Crewe South Shed: Ex-GWR 'Grange' class 4-6-0 no 6838 Estevarney Grange stand in the shed yard at Crewe South on 31 March 1963. The locomotive was a visitor from 86G Pontypool Road.

Crewe North Shed: 46251 City of Nottingham at Crewe North shed in the spring of 1963.

Crewe South Shed: Stanier Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45552 Silver Jubilee stands out of use at Crewe South shed in 1963. The locomotive was officially withdrawn by BR in September 1964 and broken up at Cashmores, Great Bridge, in January 1965.

Union Bridge: Empty stock for a rush-hour suburban service from Glasgow St Enoch is propelled across the Clyde on the Union Bridge by Standard 2-6-4T 80120. 31st March 1965.

Polmadie Shed: Brush Type 4 D1634 in the sidings at Polmadie on 31 March 1965.

Kennishead Viaduct: 70035 Rudyard Kipling takes a parcels train north over Kennishead Viaduct on 31 March 1965.

Kennishead Viaduct: Kingmoor Black 5 no 44677 brings a train off the south end of Kennishead Viaduct in March 1965.

Gorbals Junction: A solitary Hillman Husky is parked on Hospital Street, at the western end of Glasgow's Gorbals district, as Kingmoor Black 5 44911 passes above with the 17.30 Glasgow St Enoch-Carlisle. 31st March 1965

Busby Viaduct: BR Standard tank 80063 at the head of the 5.8pm St Enoch - East Kilbride train crossing Busby Viaduct on 31 March 1965.

Princes Street Gardens Cutting: An EE Type 4 takes an Aberdeen train west through Princes Street Gardens in March 1972. The train is about to pass a Waverley bound DMU held at signals.

Edinburgh Waverley: A Deltic about to leave Waverley in March 1972 with a London Kings Cross train.

Forres [2nd]: DMU set 300 westbound in Forres Station, at 1745 on the 31st of March 1979. The DMU is a BR Class 120, Swindon built in 1959.

Kinloss [3rd]: A DMU eastbound at Kinloss level crossing on 31 March 1979

Exeter Central: 50029 Renown approaching Exeter Central with a train from London in 1984. Through the bridge a classmate is preparing to leave the platform on the reverse journey.

Crigglestone Junction: 31416 hauling a failed Metro Cammell DMU on the 13.40 Leeds - Sheffield service on 31 March 1988. The combination is seen shortly after passing Crigglestone Junction signal box.

Brora: 37415 on a southbound train passes and changes crew with a northbound service at Brora. This was taken on 31 March 1989 when the Far North Line was isolated by the Ness Viaduct collapse.

Dingwall: View south from the footbridge at Dingwall on 31 March 1989. 37417 Highland Region is receiving attention in the former goods yard while a Mk1 coach and 156 unit are stabled beyond. Taken during the isolated operation of the Far North line due to collapse of the Ness Viaduct.

Muir of Ord: Looking south over Muir of Ord yard on 31 March 1989 with the temporary locomotive shed under construction in the background. This facility was provided to service the trains isolated by the Ness Viaduct collapse.

Oykel Viaduct: 37414 crosses the Shin Viaduct with a northbound train. Taken on 31 March 1989 when the Far North Line was isolated by the Ness Viaduct collapse.

Culloden Moor: Looking south over Culloden Moor goods yard towards the viaduct. I think the bitumen traffic had ceased. (Can anyone confirm the closure date?)

Clitheroe: 37214 and 37354 head a cement train through Clitheroe south-west towards Blackburn in March 1992. The train had originated from Horrocksford Cement works, accessing the mainline at Horrocksford Jct less than a mile away.

Clitheroe: 150227 calls at Clitheroe on 31 March 1992 prior to the re-introduction of a full service on the Ribble Valley line.

Colne: 142015 and guard wait to return west to Blackpool South from the terminus at Colne on 31 March 1992. Once a busy through station to Skipton, the Colne to Skipton section was closed in 1970. Today there is a proposal to reopen this section with Skipton East Lancashire Railway Action Partnership (SELRAP) being the group behind the scheme.

Colne: 142015 waits at Colne on 31 March 1992 preparing to set off for Blackpool South. The unit had recently been reallocated to the area from the south-west and at the time still retained the livery of the previous sector operators.

Clitheroe: 150227 arrives at Clitheroe on a driver training run in March 1992.

Clitheroe: 37354 and 37214 head a cement train through Clitheroe south-west towards Blackburn in March 1992. At this time passenger services to Clitheroe from Manchester had not restarted, however a considerable amount of work has been carried out to the platforms, including the provision of new shelters. The original station building on the right was not part of the reopening plans however it has since been restored and now is used as a gallery. The train had originated from Horrocksford cement works, a short distance to the north-east. One of the works chimneys can be seen in the distance above the platform.

Doniford Beach Halt: 4920 Dumbleton Hall, at Doniford Halt, WSR, 31 March 1997.

Doniford Beach Halt: GWR 4-6-0 no 4920 Dumbleton Hall with a train at Doniford on the West Somerset Railway in March 1997.

Crowcombe Heathfield: GWR King Class 4-6-0 6024 'King Edwards I', seen at Crowcombe on the West Somerset Railway in March 2001.

