This day in history 20 January

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Royal Border Bridge: An English Electric Type 4 heads across the Royal Border Bridge, with a southbound express in January 1962.

Newcastle and Berwick Railway
Brian Haslehust 1962


Barnard Castle: 77003+76049 stand at Barnard Castle on 20 January 1962 with the 9 coaches of The Stainmore Limited, commemorating the end of operations over the Stainmore route.

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
K A Gray 1962


Burnmouth: The Eyemouth branch train, headed by J39 64917, awaits the imminent arrival at Burnmouth of the connecting Edinburgh to Newcastle stopping service. This can just be made out at the top left, approaching behind an English Electric Type 4. The date is 20th January 1962, two weeks before the branch closed for good. Sixty years later, will perhaps be the cars of Eyemouth residents making use of the extensive car parking facilities at the brand new Reston station.

North British Railway
Brian Haslehust 1962


Kirkby Stephen East: 77003+76049 standing at Kirkby Stephen East station with a special on 20 January 1962. The 9-coach RCTS railtour is The Stainmore Limited, organised to mark the end of railway operations over the 1,370 ft Stainmore route.

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
K A Gray 1962


Appleby: To mark the end of operations over Stainmore summit, the RCTS organised a 9-coach special on 20 January 1962 (weather permitting!). The special is seen at Appleby West behind 77003+76049. The return trip to Darlington made this the last train to traverse the route. See image [[24103]]

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
K A Gray 1962


Eyemouth: J39 0-6-0 64917 at Eyemouth with the branch service for Burnmouth, on 20th January 1962, two weeks before closure of the branch.

Eyemouth Railway
Brian Haslehust 1962


Kirkby Stephen East: The Stainmore Limited, marking the end of operations over the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway, stands at Kirkby Stephen East on 20 January 1962. The train is about to leave behind 77003+76049 on the return journey from Carlisle to Darlington via the 1,370 ft Stainmore Summit see image [[24103]].

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
K A Gray 1962


Tebay: 77003+76049 photographed at Tebay on 20 January 1962 having arrived with 1X76 The Stainmore Limited. The 9-coach special had been organised by the RCTS (Darlington & North Eastern Branch) to mark the end of operations over Stainmore and, on its return journey later that day, 1X76 became the last train to traverse the route. See image [[24103]]

Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
K A Gray 1962


Stainmore Summit: Photograph taken from The Stainmore Limited eastbound over Stainmore summit on 20 January 1962. See image [[24103]]

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
K A Gray 1962


Stainmore Summit: View from a train - 1962. Photograph taken from The Stainmore Limited, as 77003+76049 haul the 9 coach special over Stainmore summit, commemorating the end of operations on the line. The South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway route across the Pennines was notorious for snow blockages in winter with a summit height of 1,370 ft (compared with Shap at 914 ft and Beattock at 1,033 ft) placing it between Slochd (1315 ft) and Britain's highest main line summit at Druimuachdar (1484 ft). The old cast iron summit signs are now preserved, one at the NRM in York, the other at North Road Museum in Darlington.

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
K A Gray 1962


Exeter St Davids: Class 50 no 50002 Superb at Exeter St Davids on 20 January 1991 in Network SouthEast livery.

Bristol and Exeter Railway
Ian Dinmore 1991


Peebles Goods: The trackbed of the former NB line turning east out of Peebles towards Galashiels, shortltly after leaving the station. Photographed in January 2005. See image [[31892]]

Galashiels, Innerleithen and Peebles Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2005


Peebles CR and NBR Junction: View east from the Tweed Bridge along the south bank of the river in 2005 showing the route of the former line from the Caledonian station (behind the camera) which crossed the river in the distance to link with the NB system on the north side see image [[29949]].

Galashiels, Innerleithen and Peebles Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2005


Peebles Goods: The old goods/weighbridge office in the former goods yard at Peebles in January 2005.

Galashiels, Innerleithen and Peebles Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2005


Peebles Tweed Viaduct: Site of the former crossing point of the Caley/NB link bridge across the Tweed at Peebles in January 2005. Note the surviving part of the bridge abutment on the opposite (north) bank.

Galashiels, Innerleithen and Peebles Railway (North British Railway)
John Furnevel 2005


Edinburgh Waverley: Here we go again...Work underway on Waverley's west end platforms on 20 January 2007.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Balwhirley Tunnel South: The G&SW line to Princes Pier approaching the twin Cartburn tunnels from the east. Here it crosses the Wemyss Bay line. From the bottom right to centre is the Kilmacolm trackbed, while to the centre right is the Inchgreen branch trackbed, later used as the goods line to the Container Terminal.

Greenock and Ayrshire Railway
Graham Morgan 2007


Greenock Ladyburn Shed: A Class 334 approaching Cartsdyke passes the location of Ladyburn Shed in Greenock.

Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway
Graham Morgan 2007


Edinburgh Waverley: The Newcraighall shuttle service at Waverley on 20 January 2007. With platform space at a premium during the current works the service has been relegated to the east end of platform 9 on this occasion.

North British Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Edinburgh Waverley: Sleeper stalwarts nos 90028 and 90027 standing in the east end locomotive bay at Waverley on 20 January 2007.

North British Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Cairns Central Station: Kuranda service arriving at Cairns Central. All railways North of Brisbane are 3ft 6in gauge.

