Bristol Bath Road Depot: Photograph taken from the adjacent platform of Bristol Temple Meads station on 14 March 1970, showing blue liveried NBL diesel-hydraulic D6327 and green classmate D6348 on Bristol Bath Road MPD. To the left is EE 350hp shunter D3990, with an unidentified Hymek lurking in the background.

Cardiff General: Warship class No. 831 Monarch seems a little out of place on an unfitted freight comprising mainly of loaded 16t mineral wagons which it is bringing along the up through road at Cardiff General on 14 March 1970.

Cardiff General: Brush Type 4 D1601 pauses at Cardiff General on a gloomy afternoon in March 1970 with a loaded milk train from west Wales to London. A class 08 shunter is either attaching or detaching vehicles at the rear.

Bristol Temple Meads: Warship class No. 845 'Sprightly' was certainly looking the part when photographed on a westbound parcels train at Bristol Temple Meads in March 1970, but would nonetheless suffer withdrawal a mere seventeen months later.

Cardiff Central: Peak (class 45) no 89 Honourable Artillery Company at Cardiff General (renamed Cardiff Central in May 1973) shortly after arrival on train 1V61, the 07.08 Derby - Cardiff, on Saturday 14th March 1970.

Barry: Apart from the removal of all rods, No 35005 Canadian Pacific was still in reasonably complete condition when photographed in Woodham's yard at Barry on March 14 1970. For company, it has Standard Class 5 4-6-0 No. 73096, one of the locos whose tender was sold by Woodham's for conversion to an ingot carrier at the Briton Ferry steel works. At the rear is an ex-GWR Castle, probably No. 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. See image [[18430]]

Newcastle Central: 1V93 Edinburgh - Plymouth about to leave Newcastle Central in March 1981 behind 55022 Royal Scots Grey, with the usual crowd of admirers.

Newcastle Central: An ECML service destined for Edinburgh runs into Newcastle Central behind a class 47 locomotive in March 1981.

Salwick: 40083 heading west through Salwick with a Euston to Blackpool service on 14 March 1981, before the station canopy was demolished. [Ref query 5203]

Newcastle East Junction: 47407 on an Edinburgh - York train entering Newcastle Central in March 1981

Newcastle Central: A busy Saturday morning at Newcastle Central station in March 1981 sees Deltic 55013 The Black Watch standing at platform 8 with train 1S12, the 05.50 Kings Cross -Aberdeen.

Newcastle Central: A BR InterCity 125 HST calls at Newcastle Central platform 8 in the spring of 1981 led by power car 254030.

Weeton [Lancashire] Signal Box: Class 40 No. 40083 on a Blackpool to Euston service passes Weeton cabin, which was perched high on the cutting side to allow a view over the adjacent roadbridge. The box was switched out by this time and later demolished. View towards Singleton and Poulton-le-Fylde in March 1981. See image [[19299]] for a 2008 comparison at the same spot. Map Ref SD 385338

Braidwood: DRS 37059 with an unidentified partner heading south near Braidwood on 14 March 2006 with nuclear flasks from Hunterston PS bound for Sellafield.

Sanquhar: Platform view south from Sanquhar on 14 March 2006 following a heavy snowfall the previous day. ScotRail 156478 has just passed below the bridge carrying St Mary's Street after restarting a Glasgow - Carlisle service.

Sanquhar: View west across the running lines at Sanquhar in the spring of 2006 showing the old station building on the down platform. Opened in 1850, the station was closed in 1965, only to reopen in 1994. (The boarded up building was subsequently restored and converted to holiday accommodation, thanks to Peter Rushton. See image [[5794]])

Sanquhar: The road approach to Sanquhar station forecourt on a chilly March day in 2006. The date displayed on the shield above the window of the boarded up station building is 1850.

Falahill Summit: Something about Falahill? A bottle of unknown origin bearing the legend Arnison Penrith and Wigton found near Falahill in 2007

Falahill Summit: Looking north east in March 2007 along the Waverley route approach to Falahill summit. The gradient is obvious here. All going to plan, rail traffic may once again return to run through the area.

Falahill Summit: Looking south on the bed of the Waverley line as the formation leads to Falahill summit. Lower right can be seen an odd yellow 'plastic box' type affair with a metal disc - several of which were embedded into the ballast here. Amazingly, coach-bolts from the old line, as well as sand bins, telegraph insulators and datum 'monuments' are all lying around here - and we even came across a very old Tizer bottle - possibly quaffed by a member of railway staff many years ago.....

Falahill Summit: Railway beverages No 2: an old Tizer bottle found just off the solum near Falahill in 2007.

Forteviot: A4 60009 crossing May Water heading south with a single coach.

Perth: A4 class 60009 Union Of South Africa running around a service coach at Perth. The locomotive based at Thornton was heading to Edinburgh to run a special to Leeds. Owing to a load restriction near Dalmeny this was the only route possible.