Burntisland [1st]: At the time of writing (December 2009) the 1847 building at Burntisland is undergoing sympathetic renovation by Historic Scotland as business premises. This was the terminus for trains to the north in the period before the Forth Bridge opened in 1890 when Burntisland became a through station on a different alignment. The traces of the hipped roof above the one-time buffer stops are obvious and I hope will not be 'renovated away'. Estate agents eventually gave up trying to let the former platform building on the right (most recently [but that's relative] a railwaymen's social club) and bricked up the windows, but at least it's still there. Photographed on 31 March 2002.

Lammerlaws Yard: The since-lifted remains of Lammerlaws Yard, to the east of Burntisland docks, looking east on 31 March 2002 with the rocky promontory of Lammerlaws itself in the background. At this stage these tracks were still physically connected to the mainline as were all remaining tracks in the docks area. Then a mobile phone station was built on the access from the main line. The junction itself was finally severed in 2009 after many years of disuse, though a signal controlling access to the main line remained in place and lit until 2008.

Tay Viaduct [Perth]: 170426 crosses the Tay Viaduct, Perth, in 2007.

Strathcarron: Waiting in the loop at Strathcarron for the northbound crossing service on 31 March 2007

Craiglockhart: An Edinburgh - Bathgate train approaching Craiglockhart on 31 March, having been diverted around the sub from Waverley due to engineering works.

Slateford Junction: Taking the scenic route - a Waverley bound service turns south at Slateford Junction on 31 March 2007 to join the sub at Craiglockhart Junction and take the long way round to Waverley due to engineering work at the west end.

Niddrie West Junction: 158508 rounds the curve from Brunstane to Niddrie West Junction on 31 March 2007 on a diverted Waverley - Glasgow Central via Shotts service.

Niddrie North Junction: A GNER HST diverted around the sub due to engineering works on 31 March 2007. The train is passing the site of Niddrie North Junction on its way to Niddrie West.

Niddrie West Junction: A Bathgate bound train slows for the crossover at Niddrie West on 31 March while taking the diversionary route round the 'sub' from Waverley.

Niddrie West Junction: A PW train on the line from Niddrie South Junction on 31 March 2007 suffers a lengthy signal check on the approach to Niddrie West due to the large volume of diverted traffic using the sub on this particular day.

Brunstane: The Measurement Train runs through Brunstane on 31 March 2007 on the line to Millerhill.

Nairn: 158705 approaching Nairn with a service for Inverness.

Nairn: The signal box at the east end of Nairn station in March 2007.

Niddrie West Junction: Diverted westbound train heading for Bathgate crosses Niddrie West Junction in the shadow of Arthurs Seat on 31 March 2007.

Nairn: Nairn station buildings from the car park.

Niddrie West Junction: A ballast train joins the sub at Niddrie West off the Millerhill line on 31 March with 66085 at the front and 66191 bringing up the rear.

Nairn: 158705 stopping at Nairn with a service for Inverness.

Nairn: Nairn station buildings from the Inverness platform.

Nairn: Looking east at Nairn from the overbridge at the station.

Nairn: Looking west from the overbridge at Nairn, 158705 in the distance. Also in shot is the overgrown sidings and the signal box at the west side of the station.

Nairn: The former waiting rooms on the Inverness bound platform. The building to the right is now a florists!

Nairn: View at Nairn station showing the now overgrown sidings.

Nairn: 158705 at Nairn with passengers boarding for Inverness.

Niddrie North Junction: The Network Rail Measurement Train leaves an exhaust trail over the former Niddrie North Junction in March 2007 as it turns towards Millerhill.

Brunstane: An Edinburgh - Bathgate service runs clockwise around the sub through Brunstane on 31 March 2007 due to engineering works at Waverley.

Brunstane: The Measurement Train turns towards Millerhill having just passed through Brunstane and the site of the former Niddrie North Junction on 31 March 2007. The line in the foreground is the sub to Niddrie West.

Helmsdale: The sad remains of the once proud and busy station at Helmsdale. Photographed on 31 March 2007.

Niddrie North Junction: SWT liveried 158789 on a Waverley - Newcraighall service seen shortly after leaving Brunstane in March 2007 on the final leg of its short journey.

Forres [2nd]: Signal at Forres Station, looking east.

Forres [2nd]: Forres Station, buildings and disused platform, looking west.

Forres East Junction: Looking east from Forres, showing the signal box, signal and passing loop.

Forres [2nd]: Forres Station, looking west towards Nairn, with the disused station platform also in shot.

Forres [2nd]: Forres Station and buildings, looking east.

Kinbrace: 6.44am on 31 March 2007 and the first train of the day from Thurso arrives at Kinbrace.

Poppleton: 150269 leaves the single track and enters Poppleton over the level crossing.

Kirbymoorside: Opened as Kirby Moorside in 1874 and renamed Kirbymoorside in 1948 the station closed to passengers in 1953. The buildings and yard, seen from the road bridge looking east towards Pickering, were last used by an agricultural equipment company. The current name of the town (road signs etc.) is Kirkbymoorside. See image [[61135]]

Alloa: Alloa station building and steps in morning sunshine, on 31st March.

Kirbymoorside: Looking south towards the former station at Kirbymoorside from the A170 in March 2008, with the bridge carrying Ings Lane on the right. By this time the site was deserted, having recently been abandoned by its last occupant, Russell's Agricultural Equipment Ltd. Demolition and site clearance took place 2 years later. (See image [[61135]].)

