A quality iniative from Scotrail came in the Summer of 1993 when the following turns were allocated the celebrity green 2 x 26 on Wednesdays Only.
Thanks to Mike Lewis for this August 4th 1993 of the green pair prior to departure with the 1235 Kyle under threatening Inverness skies.
2H85 1235 Inverness – Kyle
2H86 1705 Kyle – Inverness
At this time there were 3 loco hauled trains daily each way to Kyle with class 37 power dominant. The diagramming of 26s attracted a lot of enthusiast interest with many making the long trip North to enjoy some “tea cup” action before the expected end for the class later in 1993.
The stock for all Kyle line trains were quality early Mk II’s ideal for passengers wanting to enjoy the scenery. The LNER Tourist livery of green and cream adorned the 12 coach fleet plus former class 101 DMU used as a popular observation car on the 1025 Inverness – Kyle and 1510 Kyle – Inverness turns.
The stock normally used was from TSO’s 5132, 5139, 5154, 5166, 5191, 5193, 5230, 5234 6300, and BSO’s 9385, 9388 and 9414. All coaches carried names 5139 being named “Clan Ross” for example.
The busy 2H83 1025 Inverness – Kyle and 1510 return were normally load 6 plus observation car, the 26 hauled 2H85 and 2H86 a more modest load 4. 2H85 arrived in the back platform 2 at Kyle making a plus 2 onto 2H84 1510 Kyle – Inverness. Mike Lewis did the plus 2 a few times and he remarked it was “more like arriving at London Victoria than Kyle with doors flung open early and a mass cross platform/ramp bail onto the return service!” Kyle’s seen it all!
After the mass bail 26007 and 26001 at Kyle’s platform 2 after working the 1235 ex Inverness on August 18th 1993
By then the surviving 26 fleet was nominally Inverness based and 26001 and 26007 having been repainted in BR green to mark the closure of Eastfield depot , with 26001 being named Eastfield in July 91, allocated for the Wednesday Kyle turn. They were specially modified for radio signalling too.
26001 and 26007 first Kyle trip took place on Wednesday June 2nd and they produced virtually solidly until September 1st 1993 with a final special Saturday working on September 18th working 2H83 and 2H86 return with the sad reality that this was to be the last Class 26 service train working anywhere, the end of an era.
The class were all withdrawn a month or so later although a good few including 26001 and 26007 survive in active preservation
The only serious 26001/26007 failure was on 2H86 on July 21st 1993 when the 2 “teacups” failed and after a long wait 37025 arrived at Strathcarron to take the train back to Inverness.
Thanks to “TC” …Wednesday only 26’s, 22nd June 1993. This is on the returning 17.05 from Kyle and the 26’s were in trouble. We were stopped here at Strathcarron for sometime while the crew had a look round and managed to fix whatever was wrong so that we could continue. “Nae problem laddie getting your photos from the trackside.” .
26007 and 26001 reverse the stock of the 1235 out of platform 2 at Kyle prior to drawing the same stock forward into platform 1 and then running round on August 18th 1993
What a fine sight! 26001 and 26007 at Kyle prior to returning to Inverness with the 1705 service on August 18th 1993
They “teacups” cross Loch Achanalt in perfect weather with the 1705 Kyle – Inverness on August 18th 1993 .
All credit must go to Scotrail staff for the efforts to get vintage traction back on Kyle trains, a great effort which we thank you for in 2026! ..
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