Perth: Busy Perth on 14 March with the 1355 to Inverness boarding in platform 4 and 170430 on the right bound for Edinburgh.

Tynehead Junction: Overbridge leading to Cowbraehill farm, between Falahill and Tynehead looking North. This 1849 structure is due for demolition as part of the Waverley line reconstruction. As of May 2009, a temporary road had been constructed to serve Cowbraehill in the interim. A new structure is due to be built here.

Borthwick Bank Signal Box: Looking north to where the Waverley route passes near to Borthwick Castle in March 2007 as the line continues toward the summit at Falahill.

Perth: 170 422 newly repainted in First ScotRail livery stands at Perth with an Aberdeen service on 15 March as the crews change over.

Perth: 60009 Union of South Africa arriving at Perth tender first on the outward journey from Thornton to Edinburgh with one coach. John Cameron, the owner and driver, is cricking his neck as he looks out. Thanks for the wave John, I appreciate it, but maybe you should fit a wing mirror!

Greymouth: Abandoned signal box at Greymouth, New Zealand, photographed on 14 March 2008.

Perth: View of 60009 Union of South Africa running through Platform 4 at Perth on 14th March 2008.

St Kitts: The St Kitts narrow gauge Scenic Railway, with 6 double-deck carriages using the former sugar cane plantation lines. The man in the green and white shirt is part of a trio singing traditional songs to the passengers.

St Kitts: Former trailers used to transport sugar cane, now lying in a disused siding alongside the St Kitts narrow gauge railway on 14 March 2009.

Burton and Holme: Sixty years after closure in 1950 Burton and Holme station still stands alongside the West Coast mainline and is now a private residence. Situated around one mile west of Burton village, and one mile south of Holme, the station was more or less in the middle of nowhere leading to its early closure. Map reference SD 522774

Burton and Holme: Very near to Burton and Holme station (See image [[22857]]) this is one of two lanes that pass through tunnels under the embankment that carries the Lancaster Canal over the valley. Although closed to traffic this stretch of canal still carries water from the Killington Lake feeder reservoir down to the open section south from Carnforth. Map Ref SD 524774.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Extract from the prospectus of the Kirkcaldy and District Railway, issued in 1889. Note the interesting teaser in red regarding potential volumes of coal traffic.

Warminster: Selection of visitor attractions in the area covered by First Great Western applied to a 150 DMU photographed at Warminster on 14 March 2009.

Cranmore: Ex-Esso Sentinel 0-4-0 Cattewater seen on the East Somerset Railway on 14 March 2009.

Westbury: 150239 departing Westbury for Bristol on 14 March 2009.

Cranmore: Sentinel 0-6-0 awaiting attention and some TLC on the East Somerset Railway on 14 March 2009.

Hoghton: 66144 heads west towards Hoghton on 14 March 2010 with an engineers train returning from the track relaying on the WCML at Bolton-le-Sands. The train had traversed the Little North Western route from Carnforth to Settle Junction before heading back to the WCML via Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn.

Haltwhistle: West of Haltwhistle station, to the right of the Alston branch, is the trackbed of a long curved headshunt running at a lower level see image [[37538]]. The track itself is long gone but, bizarrely, the buffer stop remained in March 2010.

Bamber Bridge: 67006 on the rear of a Northern Belle charter heading east through Bamber Bridge towards Blackburn on 14 March 2010. The train was routed via Hellifield to Carnforth before making it's way south along the WCML via Lancaster and Preston to Liverpool.

Bathgate: Looking east through the gate into ScotRail's new Bathgate depot on Sunday morning 14 March 2010. The photograph shows part of the main building, yard and parking area with the cleaning and stabling sidings in the background to the south of the new station.

Bathgate: Work underway on the new Bathgate station on Sunday 14 March 2010. View is south from the A89 Edinburgh Road looking across the north side of the former yard.

Haydon Bridge: Haydon Bridge station in March 2010. The new barriers don't look as nice as the old gates see image [[9392]] but the signal box is still in fine form; and manned on a Sunday.

Bathgate Upper: Track laid west from Bathgate looking towards Armadale on 14 March 2010. The current single line Bathgate terminus is off to the right.

Haltwhistle: A Carlisle to Hexham service approaching Haltwhistle station on the morning of 14 March 2010.

Bathgate Upper: View east from the temporary level crossing at Bathgate towards the new station on Sunday 14 March 2010. The line into the current Bathgate terminus runs along this side of the large silver shed on the left.

Bamber Bridge Junction: The early afternoon Blackpool South to Colne service passes the CE sidings at Bamber Bridge on 14 March 2010 in the hands of 142051. The former direct line to Preston via Todd Lane ran off to the right behind the unit.

Bathgate LMD: Entrance to the new First ScotRail depot at Bathgate on 14 March 2010. Looking east towards Edinburgh with the main line on the left. The lift towers and footbridge of the under-construction Bathgate station can be seen in in the background.

