Millerhill Yard: A Class 08 breasts the hump at Millerhill Up Yard on 23rd February 1963, just eight months after this massive new marshalling facility was created to rationalise yard provision in the Edinburgh area and streamline wagonload movements in the East of Scotland.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Eastfield's 61140, with the self-weighing tender, seems anxious to leave Glasgow Queen Street High Level on 23 February 1963 with a train for Edinburgh. It is about to do battle with the formidable Cowlairs incline with the aid of a V1/3 2-6-2T banker.

Millerhill Yard: The photographer�s �wee black book� simply says 'Jimmy collects his container!' Photograph taken at Millerhill Yard on 23rd February 1963.

Millerhill Yard Up Arrival Sidings: View north at Millerhill on 23rd February 1963, with the main line to the left and the reception sidings for the Up Yard (opened eight months earlier) on the right. Newcraighall Colliery stands in the left background.

Millerhill Yard: Amid the moonscape of the new BR Millerhill marshalling yard, a mixed 'cut' of parcels and goods wagons rolls over the up hump on 23rd February 1963. At this time the yard had been officially open for approximately eight months.

Borthwick Bank Signal Box: Climbing Borthwick Bank on an Edinburgh-Carlisle train on 23rd February 1963, one of the first trains to run over the entire Waverley Route after an 18-day snow blockage of the line south of Hawick. See image [[52638]].

Falahill Summit: All signals off at Falahill on 23rd February 1963, seen from one of the first trains to run over the entire Waverley Route after an 18-day snow blockage of the line south of Hawick.

Livingston [1st]: The brave new world of Livingston new town makes for a strange contrast with a traditional North British Railway building at the former Livingston station (closed 1948), seen here on 23rd February 1965.

Uphall Oilworks: AB1960 of 1929, photographed at Motherwell Bridge Thermal in Uphall in February 1965. The locomotive was ex-Broxburn Oil Co in 1964 and was eventually scrapped in 1967.

Uphall Oilworks: No 3 receiving attention at the Motherwell Bridge (Thermal) engineering works (the former workshops of Scottish Oils Ltd) at Uphall on 23 February 1965. The 0-4-0 locomotive (AB1960/1929) had been purchased from the Broxburn Oil Company a year earlier.

Uphall: A train of new cars and lorries trundles past Uphall signal box on 23 February 1965, dwarfed by the local shale bing.

Uphall Oil Works: Bridge carrying a mineral line across the old A8 (now A89) south towards Uphall oil works in 1965. The rooftops of the works lie directly ahead with shale bings dominating the surroundings. The track and oilworks are long gone but the bridge over the A89 still stands, albeit with a new deck, having been modified to serve as a footbridge. See image [[28643]]

Glasgow Central: A strange-looking steam-diesel combination for the 16.54 service to Gourock on 23rd February 1967, seen leaving Glasgow Central behind Black 5 44911 and Clayton Type 1 D8531.

Glasgow Central: Black 5 44792 runs into Glasgow Central, tender first, with the 4.22pm local from Bishopton in February 1967.

Glasgow Central: Black 5 44792 heading back out from Platform 12 at Glasgow Central, having brought in the 16.22 from Bishopton tender first, in February 1967.

Minety and Ashton Keynes: DMU L430, northbound through the disused Minety and Ashton Keynes station on the Swindon to Gloucester line on 23rd February 1984. The station had closed in 1964.

Wernigerode: Metre gauge 2-10-2T 99 7236 has almost surmounted the climb up from Wernigerode as it approaches the level crossing near the Gasthaus Drei Annen with the 09.42 Wernigerode - Nordhausen (DR Harzquerbahn) in February 1987.

Wernigerode Westerntor: It's surely not a particularly steep climb away from the station there? The 09.42 Wernigerode Westerntor - Nordhausen train photographed on 23rd February 1987 - apparently working hard.

Gorebridge: Looking north towards the remains of Gorebridge station in February 2000 see image [[51237]]. The station building is obscured by foliage, while the white wall is the rear of the garage block serving Harvieston Villas, built on the site after closure and since demolished to make way for the reopened railway.

Craiglockhart: A westbound coal train on the Edinburgh South Suburban freight line rounds the curve on the approach to Craiglockhart in February 2002.

