This day in history 12 March
Images
Polmadie Shed: Rebuilt 'Patriot' 45527 Southport photographed on 12 March 1950 in the shed yard at Polmadie. At this stage the rebuilt locomotive has not yet received its smoke deflectors.
Polmadie Shed: Stanier Pacific 46220 Coronation photographed at Polmadie in the spring of 1950.
Polmadie Shed: Ex-Caledonian 3F 0-6-0 no 57581 on its home shed at Polmadie in the spring of 1950.
Wakefield: Gresley J50 0-6-0T no 68933 stands with a WD Austerity 2-8-0 alongside Wakefield shed on a March day in 1961.
Wakefield: A pair of WD Austerity 2-8-0s on Wakefield shed on a grey March morning in 1961. Nearest the camera is no 90651, a 1944 product of the Vulcan Foundry, finally withdrawn from here in October 1966.
Normanton: J72 0-6-0T 68726 stands back-to-back with relative newcomer D2263 at Normanton shed in March 1961.
Darlington Locomotive Works: Gresley class D49 no 62727 The Quorn awaits the cutter's torch in Darlington works scrapyard on 12 March 1961, around 2 months after being withdrawn from 53A Hull Dairycoates shed. Disposal date is recorded as 7 weeks later on 30 April 1961. [Note the locomotive's nameplate is still attached!]
Normanton: Fowler 4F 0-6-0 no 44458 on Normanton shed in the spring of 1961.
Elderslie: 72002 'Clan Campbell' moves away from Elderslie on 12 March 1962 with a trainload of tractors, probably from Massey Ferguson in Kilmarnock. The Polmadie Clans were not on main line duties by this time, and all were withdrawn within a matter of months.
Busby Junction: Smartly turned out by Dumfries shed, Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 no 45467 runs north through Busby Junction on 12 March 1965 with a train from Annan.
Busby Junction: Photograph taken from an East Kilbride branch train climbing towards Busby Junction on a misty March morning in 1965 bound for St Enoch. Britannia Pacific 70008 Black Prince is held at signals on the main line with a northbound freight.
Busby Junction: 80001 joins the main line from Kilmarnock at Busby Junction on 12 March 1965 with a morning commuter train from East Kilbride.
Gourock: A 2-6-4T departing Gourock with a train for Glasgow on 12 March 1966, the day before the switchover from semaphore to cls on the line.
Cardonald: The days of steam in Scotland were numbered as Fairburn 4MT 2-6-4T No.42197 headed through Cardonald on 12 March 1966 with a Glasgow Central to Gourock train. By this time, the normal number of carriages was down to five.
Gourock: Scene at Gourock on 12th March 1966, the last day of semaphore signalling. A DMU is approaching the station with a service from Glasgow.
Leith Central: Leith Central looking west from the bridge across Easter Road in March 1970 when the old station was in use as a diesel maintenance depot (shed code 64H). The depot was officially closed in 1972, although demolition and clearance of the site was not completed until 1989.
Leith Central: View west towards Leith Central station on the far side of Easter Road in March 1970. The station was in use as a diesel depot at the time and two of its allocation (D2435 and D2413) stand on the left. The tenement block that originally stood here was demolished in 1901 to make way for the bridge across Easter Road into the new station (see [[10105]]).
Leith Central: Barclay 0-4-0DM shunters D2413 and D2435 (nearest the camera) outside 64H Leith Central in 1970.
Healey Mills Marshalling Yard: A mixed line up of diesel locomotives stored at the east end of Healey Mills yard in March 1983. From left to right are 46055, 46050, D8233, 24142, 25214, 40025, 40087, 40094, 40187 and 08311.
Salisbury: Class 50, 50040 'Leviathan' in Salisbury station, waiting to head south in the Yeovil direction, with 33102 in the platform behind it. This picture taken on 12 March 1986 and Leviathan was withdrawn four years later but lingered in storage for many years and was only scrapped in 2008.
Stadtpark: A westbound U-Bahn train on Vienna's U4 line arrives at Stadtpark station in March 1987 en route to Hutteldorf.
Slateford Junction: A BR InterCity 125 HST runs south west through Slateford station in 1990.
Falmouth Docks: Railcar 55012 stands at Falmouth Docks station in March 1992.
Alvechurch: A train approaching Alvechurch on a cold March day in 1993 with a Redditch - Birmingham - Lichfield Trent Valley service.
Grangemouth MPD: The abandoned shed at Grangemouth in the spring of 1995, more than 2 years after closure. The 6 road shed, built in 1908 to replace an earlier structure, closed to steam in November 1965 when it carried BR code 65F. After use as a diesel depot for several years it was finally closed completely in March 1993. The site was purchased by W H Malcolm in 1999, with the first phase of the WHM container depot officially opened in February 2001.
Starbeck: A Harrogate bound 155 hurries over the level crossing at Starbeck on the evening of 12 March 2002. (Many thanks to AR for correcting the Class in this caption.)
