Oxford: Oxford - May 1969. 1687 approaching with a Worcester - Paddington service while 1111 stands at the northbound platform with a Poole - York train.

Oxford: Hymek D7046 with a southbound freight takes the centre road through Oxford on 8 May 1969.

Renfrew Ferry: 'TS King George V' passing Renfrew Ferry on a charter sailing in 1971. 'TS Queen Mary II' can be made out in the background further up the river, nearing completion of an extensive winter refit.

Taunton: Peak Class 45 (D)125 departs Taunton with 1V71, the Leeds to Penzance service, on 8th May 1974. This picture was taken from the footbridge known as Forty Steps to the west of Taunton station. Note some rolling stock in the sidings destined for the West Somerset Railway, Minehead line.

Carnforth: 4472 Flying Scotsman at Steamtown Carnforth on the fine morning of Saturday 8th May 1976 prior to working the M&GNJRS 'Lakelander' railtour to Sellafield. 'Hardwicke' acted as pilot as far as Ulverston where B1 No (6)1306 took over the assisting role.

Carnforth: 4472 Flying Scotsman stands alongside the ash plant at Steamtown in May 1976 prior to working a special to Sellafield see image [[37565]]. With the amount of ash generated in the preservation era being only a small fraction of that produced in BR days, the services of the plant and its associated paraphernalia were no longer required.

Carnforth: Despite appearances, this is not a c.1948 scene at some LNER shed, but Steamtown Carnforth in 1976. While I am not a fan of apple green on big engines, the effect in monochrome is quite pleasing on the B1, spoiled only by it carrying a fictitious name and number (it was delivered as BR No. 61306 from NBL in April 1948).

Lindal: The '6000 Locomotive Association' railtour 'The STC Limited' ran from Cardiff to Carnforth on 8th May 1976. The train is seen here passing Lindal in Furness between Carnforth and Barrow that day, thought to be heading to the latter for servicing. Locomotive 47258 hauled the special throughout. [With thanks to Messrs Beaton, Armit, Watson Smith & Dunbar]

Lindal: The Lakelander special from Euston to Sellafield drifts downhill at Lindal-in-Furness in May 1976 behind Nos. (6)1306 and 4472. The M&GNJRS railtour will fork right a couple of miles further on at Dalton Junction in order to avoid Barrow-in-Furness.

Carnforth: Preserved Black 5 No. 45407 posing in front of the shed at Steamtown, Carnforth, on Saturday 8th May 1976.

Park South Junction: Preserved B1 No. 61306 (it was never an LNER loco) leads ‘Flying Scotsman' round the sharp curve between Park South and Dalton Junctions, avoiding Barrow in Furness with the M&GNJRS 'The Lakelander’ special returning from Sellafield to London Euston on 8 May 1976. The B1 gave way to ex-LNWR Precedent class No. 790 ‘Hardwicke’ at Ulverston and steam was replaced by electric power at Carnforth. I have somehow managed to gain some elevation, possibly standing on a lineside cabinet, and no-one batted an eyelid - how times change!

Carnforth: The coaling plant at Carnforth on 8th May 1977.

Carnforth: Sparkling condition aside, this view of Black 5 No. 44871 at Carnforth Shed could almost have been taken during the BR steam era. In reality the year is 1977 and the loco has already spent the best part of nine years in preservation.

Carnforth: Black 5 No. 44871 might be on home territory at Steamtown, Carnforth, but, flanked by 'Sir Nigel Gresley' and 'Flying Scotsman' in May 1977, it's the one that looks slightly out of place.

Carnforth: A head-on view of 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in repose at Steamtown, Carnforth, on 8th May 1977, the weekend after it took up residence there

Leicester: Mid-morning on the Midland Main Line at Leicester on 8th May 1980. A down Inter City service from St Pancras is calling, hauled by a smartly turned out 45104 'The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers'. The loco remained in service for a further eight years and was eventually scrapped in Glasgow in 1992.

Saxmundham: Fond farewells at Saxmundham around 08.12 on Tuesday 8th May 1984 as 37050 revs up to restart the Lowestoft – Liverpool Street through service. The occasion was also a fond farewell to locomotive hauled passenger trains on the East Suffolk line, which came to an end the following Saturday.

Darsham: Commuters and school pupils throng the platform at Darsham as 37050 eases to a stop with the 07.57 Lowestoft to London Liverpool Street buffet car service on May 8th 1984. From the following Monday, locomotive hauled passenger services on the East Suffolk line were no more, as were through Lowestoft - London services until they were reinstated with turbostar units 15 years later.

Blanefield: Looking east over the former island platform at Blanefield.

Blanefield: Blanefield station looking east. This building was not the station building but was probably a surfacemans cottage. The level crossing here was to the left.

Blanefield: Former goods platform at the east end of the Blanefield station site.

Dumgoyne: Looking towards Aberfoyle at Dumgoyne. This was the terminus of the line until extension of the line.

Killearn: Looking west at the former Killearn station. The route is now used by the West Highland Way.

Drymen: Looking east towards Drymen level crossing. Compare with photograph 160 of an 08 in George O'Hara's Urban and Rural Branch Lines.