Hoghton: The mid afternoon service from Colne to Blackpool South approaches the AHB level crossing at Hoghton on 14 March 2010. In the background the bridge carries the A675 from Preston to Blackburn road. Until 2009 there were facing and trailing emergency crossovers at this point, however track rationalisation has taken place and it has been plain lined in both directions.

Preston: An arrival from Manchester Airport about to run into Preston station on 14 March 2011. The train will divide here, with the front unit going on to Blackpool and the rear heading for Windermere.

Preston: A Network Rail test train with 97302 leading and 97303 on the rear crosses North Union bridge on the southern approach to Preston on 14 March 2011. The train was operating from Derby to Oxenholme and was scheduled to be in the North West for a few days, covering various lines.

Preston: A Northern Class 158 gets away from Preston on the Up Slow with a Blackpool to York via Leeds service on 14 March 2011.

Carmarthen: 175009 lays over at Carmarthan on 14 March after arriving as the 11.30 from Manchester Piccadilly. Meantime 153323 stands further along the platform with the 15.09 Pembroke Dock to Swansea service.

Ferryside: Block Section Apparatus Shelf in Ferryside signal box for block section to Carmarthen Junction on left and Kidwelly on right.

Ferryside: View under the station footbridge from the signal box walkway as 158835 approaches Ferryside station level crossing at speed on 14 March 2012. The train is the 10.30 ex-Manchester Piccadilly, with 80 minutes remaining of its 6 hour journey to Milford Haven.

Gowerton: A pre station rebuilding view at Gowerton in March 2012 with the abandoned former up platform seen across the singled bi-directional track serving the near platform. Since then the far platform has been rebuilt, the up track relaid, and a DDA compliant footbridge erected to serve both platforms. See image [[49027]] for a July 2013 view after this was completed.

Kidwelly: View east from Kidwelly station to the box and crossing in 2012.

Carmarthen: The truncated former main line to Aberystwyth in March 2012 ends by the overbridge just beyond the north end of Carmarthen Station.

Kidwelly: The Kidwelly signal box combined circuit diagram and operating panel in March 2012. The moribund Gwendraeth Valley line, sidings and connection from the down line are at the upper centre of the panel.

Ferryside: Ferryside signal box interior showing the bulk of levers out of use in March 2012. See image [[28179]]

Gowerton: View west at Gowerton station in March 2012 showing the disused upside platform and trackbed that are planned to be brought back into use by 2014 as part of the re-doubling of track through to Llanelli. See image [[43808]] for a July 2013 view after this was completed.

Gowerton: Bridge abutments at the west end of Gowerton Station in March 2012. The bridge that stood here carried the Llanelly Railway & Dock Company's Swansea Extension line, that ran from Pontarddulais, on their line to Craven Arms, and Swansea Victoria station at the south west side of town.

Ayr: Artist Andrea Keys with her painted window at Ayr Station on 14 March 2013.

Strathcarron: A Kyle to Inverness Sprinter service approaching Strathcarron on a wet and overcast 14 March 2013.

Oxheys: Freightliner 66520 heads north passed Oxheys Loop with empty coal wagons to Killoch from Fiddler's Ferry Power Station on 14 March 2013. In the loop are a number of single and double deck car carriers which had been removed from the 6O15 Mossend to Eastleigh freight in the early hours of 13 March.

Shrewsbury: 158835 stands at Shrewsbury on 14 March with the 11.33 Arriva Trains Wales ex-Cambrian Coast 6 car limited stop service to Birmingham International. Alongside is 170633, which will follow as the 11.47 London Midland all stations service to Birmingham New Street.

Preston South Junction: Over the top. DBS 60024 and 13 loaded bitumen tankers take the steep descent towards Preston Docks on 14 March. This view is from the south end of Platform 3 at Preston station.

Oskova Washery: 0-8-2 No. 83159 at Oskova washery on the morning of 14th March 2014. The separation plant was down for maintenance at this point so not a loaded train being emptied - a team of men was engaged with picks, shovels etc. in dislodging all the caked coal dust from the bottom of the hopper wagons and shovelling it into the unloading bunkers, under cover to the left.

Preston: 24th March 2014 saw the reopening of Holme Tunnel near Burnley after a four month closure for extensive reconstruction. The resumption of services on the Copy Pit line allowed the Preston Dock bitumen trains to revert to that route rather than travelling via Manchester Victoria as they have since November. One of the last trains to have taken the extended route arrives in Preston on a misty morning behind DBS 60024 and is seen joining the Ribble Branch to the docks.

Lancaster: Although the new TPE 350 EMUs are now working alternately with the diesel units on the Manchester-Scotland services the crew training ECS runs between Preston and Carlisle continue. 350404, like all the units still unbranded, heads north passing Lancaster on the through lines at 0740 on 14 March.