Queensland Railways
Paul D Kerr 2007


Glasgow Central: Passengers boarding 221143 at Platform 5 at Glasgow Central on a service to Birmingham New Street

Glasgow Central Station (Caledonian Railway)
Graham Morgan 2008


Blackgrange: 170 460 nears Blackgrange level crossing with a Glasgow Queen Street - Alloa service on 20 January.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
Bill Roberton 2009


Kilbagie: EWS 66197 passes Kilbagie on 20 January 2009 with a Hunterston-Longannet coal train on the direct route via Stirling and Alloa.

Kincardine Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2009


Clydebank: Although long after sunrise, full daylight seemed a long time coming at Clydebank on a dull 20 January. Meantime 320 302 prepared to leave with one of the four trains an hour on the short hop to Dalmuir. Class 320s can't use the Argyle Line, so this service had stayed north of the Clyde - from Springburn in fact.

Clydebank to Dalmuir (North British Railway)
David Panton 2010


Springburn: The opening of the Cowlairs Cord in 1993 allowed direct running between Glasgow and the Cumbernauld line (without reversing) for the first time since Buchanan Street station closed in 1966. The non-top service this allows between Springburn and Glasgow Queen Street is unsurprisingly more popular than multi-stopping services through Glasgow Queen Street Low Level which head of in the opposite direction from the bay platforms.  158 739, seen here on 20 January, will be at High Level station in just a few minutes.

City of Glasgow Union Railway
David Panton 2010


Singer: Singer station is rather unusual in that it is named only after a brand: the nearby Singer factory never gave its name to the locality; IBM station is not quite the same as it serves only the factory and is not for the public. If, radically, Singer were to have been given a geographical name, then 'Clydebank North' might have suited, 'Kilbowie' having been spoken for by the NB station. On 20 January 318 263 calls with a Larkhall service.

Singer Deviation (North British Railway)
David Panton 2010


Pollokshields West: In the fading light of a winter afternoon 314 204 is about to come to a halt at Pollokshields West, its first stop on a Cathcart Inner Circle working.

Cathcart District Railway
David Panton 2010


Exhibition Centre: Although there had been a Finnieston station on a different line, the more recent Finnieston was new when the Argyle line opened in 1979. It did however overlap the site of Stobcross station which had closed when the old Glasgow Central low level line closed in 1964.  The new Finnieston was renamed Exhibition Centre after the opening of the venue in 1985.  On 20 January 2010, unit 318 250 pulls in heading West and will shortly start climbing the 1979 innovation to Finnieston East Junction where it will join the North Clyde Lines.

Glasgow Central Railway
David Panton 2010


Yoker: The press got hold of the announcements '...via Yoker not calling at Yoker' some years ago and made the name briefly famous.  Why Yoker was chosen to signify this route is a bit of a mystery as it's the least used station of the five - Jordanhill, Scotstounhill, Garscadden, Yoker and Clydebank - and surely the least recognizable location (forgive me, Yoker).  However it is now established.  On the cold grey morning of 20 January 318 250 brings in a Dalmuir service with a Lanarkshire origin.

Glasgow, Yoker and Clydebank Railway
David Panton 2010


Springburn: Springburn - 158 718 with a Cumbernauld service on 20 January 2010

City of Glasgow Union Railway
David Panton 2010


Crosshill: The island platform at Crosshill is unusually narrow.  The ticket office is more like a booth with the window onto the platform and there's certainly no space for a waiting room.  The benches on the platform are even in single file. Photographed in January 2010.

Cathcart District Railway
David Panton 2010


Glasgow Central Low Level: Only the fluted pillars betray the real age of Low Level station (opened 1896) in this view taken on 20 January 2010.  So integral is it to the SPT network that it is hard to believe it was closed between 1964 and 1979.  334 032 halts a few minutes, as timetabled, with a service for Milngavie.

Glasgow Central Railway
David Panton 2010


Springburn: Waves of modernisation have swept away most station buildings of character in suburban Glasgow, but Springburn's ticket office on workaday Atlas Road seems to be original.  The lower storey meets platform 2 at an angle but it is not used and platforms are accessed by footbridge.

City of Glasgow Union Railway
David Panton 2010


Sighthill East Junction [2nd]: Virgin 57 305 John Tracy (formerly 47 822) reverses in order to switch lines at Sighthill East Junction on 20 January 2010.

City of Glasgow Union Railway
David Panton 2010


Exhibition Centre: In this view from the east, Exhibition Centre station presents a deceptively junction-like appearance. In fact the track on the far left is a siding, and platforms 2 and 1 serve the Argyle Line westbound and eastbound respectively. The westbound track remains in the open and joins the North Clyde Line at Finnieston East Junction, while the track from Finnieston West has had to burrow under the North Clyde Line (among other things) in the 950yd Kelvinhaugh Tunnel which opens straight onto Platform 1. From there 318261 departs for Larkhall on 20 January.

Glasgow Central Railway
David Panton 2010


Pollokshaws West: Pollokshaws West shrouded in fog on 20th January 2011. View looks North West.

Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway
Graham Morgan 2011


Pollokshaws West: 156507 about to disappear into the fog after departing Pollokshaws West on 20 January with a service to East Kilbride.

Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway
Graham Morgan 2011


Barassie Junction: Freightliner 66551 on 4S06 York Holgate to Hunterston empty HHAs on 20 January. The train was unusually diverted via the G&SW line rather than the WCML. This necessitated a run round in Barassie reversing spur from which it is seen emerging on the final leg of its journey to Hunterston.

Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
Ken Browne 2012


Highbury and Islington: London Overground units 378137 and 378153 at a snowy Highbury & Islington station on 20th January 2013.

East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Great Portland Street: A scene on the world's first Underground, the Metropolitan Railway, with a now withdrawn train of LUL C69 stock on a Hammersmith & City Line service to Barking departing from Great Portland Street station, while just above outside in the street heavy snow was falling, on 20th January 2013. Wikipaedia, like most Londoners, insists on calling the sub-surface lines 'tubes' which is quite incorrect. It was only when the deep-level lines that were bored through the clay came into being, starting with the City & South London Railway (now part of the Northern Line) in 1890, that the word 'tube' was coined but that term is now applied, very wrongly, to the entire London Underground network.

Metropolitan Railway
David Bosher 2013


Haggerston: 378153, with a London Overground service to Highbury & Islington, arriving at Haggerston station through the snow on 20th January 2013. This station opened in 2010, just north of the previous station of that name that had closed after heavy war damage in 1940. The station is on the partially reopened Broad Street viaduct of the North London Railway opened in 1865 and closed in 1986.

North London Railway
David Bosher 2013


Highbury and Islington: 378153, with a London Overground service, just arrived at Highbury & Islington station where it terminated, in the heavy snow of 20th January 2013.

East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Highbury and Islington: London Overground units 378153 and 378137 at Highbury & Islington in heavy snow on 20th January 2013.

East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Gospel Oak: Gospel Oak, looking west, in heavy snow on 20th January 2013. This station was opened as Kentish Town by the Hampstead Junction Railway in 1860 and renamed Gospel Oak in 1867. It was rebuilt in this sturdy style by the London Midland Region of BR in 1955. The bay platform for trains to Barking is down the far end on the right and opened in 1981 on the site of one closed in 1925 (when trains to Chingford were withdrawn) when trains from Barking were diverted here from Kentish Town.

Hampstead Junction Railway (London and North Western Railway)
David Bosher 2013


Highbury and Islington: 378231, with a London Overground service to Stratford, calling at Highbury & Islington in inclement conditions on 20th January 2013.

East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Haggerston: Haggerston, London Overground, looking south in the heavy snow that prevailed on the afternoon of Sunday, 20th January 2013. This station opened in April 2010, concurrently with the partial reopening of the former North London Railway's Broad Street viaduct of 1865, linked via a new stretch of track at Shoreditch to the former London Underground East London Line. This is on a site just to the north of the original Haggerston station that closed after heavy WWII bomb damage in 1940. One of its platforms still exists on the left, beyond the station, in the far background.

North London Railway
David Bosher 2013


Whitechapel [ELR]: 378137, with a southbound London Overground service, arriving at Whitechapel station on a snowy 20th January 2013.

Old Kent Road Extension and Shoreditch Extension (East London Railway)
David Bosher 2013


Kirkby Lonsdale: Half a bridge is better than none. Just east of the old Kirkby Lonsdale station, on the Low Gill to Clapham line, is the village of Cowan Bridge where this bridge carried the railway over the lane to Leck. With the embankment having been removed many years ago it is surprising that the low bridge hasn't gone too but it still straddles the road, 47 years after it carried its last train. Map Ref SD636765.

Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
Mark Bartlett 2013


Barbican: The disused Widened Lines platforms at Barbican station, with the still extant Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Lines platforms on the left, looking east in the snow on Sunday, 20th January 2013. This station opened as Aldersgate Street in 1865 with the extension of the Metropolitan Railway from Farringdon Street (now Farringdon) to Moorgate Street (now Moorgate) and was renamed Aldersgate & Barbican in 1923 (though it was never shown on the famous London Underground diagram as such, only as Aldersgate) and finally to just Barbican in 1968. The former all-over glass roof was destroyed in the London Blitz of World War Two and the frame was taken down in 1955 but it is still possible to see the support brackets on the walls of the two side platforms, above the replacement canopies. For many years, this station was closed on Sundays but is now open full-time again.

Widened Lines (Metropolitan Railway)
David Bosher 2013


Barbican: The disused Widened Lines platforms at Barbican station, looking west, in the snow on Sunday, 20th January 2013. This station opened in 1865 and once boasted a magnificent all-over glass roof that disintegrated during the London 'Blitz' air raids and the frame was taken down in 1955. It is still possible to see the brackets that supported the roof all the way along the outer walls of the station. The signal box in the background has since been demolished. I would also refer you to Sir John Betjeman's delightful poem 'Monody on the Death of Aldersgate Street station' (under which name the station opened in 1865) in which he describes his love for the London that once was and his horror for the changes that came after 1945.

Widened Lines (Metropolitan Railway)
David Bosher 2013


Hawes: A thin layer of snow at Hawes station but a scene otherwise unchanged for many years. View towards Aysgarth from the road overbridge in January 2013. There is clearly not much heat being generated from the boiler of the G5 lookalike tank engine which has been on static display here for a long time now.

