Oswestry: Collett 0-4-2T no 1458 stands in the bay at Oswestry with the auto-train for Gobowen in April 1963.

Oswestry: With GWR lettering proudly displayed, 0-6-0PT 7428 stands at the end of a siding by Oswestry shed in April 1963.

Speke Junction: Diminutive ex-L&Y class '21' 0-4-0ST dock tank no 51253 stands out of use on Speke Junction shed, Liverpool, in April 1963. The locomotive was officially withdrawn from here 2 months later.

West Kilbride: An ICI Works train photographed near West Kilbride on 2 April 1963 heading from Ardeer.

Speke Junction: Black 5 44750 in the sidings at Speke Junction in April 1963, some 5 months before official withdrawal.

Oswestry: 46504 on shed at Oswestry on 2 April 1963.

Speke Junction: Black 5 no 44751 photographed on Speke Junction shed (8C) in April 1963. The locomotive was officially withdrawn from here in September 1964.

Oswestry: 80135 with a train at Oswestry in April 1963.

Oswestry: Shed scene at 89A Oswestry in 1963, featuring BR Standard 2-6-0 no 78000 and friend.

Oswestry: Standard class 4MT 2-6-4T no 80070 takes a train away from Oswestry on the old Cambrian line to Whitchurch on 2 April 1963. The train is about to pass Oswestry shed on which a 14XX 0-4-2T and a pannier tank can be seen.

Kirkconnel: Britannia Pacific 70005 John Milton with an up van train at Kirkconnel in April 1965.

Sanquhar: Black 5 45124 gets a signal check at Sanquhar on 2 April 1965 with a northbound freight.

New Cumnock: 42739 in loop at New Cumnock while 44796 heads north.

Kirkconnel: 70005 south of Kirkconnel with up van train

Auchinleck: 44723 in the background at Auchinleck.

Mauchline: One of Ayr shed's Crab 2-6-0s no 42702 entering Mauchline off the line from Annbank in April 1965.

Polquhap Summit: Black 5 45235 climbing to Polquhap Summit south of Cumnock on 2 April 1965 with a parcels train.

Elvanfoot: Rebuilt Patriot 45530 Sir Frank Ree with a Crewe - Perth train at Elvanfoot on a hazy 2 April 1965.

Kirkconnel: The signal box to the north of Kirkconnel station in April 1965, with the rail served Fauldhead Colliery beyond. See image [[40175]]

New Cumnock: Crab 2-6-0 42739 with a PW train meets an unidentified Black 5 hauling a freight along the Nith Valley near New Cumnock troughs during a misty spring morning in 1965.

Milton Junction [Glasgow]: A most unexpected sight emerging from the fog near Milton Junction was Stanier 2-6-0 42948, a type that I believe rarely ventured as far north as Carlisle let alone across the border into Scotland. By the time I had the camera ready the locomotive was past, leaving a closer view of Black 5 45390, which was being brought north minus coupling rods for a visit to Cowlairs works.

Crawford: EE Type 1 no D8123 just south of Crawford on 2 April 1965 at the head of an up freight.

Elvanfoot: 46152 runs south light engine

Auchinleck: A southbound freight passes through Auchinleck station on 2 April 1965. The locomotive is Dumfries based Black 5 no 44723.

New Cumnock: Looking east from the A76 road bridge at New Cumnock on 2 April 1965, with the station behind the camera. Black 5 45235 on an up parcels train meets classmate 44796 with a freight. [Ref query 14931]

Kirkconnel: Platform view north through Kirkconnel station on 2 April 1965. On the right beyond the fence are the exchange sidings serving Fauldhead Colliery, the junction for which stands between the end of the up platform and the signal box. Fauldhead Colliery closed in 1968 see image [[33171]].

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: Gresley V2 60836 on the turntable at Aberdeen’s Ferryhill depot on 2nd April 1966.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: Gresley V2 2-6-2 60836 at Ferryhill MPD on 2nd April 1966.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: The corridor tender of A4 4-6-2 60024 'Kingfisher' is prominent in this view, at Ferryhill shed, with the water bag in and awaiting afternoon duty on the 1.30pm from Aberdeen to Glasgow Buchanan St on 2nd April 1966.

Nine Elms Shed: A 1967 view of Bulleid designed former Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class pacific 35003 'Royal Mail', seen on Nine Elms Shed ready for the off to Waterloo Station on 2 April 1967. The nameplate and crest are missing from the boiler side, no doubt due to the imminent cessation of steam on the Southern. The loco is in rebuilt form with traditional valve gear, as opposed to the air-smoothed casing over the boiler, and use of chain drive, when entering service in September 1941, numbered as 21C3. It was withdrawn in July 1967 three months after this view, and scrapped at Cashmores in Newport, S Wales in December 1967.

Elderslie: View towards Paisley on 2 April 1969 as a westbound goods runs through the site of Elderslie station behind an EE Type 3, shortly after removal of the platforms.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Nameplate of D224 Lucania. Photographed at Kingmoor in April 1971.

Carlisle Kingmoor Marshalling Yard: A Brush Type 4 locomotive takes an up freight out of a pre-electrification Kingmoor Yard in April 1971. Note the surviving water tank in the right middle distance.

Carlisle Kingmoor MPD: D224 Lucania and D5229 standing in the yard outside Carlisle diesel depot in April 1971. The type 4 shows signs of collision damage.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: A southbound freight hauled by EE Type 4 D351 runs past the former steam shed at Carlisle Kingmoor in April 1971.