Settle Junction: 6615x takes the Carlisle route at Settle Junction. The Carnforth route is to the right. View looks east on the 12th of March, 2002.
Newcraighall Junction: Three months to go before the opening of Newcraighall station and the points track-panel for the new reversing siding at the north end of Millerhill yard is almost ready to slot into place.
Deepcar: Looking north towards Penistone from just north of Deepcar in 2002. Judging by the remaining ballast here it looks like the southbound track remained after the northbound was lifted.
Penistone: The disused signalbox at Penistone, seen in 2002, viewed from the trackbed of the former Woodhead Route. Route to Huddersfield to the left and straight on to Barnsley (and formerly Sheffield).
Newbridge Junction: View west over Newbridge Junction on 12 March 2006, with an Edinburgh - Glasgow shuttle service about to run through.
Newbridge Junction: A westbound train passes Newbridge Junction in March 2006, with the Bathgate branch diverging to the left from the main Edinburgh - Glasgow line.
Broxburn Viaduct: An SPT liveried 6-car Glasgow - Edinburgh train crossing the A89 on the Broxburn Viaduct in March 2006. View is east towards Edinburgh, with traces of a recent snowfall still visible on the hillside to the left
Johnstone: A Class 334 Juniper departs Johnstone for Ayr.
Gartcosh: Platform 2 heading to the old Gartcosh Junction... I remember helping out with the wages run to that box (My, I am getting old!!)
Eskbank: Part of the original station plan for the new Eskbank. Like Tweedbank there is an emphasis on Park & Ride, given its proximity to the A7 and the city bypass. (Later totally revised)
Hardengreen Junction: Looking Northwest over the filled-in cutting near the site of the proposed new Eskbank station in March 2007. The Tesco store stands left of centre and the A7 passes just off picture to the left.
Glenesk Viaduct: The sweeping single arch of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway Company's Glenesk Viaduct (1830), seen from the east side illuminated by March sunshine in 2007. Photograph taken from the steep sided valley of the North Esk, on the edge of Dalkeith's Ironmills Park. See image [[14929]]
Edinburgh Waverley: Waverley west end - position on 12 March 2007 - platforms 14-18.
Billsborrow: First Trans Pennine Express unit 185141 seen at Billsborrow on 12 March 2008 heading south with a service to Manchester Airport.
Leslie: Looking north up the 1 in 60 gradient to the summit of the branch on the western side of Glenrothes on 12 March. Almost the entire route has been adapted to a footpath, including two fine viaducts.
Lochmuir Summit: Aberdeen-bound National Express HST service climbing to Lochmuir Summit, north of Markinch, on 12 March 2009.
Lochmuir Summit: Scene just north of Markinch on 12 March as an Aberdeen-bound NXEC service approaches on the climb to Lochmuir Summit.
Helsinki: Latest tram type in operation in Helsinki in March 2010, with the previous generation now gone. This 3T does a sightseeing tour of the city... hop on, hop off.
Kilsby Tunnel: Now that's what I call a chimney. The largest and grandest of the smoke and steam vents on the WCML tunnel at Kilsby, near Rugby (notice the smaller vent in the background).
Helsinki: On 12 March 2010 most of Helsinki's tram services were in the hands of this type of vehicle. The old 8 wheelers (which resembled the old Melbourne trams) had apparently all been retired.
Crewe: Looking south through the station from Crewe North signal box on 12 March 2011 as a London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly Pendolino service calls at Platform 5.
Crewe: An Arriva Trains Wales service to Pembroke Dock (or, in Welsh, Doc Penfro as is displayed on the unit) departs from platform 6 at Crewe on 12 March 2011. Over on platform 5 is a London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly Pendolino and waiting patiently in the background for it to get out of the way is 350120 with a Liverpool Lime Street - Birmingham New Street service.
Crewe: Having dragged a Pendolino set off the North Wales line into Platform 11 at Crewe with a London bound service, 57304 Gordon Tracy now stands in the Platform 8 bay on 12 March, where it is being admired by two young enthusiasts.
Edinburgh Waverley: It is hard to believe that no Platforms have been closed for the renovation work currently under way at Waverley. This is (was) the taxi rank next to platforms 7 and 11. Photographed on 12 March 2011.
Crewe: Two trains for Euston head south from Crewe on 12 March 2011. As London Midland 350106 passes South Junction SB, a Virgin Pendolino passes the former L&NWR workshops. The Pendolino is heading towards Stafford and will reach Euston before the London Midland service, which is routed via Stoke-on-Trent and will call at more stations.
Crewe: This is the part of Crewe station that most passengers don't normally see. These former through tracks and platforms located on the west side of the station are now truncated, with a covered scaffolding walkway crossing the formation. Photographed on 12 March 2011.
