Highland Observations

The 1980s and early 1990s saw a renaissance in the use of observation saloons on the Kyle of Lochalsh route, this culminating in the conversion of a Class 101 DMU car. To mark the release of Bachmann’s model of this vehicle, Simon Bendall profiles the last 15 years of loco-hauled passenger trains on the scenic Scottish line.

THE Kyle of Lochalsh route had enjoyed a long association with the provision of observation saloons during the steam era, British Railways recognising the additional revenue it could generate. However, under the rebranded face of British Rail, such elderly and specialist vehicles were incompatible with the new image, so their use was curtailed.

For much of the 1960s, the Kyle line had been covered in the summer months by the former ‘Devon Belle’ observation saloon No. M280, the Pullman vehicle being conveyed on the rear of a service from Inverness in the morning. Turned after arrival at Kyle on the still functioning turntable, the coach then returned on an afternoon train. Withdrawal finally came in 1967, and today it can be found at the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Vintage return

It was not until 1979 that an observation saloon was reintroduced to the Kyle line, helping to boost its status as a summer scenic route for tourists. This came in the form of former West Coast Joint Stock (WCJS) coach No. 41, the vehicle having begun life in 1892 as a six-axle restaurant car before being rebuilt several times between 1918 and 1960. Ultimately, it ended up as saloon No. 45018 with a new underframe, standard Gresley bogies and a sloped observation end.

Registered as No. 99052 in BR’s private-owner coaching stock series, the vehicle would later enjoy a higher profile in the 1980s and early 1990s as part of the ‘Queen of Scots’ luxury rake. Throughout this period, the saloon was finished in the WCJS colours of plum and spilt milk. As in the 1960s, it did one out and back journey on each day of operation, looking somewhat incongruous attached to blue/grey liveried Mk.1 stock.