Drymen Viaduct: Drymen viaduct, now in use for the Loch Lomond Water Supply Scheme water pipe, looking north.

Gartness: Gartness station looking west towards Balloch and the level crossing.

Gartness Junction: Gartness Junction looking west. The line to the left led to Blanefield and Glasgow and the one to the right to Balloch.

Drymen Viaduct: Drymen viaduct, now in use for the Loch Lomond Water Supply Scheme water pipe, looking east.

Battersby: Looking back through the station platforms at Battersby, North Yorkshire, from the buffer stops in the spring of 1987. View is north east towards the junction of the Middlesbrough and Whitby routes, with the North York Moors forming the horizon.

Battersby: Panel in Battersby signal box - May 1987.

Blanefield: Looking west over the former station site, Blanefield.

Toton Marshalling Yard: 37502 and 37509 arrive at Toton, with the Corby to Lackenby empty steel coil service, in 1990.

Tal-y-Cafn: The last down train of the day calls at Tal-Y-Cafn on 8 May 1990 in fading sunlight with a Llandudno Junction - Blaenau Ffestiniog service.

Wakefield Kirkgate: 37414 Cathays C&W Works with a westbound special at Wakefield Kirkgate on 8 May 1993. A class 47 can be seen in the distance approaching on a lengthy rake of tanks.

Markinch: Markinch shed (site of) just after the fire which destroyed it. Just as well it was no longer occupied.

Earn Viaduct [Forgandenny]: Train passing over the Forgandenny Viaduct. View looks towards Perth.

Freshwater: A permanent way trolley stands at Freshwater station on the Cairns - Karunda line, Queensland, in May 2005.

Freshwater: Locomotive 1771D in use on Australia's Kuranda Scenic Railway from Freshwater, Queensland, in May 2005.

Freshwater: A view of the restaurant cars which make up the restaurant at Freshwater Station on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Queensland. Photographed in May 2005.

Baron Falls Bridge: Baron Falls Bridge on the Karunda Railway, Queensland. Photographed in May 2005.

Cardross: Southbound Royal Scotsman passing trackwalkers just outside Cardross.

Wemyss Bay: View from the circulating area. The Royal Scotsman overnighting at Wemyss Bay. View from the circulating area. The locomotives were 37 214 and 47 854.

Wemyss Bay: I know where I would want to sit with my evening cocoa heading into a sunset. The Royal Scotsman overnighting at Wemyss Bay. The locomotives were 37 214 and 47 854.

Wemyss Bay: Special train and local train. The Royal Scotsman overnighting at Wemyss Bay. The locomotives were 37 214 and 47 854.

Corbridge: The imposing building on the eastbound platform at Corbridge. View north across the Newcastle & Carlisle line in May 2006. The road on the left leads to the bridge over the River Tyne and what was the most northerly town in the Roman Empire, with the first fort established here in AD 85. The station building is now a restaurant.

Wemyss Bay: A train worthy of this grand station. The 'Royal Scotsman' overnighting at Wemyss Bay in May 2006. The locomotives are 37214 and 47854.

Wemyss Bay: The north end looking to the pier. The Royal Scotsman overnighting at Wemyss Bay. The locomotives were 37 214 and 47 854.

Wolsingham: Platform side at Wolsingham on the Weardale Railway in May 2006. View is east in the general direction of Bishop Auckland see image [[37175]].

Wemyss Bay: The Royal Scotsman rests overnight at Wemyss Bay.

Wemyss Bay: The Royal Scotsman rests overnight at Wemyss Bay, viewed from the former goods line to the pier and goods yard.

Wemyss Bay: The route of the former luggage line to the pier. The link onto the pier has been removed.

Wemyss Bay: Wemyss Bay goods looking to the pier and zig-zag line up to the station.

Witton-le-Wear [2nd]: The level crossing and gatekeepers accommodation at the bottom of Station Road, Witton-le-Wear, on the Weardale Railway. Note the groundframe to the right of the crossing. View is south east towards Bishop Auckland in May 2006. No trace remains of the station, which stood on the far side of the crossing and closed in 1965.

Middleton-in-Teesdale: 'So there's just you and your mother living in the house Norman...?' Approach to Middleton-in-Teesdale in May 2006. The station closed to passengers in 1964 and is now a quiet motel... I mean caravan park. [Ref query 11 November 2017]

Wolsingham: Renovation work being carried out at Wolsingham station on the Weardale Railway in May 2006. View is east see image [[37174]].

Stanhope: Sunshine on Stanhope. Road approach to the refurbished station at Stanhope in May 2006, now part of the Weardale Railway. See image [[21987]]

Corbridge: Corbridge station forecourt showing the old station buildings and station masters house in May 2006. The location is now an Indian restaurant.

Wemyss Bay: Base of the former signal box at Wemyss Bay in 2006. See image [[5758]] for a view of this while still standing.

Frosterley: Frosterley station looking west towards Stanhope in May 2006. The beautifully refurbished station building is now in use as part of a large day nursery.