Craiglockhart: The remains of Craiglockhart station (closed September 1962) on the Edinburgh suburban line, seen on 23 February 2002. View is south east from Colinton Road looking towards Morningside Road.

Partick: Platform view east from Partick station on a February afternoon in 2005 as a train for Milngavie approaches. Yorkhill Hospital stands in the left background.

Edinburgh Waverley: View west from Waverley Bridge on 23 February 2007.

Edinburgh Waverley: View over Waverley west end on 23 February 2007.

Haymarket: TransPennine 158 791 leaving Haymarket on 23 February.

Earn Viaduct [Forgandenny]: The 1612 Glasgow Queen Street - Inverness races through Strathearn towards Perth, with the River Earn for company.

Milton of Crathes: Volunteers of the Royal Deeside Railway making good progress re-instating the track between Milton of Crathes and Banchory on 23 February. Thanks to the recovery of track from Aberdeen Guild Street, there is almost enough track to reach their ultimate destination.

Clydebank: 320 313 at Clydebank on 23 February with a Dalmuir service.

Drumry: Scene at Drumry on 23 February 2008 with 320 309 on an eastbound service to Airdrie.

Airbles: A train for Dalmuir via Motherwell formed by 334 013 stands at Airbles on 23 February.

Jordanhill: 334 007 at Jordanhill on 23 February with a Dalmuir service.

Possilpark and Parkhouse: Looking back towards Glasgow Queen Street as Anniesland shuttles cross at Possilpark and Parkhouse on 23 February 2008.

Bridgeton: A service for Dalmuir via Yoker arrives at Bridgeton on 23 February formed by 318 267.

Scotstounhill: 334 001 with a Dalmuir train at Scotstounhill on 23 February 2008.

Brisbane Roma Street: Local train on the eastern approaches to Brisbane Roma Street station. View looks to Central Station.

Brisbane Central: Brisbane Central Railway Station dwarfed by modern tower blocks, as viewed from Ann Street. The tower was designed by English architect J. J. Clark.

Brisbane Roma Street: 'On the Queensland Railway Lines, There are stations where one dines...' An interesting modern art sculpture in Roma Street Parkland close to Roma Street Railway Station. Unfortunately, I omitted to photograph the other surfaces so I don't know how the poem ends! [Railscot note: the parklands were formerly the extensive goods yard of Roma Street station.]

Brisbane Roma Street: Overview of the east end of Brisbane Roma Street Station. This was originally a terminus and the lines in the foreground continue behind the camera, in a tunnel, to Central Station.

Collessie: A Perth - Edinburgh service passing through Collessie Den on 23 February 2009 formed by unit 158725.

Princes Street [Tram]: Between the lines... the newly constructed tram stop at 'The Mound' seen looking east along Edinburgh's Princes Street on 23 February 2010.

Edinburgh Waverley: 322 485 arriving from North Berwick at Edinburgh Waverley on 23 February 2010. The 322s are to replaced next Spring by new class 380 units.

Edinburgh Waverley: Saltire liveried 156 502 on arrival from Glasgow Central at Edinburgh Waverley on 23 February 2010.

Whitby West Cliff: The imposing station at Whitby West Cliff looking south west from Station Avenue on 23 February 2010. Closed in June 1961 the building has since been converted to residential accommodation (named Beechings Mews!). The former station masters house is nearest the camera. See image [[21087]]

Ladybank Works: The former wagon shops at Ladybank on 23 February 2011, photographed from a passing train on the Perth line see image [[32886]].

Nuneaton: View north at Nuneaton in February 2011 as a CrossCountry service from Stansted Airport to Birmingham New Street calls at the station's new east side island platform. After leaving, 170107 will then climb to cross the WCML flyover in the distance before turning west towards Birmingham.

Rugby: Commuters huddle under the canopy at Rugby on a very wet morning and there are few takers for this London Midland EMU service for Euston via Northampton. The platform cleared a few minutes later however when a Euston bound Pendolino called. 350127 was on the rear of an eight car train and to its right the recently infilled north bays can be seen see image [[32862]].

Kilmarnock: DBS 66119 northbound through Kilmarnock station on 23 February 2011 with the 4S90 Drax - New Cumnock empties heading for Long Lyes.