Hawes Branch (Midland Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2013


Ais Gill Summit: This southbound coal train has just crossed the summit at Ais Gill and is now accelerating along the undulating section through Garsdale and Dent to Blea Moor. Freightliner 66512 caught me by surprise as no coal trains are scheduled on a Sunday and I presume this must have been either an additional working or one delayed by the weather.

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2013


Gospel Oak: 378210, with a London Overground service to Richmond, departing from Gospel Oak station in the heavy snow of a freezing Sunday afternoon, 20th January 2013. Most people who alighted here were armed with sledges, off to enjoy themselves on the slippery slopes of Parliament Hill which the line runs alongside just to the west of the station.

Hampstead Junction Railway (London and North Western Railway)
David Bosher 2013


Kirkby Stephen: Sunday scene at Kirkby Stephen (West) looking up the gradient from the station footbridge. The drop in temperature up here on the S&C, and the amount of snow, compared with the town below was most noticeable.

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2013


Whitechapel [Metro]: LUL D78 stock (now withdrawn) on a District Line service to Barking at Whitechapel station in heavy snow on 20th January 2013.

Whitechapel Line (Metropolitan Railway and Metropolitan District Railway Joint)
David Bosher 2013


Gospel Oak: 172006, with a London Overground GOBLIN service to Barking, waiting to depart from Gospel Oak. This view is looking west in heavy snow on 20th January 2013.

Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Ribblehead: Light snow on a grey Sunday morning at Ribblehead in January 2013. Looking towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale the staggered Down platform can be seen and also the timber loading sidings.

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2013


Ribblehead: Ribblehead viaduct, the Station Inn and the long snow covered station approach road in January 2013. This image was taken from the entrance to the railway station car park.

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2013


Gospel Oak: 172006, on a London Overground GOBLIN service to Barking, waiting to depart from the bay platform at Gospel Oak station. The through platforms served by LO services between Stratford and Clapham Junction or Richmond are on the left. Until April 1981, trains from Barking on this line ran to Kentish Town on the Midland Main Line; the section that trains now follow from just west of Upper Holloway to Gospel Oak had been freight only since 1925. This bay platform also dates from the diversion of trains to Gospel Oak in 1981. The freight lines are on the right behind the train which make a junction with the LO electrified lines just to the west of the station, to which this view is looking, in the snow on 20th January 2013. Beyond the station, in the far right background, is Parliament Hill on the north side of the line and which was full of sledgers on this wintry Sunday afternoon and their shouts and squeals of laughter permeated through the blizzard across to the station.

Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Crouch Hill: Crouch Hill station on the London Overground GOBLIN, looking south-west towards Gospel Oak in the snow on Sunday, 20th January 2013. This is my local station and I was glad to get home out of the cold. The scene has changed completely here now with the installation of the masts and overhead wires for the line's forthcoming electrification but as of January 2019, us north Londoners are STILL waiting for our electric trains, promised a year or more ago, with the 172 DMUs continuing to run indefinitely - and with a reduced service at weekends, too.

Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Crouch Hill: 172006, with a London Overground GOBLIN service from Gospel Oak to Barking, calling at Crouch Hill station in north London, on the cold and snowy afternoon of Sunday, 20th January 2013.

Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway
David Bosher 2013


Kirkby Stephen: Looking at the restored station buildings at Kirkby Stephen (West) it is hard to believe the station was closed from 1970 until its 1986 re-opening. It is about two miles from (and much higher than) the town centre but is quite well used now and has trains seven days a week throughout the year. View north towards Appleby from the station footbridge.

Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2013


Haymarket: Stained glass at Haymarket, January 2014.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway
John Yellowlees 2014


Welshpool Raven Square: A long disconnected vintage points operating mechanism seen by Welshpool Raven Square station on 20 January 2014.

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Machynlleth: Arriva Trains Wales 158820 is stabled in the former 89C steam shed at Machynlleth. The shed is now used as a deep under-frame cleaning facility.

Newtown and Machynlleth Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Llanfair Caereinion: The station approach signal bracket and signal box at Llanfair Caereinion on 20 January 2014.

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Kilmarnock: Network Rail track recording train headed by DBSO 9703 leads DRS 37603 into Kilmarnock station on 20 January 2014.

Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
Ken Browne 2014


Kilmarnock: DRS 37603 about to take the Network Rail track recording train away from Kilmarnock on 20 January.

Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
Ken Browne 2014


Llanfair Caereinion: Diesel loco and rolling stock, including what appears to be a works mess unit, are seen in this view over Llanfair Caereinion yard, looking towards the station, during the winter closure period.

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Welshpool Raven Square: The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway terminus station at Welshpool in January 2014. View from the adjacent A458 road looking towards Raven Square and the Raven Inn.

Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
David Pesterfield 2014


Kilmarnock: Network Rail track recording train headed by DRS 37603 about to depart from Kilmarnock station on 20 January 2014.

Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
Ken Browne 2014


St Andrew Square [Tram]: Edinburgh trams 268 and 262 pass at St Andrew Square tram stop on 20 January 2015.

Edinburgh Trams
Bill Roberton 2015


Glasgow Central Low Level: The drab decor on Glasgow Central Low level platform 17 since the yellow panels have been removed. Platform 16 on the other side retains its panels for now. Perhaps a colourful tulip motiv will be forthcoming on the change of franchise?