Crewe Heritage Centre: Ready for a test run following an overhaul. BR Standard Class 7 no 70000 Britannia at the Crewe Heritage Centre on 12 March minus nameplates and finished in unlined black livery. See image [[33054]]
Crewe Heritage Centre: Resident shunter 03073 running brake van trips in the yard of the Crewe Heritage Centre on 12 February. This was part of a charity event to raise funds for the Emmie Dixon Home in the town. 66619 and 70011 were provided as static exhibits by Freightliner Ltd to help support the event.
Crewe: Two units stand in the south east bay platforms at Crewe on 12 March 2011. On the left London Midland 350254 awaits a trip to Northampton while on the right East Midlands 153355 is loading rapidly as football supporters from Chesterfield arrive back at the station from the ground next door. Total attendance at the match had been around 4,500 and many had chosen to travel by train. The result was that the 1707 hrs to Derby was rather...errrr 'cosy'.
Edinburgh Waverley: The south ramp at Waverley, closed for resurfacing during station renovation works. Photographed on 12 March 2011, a day of sleety snow across the Central Belt.
Crewe Heritage Centre: Shunted into a siding due to lack of commitment. A section of the APT that ran in public service in the early 1980s, including parts of 370003, on display at Crewe Heritage Centre on 12 March 2011. A Virgin Voyager is passing northbound on the main line heading for Glasgow Central.
Crewe: On the left a Class 158 calls at Platform 6 at Crewe with a Manchester to Pembroke Dock service as a Class 390 on the right sets off with a service from London to Manchester on 12 March 2011.
Crewe Heritage Centre: Freightliner 70011 parked up on display at Crewe Heritage Centre in March 2011 with ex LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44422 (minus tender) awaiting attention.
Crewe Heritage Centre: A cab view of APT 370003 on 12 March 2011 at Crewe Heritage Centre. It is interesting just how 'low-tech' the cab of the Advanced Passenger Train appears, especially when compared to the present day Pendolino.
Crewe Heritage Centre: Having moved north a little bit, Exeter West SB has been reconstructed at Crewe Heritage Centre. In this view along the lever frame taken during a visit in March 2011 it was interesting to see the team working the frame to replicate a former timetable.
Oban: Anniversary plaque to John Anderson at Oban station in March 2012.
Didcot Parkway: Freightliner 70008 with eastbound containers off the Oxford line through Didcot on 12 April 2012 heading for Southampton.
Preston: A Northern servce from Hazel Grove runs towards its ultimate destination at Preston on 12 March 2012.
Oskova: During the afternoon shift change on 12th March 2013, 0-8-2 No. 83159 simmers in front of the coal stage at Oskova Sidings. Once activity resumes, it will take a loaded coal train to the washery which is about a quarter of a mile away to the left.
Doncaster: A Grand Central HST set disappears northwards on the through road at Doncaster on 12 March 2013.
Wakefield Westgate: A Northern service arrives at its destination, Wakefield Westgate, on 12 March 2013.
Sowerby Bridge: The late afternoon sun catches 158752 as it departs from Sowerby Bridge on 12 March 2013 on a Leeds to Manchester Victoria service.
Meadowhall: Looking south from Meadowhall station as Northern DMU 150228 takes the Barnsley line on 12 March 2013 with a service to Huddersfield.
Glasgow Central: Scotrail's oldest and newest EMU's side by side at Glasgow Central in March 2013, with 314208 on a Paisley Canal service and 380019 bound for Gourock. The Class 380 was introduced in 2010, and was preceded 31 years earlier by the Class 314, with the latter being retained in service until at least 2015.
Wakefield Westgate: 91116 departs from Wakefield Westgate on 12 March 2013 with a Leeds to Kings Cross service.
Doncaster: GBRF 66738 passes Doncaster with a northbound biomass train on 12 March 2013
Huddersfield: Platform 2 at the west end of Huddersfield station is a short bay platform normally used by the shuttle service to Sheffield via Penistone. The 1213 hrs departure waits for passengers just before midday on 12 March 2013.
Edinburgh Waverley: 67021 and 90020 stabled at the east end of Waverley Station on 12 March 2013.
Bo'ness: View from a hilltop location showing a quiet Boness Stn and Signalbox.
Oskova: 83159 at Oskova sidings in March 2013, waiting to take the loaded wagons in the background to the washery. The wagons are braked for the trip from the mine but during the unloading process depend solely on the brake power of the loco for stopping - presumably it makes the frequent stopping and starting easier - and steam is preferred for this, although on occasions the diesel which brought in the wagons was seen to take them through the unloading shed.
Haymarket: Looking west over Haymarket Station from Dalry Road on 12 March with major building work in progress.
Carluke: Trains to and from Lanark passing at a snowy Carluke station on 12 March 2013.
Carluke: The 15.50 Glasgow Central - North Berwick service arrives at Carluke on 12 March.
Huddersfield: A TPE service to Manchester Airport with 185140 calls at Huddersfield in March 2013.