Banovici: In addition to three B-B diesel hydraulics of class 740, the Banovici coal railway possesses three 4w shunters of class 720, which are employed at the loading point at Turija and here at the works in Banovici. On 14 March no. 720 003 emerges from the works yard with two hopper wagons which have been receiving attention. The main part of the works seems to handle wagons and steam overhauls, while the tall building behind the loco deals with maintenance of the diesel fleet.

Oskova: The smoke plume being produced by 83-159 at Oskova on 14 March is more indicative of the poor quality brown coal being burnt than of it having to make an all-out effort. Maximum speed (about 4mph) has probably already been reached!

Oskova: With the sun going down, former JZ 0-8-2 No. 83 159 sets off from the yard at Oskova on 14 March for the short trip to the washery. The trains here typically comprise of fifteen wagons containing about 350t of 'coal' - some of it seems to contain a fair proportion of rock so the amount of real coal that comes out of the other end of the washery will be considerably less!

Oskova: Above: Perhaps the most interesting wagon in Oskova yard on 14 March 2014 was this dumped (?) 8-axle well wagon - quite a monster for 760mm gauge!
Below: At one time there would have been hundreds of wooden-bodied bogie vans of similar design in use on the narrow gauge railways of Europe. This one serves the p-way gang on the Banovici Coal Railway and had been out on the line earlier that day.

Oskova: 740 107 sets off from Oskova with empties for the loading point at Turija on 14 March 2014. The wagons have just been unloaded at the washery, which is also served by extensive standard gauge sidings at a much lower level down on the left. On the previous Sunday I had enjoyed a cab ride on this loco.

Oskova: While 83-159 busies itself along at the washery, B-B DH No. 740-113 basks in the afternoon sunshine at Oskova Yard on 14 March waiting for unloading to be completed, after which it will take the empties back to the loading point at Turija.

Chilvers Coton: Coton Arches are a well known local landmark, just North of the former Chilvers Coton suburban station see image [[26106]]. The viaduct is nearing the end of a 10-week programme of refurbishment; 70020 is seen inspecting the works on a Northbound Freightliner - the first wagon being empty.

Oskova: A sunny afternoon on 14th March 2014 sees 83-159 getting to grips with fifteen loaded coal wagons, which it only has to drag about a quarter of a mile between Oskova Yard and the washery.

Oskova: When viewed from the rear, the massive bulk of French built 0-8-0T No. 144R03, seen here dumped at Oskova, Bosnia on 14th March 2014, seems more reminiscent of some Edwardian era British tanks - for example the LSWR 4-8-0Ts of class G16 - and it comes as something of a surprise to find it was built as late as 1954.

Oskova: 83159 takes water from a hydrant at Oskova between trips to the washery on 14th March 2014. This was only put in about two years ago but the traditional water column (just out of shot on the left) has been left in place and is easier to use. However it is often blocked by rakes of loaded wagons waiting to be taken to the washery, resulting in resort having to be made to the hydrant.

Tomatin: The Network Rail Test Train near Tomatin on its way to Carrbridge on Friday 14 March. In the lead is DRS 37605 with 37667 bringing up the rear.

Oskova: Another standard gauge loco dumped at Oskova (since 2002) is chunky 0-8-0T no 144R03, built by the French firm of Fives-Lille (works number 5234/1954). The high-level narrow gauge yard is more obvious from this angle - the bus on the extreme left indicates the afternoon shift change.

Dalston: Royal Scot 46115 Scots Guardsman about to run south through Dalston on 14 March 2015 with the returning 'Cumbrian Coast Express', as a Carlisle bound DMU prepares to depart from platform 2.

Dalston: The southbound 'Cumbrian Coast Express' passes through Dalston on 14 March behind Royal Scot 46115 Scots Guardsman.

Gothenburg: Road-rage tram? Gothenburg 14 March 2015.

Gothenburg: A calm-looking double unit tram in Gothenburg on 14 March 2015. It has not had to go through the major junction where all the traffic aggro gets them Angered. See image [[50729]]

Kincardine: DBS 66037 nears Kincardine level crossing with coal from Hunterston to Longannet Power Station.

Cowlairs Incline: A Glasgow Queen Street to Falkirk Grahamston service on the crossover approaching Cowlairs South Junction passes under Fountainwell bridge which is due to be demolished shortly (March 2016.) Photographed from Sighthill cemetery grounds.

St Rollox: Looking east along the route of the former line from Buchanan Street Station. Costco is behind the bushes on the left and the Tesco Extra (built on the site of the St. Rollox Works) is on the right. The railway was in a cutting at this point and a slight dip remains marking the route.

Huyton: Northern Electric 319363 leaves Huyton heading for Lime Street on a service from Warrington Bank Quay. The next stop at Roby, a very short distance away, can also be seen. Huyton has changed significantly in just a few years with electrification and additional tracks. See image [[40738]] for a similar view in 2012.

