A funeral with a “coffin” and “pall bearers” was held in Arbroath on Saturday to mark the “death of publicly owned and accountable rail services”.
Members of Radical Independence (Angus and Mearns) and the Scottish Green Party carried a “coffin” on to the platform as the last East Coast train departed for Montrose just after midday.
Passengers watched on in bemusement as the campaigners marched alongside the train holding the cardboard structure which was marked “Bring Back British Rail” and “East Coast RIP”.
The ceremony followed a leaflet drop at the station.
Inter City Railways Ltd (ICRL), a subsidiary jointly owned by Stagecoach and Virgin Trains, took over the East Coast franchise.
The firms promised to invest £140m in the route over eight years, and will pay the Government £3.3bn for the contract.
The franchise, which covers the route between London and Edinburgh, has been publicly run since 2009.
The Rev David Mumford, rector of St Andrews Church, Brechin, who is a member of the group, said: “East Coast have gone some way to serving the public interest.
“They’ve run trains from Angus and Dundee to London, stopping at all major stations, with good facilities, and a reasonably fair loyalty/rewards scheme.
“Radical Independence (Angus) and the Angus Greens are concerned the new private franchisee has already gutted the rewards scheme, and will pursue private profit rather than public service.”
Photo by Angus Pictures