Rhiwfron Halt: During the early 1980s all three VoR locos had historic liveries applied and, in the case of No. 9 Prince of Wales, it was the original VoR LB&SCR-style yellow, which it received in 1982. Here No. 9 forges uphill between Rhiwfron and Devils Bridge with the 13.45 from Aberystwyth on 2 April 1977.

Mosstowie: A westbound DMU seen near Mosstowie in April 1979 shortly after leaving Elgin.

Aviemore: Gradient profiles on the wall of Aviemore signal box. Photographed on 2 April 1980.

Capel Bangor: Llywelyn was given a lined blue livery in 1978, but this only lasted three years before the decision was made to apply 'historical' liveries to all VoR locos. This saw No. 8 appearing in GWR plain green in 1981. Apart from the GWR roundel on the cab side it was very plain indeed and, for best effect, needed to be seen coupled to a rake of chocolate and cream coaches, as here drifting down the valley at Capel Bangor in April 1983 with the 16.45 from Devil's Bridge.

Broad Street: The doors to the lift at Broad Street station, a lift which had not worked since 1970, seen here in April 1984 hidden away in a quiet corner of 'London's forgotten terminus'.

Thorpe Culvert: A quiet Easter Saturday morning at Thorpe Culvert station on the Skegness Branch looking past the level crossing and signal box towards Firsby.

Wainfleet: A morning view towards Skegness, at Wainfleet on Easter Saturday 1994, showing the surviving semaphores, crossing gates and GNR signal box. The Skegness branch has undergone considerable investment recently with a view to improving timings. For a number of years long stretches beyond Boston were subject to 30mph speed restrictions because of the poor state of the track.

Drumchapel: A Balloch service calls at Drumchapel in April 1998. The Class 320 seems to have been recently outshopped in the newish SPT livery. The early electronic banner repeater looks rather crude by today's standards and has quite a few dud cells.

Rosyth: The rather homely stairs to the Up platform at Rosyth in April 1999. I imagine that post once held a notice about having your ticket ready for inspection. Arrangements here are now a little more disabled-friendly.

Elgin East: Scene at Elgin freight depot on 2nd April 2002 during a woodchip-by-rail demonstrator project managed by the photographer for Scottish Enterprise. Unfortunately, the crane failed at the vital moment, and the laden container had to be sent by road to Mossend...

Welsh's Bridge Junction: 08788 is one of Invernesss Station pilots.

Millburn Yard: 67008 at Inverness.

Millburn Yard: 37418 East Lancashire Railway at rest in Inverness Yard.

Millburn Yard: Snowplough at Inverness.

Aviemore Shed: Former Wemyss Private Railway Barclay 0-6-0T (Works No. 2017 of 1935) in steam outside Aviemore shed in 2006.

Craiglockhart Junction: After taking the west to south curve from Slateford Junction, a Virgin Voyager is about to join the 'sub' at Craiglockhart Junction. The train will then take 'the scenic route' via Niddrie West and Portobello to enter Waverley from the east. The diversion was the result of an engineering works possession at Haymarket on Sunday 2 April 2006.

Niddrie West Junction: Eastbound track panels between Niddrie West and Niddrie South Junctions bound for Millerhill yard in April 2006. The one time route to the ECML via Wanton Walls Junction ran parallel on the nearside. See image [[29325]]

Niddrie West Junction: A Sunday morning Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh Waverley service diverted around the 'sub' due to engineering works at Haymarket tunnel on 2 April 2006. The train is at Niddrie West Junction running onto the single line section to Brunstane and Portobello to eventually enter Waverley station from the east.

Aviemore Shed: Barclay 0-4-0DH (Works No, 517 of 1966), formerly at Portobello and Kincardine Power Stations, in Aviemore shed yard on 2 April 2006

Niddrie West Junction: With the E&G main line closed for engineering works at Haymarket, Sunday 2 April 2006 saw all Waverley traffic arriving and departing from the east end of the station. Here SPT liveried 156508 is about to leave the single line of the sub from Portobello at Niddrie West Junction and join the double track section westbound. The train is a football special from Waverley to Kings Park. In the background an eastbound shuttle from Glasgow Queen Street is held waiting for the special to clear the junction.

Craiglockhart Junction: A Virgin Voyager off the WCML via Carstairs joins the Edinburgh 'sub' at Craiglockhart Junction on Sunday 2 April 2006, having left its normal route at Slateford. The weekend diversion was due to engineering works on the E&G just outside Haymarket station. All trains to and from the west and Waverley were being diverted via Niddrie and Portobello. The Voyager is about to pass below the Union Canal.

Brunstane: A Sunday morning Waverley - Kings Park football special has just passed Brunstane having been diverted round the 'sub' on 2 April 2006. The train is running past the site of Niddrie North Junction heading for Niddrie West. The line to the left leads to Niddrie South and Millerhill. The bridge abutments once carried the Lothian Lines over the formation and Niddrie North signal box stood top right on the now removed embankment see image [[33008]].

Niddrie West Junction: A PW train takes the line to Millerhill at Niddrie West Junction on 2 April 2006 behind EWS 66122.

Brunstane: A ScotRail football special turning west on the sub towards Niddrie West Junction after passing south through Brunstane on 2 April 2006. The line to the left leads to Niddrie South and Millerhill.

Niddrie West Junction: Second of the Hibs football specials destined for Kings Park approaching Niddrie West on the curve round from Brunstane on 2 April 2006. Given that Hibs Hampden opponents on this occasion were Hearts perhaps a little more thought could have been given to the livery of the train used on this particular service.

