Buxton Shed (LNWR): Shed scene at Buxton, photographed in May 1960. The steam shed had its code changed from 9D to 9L in 1963 and retained the latter until official closure in 1968.

Buxton Shed (LNWR): Stanier 2P 0-4-4T no 41908 stands on Buxton shed in May 1960 nearly 6 months after withdrawal. The locomotive was eventually cut up at Gorton works in the spring of 1961.

Oldham Mumps: Aspinall 3F 0-6-0 no 52466 stands with a freight at signals at Oldham Mumps in May 1960.

Ninewells Junction: CR 123 approaching Dundee on SLS special train from Glasgow Buchanan St 1961.

Dundee Tay Bridge MPD: SLS Angus Tour, 20th May 1961
CR123 at Dundee Tay Bridge MPD, having brought the tour train into Dundee West from Glasgow, Buchanan Street.

Baldovan and Downfield: SLS Angus Tour, 20th May 1961
54500 at Baldovan and Downfield.

Dundee Tay Bridge MPD: SLS Angus Tour, 20th May 1961.
45476 & 54500 (due to take over tour) at Dundee Tay Bridge MPD.

Dundee West: CR 123 at Dundee West after arrival with SLS special train from Glasgow, with NBL diesel. The rear of the Playhouse Cinema is in the background.

Kingsmuir: Kingsmuir, Ex CR Class 3P 4-4-0 54486 at Kingsmuir, on the SLS 'Angus Rail Tour' special train, on 20th May 1961.

Auchterhouse [2nd]: SLS Angus Tour, 20th May 1961
54500 at Auchterhouse (New).

Baldragon Level Crossing: Ex-CR Class 3P 54500 pauses at the crossing gates between Baldovan and Baldragon with the northbound SLS 'Angus Railtour' on 20th May 1961. Auchterhouse was by then the terminus of the line. The Caley Single No.123 had earlier taken the train from Glasgow to Dundee. 54486 was also used with 54500 as the train visited various local lines before No.123 took the train back to Glasgow.

Holbeck Shed: Britannia Pacific no 70053 Moray Firth photographed on its home shed at 55A Leeds Holbeck on 20 May 1962

Copley Hill Shed: Last of the line. An ex-GNR class J6 0-6-0, no 64226, photographed one month before it became the last member of the class to be withdrawn. The locomotive is seen here on 20 May 1962 standing outside the foreman's office at Copley Hill shed, Leeds. Following its withdrawal from 56C the J6 was cut up at Doncaster Works towards the end of June. Copley Hill shed closed in September 1964.

Holbeck Shed: LMS Crewe built Patriot 4-6-0 45507 'Royal Tank Corps' seen on 55A Leeds Holbeck shed in May 1962, a few months before being withdrawn in October of that year. The loco had been a long term Carlisle Upperby loco, but had been transferred to Lancaster Green Ayre shed to see out the last couple of years of active operation.

Stockton: Class K1 no 62005 stands at Stockton with the SLS Three Dales Railtour on 20 May 1967.

Perth: 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley takes water at Perth on 20 May 1967 during the A4 Locomotive Society Railtour from Glasgow to Aberdeen see image [[45991]].

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley on the turntable at Ferryhill shed on 20 May 1967.

Stockton: K1 no 62005 takes on water at Stockton during a stop with the SLS Three Dales Railtour on 20 May 1967. See image [[39894]]

Aberdeen: 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley stands at Aberdeen on 20 May 1967, shortly after arrival with an A4 Locomotive Society railtour from Glasgow Central.

Redmire: D5160 and 62005 (in the process of running round) at Redmire during the visit of the SLS Three Dales Railtour on 20 May 1967. The diesel had propelled the train forward in order to clear the way for 62005 to complete the run round manoeuvre using the short loop.

Westgate-in-Weardale: The SLS Three Dales Railtour stands at Westgate-in-Weardale on 20 May 1967. K1 2-6-0 no 62005 is in the process of running round the train, prior to taking the special on to journey's end at Middlesbrough.

