Cartsburn Viaduct: Last day of passenger service between Kilmacolm and Princes Pier. Very foggy. Cartsburn Viaduct and junction. 42695 on 12.40 down.

Greenock (Lynedoch): Last day of passenger service between Kilmacolm and Princes Pier. Very foggy. 80127 approaching Lynedoch station on 2.20pm up.

Greenock (Lynedoch): Last day of passenger service between Kilmacolm and Princes Pier. Very foggy. 42247 at Lynedoch station on 1.25pm down.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: Scene in the fog at Upper Port Glasgow siding on 31 January 1959, looking west beyond the signal box in the general direction of Princes Pier. This was the final day of scheduled passenger services beyond Kilmacolm.

Little Benton South Signal Box: With fog hanging over the north east coast, Blyth based J27 0-6-0 no 65825 clatters through Little Benton on the northern approach to Newcastle with a mineral train in January 1966. The J27 was finally withdrawn from Blyth (North) shed in June of that year.

Balornock Shed: Ferryhill A4 Pacific 60019 'Bittern', photographed in close-up at Balornock depot after being coaled and watered, shortly before being turned on the turntable. This meant it would face north later that January 1966 day with the evening 'St Mungo' to Aberdeen.

Balornock Shed: After a morning run on the 7.10 am three-hour express from Aberdeen, A4 Pacific 60019 'Bittern' has retired to the darkness of the engine shed at St Rollox, awaiting the return duty later in the day, the 5.30 pm 'Saint Mungo' back to Aberdeen.

Balornock Shed: Three railwaymen lend a hand turning A4 Pacific 60019 'Bittern' round the table at Balornock depot. The locomotive had brought in the morning 3-hour service from Aberdeen and would take the 5.30 pm return that evening.

Sudbury (Suffolk): Closure and demolition of Sudbury Goods signal box was imminent when this photo was taken on 31st January 1981. There was talk of preservation, but as so often in these situations, BR moved fast to destroy it, citing (rather ironically) 'prevention of vandalism'. The DMU is stationary and empty as the crew is enjoying a brew in the signal box. Past practice was to leave the DMU unmanned at the station platform (behind the camera) for a walk to and from the box, but this evidently became too risky so latterly the DMU was run up to the box and back for the layover tea breaks.

Kemble: GWR 6024 'King Edward I' stopped at Kemble waiting for a northbound HST to clear the single line section. This was in the days before the Swindon to Kemble line was redoubled. A winter evening shot around 2000 hours. 400 iso, F8, requiring a one minute exposure on a tripod. 31st Jan 1994

Rothley: B1 4-6-0 no 61264 photographed on 31 January 2000 at Rothley, Leicestershire, on the Great Central Railway.

Quorn and Woodhouse: 63601 at Quorn on the Great Central Railway in January 2000.

Newcraighall Turnback Siding: Engineers set out the new turnback siding for Newcraighall services terminating beyond the bridge in the background on 31 January 2002. There were hopes that it would form part of a revived Waverley Route. Yeah, right ...
[Added February 2016]

Closeburn: The former station at Closeburn alongside the A76 approximately 12 miles north of Dumfries, photographed in January 2006. The station closed to passengers in September 1961.

Closeburn: The former station at Closeburn, Dumfriesshire, in January 2010. Entrance off the A76. [Ref query 10 October 2010]

Moniaive: Entrance to Moniaive station, terminus of the Cairn Valley Railway, in January 2006. The station building stands alongside the modified goods shed 57 years after the line was closed completely by BR.

Moniaive: The former station building at Moniaive in January 2006. The line from Cairn Valley Junction, to the north of Dumfries, closed in 1949.

Holywood [1st]: Holywood signal box and crossing, Dumfriesshire, looking east in January 2006. The crossing gates at this location continue to be operated manually using a wheel within the box.

Holywood [2nd]: The station remains at Holywood, Dumfriesshire (closed 1949). Looking south from the level crossing on a cold and frosty morning in January 2006.

Holywood [1st]: Holywood signal box and level crossing in January 2006, looking west over the crossing.

Auldgirth: A refurbished pair of former surfacemens' cottages near the site of Auldgirth station (behind the camera) looking south through the mist towards Dumfries in January 2006.

Thornhill: Transformation at Thornhill station. A former run-down ex-BR property now converted into 5 flats. January 2006.

Thornhill: The signal box at Thornhill in January 2006, located on the up side of the line just south of Thornhill station.

Thornhill: Looking north from the former goods yard towards Thornhill station on a cold and frosty 31 January 2006.