Glasgow Central Railway
Colin McDonald 2015


Easter Road: 67025 passes the former Easter Road Junction with the returning Oxwellmains - Powderhall empty 'bins' on 20 January 2015.

Easter Road Deviation (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2015


Alnwick (Lionheart) : Progress at the Aln Valley Railway's under-construction Lionheart station, Alnwick, looking towards Alnmouth on 20 January 2015. The new station now boasts platforms, water crane, signal cabin and some handsome signal posts.

Alnwick Branch (York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway)
Brian Taylor 2015


Carnforth: A pair of red and gold DBS Class 90s take the Dollands Moor to Irvine china clay tanks through Carnforth on 20th January 2016. 90020 Collingwood is working in multiple with 90039 but, due to the ongoing Lamington viaduct repairs, they will be replaced by diesel traction at Kingmoor rather than Mossend.

Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
Mark Bartlett 2016


Garstang and Catterall: 37401 propels the 0515 Carlisle to Preston through Garstang & Catterall on a dull 20th January 2017. The train is about to pass the Highways England salt store that serves the adjacent M6 Motorway.

Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway
Mark Bartlett 2017


Shrubhill Tram Depot: Part of the former Edinburgh Corporation Shrubhill tram depot on 20 January 2017, showing the unique octagonal brick chimney which once served the site's power station. The chimney is to be retained as an integral part of the redeveloped site.

Edinburgh Corporation
Andy Furnevel 2017


Didcot Parkway: 66's still dominate on freight at Didcot, although apparently GBRf are taking over some DB EWS turns. 66108, 66103 and 66030, running light from Acton to Hinksey (Oxford), pass through on a murky 20th January 2018.

Great Western Railway
Peter Todd 2018


Didcot Parkway: GBRf 66753 EMD Roberts Road, westbound at speed through Platform 3 at Didcot on 20th January 2018 heading for Cardiff.

Great Western Railway
Peter Todd 2018


Didcot Parkway: New GWR EMU 387166 at Didcot on 20th January 2018, waiting to head back to Paddington.

Great Western Railway
Peter Todd 2018


Alexandra Parade: These days Alexandra Parade is days mainly served by Cumbernauld to Dumbarton Central services and one of these pulls in on Saturday 13th January 2018. The driver is no doubt steeling himself for the gruelling 600 metre haul to Duke Street.

City of Glasgow Union Railway
David Panton 2018


Dunblane Junction: A double hold up at Dunblane on a sub-zero 20th January 2018. To the right is the Caledonian Sleeper running ECS between Aberdeen and Polmadie. To the left is the 12.13 service to Glasgow Queen Street. Both are waiting upon the 11.58 service to Edinburgh to clear the station.

Scottish Central Railway
Mark Dufton 2018


Didcot Parkway: Scene at Didcot on 20 January 2018, where twelve car EMU's are now gradually replacing 166 DMU's. However, the 166s still run to Oxford, so passengers have to change at Didcot. The 800's are running under electric power as far as Didcot and possibly further. Swindon goes live in April 2018. 387159 runs into Didcot from Paddington under electric power on a wet 20th January 2018.

Great Western Railway
Peter Todd 2018


Burntisland: Rail being replaced on the Up line; new baseplates and bolts being set out. 20 January.

Aberdour Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2019


Prestwick Town: A rarely seen view of the west elevation of the up building at Prestwick Town on 20th January 2019. Train for Ayr in the platform. Old Prestwick Golf Clubhouse adjacent to station.

Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway
Colin Miller 2019


Lea Road: Having briefly dominated services to Blackpool North following the 2018 electrification the ex-Thameslink Class 319s are now giving way to new CAF 331s. What does the future hold for these old workhorses? 319375 approaches the site of Lea Road station with a Northern service for Manchester Airport on a sunny 20th January 2020.

Preston and Wyre Railway, Dock and Harbour
Mark Bartlett 2020


Perth: A Railway Heritage Trust plaque was unveiled today by Bill Reeve of Transport Scotland at Perth Station on the northern block which has been refurbished to provide a lounge and training facility for the Caledonian Sleeper.

Scottish Central Railway
John Yellowlees 2020


Heaton Chapel: 390157 hurries through Heaton Chapel heading for Euston on the fast line on 20th January 2022. The large 'Heaton Chapel & Heaton Moor' running in boards on each platform are a notable feature.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Chapel: The ticket office at Heaton Chapel closed a few minutes before I took this picture, hence the shuttered doorway. The alternative entrance to Platform 2 for Manchester is behind the camera via a steep ramp down into the cutting.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Norris Junction: One of the odd things about the Denton line is that loaded trains from Tunstead can be seen passing in both directions, depending on their final destination. Freightliner 66601 joins the main line at Heaton Norris Junction on 20th January 2022 with Tunstead stone for Northampton.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Chapel: Mid-afternoon shadows in the cutting at Heaton Chapel on 20th January 2022. 331006 is the rear unit of a six-car EMU working from Hazel Grove to Blackpool North and has stopped in Platform 2. 150141, the lead of a pair of Sprinters, is heading for Buxton. It is on the slow line but not stopping here. There are long sight lines at Heaton Chapel in both directions, and plenty of variety on the four lines with Avanti, TPE, Northern, EMR, Cross Country and TfW passing here, but the freights for Trafford Park mainly take the Styal line to avoid Stockport.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Reddish South: GBRf 66705 'Golden Jubilee' passes the deserted platform at Reddish South on 20th January 2022, heading for Hindlow Quarry near Buxton with stone empties (or nearly empty) from Hams Hall.

