Acton Wells Junction: EE Type 1 no D8005 heads south past Acton Wells Junction in March 1969 with a cross-London freight.

Acton Wells Junction: BR Nottingham Division 'Peak' D20 with a freight on the North London Line on 18 March 1969. The train is about to pass through Acton Wells Junction heading for 'Southern' territory. D20 was later renumbered 45013 before being withdrawn by BR in 1987. The locomotive was eventually cut up at MC Metals, Glasgow, in February 1994, see image [[37230]].

Mitre Bridge Junction: BRCW 'Crompton' Type 3 no D6575 of Hither Green shed threads the back streets of NW10 between Mitre Bridge Junction and Willesden Junction High Level station in March 1969. The train of Presflos is on the spur linking the West London and North London lines. (Note: D6575 {later class 33 no 33057} was withdrawn in August 2005 and subsequently purchased for preservation. The locomotive is currently undergoing refurbishment on the West Somerset Railway.) See image [[40259]]

Stirling Forth Viaduct [SCR]: Type 2s 5338 + 5331 heading an Edinburgh - Inverness train photographed crossing the Forth shortly after leaving Stirling station in March 1971.

Swindon Works: Two Hymek Class 35s and a North British Class 22 await the inevitable in Swindon Works yard in 1972. The NBL Class 22 is in early rail blue with a half yellow panel and engineless although the flat wagon next to it appears to be carrying a power unit under the tarpaulin. The green Hymek has already lost its engine and the roofless early blue specimen behind is in an equally sorry state. My records from the time indicate that the Class 22 was D6322 and the green Hymek is D7024.

Swindon Works: North British Class 22 D6330, with nose doors open, stands at the head of a line of sister NBL locos at Swindon. A handful of the class had just made it into 1972 but all the survivors had been withdrawn by the time this picture was taken and D6330 was cut up three months later in June 1972. See image [[19448]] for a picture of D6319, the last survivor just before it was also cut up.

Swindon Works: North British Class 43 D851 Temeraire stands in a scrap line at Swindon with other withdrawn Warships. 1971 had seen a purge of the NBL Warships with all the surviving 30, from the original 33 built, being withdrawn. Swindon Works yard was full of locos waiting cutting at this time and other withdrawn hydraulics were stored at various WR depots awaiting the final call home See image [[31029]]. D851 was cut up in June 1972, three months after this picture was taken.

Oxton: The former station building and platform at Oxton, photographed during a visit on 18 March 1987.

Millerhill: Looking north over Millerhill Yard from Old Craighall Road bridge on 18 March 1987, with the former Waverley Route main line running through the centre.

Millerhill Yard Junction: Looking south towards Millerhill Depot in March 1987, with the lifted Down Yard in the foreground.

Millerhill Junction: View south at Millerhill in March 1987 with the main yard behind the camera. The Bilston Glen branch bears right and the new ECML Electrification Depot is taking shape on the left.

Penshaw: A southbound InterCity 125 HST approaching Penshaw, County Durham, on 18 March 1989, having been diverted from the ECML because of electrification work.

Fencehouses: An unidentified class 47 nears Fencehouses with a train of chemical tanks on Saturday 18 March 1989, thought to be the SAI train from Leith South to Haverton Hill see image [[32436]]. Trains were being diverted via the Leamside route due to electrification work on the ECML. [Ref query 3307]

Fencehouses: A southbound BR InterCity 125 HST passing Fencehouses 'box on the Leamside line on 18 March 1989, having been diverted due to ECML electrification works. The train is the 07.35 Aberdeen - Kings Cross.

Fencehouses: The signal box at Fencehouses on the Leamside line in March 1989.

Eggesford: An HST en route to Barnstaple passes a local DMU at Eggesford on 18 March 1990.

Thornton Yard: A Class 08 diesel shunter is framed by two Tullis Russell hopper wagons at Thornton Yard on 18 March 1992. All will head for the Auchmuty branch in due course.

Wakefield Kirkgate: 44767 George Stephenson with The Norseman special, westbound through Wakefield Kirkgate on 18 March 1995.

Wakefield Kirkgate: Black 5 4-6-0 no 44767 George Stephenson running westbound into Wakefield Kirkgate with The Norseman special on 18 March 1995.

Shettleston Junction: The point where the former railway solum at Shettleston Junction has been built over (top centre) as seen in March 2006. The surviving disused railway bridge over Gartocher Road is off to the left see image [[58684]].

High Street Goods: Duke Street, looking towards Glasgow City Centre on Sunday 18 March 2007. Running along the south side of the road is the remaining north wall of what was once Glasgow's enormous High Street goods depot. See image [[50153]]

High Street Goods: Detail of part of the surviving north wall of the former High Street goods depot on Duke Street in 2007.

High Street Goods: Gates at the main entrance to the former High Street goods depot in March 2007. View east towards Bellgrove with the current High Street passenger station just off to the right.

High Street Goods: View east along Duke Street on 18 March 2007 showing the surviving north wall of the former High Street goods depot. See image [[50168]]

Mirandela: Two ex-Yugoslavian metre gauge railbuses wait at the new Mirandela interchange station, which replaced the old station situated behind the camera See image [[38021]]. The nearer vehicle is on the twice daily service for Tua, two hours away, which was withdrawn later in the year. Behind, a further railbus will go in the opposite direction, to Carvalhais on the old Braganca line. This isolated section survived until 2018 but was only a very short suburban line. The nine minute journey to Carvalhais included four intermediate stops and services were operated by just two railbuses.

