Cumnock Viaduct: Cumnock Viaduct. Class 2 4.4.0 40574.

Cumnock [1st]: Cumnock (A & C). Class 2 4.4.0 40574.

Skares: Skares. Class 2 4.4.0 40574.

Ochiltree: Ochiltree. Class 2 4.4.0 40574.

Ayr: A Glasgow St Enoch - Stranraer express leaving Ayr on 9 May 1959. At the front of the train is Corkerhill Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45677 Beatty.

Ayr: Jubilee 45677 Beatty arriving at Ayr on Saturday 9 May 1959 with a Glasgow - Stranraer train.

West Kilbride: BR Standard class 4 2-6-4T no 80000 on Tarbet Hill, West Kilbride, in May 1963 with an Ardeer workers train.

West Kilbride: Ardrossan shed's Black 5 no 45456 descending Tarbet Hill near West Kilbride in May 1963.

West Kilbride: A train of empty stock bound for Fairlie Pier heading north through West Kilbride on a grey Thursday morning in May 1963. The train will shortly pass below the B7047 Meadowfoot Road bridge.

Edinburgh Waverley: 4472 Flying Scotsman with 'Pegler's Pullman' about to run into Waverley's east end platforms on 9 May 1964 following its journey north from Doncaster. See image [[25500]]

Edinburgh Waverley: 'Flying Scotsman' stands at Waverley's Platform 8 on 9th May 1964, having arrived with the Pegler's Pullman special from Doncaster see image [[25500]].

Edinburgh Waverley: Preserved A3 Pacific no 4472 Flying Scotsman simmers gently at Waverley's Platform 8 on 9th May 1964. The steam celebrity had arrived in the city earlier that day with 'Pegler's Pullman' see image [[40411]].

Tweedmouth: 4472 Flying Scotsman runs north through Tweedmouth station on 9 May 1964 with Pegler's Pullman en route from Doncaster to Edinburgh. Part of Tweeedmouth shed (52D) can be seen in the right background. The locomotive spent the following 9 days in Scotland on railtour duty and returned south light engine on 18 May. It was during this visit that the initial work on the Terence Cuneo painting of 4472 on the Forth Bridge was undertaken.

Eastfield Shed: After spending much of its career on the Great Central line, operating out of Neasden, B1 61116 moved north in 1963 (see image [[29512]]) and spent a few final years allocated to Glasgow's Eastfield depot. It was photographed here in 1966.

Nottingham Midland: Admirers gather on the platforms of Nottingham Midland station on 9 June 1968 to watch the arrival of 70013 Oliver Cromwell with the BR (LMR) Midland Line Centenary Special Railtour. The Britannia was about to hand over to Peak D138 for the return journey to London St Pancras.

Carnforth: Empty stock train approaching Carnforth station on the up main line on 9 May 1970 with D425 in charge. The WTT of the day shows 5M20 as being the 11.50 Perth to Carlisle Yard ECS, but it evidently ran much further south than that.

Carnforth: After visiting Ravenglass on 9 May 1970, Scottish Grand Tour No. 10 retraced its steps to Carnforth, where enthusiasts were able to visit Steamtown. Photograph taken from the footbridge giving access off Warton Road, showing preserved Black 5 No. 44871 in steam in the shed yard. [Railscot note: By coincidence the young man in the brown coat to the left of the small group alongside the cab is Railscot contributor Jim Peebles!]

Hellifield: The 09.30 Carlisle Yard to Willesden partially fitted freight in the charge of Brush Type 4 No. 1943 standing in the up loop at Hellifield on 9 May 1970 undergoing a crew change.

Dalegarth: Scottish Grand Tour No 10, on 9th May 1970, was to the Cumbrian Coast and included the option of a trip on the narrow gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. Here is 'River Esk' being turned at the eastern terminus in order to return us to Ravenglass. There we re-joined the train headed by D353, which then hauled us to Carnforth where there was a historic occurrence. See image [[36161]].

Carnforth: On a fine May evening in 1970, EE Type 4 No. 353 stands in the down WCML platform at Carnforth waiting to take participants in 'Scottish Grand Tour No. 10' back to Edinburgh. Main line trains had ceased to call at Carnforth with effect from the start of the new timetable the previous Monday and this was expected to be the last passenger working to use the platform.

Carnforth: Scene at Carnforth during Scottish Grand Tour No. 10 on 9 May 1970. While the excursionists from Edinburgh visited Steamtown (or possibly a local pub), EE Type 4 No. D353 had run round the train and is seen here re-entering Carnforth Station. Departure homewards took place at 19:00.

Carnforth: After the closure of Carnforth MPD and its resurrection as 'Steamtown', sidings to the east of the shed were still used by BR for stabling a handful of locos. On the early evening of Saturday 9th May 1970, these included Brush Type 4 No. 1609 and BR Sulzer Type 2 No. 7635.

Arnside: No. 790 passes Waterslack between Arnside and Silverdale on 9th May 1976. See image [[38271]].

Silverdale: The EE Type 4 could hardly be described as a compact design, as demonstrated by this near broadside view of No. 40098 proceeding light engine in the Barrow direction near Silverdale on a sunny Sunday in May 1976

Silverdale: No 790 Hardwicke, photographed just north of Silverdale station on Sunday 9 May 1976 with the second of four special trips undertaken that day between Carnforth and Grange-over-Sands.

Silverdale: Hardwicke approaching Silverdale with the final trip of the day from Grange in the late afternoon. 9th May 1976.

Newark North Gate: A serious looking Deltic no 55006 The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in the process of ignoring the town of Newark as it passes through with a late afternoon ECML express on 9 May 1979.