Richmond [Yorkshire]: Class K1 locomotive no 62005 simmers at the platform at Richmond, Yorkshire, with train 3Z08, the SLS Three Dales Railtour, on 20 May 1967. The locomotive is preparing to take the train on the next leg of its journey to Westgate-in-Weardale.

Catterick Bridge: 62005 stands at Catterick Bridge on the Richmond branch with the SLS Three Dales Railtour on 20 May 1967. View is west from the level crossing over the A6136 and the train is on its way back from the branch terminus at Richmond see image [[25318]] heading for Westgate-in-Weardale.

Shawfield Junction: The A4 Locomotive Society acquired A4 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in 1966 and had it turned out in LNER Garter blue livery after overhaul. Having made a first run as a preserved locomotive at the beginning of April 1967, 'Sir Nigel' was in Glasgow a few weeks later for a special day excursion to Aberdeen. The Pacific is seen here passing Shawfield Junction on 20th May 1967 on the return trip.

Leyburn: Class K1 2-6-0 no 62005, with D5160 tucked in behind, takes on water during a photostop at Leyburn on 20 May 1967. The special is the SLS Three Dales Railtour on its way back to Darlington following a visit to Redmire.

Cumbernauld: Restored A4 Pacific 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley', in LNER Garter blue livery, is seen just north of Cumbernauld on a Glasgow - Aberdeen excursion organised by the A4 Locomotive Society on 20th May 1967.

Westgate-in-Weardale: Class K1 2-6-0 no 62005 is in the process of running round the SLS Three Dales Railtour at Westgate-in-Weardale on 20 May 1967.

Bishop Auckland: K1 2-6-0 no 62005 stops to take on water at Bishop Auckland on 20 May 1967 on the way back from Westgate with the SLS Three Dales Railtour returning to Middlesbrough.

Polmadie Shed: The A4 Locomotive Society acquired 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' in 1966 and had it turned out in LNER Garter blue livery after overhaul. Having made a first run in preservation at the beginning of April 1967, Sir Nigel was in Glasgow the following month for a special day excursion to Aberdeen. The A4 is seen after return in the evening, reversing towards the massive coaling plant at Polmadie, which was by then seeing very little use. Steam had been completely withdrawn by the Scottish Region at the end of April, and only a couple of locomotives per day would turn up from south of the border to be serviced.

Redmire: 62005+D5160 at Redmire with the SLS Three Dales Railtour on 20 May 1967. The diesel had joined the rear of the train at Northallerton for the journey along Wensleydale in order to assist with the run-round manoeuvre at Redmire, where the loop was shorter than the train. With the run-round completed 62005+D5160 are seen ready to depart on the next leg of the tour to Darlington, at which point the diesel was released.

Aberdeen: 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley at Aberdeen on 20 May 1967 with an A4 Locomotive Society railtour from Glasgow Central.

Glasgow Central: 4489 Sir Nigel Gresley awaiting departure from Glasgow Central on 20 May 1967 with an A4 Locomotive Society railtour to Aberdeen.

Wareham: A Weymouth to Bournemouth push-pull service, comprised of a class 33 locomotive attached at the rear of a pair of 4TC sets, photographed at speed near Wareham in May 1977.

Slateford Junction [1st]: Having turned south west onto the Carstairs line at Haymarket East Junction, 47706 Strathclyde is about to cross the bridge over the sub at the east end of Slateford Yard on 20 May 1981 with the 1305 Edinburgh - Bristol. The tenements of Shandon Crescent stand in the background.

Gorgie East: 20121 has just passed the site of Gorgie East on the Edinburgh sub in May 1981 and is running south parallel with Hermand Terrace as a bus heads west along Slateford Road in the background.

Slateford: 40084 at Slateford on 20 May 1981 with a pipe train off the sub heading south west through the station.

Deanside Transit: One of Deanside Transit's Class 08s beside the transit sheds in 1987.