Wakefield Westgate: With DVT 82217 leading, a sparkling clean 'East Coast' Mk IV set runs into Wakefield Westgate on 12 March 2013 with a Leeds to Kings Cross service.
Huddersfield: The former water tower at the east end of Huddersfield station in March 2013, now the offices of ACoRP. See image [[41919]] for an earlier view before conversion and cleaning of stonework.
Doncaster: A Kings Cross - Newcastle train calls at Doncaster on 12 March 2013. In the north end bay platform alongside is former North Berwick unit 322485, waiting to depart with the shuttle service to Leeds.
Huddersfield: Single car 155317 in the sidings to the north of Huddersfield station on 12 March 2013 with the imposing former goods warehouse behind.
Meadowhall: Scene at Sheffield's Meadowhall interchange on 12 March 2013 with class 144s at platform 1 heading to Lincoln and platform 2 heading to York. These platforms are on the lines towards York and Doncaster. Out of sight to the left platforms 3 and 4 serve the lines to Barnsley. Finally, to complete the 'interchange,' to the right of platform 1 are two further platforms on the terminus of the Sheffield Supertram.
Barnsley: On the left a Class 158 calls at Barnsley Interchange on 12 March 2013 with a Sheffield to York fast service. On the right the Class 150 is on the Huddersfield to Sheffield via Penistone service. A smart station building with covered footbridge which links direct into the bus station on the left.
Edinburgh Waverley: Contrasting electric traction at Edinburgh Waverley on 12 March 2013.
Doncaster: A southbound HST calls at Doncaster platform 1 while a Northern Class 158 sits at platform 3 on 12 March 2013.
Oskova Washery: At Oskova washery on the Banovici coal railway in Bosnia, ex JZ 760mm gauge 0-8-2 No. 83.159 runs through the unloading shed as it heads back to the sidings to pick up another load of coal. Normally the coal is unloaded into the left hand bunker and the empties, having been drawn through to the far side are then propelled back on the right hand line to be picked up by a class 740 diesel. The operation is quite slick and the diesel will already have coupled on and departed for the mine.
Huddersfield: Small train under a big roof. A pair of Class 142s share platform 4 at Huddersfield on 12 March 2013.
Haymarket: Haymarket Art Project. Display at Haymarket station on 12 March by pupils of Dalry Primary School.
Leith Central: You can tell even from the back of her head that Queen Victoria (God bless her) is even less amused than usual that her eternal view of Leith Central station frontage is spoiled by the extensive road works currently going on at the foot of the Walk in March 2015.
Tannochside Junction: 320321 on a Whifflet - Milngavie service passing the site of Tannochside Junction on 12 March 2015. The orange hi-viz jackets of construction workers building the M8 Braehead railway viaduct can just be seen in the left background.
Liverpool Lime Street: New kid in town. 319363, sporting its recently acquired 'Northern Electrics' livery, stabled in Liverpool Lime Street platform 1 on the afternoon of 12 March 2015.
Liverpool Lime Street: Looking east through the tunnels and cuttings from the platform end at Liverpool Lime Street on 12 March as a Pendolino sets off for Euston.
Liverpool Lime Street: View from the concourse at Liverpool Lime Street on 12 March 2015 showing 5 different unit types at the buffer stops. From left to right are classes 319, 142, 150, 185 and 156.
Liverpool Lime Street: Trains at the buffers at Liverpool Lime Street on 12 March 2015. Following the wall collapse in the cutting to the east of the station on 28 February 2017, the station had been closed while Network Rail staff worked to clear the debris, carry out stabilisation work and repair OHLE and signalling. Services are now scheduled to restart 24 hrs earlier than expected on 8 March 2017.
Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Mock up image of a Hitachi Rail Europe Class 385 AT200 train for Abellio's ScotRail franchise at Queen Street. 70 of these are due to enter service in 2017/2018.
Courtesy Hitachi Rail Europe.
Liverpool Lime Street: A London Midland service from Birmingham exits the tunnel, passes the signalbox and enters the station at Liverpool Lime Street on 12 March 2015.
Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The 'temporary marquee' takes shape in the North Hanover Street car park area on 12 March 2016 in preparation for the queuing system which is to be put in place during closure of the High level Station due to the Cowlairs Tunnel Improvement works.
Levisham: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' approaching Levisham on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway on 12 March 2016.
Nuneaton: The last of the rugby trains see image [[54348]] for the time being, if not forever. 67.028 hauls the 16.40 to Coventry past the rather untidy South-Eastern end of Nuneaton station on 12th March. The rugby specials on 28th February and 12th March lost £30,000 in total.
Levisham: 76079 brings up the rear of a passenger train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, D7628 being the lead engine.
Goathland: 60103 returning to Goathland enroute to Grosmont.
Coventry: Far be it from me to get into an argument as to whether Coventry is classier than Nuneaton; but 67005 'Queen's Messenger' certainly looks more distinguished than 67028 on the other end of the same train see image [[54348]] The chap on the platform might be asking the driver, 'how much do you think this run will lose?'
