Glenfinnan Viaduct: Glenfinnan viaduct with K1 62052 on Mallaig bound train.

Fort William [1st]: Matisa track recording trolley at Fort William in 1961.

Glenfinnan: View to west of Glenfinnan station having just left the station with K1 62052 on Mallaig-bound train. The Prince's House Hotel can be seen beyond the hut on the left, then known as the Stage House.

Fort William [1st]: Class K1 62012 approaches the original Fort William station alongside the sea with a train from Mallaig in 1961.

Lugton East Junction: Fairburn 2-6-4T 42056 at the site of Lugton East Junction on 21 March 1962 with the empty stock of a Glasgow Central - Uplawmoor train. Photographed shortly before the withdrawal of passenger services between Neilston and Uplawmoor.

Darlington [Bank Top]: No 63395 on northbound freight at Darlington in 1962.

Newcastle Central: Two ex-LNER travelling post office vans, seen at Newcastle Central in 1962. Their pick-up nets, retractable arms and off-set corridor connections are all very noticeable.

Neville Hill Shed: Earmarked for preservation. Class N7 0-6-2T no 69621 of 1924, withdrawn from Stratford shed in November 1962, photographed inside Neville Hill in March 1965. See image [[33828]]. The N7 is standing alongside another notable preserved locomotive, no 3442 The Great Marquess. [Ref query 6628]

Stockton: The RCTS Tyne-Solway Rail Tour from Leeds City stands at Stockton in March 1965 as A1 Pacific no 60131 Osprey takes on water. The railtour ran from Leeds City to Carlisle via Newcastle, returning via the Settle & Carlisle line.

Stockton: A1 Pacific no 60131 Osprey of Copley Hill shed photographed at Stockton in March 1965 with the 6 coaches of the RCTS Tyne-Solway Rail Tour from Leeds City bound for Carlisle via Newcastle and returning to Leeds via the S&C. [The overall roof at Stockton station was removed in 1979.]

Swindon: 31234 and 47079 parked in the station sidings in Swindon on 21 March 1983. 47079 carried the name 'G.J. Churchward' for many years. After several modifications, it underwent major rework to be re-equipped with a Class 66 EMD engine and electrics to become 57009, now owned by Direct Rail Services. Not bad for a loco nearly sixty years old.

Trinity Junction: View south towards Trinity Junction in March 1986, shortly after the last of the track had been lifted. To the right is the trackbed of the original line to Canal Street (subsequently cut back to Scotland Street), while to the left is the later route linking with the ECML at Abbeyhill and Piershill Junctions (which still runs as far as Powderhall). The bridge remains once carried the Caledonian Leith branch over the junction, running right to left between Granton Road and Newhaven. All signs of the the railway at this point have now gone, with the demolition of stonework, removal of embankments and skilful land filling resulting in cycle paths/walkways crossing here today on the same level see image [[26612]].

Cambus: 26040 at Cambus on 21 March 1988 in the process of running round a short train to/from Glenochil Yeast at Menstrie. By this time the signal box had been demolished, buffer stops were installed on the former through route to Alloa yard and Cambus level crossing was closed to rail traffic. Note the felled signal post on the right. The locomotive is now privately preserved.

Swanage: Locomotive lineup at Swanage on 21 March 1993.

Kyle of Lochalsh: Your eyes do not deceive you. That is freight at Kyle of Lochalsh. Back in January of 1997 an experimental timber train was loaded at Kyle for Workington, the first freight in 15 years. That was followed in March by this train, carrying 250 tonnes of Caithness flagstone for the 'Kyle Prospect' development. The train had been loaded at Georgmas Junction, with feed destined for fish farms added at Inverness. The unloaded flagstones can be seen piled in the background. The same train was then loaded with further timber destined for Workington. See image [[36320]]

Kyle of Lochalsh: Lost Railfreight. Caithness flagstone traffic at Kyle of Lochalsh in 1997, a welcome return of freight to the line after an absence of many years. Today the line carries no freight. #COP26

Slateford: Wide view of Slateford Junction from the eastbound platform of Slateford station on 21 March 2006. An Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Central DMU is approaching.

Craiglockhart: Work in progress on securing the sides of the steep cutting between Craiglockhart and Morningside on the Edinburgh sub in March 2006 with generators and other equipment located on the old westbound platform of Craiglockhart station.

Craigentinny Depot: A man from Railtrack seems to be pondering a severe and sudden subsidence problem at the west end of Craigentinny depot on 21 March 2007.

Joppa [2nd]: Remains of the old Joppa station, standing on the north side of the ECML, on 21 March 2007. The location is currently being used by a construction firm. The building centre left is the Portobello driving test centre. A signal box once stood on the platform below. View east from Brunstane Road bridge. See image [[35305]]

Portobello [3rd]: North side bricked up entrance to the pedestrian subway under the ECML providing access to the former island platform at Portobello. March 2007. See image [[14511]]

Joppa [2nd]: The former entrance to Joppa station, looking south from Joppa Terrace on 21 March 2007. The old station building lies directly behind what is now the Portobello driving test centre. For a view of the station itself see image [[14164]].

Craigentinny Depot: A North Berwick - Waverley 322 service runs past the fuelling roads at Craigentinny in March 2007 with the main depot in the background.

Craigentinny Depot: GNER Edinburgh - London train about to pass Craigentinny sidings on 21 March 2007.