Brookmans Park: 55008 'The Green Howards' approaching Brookmans Park station with the 1405 Kings Cross to York service in May 1980. At the time this was a regular Deltic diagram allthough 47s could and did appear.

South Gyle: Opening day at South Gyle station on 9 May 1985 sees 101 333 calling with a service to Waverley.

Tickets and labels: You only have my word for this, but I did buy this ticket on South Gyle's opening day, 9 May 1985 see image [[19642]].  Unfortunately the previous customer must have bought an advance ticket, and the mechanical machines of the time didn't default to that day's date for a new sale. Unlike other station openings around this time there was no commemorative ticket, and not even - it would seem - a pre-printed ordinary ticket.  I had to say South Gyle to the ticket clerk three times as if she had never heard of the place.

Inverkeithing South Junction: DMUs 101346 and 101309 form an Inverkeithing - Rosyth Dockyard shuttle service operating in connection with a 'Navy Day' on 9 June 1985. The combination is seen here passing the Inveresk/Caldwell paper mill.

Exeter St Davids: The 07.10 DMU from Barnstaple arrives at Exeter St Davids on 9 May 1985 complete with attached GUV.

Tickets and labels: I admit that this is an unimpressive specimen of a ticket, but it is made slightly noteworthy by the fact it was issued by the novel machine at South Gyle station on its opening day, 9 May 1985 see image [[19616]].  The fact that this was a quarter of a century ago in no way makes me feel old.  No way.

South Gyle: Photograph taken at South Gyle opening day on 9 May 1985. It is inconceivable that a notice like this would be handwritten today. The list of stations is a bit shorter than it would be now: no Dalgety Bay or Dunfermline QM. Cardenden and Lochgelly dont get a code. In these pre Fife Circle (and Glenrothes with Thornton) days they had a peak hours only service. The machine produced insubstantial tickets rather like the bus tickets of the time. I dont remember it lasting long, but the supports remain, as did, until today (27 June 2008) a small notice showing the station codes which was attached to that lamppost. The lamppost has just been replaced. The notice must have puzzled many of the hordes of commuters who passed it every day, years after the ticket machine had gone. See image [[26763]]

Whifflet North Junction: 20212 and 20227 with a Thornton Junction to Mossend freight seen at Whifflet North Junction in 1986. 20212 was scrapped in 1993 but 20227, the last EE Type 1 built, is preserved and main line registered, lately to be seen in London Transport livery.

Motherwell: A meeting of local trains in the mainline platforms of Motherwell station in 1989. The tower of the Dalzell North Church (now the GLO Centre) is in the background.

James Watt Dock: Indulging in a little gravity shunting at the James Watt Dock, Greenock in 1988. The train has drawn out of the United Molasses depot and then reversed up the tight curve towards Ladyburn. Then brakes applied. Loco comes off and runs back into James Watt dock sidings by the molasses depot. Train is dropped downhill past the points and locomotive then joins train for the second trip up to Ladyburn, this time at the other end.

Newtonmore: Looking north at Newtonmore in May 2002. The station building has been sold, the loop lifted, the remaining operational platform repositioned and a shelter erected. see image [[32328]]

Dolphingstone: Two parallel east coast mainlines running past Dolphingstone, near Prestonpans, on 9 May 2003. The nearer one is the replacement alignment and the other was the line replaced due to mining subsidence in the area.

Selkirk Junction: Langlee footbridge, seen in 2003. This footbridge was built to connect the Langlee estate with the south bank of the Gala Water, crossing the railway and river. Interestingly it was fitted with smoke deflectors, the bridge dating from before 1962. The location is immediately east of the former Selkirk Junction. Beyond the bridge the infilled section of cutting which ran east to Galafoot Road (now Winston Road) can be seen. See image [[78839]].

Dolphingstone: The Dolphingstone Deviation under construction in 2003. Note the doubled up catenary. View from the south. This deviation of the East Coast Mainline was necessary due to mining subsidence.

Zig Zag: A buffer and short remaining length of track at the zig zag on the Dalmunzie Railway which allowed it to gain height. View looks to Dalmunzie in May 2004.

Dalmunzie Hotel: Dalmunzie station on Sir Archibald Birkmyres railway. This is close by Dalmunzie House, now a Hotel. Some of the rolling stock used on the closed line is still held in the building.

Glenlochsie Lodge: Glenlochsie Lodge station looking to the buffer. This was the terminus of the line from Dalmunzie House (now a hotel). The ruined Lodge still stands to the left but when the river is in spate is inaccessable from the former station.

Zig zag: Looking towards Glenlochsie at the zig zag in September 2004. The line to the left ran, via another reversing spur, downhill to Dalmunzie House. That to the right continued uphill to Glenlochsie Lodge.

Dalmunzie Hotel: Stored track from the dismantled Dalmunzie Railway, photographed in May 2004 see image [[25043]].

Coatbridge Sunnyside: A Helensburgh - Airdrie train photographed during the stop at Coatbridge Sunnyside in May 2005. The square brick-faced pillar reaching up from platform level into the centre foreground of the picture once helped support a street level booking office on Gartsherrie Road. See image [[7765]]

Coatbridge Sunnyside: The refurbished and re-roofed main building at Coatbridge Sunnyside in the spring of 2005, with the Lamberton Engineering Works building looking on from the north side of the line.

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Locomotives on display in the yard at Summerlee Industrial Museum on 9 May 2005 include Sentinel 4wVB Robin (9628/1957), one of four previously employed by R B Tennent Ltd at their nearby Whifflet Foundry see image [[52917]]. Standing beyond is Barclay 0-4-0DH no 5 (472/1961).