Eskbank and Dalkeith: A Sunday morning service on the Borders Railway runs south through the site of the original Eskbank station on 12 March 2017. In another half mile the train will stop at its 2015 replacement.
Gorebridge: A quiet Sunday morning at Gorebridge on 12 March 2017 as a train for Tweedbank enters the station.
Inverkeithing Tunnel: GBRf 66736 draws a ballast train past the lifted Up line on the approach to Inverkeithing Tunnel.
Inverkeithing East Junction: 158729/714 take the Inverkeithing North/East chord with the 08.28 Perth - Dalgety Bay service, an alteration because of track renewals in Inverkeithing Tunnel.
Kilbagie: Freightliner 66550 passes Kilbagie with Inverkeithing - Millerhill spent ballast.
Gorebridge: ScotRail 170458 leaving Gorebridge on 12 March 2017. The train is the Sunday 1011 Edinburgh - Tweedbank.
Hardengreen Junction: With the platform of Eskbank station in the background, the ScotRail 0845 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley accelerates away on 12 March 2017 with
RNSD Lathalmond: Some of the items on display inside Shed 47 at Lathalmond in March 2018.
RNSD Lathalmond: This loco, known as Sandra, now in operation by Shed 47 on the Dunfermline and West Fife Munitions Railway at Lathalmond came from a peatmoss line near Penicuik.
Inverkeithing: 73967 waits at Inverkeithing with the Aberdeen - Euston sleeper on 12 March.
Bay Horse: After a great deal of 'will they - won't they?' speculation the DRS Class 68s took over one of the Cumbrian Coast passenger diagrams in March 2018. 68018 Vigilant hauled the first southbound service, now restricted to three coaches, with 68017 Hornet on the rear to power the return leg. The first train is seen at Cleveley Bank Lane bridge, south of Bay Horse, heading for Preston on Monday 12th March 2018.
Haymarket: 43126 seen at platform 0 of Haymarket today.
Donibristle Platform: Debranded ex-GWR power car 43126 leads a Dundee - Haymarket training run near Donibristle on 12 March.
Shrubhill Tram Depot: Public consultation on the tram extension to Newhaven opens soon. No doubt several weeks of bad tempered debate to be followed by years recrimination either way. The original plan was to have the line open to Newhaven in 2011: will it arrive within 10 years of this? Notice seen at Shrubhill on 12 March.
Baillieston: After a Sunday engineering possession during which it was hoped to cut up and remove the deck of the Muirhead Road overbridge, the 0812 to Dalmuir is seen in the distance arriving at Baillieston station. Proving somewhat more difficult to remove than anticipated, in the foreground much of the bridge remains.
Baillieston: The 0817 to Whifflet passes under the Muirhead Road overbridge on 12th March 2018, the day after most of the bridge was expected to be removed during a line closure. More difficult to remove than anticipated, much of the bridge remains.
Gilmerton: The latest stretch of the Rosslyn Chapel Trail (Glencorse branch, to you and me) takes it through Gilmerton station. Nothing to see at platform level, but the station house is visible through the trees in this view, looking south west. The station was rather isolated when it closed in 1930, but the village had grown southwards since, with the latest housing being built across the road. If only they could have foreseen this 88 years ago ...
Dunblane Junction: A view that will not be possible soon. A Class 158 off the 1248hrs Queen St - Dunblane waiting on the down main to form the 1413hrs back to Queen St, after the 1358hrs to Waverley had departed. When the leaves fall in the autumn Class 385 EMUs ought to be appearing. Viewed from in front of the west door of the Cathedral on Monday 12 March 2018.
Dunfermline Queen Margaret: Thick snow lingering at Dunfermline one week after the network reopened following the 'Beast from the East'. 12th March 2018.
Aberfeldy: Bridge carrying old Highland Railway branch line from Ballinluig to Aberfeldy, which closed in 1965, seen just to the east of the site of the branch terminus, on 12th March 2019. The junction station at Ballinluig, on the Highland Railway main line from Perth to Inverness, also closed at the same time.
Aberfeldy Distillery: Remains of embankment just to the east of Aberfeldy that formerly carried the Highland Railway branch from Ballinluig to its terminus in the town but closed in 1965. The road leads into Dewar's Distillery where Barclay 0-4-0ST 2073/1939, is on display on a short length of track which, I think, is not on the course of the branch line but rather the distillery siding. This view is on 12th March 2019.
Aberfeldy Distillery: Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. tank engine no. 2073. built at Caledonia Works, Kilmarnock in 1939, on display on a short piece of track at Dewar's Distillery, Aberfeldy in the Scottish Highlands and seen here on 12th March 2019.
Linlithgow: 365519 nears Linlithgow with the 14.28 from Dunblane to Edinburgh.