Heaton Norris to Guide Bridge Branch (London and North Western Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Norris Junction: 60026, working biomass hoppers from Edge Lane to Drax, swings right at Heaton Norris Junction to take the Denton line on 20th January 2022. Eastbound loaded trains take a circuitous route between Earlestown and Newton Heath to avoid the climb of Platting Bank out of Manchester Victoria but the westbound empties take the direct route from the Calder Valley onto the Liverpool and Manchester Railway route.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Royal Border Bridge: The iconic Royal Border Bridge in Northumberland will be repaired throughout 2022 in a major project led by Network Rail. Work on the scheme began earlier this month and will run until November 2022. During this time, engineers will repair all 28 arches of the Grade I listed bridge, which sits across the River Tweed. Carefully planned structural repairs should mean that the bridge won’t require any major maintenance work for the next 30 years, allowing the landmark to be enjoyed for years to come without impacting the community.

Newcastle and Berwick Railway
Network Rail 2022


Heaton Norris Junction: 390040, heading for Piccadilly, passes the still operational Heaton Norris Junction signal box on 20th January 2022. The Denton lines curve away at this point. There are initially three tracks but these quickly reduce to a single line through Reddish South until double tracks are reached again at Denton.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Salford Crescent: 37611 approaches Salford Crescent from the Bolton line with the 5N32 Kilmarnock to Longsight move of 397005 on 20 January 2022. The line heading to the left is the Atherton route to Crow Nest Jct and Wigan.

Manchester, Bolton and Bury Railway
John McIntyre 2022


Reddish South: I knew the Denton line was used for empty stock movements from Newton Heath but didn't expect to see TfW 158820 passing through on 20th January 2022. The unit was working from Doncaster to Abbey Foregate at Shrewsbury, presumably after some specialised repairs. There were once two island platforms here and four tracks together with a large yard but it has been a basic single line for many years.

Heaton Norris to Guide Bridge Branch (London and North Western Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Chapel: This distinctive structure at Heaton Chapel is the entrance and covered stairway that leads down to Platform 1 for southbound trains. Further along the road to the right of the entrance a ramp has also been constructed but it is quite steep.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Norris: GBRf 60087 comes off Stockport Viaduct and into the site of Heaton Norris station, signalled to bear right at the junction behind the camera onto the Denton line, on 20th January 2022. The long train of Biomass hoppers from Liverpool will take the Ashton Moss line at Denton then travel towards Manchester Victoria before being routed round the Brewery Curve onto the Rochdale and Calder Valley route heading for Drax Power Station.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Heaton Norris: The huge L&NWR goods warehouse at Heaton Norris, immediately to the north of Stockport Viaduct, is still in commercial use and displaying its origins. The passenger station here closed in 1959 and has been cleared away. As 156497 leads an East Midlands 156/158 set past the warehouse on 20th January 2022, a huge Emirates A380 above has its wheels down on finals for Manchester Airport.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Reddish South: Sparse service. Timetable for the Parliamentary service between Stockport and Stalybridge on display by the entrance to Reddish South in January 2022.

Heaton Norris to Guide Bridge Branch (London and North Western Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2022


Reddish South: GBRf 66715 'VALOUR' takes stone from Tunstead through Reddish South on its way to Hope St terminal in Salford on 20th January 2022. The 'Platform 1' sign seemed a little superfluous but the station friends group keep it tidy and, although the next scheduled service from this 'Parliamentary' station wasn't for another two days, the steps and platform had been freshly salted.

Heaton Norris to Guide Bridge Branch (London and North Western Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2022


Hall i' th' Wood: 150002 arrives at Hall i' th' Wood with a Clitheroe to Rochdale service on 20 January 2022. The platforms lie on opposite sides of the A58 Crompton Way and are accessed by long stepped ramps. The platforms are constructed of timber and the waiting facilities are fully air conditioned, an example of which can be seen behind the lamp post on the right.

Blackburn, Darwen and Bolton Railway (Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe and West Yorkshire Railway)
John McIntyre 2022


Moorside: Moorside station, looking east, with a Blackburn to Kirkby service looking for customers on 20 January 2022.

Windsor Bridge to Hindley Line (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway)
John McIntyre 2022


Heaton Norris: Seeing this January 2022 trip working of five wagons from Guide Bridge (after repair or examination?) to Tunstead reminded me just how unusual short freights seem to be these days. 66507 has just come off the Denton line at Heaton Norris Junction and will cross the viaduct and pass through Stockport before branching onto the Hazel Grove line. All the wagons were sadly sporting widespread graffiti.