Grimsargh: View north over the site of the former level crossing at Grimsargh on 18 March. The line would have run through the bungalow now built on the far side of the road. Note the sign on the fence (left) which provides one of the few remaining clues that a railway once passed through here.

Grimsargh: Standing on the north side of Grimsargh on 18 March looking along the trackbed of the Preston and Longridge Railway towards Longridge itself.

Ribbleton [2nd]: A view along the old trackbed towards Longridge at the former Ribbleton station, the building on the left in March 2008. The over bridge in the background carries Gamull Lane over the trackbed, although it has been filled in.

Tua: Drivers eye view as the railbus from Mirandela descends towards Tua station to connect with the main line trains that will cross here. The broad gauge Douro Valley line from Porto can be seen on the right. The narrow gauge line has since been closed.

Tua: Drivers eye view of the last stretch of the Tua Gorge as the twice daily metre gauge railbus from Mirandela approaches the Douro Valley. The spectacular journey from Mirandela, a must do for anyone in the area, took just under 2 hours. A return ticket price of just under 9 Euros was excellent value but sadly the line has since closed apart from a short isolated section used by commuters in the Mirandela suburbs.

Tua: The railbus waits to return to Mirandela having connected with the main line trains on the other side of the island platform. By this time the metre gauge freight trains no longer ran and the loco hauled stock seen in the background was only used for occasional special trains. The railbuses kept the line alive and provided panoramic views of the River Tua all the way to Mirandela but sadly, shortly after my visit, the line closed and the trackbed may be flooded by a hydro-electric scheme.

Longridge (Lancashire): The former passenger terminus of the Preston and Longridge Railway, looking back towards Preston, with Longridge station building located behind the Towneley Arms Hotel and the Town War Memorial now standing on the former trackbed. A level crossing was also located here carrying a mineral line beyond the station and on to Tootle Heights Quarry. On the far side of the station building a block of flats has now been built across the trackbed. Photographed on 18 March 2008.

Bamber Bridge: 150275 re-starts from Bamber Bridge in March 2008 with a Colne to Blackpool South service.

Tralhariz: A remote curiosity. Not only was Tralhariz station bricked up in March 2008, but there was no visible access - with its back to the steep hillside, the front facing the river gorge and not a sign of habitation anywhere. Needless to say the narrow gauge railbus for Tua rumbled through without stopping. The station and line both closed later that same year.

Tua: Dropping down towards Tua station, on a metre gauge railbus that has just travelled down the Tua Gorge from Mirandela in March 2008. The old loco hauled stock was stored in the sidings here. By this time the railbus was only making two trips a day to connect into the broad gauge trains from Porto and, following a derailment, the line closed the following year.

Tralhariz: Drivers view from the twice daily metre gauge railcar as it threads the scenic Tua River gorge on its way down from Mirandela to Tua in the Douro Valley. Sadly, in August of that same year, a fatal accident occurred when a railbus derailed on this stretch and this caused the early closure of the line. Now a planned hydro-electric scheme will flood the trackbed.

Longridge (Lancashire): The station building at Longridge with a short length of platform canopy still in place on 18 March 2008. The station closed to passengers in June 1930 and is now used by Longridge Town Council and St Johns Ambulance Service.

Longridge (Lancashire): Western Portal of Tootle Heights tunnel, beyond Longridge station, looking towards the quarry on 18 March 2008.

Abreiro: Railbus driver's view of the approach to Abreiro in the Tua gorge in 2008. Abreiro was about half way along the two hour journey from Mirandela to Tua and the point where the valley became steep sided and the ride on this metre gauge line spectacular. Sadly this stretch has since closed.

Abreiro: Before continuing from Abreiro the railbus driver connects a telephone handset to the lineside pole to confirm with control he has cleared the previous section and to obtain permission to proceed towards Tua. This stretch of line has since closed.

Bamber Bridge: 158753 rushes west through Bamber Bridge station towards Preston on 18 March 2008 as restoration work continues on the former station building.

Mirandela: The narrow gauge Tua line followed the river of that name for some 84 miles to Braganca. Mirandela was the main intermediate point where engines were changed and the station had restaurant facilities, The old station is seen here, after its replacement by a transport interchange See image [[37824]], from a railbus standing in the new platforms waiting to depart for Tua, 34 miles and two hours away, on the now closed line.

Slateford Junction: After leaving the sub at Craiglockhart Jct on 18 March, DRS 66423 comes off the spur to join the Edinburgh - Carstairs line at Slateford Jct and is about to run through the station with a train of EWS ballast trucks.

Ribeirinha: Railbus driver's view of the since closed station at Ribeirinha on the narrow gauge Tua Valley line from Mirandela in March 2008. At this time two trains a day made the full length journey down to the Douro Valley junction station at Tua but there were a couple of additional ones serving the small stations in the upper reaches of the valley around Mirandela. However, 2009 saw the line close after one of the railbuses derailed on poor track and it has never reopened.

Edinburgh Waverley: West end of Waverley on 18 March 2008 with refurbished canopies now in place over platforms 13 - 19 and a leftover from the Hogmanay street party in the tree.

Lostock Hall: 150 269 arrives at Lostock Hall on 18 March with a Colne - Blackpool South service. The site of Lostock Hall shed is on the right.

