I wonder if I could claim a first. This SPT/Scotrail class 334 was on its way from Adtranz Derby to Glasgow as one of the first two to be delivered in August 1999 without interior fittings, intended for acceptance trials and driver training. The convoy halted in Carstairs for two hours, hauled by Railfreight Distribution 47 348 St Christopher’s Nursing Home. The pic was taken from 1O12 Virgin Crosscountry’s 0650 service from Edinburgh to Southampton via Glasgow Central; it is possibly the first picture of the carmel-and-cream unit taken in Scotland. I think the unit number was actually 334 002 but I’m not entirely sure.

The Porterbrooke ‘buffer’ coaches (yes, easily confused with the Scotrail Caledonian Sleepers) at either end contains the electrical circuits required to work the electro-pneumatic brakes (EPBs) fitted to these EMUs, aside from acting as a adapter-coupler. The ETH circuit on the loco supplies the necessary current to release the EPBs with the panto lowered. In this configuration the unit is permitted to be ‘dragged’ through non-electrified territory and has a maximum permitted ‘dragging’ speed of 100mph, although the class 47 is nominally limited to 95mph.

This photo by Alex Lu was brought to you by Lexcie Corporation Edinburgh (http://www.lexcie.zetnet.co.uk) lexcie@innocent.com (0131) 558-8585.