Morningside Road: Looking over the surviving station steps and remains of the eastbound platform at Morningside Road on Sunday 2 April 2006, with a diverted Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Queen Street service passing through.

Brunstane: A Waverley - Kings Park football special, in appropriate green & white colours, taking Hibs fans to the cup semi-final at Hampden on 2 April 2006. The special is passing Brunstane on the Edinburgh 'sub'.

Niddrie West Junction: Looking west at the Edinburgh skyline as trains diverted over the sub meet on the bridge across Duddingston Park South road on Sunday 2 April 2006. Niddrie West Junction is in the foreground.

Craiglockhart Junction: A diverted Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Queen Street shuttle emerges from the tunnel under the Union Canal and runs through Craiglockhart Junction on Sunday 2 April 2006. The train is on its way to join the E&G main line at Haymarket West Junction.

Niddrie West Junction: An Edinburgh - Kings Park football special comes off the single line from Portobello at Niddrie West Junction on the sub on 2 April 2006, while a diverted Glasgow - Edinburgh train waits at signals for the section to clear in order to complete its roundabout journey to Waverley.

Newington [NBR]: A diverted Waverley - Queen Street service passing west through the site of Newington station on Sunday 2 April 2006 on its way round the 'sub' to join the E&G main line at Haymarket West Junction.

Newington [NBR]: A diverted Sunday morning Edinburgh - Glasgow shuttle service westbound through the site of Newington station on 2 April 2006.

Morningside Road: View east at Morningside Road station on 2 April 2006 with a diverted Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Queen Street service passing below the old booking office (now shops), with the surviving eastbound platform and access stairway on the left.

Carrbridge: Carrbridge station, taken from the A9.

Findhorn Viaduct [Tomatin]: The Findhorn Viaduct on the line from Inverness to Perth. Photo taken from the A9.

Castlecary Viaduct: Castlecary Viaduct, taken from the A80.

Black Bridge: Black Bridge carried the branch from the LMS/LNER joint branch line over the River Leven to the Dillichip Dye Works, now bonded whisky warehouses.

Dalquhurn Dye Works: LMS/LNER joint branch. Bridge over mill lade at Dalquhurn Dye Works, now being developed for housing.

Stonehaven: 170 417 slows for the Stonehaven stop on 2 April 2008 with an Aberdeen - Glasgow Queen Street service.

Malton: First TransPennine Express 185111, forming the 1145 Scarborough - Liverpool Lime Street service, makes a stop at Malton on 2 April 2008.

Hovingham Spa: An impressive conversion. The former station at Hovingham Spa, North Yorkshire, photographed in 2008 from what was the station entrance.

Grosmont Shed: Withdrawn in Sept 1967, the last operational steam loco on BR Eastern Region, K1 62005, receives attention in Grosmont shed on 2 April. This locomotive is no stranger to the Fort William - Mallaig Jacobite specials, when it has been known to carry the nameplate of K4 Lord of the Isles along with a 65J shed plate see image [[5491]].

Garsdale: Colourful southbound Sprinter on the viaduct north of Garsdale.

Aberdeen: I know its not quite Glasgow Central, but I think only two full panels for departures is a bit mean.

Pickering: Pickering at night looking to Grosmont.

Arbroath: 170 402 heads south from Arbroath on 2 April 2008. The impressive station frontage can be seen on the West Port in the background.

Stonehaven: Passing services at Stonehaven on 2 April 2008, with an Aberdeen bound HST alongside 170 428 on a service to Edinburgh.

Dent Head Viaduct: Northbound freight crosses Dent Head Viaduct having just left Blea Moor Tunnel. View from the northern air shaft on the high ground of Blea Moor. Wold Fell and Knoutberry Hill dwarf the train.

Claughton: The aerial ropeway (or aerial railway) running uphill from the works at Claughton on the closed North Western Railway. The girder bridge protects the roadway from falling material.

Claughton: Lanefoot Crossing Signalbox and signals in preservation at Caton Green near Claughton. The cabin sits alongside the Lancaster to Wennington trackbed but is a (superb) new building in what is now the garden of an extended house.

Ribblehead: Southbound Sprinter leaves Ribblehead with that viaduct in the background to the right.

Grosmont: Looking southwest from the footbridge over Grosmont station towards the village in April 2008. On the left are the NYMR platforms with the level crossing in the centre background and the line to Pickering entering the north portal of Grosmont tunnel beyond. At the bottom right of the picture stands the Whitby - Middlesbrough platform with the line turning off to the west towards Battersby.

Slingsby: Home Made Cakes is the sign in front of the former Slingsby station, North Yorkshire, on 2 April 2008. The platform edge can still be seen in front of the original building which has been significantly modified and extended since closure in 1958. The view is east over the site of the level crossing.

Montrose: An Aberdeen - Glasgow service formed by 170 420 pulls into Montrose on 2 April 2008.

Grosmont Shed: Gresley V2 2-6-2 no 4771 Green Arrow stands alongside the NYMR shed at Grosmont on 2 April 2008.

Scarborough: Peeping out of the Scarborough trainshed at platforms 1 and 2.

Scarborough: Falsgrave signal box and the semaphore gantry at the southern end of Scarborough station are seen in this 2008 view looking to the south.

Scarborough: One or two signals at the southern approach to Scarborough station. Londesborough Road station (now closed) the excursion station and the Whitby route (tunnel mouth to left of signalbox) were off to the left.

Grosmont: Grosmont at night looking to Pickering.