Bamber Bridge: The level crossing and signal box at Bamber Bridge looking East along the platforms on 18 March 2008. Although the signals in the area are now controlled from Preston Signalling Centre, the box remains here to operate the busy level crossing.

Lostock Hall: View west from Watkin Lane Road Bridge towards Farington Curve Junction and the West Coast Main Line on 18 March 2008. On the left is the abandoned site of Lostock Hall shed, one of the last depots to house steam locomotives in 1968.

Bamber Bridge Junction: View west from the platform at Bamber Bridge station towards the former Bamber Bridge Junction on 18 March 2008 as 158 758 approaches on a Blackpool North - York service. The junction once provided a direct route to the East Lancs side of Preston station.

Paisley Gilmour Street: 37612 passes through Paisley Gilmour Street at the rear the overhead line test coach Mentor on 18th March

Paisley Gilmour Street: 37069 at Paisley Gilmour Street with the overhead line test coach Mentor on 18th March

Bangour Junction: With redoubling and bridge alterations complete, a Bathgate - Waverley service approaches the site of Bangour Jct on 18 March 2009. Electrification is due to arrive soon, marking an end to regular diesel traffic on the line.

Birch Coppice: Not as it seems, part 2 - at first glance, one would not appear to be near a major road junction, nor to any railways past or present. But the suspiciously flat-topped hill in the left background is the 'landscaped' waste heaps of Birch Coppice colliery, and the frame of a container lift in the freight terminal is visible to the right. Out of sight are the M42 (left) and the A5 (left to right) - and finally, the 'farm road' on which we are walking is the former Birch Coppice #4 pit line (see images 25983 and 25985).

Birch Coppice: Not as it seems, part 1 - a tall and secure gate and fence like this are not what the dedicated railway walker wants to see - in this case, on Birch Coppice #4 pit line (see images 25983 and 25985). However, the former 'main line' from the MR at Kingsbury to Baxterley passes overhead. By scrambling up the embankment and down again, one can rejoin the trackbed on the far side of the fence. Our exploration of this line was fitted in after buying a plumbing fitting in the industrial estate adjacent to the freight terminal built on the site of Birch Coppice (#1) pit. We were quizzed by Security, but allowed to continue!

Birch Coppice Exchange Sidings: I thought the practice of stabling engines at rural locations overnight faded out with branch lines, but look what I found in March 2009 - on a branch line! Nine months later, Fastline Freight have lost this contract, and the Volkswagen Group car parts warehouse in the background is no longer supplied by rail. But on a recent visit, I found this terminal busier than ever. Two FL 66's with headlights on looked great through the viewfinder, but awful on screen. Must go back!

Camden: A Euston - Watford local service ascends Camden bank on a sunny 18th March 2009.

Stewarton: The new rail bridge carrying the Glasgow - Kilmarnock line over the A735 road near Stewarton now in position, photographed on 18 March 2009. Clean up activity and structural work continues in the vicinity following the oil train derailment and ensuing major fire that occurred here in late January.

Torrisholme Junctions: Not the same place without a 9F. Until 1967 a triangle at Torrisholme allowed freight trains from Heysham to run through to Lancaster and beyond without the reversal at Morecambe that later became necessary. The most famous trains were the oil tanks for Yorkshire from Heysham terminal, hauled by BR 9F 2-10-0s and often piloted by Class 25 diesels. This once electrified line is now a cycle track and this view of Torrisholme East Junction looks towards Morecambe with the curve to the West Junction passing through the trees on the left and then continuing as another cycle track as far as the surviving Heysham line. Map Ref SD 444636

Rauceby: A view north over the level crossing at Rauceby, Lincolnshire, on 18 March 2011 with the SB on the left and the platforms to the right. The station house is now in private ownership.
See query 2255

Sleaford West Junction: East Midlands Trains 153310 passes Sleaford West Jct on the approach to Sleaford with a service to Peterborough on 18 March 2011.

Barkston: A Class 91 on the rear of a southbound ECML service passes the site of Barkston station (closed to passengers 1955 and goods in 1964) but there is no trace of it today.

Brackmills Level Crossing: The crossing over the industrial estate road at Brackmills on the stub of the Bedford line near the Geismar works see image [[33285]]. Notice the zigzag weld lines for audible warning, and the sleepers laid across the road.

Sleaford West Junction: An EMT Class 158 passes Sleaford West Junction and heads west towards Grantham on 18 March 2011. The line diverging to the right (north) leads to Lincoln.

Rauceby: Rauceby station to the west of Sleaford in Lincolnshire (seen on 18 March 2011) is not blessed with platform facilities, with the one information board containing a timetable located on the eastbound platform. The only platform access is via the wicket gates at the level crossing. Unfortunately the signaller had not released them after the passage of the earlier train. With the only info about the next train to Sleaford out of my reach and my mobile phone battery flat I ended up travelling by alternative means!

Ancaster: 158813 runs non stop through Ancaster on 18th March 2011 with a service to Skegness.

Lochwinnoch [2nd]: The triple bridges at the north end of the former Lochwinnoch station, seen from the east on 18 March 2011. Bridges are a single then two doubles, with the walled-up entry to the ramp to the island platform on the left. See image [[33255]]

Ancaster: An EMT Class 156 DMU passes Ancaster with a service to Nottingham on 18 March 2011. On the right in a siding, disconnected from the mainline, is a ex LNER brake van.