Sinclairtown [1st]: The former goods shed at Sinclairtown on 31 March 2008, with rails still in place.

Haig's Siding: Part of the sidings off the Leslie branch that once served Haigs Markinch bottling plant, photographed on 31 March 2008.

Pickering: One of the posters used to announce the commencement of scheduled NYMR through services between Pickering and Whitby in early 2007. The picture features A4 Pacific no 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

Milliken Park: 334004 at the head of a two unit set with a service for Ayr approaching Milliken Park station

Barton Hill: An old North Eastern Railway trespass warning sign at Barton Hill where the station is closed but signalbox remains (see left) on the York to Scarborough line.

Pickering: Rare photograph looking across Park Street, Pickering on 31 March 2008, showing vacant car parking spaces outside the main station entrance...

Sinclairtown [1st]: The former NCL depot at Sinclairtown on 31 March 2008. The rail access end has been bricked up. This was built on part of the goods yard, but in the 19th century was the location of the up passenger platform as shown on the OS map of 1895. By the 1914 edition the station had been moved to the other (north) side of St Clair Street.

Pickering: D6700 at the south end of Pickering station in March 2008.

Pickering: Rustic rural scene at Pickering station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in the spring of 2008. Looking north across platform 1 from the footbridge towards the moors on a sunny March afternoon, with the houses of Park Street in the background.

Alloa: Final fitting out at Alloa on 31st March 2008

Sinnington: The 1875 station at Sinnington, North Yorkshire, situated midway between Kirbymoorside and Pickering. View looking east from Marton Road level crossing in March 2008.

Garstang Town: 80 years to the day since its closure to passengers on 31st March 1930, this is the view west along the old GKER railway embankment east of Garstang towards the site of Garstang Town station. The station site itself has been built over. The railway bridge over the River Wyre was demolished after closure to goods in 1965 but a new bridge was installed as part of the water treatment and flood defence scheme seen here. My grandfather used to catch the Pilling Pig from Garstang Town to Garstang & Catterall to go to school in Lancaster but this was never a convenient journey for local residents and direct buses along the A6 later put paid to the train service.

Garstang Town: On the 80th anniversary of its closure to passengers (310330) this is the view along the old GKER railway embankment east of Garstang towards the WCML. Just beyond the gate, part of the embankment has been removed for a flood basin scheme but beyond that the footpath joins it again as far as the cutting near the WCML. See image [[18535]].

Berwick-upon-Tweed: 91113 propels the 09.50 Glasgow Central - London Kings Cross south out of Berwick station and onto the Royal Border Bridge on 31 March 2011.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: Northern Pacer 142004 heads south on the Up Fast at Euxton on 31 March 2011, although failing to reach or even come close to achieving linespeed. The appearance of these units on the Fast Lines of the 4 track section here is unusual, possibly just as unusual as seeing a unit head south with 'Preston' on the destination board but this was an ecs move so perhaps that was the excuse. The rear destination board was however displaying 'Wigan Wallgate' so it is anyones guess where the unit was actually going!

Edinburgh Waverley: Work finally underway on Waverley Steps. Photographed on 31 March 2011.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: A pair of DRS Class 37s heading south light engine to Crewe passing Euxton on 31 March 2011 with 37087 leading 37218. In the background a northbound Virgin Pendolino is approaching Euxton Junction.

Edinburgh Waverley: The 6-car 14.48 service to Helensburgh Central waits at Waverley platform 9 on 31 March 2011.

Glasgow Central: A scene doomed by the timetable changes to come - the 09.50 for Kings Cross with 91113 propelling, alongside a Euston Pendolino and a Birmingham Voyager at Glasgow Central on 31 March 2011.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: WCRC locomotive collection. No 47851 (at the rear of this group) had been sent to Barrow Hill to collect 57001 the previous day, following which the pair then headed for Barry to pick up 47768 (sandwiched between the other two). The trio then headed north to Carnforth on 31 March and are seen here passing Euxton on the fast line not far from home.

Berwick-upon-Tweed: The 05.20 CrossCountry service from Plymouth calls at Berwick on time at 13.22 on 31 March 2011 on its way to Waverley.

Parbold: The 'Sandgrounder' railtour, with 67029 leading and 67005 at the rear, photographed approaching Parbold on its return from Southport to London Kings Cross on 31 March 2012. The train was moving very slowly at this point as it was waiting for the earlier service train to clear the section to Wigan Wallgate.

Statfold Barn: Great fun! Scene on the narrow gauge Statfold Barn Railway on 31 March 2012.

Wilpshire Tunnel: A Clitheroe to Manchester Victoria service exits the 324 yard Wilpshire Tunnel on the climb to the summit at Ramsgreave on 31 March 2012.

Statfold Barn: Harrogate receives some attention on the Statfold Barn Railway on 31 March 2012.

Nuneaton: Sometimes the old techniques come in handy. Panned shot of Freightliner 66620 passing Nuneaton platform 5 with a train of fly ash on 1 April 2012. The train had come off the Leicester line; the parallel track on the left would offer an alternative connection, had it been commissioned - hence the rust.

Statfold Barn: Scene on the Statfold Barn Railway on 31 March 2012.

Forton: 86259 Les Ross sweeps round the curves at Forton on its way from Euston to Carnforth with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'. From Carnforth the train was steam hauled to Carlisle by 70013 and back to Farington Junction over the S & C. 86259 then returned the train to London.