Montrose: Aberdeen bound 170 427 heads past the North box at Montrose on 2 April.

Ampleforth: The converted former station at Ampleforth on the edge of the North York Moors on 2 April 2008. View east over the site of the level crossing towards Malton.

Scarborough Londesborough Road: Looking away from Scarborough to the former Londesborough Road station. This was the excursion station with platforms beyond the one seen here. This one was served by trains to Whitby which could not run directly from the main Scarborough station. Stabling sidings are to the left.

Arbroath: 170 418 stands at Arbroath on 2 April with a service to Aberdeen.

Scarborough: Looking to Whitby. This road bridge still spans the trackbed to the north end of the short tunnel in Scarborough.

Hawsker: Hawsker station looking to Whitby in April 2008.

Whitby: Whitby station with two platforms and only one track. Nearby a looped siding provides further accommodation.

Thornton Dale: Just east of Pickering stands the closed station at Thornton Dale, which saw its last railway passengers in June 1950. Seen from the main entrance in April 2008, the location is now in use as a caravan park.

Ruswarp: Ruswarp station building viewed from the platform. The station has a charming entry porch (left) and covered waiting area (right).

Ruswarp: Railway bridge at Ruswarp looking to Grosmont viewed from the level crossing. This night shot shows that the line was formerly double track.

Arbroath Signal Box: Arbroath North SB on 2 April 2008.

Whitby: Looking to Whitby from above. The looped siding can be seen and the old shed is just round the bend in the line.

Grosmont: Grosmont at night viewed from the junction. Original route to Pickering to the left (now the NYMR) and later route to the right (now the Network Rail route to Middlesbrough).

Grosmont: View south from Grosmont station over the level crossing on 2 April 2008 as BR standard class 4MT 4-6-0 75029 shunts empty stock.

Grosmont Shed: Get a whiff of that... The evocative smell of a steam shed... K1 62005 receives attention inside Grosmont shed on the NYMR on 2 April 2008.

Grosmont: The signal box and crossing at the south end of Grosmont station in April 2008.

Malton: Platform view east at Malton on 2 April 2008 showing the canopy that originally stood at Whitby but was relocated here in the mid 1990s following demolition of the overall roof see image [[32942]]. A TransPennine service for York, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool (something for everybody there surely?) is approaching the platform.

Ampleforth: Late afternoon scene at Ampleforth, North Yorkshire, in April 2008. The station stood on the former route that left the ECML just south of Pilmoor and ran eastward towards Malton. Ampleforth station closed to passengers in 1950, with the line itself closing completely in 1964. For the view platform side see image [[20283]].

Malton: Approach to the substantial station at Malton on the Scarborough - York line in April 2008. See image [[69226]]

Pickering: Entrance to Pickering station for visitors arriving via the footpath and overbridge from the NYMR car park in April 2008. If current plans come to fruition the station could soon see work underway on a new overall roof here.

Edinburgh Park: A Bathgate train about to run below the city by-pass after restarting from Edinburgh Park on 2 April 2009. The works are in connection with the construction of the tram flyover.

Broxburn Viaduct: A 158 heading for Edinburgh on 2 April crosses the A89 east of Broxburn on Broxburn Viaduct.

Edinburgh Park: An eastbound 158 leaving Edinburgh Park heading for Haymarket on 2 April 2009, photographed through the glass of the station footbridge.

Parkhead Junction [NB]: This was the first bridge on the the former CGU line to Haghill after leaving Parkhead Junction and heading north west. The substantial structure crossed the former Lightburn Road, which today acts as a shortcut between The Forge shopping centre (or Celtic Park on a match day) and Carntyne Road. Photographed on 2 April 2009 looking north east towards Carntyne. This is a sizeable bridge with a very wide trackbed floor - see [[67291]].

Parkhead Junction [NB]: The second and third bridges on the former CGU Parkhead Jct - Haghill Jct line (again, in the 'non-trivial' category) crossed Carntyne Road and Todd Street near their meeting point. View west on 2 April showing the northern abutment of the CGU bridge on Todd Street.

Alexandra Parade: The train arriving at Alexandra Parade station is the 1104 ex-Dalmuir. SPT liveried 334031 is pulling into the northbound platform on a sunny spring morning in April 2009. The train is a mile and a half from its ultimate destination at Springburn.

Drumgelloch [1st]: A morning train fror Helensburgh Central formed by SPT liveried 320302 about to leave the single platform Drumgelloch terminus in April 2009. This 1989 station is no more, having been closed (and subsequently demolished) in 2010 to be replaced by a new station half a mile to the east on the reopened Airdrie - Bathgate route.

Parkhead North Goods: The wide and overgrown deck of the bridge carrying the CGU route between Haghill and Parkhead Junctions in April 2009. View is south east towards the latter, with the site of Parkhead North goods depot ahead and to the right. The original 1875 double track bridge appears to have been modified in 1903 to carry four tracks, although in fact only ever carried three. The line was eventually closed in 1981. See image [[23191]]

Parkhead North: Bridge of size. Close up of the mighty truss girder bridge that once carried the NB goods lines across Duke Street, Glasgow, near its junction with Shettleston Road. A less impressive structure running in parallel alongside continues to handle passenger trains on the North Clyde Line see image [[67205]]. View is north west along Duke Street on 2 April 2009 with The Forge shopping centre behind the camera.

Broxburn Viaduct: Looking east along the A89 towards Edinburgh on a pleasant April afternoon in 2009, as a ScotRail 170 DMU crosses Broxburn Viaduct with a limited stop service destined for Glasgow Queen Street.