Kilmarnock: Freightliner 70004 at Kilmarnock with the 4S75 Stourton-Killoch on 23 February 2011.

Barassie Junction: 31465 on the rear of a Network Rail test train passing south through Barassie on 23 February 2011.

Minster: The signalbox at Minster looking west towards the station on 23 February 2012. The photograph is taken from the middle of a triangular junction with lines running past towards Dover (left) and Ramsgate (right). There had been a number of railway staff in hi-viz clothing in the area earlier, however, at this point in time they were behind the signalbox assisting with the removal of a trespassing goose!

Morecambe Promenade: The old station concourse at Morecambe Promenade, now known as The Platform, showing the stage that now occupies this area. The seating had been cleared away for the floor to be treated. The front section of the building, just visible through the skylights, is now the Tourist Information Centre and the concourse is used for events and concerts. A far cry from the days of excursions and electric trains to Lancaster but at least the building is still with us and cared for. See image [[37571]] for the same scene in the 1980s.

Sturry: A Southeastern service from Ramsgate to London Charing Cross via Ashford passes the down platform and signalbox at Sturry, near Canterbury, on 23 February 2012. The train is about to call at the up platform on this side of the level crossing.

Sturry: A Southeastern Class 395 heads south west through Sturry in Kent with a Ramsgate - St Pancras high speed service on 23 February 2012.

Minster: Two Southeastern services call at Minster on 23 February 2012. On the left is a late running train from Ashford heading for Ramsgate and on the right a Ramsgate - London Charing Cross service.

Minster: Southeastern 375904, on a service from Ashford to Ramsgate, approaches the penultimate stop at Minster on 23rd February 2012.

Helsinki: A Valmet Nr tram passes along Mannerheimintie at the Finlandia Hall in February 2012. This one has had an additional low-floor centre section inserted see image [[35154 for a non-modified version]].

Minster: A Southeastern Class 395 Javelin emu heads towards Ramsgate on 23 February 2012 with Minster SB and station in the background.

Dess: The converted former station building at Dess, on the Deeside Line, photographed on 23 February 2014. See image [[46741]]

Dess: The former GNoSR Agent's house at Dess Station in 2014. The steps took the agent straight to the platform, which can still be clearly seen. Situated between Lumphanan and Aboyne on the Deeside line Dess had only a single platform, located on the up-side. The remote station saw few passengers even in its GNoSR/LNER prime.

Upney: LUL S7 stock with a District Line service from Upminster to Richmond arriving at Upney on 23rd February 2016. District trains reached Barking in 1908 and until 1939 there was a through service between Ealing Broadway and Southend Central, changing from District electric locomotives to LTSR steam at Barking. Suspended at the outbreak of WWII, this service never resumed after 1945. By virtue of its connection to the Midland Railway via the Tottenham & Forest Gate line of 1894 (now part of the London Overground GOBLIN), the LTSR became part of the Midland in 1912 and then the LMSR in 1923, who opened an extra set of electrified tracks alongside the Southend line (on right) from Barking to Upminster for the exclusive use of District trains but owned by them, in 1932. These tracks had four new island platform stations, Upney being the first east of Barking. The LMS Southend line became part of British Railways London Midland Region at Nationalisation in 1948 but in 1949 control passed to the more logical Eastern Region, who still owned all the stations served by the District Line between Bromley (now Bromley-By-Bow) and Upminster. Not until 1969 were these transferred to London Transport ownership (when LT roundel nameboards replaced BR totem signs) although Barking and Upminster remained in main line ownership, as they still do, now part of the C2C system.

Penistone: A line of five concrete posts on the down side embankment beside the goods lines beyond the slow line island platform for the Manchester to Sheffield line part of Penistone station. Whilst a curved cable support bracket appears to be fitted at the top front, other flat supports on both front and rear faces appear to have carried lengths of wood.

River Antoine Distillery: At the River Antoine Distillery on Grenada (West Indies) is a short section of track where a wagon carries crushed sugar cane from the crusher to be dumped for drying. When dry the cane is used as fuel although the crusher itself is powered by a water-wheel. Unlike Scottish distilleries there is no 'Excise Man' supervising the still. Editor's Note: This image was awarded first prize in the Railscot Obscure Railway of the Month competition.

