City to City
Worked to death on the intensive and fast Edinburgh - Glasgow push-pull expresses introduced in the early 1970s, the BRC&W class 27s modified to handle these trains nevertheless served their purpose and changed forever the rail proposition between these two major Scottish cities.
For years accustomed to DMU haulage, passengers could now enjoy Mk 2 carriages and 90mph running. However the intensity of the timetable and challenging schedule took its toll on the locomotives - reliability became an issue and some of the units, particularly the 27/2s, were prone to catching fire. As a result, they were phased out in 1980 and replaced by single modified class 47/7s operating with a driving trailer at the other end.
Here unit 27210 is seen departing Edinburgh Waverley with one of the services, and throwing out no small amount of oily exhaust in so doing. An unidentified sister unit is on the other end.
Today the line is electrified and the trains have reverted back to units. Currently 100mph Hitachi-built class 385s operate a half-hourly off-peak service on the direct route and, with stops, cover the 47 mile journey in around 50 minutes.
Agfa CT18
16th July 1977
City to City
Worked to death on the intensive and fast Edinburgh - Glasgow push-pull expresses introduced in the early 1970s, the BRC&W class 27s modified to handle these trains nevertheless served their purpose and changed forever the rail proposition between these two major Scottish cities.
For years accustomed to DMU haulage, passengers could now enjoy Mk 2 carriages and 90mph running. However the intensity of the timetable and challenging schedule took its toll on the locomotives - reliability became an issue and some of the units, particularly the 27/2s, were prone to catching fire. As a result, they were phased out in 1980 and replaced by single modified class 47/7s operating with a driving trailer at the other end.
Here unit 27210 is seen departing Edinburgh Waverley with one of the services, and throwing out no small amount of oily exhaust in so doing. An unidentified sister unit is on the other end.
Today the line is electrified and the trains have reverted back to units. Currently 100mph Hitachi-built class 385s operate a half-hourly off-peak service on the direct route and, with stops, cover the 47 mile journey in around 50 minutes.
Agfa CT18
16th July 1977