Portobello Junction: Down GNER train restarting from a red at Portobello Junction in March 2007. The bridge now carries the Portobello bypass. Its predecessor carried the Lothian Lines across the ECML, around Portobello Yards and on to Leith Docks.

Leamington Spa: 66516 takes containers north on the through road at Leamington Spa on 21 March 2007 as a Voyager makes a stop on its way south.

Leamington Spa: 66516 brings a northbound Freightliner container train through Leamington Spa under a heavy sky on 21 March 2007. Note the ex GWR platform bench and the very tidy flower bed and grassed area to the right.

Torryburn: Once the main entrance to the former Torryburn station from the main road, photographed on 21 March 2008. The site has since been redeveloped.

North Woolwich: Looking east towards North Woolwich terminus on 21 March. This section of the North London Line is now mothballed and, although the track is still in situ, the electrified third rail has now been removed.

Silvertown: The abandoned Silvertown station in East London looking towards North Woolwich on 21 March 2008, with North London Line trains now terminating at Stratford. On the right stands the Tate & Lyle sugar refinery. For the same view in July 2021 see image [[77736]].

Prince Regent: Recovered track panels from the then recently closed Stratford - North Woolwich section of the North London Line standing alongside the 1994 Docklands Light Railway station at Prince Regent on 21 March 2008. View west towards Canning Town with the Victoria and Albert Docks behind the camera. This section of the North Woolwich has been resurrected as part of Crossrail (see [[77724]]).

Midford: This covered way on the Bath side of Midford S&D looks nice and provides shelter from rain. Since construction of the Two Tunnels Trail in 2013, the surface of the trackbed is smooth tarmac from here to the far end of Devonshire tunnel.

Midford: If you haven't been to Midford for a while, you are in for a nice surprise. The viaduct has been cleared of vegetation and tarmacked, which certainly makes exploration easier. A Merchant Navy-hauled express sped across this viaduct in the opening shot of 'The Titfield Thunderbolt'. The camera then panned down to follow a rather more modest branch line train on the Camerton branch.

Midford: This heavenly view was taken from the S&D trackbed, looking down at the GWR Camerton branch. The viaduct in the centre of the picture provided the location for about half of the action shots in 'The Titfield Thunderbolt'. The pub by the S&D station, the Hope and Anchor, is highly recommended.

Midford: These overgrown steps down to the S&D platform speak volumes about lost glories. The pub by the S&D station, the Hope and Anchor, has a couple of very nice art prints in the bar if your imagination fails you about earlier times. Update 04/14: the vegetation has now been cleared.

Millburn Yard: 37 422 Cardiff Canton pictured in Millburn Yard, Inverness, on 21 March where it is on standby for snowplough duties. Meantime, the locomotive has been operating between Elgin and Laurencekirk with seed potato traffic ultimately destined for Ely, Cambridgeshire.

Banbury: Cross country service to Glasgow Central at Banbury on 21 March 2008.

Torryburn: Looking southeast towards the Forth from Main Street, Torryburn, on 21 March through the bridge carrying the Longannet - Dunfermline line. Entrance to the former station (now mainly occupied by housing) is off to the left.

Banbury: A busy cross country service to Glasgow Central calls at Banbury on 21 March 2008.

Glenrothes with Thornton: As well as having an odd, parish-like name, Glenrothes with Thornton is an odd station in that it is situated between a junction (Thornton West) and the point at which the tracks diverge, so that the bi-directional platforms are effectively on different lines. It could be said to be two single platform stations standing opposite each other! Fife Circle trains like this Inner Circle service on 21 March formed by 158 705 use Platform 1. The far fewer  trains from the Dunfermline side on to the main line at Thornton North Junction use Platform 2, which sees no departures from early morning until late evening.

Prestonpans: A North Berwick bound 322 set pulls away from the platform at Prestonpans on 21 March 2009. The train is about to run over the points controlling the turn-off for the up loop and the line into Cockenzie power station.

Dalgety Bay: A former loading ramp alongside a building once served by the line from Donibristle Junction to East Ness Jetty, now part of Donibristle Industrial Estate. Photographed on 21 March 2009. See image [[22750]]

Prestonpans: Nostalgic paraphernalia surrounding the north side exit from Prestonpans station on 21 March 2009. The railwayman figure looks like an interesting addition.... although I couldn't help wondering how it might go down with the lone passenger off the last train on a dark winter's night hurrying along the platform and turning towards the exit steps...

Humbie: The timber loading bank at Humbie still exists despite the closure of the line in 1960. The line east from here to the terminus at Gifford was closed from 1948 following collapse of the Gilchriston Bridge. The bridge was immediately east of Humbie station. The line to Smeaton and Edinburgh ran off to the right.

Humbie: A photograph of something which isn't there. Gilchriston Bridge viewed from the south. The collapse of this bridge in 1948 led to the truncation of the Gifford line at Humbie with road trucks from Haddington running to Gifford station yard.

Gifford: The trackbed just west of the former Gifford terminus in March 2009. The usual welcoming bog that is the start of a closed railway walk.

Prestonpans: 322485 has a definite 'just out of the shower' look as it runs into Prestonpans station on 21 March 2009 on an afternoon Waverley - North Berwick working.