Linlithgow: 365519 nears Linlithgow with the 14.28 from Dunblane to Edinburgh, about to pass 385022 at the station with 14.45 from Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street. 12 March.
Partick: Even between peaks Partick and Hyndland stations see 15 trains an hour each way making them Scotland’s busiest platforms. An Edinburgh service calls on 12 March 2020.
Glasgow Queen Street High Level: New departures board at Queen Street. No one can claim to be starved of information, including a little train graphic to show the number of carriages. The Next Edinburgh Express panel is presumably there to steer people off the stoppers which depart first but arrive later (here, the 10.25). Infotec no longer supply amber LED boards so they'll gradually fade away (probably not literally).
Falkirk High: An Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street pulls into Falkirk High on 12 March 2020. These are the only two destinations this station offers (being situated between trailing junctions doesn’t help). In the forecourt there is a map of Falkirk Town Centre with High station shown in an inset, rather like Shetland on a map of the UK.
Inverurie: Looking north from Oldmeldrum Road, Inverurie, on the afternoon of 12 March 2019. On the left is 158712 with the 1527 Aberdeen - Inverness ready to restart from platform 1, while at platform 2 is 158718 awaiting its departure time with the 1548 service to Montrose.
Fetteresso Viaduct: Colas 56302, running as 0Z56 (0281) light engine, crossing Fetteresso Viaduct heading to Craiginches on 12th March 2021.
Cricklade: Good progress is being made on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway's half mile extension towards Cricklade and a temporary station at Farrfield Lane. Vegetation has been removed and ditches cleared. The trackbed seems to be in good condition despite the line closing circa 1961 Some of the culverts need repairing but all the group now need is £100,000 to buy the ballast.
Cricklade: S&CR volunteers are clearing half a mile of trackbed towards Cricklade and have made good progress, sixty years after the line closed. Vegetation has been removed and ditches cleared. This view northwards in March 2021.
Fetteresso Viaduct: Colas 70814, on its way to Caledonia paper mill with 6B38, is running thirty minutes early as it crosses Fetteresso Viaduct on 12th March 2021.
Cricklade: Some stockpiled material and a lot of cleared vegetation as the Swindon & Cricklade Railway volunteers progress the half mile northern extension towards Cricklade and a temporary station at Farrfield Lane. This view taken in March 2021.
Walkden Low Level: Between two road bridges in a shallow cutting was the former LNWR station of Walkden Low Level, a short distance (to the right) from the L&Y station which runs on an embankment. In the distance there is a light coloured bridge which is part of the L&Y line [[76433]] (the lower darker coloured bridge in front of it is another road bridge). The view is north towards Bolton in March 2022.
Walkden: Walkden, with trains between Leeds and Wigan calling on 12 March 2022. On the left a pair of 2 car Class 158s departs towards Wigan North Western while on the right a 3 car Class 195 heads eastwards to Leeds.
Bolton Crook Street Goods: On the gable ends of a public house in Bolton is a mural of a train crash that took place on 16 March 1918 on the L&NWR line into Bolton Great Moor Street. The road on the left of the building is Crook Street and the Goods station was a short distance along the road on the left in what is now Sainsburys car park. Details of the accident can be found in the Railways Archive of accident reports, https://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/eventsummary.php?eventID=344
Quorn and Woodhouse: Just a brief visit to the GCR on 12th March 2022, helping to break up a long journey. Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 46521 passing Quorn with their non-stop Diner Train, heading back to Loughborough.
Quorn and Woodhouse: BR Class 20 D8098, and a Met Cam DMU, parked up in the sidings south of Quorn station on 12th March 2022.
Nuneaton: No matter how much stations are modernized, older features, like this possibly 1940s light fitting near platform 1 at Nuneaton, tend to hang on. The pattern on the lift doors is interesting - it looks like a ghostly face with a hand up in front of it - but there's probably some prosaic explanation, like polishing marks.
Pitmuxton Siding: A Gibb and Hay plan of the City of Aberdeen from 1883 prepared for a Post Office Directory showing the location of the siding which served the Ruthrieston Brick Works; as it was situated on that Estate it was known as the Pitmuxton Siding. The Deeside Railway by then part of the Great North of Scotland Railway was in the process of having a second track added. The Brick Works were closed in that year and the siding was probably removed at the same time. The district name Pitmuxton does seem to have survived well beyond 1850 as attested by address entries in the Aberdeen Post Office Directories into the early years of the 20th Century. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland see www.nls.uk/copyright.html
Bolton: Pathfinders railtour 'The Pennine Wayfarer,' from Bristol to Bolton on 12th March 2022, is seen in platform 5 with 37425 and 37218 having run round the train and getting ready to depart south on the return. Over on the right 769424 has arrived from Southport running on the diesel engines and has changed over to electric ready to depart to Alderley Edge.
