This day in history 01 May

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Images



Parkhead North: N2 0-6-2T 69507 passing the site of Parkhead North station in May 1958 with a Hyndland - Shettleston train. The bridge in the background carried the Switchback over the formation, while that to the left carried the parallel goods lines.

Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1958


Bellgrove East Junction: Parkhead V3 2-6-2T 67674 passing Bellgrove East Junction on May Day 1958 with a Hyndland - Airdrie service.

City of Glasgow Union Railway
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1958


Camlachie Goods Yard: V1 67661 at Camlachie on 1 May 1958 with a Hyndland - Shettleston train, with PW work taking place in the goods yard on the left. See image [[50798]]

Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1958


Camlachie Goods Yard: A Hyndland - Easterhouse train passing Camlachie box on 1 May 1958 behind V1 2-6-2T 67633.

Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1958


Parkhead Junction [NB]: V3 67643 passing Parkhead Junction eastbound on 1 May 1958 with a Hyndland - Airdrie train. The line running off to the right is the link to Haghill Junction see image [[11305]]. In the left background the bridge carrying the Switchback can be seen crossing the formation just beyond the site of Parkhead North station (closed September 1955).

Glasgow and Coatbridge Branch (North British Railway)
G H Robin collection by courtesy of the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 1958


Partick North Junction: Standard 2MT 2-6-0 78051, propelling a brake van past Partick North junction, on its way back to Dawsholm depot on 1st May 1964. The massive shape of Meadowside Granary forms the background with a Standard Vanguard saloon prominent in the foreground.

Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway
Robin McGregor 1964


Maud: Cross-platform interchange for passengers and parcels at Maud Junction. Photograph taken from the 12.25pm Aberdeen-Fraserburgh train on Saturday 1st May 1965. NBL Type 2 D6152 is standing at the adjacent platform with the 1.30pm departure for Peterhead.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Ellon: Classic BR uniforms glimpsed at Ellon from the 12.25 Aberdeen-Fraserburgh train on Saturday 1st May 1965, with driver and secondman hanging out of the NBL Type 2 at the front (yes, a diesel locomotive). The Station Master - identified by the copious gold braid - is Alastair Farquhar, who hailed from Buckie. He had previously been based at lonely Riccarton Junction, and would face yet more change in five months' time when passenger trains were withdrawn from the Fraserburgh and Peterhead lines. [With thanks to Bruce McCartney]

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Mintlaw: Last day of passenger services at Mintlaw on 1st May 1965, and a good complement of passengers for a westbound service, headed by an NBL Type 2.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


St Combs: The 2.15 pm from Fraserburgh to St Combs has just arrived at the light railway's terminus on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of operation. The photographer's father-in-law and son (who would rather be at a football match) watch proceedings on the right.

St Combs Light Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Maud: NBL Type 2 D6152 shortly after arrival at Maud with a train from Peterhead on 1st May 1965, the final day of passenger services between the two stations.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Strichen: The driver of NBL Type 2 D6149, heading the 3.15pm Fraserburgh-Aberdeen train on 1st May 1965, exchanges single line tokens with the signalman at Strichen.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Maud: NBL D6152 at Maud, on 1st May 1965. This was the final day of passenger services from Peterhead.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Maud: Looking back from the 3.15pm Fraserburgh - Aberdeen following its arrival at Maud Junction on 1 May 1965. The train is now pulling out of the south end of the station prior to reversing back in order to attach a portion of the 3.20pm ex-Peterhead on the right. The locomotive and remaining vehicles off the Peterhead train are now standing on the east side of the island platform. See image [[34889]]

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Cairnbulg: The distinctive links landscape of the St Combs branch, seen looking back towards Cairnbulg from the rear of the 2.15pm DMU from Fraserburgh on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of service.

St Combs Light Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Cairnbulg: The track disappears away to infinity (well actually St Combs), as seen from the rear of the 2.40 pm train to Fraserburgh at Cairnbulg on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of service. To the left of the open crossing is Inverallochy primary school with what appears to be a member of staff keeping an eye on proceedings.

St Combs Light Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Cairnbulg: View from the rear of a DMU leaving Cairnbulg station for Fraserburgh on the former St Combs Light Railway on 1 May 1965, the last day of scheduled passenger services on the branch.

St Combs Light Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Newmachar: Black fumes from an NBL Type 2 blot an otherwise perfect sky as the 12.25pm Aberdeen-Fraserburgh train powers away from Newmachar on Saturday 1st May 1965.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Fraserburgh: The south end of the Fraserburgh station / yard complex seen from the rear of the 2.15 pm DMU to St Combs on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of branch services.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Fraserburgh: Fish to the fore - lots of 'door to door' wooden containers provide evidence of BR's important role in the movement of fish. Seen from the passenger station platform at Fraserburgh on Saturday 1st May 1965.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Longside: NBL Type 2 D6152 pauses at Longside with a westbound service. The picture was taken on the final day of passenger services between Peterhead and Maud.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Brian Haslehust 1965


Maud: The NBL Type 2s were, for a few years following dieselisation, the staple locomotive on Buchan line trains. In this photograph, having attached a portion off the 3.20pm ex-Peterhead see image [[37410]], the 3.15pm train from Fraserburgh (from which the photograph is taken) is pulling away from Maud Junction to continue its journey south to Aberdeen. Meantime, the driver of the Peterhead train is about to rejoin his locomotive in order to carry out some shunting operations.

Formartine and Buchan Railway
Frank Spaven Collection (Courtesy David Spaven) 1965


Arkleston Junction: A lot was happening at Arkleston junction on 1 May 1966, as the four line section to Shields Road was being converted to two by removing the fast lines. In this view looking east, a Plassermatic tamper is consolidating the new westbound line. This date marked the end of the races between the Glasgow Central and Glasgow St Enoch trains, which could be quite exciting in steam days.

Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway
Colin Kirkwood 1966


Gourock: The Scottish Region's first day without steam was 1 May 1967, and on that day EE Type 1 D8026 was ready to leave with a Glasgow train from Gourock. Life would never be the same again!

Gourock Extension Railway (Caledonian Railway)
Colin Kirkwood 1967


Finsbury Park: This was taken at Finsbury Park in May 1968. It was a special event that involved a Deltic and 4472 leaving Kings Cross simultaneously.

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
John Thorn 1968


Strawfrank Junction: EE Type 4 No. 343 heads south between Carstairs station and Strawfrank Junction with the 08.25 Larbert to Wallerscote Sidings (Northwich) soda ash empties in 1971. The train was booked as a class 7 working but this clearly depended on whether or not it had to convey unbraked wagons.

Caledonian Railway
Bill Jamieson 1971


Carstairs: Saturday 1st May 1971 was the last day when signalmen at Carstairs No. 2 box (situated just north of the station) would see normal daytime traffic pass their windows. From the following Monday the WCML in Scotland would only be open for the heavy night-time traffic, with trains diverted via the G&SW during the day in order for electrification works to proceed unhindered.

Caledonian Railway
Bill Jamieson 1971


Strawfrank Junction: Brush Type 4 No. 1684 on a Carlisle Yard to Millerhill partially fitted mixed freight cautiously approaching Strawfrank Junction, Carstairs, in May 1971. The train is about to take the tightly curved chord towards Edinburgh. This is just the sort of traffic which would have used the Waverley Route only a few years previously.

Caledonian Railway
Bill Jamieson 1971


Mill Hill East: Mill Hill East, with a train of LU 1938 stock on a Northern Line service, in May 1973. (See my photo, image no. 79713, for a view from the same point nearly half a century later in 2019 with a digital destination indicator and Orwellian cc tv camera, renewed roundel running-in board, replacement of the original wooden platform and a new fence too!)

Edgware, Highgate and London Railway
David Bosher 1973


Wennington Junction: On May 1st 1976, Hardwicke and Flying Scotsman spent much of the day on display at Settle before working a second S&C centenary special. This one had originated at Blackburn and enjoyed steam power on the Hellifield to Carnforth leg of its return journey from Carlisle, seen here passing Wennington. As can be seen from the glistening rails, the weather was far from ideal for such an occasion. See image [[38631]]

North Western Railway
Bill Jamieson 1976


Wennington Junction: Hardwicke piloting Flying Scotsman on a train of preserved saloons running between Carnforth and Carlisle in May 1976 as part of the Settle and Carlisle centenary celebrations. The train had been booked to be worked as far as Hellifield by the Midland Compound and Black 5 No 44871, but neither proved fit on the day, resulting in this stopgap pairing, seen approaching Wennington. The trackbed of the closed ex-MR line to Lancaster Green Ayre is prominent on the left.