Statfold Barn: GP39 operating on the Statfold Barn Railway on 31 March 2012.

Tynemouth: Worth waiting for. A section of of the newly restored roof of the NER 1882 Tynemouth Station seen on 31 March 2012. See image [[30456]]

Camps Junction: Freightliner 66544 approaches the former Camps Junction with a Leith - Killoch loaded coal train on 31 March 2012. See image [[25874]]

Parbold: 67005 brings up the rear of The Sandgrounder railtour as it passes Parbold on the return from Southport on 31 March 2012.

Wilpshire: A Northern service to Clitheroe with 156423 passes the closed station of Wilpshire in March 2012. The down platform still exists although there is no trace of the up platform on the right. The station closed in 1962 but a new station, Ramsgreave and Wilpshire opened about 400m to the south of this location in the 1990s when services were restored between Blackburn and Clitheroe.

Statfold Barn: Shed scene on the Statfold Barn Railway on 31 March 2012.

Lostock Hall Junction: Having hauled the Cumbrian Mountain Express from Carlisle to Farington Jct, 70013, with support coach, and 37676 head towards Lostock Hall Junction (in the background) where 70013 will then take the train towards Preston and back to Carnforth

Parbold: Northern Pacer 142063 had just departed from Parbold with a Southport to Manchester Victoria service when it was photographed on 31 March 2012. Ten years on and the signal cabin is still in use controlling the block sections with Burscough Bridge to the west and Wigan Wallgate to the east, two level crossings and a trailing crossover with a mixture of semaphore and colour light signals.

Statfold Barn: Part of the extensive collection of old railway signs and notices on display at the Statfold Barn Railway. See image [[26339]]

Tynemouth: The refurbished concourse and roof canopies at the south end of Tynemouth station in March 2012. A credit to the 'Friends of Tynemouth Station' and other like-minded people who have worked hard over many years in order to bring about this transformation see image [[38206]].

Tynemouth [N and B]: Part of the former 1847 Newcastle & Berwick Railway terminus at Tynemouth in March 2012. The building survives in residential use following major refurbishment. See image [[21704]]

Lostock Hall: Having handed over the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' to 86259 at Farington Junction for the return to Euston, 70013 with support coach and WCRC 37676 head through Lostock Hall on 31 March 2012 on their way back to Carnforth.

Statfold Barn: Having a break. Scene on the Statfold Barn Railway, 31 March 2012.

Tynemouth: Weekend use of the considerable concourse space available under the recently refurbished glass roof at Tynemouth station on Saturday 31 March 2012. The view shows part of the popular Tynemouth weekend market in full swing.

Statfold Barn: Something different.... scene on the Statfold Barn Railway in March 2012.

Bishops Lydeard: The distinctive front end of 6024 'King Edward I' at Bishops Lydeard on 31 March 2012.

Camps Junction: 380 104 passes the site of Camps Junction signalbox and level crossing with the 15.14 from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh on 31 March. The gate on the right is on the formation of the Camps branch which served a goods station and quarries.

Chorley: A First TransPennine Express Class 185 on a service to Manchester Airport enters Chorley as it leaves the deep cutting on the north side of the town on 31 March 2012. Beneath the photographer is Chorley Tunnel and in the background is Rivington Pike on the West Pennine Moors.

Chepstow: There is something pleasantly nostalgic about a station light labelled with the station name; even if it contains a modern fluorescent bulb. This lamp bracket photographed at Chepstow in March 2013 has a pleasing complexity.

Speech House Road: The Speech House (about a mile to the right of this picture) was a seat of local government, where Free Foresters made speeches to present their opinions to their administrators. You would struggle to get there by train after 1929, when all passenger services North of Lydney were withdrawn, although freight services survived here until 1963. View looks North on 31 March 2013, along what is now a very popular cycle trail.

Coleford: A rake of wagons at Coleford on the Perrygrove Railway in March 2013. The broom leaning on the wagon on the right shows us how small these wagons are. It's the biggest of the six - and the broom isn't exactly vertical. Try that on an HAA.

Blakeney: Now that's what I call a car port. I should imagine the value of Bridge House went up rather substantially after the steam railway crossing the stone arched viaduct at Blakeney was closed. However, despite the charms of living in the Forest of Dean, I'd rather not have to reverse out over this narrow concrete bridge.

Coleford: What do you mean, you've never seen a 15 inch gauge dining car before? This replica was built in 2000 from drawings and photographs of the original, which served on the Duffield Bank Railway. It has seats on both sides, a gangway, and a working kitchen; but full sized dinner plates are not recommended.

Chepstow: A CrossCountry Turbostar bound for Nottingham passes through Chepstow non-stop on 31st March 2013. The driver smiled as I juggled snack storage and photography. The former goods shed can be seen beyond the footbridge.

Oakiron: The 15 inch Perrygrove Railway is designed to entertain children; so I usually enjoy a visit! Their Tasmanian-built Beyer-Garratt No. 3 is here seen approaching the top station (Oakiron) on the reverse S-shaped layout. The smart red coaches were built by Alan Keef Ltd., not too far away at Lea Line.

Chepstow: View East from Chepstow station towards the bridge over the River Wye. On a Sunday evening there are two hours between each stopping service; so it looks like this for much of the time. Notice the (closed) ticket office. For a view the other way see image [[42578]].

