Distant Signals

Short clip from a documentary Scottish Television made in the mid 1980's about the changes facing the West Highland Line with the introduction of RETB signalling and the consequences for those working at the stations up and down the line, and the first signs of the introduction of the Sprinter class DMU to the line to displace the Class 37. Perhaps the best railway documentary ever produced.

[@dampFreddie]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Brings back memories of many, many hours on the WHL and the hills around it.

[@Oban277]

I use the WHL all the time and I remember this show when I was 7. It upset me when I was 7 as these lovely stations would be unstaffed and the whole tenor was one of sadness

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

First class video and thanks for sharing it! More people should be aware of it. I well remember the line and the friendly staff were a delight to speak to, always courteous, thanks again, Ken

[@riverhuntingdon6659]

Remember those new 150's well. They're getting to be old ladies now. But surely doing away with the staff in what can be a pretty bleak place in the winter was a mistake. Those lovely old MK1s and 2s were a much nicer ride than the replacements mind. The railway's more than just a money-based thing in rural places. It needs to be run as a service. I always carried that thought when pottering about the old Southern Region on the DEMUs or the old electrics when I worked there.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Thanks for the info Alasdair! Ken

[@mrdoch1010]

aww its wee daddie looking very dapper ........good times

[@alasdairmulhern]

I reckon they will do. I got it off them a few years ago in Glasgow.

[@KenBrownekb71000duke]

Great to see the 37s in actions and the interchange of banter at the station. Some nice vintage clips too! Wonder if STV still have this one in their archive?? Ken

[@alasdairmulhern]

Ken Browne you can buy it from their archives, or you could anyway. That’s what I did. I’ll try upload the full thing when I get the chance.

[@marshallman7608]

Does anybody know if there is a full copy of this available anywhere? I can only find snippets here.

[@alasdairmulhern]

Steve Renton I have the full programme, I’ll upload it if I remember how to do so!

[@marshallman7608]

Be excellent if you could, the documentary is from my era. I started on the footplate with BR in 1980 but the the WHL was never part of my "territory". I was across on the on the east side of Scotland.

[@Isochest]

I just hope the unsustainability of oil gives this route a boost.

[@alasdairmulhern]

Who?