North Western Railway
Bill Jamieson 1976


Lavenham: The passenger service through Lavenham ended in 1961 and the last train departed in 1965, but by 1977, when this photo was taken, the building was surviving in good repair. Built in the same style as the stations on the nearby Stour Valley route, the choice of brick colour gave it a particularly pleasing appearance. Unfortunately, notwithstanding its good condition, it stood in the way of someone's ambition and was demolished the following year.

Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds Line (Great Eastern Railway)
Mark Dufton 1977


Paisley Hamilton Street: The cold storage facility at the old Abercorn goods station, Paisley, being demolished in 1977. This was located to the west of Paisley Abercorn station and served by the sidings which ran into the former Hamilton Street station.

Paisley and Renfrew Railway
David Douglas 1977


Euxton Junction: Euxton Junction, May 1980, and 40112 is on the Down Slow with a mixed freight just about to pass under the M6 Motorway. It will take the East Lancashire line at Farington Junction and then join the Settle & Carlisle via the Blackburn to Hellifield line. The leading wagons are wooden bodied China Clays, some with roller bearings and the train is believed to be 7M86 from St. Blazey to Kingmoor. The china clay wagons would go forward from Carlisle to either Cadder or Corpach. [My thanks to Richard Adamthwaite for additional information about this working].

North Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 1980


Mosstowie: 27003+27007 with a westbound train at Mosstowie on 1 May 1980.

Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
Peter Todd 1980


St Erth: Green liveried 50007 Sir Edward Elgar (formerly Hercules) at St Erth on an up TPO on 1 May 1984.

Cornwall Railway
Colin Alexander 1984


St Erth: 50007 Sir Edward Elgar with an up TPO at St Erth in May 1984. The class 50 had received its new nameplates a week earlier (having previously carried the name Hercules).

Cornwall Railway
Colin Alexander 1984


Leith Walk West Goods: Sign fronting Leith Walk in May 1986, approximately 18 years after closure of the goods depot at Leith Walk West.

Leith New Lines (Caledonian Railway)
David Panton 1986


Crigglestone Junction: 37350 with the Power to the Tower special, returning from Blackpool North past Crigglestone Junction signal box on 1 May 1989. The train is about to cross to the up line after leaving the branch from Horbury Bridge on its way back to Sheffield. See image [[34183]]

Manchester and Leeds Railway
David Pesterfield 1989


Corrour Summit: Corrour Summit, looking back to Corrour where an engineers inspection train is paused (for nearly an hour). The footbridge had been removed not long before. This was the day a Shackleton crashed in the Outer Hebrides.

West Highland Railway
Ewan Crawford 1990


Milnwood Junction: View over Milnwood / Mossend South Junction with lines diverging to Holytown, Coatbridge Central and Bellshill. In the background is British Steel Tubes division's Clydesdale Mill. A further line in the 'V' of the junction served Mossend Yard's down yard.

Wishaw and Coltness Railway
Bill Roberton 1991


Inverness: An Edinburgh train prepares to leave Inverness in May 2002.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Liskeard: A Virgin CrossCountry HST runs west through Liskeard station on the afternoon of 1 June 2002 on its way to Penzance.

Cornwall Railway
Ian Dinmore 2002


Inverness: Lever frame - Inverness station - May 2002.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Inverness: EWS 67027 stands at Inverness in May 2002 having worked in on the Sleeper.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Inverness: Looking back towards the concourse at Inverness in May 2002, with the London sleeper docked on the left and trains to Edinburgh (centre) and the far north line in the station.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Inverness: Looking out along platform 2 at Inverness station in May 2002.

Inverness and Nairn Railway
John Furnevel 2002


Dawsholm Gasworks: Before work started to re-instate the Maryhill-Anniesland line it was still possible to look through the gate down the old tunnel between Dawsholm and Temple Gasworks. This low tunnel carried a private railway and passed under the Forth and Clyde Canal. Surprisingly the track was still in place at the Dawsholm end.

Temple and Dawsholm Gasworks
Ewan Crawford 2004


West Calder: EWS 66225 brings a coal train through West Calder station on a May morning in 2005 heading in the Edinburgh direction.

Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
John Furnevel 2005


Markinch Viaduct: A GNER HST crossing the A911 road on Markinch Viaduct in May 2005 - photographed looking east.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
John Furnevel 2005


West Calder: Looking over the 1869 station at West Calder from the A71 road bridge in May 2005, with the main building now in use as a restaurant. In the background is the United Free Church of Scotland on Limefield Road and, to the right, part of the old goods shed can just be seen see image [[15545]].

Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
John Furnevel 2005


Markinch: Markinch station looking north in May 2005 showing the remains of the yard and parcels shed. The goods shed used to store 60009 Union of South Africa stood in front of this until demolished following fire damage. See image [[24902]]

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
John Furnevel 2005


Leslie Viaduct: Looking towards the site of Leslie Station from the viaduct - May 2005.

Leslie Railway
John Furnevel 2005


Markinch Viaduct: A GNER Aberdeen bound HST heads north over Markinch Viaduct on 1 May 2005. The station is off picture to the left. View is east along the A911 road towards the Fife coast.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
John Furnevel 2005


Leslie Viaduct: Leslie Viaduct from the south in May 2005 with the chimney of one of the last of the Leven Valley mills bisecting the central arch.

Leslie Railway
John Furnevel 2005


Leslie: View of the former Leslie east yard in May 2005. The Fettykill Paper Mill branch came in from the right. The site of the long demolished Leslie station (closed to passengers in 1932) is off to the left. See image [[23083]]

Leslie Railway
John Furnevel 2005


Brundall: Eric Sadler opening the gates at Brundall on 1 May 2006. Wonder what he's looking forward to at the end of his shift...

Yarmouth and Norwich Railway (Norfolk Railway)
Ian Dinmore 2006


Perth: An Inverness to Edinburgh service calls at Perth Platform 4 on 1 May 2007 This is by some way Scotland's longest singly-numbered platform, being able to accommodate 24 coaches, although the combined platforms 6N & 6S at Aberdeen can handle 25.

Scottish Central Railway
David Panton 2007


Ladybank: Annsmuir level crossing. Maintainance worker in fine form.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Ladybank Works: Abandoned building that was once part of the former Edinburgh, Perth & Dundee works, situated Northwest of Ladybank station alongside the Perth line.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Perth: A Perth - Inverness service waits to leave platform 7 on 1 May 2007.

Scottish Central Railway
David Panton 2007


Perth: Platform 2 at Perth on 1 May 2007, with 170 426 about to depart with a Glasgow Queen Street - Aberdeen service.

Dundee and Perth Railway
David Panton 2007


Kingussie: The signal box at Kingussie has been given an upgrade and has acquired an extension.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
John Gray 2008


Plates, signs, notices etc: Excerpt from the First ScotRail timetable supplementary leaflet issued in May 2009, giving information on planned timetable changes/enhancements.

First ScotRail
David Panton 2009


Galgate: On 1st May 1939, four of the six stations between Preston and Lancaster closed. 70 years later to the day, 185116 speeds through Galgate on its way to Manchester Airport. The station itself was situated some 200yds north of this point but is inaccessible for pictures and in any case all trace has been swept away. View from the A6 main road immediately north of the M6 Junction 33 roundabout.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2009


Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]: On the 70th anniversary of closure (1.5.39) a Voyager speeds north past the site of Scorton station. The station comprised wooden platforms elevated on the embankment immediately south of this small bridge over Station Lane See image [[23874]]. All trace of the station was swept away many years ago.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2009


Barton and Broughton: Of the four Lancaster and Preston stations that closed in 1939 only Barton and Broughton survived for a long period, with the station buildings used as private residences. A 4-car Voyager speeds south towards Preston on the 70th anniversary of the station's closure. Sadly the building was demolished in 2013.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2009


Glasgow Central: Looking along Argyle Street towards Glasgow Central on the 1st May 2009

Glasgow Central Station (Caledonian Railway)
Graham Morgan 2009


Brock: The only artefact of Brock station that still existed after electrification was this elderly lamp standard by the foot crossing (and a decapitated one on the far side). The crossing was remodelled for 125mph trains and for some time was the only one between Preston and Lancaster. In 2014 however, like all the others before it, the Brock crossing was replaced by a footbridge.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2009


Brock: Brock station was a small wooden affair that lay between the point from which this picture was taken and the River Brock bridge, visible by the second coach of the northbound Voyager. Situated by the A6 main road, it succumbed to bus competition on 1.5.39 and little remains in this view taken on the 70th anniversary of its closure.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2009


Glasgow Central: The Railway Heritage Award plaque near the Argyle Street entrance of Glasgow Central. This was awarded in 1999 for work on the Hielanman's Umbrella in Argyle Street

Glasgow Central Station (Caledonian Railway)
Graham Morgan 2009


Euxton Balshaw Lane: On a gloomy afternoon 150143, heading from Liverpool to Blackpool North, has just joined the slow lines at the start of the four track section to Preston and rolls into Euxton Balshaw Lane. The signal in the background protects the junction at the start of the two track section to Wigan North Western.

North Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2009


Hayes Knoll: Fowler Diesel Mechanical locomotive no 4210137, heading a local freight during the Swindon and Cricklade Railway Gala Day on 1 May 2010.

Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway
Peter Todd 2010


Wemyss Bay: 'Beyond the end of the line' exhibition, Wemyss Bay. Nancy Cameron inviting Innes Nelson to declare the exhibition open, with creators Chris Hogg and Lynn Patrick standing alongside.

Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway
First ScotRail 2010


Dundee: A driver heads for his train in the north bay at Dundee on 1 May 2010.

Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)
Brian Forbes 2010


Wemyss Bay: Wemyss Bay exhibition - 'Beyond the End of the Line'. The exhibition catalogue.

Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway
First ScotRail 2010


Hayes Knoll: BR class 03 no D2022 is yard shunter at Hayes Knoll during the Swindon and Cricklade Railway's Industrial Locomotive Gala day on 1 May.

Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway
Peter Todd 2010


Grosmont: Fine of line. Sir Nigel Gresley's eponymous 60007 rests between turns at Grosmont on a beautiful Mayday 2011. Surely still an inspiration to all engineers that form and beauty can sit well with function. Think Gresley A4, Supermarine Spitfire, Ferrari, Ducati ...

Whitby and Pickering Railway
Brian Taylor 2011


Elsecar: The Elsecar Heritage Railway is located at the southern end of the freight only branch that ran south west from Elsecar Junction on the Wath - Barnsley line. Peckett OQ class 0-6-0ST no 2150 of 1954 Mardy Monster - the most powerful steam locomotive built for industrial use in the UK - is seen at the centre's 'Rockingham Station' on 1 May 2011. [The station is located at the rear of Elsecar Heritage Centre.]

Elsecar to Mexborough Line (South Yorkshire, Doncaster and Goole Railway)
Bruce McCartney 2011


Kielder Forest: The north end of the former Kielder Forest station seen in 2012. A 'new' stone wall crosses the trackbed, separating the Kielder Stane Walk from a private garden, the former platform and trackbed area. [Ref query 5 November 2018]

Border Counties Railway
Ewan Crawford 2012


Whitrope Siding: The buffet reaches the Golden Bridge at Whitrope Siding. This coach came north by low loader see image [[38431]]. The view looks north with the former signalbox and siding beyond the caravan to the right.

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2012


Thorlieshope Lime Works: This lime works was about half a mile to the north of Deadwater station and served by a siding. The view looks west to the disused lime kiln from the trackbed of the closed line.

Border Counties Railway
Ewan Crawford 2012


Whitrope Siding: The large wooden board declares 'Whitrope' and the BR Totem 'Whitrope Siding'. I'm not sure, but that could be a future bay platform to the right. The view looks south towards Riccarton.

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2012


Frances Colliery: The east end of the Frances Colliery site on 1 May 2012 see image [[38687 for the view from the same position thirty eight years earlier]].

Frances Colliery Railway (Earl of Rosslyn Collieries)
Bill Roberton 2012


National Museum of Scotland: How to construct a lattice-post signal - National Musuem of Scotland, Edinburgh, May 2012.

National Museums of Scotland
Colin Miller 2012


Barassie: The inaugural run of Colas Railfreight on the Grangemouth to Prestwick aviation fuel tanks, having taken over the contract from DB Schenker. 66847 eases the train through Barassie at 09.03 on 1st May 2012.

Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
Ken Browne 2012


Riccarton Junction: Running down the east side of the Border Counties Railway for the first third of a mile was a long siding served by two platforms or loading banks one after the other on the east side of the line (the use of which I don't know). This siding allowed reversal into the coaling area and sidings to the east side of the junction. This view shows the southern of these two platforms and the view looks to Hexham.

Border Counties Railway
Ewan Crawford 2012


Whitrope Siding: View towards the tunnel at Whitrope Siding showing the new station. The further away locomotive under repair is from Hartlepool Power Station.

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2012


Whitrope Siding: The location formerly known as Whitrope Siding is gradually becoming a station. (That telephone box, could it be from Riccarton Junction? see image [[24900]]) The view is towards Riccarton and the railway cottage is beyond the line off to the left.

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2012


Riccarton Junction: Riccarton Junction viewed beside the former south signalbox. The Border Counties line was immediately to the left and the Border Union further to the left. The station site was distant centre. See image [[36030]] for a 1963 view. The line running on the ground from bottom left to the centre is the side of the former covered coaling area, the coal shed being off to the right.

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2012


Saughtree: Sixty years after H.C. Casserley took a well known photograph from a Hexham bound train this photograph was taken from a northbound service on the approach to Saughtree courtesy of today's owners of the station, [Geoff & Meg Mann]. The station was beautifully restored from a ruin as a house. It is preserved in a wonderfully understated manner.

Border Counties Railway
Ewan Crawford 2012


Riccarton Junction: Scene at the north end of Riccarton Junction on 1st May 2012. The buffer stop timbers are still there amongst the undergrowth see image [[42515]].

Border Union Railway (North British Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2012


Rufford: 37611 leading and 37603 on the rear of a Network Rail test train at Rufford on the evening of 1 May 2013.

Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway (East Lancashire Railway)
John McIntyre 2013


Moy: DRS class 37s nos 37259 and 37608 top and tail the nuclear flask train across the moors at Moy on the way north to Georgemas Junction on 1 May 2013.

Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
John Gray 2013


Newtondale Halt: Lambton 0-6-2 Tank, No. 29 pilots K1 2-6-0 No. 62005 into Newtondale on 1 May with the NYMR 40th Anniversary train, 14.00 ex Whitby. The pair had made light work of the 3 miles of 1 in 49 between Grosmont and Goathland. No. 29 was on the official re-opening train, 40 years to the day earlier and has aged much better than the photographer, as archive photos taken of both on Grosmont Station platform on 1st May 1973 prove!

Whitby and Pickering Railway
Brian Taylor 2013


Levisham: No. 29, resplendent in 12 hour old lining and lettering and No. 62005, immaculate in BR black, held at Levisham with the NYMR 40 year Anniversary Special on 1st May 2013. The combination of 29's Philadelphia chime whistle and 62005's North Eastern shrieker, echoing from the valley sides and across the moors was enough to raise the (few remaining) hairs... and no doubt the ghosts of 40 years NYMR running.

Whitby and Pickering Railway
Brian Taylor 2013


Granada: A Renfe Class 599 dmu at Granada on 1 May 2013. The train is awaiting its 10.04 departure time for Almeria under the bright Andalucian sky.

RENFE
Andrew Wilson 2013


Granada: Granada station frontage on a fine spring May Day. Services operate from here to Almeria in the east; Sevilla in the west; and Madrid in the north. By rail to Madrid takes 4.5 hours and costs around 75 Euros. The bus takes around 5 hours and costs about 20 Euros. Hmmm.....

RENFE
Andrew Wilson 2013


Granada: Stabled in the sidings adjacent to the platforms at Granada on 1 May is a RENFE class 334 Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive. The snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains form the backdrop.

RENFE
Andrew Wilson 2013


Seville: Look - no wires! Tram 304 running in battery mode along interlaced tracks in Archivo de Indias on a non-catenary section of Seville's 2.2 km city route T1 in May 2013. The Urbos 3 vehicles, built by CAF, feature an Energy Accumulation System enabling them to operate wirelessly over certain sections of the network. See image [[47207]]

Tussam
Andrew Wilson 2013


Seville: Tram 304 pauses at Seville's Archivo de Indias stop on 1 May 2013. It has just left the battery operated section of track from Plaza Nueva see image [[47190]] and raised its pantograph for the catenary section for the remainder of the route to the San Bernardo terminus. A service travelling in the opposite direction approaches in the distance.

Tussam
Andrew Wilson 2013


Carron Water Bridge [East Croft of Carmont]: A4 60009 Union of South Africa passes over the Carron Water on 1 May 2014 during the climb out of Stonehaven with the Great Britain VII.