Kilmarnock: Great British Flowers? Coal wagons and Daffodils seen at Kilmarnock in February 2016.

Plaistow: LUL D78 District Line stock departing from Plaistow for Richmond on 23rd February 2016. On the left, behind the railings, are the two disused platforms on the National Rail C2C line to and from Fenchurch Street that closed in 1962 with the electrification of the ex-LTSR, leaving District Line trains to handle all the local traffic out as far as Upminster, with connections with National Rail trains at Barking and latterly at West Ham too.

Bewdley: A piece of Scottish rail history. The Gents toilet at Bewdley, made by George Smith and Co at the Sun Foundry in Glasgow, which was originally part of the facilities of Melrose station and was transported to the Severn Valley Railway after closure see image [[13842]].

Spire Fylde Coast Hospital: I did a double take passing a window looking into the hospital garden when I saw these splendid models of the Tower and a Blackpool tram, complete with track and catenary. Not what you would expect to see on a hospital visit. 23rd February 2018.

Twenty Foot River Goods: Twenty Foot River on the GN&GE Joint line a short distance to the north of Whitemoor Yard at March is shown on the NLS 25' to the mile maps as being a goods station. The line closed in 1982 however two houses, the goods shed and the cattle dock still remain, the latter two features being to the left of the picture. The signal was a slight curiosity as originally there had been no junction or loop line to the south. However further investigation suggests it may have controlled access to the north end of Whitemoor Yard.

Innerleithen: Former Innerleithen station on Peebles to Galashiels Line, closed 1962, looking east towards Galashiels on 23rd February 2018.

Neidpath Viaduct: Trackbed of former Symington to Peebles line, to the west of Neidpath Viaduct, looking towards Peebles on 23rd February 2018.

Franschhoek: A Franschhoek Wine Tram, modeled on the Victorian Blackpool trams but with diesel engines fitted, pictured at one of the intermediate vineyard stops on the route. Built in South Africa during 2017 and pictured here in February 2018.

Neidpath Tunnel: Neidpath Tunnel, eastern portal, looking west on 23rd February 2018. See image [[19410]] for the same spot ten years earlier, since when some vegetation appears to have been cut back.

Thorney: There isn't much to find on the old M&GN lines but here at Thorney between Peterborough and Wisbech a set of level crossing gates stand as a reminder to what used to be here. The station, goods shed and SB stood to the right, however all have gone with the entire site given over to housing.

Franschhoek: Franschhoek, east of Cape Town, was served by a metre gauge line until the mid 1990s when it was left dormant. The weather has been kind to it, no trees etc but grass here and there. However, some local vineyards clubbed together and set up two tram systems to move people between the vineyards. Lots of fine wines to taste and lunches to die for. One section is about three miles long the other about six. The trams are modeled on the Victorian Blackpool trams but with diesel engines fitted. These are the double deck and single deck cars. Franschhoek Wine Tram

Poulton-le-Fylde: Poulton No.3 signal box was finally demolished on 20th & 21st February 2018, the last of the five boxes on the line that survived until electrification. This was the scene two days later as an Orange Platoon clears away the final traces of the structure. Apparently the demolition will allow the last mast base between Preston and Blackpool to be installed. See image [[60684]] taken the previous summer.

Franschhoek: Builders plate on a Franschhoek (Diesel) Wine Tram, locally constructed in South Africa during 2017.

Neidpath Viaduct: The former Neidpath Viaduct across the River Tweed, now a footpath, looking east towards Peebles on 23rd February 2018.

Franschhoek: Welcome aboard! The friendly crew of the Franschhoek Wine Tram running between the local South African vineyards near Cape Town.

Franschhoek: Typical countryside traversed by the old metre gauge line to Franschhoek, and now used by vintage style diesel trams conveying visitors around the local vineyards. This is the view ahead from behind the controls. on 23rd February 2018 - a bit warmer here (35c) than it was in the UK at this time.

Neidpath Tunnel: West portal of Neidpath Tunnel, now an unofficial footpath, on 23rd February 2018.

Franschhoek: At every crossing point on the Wine Tram route, be it road or track, the crewman with the red flag got off and stopped the traffic. 23rd February 2018.