Stanhope: View east towards Bishop Auckland from the Eastgate platform at the restored Stanhope station in May 2006.

Corbridge: A Sunderland - Hexham train pulls into the westbound platform at Corbridge in May 2006. The impressive main station building, part of which can be seen on the left, has been converted into a restaurant. See image [[9334]]

Middleton-in-Teesdale: Looking over the pedestrian section of the old entrance gate giving access to the station forecourt at Middleton-in-Teesdale in May 2006. The porch of the former Station Master's house is on the right with the main building beyond. The station saw its last passengers in November 1964 and the site is now a large caravan park. See image [[9313]]

Stephenson's Cottage: The trackbed of the 1748 Wylam Waggonway looking east towards Newcastle on 8 May 2006. Behind the trees on the right is the River Tyne, while on the left is the cottage in which George Stephenson was born on 9 June 1781. The site is now a visitor centre in the care of the National Trust.

Tay Viaduct [Perth]: Looking north at a turbostar heading east over the Wee Tay Bridge.

Ballathie: North East view to Cargill from overbridge near Ballathie Hotel, east of the former station.

Ballathie: View towards Stanley Junction, from overbridge at Ballathie Hotel, east of the former station. The view looks to the former station.

Alloa West Junction: Site of Alloa West level crossing on 8 May 2007 looking south towards Grange Road from alongside the A907. The road is now truncated on the other side of the footbridge which now spans the track. See image [[11451]]

Alloa: Starting on the steps - Alloa station, May 2007.

Sorrento: Sorrento, a terminus of the Circumvesuvius narrow gauge railway system centred on Naples. A station with a very generous number of platforms.

Huncoat: Huncoat signal box once controlled access to the colliery across a second level crossing to the right of the one that remains. There were also sidings for the brickworks in the area behind the box now occupied by the trees. Signalling on this line has been controlled from Preston since 1972 but Huncoat box was retained to operate the level crossing and only finally closed in 2014.

Eglinton Street: 156499 awaits signals as it heads to Glasgow Central on 8th May with the CGUR St Enoch approach line railway bridge in the background

Shoreditch High Street: Work progresses on the East London Line extension.

Shoreditch High Street: Work on a new bridge that will carry the East London Line extension over New Inn Yard, Shoreditch.

Milnathort: The remaining wooden platforms at the west end of Milnathort, the double track metal bridge between them crosses the North Queich.

Clackmannan and Kennet: 66141 heads west near Clackmannan on 8 May 2008, with the Ochil Hills forming a backdrop.

Huncoat: 142036 bounces through Huncoat without stopping on its way to Colne. View across the level crossing towards Accrington. Huncoat Colliery, closed in 1968, was adjacent to the station.

Alloa [1st]: 158 715 about to take the platform line at Alloa station junction on 8 May with a training run from Stirling.

Hapton: Northern Rail has really tidied up the East Lancashire stations recently. This is Hapton looking towards Rose Grove as 142003 pulls in on a Colne to Blackpool South service.

Hapton: General view of Hapton station from the overbridge looking towards Huncoat and Accrington as 158754 approaches on a Blackpool North to York service.

Wyre Viaduct: The Black Duchess, 6233, heads north over Six Arches bridge at Scorton on 8 May with a Gloucester to Carlisle excursion that she had taken over at Crewe.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: Looking south towards Euxton Balshaw Lane as the 0720 hrs Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central service heads for the next stop at Preston on 8 May 2010.

Haigh: The narrow, low headroom, angled, rail overbridge with entrance to the down side of the former Haigh Station on the Wakefield to Barnsley line on the left. There is periodic impact damage or dislodging of arch stones by over-height vehicles here. M1 J38 is only some 50m behind the camera with through traffic accessing the motorway having increased considerably in recent years. The arched bridge was replaced by a precast concrete bridge deck over 6/7 August 2016. See image [[56208]]

Euxton Balshaw Lane: The second of two football specials from Barrow in Furness to Wembley on 8 May 2010, taking Barrow FC supporters to the FA Trophy final. The first train was operated by DBS and the second by DRS, with 47501 on the front and 47712 at the rear. The special is seeen here approaching Euxton Balshaw Lane on the Up Fast line.

Banbury: Looking south from the platforms of Banbury station on 8th May 2010.

Oxford: 67006 storms through the centre road at Oxford with a football special carrying Barrow FC supporters to the FA Trophy final at Wembley on 8th May 2010

Euxton Balshaw Lane: A Liverpool to Blackpool North service photographed through Balshaw Lane road bridge as it calls at Euxton Balshaw Lane station on 8 May 2010.

Haigh: The old station House at Haigh (closed 1965), sited on the down side of the Wakefield to Barnsley line approximately 500metres south of Woolley Tunnel south portal. The former station is only 100metres across a field from the M1 motorway, near junction 38, and faces the grounds of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park beyond the motorway. There were calls some years ago to reopen the station to give easy non-car access to the Sculpture Park, unfortunately to no avail.

Brock: DBS 60010 heads north on the WCML at Brock on 8 May 2010 with an engineers train. DBS 60085 is bringing up the rear.