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Preserved industrial locomotives alongside the platform on the north side of the Summerlee Museum site in May 2005. Nearest the camera is Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T 895/1909, followed by Gibb & Hogg 0-4-0ST 16/1898, Sentinel 4wVB 9628/1957 and Barclay 0-4-0DH 472/1961. The North Clyde Line runs past on the other side of the tree-lined fence.

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Former Graz Tramways car 225 of 1949 in use on the internal passenger service at Summerlee Museum in May 2005. The vehicle was sold to the Brighton Tram 53 Society in 2010.

Gartcosh: Byeeee..... Off on a train to Glasgow on 9 May 2005 - from the new Gartcosh station!

Coatbridge Central: Coatbridge Central photographed in May 2005 following conversion to a pub/restaurant. The Caledonian crest survives above the upstairs window. See image [[20176]]

Coatbridge Central: 156456 leaves Coatbridge Central on 9 May 2005 with a Motherwell - Cumbernauld service.

Coatbridge Central: Now it's a pub. Coatbridge Central in May 2005.

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Beyer - Garratt GMA 4-8-2+2-8-4 no 4112 on display at Summerlee Industrial Heritage Museum in May 2005. The giant was built at the North British Locomotives Company's Hyde Park works in the mid 1950s for the South African Railways. See image [[10485]].

Coatbridge Sunnyside: SPT liveried 320318 restarts a Helensburgh Central - Airdrie service from Coatbridge Sunnyside on 9 May 2005.

Coatbridge Central: Come on down 2! Passenger exit from Coatbridge Central 24 years on - May 2005. See image [[6285]]

Gartcosh: First day of operations at the new Gartcosh station, 9 May 2005.

Gartcosh: Trying to avoid the b*!!#* photographers - Gartcosh - first day of service at the new station, 9 May 2005.

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Rear view of former South African Railways Beyer-Garratt 4-8-2+2-8-4 no 4112 at Summerlee Museum on 9 May 2005. For front view see image [[10485]].

Coatbridge Sunnyside: A Helensburgh - Airdrie service runs east under Gartsherrie Road bridge and into Coatbridge Sunnyside station in May 2005. The line immediately beyond the metal fence running off to the right is the single line freight only link between Sunnyside Junction and Whifflet South Junction see image [[22309]].

Coatbridge Central: An afternoon Motherwell - Cumbernauld service pulls into Coatbridge Central on 9 May 2005.

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Former National Coal Board Scottish North Area 0-6-0T No 9 at Summerlee Heritage Museum, Coatbridge, in May 2005. The locomotive (Hudswell Clarke 895/1909) had spent its twilight years at Bedlay colliery, Glenboig, North Lanarkshire. See image [[6148]]

Summerlee Heritage Centre: Following withdrawal in 1990 EMU 311103 was converted at Shields depot for use as a Sandite unit on the Ayr line, suitably modified with Sandite tanks fitted within the driving trailer. It was later reclassified as class 936 and renumbered in the departmental series as 936103. Following replacement by new MPVs, the unit was donated to Summerlee, where it is seen in 2005 after repainting, standing near the entrance alongside one of the centre's Marshall Fleming steam cranes. See image [[10475]]

Marley Hill: Black, Hawthorn & Co 0-4-0ST no 266 Wellington receives attention inside Marley Hill shed in May 2006. The oldest locomotive on the site, Wellington dates from 1873.

Marley Hill: Interesting preservation lineup at Marley Hill in May 2006. The third locomotive in the lineup is Barclay DH 0-6-0 615/1977 see image [[25132]]

Metro Centre: Looking west along Scotswood View towards Metro Centre station on 9 May 2006. Opened in 1987, the station is located on the Newcastle-Carlisle line between Blaydon and Dunston. The link bridge provides covered access to the shopping centre and the signal box-like structure is a waiting room.

Marley Hill: Shunting duty in the yard at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006. The locomotive is Ruston & Hornsby TIC No 35. The 0-4-0 DE (418200) was built for the Port of Tyne Authority in 1953.

Marley Hill: Standing just inside the shed at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006 is Armstrong Whitworth 0-4-0 DE No 2 (D20/1933). No 2 was the regular pilot locomotive at Marley Hill at that time.

Tyne Marshalling Yard: View south east over part of the down side of Tyne Yard on 9 May 2006, with the tower closed and the occupants comprising lifted rails, redundant stock and stored class 37s.

Andrews House: Looking south over Andrews House station on the Tanfield Railway towards Causey Arch in May 2006. The station was built between 1987 and 1989.

Marley Hill: Motley crew in the sidings at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006. 0-4-0DM No 1 Husky (RSH 7901/1958) is standing in front of 0-4-0DM no 158 (RSH 6980/1940).

Marley Hill: Inside Marley Hill shed on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006. The preserved steam locomotive receiving attention is 0-4-0ST Sir Cecil A Cochrane (RSH 7409/1948).

Andrews House: Looking north over Andrews House station on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006. Completed in 1989, the station lies just to the south of Marley Hill shed.

Marley Hill: Old wooden high capacity coal wagon in the sidings at Marley Hill in May 2006.

Causey Arch [Station]: Looking north at Causey Arch station on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006. [Ref query 991]

Causey Arch: A reproduction of one of the early horse-drawn wooden wagons once used to transport coal between collieries in western County Durham and the coast. Approximately 900 such wagons crossed the Causey Arch on the Tanfield Railway every day during its heyday. This one stands at the south end of the arch. Built in 1725/1726, the Causey Arch is the world's oldest surviving single-arch railway bridge (see image [[41815]]).

Marley Hill: Locomotive status board hanging alongside the old signing on point just inside the main doors of Marley Hill shed on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006.

Marley Hill: Former Kearsley power station electric locomotive No 3 [RSH 7078 of 1944] photographed in the sidings at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006.