Aberdeen Railway
John Gray 2014


Winchburgh: Looking east over the main line at Winchburgh on 1 May 2014, with the ruins of Niddry Castle beyond the trees. The brick bridge (now in the middle of a golf course) once carried a siding from the main line into the Niddry Castle shale oil refinery.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Jim Peebles 2014


Winchburgh: K1 2-6-0 no 62005 heads for Winchburgh tunnel on 1 May 2014 with the Edinburgh Waverley - Fort William (train B) portion of the Great Britain VII railtour.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Jim Peebles 2014


Inverkeithing East Junction: 67022 passes Inverkeithing East Junction with the returning evening Fife commuter service, now formed of ex-Virgin stock, on 1 May.

Aberdour Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2014


Crewe: Colas Rail 56094 seen during a quick driver change at Crewe station whilst returning from Rolls-Royce at Sinfin, Derby, to the Ineos refinery at Grangemouth, with empty aviation fuel bogie tanks.

Grand Junction Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus: Mumbai's Chatrapathi Shivaji (formerly Victoria) Terminus in May 2014. Opened in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria (God bless her), the station is India's busiest, serving long distance trains as well as commuter services of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. The change of name took place in 1996.

Central Railway [India]
Mark Poustie 2014


Crewe: Brand new Colas class 70 locomotives 70806 and 70807 running into Crewe station on 1 May on their post import journey from Liverpool Docks to Bescot Yard, before entering service.

Grand Junction Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus: Concourse view at Mumbai's Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus on 1 May 2014 see image [[47178]].

Central Railway [India]
Mark Poustie 2014


Stockport: Virgin Pendolino 390001 leaves Stockport on the 10.17 departure to Manchester Piccadilly, having just passed the 183 mile post located in the centre of the station.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Boat o' Brig Viaduct: A4 Pacific No. 60009 Union of South Africa has just crossed the River Spey at Boat o' Brig, between Keith and Elgin, on 1 May 2014 with the Great Britain VII (train A) on its way to Inverness.

Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
John Gray 2014


Carmont: 60009 Union of South Africa runs north through Carmont on 1 May 2014 bound for Aberdeen with the Great Britain VII.

Aberdeen Railway
John Gray 2014


Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus: Part of Mumbai's Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus in May 2014. See image [[47187]]

Central Railway [India]
Mark Poustie 2014


Wakefield Westgate: View south through Wakefield Westgate after removal of the south end footbridge, following opening of the new upside station building and new DDR footbridge at the north end of the station.

Bradford, Wakefield and Leeds Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Huntly: A4 60009 Union of South Africa south of Huntly on 1 May 2014 heading for Aberdeen with the Great Britain VII.

Great North of Scotland Railway
John Gray 2014


Glenesk Viaduct: Crossing Glenesk Viaduct on foot, May 2015. View is north towards Sheriffhall. Part of the diverted walkway/cycleway that once crossed the viaduct is just visible in the bottom right corner of the picture turning towards Dalkeith.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Eskbank and Dalkeith: A QTS vegetation management squad in action at the old Eskbank station site on 1 May 2015.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2015


Oykel Viaduct: 66111 heads south over the Oykel Viaduct on 1 May 2015 with the empty tank wagons from Lairg. After a long period of absence this is the second tank train in just over a week.

Sutherland Railway
John Gray 2015


Alness: DRS 37218 and 37605 top and tail the nuclear flask train southwards between Invergordon and Alness on 1 May 2015. In the background the Cromarty Firth, with a couple of drilling platforms awaiting a recall to the North Sea.

Inverness and Ross-shire Railway
John Gray 2015


Coventry Arena: View north towards Nuneaton on 1 May 2015 over the well-advanced construction of Coventry Arena station. Completion is scheduled for June 2015.

Coventry to Nuneaton (London and North Western Railway)
Ken Strachan 2015


Hardengreen Viaduct: ScotRail 158701, forming the 0845 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley, crossing Hardengreen Viaduct on Sunday morning 1 May 2016. The train is less than half a mile from its next scheduled stop at Eskbank.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2016


Portrack Viaduct: Unfortunately 'Ruston' reads like a very accurate description ...

Displayed in the Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack House, Dumfriesshire.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
Mark Wringe 2016


Newtongrange: A Sunday morning service on the Borders line calls at Newtongrange on May Day 2016. The builings, headgear and boiler house chimney of Lady Victoria Colliery (now the Scottish Mining Museum) stand in the background. The tree covered hill immediately beyond the car park is the remains of the colliery waste bing. Like its neighbour a mile and a half to the south, the bing suffered intermittently from smouldering fires producing noxious fumes see image [[54902]] which led to action being taken during the late 1980s/early 1990s to remedy the problem permanently (including removal of much of the spoil).

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2016


Portrack Viaduct: The annual open day at the Charles Jencks 'Garden of Cosmic Speculation' at Portrack House, north of Dumfries, on 1 May 2016. The GSWR main line can just be made out through the fence, immediately south of the bridge over the Nith. See image [[2579]] [Ref query 15556]

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
Mark Wringe 2016


Newcraighall North Junction: A ScotRail 158 heading for Tweedbank appears below Whitehill Road bridge shortly after restarting from Newcraighall on 1 May 2016. The Millerhill freight lines are in the foreground.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2016


Newtongrange: The 1018 to Edinburgh Waverley (0945 ex-Tweedbank) boarding at Newtongrange on 1 May 2016.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2016


Kirkland Yard: Kirkland Yard, the base of The Fife Railway Preservation Group.

Kirkland Yard and Leven Dock to Methil Line Widening (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2016


Newtongrange: A Tweedbank - Edinburgh train about to restart from the platform at Newtongrange on 1 May 2016 before passing below the refurbished bridge with raised parapet carrying the A7.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2016


Hardengreen Viaduct: The 0911 Edinburgh - Tweedbank crossing Hardengreen Viaduct on 1 May 2016.

Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway
John Furnevel 2016


Loth: North of Brora, The Far North Line runs along the east coast until it reaches Helmsdale then turns inland to follow the Strath of Kildonan. Black 5 No. 44871 is pictured near Loth, between Brora and Helmsdale, with The Great Britain IX.

Duke of Sutherland^s Railway
John Gray 2016


Kildonan: Black 5 No.44871 leads The Great Britain IX through the Strath of Kildonan and begins to accelerate away from the bridge over the River Helmsdale up the gradient to Kinbrace. Class 47 No.47760 is giving a wee shove at the rear.

Sutherland and Caithness Railway
John Gray 2016


Portrack Viaduct: 'Portrack Scottish Garden of Rails 2004' and GSWR main line bridge over the Nith, Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack House, Dumfriesshire.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
Mark Wringe 2016


Portrack Viaduct: 'Portrack Scottish Garden of Rails 2004' and GSWR main line bridge over the Nith, Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack Ho, Dumfriesshire.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
Mark Wringe 2016


Malvern Link: Scene at Malvern Link station, Worcestershire, on 1 May 2017, looking south towards the A449 road bridge. A London Midland Hereford - Birmingham New Street service is at the northbound plaform. [Ref query 1067] Notice the British Rail flag hanging somewhat limply (not Limpley) from the station master's house.

Worcester and Hereford Railway
Ken Strachan 2017


Colwall: The rather rough road shown here is Brockhill Road; but between about 1910 and 1931, it was a railway of gauge approximately three feet linking Colwall Park Quarry with Colwall station (more or less). Amidst all this uncertainty, I can report with complete confidence that the rather spiffing gentleman's speedy roadster on the left is a 1937 Lagonda.

Colwall Park Quarry Railway
Ken Strachan 2017


Dalwhinnie: A welcome return of steam on the Highland Main Line ,Black 5 No.45212 and K1 No.62005 are pictured north of Dalwhinnie with The Great Britain X . There is no headboard on the lead locomotive.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
John Gray 2017


Moy: Not far to go now. Black 5 No.45212 and K1 No.62005 are a few minutes early as they haul The Great Britain X across the moor at Moy near Inverness.

Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
John Gray 2017


Moy: Following The Great Britain X West Coast Railways Class 37, No.37685 Loch Arkaig and a support coach cross the moor at Moy on the final leg of the journey to Inverness, escorted by a duck.

Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
John Gray 2017


Colwall: How do you hold a gate open on the 21st century digital railway? Try a rock. Colwall in May 2017.

Worcester and Hereford Railway
Ken Strachan 2017


Colwall: DMU 170509 leaves Colwall on its way to Hereford on 1st May 2017 with a service from Birmingham New Street. The rugged hills are typical of the Malvern area in the background. [Ref query 1053]

Hereford and Worcester Railway
Ken Strachan 2017


Colwall: This is what happens if you don't give steam engines enough coal and water - they starve to death. Lakeshore Railroad's new build Sapphire rests on 9.5-inch metals on the light railway in the grounds of the Downs School.

