Originally posted by Kerrowdown From a time when things were built to last or least be repairable... not like now.
I don't know how railroads that operate in Scotland function, but here in the US, virtually every major railroad {and some minor ones} operate at least one 'shop', where major maintenance is done.
The one operated by "AMTRAK" {who provides national passenger service} even finishes construction {mainly adding trucks and couplers} of imported 'light rail' and passenger cars.
When my wife and I rode on AMTRAK about ten years ago, the train included a dining car from the 1950's.
The life they can get from this equipment is truly amazing.