Grantham: Looking north at Grantham as dusk falls on 18th March 2011.

Carlisle: First TransPennine 185 139 leaves Carlisle on 18 March with the 14.07 Edinburgh Waverley - Manchester Airport service. Standing at platform 3 is Freightliner 70006 waiting to follow it south.

Sleaford: EMT 153310 calls at Sleaford on 18th March 2011 with a service to Peterborough. Traffic continues to cross the level crossing in front of the unit but a minute later the barriers were lowered, the signal cleared and 153310 was on it is way.

Lochwinnoch [2nd]: The former northern entrance to Lochwinnoch (old) station on 18 March 2011. See image [[33241]] At the south end of the station site the old twin girder bridges and abutments have vanished and� a road called 'Station Rise' now leads into a housing estate.

Carlisle: Freightliner locomotives 86614+86612 about to enter Carlisle Station on 18 March 2011 with the 4M74 Coatbridge - Crewe Basford Hall containers.

Sleaford East Junction: EMT 156414 crosses Sleaford East Jct with a train from Skegness to Nottingham in the evening of 18th March 2011. The line to the right here heads to Sleaford South Jct for trains heading to Peterborough.

Carlisle: Freightliner 70006 approaches Carlisle Station from the south with a departmental train on 18 March.

Carlisle: 92009 Elgar enters Carlisle station on 18 March with the 4M67 Mossend - Hams Hall intermodal service.

Sleaford South Junction: East Midlands Trains service to Peterborough comes across Sleaford South Jct (from Sleaford to the left) on a sunny afternoon in March 2011.

Sleaford: An East Midlands service from Nottingham to Skegness arrives at Sleaford station on 18 March 2011. This south Lincolnshire junction station has three platforms and two signalboxes (East and West), with a further two (North and South) in the immediate vicinity.

Carlisle: Freightliner Heavy Haul 66551 pauses at Carlisle platform 3 for a crew change on 18 March with the 4S70 Drax PS - Ayr empties, as a Euston-bound Pendolino arrives at platform 4.

Brackmills Geismar UK: The Geismar rail trolley factory still has its small yard connected to the Bedford-Northampton line. Picture taken over security fence, looking towards Bedford in March 2011.

Grantham: A Kings Cross - Leeds 'East Coast' service calls at Grantham during the early evening of 18 March 2011 with 91108 at the head of the formation.

Sleaford West Junction: Sleaford West signalbox stands guard over the level crossing on 18 March 2011 as a westbound service heads towards Grantham and Nottingham.

Sleaford: Colas 47739 approaches Sleaford on 18 March 2011 with a train of steel from Boston Docks. On the left EMT 158785 waits with a service to Skegness.

Williton: Scene on the West Somerset Railway on 18 March 2011 with ex-GWR 2-8-0 no 2807 en route from Williton to Crowcombe.

Sleaford: Having left Sleaford eastbound on 18 March, East Midlands railcar 153357 has turned south-east at Sleaford South Junction a few hundred yards behind the photographer and is now heading for Spalding and Peterborough. This is contrary to the destination panel display which is showing Lincoln Central, the starting point of the service.

Barkston South Junction: DVT 82213 leads an up ECML service through Barkston South Jct on 18 March 2011.

Ancaster: An East Midlands Skegness - Nottingham service seen running through Ancaster station, west of Sleaford, on 18 March 2011. 156401 has just passed over a minor road crossing alongside Ancaster signalbox. The former goods shed on the right is now in use as a furniture and kitchen workshop.

Achanalt: Sunday 18 March was a pleasant early Spring day and, with the sun lighting up the landscape, 158708 is pictured near Achanalt on its way to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Toddington: This DMU stabled at Toddington in March 2012 is so nicely restored that it could almost be mistaken for the maker's publicity picture. The cars on the left look a bit too modern though....

Toddington: Looking over the driver's shoulder as a single car diesel unit approaches Toddington from the South on 18 March 2012. The steam service from Winchcombe was much more popular that day.

Toddington: Yes Sir, we are fully equipped to transfer larger purchases from the bookshop in the Parcels Van to your car - why do you ask? Full facilities on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Toddington in March 2012.

Ripple: Since 1959, there has been a most unusual bridge across the M50 motorway near Ripple, Worcestershire. Four identical channel sections cover both sides of the motorway, supporting at first a single-track road (L) and a single-track railway running between Tewkesbury and Malvern. Sadly, the bridge is currently being demolished. Following a 32-week closure, the road link between the throbbing metropoli of Puckrup and Ripple will be re-opened. See image [[39127]]

Toddington: Three gauges at Toddington: Iron Duke rests on broad gauge rails in the car park on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on 18 March 2012. The station for the narrow gauge line can be seen in the background, while the standard gauge line is behind the photographer.

Brighouse: A Grand Central train for Kings Cross (Adelante 180105) calls at Brighouse on Sunday 18th March 2013. Brighouse re-opened in 2000 (after being closed for 30 years) and services were initially only on the Huddersfield to Halifax route. Direct services from Manchester to Leeds via Dewsbury followed and the through services to London complete this amazing change in the station's fortunes. The people on the platform shown here had just watched the Tin Bath steam special depart after a water stop.

Brighouse: The results of being second loco of the double headed Tin Bath charter are evident on the smokebox of Black 5 45407. Together with 44871 they had already tackled several gradients when the train called at Brighouse for water. No doubt after Copy Pit and Sough inclines on the next stage there would be a lot of work for the cleaners back at Bury.

