6. Culrain Trains

The Far North trains remained more or less unchanged from nationalisation until diesels arrived in 1960. The first section of photographs shows a selection of trains in the order they passed Culrain, though times, stock and liveries varied slightly over the years. Goods stock in the photographs was kindly provided by members of the Mid-Devon and Craven Area Groups of the Scalefour Society, and by Tim Shackleton.

All the passenger trains, for example in the 1959-60 WTT (Working Timetable), are represented, however two of the daily goods trains have yet to be photographed.

Culrain 08.15 Early 1950s

The train is the early morning Helmsdale to Inverness made up of the previous day’s northbound TPO and coaches from the previous evening’s Inverness to Helmsdale. “Early 1950s” is suggested by the state of the Dunalastair IV and the presence of cattle flakes on the loading bank.

Culrain 08.15 1959

This picture is based on a prototype train from September 1959 at Tain in “The Highland Railway” by H.A. Vallance. Again this is the early morning Helmsdale to Inverness train and with the same consist as the early 1950s train above.

Culrain 09.15 1958

06.40 Inverness to Wick with Restaurant Car for The Mound, due 09.47, at the rear.

Culrain 10.00 to 11.00 May 1959

Down working goods from Tain, which may set down or pick up at Culrain before going on its way to Helmsdale.

Culrain 12.15 Late 1950s

08.35 Wick to Inverness with the Restaurant Car returning from The Mound, departed 11.34, out of shot at the rear. This train hauled by 45192 was photographed from the bridge at Culrain on 26 July 1955 by P.L. Sibley.

Culrain 13.15 Early 1950s

“The Mails” 10.40 Inverness to Wick: the HR TPO and red and cream LMS Pullman at the front will be detached at Helmsdale, and returned south separately. The Dunalastair IV might have been attached at Dingwall, where it was shedded.

Culrain 16.30 1959/1960

13.40 Inverness to Helmsdale and Wick Through Goods, sometimes referred to as the “Mixed Goods”.

Culrain 18.15 Early 1950s

16.15 Inverness to Helmsdale train. The cattle flakes in this view, absent in the 16.30 Through Goods above, and the unlined loco show this to be an early 1950s train. The 5 coaches from this train, with the TPO from “The Mails”, will make up the next day’s first departure from Helmsdale to Inverness.

Culrain 19.15 Mid 1950s

15.35 Wick to Inverness, including the Restaurant Car from Helmsdale taken north earlier in the day by the “Mails”. Red and cream coaches, and the lion-on-wheel totem on the loco’s tender, confirm the time period.

Of course, not all Far North trains passed through the real Culrain, such as the Dornoch and Thurso branch trains, and the Tain locals. Over time I plan to upgrade the required rolling stock and locos, and photograph these trains in an appropriate setting.

       (Loco courtesy of Allan Smith)

An approximation to the 1959/1960 Thurso Branch Mixed with LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T in lieu of Stanier 3P and substitute coaches.