Wyre Viaduct: Super power for a short nuclear flask train as 66427 and 66423 cross a tranquil River Wyre at Scorton heading south on 8 May. This was an unexpected bonus while I was waiting for the Duchess of Sutherland steam special to pass this point heading for Carlisle.

Fintown: Railcar no 18 at the platform at Fintown, County Donegal, on 8 May 2011.

Roy Bridge: 61994 The Great Marquess and 37676 Loch Rannoch start the descent into Monessie Gorge east of Roy Bridge with The Cathedrals Explorer on 8 May 2011.

Bowling: 61994 The Great Marquess + 37676 Loch Rannoch (in place of the failed 45231) with 'The Cathedrals Explorer' at Bowling on 8 May 2011. The train was on its way from Stirling to Fort William.

Erwood: Since being photographed at Erwood in September 2009 see image [[26229]], Fowler 0-4-0 diesel number 169 has now been repainted. The locomotive was one of 120 originally bought to move munitions during WW2 and finished its working career at RAF St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Erwood: All is not as it seems at this railway oasis in mid-Wales. The station building see image [[26229]] was originally wooden, and burnt down in 1998; the modern replacement is in brick and corrugated steel. This bijou little signal box is likewise not the original, having been transplanted from Newbridge-on-Wye, on the other side of Builth.

Coxwold: Crossing keepers cabin on north side of former Coxwold Station level crossing on line from Malton to east coast line south of Thirsk

Loch Treig Tunnel: On a glorious day in bright sunshine, K4 61994 The Great Marquess and 37676 Loch Rannoch haul The Cathedrals Explorer along the side of Loch Treig south of Tulloch on 8 May. Stob Coire Sgriodain (979 Metres) is the peak in the background.

Devyock and Sennybridge: About a mile East of Sennybridge, the N&B line crossed the River Usk at an angle, whereas this minor road takes the direct route. The road bridge may be weak, but it can carry 18 tons more than the rail bridge! View looks North in May 2011.

Donegal: Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, housed at the former Donegal Town station (closed 1960). Seen here on 8 May 2011.

Bowling: 334 009 leaves Bowling with an eastbound service on 8 May.

Brecon Joint: Better than nothing I suppose - this nameboard on the down platform is sadly all that remains of Brecon station in May 2011, the site now being occupied by a care home.

Coxwold: View north east over the former level crossing at the site of Coxwold Station in North Yorkshire in May 2011. Note the old crossing keepers cabin still in situ.

Machynlleth: Machynlleth's modern two road Traction Maintenance Depot which is sited at the extreme west end of the former 89C shed yard, opposite the station building. It provides improved facilities for handling the Arriva Trains Wales Class 158 fleet compared to the old steam shed which it superceded but which is still an active part of the depot operation. A wind turbine just off picture to the left makes this a high renewable energy user facility.

Machynlleth: The relatively unaltered steam era east end of the former 89C Machynlleth shed in May 2012. The building is currently used for underframe cleaning of the Arriva Trains Wales 158 fleet. See image [[29398 for a view of the other end of the shed]]

Tywyn Wharf: Tywyn Wharf station and yard seen on 8 May 2012 from a passing Arriva Trains Wales Cambrian Coast line service.

Coquitlam: One of the 'West Coast Express' push-pull trains from Vancouver leaving Coquitlam heading for Mission on 8 May 2012. Note the array of horns - and the bell (which is used). The WCE trains run between Mission and Vancouver along the Fraser River - a journey time of around 75 minutes. See image [[39033]]

Machynlleth: 158828 stands in the yard to the east of Arriva Trains Wales Machynlleth maintenance depot in May 2012. The former 89C steam shed, used for under-body and bogie cleaning, can be seen in the distance to the left of the unit. The white building on the extreme left is the new Network Rail ERTMS signalling centre for the entire Cambrian Coast Line .

Welshpool: The former railway livestock pens and loading dock at Welshpool in May 2012, seen from the present station looking over what is now the town's bypass road.

Coquitlam: A freight train consisting of 120 empty grain hoppers passing through Coquitlam, British Columbia, on 8 May 2012.

Newtown: Tram type sleepers with tie bars seen on the still active line in the former west end bay at Newtown in May 2012. In the background the 12.04 departure to Aberystwyth & Pwllheli has just left the station.

Ravenswood Junction: A tranquil stretch of the surviving solum of the Berwickshire Railway between the former Ravenswood Junction and Leaderfoot Viaduct - seen here looking north on 8th May 2013.

St Boswells: Hard to believe this was once a railway - the view south from the remains of the up through platform at St Boswells on 8th May 2013 is a complete contrast to the shot taken from virtually the same spot by the photographer's father 49 years earlier see image [[43887]].

Gorebridge: View from Station Road, Gorebridge, on 8 May 2013 looking north towards Newtongrange.

Melrose: The A6091 and Melrose station seen on 8th May 2013, with the road occupying most (but not all) of the old railway solum. For the same view taken by the photographer's father 48 years earlier see image [[43900]].

Fintry: Old railway carriage incorporated into the body of a roadside house east of Fintry, Stirlingshire, photographed in May 2013.