Events
Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.
| Year | Companies | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1861 | Portpatrick Railway | Stranraer to Castle Douglas opened to the public. Most of the line was single track. Stations at; Stranraer, Glenluce, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, Creetown, New Galloway, Parton and Crossmichael. |
| 1864 | Carmyllie Railway | Agreement for working the Carmyllie Railway by the Scottish North Eastern Railway. |
| 1865 | Glasgow and South Western Railway North British Railway | Glasgow and South Western Railway and North British Railway agree to grant each other running powers over each others lines. |
| 1993 | Channel Tunnel | First passenger train, diesel hauled. |
News
These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.
| Year | Companies | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | New Howwood station opened | A new station at Howwood has been opened. The station is fully accessible to the mobility impaired and there are two parking places for the disabled. The station is a ^park and ride^ type with space for 30 cars. CCTV has been installed at the station. |
| 2003 | Preferred routes for Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport links | The Scottish Executive announced its preferred routes for the Edinburgh and Glasgow Airport links. Edinburgh Airport: Edinburgh Park to Airport, tunnel under Airport, to Winchburgh with a triangular junction. Glasgow Airport: Paisley St James to Airport. |
| 2005 | Timetable review may help put trains on time in Scotland [Scotsman] | A COMPLETE overhaul of First ScotRail timetables is being considered by the firm in an effort to eradicate persistently late or cancelled services. |
| 2007 | New record for rail link to business park [Scotsman] | THE number of business people commuting to Edinburgh Park by train has reached a new high. |
| 2007 | New-look high-speed trains start making tracks [Scotsman] | THE first newly-refurbished GNER high-speed train is to be launched today on the Edinburgh to London line. |
| 2007 | Rail strike suspended after talks [BBC News] | Strikes planned for Scotland^s rail network are suspended following a meeting between unions and management. |
| 2008 | Rail station on track for facelift | FORRES Railway Station could be on track for an upgrade, with improvements to the appearance of the facility and the train service in the pipeline. |
| 2009 | Trains taken off tracks after cable problems [The Visitor] | TRAINS are being taken off the West Coast main line after problems with cabling. Network Rail says it is taking trains off the tracks between Wigan and Lancaster while there are currently 12 trains stuck between stations. [From Mark Bartlett] |
| 2010 | Flying Scotsman tested on East Lancs Railway [BBC News] | One of Britain^s most iconic steam trains will return to the rails with the help of Greater Manchester heritage railway enthusiasts |
| 2010 | Rail maintenance workers vote to strike [libcom.org] | RMT members have voted strongly for strike action, in what stands to be the first national strike of rail workers in 16 years. Other workers including signallers and electrical supply controllers may also strike following their ballots in the coming weeks. |
| 2011 | Full steam ahead: locomotive revealed in Strathspey [STV] | A newly restored and fully functioning steam engine has been unveiled in Strathspey. The completely restored, 1952 Swindon-built locomotive has been pushed out and is ready for work on the line. [From Sue Davies] |
| 2012 | Rail travel sets new record [Railnews] | NEW FIGURES published today show that the number of railway passengers in Britain has reached a level not seen for 90 years, and may be close to setting an all time record. The Association of Train Operating Companies said that the number of rail passengers rose by 6 per cent last year. It^s attributing the increase partly to the soaring price of petrol. |
| 2012 | See Scotland by Train [National Museum of Scotland] | An exhibition featuring striking works of art reflecting the changing tastes and needs of the rail passenger over the last 100 years, giving a flavour of what it meant to travel by rail. They depict some of the most dramatic and scenic locations around Scotland. National Museum of Scotland, gallery 2, level 3, from Friday 16 March - Sunday 24 June 2012 - Admission Free. |
| 2013 | Portishead railway line cleared ahead of track checks [BBC News] | Work to clear the disused Portishead railway line has begun 49 years after passenger trains last used the route. Contractors employed by North Somerset Council, which owns the line, have moved in to start cutting back the vegetation. The track is being inspected to see how much work would be needed before trains could start running again. The Department for Transport is expected to make an announcement on funding later this year. Part of the line into Bristol - from Portbury - was reopened in 2002 but the rest of the route remains disused. Network Rail is currently in discussions with the West of England Partnership to develop the Greater Bristol Metro which will include Portishead. [From Richard Buckby] |
| 2013 | Transmongolian And Transsiberian Train Trip [Aol Travel] | Filmmakers Rubén Sánchez and Cristina Fernandez from creative studio Factoria shot this fantastic video during a transmongolian and transsiberian train trip. The pair traveled about 7,500 kilometers (4,460 miles) on a journey from Beijing, China, to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and then from Irkusk, Russia, to Moscow. The second leg of that journey alone is more than 5,000 kilometers (3,106 miles), a distance almost equal to crossing the entire United States from coast to coast. But more remarkable than the numbers is the footing they captured, which includes everything from sprawling shantytowns and cityscapes to mountain peaks and vast farmland. |