Lamington Viaduct: DRS 37611 brings up the rear of a Departmental measurement train heading south over the Clyde at Lamington on 31 January 2007.

Lamington: Measurement train led by 37605 with 37611 at the rear heads south at Lamington on 31 January 2007.

Larkhall: View north over Larkhall station following a shower of rain on 31 January 2007, with a train for Dalmuir standing at platform 2.

Partick Central: Going, going ... gone. The fine tradition of demolishing our railway architecture continues.

Glasgow Central: 37611 crossing the Clyde Viaduct approaching Glasgow Central with the Network Measurement Train

Glasgow Central: 390034 at Glasgow Central.

Glasgow Central: 92026 Britten at Platform 9 of Glasgow Central to collect the Caledonian Sleeper.

Glasgow Central: 334024 and 334022 at Platform 12 & 13, Glasgow Central.

Glasgow Central: 37605 sitting at Platform 3 of Glasgow Central waiting to return south with the Network Measurement Train.

Glasgow Central: 91108 City of Leeds propelling the 1200 service from Glasgow Central to London Kings Cross.

Glasgow Central: 37605 crossing the Clyde Viaduct as it approaches the Glasgow Central at the rear of the Network Measurement Train.

Larkhall: A Dalmuir train about to leave Larkhall in January 2007.

Abington: Virgin Voyager southbound at Abington, January 2007.

Larkhall: Dalmuir train ready to leave Larkhall on 31 January 2007.

Abington: EWS 66025 brings the 1155 Chalmerston - Rugeley coal train out of the up loop at Abington and onto the WCML on 31 January 2007 having been sidelined for a passing Pendolino.

Alloa [1st]: Looking east towards the new Alloa station on 31 January 2007.

Alloa: Looking east over the new station on 31 January.

Newcastle Central: 60163 Tornado about to depart from Newcastle Central on Saturday 31 January 2009 having arrived from York earlier at the head of The Peppercorn Pioneer.

Dent: Superbly restored, and now available as holiday accommodation, the main station building at Dent is fenced off from the platform but still looks the part. To the rear, from its elevated position, is a panoramic view of Dentdale. This picture looks north towards Garsdale and shows the Coal Road overbridge, still displaying its white painted signal sighting patch, that has featured in so many photographs over the years.

Dent: Not the full story. Having made the long journey from Dent village the traveller is faced with a road that climbs 450 feet in the last three quarters of a mile to the station and line. Perhaps that sign should be angled upwards.

Balloch Pier: Balloch Pier in 2007, formerly the north end of the Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Junction Railway, looking along the remains of the former platform. Picture shows The [[PS Maid of the Loch]] steamship, currently being restored.

Newcastle West Junction: NXEC 91107 comes off the King Edward Bridge and round the curve into Newcastle Central on 31 January with a service from the south.

Thornton Yard: Row upon row of stored coal hoppers occupy the sidings at Thornton Yard on 31 January 2009, with some doubtless having been relocated here following the recent demise of Perth New Yard. There appears to be little activity in the yard at present, with all Longannet traffic now being routed via Stirling and Alloa. In the background a 158 passes with a Fife Circle train.

Middleton-on-Lune: Middleton-on-Lune, on the former Low Gill to Clapham line, served a rural district rather than any particular settlement and closed in 1931, 23 years before the other stations on the line. The station building still stands alongside the A683 road. Map ref SD 626882.

Arten Gill Viaduct: One of the better known Settle and Carlisle viaducts is the imposing Arten Gill on the east side of Upper Dentdale. Arten Gill lies to the south of Dent station but north of Dent Head viaduct.

Dent: Is there any truth in the story that Dent station house, at an altitude of 1150', was the first in the country to have double glazing or is it just railway folklore? Certainly it is a landmark for much of Dentdale situated as it is on the hillside. The windows on the gable end overlooking the valley now have two large sheets of perspex over them.

Kirkcaldy: Once every station had run-in boards but when British Railways became British Rail in 1965 and the signage changed, run-in boards were not generally replaced and very few stations now have them.  Kirkcaldy is among that small number and has just had the boards replaced with a prominent Scotland's Railway tag and logo, seen here on 31 January 2009.  The sign behind it must have puzzled many people over the years as Dundee is over 30 miles away

Dent: Having checked the station timetable and seen that no trains were due to call, Voyager 221112 coasting down the gradient crept into this picture of Dent's Up platform unawares. Dent station is in excellent condition although the snow fences behind look very tired these days compared to steam days See image [[42491]].

Newcastle Central: Grand Central HST power car 43123 passes EWS 67002 Special Delivery at the west end of Newcastle Central on 31 January 2009, (destination unknown).

