Coffee and custard creams made for a perfect journey

Scottish railway outings in decades past often meant, paradoxically, a trip “doon the watter” for many travellers heading west, including such as Stanley Gordon.

The Newport resident gets in touch with a few follow-up comments in the wake of his recent backwards glance on this page at the ups and downs of colourful journeys on the East Coast Line in decades past, which sparked some fascinating replies from other Craigie readers who used to travel south for work or leisure.

Mr Gordon says: “My recollections of British Rail trips to London set me off reminiscing of outings nearer to home.

“I also travelled frequently by train in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Oban on day trips and concert and theatre outings. I always enjoyed railway journeys and, if served with coffee and custard creams, I was in seventh heaven; gazing out at the passing scenery, people-watching or reading the newspapers added to the pleasure of day trips.”

Turning to the subject of aquatic voyages, he continues: “During that era, British Rail also had special deals for travelling around Scotland and one could purchase a ticket for a period of days and change from one train to another whenever one wished.

“It was also valid for use on the Clyde ferries and steamers and the Maid of the Loch, on Loch Lomond. I treated my mother and my nephews to a few days away from time to time.

“We would stay in Dunoon or Gourock and have day trips to Glasgow, Largs, etc. My nephews were more used to travel by car and so they were thrilled by the rail and steamer journeys.

“Having lunch, or high tea on board the TS Queen Mary and Maid of the Loch was a unique experience for them. Needless to say, I began to get to know the catering staff very well!

“We would sail on day trips to places such as Inveraray, Campbeltown and Brodick and I always looked forward to sailing through the narrows at the Kyles of Bute.”

Stanley concludes with a fond memory of a happy conclusion to a family journey west that had, at one point, seemed certain to end in disappointment.

He explains: “To end on a joyful note, I once took my nephews for a day trip to have a cruise on Loch Lomond but, unfortunately, took the wrong train.

“We reached Balloch Pier just as the Maid was casting off and she sailed into the gloom of fog and heavy rain. There was nothing for it but to head back to Glasgow and for home to Dundee.

“I must say that my nephews took it very well and were understanding. However, nil desperandum, high tea was being served on the train and, as the dining car was almost empty, the waiters made a great fuss of the boys and they were served double portions.”

Stanley ends: “It is nice for them, and for myself, to have memories from past adventures, especially as the days of lunches and high tea dining on trains is a thing of the past.”