The Fife Flyer

Daytime Loco-Hauled passenger trains made a very welcome return to Scotlands railways. The 06:32 on the 15th of December from Edinburgh Waverly was hauled by a very well turned out General Motors 125 MPH EWS Class 67 outward via the coast (Aberdour) to form a commuter service from Glenrothes, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing. Scottish Locos was there on the day to record all the action.

Scotland has a proud history of Loco-Hauled passenger services. Fondly remembered are the BRCW, Sulzer, Class 26s/27s Edinburgh - Fife - Dundee trains or the authors favourite Class 37s (new that was coming - Ed!) on The West Highland Line, The Far North Line and The Kyle Line.

67030 had the honour of powering and heating the Mk2 e/f coaches that formed the 06:32 from Edinburgh Waverley. The Fife Flyer departed on time and preceeded to platform 2 at Haymarket. The early morning commuters on the Edinburgh - Glasgow Turbostar could only look on in awe as the six coach flyer departed Haymarket. South Gyle was passed promptly as the good people of Edinburgh woke up. Soon the Fife Flyer was racing past the airport. A taxiing jet was waiting to transport poeple going to less glamourous destinations than Fife.

The Fife Flyer had a spirited departure from Dalmeny behind EWS 67030 with the engine more audible as we made for the famous Forth Bridge (she appreciated the return of real trains). As the Fife Flyer (now at home in Fife - Ed!) this trains is surely the best way to travel as traffic on the notorious road bridge was heavy and already starting to tail back.

The full 3300hp of 67030 was used for the steep climb out of Inverkeithing. Even in the dark, the gardens at Aberdour look good. The people that tend these gardens will also enjoy the return of more traditional trains. The Fife Flyer then skirted the coast of the River Forth past Burntisland and Kinghorn. In the summer months this journey will be scintillating. The Lang Toon approaches. This truly is the best train to Kirkcaldy since the days of the well known poem.

Departing Kirkcaldy, the Fife Flyer swings inland at Thornton Junction. Now heading back towards Edinburgh as a commuter. The sun was just rising on approach to Cardenden which is surely a good metaphor for the new dawn rising of locomotive hauled passanger trains in Fife. A quick look put the window proved fruitless as detective inspector Rebus was not commuting to Edinburgh on this cold Monday morning. At Lochgelly, the grit on the platform was doing its job emphasised by frost on the rooftops. The short hop for Flyer to Cowdenbeath with full view of Mossmorran silhouetted against a dawn red sky. The stations at Queen Margaret, Dunfermline Town and Rosyth brought with them bemused looking commuters as they could actually get seats on them for a change.

In conclusion, the benefits of Loco-Hauled passenger trains are clear for all to see. Features of this new train include more seats, a table at every seat, extra luggage and bike space, more leg room for tired commuters, excellent unobstructed views from the train. Long may the Fife Flyer continue and a thank you from Scottish Locos to Scotrail and EWS train staff on the day.