A chance to put the new Freedom Cargo kilt and Freelander Sporran to the test today on the McBuffer Puffer railtour.

Including driving from home to Larkhall park and ride, a public train from there into Glasgow Central then a full day excursion this was 19 hours away from the house.

The trip was a send off for the first generation bull nosed type 3 diesel locomotives, the last of which are about to be withdrawn after nearly 50 years service. American viewers will recognise the colour scheme of Wisconsin Rail. The freight operator English, Welsh and Scottish Railway is an affiliated subsidiary. Until recently this locomotive, named The Saltire Society was hired by them to Scotrail to haul the Fort William sleeper.

Really a series of short trips to various commuter destinations in the Glasgow area and the Clyde Coast. This is Springburn, in north Glasgow.

The opportunity to run the trip today came about because the old Cornish Riviera carriages which date from the same 1950s era had been used for bringing Welsh rugby fans from Cardiff to Edinburgh for the weekend.

Inside the carriage

One of the dual language station signs. Outwith the highlands, these signs including gaelic are only found at stations on lines leading into the highlands.

If you thought xmarkers were forever taking photos you should see the rail fans; hundreds of photographers out for a photoshoot at every stop; but I'll post a lot more train piccies on my website tomorrow for the rail buffs among you. Meantime some kilt pictures.