For most of the class's life, it has been associated with Scottish operations, in particular Highland operations, although the original units were delivered to operate commuter services from Kings Cross in London. Following comparative tests with Class 30 in the Highlands, it was decided to transfer all of the class was transferred to Scotland, in particular to Inverness and Haymarket.

As a mixed traffic locomotive it could be seen in both passenger and freight traffic, but after the removal of steam boilers in the 1980's to allow train air-braking to be fitted, most activity was on freight.

D5300 and the rest of the first batch of 20 locomotives were delivered to Hornsey for use in the north London area. Oficially the remainder were delivered to Scotland, although some were loaned to Hornsey. As locomotives of Class 30 became available in England, the 26/0's were transferred to join the later batch in Scotland, all being there by October 1960.

Initial deliveries in Scotland were deployed in pairs on Edinburgh-Aberdeen and Glasgow-Aberdeen trains, this being short term - the Edinburgh trains transferring to Class 40 and the Glasgow trains ultimately returning to Class A4 steam traction. There were brief allocations to Aberdeen and Dundee.

In Scotland, members were delivered initially to Haymarket, with the exception of D5343 and D5344 delivered directly to Inverness. 26/1's were mainly based at Inverness, following the delivery of Class 40's to Haymarket, for use on Highland Line and Far North services, often working in Class 24/26 pairs until Class 24's were withdrawn or reallocated in 1975. From 1976 IS locomotives had dual sealed-beam headlights for working in the more remote areas, as they took over duties from Class 24, although these were removed when these locomotives went through the HGR programme.

Haymarket locomotives worked duties including the Waverley route.

Inverness lcomotives also had a guard installed over the air-horns to protect against incoming snow. Miniature snow-ploughs could also be fitted to Class 26/1 and 26018, later on 26011.

The first seven locomotives worked from Haymarket, and being air-braked with slow-speed control in 1966 they performed on Cockenzie power station MGR trains.

In the late 70's and early 80's Haymarket based locomotives ran the Edinburgh - Dundee service, until two successive fires saw these transferred to Class 27. However 1992 saw further activity on Glasgow - Stranraer passenger trains deputising regularly for Class 27.

In the early 80's availability of Class 37 locomotives saw changes in Highland Line and Far North workings, the last northern duties being performed in 1985, by which time most examples had been converted for freigh duties.

After the mid 1980's overhauls and air braking most activity was with freight. Allocation was withdrawn from Inverness and Haymarket, and concentrated at Eastfield from 1987 until all survivors were nominally again returned to Inverness, although working all over Scotland.

Although in 1990 it was thought that duties would continue until beyond 2000, this was not to be, withdrawal being forced by late 1993, latterly only on special duties following the run down of freight traffic, in particular the closure of Ravenscraig steel works.

1993 was very quiet, primary usage being of 26001 and 26007 on Kyle of Lochalsh summer workings.

Mid 80's overhaul

It was decided to heavy-general overhaul Class 26 in the mid-80s and modifications included - Class 27 type window seals for draught reduction (some changed before HGR from 1982), 6LDA28-B parts from withdrawn Class 25 locomotives, air brakes, steam generator removal, headcode disk removal.

The overhaul dates are listed below.

26013 spent an extended period at Crewe in 1980 for assessment work, although the works programme was performed at Glasgow. However, 26013 itself was not overhauled.

BR Classes 24, 25 and 27

BR Class 24 was built to the same specification, but was more expensive to maintain in traffic, substantial withdrawals taking place from 1975. Class 27 was a 1250hp, 90mph development of Class 26, a similar specification to the Class 25 developed from Class 24.

Names

26001 was named "Eastfield" after the Glasgow maintenance location on 26/7/91.
26004 was named "Spirit of Springburn" after Glasgow Works on 16/6/87.

Nicknames

Class 26 were the "tea-cups" after the sound of their engine-idle noise.

Dates and Fates

Preserved