Tyne Marshalling Yard: A class 66 brings a coal train through the former down departure sidings and out towards the ECML at the north end of Tyne Yard in May 2006.

Causey Arch: Built in 1725/1726, the Causey Arch on the Tanfield Railway in County Durham is the world's oldest surviving single-arch railway bridge. It once handled 900 horse drawn coal wagons per day plying the route between the local collieries and the River Tyne. A reproduction of one of the early wooden coal wagons stands alongside see image [[40025]].

Causey Arch [Station]: A pair of elderly coal wagons resting in the goods bay at Causey Arch station on a warm and pleasant day in May 2006. See image [[58758]]

Marley Hill: Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0ST Stagshaw (3513/1923) photographed on 9 May 2006 inside the main shed at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway.

Causey Arch: The historic Causey Arch in May 2006, seen from alongside the trackbed of the Tanfield Railway. See image [[41776]]

Dunston: The bleak platform view at Dunston in May 2006 looking west towards Metro Centre.

East Tanfield: The southern terminus of the Tanfield Railway at East Tanfield in May 2006, with temporary Portakabins in use and a line of wagons occupying the sidings on the west side of the station. The upper photograph is a general view of the location looking north. The lower is a view along the platform showing various vehicles ranging from modern (relatively speaking) former NCB stock to a wooden ex-Bowes Railway coal wagon second from the camera. [Ref query 18 November 2017]

Tyne Marshalling Yard: The Angel of the North watches over the various movements taking place at Tyne Yard on a fine May afternoon in 2006. Nearest the camera EWS 60047 is running into the yard with a coal train.

Marley Hill Level Crossing: The flat crossing at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway, looking north east towards Sunnyside in May 2006. The line running left to right was part of the Bowes Railway. See image [[56451]]

Marley Hill Shed: Electric locomotive No 3 [RSH 7078 of 1944] in the sidings alongside Marley Hill shed on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006. The locomotive was previously employed at the former Kearsley power station in Lancashire.

Marley Hill: The flat crossing and box at Marley Hill on 9 May 2006. Running left to right across the picture is the Tanfield Railway, while the truncated line once formed part of the Bowes Railway.

Marley Hill Shed: Ex-Port of Tyne Authority TIC No 35 (Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 DE 418200/1953) photographed in the shed yard at Marley Hill on the Tanfield Railway in May 2006.

Tyne Marshalling Yard: Oil train, coal train, PW train and coal empties pass at the north end of Tyne Yard in May 2006.

Glenesk Viaduct: Looking south over Glenesk Viaduct on 9 May. On the far side was Glenesk Junction where the line to Dalkeith veered left away from the Waverley route.

Glenesk Viaduct: Plate attached to Glenesk Viaduct - May 2007. See image [[51725]]

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Bridge over carried Yoker Riverside Station.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Bridge over carried Yoker Riverside Station.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Rails still in place.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Concrete sleepers still in place.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Concrete sleepers still in situ.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Bridge over carried Yoker Riverside Station.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. Bridge over carried Yoker Riverside Station.

Green Road Junction: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway branch to Rothesay Dock. This branch left the L&D line E of Scotstoun West Station.

Yoker Ferry: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Yoker Riverside Station. This was an island platform station on an elevated line at this point. The platform continued on the bridge over Greenlaw Street which accessed Rothesday Dock.

Yoker Ferry: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Yoker Riverside Station. This was an island platform station on an elevated line at this point.

Yoker Ferry: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Yoker Riverside Station. This was an island platform station on an elevated line at this point, looking W.

Yoker Ferry: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Yoker Riverside Station. This was an island platform station on an elevated line at this point, looking E.

Yoker Ferry: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Yoker Riverside Station. This was an island platform station on an elevated line at this point.

Yoker Ferry: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Yoker Riverside Station. This was an island platform station on an elevated line at this point.

Temple Branch: Temple Branch serving Temple sawmill and other works. Trackbed looking SE.

Temple Branch: Temple Branch serving Temple sawmill and other works. Bridge under Fulton Street.

Clydebank Riverside: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Clydebank Riverside Station. Now housing, Architect JJ Burnet. See photograph ref 13217 for simiar view in the 1980s.

Clydebank Riverside: Ticket Office Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Clydebank Riverside Station. Now housing, note Caledonian Railway crest over Booking Hall entrance.

Clydebank Riverside: Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway, Clydebank Riverside Station. Now housing, note stone Caledonian Railway Crest.

Forteviot: A 5 car 170/158 combination heads north past Forteviot on 9 May 2008 with a Glasgow - Inverness service.

Glasgow Central: DVT 82205 leading the NXEC 0750 Glasgow Central - London Kings Cross service, about to commence its journey on 9th May 2008.

Forteviot: Pullman Special running between Poole & Aviemore hauled by 37401 & 37412 at Forteviot level crossing. That is a long way to pull a Pullman, man.

Hawes: As the Railway Ramblers approached Hawes, we had to detour around a section of trackbed which we couldn't get permission to cross. Notice the excellent fencing on top of the bridge, the stout stone wall below to prevent fiery head-on collisions between supersonic sheep - and the Yorkshire mist on the camera lens. The moss on the wall indicates the frequency of, er, mist.

Hawes: Hawes is a nice town, the station buildings are wonderfully preserved, the MR fencing is just right - but the tracks only extend as far as the ends of the platforms, and that nice steam train is stuffed and mounted. Let's hope the Wensleydale Railway get services back here. View looks East from the road bridge.

Llandudno Junction: 47798 at the rear of The Welsh Dragon special at Llandudno Junction in May 2009.

Crianlarich: Photograph taken at Crianlarich on 9 May 2009 during a short break on the SRPS Mallaig Railtour. Locomotives used on the special were EWS liveried 37670 St Blazey and 37401.