Downs Light Railway
Ken Strachan 2017


Malvern Link: The recently built, and traditionally styled, buildings at Malvern Link are a vast improvement on the previous, sadly run down facilities.

Worcester and Hereford Railway
Ken Strachan 2017


Coxwold: A view looking north west across the eastern most level crossing of two that crossed Colley Broach Road, in the Newburgh Priory Estate east of Coxwold Station, in close proximity to each other. The trackbed is intact between both crossing points, the other being located at the end of the line of roadside hedge running across the upper left of view. The view is taken from the top of an infilled former short section of cutting on the east side of the crossing.

Pilmoor to Malton Line (York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway)
David Pesterfield 2017


Coxwold: Colley Broach Road was until recent years a rutted single width track serving farms on the Newburgh Estate just east of Coxwold Station, but like similar ones in the area has been reconstructed with a hard metalled surface. This has taken away the post closure character of the two level crossings that existed in close proximity to each other towards the Ampleforth Station end of the lane, as shown in this view looking south east standing by the old trackbed at the slightly more west of the two crossing location. The track ran from upper right to lower left of view with the nearest post for the barrier to right being sited almost mid track.

Pilmoor to Malton Line (York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway)
David Pesterfield 2017


Kingussie: After a water stop at Kingussie, Black 5 No.45212 and K1 No.62005 power up the gradient towards Kincraig with The Great Britain X.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
John Gray 2017


Hadley Wood: 313123, on a local service to Welwyn Garden City, about to depart from Hadley Wood on 1st May 2017. The final Great Northern 313s ran in 2019 but in 2022 these elderly EMUs are still in service with the Southern TOC on Coastway routes.

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
David Bosher 2017


Hadley Wood: Now withdrawn 313050, from Welwyn Garden City to Moorgate, arriving at Hadley Wood station, on 1st May 2017. This is the most northerly station in the London travelcard zones and was originally added to the line, opened in 1850, on 1st May 1885 so this view is 132 years to the day since it first appeared in the timetables. The station was completely reconstructed in 1959 from two to four platforms (the central island is no longer in use) in connection with the widening of the line and opening of the new Hadley Wood North Tunnel, alongside the original tunnel, to remove what had become a serious bottleneck. There is still a bottleneck north of Welwyn Garden City where the line narrows down to two tracks to cross the lofty Digswell Viaduct and passing Welwyn North station and through Welwyn North Tunnel before widening out to four tracks again south of Knebworth.

London to Peterborough (Great Northern Railway)
David Bosher 2017


National Museum of Scotland: Dilly-Dollys: Wylam Dilly, the second oldest surviving locomotive in the world, and Dolly the Sheep on display at the National Museum of Scotland.

National Museums of Scotland
John Yellowlees 2017


Culloden Viaduct: Colas Rail Freight liveried 60096 leaves Culloden Viaduct with the southbound cement empties. One cargo wagon and ten Tarmac cement tankers.

Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
John Gray 2017


Haymarket MPD: HST power-car at Haymarket Depot, showing the new livery.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Yellowlees 2018


Linlithgow: Edinburgh bound. A still, I videoed this to get the sound of a DMU as it will soon (?) be history.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
Colin Miller 2018


Larbert: Great poster at Larbert. 'Stirling's Better by Bike'. The advertises the Stirling Cycle Hub which is based in Stirling station.

Scottish Central Railway
John Yellowlees 2018


Addiewell: Sprinter 156435 approaching Addiewell, on the 14.06 service to Glasgow Central from Edinburgh Waverley, on 1st May 2019.

Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
Gordon Steel 2019


Newtonhill: The 'Great Britain XII' has the appearance of a ghost train as it runs through an east coast Haar at Newtonhill on its way to Aberdeen hauled by A4 Pacific No.60009 'Union of South Africa'.

Aberdeen Railway
John Gray 2019


Whitemoss Level Crossing: Running 90 minutes late through the rain 60009 approaches Whitemoss Level Crossing with the Great Britain XII tour on 1st May 2019.

Scottish Central Railway
John Robin 2019


Addiewell: 'Out with the Old in with the New'!!!!!! New 3 car EMU 385025, straight out of the box, (no flies on me) on the 14.07 ex Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley passing the old sprinter 156435 on the 14.06 ex Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central at a quiet Addiewell Station on 1st May 2019. A lot of works ongoing here at the moment.

Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)
Gordon Steel 2019


Ayr: General view of Ayr Station, Platforms 1, 2 and 3 from Platform 4 looking north on 1st May 2020. Photo ancillary to a permitted walk during the Corona virus emergency.

Ayr and Dalmellington Railway
Colin Miller 2020


Woodacre Crossing: Network Rail's 'Little Yellow Train', Measurement Sprinter 950001, is extremely well travelled and on 1st May 2020 worked from Derby to Carlisle calling at various points including travelling through the Barton and Broughton loop. Photograph taken at Woodacre on a permitted daily exercise walk.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2020


Ayr: A view at Ayr on 1st May 2020 showing recently cleared old bays on the east side of the station - reason unknown.

Ayr and Dalmellington Railway
Colin Miller 2020


Kincardine: 68018 runs through the closed Kincardine station, with the diverted 4A13 Grangemouth to Aberdeen intermodal, on 1 May 2021. 66422 is out of sight on the rear.

Kincardine Branch (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2021


Turnhouse: I think the driver of this Inverness service is waving to the driver of a passing 158 rather than me, alas. Remains of Turnhouse station are as scant as those of Gogar, its oppo on the E&G line, but the detached station house at Turnhouse survives. The hamlet of Turnhouse is about to be swamped by substantial housing development.

Forth Bridge Connecting Lines (North British Railway)
David Panton 2021


Moy: There was disruption on the Highland main line on Saturday 1st May 2021. The northbound Tesco container train hauled by 68017 'Hornet' had to be rescued by 37716 after the former failed at Killiecrankie. It arrived in Inverness four hours late. Thunderbrid 37716 is pictured at Moy with the late return working, roaring along in fine style. Unique, because I have never photographed a Class 37 on this service before. It was unfortunate that I missed out on getting a picture of the northbound train, but I did manage this shot of the return working.

Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
John Gray 2021


Edinburgh Gateway: A six-car 158 calls at Edinburgh Gateway bound for Waverley. I didn't notice whether anybody got off, but if just one person did they would have doubled the number of customers in the station - I was the other one. Substantial development is under way west of the station which will increase its catchment population, so there is hope.

Forth Bridge Connecting Lines (North British Railway)
David Panton 2021


Rosslynlee: Part of the abandoned former station house at Rosslynlee in May 2022. Dating from 1855 (originally named Roslin) the station closed along with the Peebles Loop in 1962.

Peebles Railway
John Furnevel 2022


Gorebridge: Buds ready to burst forth at Gorebridge on the first day of May 2022 as a train leaves the station with a Sunday morning Borders Railway service bound for Edinburgh Waverley.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2022


Grove Ferry & Upstreet: Looking east from Grove Ferry AHB LC towards Minster in May 2022. This is the site of the former Grove Ferry station from 1846, which became Grove Ferry and Upstreet in 1954. The station closed in 1966. Originally there was a ferry across the Great Stour river, a few yards to the right but this was replaced by a road bridge in the 1960s.

Ashford to Ramsgate Branch (South Eastern Railway)
John McIntyre 2022


Kingsknowe: All that remains of the yard at Kingsknowe, looking towards the level crossing on 1st May 2022.

Caledonian Railway
Duncan Ross 2022


Edinburgh Waverley: 66743 pulling away from Waverley with Royal Scotsman stock on 1st May 2022..

North British Railway
Duncan Ross 2022


Grove Ferry & Upstreet: Looking south over Grove Ferry AHB on 1 May 2022 with the 1960s bridge over the Great Stour a short distance away. Prior to that there had been a ferry here and hence the railway station. The station was to the left although today there is no trace. The Grove Ferry Inn which operated the ferry is still open today on the far bank of the river and the family had a hearty bank holiday dinner in the premises!