Moldon Hill: The Swindon & Cricklade Railway's southern extension to Moldon Hill, seen on 31 January 2009. With major obstacles concerning badgers and newts now resolved the new section of the line should be open to traffic in 2011.

Dent Head Viaduct: The imposing Dent Head viaduct carries the Settle and Carlisle line over the small beck that becomes the River Dee. This picture looks north and the unclassified Dentdale road climbs behind the camera before swinging under the line to join the Hawes to Ingleton Road. Map Ref SD 776843

Ingleton (NWR): Scene of a very expensive argument. The bridge at Ingleton should have provided a through link from Yorkshire to Scotland. However, because it formed an end on junction between the Midland Railway and the LNWR, who were in dispute in the 1860's, that never transpired and the animosity between the two companies meant that through passengers arriving at one station would have to make their own way through the gorge to the station on the other side. In due course the Midland constructed the Settle and Carlisle Railway to avoid reliance on the LNWR instead. This view looks north from the site of the North Western station, now covered by a community centre and its car park although the viaduct, which last carried trains in 1966, is still in excellent condition.

Ingleton [LCR]: The old Clapham to Low Gill trackbed seen just outside Ingleton (L&C/LNWR) looking north towards Kirkby Lonsdale from an old overbridge. Local passenger services ceased in 1954 but the line remained in use for freight and diversions until 1966, on occasions seeing Peak hauled Thames Clyde Expresses passing through.

Ingleton [LCR]: To the north side of Ingleton gorge was the Lancaster and Carlisle, later LNWR, station. Once the dispute between the Midland and LNWR over through running was resolved this station became redundant although it did not finally close until 1916. The station site is now a depot, situated just beyond the trees in this view south from an old overbridge.

Pettycur Harbour: The sharp-eyed may spot an East Coast 125 in this photograph of 31 January, sandwiched between ranks of caravans at this resort at the southern end of Kinghorn. The houses at the bottom right occupy the site of a rail-served bottle factory, the line continuing to the harbour at Pettycur. The junction for the branch started in front of the overbridge at left-centre, so it's clear the gradient was pretty steep. For a view from that bridge see image [[21653]].

Ledbury Town Halt: Looking south at the site of Ledbury Town Halt. The view looks to Gloucester and the line formerly passed under Bridge Street in the middle distance.

Ashperton: Looking west to Hereford at the closed Ashperton station. There is still a station building to the left and is that the edge of the platform amongst the undergrowth?

Kilbagie: Freightliner 66557 nears Kilbagie with a coal train for Longannet Power Station on 31 January 2011.

Lochgelly: Abutments of the railway bridge over Colquhally Road which carried the Lochgelly Iron & Coal Company's line to the Nellie Colliery. The ironworks closed around 1895 while the pit lasted another seventy years.

Tondu: A buffer stop sits amidst an almost impenetrable forest which has taken over the two disconnected sidings behind the old northbound platform on the Margam line at Tondu in January 2012. See Image [[36974]]

Porth: Looking towards Treherbert from Porth station on 31 January 2012. On the left is the former down track, now a long siding. The route is now single track forward to Treherbert, apart from the passing loop at Ystrad Rhondda. Token operation applies from Porth to Ystrad Rhondda and from there to Treherbert. The path running forward to the right of the railway is on the trackbed of the former Maerdy branch which ran under the right hand side of the road overbridge.

Cardiff Queen Street: 121032 and 142074 departing from Cardiff Queen Street on 31 January 2012 with services to Cardiff Bay and Radyr respectively.

Lochgelly: A Fife outer circle 158 service draws away from Lochgelly Station on 31 January 2012. In the foreground is the partially redeveloped site of the goods yard and rail-served gasworks.

Glasgow Cross: The grey and vaguely train-like shape of the 1979 cover for the former Glasgow Central Railway station at Glasgow Cross in January 2014. During the planning of the reopening of what became the Argyle Line, it was decided to construct a new station further west along Argyle Street. The site of the old station can still be seen from trains travelling between Argyle Street and Bridgeton.

Ayr: Neither dawn nor dusk, but a horrible dark day as the 10.30 service from Glasgow Central terminates at Ayr one minute early on 31 January 2014.

Carnforth: 46233 Duchess of Sutherland leaves the Carnforth loops on 31st January with a Cumbrian Mountain Express charter, its first outing of 2015. The train had started from Euston and was hauled to Carnforth by two WCRC Brush Type 4s due to the failure of the booked electric locomotive, 86259 Les Ross.

