Clyde coast day out
Boat trains
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2023
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
11 August 2023
The worst value journey of the day by far!). On arrival, I found I
had nearly an hour to wait for the next train back to Glasgow -
ideal for some photography of this truly stunning station, and a
quick snack in the excellent café.
Soon I’m heading eastwards again, with glimpses of the Clyde
for much of the journey. From Central I would walk to Queen
St. to catch one of the frequent and fast trains via Falkirk High
to Waverley. Checking the timetables, I’d be there in good time
for a Kings Cross-bound train - another LNER Azuma. But it
could be busy - and both trains would call at Haymarket. I’ll
change there instead, for some new photo opportunities
I needn’t have worried about getting a seat - the train was well-
filled but not full. I had to pity those poor passengers travelling
further. I wouldn’t have wanted to sit on that uncomfortably-
hard seat for more than the 20-odd minutes back to Dunbar,
and as for the noise! No, not the passengers (despite their best
efforts with their phones and “personal” audio), but the train
itself! Whenever (so it seemed) power was applied, there was a
high-pitched electronic screaming sound coming from
somewhere. I could hear it clearly from the platform at Dunbar
as the train pulled away. Terminal tinnitus! Dreadful!
Noisy train notwithstanding, what a great day out this had
been! Every train had been on time to the minute, every train
well-used but not full, and every train had been clean,
comfortable (apart from the last leg) and spacious. Even the
weather had been good. Clyde coast? Who needs the Med!
We’re staying in Dunbar for a few days, and today, with
fine weather forecast, I’m allowed a day out…
A day return to Glasgow gets me started. First, an LNER
‘Azuma’. At Waverley, the next westbound train is at the nearby
platform face - it’s for Glasgow Central via Shotts, which was
one of today’s objectives. Not a fast journey, but much more
comfortable than it would have been when I watched such
services depart Waverley, formed of elderly first-generation
DMUs (see Afternoon at Waverley, 8 August 1991)
My plans were fairly loose, I have to say. I bought a ticket to
Largs, then realised I’d have a long wait at Central - until I
found a train running half-an-hour earlier to Ardrossan Harbour
(serving the ferry to Arran). I could go through to the terminus
there (a single platform), then ride back to Ardrossan South
Beach and await the Largs train…
At Largs, after a few quick station photos, I walked down to the
pier, where the Loch Riddon was loading. “Day return to Great
Cumbrae, please”. Just £3.60 lighter, I was on the water within
minutes for the short crossing. I’d have had plenty of time to
take the short island bus ride to Millport, but being unsure of
time scales, I set foot on the island then, minutes later, rejoined
the Loch Riddon for the return crossing.
I needn’t have worried. I waited half-an-hour for the 15 minute
interval bus service to Wemyss Bay (£5.50 for about 6 miles.