Coleford: If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a small surprise. Not a class 14 'teddy bear' diesel, but a 15-inch-gauge Beyer Garrett. Taken looking towards Heywood station - though not the East Lancs version.

Blakeney: Another view of the splendid old viaduct in Blakeney see image [[42567]]. The vegetation appears to be protecting the stonework more than damaging it. The Central Railway was the last to be built into the Forest of Dean, but petered out in the middle of nowhere after it became clear that there was little traffic to be carried. Notice the compact cottage to the right.

Gloucester: Just South of the T-junction at the East end of the station, that increasingly rare feature - an advertisement on a bridge girder. How handy it would be, if you were driving through Gloucester and had a sudden urge to buy a reducing valve, to have this large arrow pointing you towards a factory producing that very same commodity! Having said that, if you followed the arrow and found that the factory had been demolished and replaced by housing, you might find the address of the new owners - also in Gloucester - a bit more useful.

Dicconson Lane and Aspull Halt: A view south at the site of Dicconson Lane & Aspull Halt in 2013. The station, having been reduced to halt status in 1936, was closed in 1954 with the Crow Nest Jct to Blackrod Jct line closing completely in 1968. At some point after the line was lifted, part of the embankment here was removed to construct the track that can be seen leading down to Dicconson Lane road. The Up platform (ash and sleeper construction) would have been on top of the embankment to the left.

Coleford: The Perrygrove Railway's 15-inch gauge Beyer-Garrett see image [[42797]] photographed from within the train as it rounds a curve on 31 March 2013.

Ruspidge Halt: Looking south towards Ruspidge in March 2013 see image [[29521 for the view in the opposite direction]]. I don't know how many of the features of this rebuilt halt are original, but let's not be too picky.

Blakeney: How many uses can one old viaduct have? We've already seen the car port see image [[42567]], here the other end of the viaduct forms part of a farmer's livestock pen and supports a street name plaque. Hmm - should be strong enough for the latter purpose!

Oakiron: I come all the way up here and they give me the run around. Another view see image [[42745]] of the 15-inch gauge Beyer-Garrett in the Forest of Dean in March 2013.

Oakiron: Another view of the Perrygrove Railway's 15-inch gauge Beyer Garrett see image [[42590]]. This railway is located near Coleford in the Forest of Dean, which offers a feast of railway remains; and two steam railways (three if you count the test track at Alan Keef's works at Lea Line).

Haymarket [Tram]: An Edinburgh tram on test standing alongside Haymarket station on 31 March 2014.

Bridge No 95: Work well underway on the bridge over the Gala Water at Kilnknowe Junction, Galashiels, on 31 March 2014. Note the orange resue dinghy over on the far left.

Bank Junction: 66093 nears Bank Junction, New Cumnock, on 31 March with coal from Hunterston for West Burton power station.

Woolley Tunnel: Number 6 air shaft, located over the upside bore of Woolley Tunnel, is located just off Bramley Lane close to the top of the embankment alongside the M1 entry slip road from Woolley Edge southbound services. Of note is the bolt-on access panel and the fair degree of distortion in the brickwork around the base section. A stone built air shaft, number 5, over the downside bore is sited at a lower level on the opposite side of Bramley Lane alongside the exit from the lorry parking area for the southbound services. See image [[55837]]. A further stone built air shaft, Number 2, again for the upside bore, sits alongside the M1 entry slip road from the northbound services, whilst a further two brick air shafts, numbers 7 & 8, have been located further south close to a pathway through the woodland running from this shaft, but I only noted number 8 when returning up some steps as it was well concealed by the extensive growth. Number 7 is also visible from the adjacent farmers field.

Galashiels: Changes to the Galashiels road layout in March 2014 to make way for the new interchange see image [[44638]]. View north with the station site on the east side of Ladhope Vale alongside the pedestrian crossing in the right background. To the left is the rerouted Stirling Street, now running through the centre of the former bus station. The area between will accommodate the new transport interchange.

Kilnknowe Junction: Looking south east towards Kilnknowe Junction on 31 March from Kilnknowe Place road bridge, Galashiels. The Waverley and Peebles lines ran in parallel at this point see image [[28518]]. The bridge carrying Plumtreehall Brae over the trackbed can just be made out through the fog in the background.

Killoch Colliery: Freightliner 66548 about to pass under the A70 road on the approach to Killoch on 31 March 2014.

Kilnknowe Junction: The view north west from Kilnknowe Place road bridge, Galashiels, on 31 March 2014, with Wood Street off to the left and Kilnknowe Park on the right. Up ahead the Peebles Loop began its turn west away from the main line, with the Waverley Route continuing north towards Edinburgh see image [[58513]].

Paterson's No 2 Siding: Works around the old footbridge linking Low Buckholmside and High Buckholmside, Galashiels, on 31 March 2014. Looking south towards Ladhope tunnel.

Boig Road Level Crossing: DBS 66100 grinds uphill towards Boig Road level crossing on 31 March 2014 with coal empties from Carlisle to Greenburn loading point. [Ref query 4651]

Bank Junction: DBS 66121 climbs away from Bank Junction, New Cumnock, on 31 March 2014 with coal from Greenburn destined for West Burton power station.

New Cumnock: Freightliner Heavyhaul 66548 powers through New Cumnock with coal hoppers on 31 March 2014.

