Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway
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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:
- Bo'ness railway station at Bo'ness (i.e. Borrowstounness)
- Kinneil Halt (Request stop)
- Birkhill railway station
- Manuel Junction
![](../I/m/Bo'ness_and_Kinneil_Railway_view.jpg)
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. 19. | J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST | No. 19 was purchased by the railway from Comrie Colliery. It returned to service in March 2015 following overhaul. Boiler ticket expires in 2024. | NCB Green | 1954 | ![]() | |
No. 7. | J94 Austerity 0-6-0ST | Undergoing intermediate overhaul, including boiler re-tube. Boiler Ticket expires 2021. | BR Black (as 68007) | 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 it was eventually donated to the SRPS for restoration and future use. Restoration was completed in 1996 and it became a fully licensed Thomas the Tank Engine replica for events. It is currently at the start of a rapid heavy overhaul and is expected to re-enter traffic in 2016. | Thomas the Tank Engine Blue. | 1899 | |
"Fair Maid of Foyers". | 3 ft gauge Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-4-0T | Supplied new to Morrison & Mason, Bucknall. Locomotive has been fully overhauled, steam tested, and is on display in the Museum of Scottish Railways. | Lined Green | 1899 | |
No.419 (55189) | Caledonian Railway 439 Class 0-4-4T | Undergoing overhaul. Boiler complete having been overhauled by Riley & Son Ltd, locomotive axle boxes away for final machining prior to locomotive being re-wheeled. | 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 2-6-4T | Undergoing overhaul (carried out by LOGS), boiler out of frames and awaiting inspection. | BR Lined Black with early crest. | 1955 | ![]() |
Stored/static
Number & name | Description | Current status | Livery | Date | Photograph |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 62712 Morayshire | LNER Class D49 4-4-0 | Boiler ticket expired in November 2015 and is now awaiting overhaul. | BR Lined Black. | 1928 | ![]() |
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 predominantly 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 3 ft 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 | Out of service awaiting overhaul. | BR Blue | 1964 | ![]() |
No. 26038 | BR Bo-Bo Class 26 | In Service | BR Blue | 1959 | ~ |
No. 26024 | BR Bo-Bo Class 26 | Operational. | BR Blue | 1959 | ~ |
No. 27001 | BR Bo-Bo Class 27 | Out of service awaiting overhaul. | 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 | Operational - being prepared for mainline use. | BR Blue, Large Logo | 1961 | ~ |
No. 37175 "W.S. Sellar" | BR Co-Co Class 37 | Operational. | BR Blue, Large Logo | 1963 | |
No. 37703 | BR Co-Co Class 37 | Operational. | DRS Compass. | ~ | |
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 | Now located in Leven and owned by Fife Heritage Railway | 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 | Operational, used on private functions and at special events. | CR Maroon and White | 1921 | ~ |
No. 464 | Brake Corridor Composite | Operational, used on private functions and at special events. | 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
- 2000 re-make of The Railway Children, filmed on the Bluebell Railway using No.673 "Maude".
- The railway themed episode of Bits and Bobs.
- 2008 re-make of The 39 Steps.
- Featured on the MacAulay and Co. radio programme on BBC Radio Scotland.
- Location of railway scenes from Case Histories, BBC One. 2011
- Ken Loach The Angels' Share at Birkhill Station for the opening with Actor Gary Maitland as Albert.
- Still Game one of the Episode Big Yin ending scene when Big Innes Clive Russell on the train.
- The film The Railway Man, starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, is based on the autobiography of Eric Lomax. Made in 2013, it was released in January 2014.
- In the 2012 film Cloud Atlas, Jim Broadbent's character Timothy Cavendish alights at the station.
See also
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