Parkhead Junction [NB]: Half a mile north west of Parkhead Junction the CGU line to Haghill crossed two major roads near their meeting point. Photograph taken in April 2009 looking west from the high ground between, with Carntyne Road on the left and Todd Street running below the dip on the right. The line ran straight across the picture, passing behind the wall up ahead on the short section linking the two road bridges.

Haghill Goods: Part of the former Haghill Coal & Mineral Depot looking west towards the tenements of Cumbernauld Road in 2009. The road bridge on the right marked the divergence of the CGU route south towards Duke Street station (the catenary of which runs across the centre of the picture) and the long lifted freight-only route which turned south east towards Parkhead, with the depot standing in the 'V' of the junction. The road entrance to the depot was from the top of Paton Street off picture to the left. For a view of the depot in 1958 see [[11307]].

Princes Street [Tram]: View east along Princes Street, Edinburgh, on 2 April 2009, with Tram works restarted.

Edinburgh Park: Splash of pink. View towards the platforms from the northern entrance to Edinburgh Park station on 2 April 2009, just as an Alphaline liveried 158 with ScotRail stickers departs on its way to Waverley.

Parkhead North Goods: View south west along what was once Lightburn Road in Glasgow's Parkhead district in April 2009, showing the bridge that carried the CGU route between Parkhead and Haghill Junctions. The line closed in 1981 and, following various changes to the surrounding infrastructure over the years, the bridge now stands in splendid isolation spanning what has become a public footpath providing a shortcut between two major roads. The pedestrian walking towards the camera is approaching from the direction of Duke Street (and The Forge Shopping Centre) heading for Carntyne Road. For the view from the other side of the bridge see [[23191]].

Haghill Junction: Standing on Cumbernauld Road bridge, directly above the site of Haghill Junction, on 2 April 2009. View north as a train for Springburn is about to run under the A8 into Alexandra Parade station.

Haghill Junction: Looking west from the bottom of Birkenshaw Street on 2 April 2009 towards the site of the former Haghill Junction. The CGU line from Duke Street comes in from the left and runs across the picture, through the central span of the bridge on the approach to Alexandra Parade station. The line to Parkhead Junction (closed 1981) turned off below the bridge towards the camera, passing to the east of Haghill Junction signal box, which stood in the V of the junction. See image [[11306]]

Edinburgh Park: Construction work on the flyover which will take the Edinburgh tram line over the E&G between tram stops at Edinburgh Park Station (interchange) and Edinburgh Park Central, seen on 2 April 2009 looking west from the overbridge.(The new building that has recently appeared in the left background is a hotel)

Edinburgh Park: Edinburgh - Glasgow shuttle services pass non-stop through Edinburgh Park on the afternoon of 2 April 2009. Work on the supports for the Edinburgh Trams flyover is well underway in the foreground.

Parkhead North: Comings and goings on Duke Street, Glasgow, in April 2009 looking south through the twin railway bridges, with part of The Forge shopping centre in the background. The EMU crossing left to right is between the Carntyne and Bellgrove stops on its way from Airdrie to Helensburgh Central. Part of the parallel disused bridge is visible just beyond the cab of the train see image [[23161]]. The gentleman walking towards the camera is crossing what was once the road entrance to Parkhead North goods yard on the closed CGU route.

Parkhead North: A westbound train, having crossed the bridge over Duke Street, heads for Glasgow city centre on 2 April 2009. What is now The Forge shopping centre stands beyond the twin bridges on the other side of the embankment.

Parkhead North: West of Parkhead Jct the NB crossed Duke Street. The line was quadruple here, requiring twin bridges. The southernmost (nearest) bridge handled primarily non-passenger traffic, including that generated by the Parkhead Forge, Camlachie goods and Parkhead MPD. This bridge is now out of use, with todays traffic using the northernmost bridge, on what is now the North Clyde Line see image [[67205]]. The NB's Parkhead station (later Parkhead North) was located just off to the right. View north towards Duke Street at its junction with Shettleston Road in April 2009, with The Forge shopping centre behind the camera. The train visible through the girders of the disused bridge is heading for Airdrie.

Port Glasgow: Platform view east at Port Glasgow on 2 April 2010.

Port Glasgow: Main entrance to Port Glasgow station from the junction of Station Road ad Princes Street seen on 2 April 2010.

Wemyss Bay: Clock tower at Wemyss Bay station - April 2010.

Inverkeithing Central Junction: Power car 43 318 leads an East Coast service round the curve at Central Junction on its approach to Inverkeithing station on Good Friday, 2 April. This is the 1450 from Aberdeen to London King's Cross, 1E24 (I only know that number because East Coast helpfully print them in their public timetables). This was photographed over a 6ft high mesh fence, so I wouldn't recommend this location unless you've got the height.

Paterson's No 1 Siding: On 2nd April 2010, David Spaven samples one of the refuges for permanent way men set into the brick retaining wall opposite Ladhope Vale in Galashiels. See image [[57716]]. This imposing piece of infrastructure was built by the North British Railway following a major landslip in 1916, and is one of his abiding memories from his last journey on the Waverley Route on 2nd January 1969. (Photo by Simon Longland)

Galashiels [1st]: The new Station Brae bridge at Galashiels, clearly showing the line of the route for the new Borders Railway. This is possibly the only overbridge of an existing or planned railway built in Britain in the last 50 years to have just single-track width, although piggyback freight will clearly be welcomed!