Drongan: A coal train on the Killoch branch climbing away from Drongan in March 2014.

Alloa: A Hunterston - Longannet coal train rumbles east through Alloa station on 31 March 2015, some five miles short of its destination.

Causewayhead: Looking north over Waterside level crossing, Causewayhead, on 31 March 2015. Having left Stirling station less than 3 minutes earlier, the 1320 ex Glasgow Queen Street is currently heading east towards Alloa.

Stirling: A ScotRail DMU stabled in bay platform 7 at the south end of Stirling station during the afternoon of 31 March 2015.

Oubeck Loops: Running alongside the Ou Beck on 31 March 2015, past the loops of the same name, is Colas Rail 66849 with a loaded log train from Carlisle to Chirk.

Oubeck Loops: Ex-Thameslink 319366 was in regular use by Northern Rail between January and May 2015, shuttling between Preston and Carnforth on driver training duties. Northern refurbished the 319s taken into passenger service but 319366 was in as cascaded condition on these duties. The EMU is seen here at Oubeck on 31st March 2015.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: First ScotRail 170414 photographed following arrival at Glasgow Queen Street on 31 March 2015 with the 0945 ex-Edinburgh Waverley. See image [[50712]]

Kilmarnock Workshops: An Irish Rail carriage in the yard at Brodie's, Kilmarnock, on 31 March 2015 awaiting conversion as part of the 'Belmond Grand Hibernian' luxury train, due to launch in 2016.

Cambus: The 1341 Alloa - Glasgow Queen Street has just passed Alloa West loop and is approaching Cambus level crossing on 31 March 2015. The spire of St Mungo's church is prominent in the background. see image [[12786]]

Forsinard: Topped and tailed with 37s a Network Rail train heads north across the level crossing into Forsinard station.

Glasgow Queen Street Low Level: A slickly executed 4 minute crew changeover takes place for the 22:18 service to Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk High.

Barnby Bridge Junction: A lower section of a bridge abutment stands on the south side of the A635 between Barnsley and Cawthorne. It was on the Silkstone Branch of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway that formerly ran from Silkstone Junction on the Barnsley to Horbury Junction line, near Barugh. The line ran ahead towards Stanhope Colliery, with a line turning off east, just south of the bridge, to access Higham Colliery. The M1 motorway bridge can be seen to upper left of view, with the parapet of the Silkstone Beck seen on centre right of view. See image [[56088]]

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A platform level view of the start of demolition work for platform realignment at Glasgow Queen Street. There's now an 8ft hoarding blocking this view.

Glasgow Queen Street Low Level: A West Highland departure prepares to head east from Queen Street Low Level on 31 March 2016 during the extended closure of the High Level station.

Cowlairs East Junction: 1015 EDW-GLQ diverging from the E&G onto the Cowlairs East Junction to Cowlairs North Junction curve.

Cynonville Halt: Cynonville Halt platforms looking towards Pontrhydyfen on 31st March 2018. The building on the up platform is a recent addition of a barbeque shelter.

Cymmer Viaduct: Cymmer Viaduct taken from the former track bed of the South Wales Mineral Railway which ran down one side of the Afon Valley while visible on the right is the track of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway down the outher side of the valley.

Cynonville Halt: The surviving Cynonville Halt platforms looking up the Afan Valley towards Cymmer. The station closed in 1956 and is seen here on 31st March 2017. [Ref query 17 April 2018]

Cymmer Viaduct: The cycle path follows the track bed of the R&SB railway.

Pyle: A picture of the Network Rail Track Recording train on an outing from Paddington to Swansea. This is it on it's return to Derby shortly after passing through Pyle station.67023 leading with 67027 to the rear.

Helwith Bridge: The S&C re-opening special charter hauled by 60103 'Flying Scotsman' just north of Helwith Bridge on 31 March 2017.

Pontrhydyfen: Taken during a walk from Pontrhydyfen to Cymmer Afan along the old track bed of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway which is now part of the Afan Argoed Country Park cycle path. This is the view east at the site of the former station at Pontrhydyfen where a branch of the South Wales Mineral Railway and the Rhonda and Swansea Bay Railway join.

Hellifield: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' hauling the S&C re-opening special from the K&WVR to Carlisle on 31 March 2017. The train is approaching Hellifield on the outward run.

Carlisle: Flying Scotsman today at Carlisle. FS had arrived via Settle, but buses are still in operation over the northern section.

Cynonville Halt: Platform view of Cynonville Halt looking towards Cymmer from the over bridge in March 2017. The path is now part of the national cycle network - Route 887. [Ref query 27 April 2018]

Tighnabruaich Pier: Tighnabruaich Pier, looking down the Kyle of Bute, on the evening of 31st March 2018. Unfortunately the PS Waverley wasn't present on this occasion See image [[52410]] but the Arran mountains can be seen in the distance.

East Grinstead (Bluebell Railway): The Bluebell railway station at East Grinstead - nothing glamorous, but only a short walk from the national network.

McInroy's Point: Western Ferries MV Sound of Scarba arrives at McInroys Point near Gourock after another Clyde crossing from Hunters Quay on 31st March 2018. In the background, across the water, the houses of Kilcreggan can be seen.

Sheffield Park: They don't make station front doors like they used to, you know. This one at Sheffield Park looks rather as though you need an invitation to travel by train; but conversely, can expect to be greeted by a butler, or at least a liveried servant.