Brighouse: A diverted Sunday Trans-Pennine service (185105 heading for Middlesbrough) passing through Brighouse rather than taking the usual Standedge route from Manchester. Whilst waiting for the Tin Bath steam special to arrive three of these diverted TPE trains passed in quick succession making this route far busier than usual.

Brighouse: Water stop for the 'Tin Bath' at Brighouse on 18th March 2013. All eyes are on Black 5s 44871 and 45407, well all except the photographer to the right of 44871.

Brighouse: The Tin Bath is approaching its watering stop at Brighouse station in March 2013 but the regulators are still open on Ian Riley's Black 5s, 44871 and 45407. This circular tour from Manchester Victoria involved a number of challenging climbs around Lancashire and Yorkshire with lots of chimney music for those on board to enjoy.

Wolverhampton St George's [Tram]: Midland Metro tram 09 at the northern terminus at Wolverhampton St. Georges, waiting to depart for Birmingham Snow Hill, the then southern terminus of the line, on 18th March 2014.

York: The 12.53 Kings Cross - Sunderland Grand Central service calls at York on 18 March 2014.

Jewellery Quarter: 172333, on a service to Kidderminster, arriving at Jewellery Quarter station, Birmingham, on 18th March 2014. This station is an interchange with Midland Metro tram services which platforms are on the left behind the fence.

Birmingham Snow Hill: Now withdrawn Midland Metro tram no. 16 just arrived at Birmingham Snow Hill, at dusk on 18th March 2014. Trams no longer serve this station, having been diverted through the city centre, the first section of which opened to Bull Street in 2016 with a new street level replacement stop, at first called Snow Hill but soon renamed St. Chad's.

Bilston Central [Tram]: Now withdrawn Midland Metro tram 07 to Birmingham Snow Hill arriving at Bilston Central on 18th March 2014. This tram stop is just north of the former Bilston Central railway station that closed with the line in 1972. Until 1967, London Paddington to Birkenhead Woodside expresses ran this way, Woodside station closing concurrently with the withdrawl of that service.

Redbridge Viaduct: Looking east from Winston Road to the Red Bridge on 18 March 2014.

The Hawthorns: 170634 to Whitlock's End arriving at The Hawthorns station on 18th March 2014. This is an interchange with Midland Metro trams whose platforms are out of view on the right.

Ladhope Tunnel: View south towards Ladhope Tunnel, Galashiels, on 18 March 2014.

Dorridge: Dorridge station after dark, seen from 168 218 with a National Rail Chiltern Line service from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone, on 18th March 2014. This station, opened by the GWR in 1852, was known as Knowle & Dorridge until 6th May 1974. When BR started their mania for shortening station names with an '&' in them in the 70s, it was usually the first name that was retained, i.e. Cholsey & Moulsford became simply Cholsey but here it was the second name that was retained, while other stations like Highbury & Islington escaped this unnecessary name shortening completely. When this station was still called Knowle & Dorridge, the express service from London Paddington to Birkenhead Woodside, that finished in 1967 and saw the closure of Birkenhead Woodside station, came this way but did not stop here.
See query 2209

Hexham: The Northern Rail 10.45 service to Middlesbrough about to get underway from Hexham on 18 March 2014.

The Crescent [Tram]: Now withdrawn Midland Metro tram No.10 to Wolverhampton St. George's at The Crescent, on 18th March 2014. This is on the alignment of the former heavy rail GWR route but there was never a station here prior to the closure of the line in 1972. This stop was newly provided for Midland Metro trams when the first stage opened in 1999.

Priestfield: Now withdrawn Midland Metro tram no.09 to Wolverhampton St. George's at Priestfield, on 18th March 2014. This tram stop is just north of the former heavy rail station of that name, which is where the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton line met the GWR main line from Birmingham Snow Hill and which had platforms on both sets of lines. The Oxford line used to continue straightahead with the Birmingham line curving sharply to the left and the curve can be discerned in the background in this scene.

Hexham: The 07.08 Glasgow Central - Newcastle Central, shortly after arrival at Hexham on 18 March 2014.

Birmingham Moor Street: 172344, heading for Whitlock's End, departing from Birmingham Moor Street station in heavy rain on 18th March 2014.

Jewellery Quarter: Now withdrawn Midland Metro tram no. 07 to Birmingham Snow Hill at Jewellery Quarter, an interchange with National Rail services whose platforms are behind the building on the right, on 18th March 2014. There was never a station here prior to the closure of the GWR route between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton Low Level in 1972.

Birmingham Snow Hill: Midland Metro tram no. 05 arriving at the then end of the line in Birmingham Snow Hill station, on 18th March 2014. This was in use from the opening of the Metro in 1999 until the first stage of the extension into the city centre to a temporary terminus at Bull Street opened in 2016. The extension diverged north of the station and a replacement stop for Snow Hill was provided but this was soon renamed St. Chad's.

Lodge Road West Bromwich Town Hall [Tram]: Midland Metro No.09 to Birmingham Snow Hill at Lodge Road West Bromwich Town Hall, on 18th March 2014. This initial stage of the Metro, opened in 1999, runs along the course of the former GWR main line that closed in 1972 but this stop did not exist prior to the closure, being provided purely for the new tram service.

Bridge No 95: Looking west towards the site of Kilnknowe Junction on 18 March with work currently underway to raise the Gala Water bridge deck.

