier Class 8F 2-8-0 Repatriated from Sivas in November 2010. Arrived at Bo'ness in November 2014 and currently awaiting restoration to working order. N/A 1942
No. 6. Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 Crane Tank On static display in the museum. Coalville Green 1942
No. 17. J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST Partially dismantled; no plans for a return to steam. 1943
No. 24. Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T Stored, awaiting restoration. 1953
No. 5. J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST Awaiting overhaul. 1955

Diesel/electric shunters

As with almost all of the preserved lines in Britain, diesel shunters are prominently used to move rolling stock and locomotives around the yard at Bo'ness.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
None Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engine Co. Ltd. 4w 0-4-0 Static display in the museum. Dark Blue 1940
No. 1 Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 Diesel-Mechanical Static display in the museum. Green 1941
None Ruston & Hornsby 4w Diesel-Mechanical 88DS 0-4-0 Stored/Static display N/A 1949
No. 7 Ruston & Hornsby 4w Diesel-Mechanical 88DS 0-4-0 Stored N/A 1949
No. P6687 Ruston and Hornsby 4w 0-4-0 Operational, regularly serves as a stock shunter. Green 1951
None Ruston & Hornsby Diesel-Mechanical 88DS 0-4-0 Operational. Green 1952
"Tiger" North British Locomotive Co. 4w 0-4-0DH Static display in the museum. Red 1954
"Texaco" No. 3 4w 0-4-0DM Operational at Scottish Vintage Bus Museum. Red 1958
Clyde Iron Works No. 1 4w 0-4-0DE Stored Green 1958
Clyde Iron Works No. 3 4w 0-4-0DE Stored Green 1958
No. D3558. BR 0-6-0 Class 08 Operational. BR Green 1958
No. D2767 BR 0-4-0 North British shunter Operational. BR Green 1960
No. 802 Ruston & Hornsby 4w 0-4-0DH Stored. N/A 1962
None Motor-rail Simplex 3ft 4w 0-4-0DM Stored Green 1970

Heritage diesels

Former main-line diesel locomotives are abundant on the Bo'ness Railway, and diesel galas are held each year.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 20020 BR Bo-Bo Class 20 Operational. BR Blue 1959
No. 25235 BR Bo-Bo Class 25 Operational (restricted to yard use only). BR Blue 1964
No. 26004 BR Bo-Bo Class 26 Stored awaiting disposal Railfreight Coal Sector 1958 ~
No. 26024 BR Bo-Bo Class 26 Operational. BR Blue 1959 ~
No. 27001 BR Bo-Bo Class 27 Operational. BR Blue (rusted and faded) 1961
No. 27005/D5351 BR Bo-Bo Class 27 Static exhibit in the museum. BR Blue 1962
No. 37025 "Inverness TMD" BR Co-Co Class 37 Undergoing wheel set change. BR Blue, Large Logo 1961 ~
No. 37175 "W.S. Sellar" BR Co-Co Class 37 Operational. BR Blue, Large Logo 1963
No. 37401 "Mary Queen of Scots" BR Co-Co Class 37 Operational. BR Large Logo ~
No. D6607 "Ben Cruachan" BR Co-Co Class 37 Undergoing restoration. BR Green 1965
No. 47643 BR Co-Co Class 47 Operational. ScotRail 1965

Multiple units

The DMUs do not see much service.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Notes Photograph
Unit 51017+59404+79443+51043 BR Class 126 Operational BR Green 1959 (79443 was built in 1956) 51017, 59404 and 51043 are now virtually complete and form an operational unit. 79443 is undergoing a heavy body restoration. ~
Unit 303032 (formed of 75597+61503+75602) BR Class 303 Stored awaiting restoration. Strathclyde Black and Orange (61503 is in Carmine/Cream) 1959 61503 from unit 023 after 032s MBSO damaged by flashover ~

Coaching stock

The SRPS's stock at Bo'ness includes 67 passenger and light freight coaches. It is one of the most varied collections in the U.K.

LNER teak panel coaches

A small collection of LNER coaches reside at Bo'ness, though most of the collection has yet to be restored.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 10021 Gresley Third Class Corridor Stored, being prepared for restoration. Teak Finish 1924 ~
No. 62515 Gresley Brake Second Class Corridor Stored, awaiting restoration. Teak Finish 1924 ~
No. 644 Gresley Buffet Car Operational - Seen mostly on service train for private functions. Teak Finish 1937 ~
No. 4271 Gresley Full Brake Pigeon Van Stored, awaiting restoration. BR Blue 1940 ~
No. 13803 Thompson Third Class Tourist Open Operational. (Sees only occasional use) Teak Finish 1947 ~
No. Sc80417E BR-Built Thompson Brake Third Class Non-Corridor Operational. (Sees only occasional use) Teak 1951 ~