Poulton-le-Fylde: 66512, on an electrification ballast train, stands on the Down Line to the east of Poulton station on 23rd February 2018. See image [[60646]] for the same location during the previous summer.

Blackpool North: Masts are now appearing alongside the new Blackpool North platforms and the first colour light signals have been installed at the end of Platform 1/2. 23rd February 2018.

Neidpath Viaduct: Former Neidpath Viaduct, now a footpath, looking east towards Peebles on 23rd February 2018.

Poulton-le-Fylde: Freightliner 66525, engaged on electrification work, seen at Poulton-le-Fylde station on 23rd February 2018.

Neidpath Viaduct: The west end of the former Neidpath Viaduct, on the Peebles to Symington line. The line closed to passengers in 1950 and this section to freight in 1954. This view is looking east towards Peebles on 23rd February 2018.

Neidpath Tunnel: Inside Neidpath Tunnel, looking towards the eastern portal and Peebles on 23rd February 2018. Take some torches with you if you decide to walk all the way through it as my friends and I did!

Neidpath Viaduct: The former Neidpath Viaduct, looking west, on 23rd February 2018.

Neidpath Tunnel: Looking west towards the eastern portal of Neidpath Tunnel on 23rd February 2018.

Scottish Event Campus: The Aberdeen MRC layout 'City of Tiers' seen at Model Rail, Glasgow.

Hampton Court: 455919 from Waterloo, just arrived at Hampton Court, on 23rd February 2019. This terminus station on a branch from the LSWR main line west of Surbiton, opened on 1st February 1849 and is in the village of East Molesey on the south side of the bridge over the Thames, Hampton Court Palace being on the north. In 2022, as they approach forty years of service, South Western Railway has begun to withdraw the Class 455 EMUs, replacing them with new Class 701s as they are delivered.

Hampton Court: The end of the line at Hampton Court station, on 23rd February 2019 when the temperature in the London area reached 17C, unbelievable for the time of year. Ice cream vans outside the entrance to Hampton Court Palace were doing a roaring trade!

Hampton Court: Exterior of Hampton Court, opened on 1st February 1849, seen here just over 170 years later on 23rd February 2019. This station is on the south side of the Thames in the village of East Molesey; Hampton Court Palace is on the north side across the bridge designed by Edward Lutyens when the road was realigned in the 1930s.

Richmond: 378207, with a London Overground service to Stratford, waiting to depart from Richmond at dusk on 23rd February 2019.

Balshaw Lane Junction: Three months into the franchise there aren't too many Pendolinos wearing the new Avanti West Coast livery but one example is seen rushing north at Balshaw Lane Jct on 23 February 2020.

Milngavie: Leisurely turnaround time for a Motherwell service at Milngavie on 26 February 2020. While it stood there three trains came and went from Platform 2 so most of the time it had a companion.

Epping Forest: View through rear of class 117 diesel unit returning from Epping Forest to North Weald on the Epping Ongar Railway, on 23rd February 2020. The train is passing beneath the bridge carrying the M11 motorway. When this was built in 1977, the line was still in use by LUL Central Line tube trains and the bridge only allowed enough headroom for their restricted height. When the line became a heritage line, the track beneath the bridge had to be lowered by a depth of 18 ft. to allow for the larger rolling stock that would thenceforth use the line.

North Weald: The fully restored North Weald station, Epping Ongar Railway, looking towards Epping from the footbridge, on 23rd February 2020. The now relaid loop and reopened platform on the left were closed by London Transport in 1976 and the track lifted during LUL Central Line days, which lasted from 1957 to 1994. The station was originally opened by the Great Eastern Railway with the extension of the line from Loughton to Ongar in 1865.

North Weald: GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 no. 4953 'Pitchford Hall' arriving at North Weald station with an Epping Ongar Railway train from Ongar, on 23rd February 2020. This locomotive entered service from Swindon Works on 31st August 1929 and was withdrawn on 31st May 1963 and sent to Woodham's scrapyard at Barry in south Wales where it remained until 1984. After a comprehensive overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works, it moved under its own steam for the first time in preservation in February 2004, then touring a number of heritage lines until purchased by the EOR in 2012.