Newcastle Central: ScotRail 156500 in east end bay platform 1 at Newcastle Central on 8 May 2013. This platform is regularly used for stabling the 11.07 arrival from (07.07 ex) Glasgow Central via Carlisle, which would appear to be routed past the 52A Gateshead shed site and over the high level bridge in both directions.

Queen Elizabeth II Bridge: A Tyne & Wear Metro unit about to leave the bridge over the River Tyne heading for Newcastle Central on the afternoon of 8 May 2013.

Newcastle Central: The west end bay platforms at Newcastle Central on 8 May. A TransPennine 185 unit forms the 17.02 to Manchester Airport at no 9, a CrossCountry Voyager stands at 11 with the 17.32 to Guildford, while ScotRail's 156494 is at platform 12 with the 17.16 to Glasgow Central via Dumfries.

Cumbernauld: Catenary at Cumbernauld. 158869 arrives under the new metalwork at Cumbernauld platform 2 on 8 May 2014 with the 10.52 service from Glasgow Queen Street. After proceeding into the reversing siding it will run back into platform 1 before setting off on the return journey 9 minutes later.

Forrestfield: Shortly after passing through Caldercruix and skirting Hillend reservoir, 334013 is about to run through the site of Forrestfield station. The train is the 11.27 Milngavie - Edinburgh, which runs non-stop between Drumgelloch and Bathgate. The cyclists on the right are using the cycle path/walkway built to replace that reclaimed by the reopened railway. See image [[9671]]

Cumbernauld: SPT liveried 318252 runs into platform 2 at Cumbernauld on 8 May 2014 with a test train on the recently electrified line from Springburn. North Clyde electric services will be extended to Cumbernauld from 19 May.

Airdrie: Looking east over Airdrie station on 8 May 2014. The 09.57 Milngavie - Edinburgh Waverley has just arrived at platform 3, while the 10.56 service to Balloch is awaiting its departure time in bay platform 1. See image [[50194]]

Caldercruix: The 10.40 Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley arrives at the eastbound platform at Caldercruix on 8 May 2014.

Cumbernauld: After leaving the refuge siding at the north end of Cumbernauld station, 158869 runs back into platform 1 where it will form the 11.28 service to Glasgow Queen Street. Waiting at platform 2 on the left ready to take its place in the siding is 318252, recently arrived via the newly electrified line from Springburn with a test train.

Beauly: 37685 Loch Arkaig and 37516 Loch Laidon bring The Royal Scotsman round the curve at the west side of Beauly on 8 May on the way to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Greenfaulds: A 158 pulls away from Greenfaulds on 8 May 2014 with the 11.12 Cumbernauld - Motherwell service.

Cumbernauld: Platform scene at Cumbernauld station on 8 May 2014, with electrification of the line from Springburn completed a few days earlier. Boarding at platform 1 is 158869, which has just arrived from the reversing siding with a return shuttle service to Queen Street High Level. Alongside at platform 2 is 318252 with a test train off the newly electrified Springburn line.

Forrestfield: Open countryside near Forrestfield looking east towards Blackridge on 8 May 2014. The approaching 11.48 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central is running alongside the walkway / cycleway that now follows much of the central section of the reopened route. See image [[25232]]

Airdrie: A crew change about to take place on the 09.48 Edinburgh - Helensburgh service during its stop at Airdrie on 8 May 2014.

Greenfaulds: The 1112 Cumbernauld - Glasgow Queen Street approaching Greenfaulds station on 8 May 2014. [Ref query 10 August 2018]

Airdrie: Looking across the through platforms at Airdrie on 8 May 2014 as the terminating 09.23 service from Balloch runs into bay platform 1.

Cumbernauld: A class 318 EMU recently arrived at Cumbernauld with a test train off the newly electrified line from Springburn on 8 May 2014. The train is heading for the refuge siding prior to crossing over for the return trip. Passenger services on the North Clyde Line were extended to Cumbernauld (via reversal at Springburn) eleven days later.

Blackridge: Looking south towards Blackridge station on 8 May from a lay-by on the A89.

Caldercruix: The 11.21 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central about to restart from Caldercruix on 8 May 2014. Caldercruix is number 8 of the 30 stops made by this train during its 77 mile journey.

Blackridge: A 6-car class 334 combination approaching Blackridge, West Lothian, in May 2014 on a Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley service, with the leading set still in SPT livery.

Smardale Gill: Two long-abandoned railway cottages standing alongside the trackbed of the SDLUR just east of the quarry and viaduct at Smardale Gill. View west on 8 May 2015.

Merehead Limestone Quarry: Aggregate Industries super GM shunter No 44 Western Yeoman II has just backed onto a rake of Mendip Rail bogie box wagons at Merehead on 8 May 2015 ready to move them to the loading facility. On the right AI liveried 59005 waits at the rear of a loaded rake ready to propel it out of the yard onto the branch before heading off to join the main line.

Smardale: A close up of the abandoned railway cottages with gates leading directly to the trackbed of the SDLUR line just west of Smardale Gill viaduct in May 2015. Here, as at many remote parts of the route particularly between Barnard Castle and Ravenstonedale, I can experience a 'heavy' feeling, verging on unease, as dusk descends. Too many ghosts perhaps...

