DMU Operations: Scottish Region
Edinburgh - Cowdenbeath / Cardenden
Prior to late 1969 / early 1970, these stations had been served by through services to Perth (Cowdenbeath), Thornton Bridge, Leven and Dundee (Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Cardenden). The closure of the Leven and Cowdenbeath - Perth via Kinross Junction lines saw a revision of Fife services; the Edinburgh - Dundee service would take the Kirkcaldy line and a new terminating service would serve Cowdenbeath — and the intermediate stations from Inverkeithing of Rosyth Halt and Dunfermline (Lower) — extended to Cardenden at peak times.
On bank holidays in the 1980s the latter would often be loco hauled.
The service would become part of the Fife Circle service in the 1990s operated by Class 117s.
The end of First Generation DMUs on the route was in November 1999.
Sample Timetables
4 May 1970 to 2 May 1971
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (2.2 mb pdf).
3 May 1971 to 30 April 1972
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (2.2 mb pdf).
1972
A single sided 3 7/8" x 8 1/4" leaflet giving off-peak fares to Edinburgh.
1 May 1972 to 6 May 1973
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 17 (1.6 mb pdf).
7 May 1973 to 5 May 1974
In the Passenger Services Scotland timetable it was included in Table 17 (2.2 mb pdf).
6 May 1974 to 4 May 1975
3" x 4" when folded
In the Great Britain Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (1.9 mb pdf).
10 Jan, 1977 to 1 May, 1977
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
2 May, 1977 to 7 May, 1978
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (2 mb pdf).
3 October, 1977 to 7 May, 1978
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 — link in 2 May.
8 May, 1978 to 13 May, 1979
3" x 4" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (2.1 mb pdf).
2 October, 1978 to 13 May, 1979
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 — link in 8 May.
14 May, 1979 to 11 May 1980
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
14 May, 1979 until further notice (revised edition)
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
20 August, 1979 until further notice (2nd revised edition)
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
12 May, 1980 to 10 May, 1981
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
1 June, 1981 to 16 May, 1982
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
5 October, 1981 to 16 May, 1982
2⅞" x 4⅛" when folded
4 October, 1982 to 15 May, 1983
3" x 4" when folded
30 September1985 to 11 May 1986
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (2 mb pdf).
12 May to 28 September 1986
In the Scotland Passenger Timetable it was included in Table 241 (1.9 mb pdf).
Images
3rd August 1974
A Cravens unit in Dunfermline Lower station on 3rd August 1974 having just arrived from Edinburgh. Pete LG99.
1976
A Cravens DMBS is at the front of this hybrid set (numbered 21) containing three brake vans entering Dunfermline Lower station in 1976. The second vehicle is a Met-Camm TBS, and at the rear is a Met-Camm DMBS. John Law.
Unknown date
Possibly mid to late 1970s, a class 101 Metro-Cammell diesel unit is seen at Cowdenbeath station, which still sported totem station signs at the time. Jeremy Chapter.
7th July 1978
Forming a Cowdenbeath to Edinburgh Waverley train, Metropolitan-Cammell (TOPS Class 101) 3-car DMU No. 235 approaches Inverkeithing Central Junction on 7th July, 1978. Michael Laing.
circa 1979
A mixed livery Class 101 DMU departs from Edinburgh Waverley with a Cowdenbeath service circa 1979. Stuart Mackay Collection.
21st April 1979
Three-car Class 101 DMU set 231 passes Cowdenbeath North signal box as it enters the station on 21 April 1979, probably after changing platforms ready to return to Edinburgh Waverley. Stuart Mackay Collection.
23rd July 1979
Class 101 DMBS passes Halbeath Crossing (beside Dunfermline Townhill depot) on 23 July 1979, probably on an Edinburgh Waverley - Cowdenbeath service. Brian Daniels.
circa early 1981
Met-Camm DMBS SC50292 leads DMU set 101303 past Townhill Junction (near Dunfermline) circa 1981. Paul Redmond.
circa 1981
Met-Camm DMU set 101304 with SC50241 closest seen at Townhill Junction (near Dunfermline) circa 1981. Paul Redmond.
circa 1981
Class 101 DMU set 101303 with SC50184 closest approaching Townhill Junction circa 1981. Paul Redmond.
circa 1981
Class 101 DMU set 101303 with SC50184 closest at Townhill Junction (near Dunfermline) circa 1981. Paul Redmond.
10th July 1981
101310 in Edinburgh Waverley on Friday 10 July 1981. Closest is thought to be SC50163 and it seems to be forming a Cowdenbeath service. David Russon.
16th September 1981
Met-Camm DMU set 101307 with 51231 nearest the camera at Cowdenbeath on 16th September 1981. David Scott.
5th October 1981
A late evening service for Cowdenbeath formed of 101303 waits to leave Edinburgh Waverley. 5th October 1981. The DMBS is presumably 50292. Bruce Galloway.
20th October 1981
Westbound departures from Haymarket in Edinburgh were always a good bet for a spirited sprint to Saughton Junction where westbound and Fife bound services diverged. Here, a pair of flat out Met-Camm 101 units working 2C15 1518 Edinburgh to Cowdenbeath (101303 on the left) and 2H57 1517 Edinburgh to Dunblane (set 329 on the right, presumably with 51455 leading) pass Haymarket depot. Still, 1/250th will stop 'em... 20th October 1981. Bruce Galloway.
Unknown date
101309 in Dalmeny station with the 12:03 Edinburgh Waverley - Cowdenbeath service on 13 July 1983. SC50185 was recorded as the closest vehicle. Stuart Mackay Collection.
5th April 1983
With the roof vents removed from all three vehicles, TBS set 101364 (53242 leading, presumably with 59080 and 53268) is seen at Inverkeithing Junction coming from the Rosyth direction with an Edinburgh service on the 5th April 1983. Stuart Mackay.
6th April 1983
Set 101 304 arriving at Dunfermline Lower station with a service from Edinburgh on the 6th April 1983. Leading is 51224, with 59304 behind. Stuart Mackay.
6th April 1983
SC59304 and SC51224 sit in Dunfermline Lower station with a northbound service on the 6th April 1983. Stuart Mackay.
6th April 1983
Set 101 304 heads north out of Dunfermline Lower on the 6th April 1983. The closest vehicle is unknown, the centre car is 59304 and the DMBS is 51224. Stuart Mackay.