Ashford to Ramsgate Branch (South Eastern Railway)
John McIntyre 2022


Gorebridge: The 0947 ex-Tweedbank climbs away from the Gorebridge stop on 1 May 2022 with a Sunday morning service to Edinburgh Waverley.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2022


Garstang and Catterall: 151 years of history has come to an end. The Kenlis Arms opened in 1871 to serve passengers at the adjacent Garstang and Catterall Station, one and a half miles from Garstang itself, which had just become the junction for the Garstang and Knot End Railway. The hotel is closing and is pictured here on its last day, 1st May 2022. The station, to the left of this picture, closed in 1969.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Gore Glen Bridge: A pair of ScotRail 158s forming the 1011 (Sundays) Edinburgh Waverrley - Tweedbank about to run south through the Gore Glen between Newtongrange and Gorebridge on a fine May morning in 2022.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2022


Keynsham: Pleasant floral posters brightened up a dull concrete wall behind platform 1 at Keynsham in May 2022.

Great Western Railway
Ken Strachan 2022


Events


Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
1840Preston and Longridge RailwayOpened to Preston Deepdale. Horse operated.
1843Bristol and Exeter RailwayTaunton to Beambridge opened. Stations on this section at: Norton Fitzwarren, Wellington (Somerset) and a temporary terminus at Beambridge while a tunnel was completed.
1844Bristol and Exeter RailwayBeambridge to Exeter opened. Stations on this section at: Burlescombe, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton Junction, Cullompton, Hele and Bradninch, Silverton, Stoke Canon and Exeter St Davids.
1848Chester and Holyhead RailwayAber opened. Abergele opened.
1848Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)Line extended from Gorebridge to Bowland.
1849Spiersbridge Branch (Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway)Spiersbridge branch closed to passengers, remaining open to goods and minerals.
1850Buckinghamshire RailwayBletchley to Banbury opened.
1851Dundee and Arbroath RailwayBroughty Ferry to Broughty Pier closed, having been replaced with a new curve running from Broughty Pier to Broughty Junction.
1857North Berwick Branch (North British Railway)Dandy Car withdrawn.
1858Durham and Sunderland RailwayHendon station built 880 yards south to the replace former Sunderland station which was on the Town Moor just west of the South Dock locomotive shed.
1861Porthywaen BranchBranch opened to the Porthywaen Lime Quarries
1863Devon Valley RailwayOpened from Hopefield to Rumbling Bridge (worked by North British Railway).
1863Brecon and Merthyr RailwayBrecon to Pant opened.
1865Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway Wemyss Bay Steamboat CompanyOperates vessels between Wemyss Bay, Largs Pier and Millport Pier.
1867Kilkenny Junction RailwayKilkenny to Abbeyleix re-opened. Abbeyleix to Maryborough opened from Kilkenny to Maryborough on the Great Southern and Western Railway, where a connection is not made but a line runs into a bay platform.
1868Govan Branch (Glasgow and Paisley Joint Railway)Govan branch opened to goods from triangular junction at Ibrox.
1869Devon Valley RailwayDollar station opened
1869Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven RailwayAbbeyhill opened on the diversion.
1869Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven RailwayJunction Road station opened on the North_Leith> North Leith branch.
1871Devon Valley RailwayOpened from Dollar to 2nd_>Rumbling Bridge 2nd , temporary station 1st_>Rumbling Bridge 1st closed.
1872Macmerry Branch (North British Railway)Smeaton, Ormiston, Winton and Macmerry stations opened.
1875Greenock and Ayrshire RailwayGreenock Albert Harbour renamed 1st_>Greenock Princes Pier 1st .
1876City of Glasgow Union RailwayGorbals Junction to Langside Junction opened.
1876Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)First passenger train. Midland Railway trains run through Carlisle Citadel, continued north by the North British Railway or Glasgow and South Western Railway.
1877Callander and Oban RailwayTyndrum Goods Junction to Dalmally opened to passengers. CandO_>Tyndrum CandO and Dalmally opened, 1st_>Tyndrum 1st becomes a goods depot. A single road stone shed, Dalmally Shed, opened to the south of Dalmally station with a 48ft turntable.
1877North Eastern RailwayBowesfield Juncton to Carlton South Junction (later Redmarshall South Junction) to Carlton West Junction opened. Route never opened to regular passenger services.
1878Brynmawr and Blaenavon RailwayAbersychan and Talywain opened
1878Brynmawr and Blaenavon RailwayExtension to Abersychan and Talywain opened to passengers. Track in the station was jointly owned by the London and North Western Railway and the Great Western Railway as the line met its Talwain Branch here.
1879Uddingston Junction to Fullwood Junction (Caledonian Railway)Mossend branch opened for passengers from Uddingston Junction to Fullwood Junction. Associated with the impending opening of Glasgow Central and the diversion of trains from Edinburgh Princes Street via Shotts from Buchanan Street.
1879Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge RailwayWhifflet to North_British_>Bothwell North British opened for passengers. NB_>Bellshill NB opened.
1880West Riding and Grimsby RailwayAdwick-le-Street and Carcroft renamed Carcroft and Adwick-le-Street
1882Great North of Scotland RailwayDoubled 1st_>Kintore 1st to Inveramsay opened.
1882Hamilton and Strathaven RailwayBlantyre curve opened from CR_>Blantyre Junction CR on the Hamilton Branch (Caledonian Railway) to Auchinraith Junction on the Hamilton and Strathaven Railway.
1884Solway Junction RailwaySolway Viaduct repairs complete.
1885Exe Valley Railway (Great Western Railway)Line opened by the Great Western. Built to standard gauge.
1885Lanchester Valley Railway Extension (North Eastern Railway)2nd_>Consett 2nd renamed Consett and Blackhill.
1886Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)Tochieneal to Garmouth opened. Stations opened: Cullen, Portknockie, Findochty, GNSR_>Portessie GNSR , GNSR_>Buckie GNSR , Nether Buckie, Portgordon and GNSR_>Fochabers GNSR .
1886Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla Railway Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)Cairnie Junction to Grange North Junction curve opened.
1886Buckie and Portessie Branch (Highland Railway)Combined GNSR_>Portessie GNSR and HR_>Portessie HR station and junction opened with the opening of the Moray Coast Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway).
1889Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)Dundee Esplanade opened.
1889Tay Bridge and Associated Lines (North British Railway)Wormit opened.
1889Cleland and Midcalder Line (Caledonian Railway)Hartwood station opened.
1890Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh RailwayDrumchapel and Lochburn stations opened.
1890Caledonian Steam Packet CompanyStarts to operate service from Gourock Pier (Kempock Point). Gourock opened 01/06/1889.
1891Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven RailwayPiershill passenger station opened.
1891City of Dublin Junction RailwaysFully opened between Dublin Westland Row (end-on junction) and Dublin Amiens Street (where additional platforms were laid alongside the existing station, the junction being to the north east).
1896West Highland RailwayWhistlefield opened.
1896Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire RailwayMaryhill Junction to Bellshaugh Junction to Clydebank Riverside, Partick West Junction to Stobcross and Bellshaugh Junction to Kirklee Junction opened for goods. Kelvinside, Partick Central, Scotstoun Goods, CR_>Whiteinch CR , CR_>Yoker CR opened to goods. Branch into the 2nd_>Clyde Bank Iron Shipyard 2nd opened.
1896Lanchester Valley Railway Extension (North Eastern Railway)Consett and Blackhill renamed Blackhill.
1900Airdrie Branch (Caledonian Railway)New CR_>Airdrie Shed CR planned.
1900Glasgow and Milngavie Junction RailwayHillfoot station opened.
1901Gwendraeth Valleys RailwayAbbeydore re-opened
1901Ely Valley RailwayPassenger services start from Llantrisant to Penygraig.
1903Lanarkshire and Ayrshire RailwayGiffen Junction to Cathcart opened for passengers. CR_>Lugton CR , 1st_>Uplawmoor 1st , Neilston, Patterton, Whitecraigs station opened.
1903Lanarkshire and Ayrshire RailwayWith an independent route now established, Barrmill Junction to Giffen Junction was closed.
1903Cathcart District RailwayCathcart Junction renamed Pollokshields East Junction.
1903St Combs Light Railway (Great North of Scotland Railway)Line opened from Fraserburgh (Formartine and Buchan Railway) to St Combs. Stations opened at: Philorth Bridge, Cairnbulg and St Combs.
1905~Taff Vale RailwayAberthin Platform opened
1905Glasgow and Paisley Joint RailwayBridge Street closed by Caledonian Railway.
1905Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie RailwayLine extended from 2nd_>Lochearnhead 2nd to the then new 2nd_>Balquhidder 2nd station on the Callander and Oban Railway.
1905Strathaven and Darvel RailwayDarvel to Strathaven Central opened (joint operation of the Glasgow and South Western Railway and Caledonian Railway). Opened to passengers. Drumclog, Loudonhill and Ryeland opened.
1907Invergarry and Fort Augustus RailwayNorth British RailwayNorth British Railway start running service. Working agreement confirmed with the company.
1907Glasgow Central Station (Caledonian Railway)Gushetfaulds station closed. The buildings and platforms were subsequently removed allowing the tracks to be re-aligned.
1908Glasgow Central RailwayBellshaugh Junction to Dawsholm station closed to passengers.
1908Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire RailwayPossil closed to passengers. Alternative date 1909. Re-opened 1934.
1914Newry and Armagh RailwayLoughgilly Tunnel re-opened.
1916Trades Lane and Carolina Port Railway Dundee and Arbroath RailwayStannergate closed.
1919Dunfermline Branch (Edinburgh and Northern Railway)Sinclairtown, Halbeath, Kingskettle re-opened.
1926West Highland RailwayGortan renamed Gorton.
1930Monkland and Kirkintilloch RailwayBallochney Railway Slamannan Railway Slamannan and Borrowstounness RailwayCoatbridge (Greenside Junction) (excluded) to Manuel Low Level (excluded) closed to passengers. Commonhead, Rawyards, Airdrie Hallcraig Street, Whiterigg stations on the Ballochney Railway closed. Longriggend, Slamannan, Avonbridge, Blackston Junction, Bowhouse, MR_2nd_>Causewayend MR 2nd closed.
1930Torbanehill and Bathgate Branch (Monkland Railways)Blackston Junction to Bathgate Upper closed to passengers. Westfield and Bathgate Lower stations closed.
1930Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness RailwayMorningside to Bathgate (Polkemmet Junction) closed to passengers. NBR_>Morningside NBR , Fauldhouse and Crofthead (also known as Fauldhouse South), Bents and Whitburn closed.
1930Strathendrick and Aberfoyle RailwaySentinel-Cammell Steam Railcar shuttle introduced meeting trains from Glasgow Queen Street at Blanefield and running on to Aberfoyle. Eastfield Shed's railcar Retaliator was based at Aberfoyle shed.
1933Slamannan and Borrowstounness RailwayManuel Low Level to Bo^ness Low Junction (excluded) closed to passengers. Manuel Low Level closed.
1933Edinburgh and Dalkeith RailwayEdinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway (Glencorse to Millerhill) closed to passengers.
1939Glasgow Central RailwayKirklee closed.
1954Dingwall and Skye Railway2nd_>Lochluichart 2nd and two miles of track close. (Alternative date : 3 May 1954)
1956Ballochney RailwayClosed from Rawyards to Commonhead (excluded). Alternative date 1959.
1956Aberystwyth and Welch Coast RailwayAbererch renamed Aberech Halt.
1967Torbanehill and Bathgate Branch (Monkland Railways)Westfield Paper Mill to Bathgate Lower (excluded) closed to freight.
1967 Leicester Belgrave Road Branch (Great Northern Railway)Complete closure.
1969Northampton and Market Harborough Branch (London and North Western Railway)Line closed to passengers.
1972Rutherglen and Coatbridge Branch (Caledonian Railway)Coatbridge Central to Rutherglen Junction re-opened for Glasgow Central to Perth workings
1972Leith Central Branch (North British Railway)Leith Central (DMU servicing) to Abbeyhill Junction and Piershill Junction closed.
1972Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford RailwayPontypool Road renamed Pontypool.
1985Callander and Oban RailwayLoch Awe re-opened to passengers.