Frome: Looking north towards Frome station with its recently repainted fully enclosed wooden train shed and attached single storey station building. The southbound platform is not used, although a newly painted waiting room remains See image [[51450]]. The single bi-directional track runs alongside the nearest platform.

Frome: The freshly painted waiting room on the disused former down side platform at Frome Station in May 2015. The lower notice indicates a partnership between Network Rail and Frome Station Friends to enhance the station and its environs.

Merehead Limestone Quarry: Aggregate Industries GM built Bo-Bo shunter Western Yeoman II runs back onto a rake of empty wagons at Merehead on 8 May 2015. Meantime another GM built loco 59005 stands at the end of a heavily loaded train ready to provide additional rear end power needed to ensure it could ascend the gradient onto the branch from Witham Friary.

Frome: A First Great Western HST, on the slightly late 15.55 departure to Paddington - 14.53 ex Exeter St. David, stands across the bridge carrying the present single line over the A362 Wallbridge, beyond the north end of Frome station, on 8 May 2015. The leading power car is visible to right of a bridge abutment which shows an infilled area where a second track once crossed the road.

Merehead Limestone Quarry: Aggregate Industries GM built Bo-Bo shunter Western Yeoman II draws a rake of empty box wagons north under the A361 road at Merehead on 8 May 2015, approaching the loading facilities at the extensive Merehead Quarry. Just forward of the loco the line fans out on either side to allow up to three rakes of wagons to be stabled at the loading point.

Frome: Looking out in a northerly direction from within the magnificent wooden train shed at Frome in May 2015 see image [[52435]]. An HST stop board stands directly opposite the signal up ahead, for those GWR South West services running via Westbury and Taunton that are routed off the through line to call at the station.

Fort William Junction: Signals preserved outside a railway social club at Fort William.

Rigi Kulm: As a service from Vitznau disgorges its passengers a service from Arth Goldau arrives at Rigi Kulm on the Rigi mountain on a perfect day weatherwise for a trip on this Swiss mountain railway.

Newcraighall South Junction: ScotRail 158736 emerges from the fog at Millerhill on Sunday 8 May 2016 with the first Borders Railway southbound train of the day, the 0911 Edinburgh – Tweedbank. The train is in the process of passing over the double-track split at Newcraighall South Junction. In less than half a mile it will reach Shawfair station where it is scheduled to cross the first train north, the 0845 Tweedbank - Edinburgh. Part of the Millerhill Yard admin block is just visible in the right background.

Coatbridge Central: Diverted Edinburgh to Carlisle (9M47) Voyager through Coatbridge on Sunday the 8th of May.

Edinburgh Waverley: From 21 May the 'Motorail' sidings will be taken out of use for more than a year pending construction of new extended platforms 5 and 6. Looking east from the Market Street Footbridge over the site of new platforms 5 and 6.

Brotton: This is looking south, the line is from Boulby potash mine. Much of the output from the mine is transported by rail, as the site is located south of Loftus along the route of the former Cleveland Railway and Whitby Redcar and Middlesbrough Union Railway. Today the line is open from Saltburn to Boulby for goods traffic only. Teesport handles most of the bulk cargo export from the mine, via a specific potash and rock salt terminal. The Cleveland Way is to the left.

Carnforth: A Carnforth mural. Rather good!

Willington (Derbyshire): Cross Country 170398 hurries through Willington station, heading towards Derby, on 8th May 2017. Willington closed to passengers in 1968 but reopened in 1994. It is unstaffed but well cared for by a local community group.

Shettleston: A 6-coach Class 334 on an Edinburgh – Helensburgh service passes through Shettleston station at speed on a sunny May evening.

Egginton Junction: 97301 (the former D6800) approaches the level crossing at Egginton Junction on 8th May 2017 hauling a measurement train from Derby towards Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The buildings to the east side of the station fenced off while demolition work is in progress.

Egginton Junction: The level crossing at Hilton lies at the east end of the Egginton Junction station site and is operated by a gateman who works under the supervision of the mechanical box there. The station, one time junction for the GNR Derby Friargate line, closed in 1962.

Edinburgh Waverley: From 21 May the 'Motorail' sidings will be taken out of use for more than a year pending construction of new extended platforms 5 and 6. 67021 and 92033 await their next duties.

St Bees: A somewhat unconventional view of St Bees. 37402 seen through the front of a loco-hauled set.

Carlisle: Here is Ole Kroczek of DB inspecting an unusual notice - supporting the re-opening of Gilsland station - at Carlisle Station. Gilsland Station

National Railway Museum York: C1 (33001) Sole survivor of a powerful WWII austerity design by O. V. S. Bulleid built in 1942 for the Southern Railway. The 0-6-0 is seen on the NRM turntable in the main hall on 8th May 2017.

Sandsend Tunnel: North of Sandsend, the Cleveland Way continues up the path and past the tunnel which is currently blocked by two large green gates. [Ref query 1023]

Leicester Abbey Pumping Station: Close of play at Abbey Pumping Station on 8th May 2017 and the Simplex narrow gauge shunter, donated to the museum by Severn & Trent Water, sits outside the maintenance shed. Note the prominent sandboxes, front and rear See image [[48001]].