St Rollox: View west along the route of the former Garnkirk Extension to Buchanan Street Station. The line curved to the left though Sighthill after passing under what is now Springburn Road.

Moy: On a bright, early Spring, morning, Colas Class 60 No.60021 has just left the passing loop at Moy, heading for Inverness, with the Oxwellmains Lafarge - Inverness Lafarge cement tanks.

Preston: Newly out of the paint shop, a very shiny 37402 has lost its DRS Compass livery in favour of Large Logo blue livery, complete with West Highland Terrier logos. The Class 37, named Stephen Middlemore 23.12.1954 - 8.6.2013, is seen at Preston with the 1004hrs Preston to Barrow-in-Furness on 14th March 2016.

Bilston Glen Viaduct: Standing below Bilston Glen Viaduct on 14 March 2016 looking north across the deep valley of the Bilston Burn towards Loanhead see image [[16772]].

Longannet West Arrival: DBS 66037 skirts the Forth with empties with the doomed power station in the background. During the final three weeks of March trains may run daily, although timetabling is not be reliable.

Smithy Bridge: Smithy Bridge level crossing sees 158904 hurry through on a Leeds to Manchester Victoria service on 14th March 2016. The signal box that previously controlled the level crossing closed in 2014 and was only recently demolished.

Bilston Glen Viaduct: View towards Loanhead from the south end of Bilston Glen Viaduct on 14 March 2016. The twin bearings supporting the south end of the structure stand on their concrete plinth, with the girders of the 135m span fading into the haze. See image [[60627]]

Roslin: After leaving Roslin station the EL&R passed below the B7006, which carried the village's Main Street over the formation. Passenger services on the branch ceased in 1933 although freight operations continued for many years, including links to Roslin Colliery and brickworks located beyond the bridge. The line was cut back to Bilston Glen Colliery in 1966. Since closure the old bridge has been the subject of major 'modifications', presumably for strengthening purposes. View south west towards Glencorse on 14 March 2016, with housing now occupying the site of Roslin station behind the camera.See image [[37619]]

Loanhead: Northbound from Roslin along the trackbed of EL&R approaching Loanhead on 14 March 2016. The line dropped down here to pass below the town centre at the crossroads of the B702 and A768. View is north east, showing the substantial 'enhanced road bridge', with Loanhead station standing 100m beyond see image [[5708]]. The last rail traffic used the route in 1991, when coal stocks were being cleared from the closed Bilston Glen Colliery.

Preston: A 16 wheel (4 bogie) MOD wagon trundles north through Preston station behind DRS 66424 on 14th March 2016.

St Rollox Works: An original support column from the St Rollox Caledonian Railway Works survives at the north east corner of the Tesco supermarket which has been built on the site. The plaque (insert) is actually mounted at the bottom of the column.

Parkside [1st]: Grab shot of the rather inaccessible Huskisson Memorial, a Grade II listed structure, seen from a passing Liverpool to Manchester EMU on 14th March 2016. This is the site of Parkside's first station, only open from 1830 to 1839, but where Huskisson was fatally injured while his opening day train was taking on water. The memorial plaque inside the structure is even less visible but a replica is displayed at nearby Newton-le-Willows station. See image [[53228]]

Kirkham and Wesham: Northern 158901, originally a dedicated WYPTE unit, takes the sweeping curve of the Up Fast line through Kirkham station with a Blackpool to York service on 14th March 2016. The wide space between the tracks originally accommodated the station signal box and may have been intended for an additional but never built island platform.

Burnley Manchester Road: A Manchester Victoria to Blackburn service (via the reinstated Todmorden Curve), calls at Burnley Manchester Road on 14th March 2016. Closed originally in 1961, the station was reopened in 1986 but the new station building was only constructed in 2015.

Huyton: Northern Electric 319377 departs from the restored Platform 3 at Huyton on 14th March 2016 with a stopping service from Lime Street to Wigan. In the foreground the line through Platform 4 comes to an abrupt halt but will eventually be connected.

Dalmally: Icelandic knitters take train to Dalmally!

Burghlee Ground Frame: After passing south through Loanhead the EL&R veered left, before crossing the valley of the Bilston Burn on Bilston Glen Viaduct, part of which can be seen in the left background. The last train crossed the viaduct (from Roslin Colliery) in the 1960s with the route south closed in 1966. The flat area to the right housed some of the sidings serving Bilston Glen Colliery, which ceased production in 1988.

Loanhead: The trackbed of the former Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin Railway running north through Loanhead on 14 March 2016. The reinforced plate girder bridge carries Church Street over the old route, approximately half a mile short of Loanhead station. The last train passed this way in 1991 with the final consignment of stockpiled coal from the closed Bilston Glen Colliery.