Saltoun: Saltoun goods loading bank looking towards the former eastbound platform and level crossing. The platforms here were staggered and there was a loop. The westbound platform was immediately to the right here but all traces have disappeared. Whisky from Glenkinchie was loaded onto trains at this loading bank.

Saltoun: The timber eastbound platform at Saltoun which still sported a station building until the 1990s. The building was dismantled and taken to Bo'ness.

Humbie Viaduct: Humbie Viaduct was a large masonary clad arched viaduct just east of Saltoun station. The viaduct has been demolished and large pieces of it remain in the river. This is a real obstruction to the walker involving quite a large detour. View looks south west. Track level was above the top of this view.

Prestonpans: A sunny spring afternoon at Prestonpans in March 2009 as ScotRail 322485 pulls away from the platform with a service for North Berwick. This was a Saturday - as demonstrated by the number of vacant spaces in the car park.

Prestonpans: Makes a change.... the returning Tesco containers, ex-WHM Grangemouth, travelled via the ECML on Saturday 21 March 2009 as a result of weekend engineering work. The train, hauled by DRS 66424, is about to run through Prestonpans station at 1248 on its way south.

York: View from the south end of the footbridge at York on 21 March as a TransPennine Express service for Middlesbrough (ex-Manchester Airport) is about to leave platform 11.

York: A nice day for a stroll along the north bank of the river on 21 March 2010, just as the 1347 Scarborough - Liverpool Lime Street First TransPennine Express service crosses the Ouse on the eastern approach to York station.

York: The main entrance hall at York station on 21 March 2010. The plaque reads: 'This 19th century North Eastern Railway distant signal, one of the last in use on a passenger line, was taken out of service in 1984. Signals of this type on former NER routes were painted red until after 1928, so it has been restored to its original condition and placed here as a memento of York's railway heritage, with assistance from the NER association.'

York: Looking south through York station on 21 March 2010 as the East Coast 1200 Kings Cross - Inverness 'Highland Chieftain' draws to a halt on its journey north.

York: An afternoon Middlesbrough - Manchester Airport service calls at York on 21 March.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Central: Looking north through the site of Chapel-en-le-Frith (Midland) station on 21 March 2010. The platforms have gone but the main station building on the up side remains and is now in use as Chapel DIY. On the down side a coal yard now goes right up to the trackside. The post with a camera to the left of the down line is presumably for the signaller at Chinley Junction to confirm that there is a tail-light on the rear vehicle for any train heading east and not passing the signalbox.

York: 'There's never a taxi when you want one...' An almost eerily quiet scene looking along the taxi road under the portico at the main entrance to York station early one afternoon in March 2010 see image [[4391]].

York: An East Coast HST passing the National Railway Museum just north of York station on the afternoon of 21 March 2010, with spectators on the NRM observation balcony enjoying the free show.

York: The 1200 Kings Cross - Inverness Highland Chieftain HST prepares to head north from York on 21 March 2010.

Haxby: The former station at Haxby on the York - Scarborough line, looking south west in March 2018. Located on the north eastern outskirts of York the town has expanded significantly in recent years (population circa 10,000) and has been the subject of a number of reopening proposals, with the latest currently under consideration.

Chapel-en-le-Frith Central: The old Midland Railway station building on the up side at Chapel-en-le-Frith has received a few modifications over the years since closure and is now used by Chapel DIY. At least it survives, which is more than can be said for the buildings on the down side. Trains still pass the station but they are now the heavy freights bringing stone from the quarries at Peak Forest.

York: TransPennine 185s using the west side platforms at York in March 2010. A service to Middlesbrough is leaving platform 11 on the left, while at platform 9 two southbound trains are about to join forces for the onward journey to Manchester Airport.

York: Immediately after leaving York station, the 1347 Liverpool Lime Street - Scarborough service turns east and crosses the River Ouse. View is south along the river on a pleasant 21 March 2010, with part of York Minster visible in the left background.

York: The south east corner of York station March 2010 showing the gradual effects of 'car park creep' as experienced around many stations. The sole surviving bay platform in this corner of York (now platform 1) is occupied on this occasion by a Northern DMU on a service to Hull.

York: The main entrance to York station in March 2010. The area under the portico is used mainly by taxis, while the canopy along the front of the building is for the benefit of passengers using the various bus services that call here.

Maudlands Viaduct: Maudland viaduct shows clear evidence that it was built, in red brick, to carry two tracks but the Blackpool line was later quadrupled by adding a blue brick extension on either side. The bridge still carries Blackpool trains See image [[23385]] over Water Lane in Preston but in the 1960s the tracks were reduced back to two.

York: The taxi entrance at York from the west side of Station Road, seen here on a warm and sunny 21 March 2010. The canopy attached to the outside of the portico on the right is for the benefit of bus passengers and runs almost the whole length of the structure see image [[4391]].

Coulter: The former station at Coulter on the Caledonian route from Symington to Peebles, seen here in March 2011 looking east towards Biggar. The photograph is taken from the abutment of the now dismantled viaduct that once brought the line over the Clyde. A section of platform survives on the other side of the level crossing, while to the left of the crossing was the entrance to the goods yard. For the view in the opposite direction back towards the Clyde see image [[13760]].

Float Viaduct: The 10.00 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley TransPennine DMU crosses Float Viaduct over the River Clyde on 21 March on the south eastern approach to Carstairs.