North Weald: The splendidly-restored station building at North Weald, Epping Ongar Railway, now looks a treat compared to its rundown appearance in the last years of this Essex line's existence as part of the LUL Central Line, which ended in 1994. Seen here on Sunday, 23rd February 2020, its hard to believe now that tube trains ever came this way, even though I travelled on the line in them many times as a boy and young man, having grown up in nearby Loughton. The station was originally opened by the Great Eastern Railway on 24th April 1865 with the extension of the line from Loughton to Ongar. At 414 ft. above sea level, it was the highest station on the GER until the opening of the Elsenham & Thaxted Light Railway in 1913 and which closed in 1952. This never quite went all the way to the beautiful historic town of Thaxted but terminated in the middle of nowhere in a field a good mile or so outside the town which probably explains why it lasted less than 40 years.

Greenock Central: Dellingburn Street viaduct has been undergoing repairs in February 2020.

North Weald: North Weald station, Epping Ongar Railway, looking towards Ongar with the now fully-restored footbridge (that came from South Woodford station), on 20th February 2020. The last time I visited this railway, in 2016, the bridge was in two pieces and people had to cross the line by means of the level crossing. This has been retained for people with reduced mobility. In LUL Central Line days, which lasted from 1957 to 1994, this was the only level crossing on the London Underground, here well above ground(!) in the depths of the Essex countryside.

Coopersale Halt: View through rear of class 117 diesel unit returning from Epping Forest to North Weald, having just crossed the bridge by the hamlet of Coopersale, on the Epping Ongar Railway, on 23rd February 2020. Strictly speaking, this location is Epping Forest since there has never been a Coopersale Halt. In the 1970s, when the line was still part of the LUL Central Line, there was much new residential development in Coopersale which led to a concerted campaign for LT to provide a station here but they turned deaf ears on this and nothing was ever provided. The EOR also had plans at one time to build a halt here but nothing has transpired so far.

North Weald: Class 117 diesel unit at North Weald station, Epping Ongar Railway, on 23rd February 2020. Built in 1960, it originally worked on BR Western Region Paddington to Reading services. Unfortunately, it is not going all the way back to Liverpool Street as the destination blind would have us believe and not even as far as Epping, but an out and back trip to Epping Forest a short distance from the LUL station there.

Blake Hall: The immaculately restored Blake Hall station, complete with a short piece of platform, is now a private residence and Epping Ongar Railway trains do not call here. It is seen from an EOR train from North Weald to Ongar passing on 23rd February 2020. The station was opened by the Great Eastern Railway with the extension of the line from Loughton to Ongar on 24th April 1865 and was first served by LUL Central Line tube trains (which always looked odd as they rattled and bounced incongruously through woods and fields) from 18th November 1957. It closed on 2nd November 1981 (the last trains called two days earlier), 13 years before the line beyond Epping to Ongar was closed, on 30th September 1994, the same day as the Piccadilly Line branch from Holborn to Aldwych in central London was closed. Remotely situated, Blake Hall was the least-used station in LUL days, a distinction now held by Roding Valley also on the Central Line. After closure, it is alleged some trains still stopped here unofficially to let people board or alight but once London Transport learned of this they promptly demolished the platform (which has now been partially restored). I remember waiting here for a tube train to Epping in the long hot summer of 1976 and, apart from the ticket clerk, there was only myself and flocks of birds as they flew high and wide over the Essex countryside.

Tyldesley: Although it closed in 1969, and was lifted soon afterwards, it wasn't until 2016 that five miles of guided busway was constructed on the Leigh and Tyldesley loop line between Ellenbrook and Leigh. Tyldesley is the main intermediate town and its bus interchange, seen here looking west in February 2021, is built on the site of the railway goods yard, the island in the turning circle being the exact location of the goods shed. The car park beyond the lights is on the site of the station forecourt and buildings with the busway to Leigh passing through the line of the platforms.

Tyldesley: A Vantage service from Manchester leaves Tyldesley, heading for Leigh, on the guided busway that uses the Tyldesley Loopline trackbed. The bus is passing through the site of the Tyldesley railway station, which closed in 1969, albeit the platforms may have been at a higher level. Note the car trap alongside preventing unauthorised access to the busway. To the right was once the St George's Bank Colliery, one of many in this area at the heart of the Lancashire coalfield. The Leigh Guided Busway opened in 2016 and provides a fast and frequent service into central Manchester.