Stansfield Hall Junction: Grab shot from a Pacer negotiating the new Todmorden Curve and about to climb to Copy Pit summit on its way to Burnley and Blackburn from Manchester Victoria. The chord was relaid and opened to trains in May 2015 after a long campaign by East Lancashire local authorities. See image [[46768]]

Smithy Bridge: Smithy Bridge station was closed from 1960 until reopened by GMPTE in 1985. With the reintroduced services from Burnley complementing those on the Calder Valley route it now enjoys a roughly half hourly service of trains to and from Manchester. 156424 calls on a stopping service from Leeds to Manchester Victoria in March 2016.

Edinburgh Gateway: A look across the generously-sized ticket hall mid-morning on 14/03/2017. I'm assuming things get busier than this when commuters make their way too and from the tram stop on their way to the business district of Edinburgh Park. I hope so as there is no park and ride and little housing around here so it's really just a transfer point.

Edinburgh Gateway: A 158 from Perth calls at Edinburgh Gateway on 14/03/2017. The salt on the platform is a relic of a colder day, but it was blowy here as always. As far as I can see not many people travel into Edinburgh from here as there is no park and ride, and people coming from the airport on the tram would surely stay on it.

Baillieston [1st]: A class 318 EMU on a Dalmuir Whifflet service passes the site of the original Baillieston station. The houses seen top left in the background are on the site of sidings serving Calderbank Colliery which was itself accessed via a short tunnel. In the right foreground was the signal box and junction for the goods station at Baillieston.

Braehead Viaduct: A Whifflet – Dalmuir service crossing the Bargeddie Bridge which was constructed in 2015 as part of the M8 upgrade works. The spoil has long since been dug out from under the bridge deck see image [[52188]] and the carriageways are currently (March 2017) being completed and joined up with the M8 at Baillieston.

Rosewell and Hawthornden: This Gorton Crossing is slightly easier to get to than the WHL one. It was an LC between Rosewell station (ahead) and Hawthornden Junction. Gorton Road crossed the trackbed until very recently (as it still does on Streetview, at time of writing) but there's now a new road leading to a roundabout behind me, which completely obliterates the site of the junction.

Rosewell and Hawthornden: The site of the junction station of Rosewell, looking south on 14th March 2018. Take my word for it that both platforms survive. The literary Hawthornden Prize can pronounce the name as it will, but here the emphasis is on the last syllable as at other Scottish locations (Cardenden, Bearsden, Ferryden). Someone's got to care.

Bonnyrigg: One of the imitation totems at Bonnyrigg station site. How does it compare with the real thing? Size and shape: excellent. Colour: excellent. Lining: excellent. Font: brave effort. Totems were a standard size (36 x 10 inches) so longer names had to have smaller lettering. Neighbouring Rosewell & Hawthornden's lettering would be considered illegible by today's standards.

Gatwick Airport [1st]: Opened in 1935, 0.85 miles (1.37 km) south of the present station. It was originally named Tinsley Green but within a year became Gatwick Airport following the completion of the Beehive airport terminal which had a direct connection to the station. The airport was requisitioned by the Royal Air Force in 1940. In 1952 the British government decided that it would form London's second airport. The station continued in operation until 27 May 1958 when the present Gatwick Airport was completed and opened

Edinburgh Waverley: 170403 to Arbroath waiting to depart from Edinburgh Waverley on 14th March 2019.

Haymarket: The rebuilt platforms at Haymarket station, originally opened in 1842, looking west through the upper deck windows of a Lothian Bus on route 25 above the tunnel portals on Dalry Road, on 14th March 2019. The former overall roof now graces Bo'Ness station on the Bo'Ness & Kinneil Railway.

Barnhill Signal Box: Peppercorn A1 60163 'Tornado' steaming along the Perth to Dundee line with 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, on 14th March 2019. The train is about to pass under M90.

Stirling: It is obviously going to be some footbridge. A Glasgow to Alloa 170 passes the building site at Stirling with what should be an electric service. The date is 14 March 2019.

Arbroath: 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, behind Peppercorn A1 class no. 60163 'Tornado', passing Arbroath station, on 14th March 2019.

Arbroath Signal Box: A1 Pacific 60163 'Tornado' passing Arbroath with the 'Aberdonian' on 14 March 2019.

Kinghorn Tunnel: A1 Tornado passes Pettycur Bay on the approach to Kinghorn Tunnel with 'The Aberdonian' on 14 March.

Aberdeen: Station concourse, Aberdeen, on the evening of 14th March 2019.

Edinburgh Waverley: Peppercorn Class A1 no. 60163 'Tornado' bringing the stock of 'The Aberdonian' railtour to Aberdeen into Edinburgh Waverley, on the morning of Thursday, 14th March 2019.

Aberdeen: Peppercorn A1 class no. 60163 'Tornado' at Aberdeen station, waiting to return to Edinburgh Waverley with 'The Aberdonian' railtour, on 14th March 2019.

Newbigging Siding: Peppercorn Class A1 60163 'Tornado' at the head of 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, just past Inverkeithing and taking the line along the coast through Aberdour and Burntisland, on 14th March 2019.