Thankerton: The former station at Thankerton on the WCML between Symington and Carstairs, seen looking north west on 21 March 2011. Opened by the Caledonian in 1848 the station survived until 1965.

Symington [2nd]: The 12.54 Glasgow Central - Manchester Airport TransPennine Express service runs south through Symington on 21 March 2011. Little remains nowadays to show there was ever a station here, although the distinctive Quothquan Law to the north of the station site continues to provide a link with the numerous photographs taken here in steam days.

Coulter: Midway between Symington and Biggar the former Caledonian route to Peebles passed through the wayside station at Coulter. The station lost its passenger service along with the rest of the line in 1950, with the last surviving freight-only section to Broughton closing in 1966. View is north towards the level crossing in March 2011, with the platform situated on the far side of the old station house and the goods yard just beyond. Immediately to the left of the level crossing the line ran onto Wolfclyde Viaduct (see image [[6033]]).

Wolfclyde Viaduct: Islands in the stream. The remains of Wolfclyde viaduct standing in the River Clyde on the approach to the former Coulter station in March 2011. View is west towards Symington with Tinto Hill in the right background.

Wolfclyde Viaduct: View west over the Clyde and the remains of Wolfclyde viaduct in March 2011. View towards Tinto Hill and the junction with the WCML at Symington, with the site of Coulter level crossing and the former station directly behind the camera.

Thankerton: Road approach to the former station at Thankerton, South Lanarkshire, on 21 March 2011. View is south, with the wires of the WCML just visible on the left. See image [[33474]] [Ref query 279]

Symington [2nd]: The westernmost section of the SB&B seen here 45 years after closure looking towards the junction at Symington. The A72 on the left runs parallel with the former railway at this point before passing below the WCML half a mile further on. The branch turned north after clearing the farm access bridge in the distance before running along the east side of Symington goods yard to reach the junction.

Biggar: The former station at Biggar (closed 1950), complete with signal box, still stands beyond the fence looking east from the old bridge on Station Road. The site, photographed on 21 March 2011, is fairly well surrounded by commercial and residential developments nowadays, but is about to see yet more. See image [[6030]]

Thankerton: Southbound at Thankerton, some four and a half miles south of Carstairs, on 21 March 2011. The train is the 13.40 Glasgow Central - London Euston Pendolino service. The former station building can be seen above the leading vehicle.

Biggar: The old wooden goods shed at Biggar, with the former goods yard here now taken over by a local construction company. The old station building still survives just off picture to the right. View is east towards Broughton and Peebles on 21 March 2011. See [[41912]].
See query 2286

Symington [2nd]: Approximately half a mile south east of Symington Junction the Symington, Biggar and Broughton Railway crossed a bridge over the Clachan Burn. Photograph taken on 21 March 2011 looking east towards Coulter, more than 45 years after the line had closed to all traffic.

Symington [2nd]: DRS 66427 on a light engine movement from Carlisle to Grangemouth on 21 March 2011. The locomotive is about to run through the site of Symington station.

Carstairs South Junction: The 13.40 Glasgow Central - London Euston Virgin Pendolino service accelerates south after passing through Carstairs station on 21 March 2011. The high security fencing surrounding the State Hospital runs across the picture beyond the train.

Coulter: Entrance to the former goods yard at Coulter, South Lanarkshire in March 2011. View south east, with the River Clyde immediately behind the camera see image [[33335]].
See query 2185

Thankerton: View west from Station Road at the entrance to the former up goods yard at Thankerton, South Lanarkshire, in March 2011. The WCML runs past on the other side of the metal fence and the converted 1848 station building stands beyond. Thankerton station closed to passengers in January 1965.

Symington [2nd]: The 12.00 Glasgow Central - Birmingham New Street Virgin Voyager runs south through the site of Symington station (closed 1965) on 21 March 2011. The former goods yard and the trackbed of the cross country route to Peebles can still be made out on the east side of the line.

Symington [2nd]: Eastern approach to Symington along the trackbed of the Symington, Bigger and Broughton Railway in March 2011. After passing below this bridge the line swung north to the junction with the WCML at Symington station. The buildings visible through the bridge now occupy the site of the old goods yard, which stood in the V of the junction see image [[22588]].

Rachan 'Junction': Scene near Broughton on 21 March 2011, with the trackbed of the SB&B running across the centre of the picture. View is south towards Rachan Farm, with the village of Broughton off picture to the right. Meandering alongside the trackbed is the Holms Water, which is about to reach its confluence with the River Tweed, just visible on the far left above the line of trees. Eight miles further to the left, the river, road and railway all arrived at the town of Peebles, eastern terminus of the SB&B see image [[7402]]. The line lost its passenger service in 1950 with complete closure east of Broughton in 1954 and the final section between Broughton and Symington in 1966.

Dawsholm Viaduct: Partially dismantled viaduct over the River Kelvin, just south of Dawsholm, seen from Kelvindale Road in March 2011.

Wolfclyde Viaduct: After leaving the junction with the WCML at Symington the SB&B ran east and, after approximately 2 miles, reached the first station on the line at Coulter. Just before arriving there the route crossed the Clyde on a substantial viaduct. View on 21 March from Coulter station west towards Symington with the remains of the old viaduct standing in and alongside the river. Tinto Hill dominates the horizon. See image [[33335]]

Chester: Merseyrail electric unit no. 508127 departs from the west end of Chester station on 21 March 2012 heading for Liverpool.