Norwegian coaches

Two of the railway's Norwegian coaches were originally restored and used on passenger trains, though they have since been grounded for other purposes.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 5010 Norges Statsbane 4-wheeled Full Brake Used as a storage shop. Worn Red 1914 ~
No. 791 Norges Statsbane Bogie-Open Saloon Part of the Gauge O Guild Model Railway. Teak Finish 1923 ~
No. 663 Norges Statsbane Bogie-Open Saloon Part of the Gauge O Guild Model Railway. Teak Finish 1937 ~

Highland Railway coaches

The SRPS owns some of the last surviving HR coaches in existence today.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 5 4-Wheeled Passenger Brake Van Static display in the museum. HR Green 1870 ~
No. 89 Coupé 6-Wheeled Composite Stored. HR Green 1909 ~

LMS coaches

None of the SRPS's LMS coaches are currently in operational condition.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 12059 Non-Corridor Third Class Compartment Stored in the open as little more than a shell. N/A 1930 ~
No. 37817 Luggage, Mail and Parcels Van Stored out in the open. N/A 1935 ~
No. M31036 Stanier (Period III) Full Brake Stored. N/A 1939 ~
No. 27389 BR-Built Third Class Open Stored. LMS Maroon 1948 ~
No. 27407 BR-Built Third Class Open Stored. N/A 1948 ~
No. 24725 BR-Built Corridor Composite Stored. LMS Maroon 1950 ~
No. DB999502 BR-Built Inspection Saloon Stored. LMS Maroon 1959 ~

Caledonian Railway coaches

Caledonian Railways stock was originally used with the CR 0-4-4T, but has seen little use of late due to the loco being out of traffic.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 426 Caledonian Railway 9-Compartment Non-Corridor Stored out in the open in need of a full bodywork repair. N/A 1914 ~
No. 1375 Third Class Corridor Compartment Static display in the museum. CR Maroon and White 1921 ~
No. 464 Brake Corridor Composite Static display in the museum. CR Maroon and White 1923 ~

North British Railway coaches

As with the LMS and Caledonian coaches, none of the North British Railway coaches are in service on passenger trains.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 1184 4-Wheeled Four Compartment Stored (body only). N/A Circa. 1870 ~
No. DE773090 6-Wheeled Composite Stored out of view (underframe only). N/A Circa. 1885 ~
N/A Third Class Six Compartment Body grounded on the platform at Birkhill. N/A N/A ~
No. 461 Invalid Saloon Stored. NBR 1919 ~
No. Sc3565E Third Class Corridor Compartment Used as a mess room. N/A 1921 ~
No. 467 Third Class Brake Stored. N/A 1921 ~

Glasgow & South Western Railway coaches

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
N/A Third Class 5 Compartment (body only) Stored. N/A N/A, Before 1893 ~
No. 122 6-Wheeled Composite Part of the Steam Loco Dept. N/A 1901 ~
No. 731 Third Class Corridor Compartment Static display in the museum. N/A 1914 ~