Wemyss Bay: The much-photographed booking office at Wemyss Bay, seen here on 2 April 2010.

Galashiels [1st]: View south from the Station Brae bridge in Galashiels on 2nd April 2010. Fifty years ago this would have been a broad panorama of Galashiels station and goods yard, but the re-opened Borders Railway will have to make do with creeping along the eastern side of the Asda building.

Galashiels: View north from the Station Brae bridge in Galashiels on 2nd April. The new Galashiels station (single platform) will be located on a broadly north-south alignment in the area of the copper beech hedge in the middle distance.

Wemyss Bay: The next train to Glasgow Central stands at platform 1 at Wemyss Bay on 2 April 2010.

Tweedbank: Hard to envisage, but this will be the site of the Tweedbank terminus in 2014, with the railway solum in a cutting behind the bushes to the right, and the future station car park in the central middle distance.

Selkirk Junction: Simon Longland - whose 1992 motor-bike trek to survey all the surviving structures of the Waverley Route started the process which should culminate in the 2015 Borders Railway re-opening - admires the surviving steam deflectors below the pedestrian footbridge spanning the railway at Langlee at the south east end of Galashiels, on 2nd April. Given the design of the bridge, and the steam-related deflector requirement, this adornment must have been created in the early to mid-1960s. Beyond the bridge, a stretch of the old solum has been infilled and will need to be re-excavated. See image [[46466]]

Wemyss Bay: The elegant curved walkway linking train and ferry services at Wemyss Bay, seen here in April 2010.

Gleneagles: 40145 heading north through Gleneagles with the the Pathfinder West Highlander railtour on 2 April 2010.

Gourock: 314205 prepares to leave Gourock for Glasgow Central on 2 April 2010

Preston (Ribble Branch): GWR 0-6-2T 5643 has been used again on the Ribble Steam Railway, this time for the Easter services. With three maroon MkI coaches in tow a South Wales branch line scene is recreated in Lancashire as it approaches the boarded foot crossing half way along the branch.

Greenock Central: 318251 at Greenock Central on 2 April with a Glasgow - Gourock train.

Sowerby Bridge: A Calder Valley line service, formed by Leyland unit 155345, calls at Sowerby Bridge on 2 April on its way to Leeds. Above the unit the local landmark, Wainhouse Tower, can be seen. Originally built as a chimney it was turned into an ornate folly and, at 400', is reputed to be the tallest in the world.

Forrestfield: 334 031 heads west away from Forrestfield on 2 April.

Caldercruix: 334027 heads west on the approach to Caldercruix on 2 April 2011.

Forrestfield: 334 030 approaching Forrestfield along the south shore of Hillend reservoir on 2 April with a Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley service.

Sowerby Bridge: This fine looking original L&YR station building overlooking the westbound platform at Sowerby Bridge contrasts with its 1960s canopies and modern shelters. Even better, it now hosts the Jubilee Refreshment Rooms and has become an established stopping off point on the West Yorkshire Rail Ale Trail. The building, station and other features of the railway appeared in several scenes of the Happy Valley crime dramas.

Swindon: 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' + 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' departing Swindon on the Gloucester line on 2 April 2011.

Greenock Central: Looking east along the little used bay platforms at Greenock Central on 2nd April 2011

Greenock Central: Information panels and signal at the mouth of Wellpark Tunnel, Greenock Central, April 2011.

Beamish Open Air Museum: Andrew Barclay NCB (No 6 Area B Group) 0-4-0ST no 22 with it's teak-bodied inspection coach heading up the gradient at Beamish Museum on 2 April 2013.

Beamish Open Air Museum: On a suitably dreich day, with wet cobbles glinting, passengers alight at the Beamish Town stop. A department store very familiar during the photographer's childhood is advertised on the front of the double deck tram.

Beamish Open Air Museum: On-loan Blackpool 'Balloon' car 703, disguised as Sunderland tram 101, passes Pockerly Manor, Beamish, on its way to the authentically smoking Town in the background on 2 April 2013. See image [[42616]]

Carmyle: 165514 at Carmyle on 2 April 2014 with the 08.52 service to Glasgow Central. The week long closure of the Whifflet line at the end of March resulted in platform ramps being replaced by gated steps at Carmyle and several other stations. see image [[41632]].

Edinburgh Park: Train and tram at Edinburgh Park station on 2 April 2014. The station planters here have been adopted by the Rotary Club of Edinburgh.

Wemyss Bay: The concourse at Wemyss Bay on the evening of 2 April 2014.

Inverkeithing East Junction: 68006 Daring in ScotRail livery passes Inverkeithing East Junction with the 17.08 Edinburgh - Fife - Edinburgh commuter train on 2 April. [68007 has received similar treatment.]

Braehead Viaduct: 66158 hauling a Hunterston-Longannet coal train passes the Braehead M8 viaduct construction site on 2nd April 2015. The line of the motorway can be seen in the background leading up to the temporary embankments on either side of the track where the piling work for the new railway viaduct is taking place.

Braehead Viaduct: A Dalmuir to Whifflet service passes as steel reinforcing arrives at the Braehead viaduct construction site on 2nd April. Work is also in hand at this site to construct a road bridge which will carry Bredisholm Road over the motorway extension on the north side of the railway. An impressive collection of plant is now assembled on both sides of the line ready for the first of the weekend line closures in April 2015.

Cowlairs Incline: DBS 66114 patiently awaits loading with spoil from trackside drainage excavations.

Kelvindale: A six car train passing through Kelvindale.