Chester: Northern's 142042 waits in Platform 6 at Chester on 21 March 2012. The train later returned to Manchester Piccadilly over the CLC route via Knutsford and Stockport. The platform canopy used to continue to the main station building behind the camera. Almost 40 years before the photo was taken an out of control train of 38 tank wagons loaded with petroleum products, and hauled by D5028, collided with an empty DMU in the nearest bay platform (then numbered 11). Following the accident, and serous fire that resulted, part of the canopy which had been significantly damaged was removed. The official report into the accident can be found on the The Railways Archive website www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Chester1972.pdf

Chester: A Virgin Voyager waits at the east end of platform 3 at Chester station on 21 March 2012 as an Arriva Trains Wales Class 175 passes on the centre road to gain access to the west end of the platform.

Stoke-on-Trent: A CrossCountry Voyager on a Manchester to Bournemouth service calls at Stoke-on-Trent on 21 March 2012. The train is at its 3rd stop 39 minutes into the 4 hours and 45 minute journey with another 14 to go before reaching its destination.

Wigan North Western: A Birmingham - Edinburgh Virgin Voyager calls at Wigan North Western on 21 March 2012. Like several other Virgin stations in the North-West, there are extensions to accommodate 11 car Pendolinos with extensive resurfacing work being carried out.

Manchester Piccadilly: A late afternoon Arriva Trains Wales service to Chester, via Warrington Bank Quay with 175011, stands at platform 14, Manchester Piccadilly in March 2012.

Chester: The impressive station frontage at Chester, formerly Chester General, in March 2012.

Stoke-on-Trent: A London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly Pendolino calls at Stoke on Trent on 21 March 2012.

Winchcombe: Class 03 no D2182 could be forgiven for feeling a touch of agoraphobia as it waits to change tracks at the Cheltenham end of Winchcombe station on 21 March 2012.

Chester: Platform scene at Chester on 21 March 2012. On the left a Virgin Voyager has just arrived from Euston, while ATW 175110 prepares to depart eastwards for Manchester Piccadilly.

Winchcombe: This station building was formerly located at Monmouth Troy. It seems quite at home in its new location. It's a shame the G&WR couldn't repeat the relocation exercise with the recently demolished station at Bourton-on-the-Water.

Challow: A1 Pacific no 60163 Tornado in the loop on the site of Challow Station on 21 March with the Peterborough - Bristol Cathedrals Express. The locomotive had made the stop to take on water from a nearby fire tender.

Edinburgh Airport [Tram]: Edinburgh car 271 enters the Airport terminus with a training run on 21 March.

Challow: A1 Pacific no 60163 'Tornado' in the loop on the site of Challow Station on 21 March taking water from a nearby fire tender. The train is the Peterborough - Bristol Temple Meads Cathedrals Express.

Howth: Dart 8306 awaits departure for Dublin at Howth on 21 March 2014.

Dublin Connolly [Tram]: Red Line trams at Dublin Connolly Station on 21 March.

Canley: This almost planar sculpture on the booking office wall at Canley depicts a kangaroo and its joey; as you would expect in Coventry.

Howth: General view towards Howth Station in March 2014, now largely occupied by The Bloody Stream bar and restaurant. Of further interest are the abutments left background and right foreground of a bridge which carried the Hill of Howth Tramway to its terminus. Opened in June 1901 and closed on 31 May 1959.

Howth Junction: GM 071 class 080 heads north with a freight at Howth Junction on 21 March.

York: The 11.48 Scarborough - Liverpool Lime Street TransPennine service approaching the York stop on 21 March 2014. The train is about to pass below the A19, Bootham, before crossing the bridge over the Ouse to reach York Station. [Ref query 5242]

Howth Junction: A DART emu takes the Howth branch at Howth Junction on 21 March 2014.

Barrhead: The green makeover by Barrhead High School under the ScotRail adopt a station programme came just in time to lend a tropical appearance to Barrhead station during some wild weather on the evening 21 March, as a service from Glasgow Central arrives in the bay platform.

Stockingford Junction: Freightliner 66568 looks a lot greener than the vegetation as it passes Kings Wood recreation ground, approaching Arley tunnel, on a Friday lunchtime in March. I noted three Westbound freights in little more than ten minutes - three more than on my previous lunchtime visit.

Canley: Surrounded by steel: Coventry certainly looks like an industrial city as a Birmingham-bound Voyager passes the location once occupied by the main Triumph car factory.

Ansley Hall Colliery: Here is an abutment that is so decayed, it is positively artistic. It stands (just) adjacent to a farm road in the Ansley Common area of Nuneaton. Even the notice about trapping dogs (?) has been vandalized.

Canley: An up Pendolino passes through Canley, in the south western suburbs of Coventry, on 21 March 2014 see image [[46744 for the view in the opposite direction]].

Chester: 67023 just arrived at Chester station with UK Railtours' excursion from Peterborough, on the afternoon of Saturday, 21st March 2015. I joined at Finsbury Park and the train then traversed the restored Belle Isle Curve up to the London Overground east of Camden Road and then took the normally freight-only link through the disused remains of Primrose Hill station to join the WCML just beyond. Some passengers on this excursion opted to spend the afternoon exploring the historic City of Chester, not an unreasonable thing to do, but most joined the long line-up of coaches taking them across the border into Wales for a visit to the Llangollen Railway.