Tighnabruaich Pier: The view inland from Tighnabruaich Pier on 31st March 2018. Pleasure cruises still call here in the summer, including the PS Waverley.

Sharpthorne Tunnel: Coming out of Sharpthorne tunnel Southward is a dramatic experience if someone has forgotten to turn the lights on in the observation coach.

Haywards Heath: A Southbound EMU calls at Haywards Heath at 2006hrs on 31st March 2018. I suspect this view would not be as dramatic by day.

Horsted Keynes: The romance of steam - even if it's only a brake pump (I think!) Detail of SE&CR 0-6-0 No. 65.

Sheffield Park: Looking South through the end wall of the Bluebell shed at Sheffield Park in March 2018. This is currently being extended to provide a public viewing area.

James Watt Dock: Rather than plying the Calmac routes with holiday traffic MV Clansman spent the Easter weekend in Greenock Harbour awaiting parts for a propeller shaft that had been damaged by a cable. Seen here on the morning of Saturday 31st March 2018.

Horsted Keynes: The Gap left by the removal of Sheriff Mill Viaduct should not be under-estimated. See image [[39127]] for the bridge which may replace it. 31st March 2018.

Horsted Keynes: A caption search indicates that this is the only steam banana van on RAILSCOT. Routing steam (for heating) through a banana van ripens the fruit in transit - multi-tasking, you might say - and avoids the need to build sheds in which to ripen bananas see image [[43751]].

East Grinstead: No cutting remarks here, as two gentlemen enjoy the view South through the restored Imberhorne cutting on their way to East Grinstead.

Colyton: A view showing the northern terminus of the Seaton Tramway.

Sheffield Park: SE&CR No.65 takes water before running round and heading north on the Bluebell Railway in March 2018.

Earby: There are four bridges extant over or under the former Colne to Skipton railway trackbed over the short distance from the east end of Earby to Kelbrook. A view looking west along Barnoldswick Road at Kelbrook of the extremely wide road over bridge across the line. As can be seen the bridge has parapets that have feature panels cast into them rather than a plain bland featureless. appearance. There is an accommodation rail overbridge a short distance south of this bridge, prior to reaching Foulridge where the steel girder bridge over the Leeds - Liverpool canal was 'deemed unsafe' and removed by Lancashire County Council some 20 years ago, possibly to thwart re-opening of the line.

Israel Railway Museum: Although no standard gauge steam locomotives survive in Israel this 1050mm 0-6-0T from the Hejaz Railway is a principal exhibit in the Israel Railway Museum. It was built by Krauss in 1902 and is described as the last authentic steam locomotive in the country.

Haifa Central: A view looking south over Haifa Central station on 31st March 2019. A long push-pull local train is in the northbound platform. The core service of trains between here and Tel Aviv is basically every fifteen minutes. Beyond the station the huge Dagon grain elevator that dominates the city can be seen although the rail siding under the hoppers is hidden by the station building.

Earby: There are four bridges extant over or under the former Colne to Skipton railway trackbed over the short distance from the east end of Earby to Kelbrook. When heading south from Earby through Sough the Earby Beck runs under the A56 Colne Road at Sough Bridge. It then, along with an access track, runs under a substantial steel decked bridge, as seen in this view looking westwards in March 2019. What appears to be a large diameter gas or water main can be seen running onto the trackbed at left side of the bridge and this runs for a distance north towards Earby. This would have to be relocated to allow the line to be re-opened.

Israel Railway Museum: There are some unusual exhibits at the Israel Railway Museum but this is more unusual than most. A Fordson Major tractor, converted for rail use shunting at the grain silo siding at Bnei Brak station, which came to the museum in 1999. I wondered about the paddles on the driving wheels but apparently they used to have concrete blocks attached for additional adhesion and it was fitted with a tarpaulin roof. Sadly it now stands outside deteriorating in all weathers.

Falahill Summit: A Sunday morning train on the Borders Railway southbound at Falahill on 31 March 2019.

Haifa East: A Stadler double-deck push pull train heads north past the closed station at Haifa East during a sudden downpour on 31st March 2019. The vast majority of passenger services through Haifa at present are push-pull trains with diesel locomotives but electrification of Israel Railways is now proceeding and new electric locomotives are arriving.

Israel Railway Museum: A number of the exhibits in the Israel Railway Museum have a British origin, including this Ruston Hornsby 4W diesel shunter and the Cowans-Sheldon steam crane. Large exhibits are housed in and around the old Haifa East engine sheds and access to the site is via the footbridge shown here, which also spans stabling yards and the main lines. 31st March 2019

Haifa East: Photographed during a downpour, under the comparative shelter of the Railway Museum footbridge, 1315 propels a train from Tel-Aviv northwards through the site of Haifa East station on 31st March 2019. The museum has buildings on either side of the line at this point, hence the historic stock on the far side of the operational lines and the bracket semaphores on this side.

Fushiebridge [2nd]: ScotRail 158737 with the late running 1045 (Sunday) ex-Tweedbank passing the site of Fushiebridge station on 31 March 2009. The train is about to run through the points and onto the next single line section to Kings Gate.