Carlisle: The north end bays at Carlisle, platforms 7 & 8, with a First ScotRail Class 156 waiting to depart to Glasgow Central via Dumfries and Kilmarnock on 9 May 2009.

Glenfinnan: The station building at Glenfinnan on 9 May 2009.

Carlisle: 46115 Scots Guardsman propels a support coach through platform 4 at Carlisle on 9 May 2009 after it had arrived with the Scot over Shap railtour.

Durham Gilesgate: Travelodge meets the Twilight Zone. This former terminus station carries all the trappings of a standardized hotel design - sapele doors, white plasterboard walls, suspended ceiling - hang on! From what parallel dimension did that cast iron roof support come? Victorian Steamworld, if you ask me...

Carlisle: The buffers at the south end of platforms 7 & 8 at Carlisle on 9 May 2009. The sign behind the left set instructs staff not to stable rolling stock hard against the hydraulic buffers. I hope no one even tries to make contact with the buffers with the Sprinter DMUs that frequent platform 7 let alone stable up against them!

Carlisle: Looking north along platform 7 at Carlisle with 156505 'Not to be Moved' as it was being 'watered' prior to a journey to Glasgow Central via Dumfries. Not long after departure from Carlisle and with the automatic train announcements reeling off the stations along the route, something happened as we approached the border as the announcements suddenly changed and we were advised that the service was going to Glasgow Queen Street and that we would be calling at Haymarket, Linlithgow, Polmont....... Needless to say this was promptly corrected by our slightly bemused train manager, who had started checking tickets, before we arrived at Gretna Green.

Oxenholme: A northbound Pendolino calls at Oxenholme on 09 May 2009. The Windermere branch platform is to the left of the train.

Forton: Heading north though the cutting at Forton is Trans Pennine unit 185147. Forton lies mid way between Scorton and Bay Horse but the village never had its own station. This view is from Cleveley Bank Lane bridge towards Bay Horse and Lancaster.

Forton: 46115 Scots Guardsman maintains a steady 75mph as it passes under Cleveley Bank Lane bridge, between Scorton and Bay Horse, heading for Carlisle with a special from Birmingham (steam hauled from Preston) on 9 May.

Leyland: 86259 'Les Ross' hauls the Birmingham New Street to Preston leg of the 'Scot over Shap' railtour to Carlisle through Leyland on the Down Fast on 09 May 09.

Oxenholme: 46115 'Scots Guardsman' on the Preston to Carlisle leg of the 'Scot over Shap' railtour from Birmingham on 09 May 09. The train is seen running at speed at the south end of Oxenholme station, looking and sounding very impressive.

Carlisle: At the end of the outward leg of its journey, 46115 'Scots Guardsman' coasts into Carlisle on 9 May 2009 with the 'Scot over Shap' railtour.

Preston: LMS Stanier Pacific no.6201 'Princess Elizabeth' takes water at Preston after working a railtour on 09 May 2009.

Annan: 156446 on the First ScotRail Carlisle to Dumfries service with the 1744 hrs departure from Annan on 9 May 2009.

Preston: 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' with support coach in the Up & Down Goods Loop at Preston station on the evening of 9 May 2009 whilst the tender is replenished with water from a local hydrant. The locomotive had earlier hauled the Cumbrian Mountain Express railtour from Doncaster to Carlisle and then ran via Shap with its support coach to Crewe.

Appersett: I had a feeling that Appersett viaduct, between Garsdale and Hawes, had been demolished. I was wrong. Strictly speaking, it isn't disused - people abseil down it.

Armadale: Woolly jumpers heading for Baaaa..thgate cutting across the trackbed at the site of the under construction Armadale station early on a Sunday morning in May 2010. [With acknowledgement to James Abbott.]

Dove Holes: The view north from the Buxton platform at Dove Holes station on 9 May 2010. Looking under the three overbridges doesn't really give the impression of just how steep the descent is towards Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Carrickfergus: Trains passing at Carrickfergus on 9 May 2011.

Rosyth: 170 457 calls at Rosyth on 9 May with a service to Newcraighall.

Bank Mill: Beyond the former terminus at Penicuik a line ran south to reach Bank Mill on the other side of the A701 see image [[29992]]. One of the mills that made up the Valleyfield complex of Alexander Cowan & Sons, Bank Mill had started life as a corn mill before being bought over and converted to a secure facility making bank notes. View west through the short single line rail tunnel under the A701 on 9 May 2011 with Bank Mill standing beyond. [Behind the camera the site of Penicuik station and Valleyfield mill is now housing.]

Rosyth: The Royal Scotsman hauled by 57001 runs through Rosyth on 9 May.

Carrickfergus: Scene at Carrickfergus on 9 May 2011 with a Larne train ariving.

Chenonceaux: SNCF service from Tours to Bourg in the Loire Valley, leaving Chenonceaux on a beautiful May day in 2011.

Stirling: Welcome to Stirling! View from the main station entrance, 9 May 2012.

Alloa Loop: Coal empties from Longannet power station on their way back to Hunterston shortly after noon on 9 May 2012 behind EWS liveried 66015. The train is running parallel with the A907 road on the eastern approach to Alloa. The track on the left is part of Alloa East loop.

Alloa [1st]: The 12.18 from Glasgow Queen Street takes the platform line at Alloa station junction on 9 May 2012.

Alloa West Junction: The 13.41 Alloa - Glasgow Queen Street just a few minutes into its journey on 9 May seen shortly after passing the footbridge at Alloa West.

Stirling: A fine array of semaphore signals greets the 13.48 Glasgow Queen Street - Dunblane DMU on 9 May as it approaches the south end of Stirling station.