Llangollen: Ex-GWR 5101 class No. 5199 waiting to depart from Llangollen station for Dwyrain Corwen East with a UK Railtours' chartered train, on 21st March 2015. This 2-6-2T was built at Swindon works in 1934, one of a class introduced in 1929 designed by C.B. Collett (1871-1952). It worked on lines in the Birmingham area until 1961 when it was transferred to Gloucester but only lasted two years there before being withdrawn from service in 1963. Rescued from Barry in 1985, restoration began at Toddington and was continued at Llangollen after the locomotive was transferred here in 1988. It was not until 1st February 2003 that the locomotive could be steamed again, a full forty years after its withdrawal.

Llangollen: The picturesque setting of Llangollen station, so close to the river Dee if it was any nearer it would be in it, on 21st March 2015. The station originally opened on 2nd June 1862 and closed on 18th January 1965 when BR, in all their worldly wisdom, axed the entire Ruabon to Barmouth route, meaning passengers from cities like Liverpool and Manchester to the Cambrian Coast Line north of Barmouth then had to take a much longer route via Shrewsbury and Machynlleth. The Llangollen Railway Preservation Society took over the derelict station in 1975 and the line reopened as a heritage railway west from Llangollen in stages from 1981.

Carstairs: 380106 pauses at Carstairs on 21 March 2015 with a midday Edinburgh Waverley - Ayr service.

Carstairs: Platform furniture at Carstairs on a bright spring day in March 2015.

Carstairs: Interior of the late morning/early afternoon Edinburgh Waverley to Ayr service at Carstairs on 21 March 2015. No need to book a seat on this one.

Settle Junction: The Midland signal box at Settle Junction, as seen from a passing charter train (with opening windows!) coming off the Little North Western line from Carnforth in March 2015.

Leyburn: K4 no.61994 'The Great Marquess' arrives back at Leyburn on 21 March 2015 whilst working the 1Z48 leg of the Wensleydale and Durham Coast railtour. K1 no.62005 was on the rear of the train having earlier hauled the 1Z46 leg up to Redmire.

Taw Valley Halt: Class 73 E6003 Sir Herbert Walker at Taw Valley Halt on 21 March 2015 during the Swindon and Cricklade Railway's Diesel Day.

Taw Valley Halt: BR class 09 D3668 photographed on 21 March at Taw Valley Halt on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Ryhope Grange Junction: Ryhope Grange Junction, where the recently reinstated branch to Sunderland Dock diverges from the main line. This was the reversing point for the Wensleydale and Durham Coast steam tour which used K4 61994 and K1 62005 in top and tail formation on 21st March. The train had just arrived here and a few moments later was underway again crossing to the other line and retracing its route back to Hartlepool and Northallerton.

Bedale: K1 no 62005 passes Bedale station with the Wensleydale and Durham Coast railtour on 21 March 2015. With a number of reversals during the tour, K4 no 61994 The Great Marquess was on the rear of the train.

A9 Box Bridge [Faskally]: DRS 66303 with the 4D47 Inverness - Mossend intermodal on 21 March on the approach to the A9 box bridge, at Faskally approximately 2 miles north of Pitlochry.

Taw Valley Halt: BR class 03 D2152 at Taw Valley Halt on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway on 21 March 2015.

Leyburn: K1 62005 is serviced and watered during a stopover during the Wensleydale and Durham Coast railtour at Leyburn on 21 March 2015. The K1 had taken the train to Redmire but was now on the rear, as 61994 was leading the special on its way back to Northallerton.

Northallerton East Junction: Northallerton East Junction (in the distance) as seen from the ECML. The line to the right brings passenger trains from Middlesbrough into the station at the High Junction while in the foreground the freight lines drop down over Springwell Lane level crossing to pass under the ECML and join the slow lines at Longlands Junction.

Bedale: K4 no 61994 The Great Marquess on the rear of the Wensleydale and Durham Coast railtour on 21 March 2015. The train is seen heading west up Wensleydale towards Redmire as it passes Bedale.

Castle Hills Junction: 91108 propels an ECML service south at speed passing Castle Hills Junction. This image was taken from a train on the adjacent reversing line. The Wensleydale and Durham Coast excursion had visited the Wensleydale Railway and was waiting to rejoin the main line. For a view from the other side of the train at this location See image [[50809]].

Chester: Exterior of Chester station, opened on 1st May 1848, seen here on 21st March 2015. It was renamed Chester General in 1875 but became simply Chester again in 1969 when the city's other station, Northgate, closed.

Clapham: Early morning sunshine at Clapham station on 21st March 2015 as Brush Type 4 47760 runs through with the Wensleydale and Durham Coast rail tour. The train started at Carnforth and was steam hauled from Holgate sidings at York.

Mouldon Hill: Class 73 E6003 Sir Herbert Walker at the new Mouldon Hill station on 21 March 2015.

Seaham: K1 2-6-0 62005 leans into the curve at Seaham as it heads for York with the last leg of the Wensleydale and Durham Coast railtour on 21st March 2015. Top and tailed with K4 61994 the train had been to Redmire and also Ryhope Grange Junction near Sunderland. See image [[50846]] for the view in the opposite direction.