News


These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
1999Cumbernauld re-signalled
2006Annan-Gretna re-doubling?[Unconfirmed] Network Rail has given the go ahead for re-doubling the single track section from Annan to Gretna - either wholly or in part. No public announcement as yet.
2007Eurailscout [Railway Strategies]GB Railfreight (GBRf) has won a three-year contract with Eurailscout GB Limited to provide driving services for the UFM160 infrastructure inspection unit.
2007The railfreight renaissance [Railway Strategies]TRISTAN GARRICK discovers how the rejuvenation of the railfreight industry is becoming an increasingly key factor in the growth of the country's ports
2007Making an IMPACTE on cross-Channel freight [Railway Strategies]Making a positive and sustainable impact on cross-Channel freight transport is the goal of a major initiative led by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) that links 27 Governmental and private sector organisations in England, Belgium and France
2007Thameslink line station contract [Railway Strategies]AMEC has been awarded a multi-million pound contract by rail operator Union Railways North to provide the mechanical electrical and piped services for the new Network Rail Thameslink line station beneath St Pancras in central London.
2007Tranch 3 station contract [Railway Strategies]YJL Infrastructure (YJLi) has been awarded a £10.2 million contract by Tube Lines under Tranche 3 of their Station Modernisation and Enhancement Programme.
2007Multidisciplinary services [Railway Strategies]White Young Green (WYG), consultant to the built, social and natural environment, has been appointed by Network Rail to provide multidisciplinary design services to support its programme of station accessibility enhancements, which it is delivering under the Department for Transport's £370 million Access for All fund.
2007Tenders [Railway Strategies]A selection of opportunities currently appearing on the Tenders Direct website
2007TPS - Station improvements [Railway Strategies]Much of the railway infrastructure dates back to Victorian times, as is well known to railway professionals, rail operators and the travelling public.
2007First Eurostar at St Pancras [Railway Strategies]During testing on High Speed 1, the UK’s first high-speed railway, a Eurostar train glides majestically into the historic Barlow Shed at St Pancras International station for the first time.
2007Interchange scoops top civil engineering award [Railway Strategies]Merseytravel’s Liverpool South Parkway Interchange has won the Community Award 2007 from the Institute of Civil Engineers North West.
2007Hearing loops for rural lines [Railway Strategies]‘one’ railway has fitted hearing loops in the mini-ticket offices at Wymondham and North Walsham stations in order to improve services for customers who are hard of hearing.
2007Northern line stations [Railway Strategies]Tube Lines is revamping Totteridge and Whetstone, Mornington Crescent and Angel stations as part of the Mayor’s £10 billion transport investment programme
2007Green light for James Street works [Railway Strategies]A £2 million package of improvements to James Street Station in Liverpool has been given the green light.
2007Work starts at Bootle Oriel Road Station [Railway Strategies]Merseytravel has appointed contractors for the transformation of Bootle Oriel Road Station and work is now underway on the £4.25 million project.
2007Newbury Data Recording - Newbury Data extends ticket printing portfolio [Railway Strategies]Newbury Data, manufacturer of rail ticket printing solutions has increased its portfolio with the introduction of business-tobusiness (B2B) self-service kiosks.
2007Eco station report [Railway Strategies]Northern Rail and Lancashire County Council have unveiled radical new approaches to the design and operation of small stations at a conference in Preston
2007Improving accessibility [Railway Strategies]Accessibility is to improve at 161 stations in England and Wales, Rail Minister Tom Harris has announced.
2007Accelerating stations programe [Railway Strategies]Metronet Rail has awarded the first tranche of six contracts for station upgrades outside of its tied supply chain.
2007Comar - Architectural aluminium - a suitable solution [Railway Strategies]Railway station design by its nature is a high traffic application; therefore heavy-duty robust materials must be used. Architectural aluminium offers a unique proposition as it merges design flexibility with longevity and, with more onus on the environment, a sustainable solution.
2007City ticket gates [Railway Strategies]First Capital Connect has launched new automatic ticket gates at City Thameslink station.
2007Helensburgh area Customer ForumFirst ScotRail will be holding a Customer Forum for customers in the Helensburgh area at the Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu on Wednesday 9 May. Transport to and from Helensburgh Central Station will be provided. For further details go to...
2007Freight charges [Railway Strategies]ORR has announced its decisions on the upper limit for future freight charges (caps) for control period 4 (1st April 2009 to 31st March 2014).
2007New wagon enters coal market [Railway Strategies]On the 5th of January, Freightliner ran the UK's first train to use the newly designed HXA wagon type
2007Rail freight forecast to grow 30 per cent over next ten years [Railway Strategies]Network Rail has published the rail industry’s Freight Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), which forecasts future growth and potential across the rail network over the next ten years, with options for Government and other decision makers as to where investment funds could best be spent.
2007New locomotives arrive in UK [Railway Strategies]The first consignment of Freightliner Groups’ latest order of 16 class 66 locomotives have arrived into ABP Newport, South Wales.
2007Shifting ballast [Railway Strategies]GB Railfreight (GBRf) has won a contract with Mendip Rail to move recycled rail ballast from London to East Anglia.
2007Tank wagons delivered [Railway Strategies]Freightliner Heavy Haul (FHH) has taken delivery of six new, 102 tonne petroleum industry tank wagons.
2007Potash contract [Railway Strategies]Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd (FHH) has been awarded a new contract for the rail haulage of potash and salt from Boulby Mine to Tees Dock terminal and Cobra Rail freight, Middlesbrough.
2007New Southampton services [Railway Strategies]EWS Network has introduced two new daily services to its rapidly expanding terminal at the Port of Southampton.
2007Humber Ports boost [Railway Strategies]Plans to boost the movement of goods into and out of Associated British Ports (ABP) Humber Ports without adding to road congestion have been announced.
2007First coal wagon on display in Romania [Railway Strategies]GB Railfreight has unveiled the first of a fleet of coal hopper wagons being built for its recently won coal contracts.
2008The south subs still on track [Evening News]HOPES of reopening Edinburgh^s south-suburban rail line have been revived after city leader Jenny Dawe insisted the project was not dead. The Lib Dem leader said she was still "committed" to the South Sub, despite recommendations from council officials to rule out the project
2009Vital improvement works for Bank Holiday weekend [Network Rail Article]Following the successful delivery of rail improvements around Britain at Easter, Network Rail will again work around the clock over this bank holiday weekend (May 2-4) to invest millions in Britain’s railway.
2009Timetable changes [First ScotRail]Timetable change supplement - May 2009 [from David Panton].