Cowlairs Incline: Road rail excavator working on diggings for new trackside drainage. OHLE mast surveyor setting out on the embankment behind.

Woodacre Crossing: 86259 Les Ross powers through the rain at Woodacre with a Cumbrian Mountain Express from Euston to Carlisle on 2nd April 2016. The train was handed over to 46233 Duchess of Sutherland at Carnforth for the journey over Shap and the electric ran light to Crewe to await the return service.

Dunblane: The road approach to Dunblane station from the east on 2 April 2016. On the left stands the fully accessible footbridge, commisioned in September 2014, which links the platforms with both sides of the station. The displaced Victorian footbridge that stood here has been relocated to the Caledonian Railway at Bridge of Dun. See image [[42473]]

Medstead and Four Marks: 9 F No. 92212 waits patiently at Medstead and Four Marks Station, to take it's train 'over the Alps' to Alton. Although at 642 ft AOD, and said to be the highest standard gauge station in Southern England, Northerners may say that it's not quite Stainmore or Slochd. Nevertheless a beautifully rebuilt/restored station.

Banavie Swing Bridge: Swingtime at Banavie. A view of the Banavie Swing Bridge and Mallaig end of the station from the modern signal box. The bridge over the Caledonian Canal is swung open to allow vessels to pass.

Bo'ness: 47643 nears Bo'ness with the last train of the day.

Broomhill Junction: Back in action on the Strathspey Railway, after an overhaul, Caledonian Railway 812 Class 0-6-0 No.828 is pictured at the head of the regular Sunday Dining Car Special between Boat of Garten and Broomhill.

Winchcombe: An English Electric D6948 complete with steam heating arriving at Winchcombe.

Invergarry: Heritage Railway Association visit today to Invergarry showing the re-instated track and repaired platform.

Invergarry: Heritage Railway Association visit to Invergarry: lamppost.

Invergarry: A closer view of the locomotive at Invergarry taken during a Heritage Railway Association visit.

Banavie: The plaque on Banavie Signalling Centre, celebrating its opening in 1988.

Hayles Abbey Halt: GWR 4-6-0 No. 7820 'Dinmore Manor' heading south through the then newly built Hayles Abbey Halt on 2nd April 2017.

Toddington: An English Electric D6948 complete with steam heating at the platform at Toddington

Invergarry: Heritage Railway Association visit to Invergarry: view of the station from the Fort Augustus end.

Invergarry: The information board seen on a Heritage Railway Association visit today to Invergarry.

Invergarry: The pedestrian entrance to the island platform at the former Invergarry station.

Gotherington Halt: The privately owned station at Gotherington. The northern platform is in use by the GWR.

Invergarry: Lamp and station sign on the island platform at Invergarry. The view looks to Spean Bridge and the pedestrian exit ramp is seen at the end of the platform.

Gotherington Halt: The privately owned station at Gotherington. The northern platform is in use by the GWR.

Bo'ness: Former NCB No.7 (Bagnall 2777 of 1945) masquerading as J94 68007 at Bo'ness. 2 April.

Baillieston: A Manchester Airport - Glasgow Central Transpennine Express class 185 DMU, diverted on to the R&C due to Sunday engineering works, runs smartly down the 1 in 110 gradient at Baillieston.

Invergarry: Base of the former signal box at Invergarry in a view which faces north to Fort Augustus.

Toddington: The shed yard, taken from a passing train. A Class 20, a 73, a 26 and in the far background a Peak.

Banavie: A view from the signalling centre east over Banavie station towards Ben Nevis and Fort William.

Cheltenham Racecourse: Three shots of GWR 4-6-0 '7820 Dinmore Manor' at Toddington.

Invergarry: Remains of the station building on the island platform at Invergarry.

Heriot: ScotRail 170474 runs alongside the upper reaches of the Gala Water just south of Heriot on 2 April 2017. The train is the 0845 (Sunday) Tweedbank - Edinburgh.

Heriot: The 0845 (Sunday) Tweedbank - Edinburgh ScotRail service about to run through the site of Heriot station on 2 April 2017 heading for its next stop at Gorebridge.

Banavie: The Banavie Swing Bridge mid swing on an official Heritage Railway Association visit today to Banavie signal box.

Toddington: GWR 4-6-0 7820 'Dinmore Manor' at Toddington in April 2017.

Banavie: Heritage Railway Association visit to Banavie: view towards Fort William and Ben Nevis with the signalling centre to the left and swing bridge behind the camera.

Invergarry: Heritage Railway Association visit to Invergarry: view from the end of the island platform looking to Fort Augustus.

Brading: The train on the left is the 16.49 from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin. Unfortunately it cannot reach the roundhouse on the right; which is just as well, as it was built to protect the remains of a Roman villa.

Slochd Viaduct: After some heavy overnight snow, the Pathfinder Easter Chieftain is pictured going south over Slochd Viaduct on the way back to Cardiff from Inverness, hauled by DRS liveried 37605 and 37259. 2nd April 2018.

Aberthaw: The remains of Aberthaw Signal box and station platform in April 2018.

Slochd Viaduct: Still in full EWS livery, 67007 hauls the late running Caledonian Sleeper through the winterscape near Slochd Summit on 2nd April 2018.

Aberthaw: 66083 passing Aberthaw on 2nd April 2018 with a Hope (Earles Sidings) Dbs to Cwmbargoed Opencast empties.