Castle Hills Junction: The main line connection for the Wensleydale Railway is a reversing siding at Castle Hills Junction alongside the ECML just north of Northallerton station. K1 62005 sets off for Redmire on 21 March with the Wensleydale and Durham Coast tour that had originated at Carnforth that morning. See image [[50768]] for the view from the other side of the train at this location.

Garsdale: A Carlisle to Leeds service arrives at Garsdale on 21 March 2015. It may look warm and sunny but the wind was freezing.

Seaham: Sweeping round the cliff top curves near Seaham the Wensleydale and Durham Coast tour heads back to York with K4 61994 The Great Marquess seen here bringing up the rear. K1 62005 was lead locomotive on this leg from Ryhope Grange Junction.

Baillieston: The 0944 from Glasgow Central to Inverness on the Whifflet line near Baillieston on the 21st March 2016. This service is one of those being diverted from Glasgow Queen Street High level due to the Cowlairs Tunnel works.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: View of Queen Street High Level station from the Buchanan Galleries on 21st March 2016. A rail trolley is just visible on the left under the bridge at platform 7. Otherwise, only the lack of passenger trains and the bags of cables on the platforms show that work is in progress.

Perth: The Perth destination board shows the 15:16 departure for Glasgow Central. The new station footbridge at the south end of the station is in the background.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A brief summary of the diversions in place with the closure of Queen Street High Level.

Glasgow Queen Street Low Level: Edinburgh ... via Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow.

Glasgow Central: Thanks to diversions from Queen Street, a 170 finds itself at Glasgow Central.

Cowlairs Incline: Solum being excavated to reduced levels after track removal on the up line.

Cowlairs Incline: Redundant ballast being loaded onto works train.

Barton and Broughton: Brand new DRS 68018 Vigilant, presumably on a test run from Crewe to Carlisle, draws to a stand in Barton & Broughton loop on 21st March 2016. This was a light engine movement but DRS 66429 accompanied the newcomer.

Motherwell: 37116 tailed by 37025 'Inverness TMD' on 108N at Motherwell, 21st March 2017.

Shettleston Yard: Mysterious objects stand guard among the trees in the twilight at the north side of the railway at Shettleston junction. These may be the stored sections of dismantled bridges and seem to have been there for at least 15 years. Photographed through the fence at Gartocher Terrace. UPDATE: This is in fact the strategic emergency bridging equipment which has been there since BR days when Shettleston was the home of the Regional Civil Engineer's works and plant workshops. The 'modern' Network Rail building was built as a steel fabrication workshop by BR. (Thanks to Jim Watson for information).

Shettleston Yard: Assorted pieces of plant pictured at dusk at the north side of Shettleston junction. These seem have been here for some years.

Galashiels: Nice to see the Flying Scotsman mural now on display next to the Grapevine bar across the river from the transport interchange.

Tay Bridge: The 17.20 Dundee to Edinburgh Waverley Turbo star cautiously crossing the Tay Bridge due to structural painting works.

Margam Knuckle Yard: Tata Steels internally built loco No 921 returns to Port Talbot Works with empty coil wagons on 21st March 2018.

Hest Bank: A look back to the much missed daily loco hauled train from Barrow-in-Furness with 68018 leading 2C32 through Hest Bank on 21st March 2018. These workings finished a few weeks later with the May timetable change.

Aberthaw: The site of Aberthaw High Level station. The lines to the right run west to Bridgend and those to the left to Aberthaw power station. The Low Level station was to the left.

Margam Middle Junction: IEP 800 set passing Margam Middle Jct with a Swansea to London Paddington service on 21st March 2018.

Aberthaw: The view south east looking away from the former Aberthaw High Level station. The lines coming off on the right run to Aberthaw Power Station.

Margam Knuckle Yard: Colas 70803, with the Chirk to Baglan Bay empties, passing Margam Knuckle Yard on 21st March 2018.

Hest Bank: The Salopian Express on 21st March 2018 was originally set to be Jubilee hauled from Crewe but 35018 British India Line was turned out and took the train from Carnforth. This was the first revenue earning run for the Merchant Navy Pacific since restoration and it is seen here passing Hest Bank wreathed in steam. I believe the livery is still BR Green!

Margam Knuckle Yard: Tata Steel loco No 921 waits to enter Margam Knuckle Yard with some covered coil wagons on 21st March 2018.

Tay Bridge: Centenary plaque on Riverside footpath. The inscription says it all.

Cardiff Canton Depots: A grab shot, passing Cardiff Canton on 21st March 2019, of resident shunter 08499 and Class 769 Flex bi-mode (formerly 319) unit. This was probably 769002, which was delivered to Canton for TfW that month.

Dundee West Goods: Two track maintenance machines with two famous Civil Engineering names, Thomas Telford for Roads building and William Arrol for Steel Viaducts and bridges parked in the West sidings.

Blackford: An Inverness train passes the new footbridge at the entrance to the new Highland Spring sidings on 21st March 2019. This bridge will replace the pedestrian Panholes level crossing when it opens next week.

Tay Bridge: Scottish Inter city logos on the two power cars, but as yet unliveried coaches, on an Aberdeen to Edinburgh HST service on 21st March 2019.

Dundee Central Junction: Dundee Station, taken from the new footbridge connecting Tesco and the town side, on 21st March 2019.