2010Wemyss Bay exhibition opened [Friends of Wemyss Bay]An exhibition of photographs entitled ^Wemyss Bay - Beyond the End of the Line^ was opened on 1 May by Cllr Innes Nelson in the Friends of Wemyss Bay Station^s gallery. The exhibition will be on display Mondays - Saturdays, 9.30am - 4.30pm until Saturday 12 June. Admission is free. Photographed in 1996-8 for a larger project that included two other locations, Saltburn and Holyhead, (also created by the railways), the exhibition is a personal exploration of the village by Chris Hogg and Lynn Patrick, who, for their day jobs, work as photographers at the National Railway  Museum, York.     Wemyss Bay was put on the map with the arrival of the railway in 1865.  The exhibition shows Wemyss Bay with its station and pier at the close of the 20th century.  It may be over a decade since the photographs were taken, but their impact is just as strong.  They show how soon the recent past becomes history - things that once were so familiar are now gone and lost forever, houses have been demolished and new ones built, and the freedom to wander on the pier to watch the arrival and departure of the ferries now a thing of the past. This exhibition not only provokes the memory, it excites the eye by turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
2013World^s oldest railway tunnel hidden by a rockery for 36 years is discovered 10ft underground in a back garden [Mail]Archaeologists have discovered a 220-year-old railway tunnel believed to be the oldest in the world. The historic Fritchley Tunnel, in Crich, Derbyshire, can be traced back to 1793, two years earlier than the previous record holder. The discovery was made after they linked the tunnel to a now-defunct railway, used by industrialists to transport limestone to an ironwork factory.
2013Some train stations used by ^fewer than 30^ people [BBC News]Some of Britain^s mainline train stations are being used by fewer than 30 people a year, a new study suggests. Teesside Airport station, in Darlington, had just 14 passengers between 2011-12. Surrey^s Dorking West had 16 passengers, while Denton in Greater Manchester had 30. First Great Western, which runs services through Dorking West, say there is ^an anomaly^ in the calculations and the figure is wrong. The estimates are based on station exits and entrances in the 12 months ending March 2012. They have been compiled by transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave for the Office of Rail Regulation.
2014Gwynedd: Trains back on track after £10m repairs to wrecked railway [Daily Post]News that trains will be back running on a previously storm-damaged railway track from Thursday have been warmly welcomed. After four months of work on repairing ballast washed away and railway tracks mangled by storms last January, Network Rail engineers have completed a massive £10m programme of repairs on the Cambrian Coast railway between Barmouth and Harlech, Gwynedd. Yesterday, the first trains tried out the new track, with drivers making practice runs without passengers to check that everything was in order. Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales said trains will be back running as normal from Thursday onwards. [From Hugh Reid]
2014Temple Meads station^s handover marks start of a rail revolution [Bristol Post]IT was the dawn of a new £700 million era at Temple Meads yesterday – but no one noticed the difference at Bristol^s biggest station. The cash has finally been allocated which will pay for the biggest revolution in rail travel in and around the city for around 150 years. And with the work set to last around five to seven years, the first steps were taken on the long road to bringing Bristol^s network into the 21st century. The revamp will see rail services doubled, train times slashed and new lines opened.
2015Green Park railway station approved for Reading [BBC News]Green Park station will be built on the Reading to Basingstoke line near the Madejski Stadium, as part of a multi-million pound scheme to improve transport networks across Berkshire. Plans for the station include a bus interchange, a park and ride and a multi-storey car park. The planning application was approved by Reading Borough Council at a committee meeting on Wednesday evening. [From Richard Buckby]
2017First train from the UK to China completes its 7,500-mile journey [Evening Standard]The first rail freight service from the UK to China has completed its 7,500-mile journey. The train carrying 30 containers filled with British produced goods arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu on Saturday. It was greeted by traders and shipping company officials when it arrived at Yiwu West station after departing London on April 10 carrying items such as vitamins, baby products and pharmaceuticals.
2018Multi-million pound rail upgrade starts in Aberdeen [Press and Journal]New multi-million pound rail upgrade works have begun in Aberdeen. Network Rail last night confirmed that signals were being improved at Craiginches to boost the number of trains that can run through the city. At the time of the signing of the Aberdeen City Region Deal in January, 2016, the Scottish Government pledged an additional £200M to increase capacity on rail links between Aberdeen and the Central Belt.
2018Network Rail boss says 24-hour trains will be arriving soon [Daily Mail]Trains could soon run 24 hours a day, according to the head of Network Rail. The company said it was paving the way for a round-the-clock timetable in the ^not too distant future^.
2018Police appeal after cast-iron railway equipment stolen from a north-east museum [Press and Journal]The theft of £1,000 worth of railway equipment from a north-east railway attraction has been branded a ^tragedy^. Nearly 100 railway chairs were stolen from Maud Railway and Museum earlier this month. The cast iron pieces hold sections of the track in place and they were to be used to lay an extension at the attraction. Thieves stole the metal from a pallet at the Aberdeenshire museum which is housed in the former station buildings at Maud Junction.
2018ScotRail hires in Class 365s for Glasgow-Edinburgh route [RAIL]Three Class 365s leased by ScotRail, with more to follow, to cover for the late introduction of Class 385s
2019£14m Peak District rail freight extension unveiled [RTM]A £14m rail freight extension in the Peak District has been unveiled by Network Rail to boost construction productivity and take lorries off the road. A disused council tip has been transformed by Network Rail into 430 new metres of railway sidings in Buxton so longer freight trains can serve local quarries in the area.
2019Crossover commissioning marks Waverley works completion [Network Rail]Network Rail engineers have successfully completed a £25m, two-year-long upgrade at Edinburgh Waverley with the commissioning of a new crossover at the station.
2020AmeyVTOL carries out first UK trials of ^beyond visual line of sight^ drone inspection [Rail Engineer]The first drone inspection of UK infrastructure to go beyond visual line of sight (BVLoS) has been successfully demonstrated by AmeyVTOL. During the demonstration, the VTOL flying wing surveyed an area of 2km autonomously and out of the sight of the pilot. Up until then, drone inspections were limited to flight within visual line of sight.
2020Borders rail campaigners hope prime-time TV exposure will boost chances of success [Southern Reporter]Campaigners calling for the Borders Railway to be extended into England are hoping that having their cause highlighted on national television will boost their chances of success.
2020Campaigners concerned over congestion on major Fife road [Fife Today]Direct road access between Levenmouth and the south remains a ^clearly neglected priority^, according to rail campaigners.
2020Improvement in station and train cleanliness across Scotlands Railway [ScotRail]The cleanliness of trains and stations across Scotland^s Railway has improved over the past twelve months, according to new figures released today, Friday, 1 May 2020. The Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE) report released by Transport Scotland has shown that the cleanliness of ScotRail trains, and availability of on-board toilets, improved by an accumulative 11 per cent between April 2019 and February 2020, compared to the same period the previous year.
2020John O^Groats ferry remains tied up as prospects for tourist season look bleak [John O Groat Journal]^This is not how we thought 2020 would go^ says Fred Fermor of John O^Groats Ferries at what would normally be the start of a busy summer season.
2020Up, up and away: 1960s West Coast main line railway flyover has lift off [Network Rail]Huge sections of a concrete railway flyover are being lifted out by some of the largest cranes in Europe to build the first direct rail link between Oxford, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury in more than 50 years.