Glasgow Cross: Little noticed by passing traffic and busy pedestrians, this inscription in the south face of the plinth covering the location of the former Glasgow Cross station is the only clue to the purpose of this rather odd feature in the middle of the Trongate at Glasgow Cross. See image [[50198]]

Bamber Bridge: Northern 158756 heads east at Bamber Bridge on 31 January with a Blackpool North to York service.

Carnforth: Large logo Brush 4 47526 has been donating spares to other West Coast Class 47 and 57 locos since 2007, including it seems one of its buffers. Recently moved into a more visible position the former D1109 is seen in Carnforth yard on 31st January 2015. See image [[12165]]

Blackburn: 46233 Duchess of Sutherland is the centre of attention at Blackburn station on 31 January 2015, following arrival with the southbound 'Cumbrian Mountain Express.'

Glasgow Cross: With a little imagination, we might be looking along the boiler of a steam locomotive towards the bridges where the City of Glasgow Union Railway crosses Gallowgate (left) and Trongate (right). In fact, this curious construction covers the site of the former Glasgow Cross station and provides ventilation through the steel mesh.

Blackburn: A Northern Class 150 calls a Blackburn's platform 4 with a late afternoon service from Clitheroe to Manchester Victoria on 31 January 2015.

Lytham: A train for Blackpool South nears Lytham on 31 January 2015. 150269 has just passed the site of Warton Junction, where a short branch ran down to Lytham Dock. The branch closed to passengers in 1874 but lingered on for goods traffic until the 1930s. [Ref query 6891]

Blackburn: Colas 66849 'Wylam Dilly' passes Blackburn with the Carlisle New Yard to Chirk Kronospan log train on 31 January 2015.

Carlisle Durranhill Shed: 46233 Duchess of Sutherland powers past the site of the former Midland MPD at Durran Hill on 31 January 2015 with the southbound Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express.

Glasgow Cross: Unconcerned by the sound of a fast approaching Motherwell train, pedestrians stroll casually past the site of the former Glasgow Cross station on 31 January 2015. The curved structure acts as a ventilation grille for the Argyle line below.

Penrith: Stanier Pacific 46233 Duchess of Sutherland speeds northbound through Penrith on 31 January with the second Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express of 2015.

Eastriggs MOD: Outside the Devil's Porridge museum in Eastriggs are two railway exhibits. The camouflage painted standard gauge 0-6-0 fireless locomotive is very visible from the road See image [[48483]] but this narrow gauge wagon on the other side of the building might be overlooked. As the Longtown-Gretna-Eastriggs complex was nine miles long with a fleet of over forty locomotives there must have been hundreds of railway wagons in use there at the height of munitions production.

Coventry Arena: This recently opened station would be handy for the Ricoh Arena, if it was open before and after sporting events. See image [[54104]] I await the next trade show, e.g. for computer gamers, to see whether the railway accommodates geeks more readily than sports fans. The train is the 1346 to Nuneaton; which at weekends comprises two carriages.

Cupar: The scene at Cupar during tack replacement operations at the end of January 2016, with two road/rail vehicles operating on the line.

Annan: Sunday morning scene at Annan station, unfortunately between trains despite the large number of diversions using the G&SW in January 2016. The broad path on the left gives step free access to the Glasgow platform from Elm Road.

Cupar: Track renewal in progress during engineering possession at Cupar on Sunday 31 January 2016. View south from the A914 road bridge with Cupar station behind the camera. [Ref query 8067]

Solway Viaduct: View of both Solway Viaduct embankments, as seen from the area known as Back of the Hill in Annan on 31st January 2016

Coventry Arena: The timetable on the right is fine, but the sign on the left is a bit sad. View of the Northbound/Nuneaton platform, taken from the South side so that I didn't keep 'er indoors waiting too long!

Cupar: Track replacement work within the station limits at Cupar on 31 January 2016. View north towards Leuchars. The tail of the engineers train can be seen in the background, with locomotive 66005 out of sight around the curve.

Quintinshill Loops: The Devil's Porridge Museum in Eastriggs is mainly concerned with all the activities surrounding the construction of HM Factory Gretna, and the production of munitions there during WWI. However, there are some other displays, including one relating to the Quintinshill disaster. This includes the display panel from the signal box, which closed in 1973. See image [[54227]]

Linlithgow: Walls have been elegantly raised to comply with latest standards by using traditional building methods.

Dundee: The first stage of the Dundee station redevelopment has been unveiled. The ScotRail Alliance today (31 January) opened new-look facilities for customers at Dundee station, following investment of more than £1million. Customers will benefit from a refurbished customer area, making the station a more pleasant and relaxing place to catch a train.