Dundee Esplanade: Dundee Esplanade. Photograph taken from the new footbridge linking Tesco's and the City side.

Dundee: Panoramic view of Dundee Station with The Discovery, V&A museum and the Tay Road bridge in the background.

Arbroath: I was waiting for an early morning Aberdeen train at Arbroath when this class 158 pulled into the station and I boarded it, only to hear an announcement that the train terminated here. The following Aberdeen HST service arrived a few minutes later. This was the 21st March 2020, the day before National lockdown.

Woodacre Crossing: Rail still delivering the goods during the national emergency. 88002 'Prometheus' heads south at Woodacre with a full load of containers on 21st March 2020.

Garstang Town: A section of Garstang and Knott End trackbed has been taken over by gardens just to the west of Garstang Town, but one enterprising householder bought a lengthy parcel of land after the 1963 final closure, leading to a very long, but thin, garden. Beyond this fence the trackbed is all in private ownership but this photo was taken from a small piece of public open space, with the now blocked up railway bridge under the A6 road behind. 21st March 2020, ten days before the 90th anniversary of the end of passenger services.

Woodacre Crossing: Last steam for quite a while. 98513 (45212) works back from Slough to Carnforth, engine plus coach, passing Woodacre on 21st March 2020. It was originally intended to continue to Fort William but the Jacobite services were subsequently cancelled due to Covid-19 and the locomotive probably returned to home base at the KWVR. The last two numbers of the TOPS designation is usually the same as the last two cabside numbers (TOPS number 985=steam power class 5) but 98512 is allocated to GWR 'Manor' 7812 and so this Black 5 has the next in line.

Slochd Viaduct: This could be my last shot for a while. 37403 'Isle of Mull,' in BR large logo livery, leads the Network Rail test train over Slochd Viaduct on the way to Inverness on 21st March 2020. 37419 'Carl Haviland 1954-2012' in Intercity livery was on the rear.

Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site: Signal B2 (or was it B1?) controlled access to the hopper at Blindwells and is still standing many years after the track was lifted and despite the ongoing development of the site. Signal B1 (or B2) was off to the right and faced the junction with the ECML. It though has recently been felled. Photographed over the ECML on 21 March 2020.

Edinburgh Waverley: The Northern Belle pulls out of Waverley's Platform 19 on 21 March 2020, bound for wherever it was going. Those who know about that clock won't need to be told that the time was 1358. There were more staff than customers on board and I was surprised it was running at all in the (coronavirus) circumstances.

Musselburgh: A North Berwick to Edinburgh service pulls into Musselburgh on 21 March 2020. This was the last day of regular weekday service before the emergency coronavirus timetable. ScotRail's Dunbar services (like the retreating one, just visible) are a casualty.

St James's Park: LU roundel on the eastbound platform at St James's Park, Circle and District Lines, opened by the Metropolitan District Railway on 24th December 1868 with the first stage of the line from South Kensington to Westminster Bridge (renamed simply Westminster in 1907), on 21st March 2021. This is the only roundel sign on this station to show its name as St. James's Park, the others show St James Park without the apostrophe.

High Street Kensington: Entrance to High Street Kensington station on 21st March 2021. Passengers pass through a delightful arcade of shops before actually arriving at the ticket hall. This station was opened by the Metropolitan Railway from Praed Street junction, west of Edgware Road to South Kensington, on 1st October 1868 but for very many decades now has been served by the Circle Line and the Edgware Road to Wimbledon stretch of the District Line. The Metropolitan District Railway, a separate concern, made an end-on junction with this line at South Kensington.

Donibristle Platform: GBRf 66753 'EMD Roberts Road', with 66786 on the rear, passes the site of Donibristle Platform with a Laurencekirk to Millerhill engineers train on 21 March 2021.

Knightsbridge: Modern-style LU roundel at Knightsbridge, Piccadilly Line, on 21st March 2021. This station opened with the first stage of the Great Northern, Piccadilly & Brompton Railway, now part of the much extended Piccadilly Line, on 15th December 1906.

Knightsbridge: Westbound refurbished LUL 1973 stock train on Piccadilly Line departing from Knightsbridge on 21st March 2021.

Reston: Widening of the embankment at the future site of Reston station, with some preparation of the future car park site.

Victoria [Underground]: One of the stairwell entrances to Victoria Underground station, LU Circle, District and Victoria Lines, on 21st March 2021.

Haymarket: I had noticed that the clock on the front of Haymarket station had stopped but the solution seems a bit drastic. I'd say most Edinburgensians, if asked to picture a clock at Haymarket, would have in mind the war memorial clock tower, which is within sight of here. Looks like we are in for a fine display of buddleia this summer.

Carnforth: Although a public footpath runs round the back of Carnforth shed and yard, and there is always a wealth of classic traction present, the views are limited to say the least. This image, on 21st March 2022, is about as good as it gets but does show a number of the West Coast fleet present that day. On the far side of the yard is 37706 and 33029. Coming towards the camera is a WC Brush 4 and then 57008 and 57009. These two 57s were bought from DRS and tripped to Carnforth from Longtown the previous week, along with 57010, 011 and 012. Their livery is presently DRS but with the logos blacked out and it is not clear yet what the plans are for the new arrivals. Continuing forward we see 57601 in Pullman livery, another 37 receiving attention and 57010 in the immediate foreground. Just off to the right was 86401.