Alloa Loop: The approach to Alloa from the east on 9 May 2012, with Clackmannan Road roundabout in the background. EWS liveried 66015 is passing with coal empties from Longannet power station heading for Hunterston. The track on the right is part of Alloa East loop.

Stirling: View north west over Stirling station in May 2012 from the footbridge. Trains for Dunblane and Glasgow Queen Street are at the platforms and Stirling Castle overlooks the scene top left.

Alloa: A bright and sunny May morning in 2012 sees a train of coal empties from Longannet Power Station heading west along the Alloa station bypass line on the way back to Hunterston.

Stirling: Classic frontage of the category 'A' listed station building at Stirling, viewed from the north in May 2012.

Stirling North Junction: The 14.28 Dunblane - Edinburgh Waverley approaching Stirling on 9 May 2012 past Stirling North signal box.

Alloa West Junction: An Alloa - Glasgow Queen Street DMU speeds past The Arns, home of Clackmannan County Cricket Club on 9 May 2012. The train is approaching Cambus level crossing, just out of shot in the left background.

Alloa Loop: Coal empties from Longannet westbound passing Alloa loop on a hot day in May 2012. The train has just crossed Helensfield Bridge over the A907 (right middle distance) and is running parallel with the road approaching Parkmill Roundabout. The Andy Scott sculpture 'The Bridge' is visible atop Helensfield Roundabout on the far right (see image [[63683]]).

Pwllheli: 158829 passes the partly disused Pwllheli Frame Box as it runs into Pwllheli Station 7 minutes early on the 13.10 arrival from Birmingham International on 9 May 2012.

Stirling North Junction: Approaching Stirling from Dunblane on 9 May 2012. The train will form the 14.15 onward service to Edinburgh.

Alloa: Passengers disembark from the 12.18 ex-Glasgow Queen Street following its arrival at Alloa on 9 May 2012.

Stirling Middle Junction: A Dunblane - Edinburgh service leaves Stirling on 9 May 2012. The 158 is about to pass a Colas Rail class 66 in the sidings just beyond Stirling Middle signal box.

Pwllheli: 158829 starts its 35 minute lay over at Pwllheli on 9 May before forming the 13.38 to Birmingham International. The overnight servicing siding is to the left

Alloa Loop: Road and rail approaches to Alloa from the east in May 2012. To the left, the A907 runs toward the town centre beyond Clackmannan Road roundabout. On the right a train of coal empties from Longannet heading back to Hunterston passes the rear of the town's fire station.

Rufford: 142028 calls at Rufford in the evening of 09 May 2013 whilst on a Preston to Ormskirk service. This pacer was withdrawn from Northern in 2020 and purchased privately, now residing on the Wensleydale Railway.

Claughton: A view of the upper section of the Claughton Aerial Ropeway near the Claughton Moor clay pit, high above the Lune Valley in May 2014. The rope runs anti-clockwise. Four buckets can just be seen in this picture with the two loaded ones creating a noticeable sag between the pylons. Map Ref SD575650

Claughton: Disused Ropeway. Until the 1990s there were two aerial ropeways that gradually diverged from Claughton Moor clay pit down to brickworks in Claughton itself. Nothing remains of the closed southerly ropeway in the village but high on the moor some old pylons still mark the route. This view looks towards the Lune Valley from Claughton Moor with Morecambe Bay beyond.

Claughton: The ropeway from Claughton Moor only crosses two public rights of way. The main A683 road in the village is well protected from falling material by a substantial bridge See image [[46773]]. Up on the moor near the clay pit entrance this track requires less sophisticated measures. It would have been nice to include a bucket in this picture but, late on a Friday afternoon, operations had stopped for the weekend.

Daventry International Railfreight Terminal: I am glad to say that my 2011 prediction came through see image [[35439]]. After a pause due to the recession, work has now resumed on the new railway to terminal #3 at DIRFT, seen here on 9 May 2014. The pier on the left is on the South side of the A428.

Claughton: Inside the boundary of the clay pit at Claughton Moor the aerial ropeway runs at a much lower level. One of the shorter pylons can be seen here with a single wheel on the side carrying empty buckets and a double on the loaded side. View over the site fencing towards the loading area.

Kilsby Tunnel: This Northbound Pendolino has just emerged from Kilsby tunnel. DIRFT is about 700 metres to the left of this location - I often hear trains on this section while observing movements at DIRFT.

Claughton: The entrance to the clay pit on Claughton (pronounced Clafton) Moor, closed for the weekend but with an empty bucket visible on the cable awaiting loading on Monday morning. Also shown is a close up of a bucket loaded with shale, swaying in the wind for the weekend until the ropeway brakes are released and it resumes its descent to the Hanson brickworks on the valley floor. The simple locking mechanism preventing accidental tipping is visible.

Hoghton: Black 5s 44871 and 45407 heading east on Hoghton bank on 9 May 2014 with the second leg of Day 1 of The Cathedrals Explorer railtour. The pair had taken over from Duchess of Sutherland at Crewe and were heading to the overnight stop at Appleby.

Daventry: A class 325 postal unit heads North past DIRFT on the Northampton loop.

Yatton: Looking north through Yatton station from the downside platform in May 2015, showing the barrel roofed canopy that previously served both the main line up side platform and the Clevedon branch bay to the left. Note also the now roofless footbridge see image [[51822]].

Shepton Mallet: Looking south along the curving and impressive former Somerset & Dorset Railway viaduct that stands at the eastern end of Shepton Mallet between Kilver Street and Charlton Road. A short section of embankment runs from the north end of the viaduct up to the site of the demolished Kilver Street overbridge.