BR Mk1s

The BR Mk1s were an abundant type of coach on the mainline in the early days of BR steam, and like the BR Standards, were built to be both durable and easy to maintain. Today Mk1s make up over 95% of all Bo'ness trains, generally made of three or four of them in Carmine/Cream, SRPS LMS Maroon, or Green/Cream.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 24895 MK1 SK Undergoing a bodywork overhaul. Carmine/Cream 1955 ~
No. 9237 Mk1 BSOT Operational. Green/Cream 1956 ~
No. 4215 Mk1 TSO Operational. BR Maroon 1956 ~
No. 15834 Mk1 CK Stored out in the open. BR Maroon 1956 ~
No. 4422 Mk1 TSO Operational. Carmine/Cream 1956 ~
No. 4529 Mk1 TSO Stored, awaiting repairs. Carmine/Cream 1957 ~
No. NNX80218 Mk1 BSK (Courier) Operational, not on passenger trains. BR Green 1958 ~
No. 35185 Mk1 BSK Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1958 ~
No. 13228 Mk1 FK Stored Green/Cream 1959 ~
No. 13229 Mk1 FK Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1959 ~
No. 13230 Mk1 FK Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1959 ~
No. 4831 Mk1 TSO Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1959 ~
No. 4832 Mk1 TSO Operational. Carmine/Cream 1959 ~
No. 4836 Mk1 TSO Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1959 ~
No. 4844 Mk1 TSO Operational. Carmine/Cream 1959 ~
No. 4856 Mk1 TSO Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1959 ~
No. 3096 Mk1 FO Operational, with Main-Line Certification. InterCity 1959 ~
No. 1730 Mk1 RBR Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1960 ~
No. 4871 Mk1 TSO Used as a mess facility. Blue/Grey 1960 ~
No. 21241 Mk1 BCK Operational. Carmine/Cream 1961 ~
No. 5028 Mk1 TSO Operational. Carmine/Cream 1961 ~
No. 1866 Mk1 RMB Operational. Green/Cream 1961 ~
No. 1859 Mk1 RMB Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1962 ~
No. 18788 Mk1 SK Stored, awaiting removal. Network South-East 1962 ~
No. 35304 Mk1 BSK Operational, used as a support coach. Carmine/Cream 1962 ~
No. NNX80221 Mk1 Courier (ex-BSK) Used as a mess facility on Bo'ness Platform 2. Blue/Grey 1962 ~
No. 35405 Mk1 BFK Operational, used on Santa Specials. Plain Maroon 1962 ~
No. 3115 Mk1 FO Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1962 ~
No. 3150 Mk1 FO Stored, with main-line certification. BR Green 1962 ~
No. 35512 Mk2a BSK Stored Blue/Grey 1967 ~
No. 5412 Mk2a TSO Operational, with main-line certification. SRPS LMS Maroon 1968 ~
No. 80382 Mk1 POS On display. Royal Mail Red 1975 ~
No. 80437 Mk1 POT Being converted into a shop. Post Office Red 1976 ~
No. 10535 Mk3a Sleeping Car Used as volunteer staff accommodation. InterCity 1982 ~
No. 10668 Mk3a Sleeping Car Used as volunteer staff accommodation. InterCity 1982 ~

Other coaches

The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway's stock includes rare, or even unique, builds for special purposes.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
None GNSR Royal Saloon Static display in the museum. GNSR 1897 ~
No. 245 WCJS Third Class Corridor Stored. N/A 1903 ~

Freight stock

Due to a lack of loops mid-journey, demonstration freight trains are restricted to the yard at Bo'ness.

Mineral wagons

In the days of steam wagons like these would have been used to transport coal across the country and into England and Wales.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 286 Callander Coal Company Wagon Static display in the museum. Callander Coal Company Grey N/A ~
No. 755 Carron Company Wagon Static display in the museum. Brown Circa. 1890 ~
No. 65013 NBR 8-Ton Double-Ended Static display in the museum. Loco Coal NB Grey Circa. 1890 ~
No. 189 RCH 12-Ton 7-Plank Static display in the museum. Kinneil Sandy Red 1930 ~
No. B579284 BR 16T Mineral Wagon Operational. BR Grey 1957 ~
No. B555710 BR 16T Mineral Wagon Operational. BR Bauxite 1958 ~
No. B314632 BR 21T (with roller bearings) Operational. BR Bauxite 1962 ~
No. B314633 BR 21T (with roller bearings) Operational. BR Bauxite 1962 ~
No. B314636 BR 21T (with roller bearings) Operational. BR Rusted Grey 1962 ~
No. 350001 EWS 32.5T HCA Hopper Operational EWS 1964 ~

Brake vans

Brake vans are traditionally used either in front of, or behind trains.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
No. 437 CR Six-Wheeled 20-Ton Static display in the museum. CR Bauxite 1920 ~
No. 731916 LMS 20-Ton Undergoing restoration. LMS Bauxite 1945 ~
No. B951148 BR 20-Ton Operational, used on demo freights. BR Grey 1951 ~

Tanker wagons

Tankers were originally designed for the safe transportation of liquids.

Number & name Description Current status Livery Date Photograph
Scottish Tar Distillers No. 78 Rectangular Tanker Static display in the museum. Black 1877 ~
Oakbank Oil Company No. 13 10T Tanker Static display in the museum. Black 1894 ~
No. A43 Shell BP Tanker Static display in the museum. Black 1897 ~
Naval Store No. 161 14T Tanker Static display in the museum. Black 1918 ~
Briggs, Dundee No. 20 14T Tanker Operational. Black 1918 ~
Briggs No. 17 14T Tanker Stored. Black 1927 ~
No. 206 20T Tanker Stored. Silver DCL 1930 ~
No. 241 20T Tanker Stored. Silver DCL 1940 ~
No. 4 20T Tanker Stored. BP Chemicals 1941 ~
No. 14 14T Nitric Acid Tanker Static display in the museum. Grey 1941 ~
No. 252 20T Tanker Stored. Distiller's Co. Ltd Silver 1951 ~
No. 261 20T Tanker Stored. British Hydrocarbon Chemicals Silver 1956 ~
No. BPO67496 45T TTA Tanker Stored. BP Green 1966 ~

Appearances in film, TV and media

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.

References

    External links