Falkirk Grahamston: A Glasgow to Edinburgh via Cumbernauld service calls at Grahamston on 14 March 2019. From the December 2018 timetable the frequency of trains from here to Edinburgh doubled to 4 an hour. Glasgow trains doubled too, to 2 an hour.

Perth Princes Street: After a brief stop at Perth, 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen behind Peppercorn A1 class no. 60163 'Tornado', gets under way again on 14th March 2019.

Aberdeen: 37706 bringing the stock of 'The Aberdonian' railtour into Aberdeen station, in readiness for the return journey to Edinburgh Waverley, with Peppercorn class A1 no. 60163 'Tornado' once again in charge at the head, on the evening of Thursday, 14th March 2019.

Haymarket: Though it was on time the Class 158 forming this Glasgow - Cumbernauld - Edinburgh service was terminated at the front of Haymarket's Platform 0 to return to the depot. Meanwhile, two-and-a-half hours in advance it has been decided that the 1605 from Waverley will now be the 1609 from Haymarket and the stock is apparently already in place. I can't explain that one. Photographed on 14 March 2019.

Invergowrie: Peppercorn A1 60163 'Tornado' taking on water at Invergowrie, on the Perth to Dundee line, while in charge of 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, on 14th March 2019.

Tay Viaduct [Perth]: Peppercorn A1 class no. 60163 'Tornado' crossing Perth Viaduct with 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, on 14th March 2019.

Linlithgow: Your electric service to Waverley is now a diesel to Haymarket. The shortage of EMUs in Central Scotland is still being felt on 14 March 2019. The unit was returning to Haymarket depot because of a fault which hardly seemed to affect the running.

Stirling: A Dunblane to Edinburgh service pulls into Stirling on 14 March 2019. Class 385s look to me a bit like scaled-up models, but perhaps new trains always do.

Aberdeen: Peppercorn class A1 no. 60163 'Tornado' at Aberdeen station on the evening of Thursday, 14th March 2019, prior to departure with the return 'The Aberdonian' railtour to Edinburgh Waverley.

Aberdeen: Peppercorn class A1 no. 60163 'Tornado' just arrived from Edinburgh Waverley at 'The Aberdonian' railtour's destination at Aberdeen station, on 14th March 2019. Quite why there was a naval presence, I have yet to discover.

Falkirk Grahamston: Dunblane (right) and Edinburgh trains pass at Grahamston on 14 March 2019. From December 2018 daytime departures here leapt from a long-standing 5 an hour to 8.

Polmont: With electric trains running to diesel timetables early arrivals at intermediate stops are usual, as with this 1309 departure for Edinburgh on 14 March 2019. Just as well as I wouldn't have been able to then catch it whilst retaining my dignity. Meanwhile on the other platform 'via Cumbernauld - cancelled' goes together like 'Partick Thistle - nil'.

Edinburgh Waverley: Journey's End for 'The Aberdonian' railtour with the return excursion from Aberdeen now back at Edinburgh Waverley station, after dark on 14th March 2019.

Haymarket: A ScotRail HST calls at Haymarket with an Inverness service on 14 March 2019. The carriages are still branded GWR.

Bridge of Allan: A Dunblane to Edinburgh service makes its first stop on 14 March. I was hoping to see some 365s in what was to be their last week in service up here but didn't see a single one. This shiny 385 will have to do.

Linlithgow: Seven cars of Class 385 whoosh through Linlithgow with a Queen Street express on 14 March 2019; Mr Bank of Scotland and his chicken look on.

Polmont: A Class 380 calls at Polmont with an Edinburgh - Cumbernauld - Glasgow service on 14 March 2019. Along with Linlithgow, Polmont lost its direct trains to Stirling and Dunblane to accommodate these services. Predictably perhaps not everyone is happy.

Forth Bridge: Looking north along the Forth Bridge from 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, behind Peppercorn Class A1 no. 60163 'Tornado', on 14th March 2019.

Falkirk Grahamston: Class 385s have been the more usual fare on Edinburgh - Cumbernauld - Glasgow services but here on 14 March 2019 a 380 takes a turn. Suddenly they seem perhaps just a bit dated?

Stonehaven: 'The Aberdonian' railtour from Edinburgh Waverley to Aberdeen, behind Peppercorn class A1 no. 60163 'Tornado', passing the Grade B listed station at Stonehaven, on 14th March 2019.

Hellifield: The present Hellifield station was opened by the Midland Railway on 1st June 1880, replacing an earlier station opened by the 'Little' North Western Railway in 1849. Despite its rather rundown appearance with disused track-removed bay platforms, it has been a Grade II Listed Structure since 1977. The north end is seen here from RTC's return steam-hauled excursion from Carlisle to Preston, restarting after a water stop, on a rainy 14th March 2020.