Whalley Viaduct: Pacer 142014, now over thirty years old, slows to call at the station as it crosses Whalley Viaduct on 8th May 2018 working from Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe. This view looks east along Ridding Lane towards the Whalley Abbey gatehouse.

Perth: An Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street service pulls into Platform 1 at Perth on 8th May 2018.

Whalley Viaduct: Only 9 of the 48 arches that make up Whalley Viaduct are visible in this view from Ridding Lane as 142014 coasts across on 8th May 2018. The train is directly above the River Calder at this point. The Pacer was standing in for a Sprinter that would normally operate this service from Manchester to Clitheroe.

Stirling: An Alloa to Glasgow Queen Street service at Stirling Platform 6 on 8 May. Platform 8 doesn't seem to be used much in my experience, with terminating services favouring Platforms 7 or 9. The lattice footbridge in the background is due to be replaced with an accessible version: improved amenities but poorer amenity.

Linlithgow: 170417 heads west out of Linlithgow on 8th May 2018. Absence of branding indicates this unit is near the end of its lease and it will soon migrate south. The windscreen is being washed making it look even more... err... spotless.

Bo'ness: West Coast Railway 47237 stabled in Bo'ness Yard as the central Scotland standby loco on 8th May 2018.

Glasgow Central: Glasgow Central with an EMU in SPT colours. Picture taken from the 10.40 Pendolino service to London Euston in platform 2 on 8th May 2018.

Carlisle: A two coach service from Barrow arriving in Platform 2 at Carlisle on 8th May 2018. This will then be split to one coach to form the 12.08 return service.

Barrow-in-Furness: Barrow on a rainy day where I missed the return train to Carlisle to get my connection back to Glasgow. Normally the return train is late but as we were arriving it was leaving so ended up getting my ticket stamped and went via Lancaster where I managed to get the train that I would have connected with at Carlisle. Pity about the weather!

Stirling: 158 728, in long superseded livery, calls at Stirling with a Dunblane service on 8 May. Notice that the canopy edging on both main platforms has been removed to facilitate electrification. Sharper eyes will also spot evidence that the footbridge has been raised - for the same reason.

Aultnaslanach Viaduct: 47727 heads the return working of the NER's Railtour from Inverness to Newcastle.The engine is passing over the Ault-na-slanach Viaduct at Moy, the last timber viaduct existing on a main line Scottish railway.The viaduct was completed in 1897 and built of timber because of difficulty in securing foundations for a steel or masonry bridge. It underwent refurbishment in 2003 after some of the structure was found to be rotting. 66728 *Institution of Railway Operators * is on the rear of the train.

Linlithgow: 68006 speeds away from Linlithgow with an Edinburgh - Motherwell TMD empty stock working (from the ex-Glenrothes with Thornton commuter service). 8 May.

Bo'ness: Former NCB Comrie Colliery No.7, in the guise of BR 68007, working the service on 8 May. (Bill notes that by strange co-incidence he had photographed 68006 and 68007 on the same day, but that they are radically different locomotives.)

Greenhill Upper Junction: Greenhill upper with a 7 car 380 set on an Edinburgh service. (No sign of 365s yet!)

Sunnyside Junction: Timing! A Class 68 takes the morning ECS movement from Edinburgh Waverley to Motherwell on the Caledonian mainline over an Airdrie to Balloch EMU service on the North British Railway between Coatbridge Sunnyside and Blairhill. 8th May 2019.

Robroyston: The new Robroyston station is under construction.

Summerlee Heritage Centre: A glimpse of a rather sorry looking 303103 in Summerlee Heritage Park on 8th May 2019.

Sunnyside Junction: An Edinburgh Waverley to Helensburgh service passing Summerlee Heritage Park shortly after departing Coatbridge Sunnyside on 8th May 2019.

Sunnyside Junction: A Milngavie to Edinburgh Waverley service passing Sunnyside Junction on 8th May 2019. Disconnected Gunnie Yard lies off to the right.

Príncipe Pío: The current station name Príncipe Pío was chosen for the rebuilt station when it was re-opened in 1995. Originally known as Estación del Norte all long-distance services from the north of Spain were diverted to a new station at Chamartin in 1967. Nowadays Príncipe Pío station is a terminus for commuter trains and has a single through line (centre left of photo) which runs on a bridge (see image [[72223]]) then goes into a tunnel running under the city to Atocha; below all of these run Metro Madrid lines 6 and 10. The area on the left of shot is commercial space with restaurants and shops under the old train shed.

Hest Bank: The Seaforth to Mossend container service looks like a rail success story. When it started in 2018 loadings were initially very light See image [[64308]] but this train on 7th May 2019 was completely full, as is now typical. 66119 approaches the level crossing at Hest Bank.