Havenstreet: Scene on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Haven Street on 9 May 2015. The locomotive is Adams O2 0-4-4T W24 Calbourne, masquerading on this occasion as W33 Bembridge. See image [[23635]]

Havenstreet: Adams O2 0-4-4T W24 Calbourne, masquerading as W33 Bembridge approaching Haven Street on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on 9 May 2015.

Yatton: A long barrel roofed full width canopy stands to the south of the main upside building at Yatton station, as seen in this view from the opposite platform on 9 May. It previously also served the in-filled south facing Clevedon Branch bay, where cars can now be seen parked, upto closure of the branch to passengers on 3 October 1966.

Conder Viaduct: The red livery of a Royal Mail Class 325 parcels EMU is enhanced by the setting sun as it crosses the River Conder at Galgate, heading from Shieldmuir to Warrington on 9th May 2016.

Coatbridge Central: Black Five 45407 heading north to Fort William through Coatbridge on Monday 9th for the start of the Jacobite season (and carrying a chalked on message).
Note the network rail crew working on the building on the west side platform, Not sure what that building was used for, as long as I can remember it has always been boarded up. Does anyone have any idea what's going on? It's been re-roofed.

Coatbridge Central: The 1719 Glasgow Central to Aberdeen made up of a combination of a 170 and a 158 set just after passing Coatbridge Jn approaching Coatbridge Central. 09/05/16

Coatbridge Central: 86627 and 86828 approaching Coatbridge Cetral with early evening departure to Crewe Bas Hall the tail end of the train just emerging from Coatbridge F.L.T.

High Street: High Street, looking west, on 9/5/16. A Helensburgh to Edinburgh approaches.

Helmsley: The old railway goods shed alongside Helmsley station is still in daily use by the local coal and wood merchant, as seen in this May 2016 view looking south, with the station and signal box behind the camera.

Fort William: Lord Faulkner of Worcester and Fern Britton launching The Jacobite today at Fort William station.

Helmsley: A 2016 view from the former goods yard at Helmsley station showing the rear of the former signal box, and the chimney stack, to be in very good condition despite it being near fifty years since closure of the line from Gilling East to Pickering. The box is still extant in 2022.

Gilling: Looking north east from the edge of the village showing the south side of the former Gilling (East) station buildings and goods shed in May 2016, with the platforms sited on the north side See image [[37604]]. Like the next station east, Hovingham, this station remains mainly intact and sympathetic to how it looked at closure over 60 years ago. [Ref query 21389]

Helmsley: Looking north in 2016 to the south end of the goods shed for the Helmsley station goods yard. The shed is substantially intact and is in daily use by the local coal & wood merchant who is based at the site. There is a sliding door still in situ across the far end rail access aperture.

Helmsley: An extract from a display about the Gilling to Pickering line sited near the former platforms, showing a section dedicated to the station and its environs.

Glenfinnan: This North British Railway crane from Ladybank has been restored at Glenfinnan. Just seen in the photo is Lord Faulkner of Worcester, chairman of the Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board whose predecessor the Railway Heritage Committee designated the crane.

Helmsley: Old coal drops in Helmsley goods yard, still serving their intended purpose some 50 years after closure of the line, with the yard and goods shed now occupied by a local coal and log merchant. This May 2016 view is north east with the signal box still standing to the south of the station building, the top of which is visible in the left background. Industrial units now occupy the trackbed and surrounding area south from the signal box through to Sawmill Lane.

Helmsley: View north east to the end of the down platform of the former Helmsley station, and of Riccal Drive which runs along the trackbed for some 50 metres before the trackbed turns east towards Kirbymoorside. The line was lifted in 1965, but both platforms are still extant from near the station building heading north, but whereas the up side platform edge is buried beneath undergrowth the down side brick edging is mostly exposed. The trackbed is covered by assorted plants and extensive tree growth.

Conder Viaduct: DB 66114, and the Horrocksford to Mossend cement tankers, are illuminated by the evening sun as they cross the Conder Viaduct at Galgate on 9th May 2016.

Ashton Swing Bridge (Preston): The morning commuters have to pause as Ribble Rail Sentinel Enterprise takes newly delivered bitumen tanks across the swing bridge at Preston Dock and on to the unloading siding on 9th May 2016.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Guthrie discovers a signpost to a railway relic in the Kingmoor Nature Reserve (on the site of the old MPD). I believe that there was a Kingmoor Siding before the yard was built in the 1960s.

Brunthill Siding: According to the map of the park (Kingmoor Nature Reserve), I'm walking beside the old line. Could ETC be Edinburgh to Carlisle - the distance would agree? The sign says 95 miles 0270 yards.

Leyland: DRS 88002 heads south at Leyland with the 1Z89 Class 88 launch special charter returning to London on 09 May 2017.

Coatbridge Sunnyside: The Sunnyside Coffee Co is now open at Coatbridge Sunnyside station within the station building. Sunnyside Coffee Co

Coatbridge Sunnyside: Here are Lindsey Milne and Chris Tierney on their second day behind the counter of the Sunnyside Coffee Company at Coatbridge Sunnyside. Coatbridge Sunnyside

Auchendinny: Making sense of old railway locations becomes more like archeology with each passing year. Here, at peevish sounding Auchendinny on the Penicuik line, the platform edge is clear enough but you can just make out where the goods siding crept in behind it in this cramped location. Looking east on 09/05/2017.

Balloch Central: The old Balloch Central closed in 1986 is now operated by Visit Scotland as a tourist information centre. In this picture Caroline is showing a photo of how things used to look, with a view of Maid of the Loch in the background.

Bathgate: The 'Memory wall' at Bathgate Station.

