In anticipation of the upcoming International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, ScotRail has announced plans to add extra carriages to trains travelling between Glasgow Central and Ayr.

The additional capacity aims to accommodate the surge in passengers expected for the festival, which runs from Friday, 8 September, to Sunday, 10 September.

The event promises an array of iconic aircraft and daring aerial displays, particularly on Saturday, 9 September. “The International Ayr Show provides a host of great family entertainment, and we’re looking forward to playing our part in making it a successful and enjoyable weekend,” said Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director.

While ScotRail is bolstering its services for the weekend, the company advises customers to plan ahead. “To help the event run smoothly, we’re adding more seats to trains to and from Ayr on Saturday and Sunday, but services will be busier than normal, so customers should plan ahead and leave plenty of time for travel,” Campbell added.

The rail operator noted that services are expected to be busier than usual, partly because the Largs Viking Festival is also taking place over the weekend.

For added convenience, Stagecoach West Scotland, in partnership with South Ayrshire Council, will operate a park-and-ride shuttle bus service between Burns Statute Square at Ayr station and Seafield Road. The shuttle will leave every 15 minutes.

Council chiefs have confirmed that the Festival of Flight will kick off with a Friday fly-over, featuring various performances, including those from the RAF Black Jack Typhoon and a pyrotechnic display by Airborne Pyrotechnics.

The main event on Super Saturday will showcase acts such as the Chinook, the Starlings Aerobatic Display Team, and Two Spitfires performing the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, culminating with a performance by the world-famous Red Arrows.

Event programmes detailing the flying times for each display will be available for purchase at the festival for £5.

George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison

12 COMMENTS

          • We had two variants, one for the carriers (F-4K air defence interceptor) and the RAF F-4M for strike and reconnaissance.

            There was also a third I believe, but I would have to look that one up.

            As for the engines, a bit more googling would need to be done also!

            “Two versions of the Rolls Royce Spey-powered Phantom entered service with the Royal Air Force. The FG1 (the version also used by the Royal Navy) in the interceptor role and the FGR2 in the ground attack and tactical reconnaissance role in Germany. From 1977, all the Royal Air Force Phantoms were used exclusively as interceptor fighters over United Kingdom air-space.

            Great Britain bought fifty two Phantom FG1s and 118 Phantom FGR2s.

            With the deployment of Phantoms to the South Atlantic in 1982 an additional order for 15 Phantoms was placed. These were second hand United States Navy F-4Js fitted with General Electric F-79 engines. After an extensive refurbishment and the fitting of some British equipment, they were designated F-4J(UK).”

          • Thanks Nigel. I read somewhere way back that the British engined Phantoms were the most expensive, thirstiest and slowest of their kind!! Also I wonder why the RAF had to top up from 2nd hand USAF stock-one would have thought that they would have just deployed from existing assets. Anyway all interesting stuff.
            ps From memory(sometimes like to keep the brain agile without Mr. Google!) the Phantom designed and commenced build way back in 1953!
            pps Air Show in Durban this weekend !

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