Longsight: 70002 has just negotiated the busy line from Trafford Park through Manchester and is about to take the Styal Loop with a late afternoon full load of containers for Southampton. The train has just passed the site of Longsight station, closed in 1958, and the headshunt for the nearby depot is behind the locomotive.

Springs Branch Junction: TPE 397007 crosses from the fast lines to join the St, Helens line at Springs Branch on 23rd February 2022. This was an empty stock working from Preston to Lime Street.

Bamfurlong: Grubby GBRf 66719 'Metroland' has just joined the Down Goods line at Haydock Branch Junction on 23rd February 2022. It is seen passing through the site of Bamfurlong station (closed 1950) and is signalled to swing west at Bamfurlong Junction onto the St. Helens route heading for Tuebrook Sidings in Liverpool. The stone terminal on the truncated Haydock branch appears busy as, soon after this trip working of empties departed, another loaded train from Tuebrook arrived.

Ince: Two passengers emerge from the waiting shelter onto a rain soaked platform at Ince as 150127, on a Blackburn to Kirkby (via Todmorden) service, slows to call on 23rd February 2022.

Bryn [LUR]: 331017 leads a 6-car EMU set on a stopping service from Lime Street calling at Bryn on 23rd September 2022. Prior to electrification of the St. Helen's route these services were often handled by Pacers so the CAF EMUs are a big step forward. Bryn is the final intermediate stop before Wigan.

Springs Branch Shed: 390122 passes Springs Branch with an Edinburgh to Euston service on 23rd February 2022. This depot has undergone several repurposings over the years including EWS loco component recovery/scrapping. Later it changed to servicing plant vehicles but has now been equipped to also service and stable Northern DMUs.

Pemberton: Looking down the 1:92 gradient towards Wigan through Pemberton station in February 2022. The station buildings on the left hand platform are long gone but there is still an hourly service with through trains to Manchester, or to connect with Merseyrail EMUs at Kirkby.

Ince: The island platforms of many later L&YR stations around Lancashire were quite distinctive. Sadly, most have lost their buildings and are very basic today. Ince reminded me of Mill Hill near Blackburn, particularly with this 3-car 158 on a Leeds service passing through. See image [[26706]].

Bamfurlong Junction: DBC 66065 on the Up Fast line at Bamfurlong, with a shorter than usual intermodal from Mossend to Daventry, on 23rd February 2022. The tracks widen at this point marking the now removed platforms of long closed Bamfurlong station.

Newton Abbot: A sawmill in Abergavenny in Wales has received its first load of rail-transported timber since 2004, thanks to a partnership between Network Rail and freight operator Colas Rail. The timber, felled in a forest in Bickleigh, south Devon, was loaded onto a Colas Rail freight train at Hackney Yard near Newton Abbot to be transported 92 miles to Pontrilas Timber in Abergavenny as part of a trial run, which could see the return of 'log trains' as a regular sight travelling on the railway along the south Devon coastline.

Pemberton: DBC 66069 rolls a loaded binliner from Kirkby down the gradient through Pemberton station on the first stage of its long journey to Wilton on Teesside on 23rd February 2022. There are usually two such trains daily, with corresponding empty workings heading westwards.

Ince: 150140 passes through Ince with a Southport to Stalybridge service on a rainy 23rd February 2022. The sole access to the island platform is the angled footbridge seen here.

Lower Ince: Just down the hill from the operational Ince station is the site of Lower Ince. This was on the GCR Wigan Central line and closed in 1964. The two platform station was in a cutting and this has been partly filled and turned into amenity land. The only remnant of Lower Ince station in 2022 is this short section of stone wall and two brick pillars.

Bamfurlong Junction: Freightliner 66623 passes Bamfurlong Junction with the early running Hardendale to Tunstead on 23rd February 2022. The 66 used the Goods lines, which are initially on the east side to the south of Wigan but pass underneath near Bamfurlong Junction to emerge here on the west side. From Bamfurlong Junction they become the Slow lines and this train was held on the Up Slow for a long period waiting for a clear path on the two track section from Golborne.

Orrell: Like neighbouring Upholland, Orrell station lies in a deep cutting on the Wigan to Kirkby line. This view looks towards Wigan, during a quiet period between trains, on 23rd February 2022.