Reading the article in FNE 74, my interest was aroused by the performance of the 6:30 a.m. Inverness-Wick/Thurso in August 1960 with the train formation containing a through coach from Glasgow to Wick being an LNER composite corridor. I was not aware of such a through working, although some of the Inverness-Glasgow/Edinburgh workings that joined/detached at Perth nominally had the Edinburgh portion as LNER stock. The LNER had in fact a number of coaches specifically built (according to LNER Carriages by Michael Harris) in 1939 and 1941 for this service and given "Adaptor" gangways, contrary to the normal "PG" (Pullman Gangway) fitments, to enable them to adjoin LMSR stock which were "BS" (British Standard). Over the years a good number of LMS carriages were altered to having an "Adaptor" gangway fitted - mainly, I reckon, to join with BR Standard stock from the 50s. In total, the LNER stock so fitted numbered 5 corridor composites, 3 corridor thirds (seconds), 4 corridor brake thirds (seconds) and 3 corridor brake composites.

Whether their planned working was carried out to the letter throughout the years I know not, but the last coach of its kind, composite 18407, was not withdrawn until 1964. Perhaps this was the one given a mention?

The LMS restaurant car noted would have been one of the splendid Stanier six-wheeled bogie type, the last of these withdrawn late 1963/early 1964 replaced by new BR builds. I have note of three of them from Inverness pausing briefly in Ardmore Yard before going on to Faslane for breaking up in March 1964.

The Mound-Dornoch service (mentioned in Dunrobin's Sisters) I always find intriguing, with the diminutive HR 0-4-4 tank loco dwarfed by an LMS brake composite corridor. The Ballinluig-Aberfeldy service was also so provided stock wise but with bigger locos! This made me reflect that as far as I was aware in my coaching rolling stock control days (1961-67) there was no non-corridor stock in any shape or form in the Inverness area as there was no diagrammed need. I could stand corrected on this by experts but I never had to contact Inverness to track down lost/stolen/strayed examples.

Most of this kind of coach in the Aberdeen area emanated from Inverurie Works as either repair jobs or the final resting place (in farmyards) of condemned examples.

In passing, no non-corridors were used on the West Highland Line either (apart from the Craigendoran-Arrochar push-pull) with a few operating the Killin branch from time to time, as did several used at Oban for Ballachulish services.

I wallow in nostalgia!