Wootton: Two planks short of a full deck - this bridge, in 'floorless' condition, is the Western end of the footpath from the IoW Steam Railway terminus at Wootton. It's best to park on the A3054 rather than down this lane - the farmer at the end of the lane has CCTV in the trees and guards the lane jealously.

Aberthaw: 150262, working from Bridgend to Cardiff Central, passing the junction for Aberthaw Power Station in April 2018.

Wootton: When the going gets tough, the tough get wading - challenging conditions on the tracked from Wootton to Newport. The accommodation bridge in the background appears to have been totally replaced in the original style quite recently.

Brading: The awning at Brading may need a lick of paint, but the support bears the ornate lettering of the original Isle of Wight Railway.

Aberthaw: 150262, on a Bridgend to Cardiff Central service, seen at Aberthaw on 2nd April 2018.

Fairlee Road Tunnel: A black and white case for re-opening, I'd say - looking South through the tunnel under Fairlee Road. see image [[64429]]

Waterloo: View south over the station from a nearby hotel in early April 2019. Unseen under the vaulted roof in the foreground, the upgrade work bringing former Eurostar platforms 20-24 back in to use is approaching completion with trains now calling at 20 - 22.

Wembley Park: The arch of the new Wembley stadium is visible in the distance over the roof of a recently arrived train.

Wembley Park: A Metropolitan Line train of S8 stock bound for Aldgate draws in to Wembley Park.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: The iconic Glenfinnan viaduct joined landmarks across the UK turning blue to show public support for NHS staff treating coronavirus patients. The 21-arch viaduct, which stars in the Harry Potter series of films, joined famous venues and attraction like Glasgow's SSE Hydro and Falkirk's Kelpies in lighting up in the colours of the NHS to salute the efforts of healthcare workers in the fight against the virus. The illumination of the structure was organised by Martin Whyte of events company The Stage Group and echoes wider similar activities undertaken by the entertainment industry in this unprecedented state of enforced inaction.

Clayhills Yard: A refurbished Scotrail HST, an Azuma hooked up to shore power and a refurbished Scotrail HST with a 'Do Not Move' sign, all at Clayhills on 2nd April 2020. Photographed incidental to my daily permitted exercise during the Corona lockdown.

Croston: The 1626 hrs Preston to Ormskirk service arrives at Croston on 2 April 2021. The view is south from the disused platform, accessed whilst working on the platform garden.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: Flexity 011 pauses at Fleetwood Ferry, in front of the North Euston hotel, prior to returning to Starr Gate on 2nd April 2021, almost nine years to the day that the refurbished tramway was reopened and these articulated trams introduced. See image [[38262]].

Kirkby Stephen East: Kirkby Stephen East NER 910. This locomotive currently resides at Kirkby Stephen East station, home of the Stainmore Railway Company, on loan from the NRM. The 901 Class 2-4-0 locomotives were designed by Edward Fletcher for express passenger work. Fifty five engines were introduced between 1872 and 1882 to haul express trains on their main lines. No. 910 was built at Gateshead in April 1875 and was one of the locomotives involved in the first Railway Race to the North in 1888. During the 1880s the engines began to be extensively rebuilt and displaced from the York-Edinburgh workings to more secondary work including passenger trains over Stainmore which they hauled over a period of more than thirty years. Two of the last in service - nos 19 and 1325 - were withdrawn from Kirkby Stephen in February 1925. However 910 had been set aside to be restored to original condition to take part in the Centenary celebrations in 1925 and afterwards formed a part of the first collection of preserved locomotives at the old LNER York Railway Museum.

New Mills Central: Double Class 150/1 sets sit in the turnback siding on the west side of New Mills Central on 2 April 2022. The train had arrived from Manchester at the opposite platform before the driver changed ends and proceeded into the siding. After a Manchester to Sheffield train then passed, the 150s returned to the platform to form a service back to Manchester.

Burton and Holme: Just after 34067 'Tangmere' had passed through Burton and Holme, the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were turned out to a small lineside fire just south of the old station. The train was a Northern Belle from York to Carlisle, steam hauled from Carnforth over Shap and the S&C as far as Hellifield on 2nd April 2022.

Oxenholme Lake District: 34067 'Tangmere' working hard on 2nd April 2022 as it lifts a Northern Belle special through the short rock cutting a little to the south of Oxenholme station. The train had originated in York, diesel hauled to Carnforth then steam over Shap and also the S&C to Hellifield on the return run.

Manchester Piccadilly: The 1103 hrs to Hadfield, with 323237, waits to depart from platform 2 at Manchester Piccadilly on 2 April 2022.

Manchester Piccadilly: Network Rails unique Class 950 test train is seen in the Holding Siding on the east side of Manchester Piccadilly in April 2022. The unit has a close external resemblance to the body of a Class 150/1 DMU.

Wakefield's Wharf: Lonely boat. The little 'Water Witch' (named after an original Lancaster Canal packet boat) is owned by the Lancaster Canal Trust and is the only vessel kept on the isolated (and shallow) section of canal between Millness and Stainton Aqueduct. It is used for public trips on this two mile plus stretch of the Northern Reaches. This view on 2nd April 2022 from the towpath between Crooklands and Wakefield's wharves, although the boat is often kept at Millness Basin.

Buckshaw Parkway: A Class 331 has arrived at Buckshaw Parkway from Hazel Grove. Normally the service would have continued on to Blackpool but on 2 April 2022 the line was closed into Preston for engineering work and trains from the Manchester area terminated at Buckshaw Parkway. The crossover has already been set and the signal has cleared for the train to return to Hazel Grove.