Bull Street [Tram]: Track laying in Birmingham city centre, for the extension of the West Midlands Metro, at dusk on 18th March 2014. This section opened to traffic in 2016 after which trams no longer ran into and out of Birmingham Snow Hill station.

Winson Green: Now withdrawn Midland Metro tram 14 to Wolverhampton St. George's arriving at Winson Green, on 18th March 2014. This is one of the few stops on the Metro with an island platform, Bradley Lane is another. This stop is not on the site of the former GWR station at Winson Green which is now occupied by the Metro's Soho Benson Road stop. On the far right is the National Rail line from Birmingham Snow Hill to Stourbridge Junction.

Newington [NBR]: DBS 66115 passes through the site of Newington Station on 18 March with the 6E30 Dalzell - Tees Yard steel empties.

Stow: Looking south over Stow station site on 18 March 2014. Note the shelter on the down side which seems to have been hermetically sealed! See image [[23820]]

Stow: View north at Stow on 18 March 2014.

Marylebone: Exterior of Marylebone station, opened to coal traffic on 27th July 1898 and to passengers on 15th March 1899 by the Great Central Railway, and seen here just after 8am on 18th March 2014. Now the London terminus of Chiltern Railways, after surviving two earlier closure attempts. The station is also served by the LUL Bakerloo Line.

Birmingham Snow Hill: The former Midland Metro tram platforms at Birmingham Snow Hill station, on 18th March 2014. These platforms were closed in 2016 when the first stage of the city extension to Bull Street was opened, which diverged north of Snow Hill and brought trams back to the streets of Britain's second city for the first time since 1953.

Galabank Bridge: Looking north from Stow on 18 March towards the Galabank bridge, which is being prepared for painting.

Marylebone: DVTs 82305 and 82301, at Marylebone, the Capital's youngest main line terminus on 18th March 2014. It was opened by the Great Central Railway in 1899.

Southend Central: South side exterior of Southend Central station, on the C2C line between London Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, on 18th March 2014. This station opened in 1856 with the extension of the line from Leigh On Sea that had been reached from Tilbury in 1855, the direct route via Upminster did not open until the 1880s. This station was the eastern terminus of the LTSR until the extension to Shoeburyness opened in 1884.

Sheep Pasture Incline Top Engine House: The engine house at the top of Sheep Pasture Incline allows the severity of the 1 in 8 gradient to be appreciated. The rope hauled incline transported wagons (and locomotives!) from High Peak Junction on the Midland Railway up on to the main Cromford and High Peak Railway northwards towards Buxton and Whaley Bridge. Nearby, at Middleton Top a similar building still contains the winding engine which is occasionally operated in summer.

Heighington: Looking north over the level crossing at Heighington on 18 March 2015. This station is on the route of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and opened for passengers on the same day that line was opened in September 1825. The building on the right is named 'The Locomotion No.1'.

Sheep Pasture Incline Foot: The catch-pit near the bottom of the 1 in 8 Sheep Pasture Incline on the Cromford and High Peak Railway was designed to protect Cromford Goods Yard below the bridge from runners that became detached from the rope whilst ascending or descending the incline. Tracks went either side of the entrance with catch points set to direct runaways into the pit.

Heighington: Looking south over the level crossing at Heighington towards Darlington on 18 March 2015. A new REB has appeared on the right next to the signalbox and new LED signals protect the crossing.

Coundon: Looking north along the trackbed at Coundon station on 18 March 2015. The station building is in residential use and the Auckland Way footpath skirts around the property to the west.

Sheep Pasture Incline Foot: The inside of the catch pit at the bottom of Sheep Pasture Incline in March 2015, showing the remains of a wagon that demonstrates the value of the system. The catch pit was installed in 1888 after two loaded wagons ran away almost from the top and were travelling at such speed they jumped the Cromford Canal and Midland Railway just beyond. This particular wagon was safely arrested after its unrestrained journey down the bank in 1946. see Image [[50904]]

Beattock Summit: TransPennine emu 350405 approaching Beattock summit on 18 March 2015 with the 1100 Manchester Airport - Glasgow Central.

Fountainhall Bridge: The surviving base of the former Fountainhall distant signal, looking north along the trackbed of the Lauder Light Railway on 18 March 2015.

Beattock Summit: The late running 0616 Daventry - Mossend containers speed past a network Rail access point just south of Beattock summit on 18 March 2015. The lengthy train is double headed by DRS 68002+68004

Beattock Summit: The 14.18 FTPE Edinburgh Waverley - Manchester Airport passing the late running 0616 Daventry - Mossend containers ascending Beattock Bank behind DRS 68002+68004 on 18 March 2015. Travelling at a much more leisurely pace over on the right is the Elvan Water.

Greskine Signal Box: The 1400 Glasgow Central - London Euston Pendolino photographed near Greskine on 18 March 2015.

Galashiels: Progress on the new platform at Galashiels. View north on 18 March 2015.

Greskine Signal Box: The 0843 London Euston - Edinburgh Waverley on Beattock bank north of Greskine on 18 March 2015.

Bridge No 95: The rail route north out of Galashiels on 18 March 2015. View is from the new footbridge on Plumtreehall Brae towards the former Kilnknowe Junction. After crossing the Gala Water the line then passes over Wheatlands Road before running below the bridge at Kilnknowe Place in the background. See image [[41622]]

Galashiels: Looking across Stirling Street, Galashiels, on 18 March 2015 towards the main entrance of the currently under construction Transport Interchange.