Forton: 88002 Prometheus was entrusted with the first Class 88 passenger train on 9th May 2017, a special from Euston to Carlisle using Northern Belle stock. The train is seen on the return run passing through the cutting at Forton at 100mph. 68022 Resolution was out of sight on the rear of the train.

Farington Junction: 88002 with the Northern Belle charter stock, heads north approaching Farington Jct with a London to Carlisle VIP special on 09 May 2017.

Aberdeen Waterloo: Tanks on the Waterloo branch. The bogie tank wagons are owned by SNCF and have tie down points for a train ferry.

Aberdeen Waterloo: 66088 on the Waterloo branch. I waited ages before it came up the line and could hear it squealing long before it came into view. The bogie tank wagons are owned by SNCF and have tie down points for a train ferry.

Stoneywood: This is the line looking west at Stoneywood 2km before Dyce. Preparation is under way for the doubling of the line. A lot of vegetation has been removed and the cable trough is in the process of being moved. The recess for the westbound station building is obvious on the left.

Cuatro Caminos: A Line 2 train arriving at Cuatro Caminos station. At the time of my visit a section of this line was closed in the centre of the city as was Tirsa de Molina station. In the background the walls are covered with 'photoposters' of the station taken in earlier decades to show how it has changed in the last 100 years.

Gilmerton: I think I can guarantee that this will be the only RailScot caption with 'Hammerhead Shark' in it. An imaginative vandal (with pale blue paint) has adapted this former milepost(?). It is north of Gilmerton on the recently opened up section of the old Glencorse branch.

Malton: A TransPennine 185 approaching Malton on a bright and sunny 29 June 2011 with a Scarborough - Liverpool Lime Street service. The level crossing barriers and pitched roof of Malton signal box on Castlegate are visible in the left background see image [[23497]]. At this point the train is running alongside an abandoned section of platform. With a similar arrangement in place at the other end of the station this has reduced the original operational platform length from 850 feet to 500 feet.

Aeropuerto de Madrid Barajas: The Madrid Metro is celebrating its first centenary this year. One poster at the airport station lists some of the other metros from the years preceding its opening. The British representatives are two metros from the 19th Century: London's Metropolitan Railway from 1863 and Glasgow's Subway from 1896.

Lady Victoria Colliery: The wide railway bridge built by the Lothian Coal Company to bring coal across the A7 and into the north side of Lady Victoria is long gone, although remains survive on both sides of the road. This is the east side, photographed on 9 May 2021, with the abutment cut back and adapted to carry a stairway up to the old trackbed (now a public footpath). The sign reads 'PATH - Bryans 1 mile - Camp Wood 1 1/2 miles'.

Lady Victoria Colliery: Standing alongside the junction of Main Street Newtongrange and the A7, looking south on 9 May 2021. The location of the western abutment of the old railway bridge via which coal was brought into the north end of Lady Victoria is clearly visible. The wide bridge carried both the standard gauge mineral line and the narrow gauge Easthouses Tramway. The elevated walkway connection with the 1954 NCB pithead baths is visible in the left background beyond the sign indicating the entance to the National Mining Museum.

Morayshire Brick and Tile Works: The platform of the Moray Clayworks is still intact at Windyridge. The photographs was taken during a 250km cycle for Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) in May (see Northern Scot - Pitgaveny man gets on bike for CHAS after COVID).

Lady Victoria Colliery: Looking over the old north yard of the former Lady Victoria Colliery from the perimeter fence of what is now the National Mining Museum. The abandoned railway vehicle is a narrow gauge surface car once used to bring coal into the site via the Easthouses Tramway (see image [[72286]]). The circular concrete structure is the thickener, effectively a settlement pond which operated in conjunction with the fines treatment plant immediately behind. The combination was used to recover coal dust from water used in the washing process. The resultant residue was then used to fire the collieries boilers.

Bay Horse: 390148 heads northwards, hurrying alongside and about to cross Hollins Lane at Forton near Bay Horse. This was 1S78, the 15.10 Euston Glasgow service on 7th May 2021.

Lostock Hall: The Preston Docks to Lindsey Oil Refinery empty bitumen tank wagons, with Colas 70801, pass under Watkin Lane road bridge and into the present Lostock Hall station. The site of the first station was immediately on the other side of the bridge, with the former Lostock Hall engine shed to the left.

Newcastle East Junction: The view from Newcastle Keep as an LNER Azuma passes in May 2022.

Wallsend: There are many bilingual signs at Wallsend - in Latin and English. This one however just has Latin and the bus symbol.

Vigelandsparken: An SL79 Oslo tram, on Route 12 from Majorstuen, calls at the station serving the huge Oslo park known as Vigelandsparken. Many routes run along the streets with road traffic but some sections, such as this, are on reserved tracks.

Oslo Sentral: Contrasting EMUs at Oslo Central in May 2022. On the right is a Class 69 unit, dating from 1971, in traditional red and silver. To the left a much newer Class 75, which has been repainted into the dark green of the Vy operating company.

Oslo Sentral: Although present day Oslo Sentral is a modern station, the old concourse is still in use and now houses food and retail outlets. This is the view of this splendid building from the escalators that connect with the new operational facilities.

Oslo Sentral: An SL79 Oslo tram negotiates a triangular junction to pass through the green square outside Oslo Sentral station on 9th May 2022. All three sides of this triangle are in present use but a further line, which possibly went to the harbour area, is still partly visible but now closed. [Update: Malcolm Peakman advises that the abandoned route is actually the former route of the tram depicted, it was a 'Chinese Railway' involving single line working along narrow and one way streets. Presumably the traffic planners decided that reducing the streets carrying capacity was the right way to go.] The six-axle articulated trams can only operate in one direction and are coming towards the end of their operational service as modern replacements are introduced.