Manchester and Birmingham Railway
Mark Bartlett 2022


Events


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

YearCompaniesDescription
1883Cathcart District RailwayFirst sod cut.
1883Buchanan Street Extension (Caledonian Railway)As part of the ^Fenian Dynamite Campaign^ a coal shed at Buchanan Street was blown up. The Tradeston Gas Works were also attacked and there was an attempt to blow up the Possil Street canal bridge.
1941Cairnryan Military RailwayConstruction begins.
1960Settle and Carlisle Line (Midland Railway)5 are killed when the motion of a Britannia locomotive loosens and falls off on the opposite track leading to the derailment of a train at Settle.
1969Wilsontown, Morningside and Coltness RailwayWhitrigg Colliery to Polkemmet Junction closed to freight.
1986Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven RailwayThe Granton Gasworks branch closes to freight. The line from Granton to Edinburgh_>London Road Junction Edinburgh and Lochend South Junction becomes disused but remains in place for a while.
1986Channel TunnelAgreement signed by Margaret Thatcher and Francois Mitterand.

News


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

YearCompaniesDescription
2005Borders rail link will help commuters lift low wages [Scotsman]A SIGNIFICANT increase in the number of Borders workers commuting to Edinburgh would allow the region to lose its position at the foot of the UK^s average earnings league, it has been claimed.
2006Assembly to fight opencast rebuff [BBC News]The assembly is appealing against a legal decision quashing planning approval for an opencast mine.

[RAILSCOT Comment] An opencast in this area could lead to traffic on the Cwm Bargoed line.
2006Will plans fortrams ever get back on track? [Scotsman]THEY were billed as the answer to Edinburgh^s congestion woes - three extensive tram lines spanning the Capital in all directions.
2006Costs derail Capital tram line [Scotsman]ONE of the two tram lines planned for Edinburgh has been shelved due to a massive funding crisis.
2006Part of tram network to be shelved [Scotsman]FUNDING shortages are to force Edinburgh city council to shelve parts of its planned tram network, officials confirmed yesterday.
2006Container depot for Hunterston?Friday^s Herald reports that a container depot is being considered for Hunterson.