Cobh: Cork & Youghal Railway. Cobh Station. A 2 car Class 2600 DMU has just arrived with the 15.00 from Cork Kent and will return there at 15.30. 31 January 2019.

Cork Kent: Cork Kent. GM 201 class No 216 has just brought in the 08.00 from Dublin Heuston into platform 4. 31 January 2019

Cobh: Cork & Youghal Railway. Cobh Heritage Centre (formerly Cobh station) Interior. 31 January 2019.

Cork Kent: Cork Kent. Class 2600 DMU at rest in Platform 3, used for Cobh and Midleton trains. 31 January 2019.

Cobh: Cork & Youghal Railway. Former frontage of Cobh (formerly Queenstown station), now the very interesting Cobh Heritage Centre. The arrangement is similar to Windermere with the tracks of the present station having been cut back to outside this part of the terminus. 31 January 2019.

Cobh: Cork & Youghal Railway. Present day Cobh station with the track now stopping short of Cobh Heritage Centre beyond. Although the line from Cork is double track throughout to Cobh, the station itself is now a single platform. 31 January 2019.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking east over platforms 5 and 6 at Waverley on 31st January 2019 with the new buffers installed.

Rosslyn Castle: Leaving Rosslyn Castle station (immediately behind the camera) on the Penicuik branch the line swung south east past the goods yard. Nowadays the trackbed forms part of a popular walkway and the site of the goods yard incorporates a picnic area. View is south in January 2020, with the Pentland Hills on the horizon. For the view back from the far end of the yard see image [[72238]].

Rosslyn Castle: A cold winter morning at Rosslyn Castle in January 2020 looking south west over the end of the platform from the road bridge. Up ahead the Penicuik branch veered off to the left, with the right fork originally serving the goods yard. The latter is now a picnic area alongside what has become the Penicuik - Dalkeith Walkway.

Dunbar: A LNER Azuma hurries through rebuilt Dunbar on 31st January 2020. Looks like they have done a good job here but as yet there is no access off the new platform to the streets behind, so one must come in through the station and over the bridge.

Dunbar: Cross Country service passing through Dunbar, viewed from the new platform on 31st January 2020.

Rosslyn Castle: How to brighten up a grey winter morning. Two colourful ladies jog south through the site of Rosslyn Castle station on a dull and drizzly 31 January 2020, heading in the general direction of Penicuik..

Dunbar: A pair of Cross Country Voyagers call at the new platform at Dunbar, as seen from the equally new footbridge on 31st January 2020.

Clarkston East Junction: BR Standard 2-6-4 tank no 80047 photographed at Clarkston East Junction on 25 June 1964. The train is the 5.08pm from St Enoch, bound for East Kilbride.

Rosslyn Castle: Coffee stop al fresco. Platform scene at Rosslyn Castle in January 2020 looking south west in the general direction of Penicuik. The old station saw its last scheduled passenger service in 1951, although the branch remained open for freight for a further 16 years, serving various mills along the North Esk. The remains of the passenger steps to the southbound platform can be made out on the left beyond the fence. The route is now part of the Penicuik - Dalkeith Walkway.

Rosslyn Castle: Looking east over the old goods yard at [[Rosslyn Castle]] on a wet 31 January 2020. The muddy path on the right links a farm access road (from which the photograph is taken) with the route of the [[Penicuik Railway]] up ahead. Traffic handled by the yard included materials to and from a nearby gunpowder mill, with trans-shipment facilities reached by a 300 yard siding to the right. Passenger traffic ceased in 1951, with the branch closing completely in 1967.

Barton and Broughton: The first train of the day to Barrow on Sunday 31st January 2021 should have started in Manchester but was re-timetabled to begin at Preston. 195120 is seen northbound from St. Helier's footbridge, just north of the Barton loop, passing yet another newly installed palisade lineside fence. See image [[68833]] from 2019. Photo ancillary to a daily permitted exercise walk under Corona Virus legislation.

Inverkeithing East Junction: 66593 passes Inverkeithing East Junction with 6K13, returning from Stonehaven to Millerhill on 31st January 2022. The train was more than 7 hours late due to disruption by Storm Corrie.

Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]: 195119 runs across the low embankment at Scorton, working from Windermere to Manchester Airport, on a sunny 31st January 2022.

Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]: The very distinctive 390119 passes south through Scorton on 31st January 2022.

Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]: The bright red nameplate identifies this as 68033 'The Poppy', even at a distance. The DRS loco made two light engine trips to Carlisle on 31st January 2022 and is seen near Scorton, heading for Warrington, on the return leg of the first trip on 31st January 2022.