Newton Aycliffe: Leaving Newton Aycliffe for Heighington on 18 March 2015. What is not so obvious nowadays is the trackbed of the line that once ran towards Stockton, which now disappears into the vegetation beyond the GSMR tower.

Threeburnford: A platelayers hut still survives at Threeburnford on the Lauder Light Railway in March 2015. The line closed in 1958. [Ref query 8855]

Kilnknowe Junction: The new footbridge over the Borders Railway on Plumtreehall Brae, Galashiels, replacing the road bridge that previously crossed the line here. View north on 18 March 2015, at which time the bridge was not officially open, with finishing touches being applied. See image [[49909]]

Coundon: Looking north on 18 March 2015 along the trackbed of the former Bishop Auckland to Spennymoor and Ferryhill line under a bridge that leads to Auckland Castle some distance away to the left. The location is north of the former Coundon station and the footpath is known as the Auckland Way.

Newton Aycliffe: A Bishop Auckland to Saltburn train calls at Newton Aycliffe on 18 March 2015.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The temporary queuing arrangements include this covered queuing area in the Queen Street carpark, now ready for use.

Glasgow Queen Street Low Level: 334030 enters Queen Street Low Level heading west, seen from North Hanover Street. Soon to be much busier!

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: 170401 leaves Queen Street High Level. Not much room for expansion here!

Kilmarnock Junction: 73969 reverses with two refurbished coaches for attachment to the consist in the long lyes.

Geilston Level Crossing: Northbound service from Queen Street to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig passes Geilston Level Crossing and its ample warning signage.

Kilmarnock: 73969 showing off the Caledonian Sleeper logo during shunting moves at Kilmarnock

Kilmarnock: 73969 exits Brodie yard with two refurbished coaches for attachment to the consist in the long lyes.

Cowlairs Incline: 156458 descends Cowlairs incline, seen from Pinkston Road bridge.

Cardonald: 380 020 takes the bi-directional centre road through Cardonald with a fast Ayr - Glasgow service.

Cardonald: DB 66037 approaches with Longannet - Hunterston High Level empties.

Glasgow Central: 380 008 at Glasgow Central platform 12 with a stopping service to Gourock.

Maxwelltown Goods Junction: Novel little sign in Dumfries in the shadow of the closed Maxwelltown branch (formerly the Port Road) off the Nith Line. Tom Train refers to a certain tank engine.

Hampton Loade: Who are you calling a small engine? If you're going to be rude, you can all stay on the platform, and I'll go and join that train over there. I'd rather go to Bridgnorth, anyway. 1450 goes off in a huff at an SVR steam gala.

Bewdley: Bradley Manor prepares to go gently into the night, in the general direction of Kidderminster.

Slochd Viaduct: 66099 with the southbound Lairg tank empties for Mossend crossing Slochd Viaduct on 18/03/17. Taken between the sleet showers at the Slochd.

Carlisle Station Hotel: LMS sign at Carlisle, still there, on the hotel by the station. This is on the passageway, Collier Lane, which runs under the hotel frontage and to the south east to Crown Street. The hotel, currently the Hallmark Hotel, has been known by various names such as the Cumbrian, the County, Lakes Court and the Station Hotel. The original part of the building dates from 1852.

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: The 0945 (Sunday) ex-Tweedbank slows for the Newtongrange stop during a wet and blustery morning on 19 March 2017. The building on the right once served as the NCB Lady Victoria Colliery locomotive shed see image [[6114]].

Bewdley: Sunset at Bewdley, looking North West across platform 1 from the footbridge during the Spring Steam Gala.

Morecambe: 67022 with a UK Railtours' excursion from London Euston at Morecambe station, in the late afternoon of Saturday, 18th March 2017. This station opened on 29th March 1994, replacing the 1907 Morecambe Promenade terminus that closed in 1993, buses replacing trains until the present excuse for a station opened and effectively shortening the line by about a quarter mile. (I am indebted to Cliff Kilshaw for the details of the two Morecambe stations, thank you.)

Strines: Looking south eastwards along the platform at Strines, towards New Mills Central and with Marple behind the camera. Facilities are sparse as are the trains that call here but a fair bit of new housing did seem to be appearing across the valley in the village. Perhaps some more passengers will make use of the platforms which can each accommodate a 6 coach train.

Morecambe Promenade: Exterior of the former Morecambe Promenade station, seen here on 18th March 2017. This station opened on 24th March 1907 and closed in 1993, buses replacing trains until the present apology for a station opened on 28th May 1994, called simply Morecambe and situated a quarter mile east of the seafront and former terminus. The old Promenade station has become a council run entertainment venue and visitor information centre.

Bridgnorth: 7802 Bradley Manor with load 6 is about to take its train to Kidderminster from Bridgnorth in March 2017.

Bridgnorth: 7802 'Bradley Manor' champing at the bit on the SVR in 2017. Notice the admirer in the boiler suit on the left.

Carlisle: Colas Rail General Electric Class 70, 70814, at Carlisle. Rather a dumpy?

Dalgety Bay: DRS 66303 leads a Ladybank - Millerhill engineers train through Dalgety Bay on 18 March.