Carnforth: The south end of Carnforth station, where only the Furness line platforms are now in use, with E3137 (86259) now detached from this Railway Touring Company's excursion as it awaits the attachment of Jubilee Class no. 5699 (BR no. 45699, currently running as 45562 'Alberta') to take the train on to Carlisle, on 14th March 2020. On the right are the disused and partially demolished main line platforms which closed in May 1970, since when any passengers from the Furness Line wishing to travel north to, for instance, Oxenholme and Penrith, now have to go all the way down to Lancaster and come back up again. Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard are conspicuous by their absence but I was hoping Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto, which played over the opening credits of the famous 1945 film 'Brief Encounter' when the station was nice and smoky in atmospheric black-and-white, would be played to herald our arrival. But alas.

Appleby: Jubilee Class no. 5699 'Galatea' (BR no. 45699), built at Crewe in 1936, restored at Carnforth and now currently running as 45562 'Alberta', with a Railway Touring Company excursion returning from Carlisle to Preston taking on water at Appleby station on the Settle & Carlisle Line, diverted from the Cumbrian Coast Line after a landslide the previous day, on the afternoon of Saturday, 14th March 2020.

Woodacre Crossing: Most Pendolinos are still running without the new Avanti livery, although that is perhaps the least of the company's worries at the moment. 390050 heads for Glasgow passing through the Lancashire countryside at Woodacre on 14th March 2020.

Ribblehead Viaduct: View from RTC's steam-hauled return railtour from Carlisle to Preston, looking south-east from Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle Line, on the afternoon of Saturday, 14th March 2020. This magnificent structure took five years to construct between 1870 and 1875, is 440 yards long, 104 feet high and has 24 spans. It was designed by an architect named John Sydney Crossley of whom I have been unable to discover anything.

Woodacre Crossing: A Windermere to Manchester Airport service, formed by CAF Civity 195107, heads south at Woodacre on 14th March 2020.

Carlisle: Jubilee Class 45699 'Galatea', currently running as 45562 'Alberta', built at Crewe in 1936, just arrived at Carlisle, at lunchtime on Saturday, 14th March 2020. This locomotive brought this RTC excursion train from Carnforth taking over from E 3137 (86 259) from London. After a 90 minutes stopover here, it returned south via the Settle & Carlisle and Clitheroe Lines to Preston though it was originally scheduled to run back behind steam to Carnforth via the Cumbrian Coast Line. It was diverted following a landslide on the latter on the previous day.

Appleby: Main buildings at Appleby station on the northbound platform, seen from the footbridge, on 14th March 2020. This station opened with the Settle & Carlisle Line as Appleby on 1st May 1876 and was renamed Appleby West on 1st September 1952. On the same day, Appleby station on the Stainmore Line was renamed Appleby East but this station closed with the line on 22nd January 1962. There was then no longer any need for the 'West' suffix at the S & C station but it was not until 6th May 1968 that it reverted to simply Appleby.

Preston: Jubilee Class 45699 'Galatea', currently running as 45562 'Alberta', built at Crewe in 1936, has just arrived at Preston station, where it finished its outing, having hauled a diverted RTC railtour from Carlisle via the Settle & Carlisle and Clitheroe Lines, on 14th March 2020.

Euston: E 3137 (86 259) at Euston, just after 6.30 a.m. on Saturday, 14th March 2020, with a Railway Touring Company excursion advertised to the Cumbrian Coast with steam back from Carlisle to Carnforth but which had to be diverted via the Settle & Carlisle after the coastal loop was damaged by a landslip that occurred the very day before the tour and which just happened to be Friday the 13th! To compensate, Jubilee Class no. 5699 (BR no. 45699 'Galatea' running as 45562 'Alberta') took the train from Carnforth to Carlisle over Shap and thence back to Preston via Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn. E 3137 was one of 100 AL6 (later class 86) electrics and came off the production line at Doncaster Works in late 1965. It was renumbered 86 045 in January 1974 before becoming 86 259 in May 1975. It worked on services on the WCML and the Great Eastern main line until withdrawn in 2003. After 16 months in store, it was restored at Tyseley Loco Works in Birmingham and began its new life in preservation in 2008. A BIG disappointment not to go on the Cumbrian Coast by steam but rapid planning by the RTC came up with the alternative route. After a photo and water stop at Appleby, however, the rain came on so bad during the climb up to Ais Gill Summit that, at times, it was difficult to see out the windows.

Woodacre Crossing: 86259 'Les Ross' with an excursion from Euston, heading for the loco change to 45699 at Carnforth, passing Woodacre on 14th March 2020. This tour was scheduled to use the Cumbrian Coast line but was diverted to the S&C because of a landslip.

Leyland: The 6K30 Carlisle NY to Longport is one of the more unpredictable services and on 14 March 2022 it was maintaining its reputation. 56302 appeared at Leyland some two hours early but fortunately I was nearby at the time.