Davidson's Mains: The fan shape of this Tesco car park betrays the fact that this was once Davidson's Mains goods yard, with the through line to the north (right) leading to the passenger station on the other side of the road. All trace of the latter has gone. The station opened as Barnton Gate which is strange as Barnton wasn't then a proper settlement and the station was in the established village of Davidson's Mains (formerly Muttonhole).

Príncipe Pío: Travelling literally through the middle of the station is a train of the Cercanías Madrid brand going south into a tunnel towards Atocha. Below the train are 4 platforms of the Madrid Metro Lines 10 and 6. The bridge carries the continuation of the single track through-line adjacent to the terminating platforms for suburban trains. See image [[70026]].

Madrid Atocha: The repurposed trainshed designed by Alberto de Palacio y Elissague and Alexandre Gustave Eiffel in 1892 is now a tropical garden where passengers can relax before going through the airport-standard security gates onto the new platforms behind the camera. Atocha is the Spanish name for Esparto Grass which was the main material used in British paper-making from the mid-19th Century. This material was imported to Leith for the Midlothian paper mills and to Aberdeen Harbour for the Donside and Culter Mills transported by rail.

Crew Junction: Site of the sidings immediately east of Crew Junction. That rusty (lighting?) pole may be a remnant of the yard. Incidentally those sinister-looking towers in the background were used by a defence company for radar testing and will be demolished if housing is built here as planned. Photographed incidental to my daily exercise permitted under emergency coronavirus legislation.

Glasgow Central: Scotland's biggest stations held a series of events on Friday, May the 8th, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Allies' Victory in Europe. With VE Day events taking place across Britain, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley held two-minute silences and wreath laying ceremonies at the stations' war memorials at 11:00. At 15:00 train horns were sounded in the stations followed by lone pipers. Network Rail engineer Darach Urquhart at Central and LNER train manager David Johnston at Waverley played 'When the Battle's Over'.

Alexandra Palace: Seen through the upstairs side window of a route W3 bus crossing the bridge over the ECML, looking north, an LNER Azuma is about to speed past Alexandra Palace station on the final stage of its journey to Kings Cross, on 8th May 2021. In the right background is Bounds Green depot.

Clayhills Yard: Saturday's 07:52 & 09:52 LNER Azuma trains parked up at Clayhills due to cracks being found in the Class 800 bogies.

Gogar: The hamlet of Roddinglaw is by the E&G line between the former stations of Ratho and Gogar. A Class 385 passes through the last mile of countryside before hitting the western edge of Edinburgh.

Tweedbank: A new £29m Borders Innovation Park, nearing completion at Tweedbank in May 2021, has transformed the station's appearance. Funded by Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Enterprise, Borders Railway Blueprint programme and the Edinburgh and South East Region City Deal to deliver high-quality business space, stimulate business growth and improve inward investment. Nearby there will be the Borders Gateway development creating up to eighty jobs in a new hotel, food kiosk, drive-through coffee shop and petrol station.

Palace Gates Wood Green: View along the trackbed of the former Palace Gates branch. with a makeshift footpath cutting diagonally across (the line went off to the left), towards the site of Palace Gates Wood Green station, marked by the houses, on 8th May 2021. This closed to passengers on 7th January 1963 and to freight on 5th October 1964. When the line was in use, a pedestrian subway was available to cross the line but that has long been filled in and replaced by a level walkway in front of where the station used to be.

Haymarket Tunnels: Photos of vegetation which could be anywhere are of course a RailScot staple, but at least this one has got some lethal-looking hardware in it too. Just to the right of the tree you can make out the grating of the air vent to the south tunnel; the vent to the north one (qv) has to have a 'chimney' as it is in a publicly accessible spot.

Edinburgh Gateway: One of those things that looks like it was designed by a child passes northbound through Edinburgh Gateway on 8 May 2021.

Palace Gates Wood Green: These steps alongside a short surviving (but derelict) section of trackbed of the former Palace Gates branch (on right) in north London, were provided to allow passengers quick access to the trains from the residential area centred on Park Avenue. After the line closed, the steps were retained to continue to provide a more convenient pedestrian route between the Park Avenue area and the new residential estate built on and around the former Palace Gates Wood Green terminus, as well as to the nearby GNR's Wood Green (now Alexandra Palace) station and which is still open. This view is looking towards Park Avenue on 8th May 2021. The line crossed Park Avenue by bridge, just to the right of the bottom of the steps, but which has long since been demolished, only the abutments remaining (see one of my previous pics for a view of those).

Alexandra Palace: Exterior of Alexandra Palace station, north London, on 8th May 2021. This was opened in 1859 as Wood Green, a slightly later addition to the GNRs London Extension of 1850 and was renamed Alexandra Palace in 1982. Not to be confused with the original station of the same name, opened by the GNR in 1873 and which was much more conveniently sited alongside the palace walls at the top of the steep hill up from the present station.

Edinburgh Gateway: A six-car Edinburgh-bound Class 158 calls at Edinburgh Gateway on 8 May 2021.

Kristiansand: A quiet Sunday morning at Kristiansand in May 2022. The station is much busier on weekdays. The fine building still contains the ticket office. Trains between Oslo and Stavanger reverse here, and as some are still loco hauled the run round loops are still used.