Haifa East: Israel Railways EMD G12 No.108 shunts container wagons into the port at Haifa East on 31st March 2019. Several of these locos appear to be based at Haifa for shunting and trip workings. A few of the class, which were built in the late 1950s, have been withdrawn and by coincidence No. 107 is preserved in the adjacent Israel Railways Museum. This image was taken from the footbridge that leads to the museum.

Falahill Summit: A 5-car train forming the ScotRail 1011 Edinburgh - Tweedbank service rounds the curve at Falahill on a pleasant Sunday morning on 31 March 2019. The sheep that have regularly occupied the field in the background for as long as I can remember seem to have been replaced by sticks.

Earby: There are four bridges extant over or under the former Colne to Skipton railway trackbed over the short distance from the east end of Earby to Kelbrook. The most easterly is that over Hill Top Lane, which leads to a farm and a sports ground and buildings. The view is looking east in March 2019 with the A56 Skipton Road a short distance beyond the bridge, and the sports ground to rear of view. See image [[68905]] for a view looking to the opposite side of the bridge.

Haifa East: Israel Railways No.707 gets a container train on the move in Haifa East yard on 31st March 2019. This is one of a small class of eight Alstom JT 42CW locos introduced in 1996. They have a maximum speed of 68mph and tend to be restricted to freight duties. They were immediately followed by the 42BW versions, which will reach 87mph and are extensively used on passenger services. Both classes look very similar to the UK Class 67s. The motley assortment of stock in the foreground are some of the exhibits at the Israel Railways Museum.

Israel Railway Museum: It is a sad fact that all Israel Railways main line steam locomotives were scrapped and not a single one preserved. The tender of Palestine Railways P Class 4-6-0 No. 62 (scrapped 1960) has survived and a picture in the museum at Haifa shows what fine looking North British built locos they were. Now if the engineering geniuses at Darlington or Didcot were to put their minds to it? Alongside the tender is EMD G16 No. 163, a 1950hp Co-Co DE, built for Egyptian Railways in 1961 but captured in the 1967 Arab Israeli War and then used by Israel Railways on freights in the Negev Desert.

Earby: There are four bridges extant over or under the former Colne to Skipton railway trackbed over the short distance from the east end of Earby to Kelbrook. Some 100m south of Salterforth Road, there is a rather concealed entrance that is marked 'For Farm Only' and is of an extremely low headroom. A new entrance to the properties on the farm site has been created from a recent development off Salterforth Road. One obstacle to re-opening is the need to relocate what appears to be a large diameter gas or water main that now runs along the solum between Earby and Sough.

Israel Railway Museum: This armoured coach is made of concrete and mounted on a flat bogie freight wagon. It was built in 1936 for the Palestine Railways and was coupled to the rear of passenger trains to guard them. Now an exhibit in the Israel Railways Museum, seen on 31st March 2019.

Haifa Central: A northbound passenger service from Tel Aviv calls at Haifa Central, alongside the massive port complex. GEC-Alsthom diesel No.759 is hauling this train but will propel the return southbound service.

Earby: There are four bridges extant over or under the former Colne to Skipton railway trackbed over the short distance from the north end of Earby to Kelbrook. The most easterly is that over Hill Top Lane, which leads to a farm and a sports ground and buildings. The view is looking west with the A56 Skipton Road a short distance to rear of view. See image [[68856]] for a view looking to the opposite side of the bridge.

Kilwinning East Junction: You would be hard pressed to find any remains of the L&A branch from Kilwinning East to Irvine Bank Street apart from the building on Irvine's Bank Street which has survived and I believe may even have pre-dated the railway. All else has been wiped away completely, the last piece of embankment behind Eglinton Ironworks Institute and a bridge abutment over the Doura branch having disappeared in the early 1980s. However, surprisingly, this filled in overbridge, with severely rusted parapets, sits in the middle of Ravenspark Golf Course just north of the site of Bogside Moor station.

Israel Railway Museum: I did a double take when I saw the exterior of this coach displayed in the Israel Railway Museum. Can it be? From the inside there was no mistaking the classic interior of an ex-BR MkIIC. This was apparently one of a fleet of eight purchased second hand from BR in 1977 and modified for use in Israel. I do not know if any others have survived.

Stroud Green: View from Stroud Green viaduct on the former GNR Northern Heights line, now a footpath, with on the left the old Stroud Green station building, now a community centre, on 31st March 2021. The line closed to passengers in 1954, the project to electrify and convert it into a branch of the London Underground Northern Line never being completed. The bus that is swinging round from Ferme Park Road onto Stapleton Hall Road to pass beneath the viaduct is T 208 on route W3 to Finsbury Park station, buses being the only way to get to the populous suburbs of Stroud Green, Crouch End and Muswell Hill for the past 67 years.

Stroud Green: View from Stroud Green viaduct on the GNR's former Northern Heights line, closed in 1954 and now a footpath. This view looks east along the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line, which passes beneath the viaduct in a short tunnel, on 31st March 2021. On the left is the single track spur that connects with the GNR main line just to the south of Harringay station and which is normally only used by freight and empty stock workings. However, I was able to traverse this spur on 4th May 2019 on a UK Railtours' excursion that originated, rather unusually, at London Victoria to the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley in Derbyshire. The train did call at Alexandra Palace (formerly Wood Green) which is close to where I live and had I boarded the train there would have given me an extra hour in bed but that would have meant missing a ride over this short section of line in north London not normally used by passengers. So an early start to Victoria it had to be.