| 2015 | New ScotRail train designs unveiled [BBC News] | Designs for the 70 new trains being built for the ScotRail fleet have been unveiled by the transport minister and new franchise holder Abellio. The new trains are said to be quieter, faster and longer than current services. They will operate on Scotland^s busiest route - the Edinburgh-Glasgow via Falkirk High line - by 2017. They will also be used on the Stirling-Alloa-Dunblane line and south Glasgow suburban routes. [From Colin McDonald] |
| 2015 | InterCity 125 v Hitachi: What are the UK^s new trains like? [BBC News Magazine] | A new Japanese train is arriving on British shores to replace the much loved InterCity 125. Will people take it to their hearts in the way they did its veteran predecessor? |
| 2016 | Flying Scotsman service starts on North Yorkshire Moors Railway [BBC News] | One of the world^s most famous locomotives has started its first series of passenger journeys. The Flying Scotsman took to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) heritage line after a decade-long, £4.2m refit. Its first of six daily services from Grosmont to Pickering started at 09:30 GMT with stops at Goathland, Newtondale and Levisham on route. A total of 8,500 tickets were purchased for the sold-out locomotive service, which runs until 20 March. |
| 2016 | HS2 at risk of derailing at top speeds, report finds [Telegraph] | Trains on Britain’s HS2 rail scheme are at risk of derailment and catastrophic track failure, according to previously secret research commissioned by HS2 itself. Engineering changes will be needed to make the project safe, the study says. The alterations will raise costs, increase journey times, or both, and will “collapse†the scheme’s already shaky business case, according to opponents. |
| 2017 | ScotRail owners are making 1m a week here but they say it is not enough [Daily Record] | The Dutch company has published a report saying ScotRail has failed to hit its targets and is lagging behind other areas of the business. The firm responsible for Scotland^s trains say the operation isn^t making enough money - despite profits of almost 1 million a week. The claim is made in a report by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), who own ScotRail. |
| 2018 | Pro-Kurdish demonstrators close London and Manchester stations [BBC News] | Pro-Kurdish demonstrators have caused delays and disruption at major railway stations in London and Manchester. Police were forced to close Manchester Piccadilly after people stormed the station and climbed on to the tracks. Within hours, King^s Cross was shut down to stop protesters getting on the tracks. Both stations have reopened. Demonstrators are protesting against Turkey^s military offensive on the Kurdish-controlled town of Afrin in Syria. Further protests have been held across Europe. At Dusseldorf airport, pro-Kurdish protesters clashed with Turks and German police, leaving several people injured, said Agence France Presse. Police there reportedly used pepper spray against some demonstrators. |
| 2018 | Drones trialled for the inspection of large railway structures [Network Rail] | The LNE&EM route Structures asset management team is trialling the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to inspect large structures in a safer and more cost efficient way. The vehicles, commonly known as drones, are being used to get a closer look at five arch viaducts on the route, including the Grade 1 listed, 28-span Royal Border Bridge in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. |
| 2018 | Northern takes delivery of two ScotRail Class 170s [RTM] | A duo of ScotRail Class 170 trains have arrived at Northerns Neville Hill depot near Leeds. The trains, which previously provided services north of the border, will undergo a full refurbishment, with new features including power sockets and air conditioning. Training on the new stock, which will provide services between York Harrogate and Leeds from May, is expected to start shortly on a route between Holbeck, near Leeds, and Nottingham. The train operator said that the delivery of the trains is another milestone in its programme of train upgrades, as it invests millions in improving its existing fleet and phasing out its older Pacer style trains. |
| 2019 | Lifeline ferry services to be used to bring fresh ideas to the islands [The Herald] | Theyare the lifeline services that ensure Scotlands islanders are connected and their communities can thrive. Now Caledonian MacBraynes ferries are being given a new role “ as networking centres, aiming to get more businesses to set up in the islands and bring an added economic boost. |
| 2019 | Overhead wires trip out near a train during Storm Gareth [BBC News] | Overhead wires trip out near a train during Storm Gareth. |
| 2020 | Planning application for Cairngorm funicular repairs [BBC News] | A planning application has been submitted for repairs to the UK^s highest railway. The Cairngorm funicular has been closed since September 2018 due to structural problems. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which owns the mountain railway, said a final cost and timescale for the repairs had still be calculated. |
| 2020 | Full steam ahead for Peebles railway museum [Peeblesshire News] | Plans are on track to restore a historic railway building in Peebles which will house the rich history of trains that steamed through the town from 1855. |
| 2020 | ScotRail staff raise more than £160,000 for charity [ScotRail] | ScotRail staff have raised more than £160,000 for charity since the start of the Abellio franchise in 2015. Big-hearted employees of the train operator have taken part in a variety of fundraising events in their spare time to raise money for charities close to their heart, including ScotRails official charity partner, MND Scotland. The fundraising has seen staff walk over hot coals, jump out of planes, run marathons, and climb mountains, among other activities. |