Hope: Looking east over the very snow bound station at Hope in the Peak District in March 2018. Youngest son & family approach the footbridge challenge for getting over to the uncleared Sheffield bound platform to await the train to start the return journey to York. On our arrival in Sheffield early PM we were fortunate that the first train able to run west through the valley was just about to leave. The walk into and back from Hope village was difficult due to waist deep snow mounded on the footpaths. It was very much a day in hope of getting there, and back.

Heaton TMD: Heaton Train Maintenance Depot, just north of Newcastle, seen from the ex-14.30 service from Edinburgh Waverley to London King's Cross passing on 18th March 2019.

Elgin: Dawn at Elgin station on 18th March 2019.

Salford Crescent: A Manchester Victoria to Buckshaw Parkway service with EMU 319385 calls at Salford Crescent on 18 March 2019.

Salford Central: Pre-requisites for passengers planning to board services at platform 2, Salford Central doesn't actually include mountaineering skills but the height difference between train and platform is significant as can be seen by the person boarding. The train is a service to Clitheroe (ignore the destination on the rear Class 153) on 18 March 2019.

Skipton: GBRf 66732 runs through Skipton with an empty stone train from Wrenthorpe sidings, Wakefield to Arcow Quarry on 18 March. See image [[68262]].

Straiton Sidings: The Rosslyn Chapel Way (Loanhead branch to you and me) has just crossed the boundary between Edinburgh and Midlothian here at the point where Straiton sidings went off to the right. The course of the siding is a path through a nature reserve. The path is almost unmuddy for about three days in midsummer. You can reward yourself with a McDonald's at the end of it, if that's your bag.

Tweedbank: I had to take a relative to Tweedbank for the 1201 train to Waverley on 18th March 2020. Obviously the advice to work at home has been taken to heart. Not making light of it, but it was almost like “old times” when I could nearly have a carriage to myself from Hawick.

Vallsta: A reserve EMU of type X11 stops at Vallsta on its way south to Gävle; this route is normally served by X52 Regina EMUs. X Trafik is the brand name for the local transport services run by the public transport authority of Gävleborg County. These passenger trains ply between Gävle and Ljusdal. Rail traffic on this route is, however, dominated by freight as it is the link between southern Sweden and the northern rail network; the mainline is partly double and partly single track with long passing loops as here.

Straiton Sidings: The (by then) Bilston Glen Colliery branch survived long-enough to require bridging by the Edinburgh City Bypass. This view looks towards Loanhead and the siding was the other side of the bridge, though it had long gone by the time the bridge was built. I left my tag, 'NERD'.

Rosewell and Hawthornden: Recent clearance of vegetation at Rosewell, along part of what is now the Penicuik & Dalkeith Railway Walk, has resulted in the reappearance of the old platform faces. This is a view from the north east corner of the site on 18 March 2021 looking back towards the junction with the Penicuik branch. The passing truck is westbound along the A6094 which now bypasses the village.

Farington Junction: Colas 66846 joins the West Coast main line at Farington Junction having travelled over the S&C with logs for Chirk from Carlisle on 16th March 2021. The train will cross to run on the Up Slow (see image [[37061]]) through Leyland to Balshaw Lane Junction.

Bo'ness TMD: DMS 64600 from 314209 on the jacks at Boness for removal of redundant equipment in preparation for the installation of the new hydrogen fuel cell package.

Rosewell and Hawthornden: A bright spring morning at Rosewell and Hawthornden on 18 March 2021. Photograph taken from steps alongside the picnic area that now occupies part of the old up platform. View is north east along the route of the Peebles Loop towards Bonnyrigg, with the junction for the Penicuik branch behind the camera.

Boat of Garten: BRC&W Class 27 D5394 arrives at Boat of Garten from Broomhill on 18th March 2022.

River Dulnain Viaduct: At the Strathspey Railway Diesel Gala in March 2022, the first train of the day went to the end of the line at Dulnain Bridge to the north of Broomhill station. Class 31 D5862 poses on the bridge, the end of the line for now.

River Dulnain Viaduct: Strathspey Railway Diesel Gala 18th March 2022. 37674 leads the way back to Broomhill from Dulnain Bridge with Class 31 D5862 on the rear.

Boat of Garten: Strathspey Railway Diesel Gala 2022. 37674 heads away from Boat of Garten with a train for Broomhill on 18th March.

Broomhill: 37674 lifts six maroon coaches away from Broomhill, on the way back to Aviemore, during the Strathspey Railway Diesel Gala on 18th March 2022 .

Brock Water Troughs: Special MOD working from Longtown to Kineton passing Brock on 18th March 2022. Barrier wagons were in position at each end of the short train, which was hauled by GBRf 66781 (formerly EWS 66016).

Boat of Garten: 37674 heads away from Boat of Garten with a train for Broomhill during the Strathspey diesel gala on 18th March 2022.

Boat of Garten: Changing Engines at Boat of Garten on 18th March 2022. 37674 with D5862 (31327)

St Enoch [Subway]: John Cameron at the unveiling of the latest Transport Heritage Red Wheel, on the east side of the James Miller building, now a Caffe Nero, at St Enoch, on 18th March 2022. Also present at the ceremony was retiring SPT chair Martin Bartos. This is Scotland's twentieth Red Wheel, Glasgow's second and the third after Baker Street, and London's Mail Rail network to commemorate an underground railway. The inscription reads 'Former ticket office of the GLASGOW SUBWAY. Opened 1896 and the third oldest metro in the world. A 6 1/2 mile circuit, cabled hauled until electrified in 1935.'