[RAILSCOT Comment] With an existing rail connection at low level it would make sense for such a depot to use the railway.
2010Train operators to get 22-year franchises [The Guardian]New rail franchises will last up to 22 years and penalties on poorly performing companies will be increased under sweeping government changes announced today to improve the railways.
20108 out of 10 trains arrive on time despite extreme weather [Network Rail Article]Despite the severe weather over the past month, eight out of 10 trains still ran to time and almost 92%, or 19,000 each weekday, of scheduled services ran.
2011Second disaster for steam railway [Evesham Journal]THE beleagured Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway has been “brought to its knees” after suffering a second major embankment collapse within 12 months.
2011Rail companies set for more freedom [Herald]Train companies are to be given greater freedom to set timetables but will face new targets on tackling overcrowding as part of a reform of the rail franchising system announced yesterday
2012Councillors hear Dounreay-Sellafield nuclear rail plan [BBC News]A Nuclear Decommissioning Authority boss has given a presentation to councillors on plans to move nuclear material from Scotland to England. The NDA has sought approval for its scheme to transport breeder material from Dounreay in Caithness to Sellafield for reprocessing. The first of about 50 movements could start this summer. [From Richard Buckby]
2012Railway history under the hammer [Knutsford Guardian]A PLAQUE detailing the 100th anniversary of the world’s first intercity passenger railway will go under the hammer in Knutsford next week. The solid brass and coloured enamel plaque, commemorates the centenary of the first Manchester railway station – close to where the Museum of Science and Industry now stands in the city today. It was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Lawrence Durning Holt, and Lord Mayor of Manchester, Robert Noton Barclay, on September 15, 1930. The plaque features the coats of arms for Liverpool and Manchester, and is a unique reminder of the first intercity passenger railway in the world.
2012Open Train TimesWe^re using Open Data to bring you train information. Right now, we have timetables, and we^re working on real-time running information and historical data. This site is designed, built and maintained by Peter Hicks. The source code is available on GitHub and you^re free to use it for non-commercial purposes. [From Richard Buckby]
2013Plans backed for heritage trail on old railway line [Northern Echo]PLANS for a heritage trail along the old railway line between Barnard Castle and West Auckland are being revived. A previous attempt to launch a South West Durham Heritage Corridor based around the railway line stalled in 2008.
2014Years of delays on Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line [Scotsman]PASSENGERS on one of Scotland’s newest railway lines face disruption for the next five years while it is shut for major repairs, The Scotsman has learned. Week-long closures of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line start next month, when parts of the route will be largely rebuilt because of problems with the way it was constructed. Rail industry insiders said the repairs were expected to cost up to £20 million – or nearly one quarter of the £85m original cost of the route. Network Rail, which did not build the 13-mile line, said the first shutdown would be in the week starting on 23 February, and affect only coal trains. A second closure, from 23 March, is expected to force passengers to switch to buses ­between Alloa and Stirling. [From Crinan Dunbar]
2014French run Europe^s longest freight train [IRJ]FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) in cooperation with French Rail Network (RFF) and intermodal operator Kombiverkehr operated a 1500m-long freight train on January 18 between Sibelin yard near Lyon and Nîmes as part of Europe^s Marathon project to operate longer freight trains.
2015Hong Kong investor buys up a third of UK^s trains [Telegraph]Almost a third of all Britain’s trains have been bought by billionaire Hong Kong investor Li Ka-shing after rolling stock group Eversholt Rail was sold to CK Investments (CKI). Eversholt owns 28pc of Britain’s passenger trains and was bought in a deal that will see the current owners receive about £1bn, with CKI taking on £1.5bn of the rolling stock group^s debt. The company leases its mainly electrically-powered fleet – which comprises about 3,500 vehicles – to 11 of Britain’s train operating companies. [From Richard Buckby]
2016Borders Railway signals runaway success amid local boost to economy [Times]The Borders Railway is on track to smash its passenger target after a surge in demand to travel on the reopened route. More than 350,000 people used the new Waverley line in the first three months of its existence. The total is more than half of the annual passenger figure of 647,000 that was projected for the 30-mile Edinburgh to Tweedbank route. Business owners have reported that profits have soared since the line re-opened in September, while Abbotsford, the area^s most famous tourist attraction, has reported a 63 percent increase in takings.
2016New railway station will be ^gateway^ to Edinburgh [BBC News]Edinburgh^s newest railway station is on schedule to open by the end of the year, Network Rail has said. The ^Edinburgh Gateway^ has been designed to allow rail passengers travelling from the north to reach the city^s airport more easily. An interchange will allow them to complete their journey to the terminal building by tram. The £41m station is being built next to the Gogar roundabout on the A8 and will also have a link to the Gyle Centre. The station is part of the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme, which will see the electrification of railway lines in central Scotland.
2017London Midland conductors threaten strike action [BBC News]Train conductors on London Midland^s service have announced they will take a vote over strike action. The rail union RMT said it was balloting its 523 members over the proposed imposition of security contractors on trains. The union says the company^s move was made without agreement. The ballot closes on 2 February. London Midland said it was ^very disappointed^ the RMT was threatening action. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: ^The imposition of external contractors who have no additional skills or powers of authority to remove unruly passengers or fare dodgers is something we are totally opposed to.^ London Midland said the proposed changes were in reaction to feedback from front-line staff and passengers. A spokesman for the train operator said: ^The security contractors are in addition to the senior conductors and have different duties. ^This is about safety as we have told the RMT many times, we have no intention of removing conductors from our trains^. The RMT said it had been ^left with no option but to ballot^ after London Midland management had failed to respond to its questions and proposals.
2017Oban to Glasgow rail line to stay closed until Monday [BBC News]No rail services will operate on the Glasgow to Oban line over the weekend, after a lorry collided with a bridge. Work to repair what has been described as ^extensive damage^ at Taynuilt has been scheduled to be completed by Monday. ScotRail said a bus shuttle service will operate from Oban to Dalmally, calling at stations along the route. The operator said the bus replacement service would run ^as close to train time as possible^.
2017The work behind the scenes which keep the north’s trains running [Press and Journal]For the most part the public experience of the rail network is gazing up at a departures board or sipping a cup of coffee in a carriage. But behind the scenes in Inverness there is a huge engineering effort running around the clock to keep the trains on track and, where possible, on time. It is a world of huge numbers – both in the value and the quantity of equipment required to keep the network running smoothly.
2017Britain launches HS2 rolling stock procurement [IRJ]PROCUREMENT of a fleet of up to 60 trains for High Speed 2 (HS2) will be officially launched today by Britain’s secretary of state for transport Mr Chris Grayling. According to a Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) published today by the Department for Transport (DfT), an industry day will be held for prospective bidders on March 27 and this will be followed by the launch of the Pre-Qualification. [From Richard Buckby]
2017ScotRail Alliance managing director Phil Verster leaves role [BBC News]The managing director of the ScotRail Alliance is leaving to take up a new role in England. Phil Verster, who has been in the post since May 2015, is to become managing director of the East West rail project between Oxford and Cambridge. The 53-year-old has been facing intense pressure in recent months, because of the rail service^s failure to meet targets on punctuality and reliability. The identity of his successor will be announced in the coming days. Earlier this week, Mr Verster sparked a row at Holyrood over who would pay for free travel for season ticket holders as compensation for ScotRail train delays.
2018Lac-Megantic: The runaway train that destroyed a town [BBC News]Nearly five years after one of the worst rail disasters in Canadian history, a small town at the centre of the tragedy is still grappling with the aftermath. When Tom Harding walked out of the courtroom after being acquitted of criminal negligence causing death, he didn^t speak. The former train driver instead ducked away from the news cameras, overcome with emotion.
2020Jackie Baillie slams ScotRail over missed SQUIRE targets [Helensburgh Advertiser]Helensburgh^s MSP has called for a ^proper public sector bid^ to run Scotland^s railways after new figures showed Abellio ScotRail has failed to meet more than half of peformance targets.
2020Passenger numbers rise adds to pressure for extension of Borders Railway [Southern Reporter]Calls for an extension of the Borders Railway into England are continuing to gather momentum now the number of passengers using its stations annually has hit the two-million mark for the first time.
2020Stagecoach takes rail franchise row to High Court [BBC News]Stagecoach and its partners say the government acted unlawfully in barring them from bidding.
2020Taff^s Well metro depot construction started by Transport for Wales [Railway Technology]Transport for Wales (TfW) has started building works on the £100m metro depot for the South Wales Metro operations at Taff^s Well.
2020Vital weekend improvement works for West Coast Mainline [Network Rail]Network Rail will be delivering a multi-million-pound programme of maintenance and renewal work on the West Coast Mainline over 10 weekends between April and June this year.
2020HS2: route, cost, speed, benefits and issues around the high-speed railway explained [iNews]Questions have been raised about whether HS2 should continue, given the spiralling costs of the project