King George V Dock: The King George the 5th Dock was served by a branch of the Glasgow and Renfrew District Railway with a marshalling yard at Shieldhall. The yard and lines to the dock and Shieldhall were closed and lifted in early 1987 although the line running to Deanside Transit was retained. The rails in the cobbles here are laid out in typical Glasgow docks fashion with a rail on either side for the overhead crane and two tracks up the middle. This dock has had a major revival such that usually several ships arrive and depart every day now. Although the dock lines have not been brought back into use Deanside Transit remains open.

Deanside Transit: 08730, on hire from BR, at Deanside Transit in 1987. The locomotive bears the attractive leaping salmon logo of Motherwell Shed. In 2022 this shunter is still in the hire business, owned by Railway Support Services.

Aberdeen Church Street: The Aberdeen Gasworks branch, latterly used by SAI Ltd, looking north up Church Street on 20 May 1990. (Google Earth Street View shows the rails have now been removed or buried.) See image [[18043]].

York: Yesterday's technology: LCD departures board at York in May 1994. At the time station names on such displays were limited to an often inadequate ten letters. Incidentally neither ‘CSTR-LE-ST’ nor EDGE HILL were true destinations; these were slight deceptions to guide passengers towards express services to Newcastle and Liverpool respectively.

Edinburgh Waverley: There aren't many bays with a platform at both sides, but Platform 18 at Waverley is one such. It is largely academic now as the doors are activated on only one side (the right, as seen here) in order to ensure customers are channelled through the ticket barriers. However with old DMUs there was of course no 'centralised locking' and you had the small privilege of getting out either side. Photographed on 20 May 1995 when I perceived these 117s to be a doomed hangover, though in fact they lasted for another 5 years.

Rannoch: 'Be with you in a minute - just finishing my tea...' Rannoch - May 2003.

Alexandra Dock Tunnel: West portal of the Alexandra Dock Tunnel viewed from the Derby Road overbridge. The line is just about to pass under the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Rannoch: 'I always wanted to be a train driver'.... First Engineering team at Rannoch on the morning of 20 May 2003, preparing to head north onto the viaduct in the rain.

Rannoch: Southbound from Rannoch in 2003.

Rannoch: The old signal box located at the north end of the island platform at Rannoch station in 2003.

Rannoch: The passenger - Rannoch - May 2003.

Rannoch: A road-rail vehicle carrying a First Engineering PW team moves out from the siding onto the main line north at Rannoch on a dull and overcast May morning in 2003.

Rannoch: Interior of Rannoch SB, 2003.

Rannoch: ScotRail 156474 forming a Mallaig - Glasgow Queen Street train about to enter Rannoch station on 20 May 2003 past the stone carving of former West Highland Railway director James Renton. Part of the 284 ft Rannoch Viaduct can be seen in the left background.

Rannoch: A morning Fort William - Glasgow Queen Street train about to leave Rannoch station in May 2003.

Rannoch: First Engineering road/rail vehicle alongside Rannoch station in May 2003. The maintenance team was awaiting the passage of a train prior to heading north to carry out routine inspection work on the viaduct.

Paisley St James: Platform view west at Paisley St James on 20 May 2007, looking towards Bishopton.

Hillington West: Sunday morning view from Hillington West towards Paisley Gilmour Street on 20 May 2007.

Crookston: View west over the current Crookston station on 20 May 2007. The restored former station building stands on the right. See image [[15060]]

Crookston: A few yards to the west of the restored Crookston station in May 2007 stood this house, built in the same style as the station and with the words 'Station Masters Cottage' on the fanlight above the door. This is in fact a 'new build' standing on the area where buses once turned. The original station master's house was at the east end of the station building. Note the platform sign on the left. [With thanks to Matt Innes]

Crookston: Detail of the restored station building at Crookston on 20 May 2007, showing the Ticket Office and Waiting Room.

Crookston: The old station building at Crookston on 20 May 2007, successfully restored following serious fire damage and now in use as residential accommodation. The fanlight above the nearest door states 'The Waiting Room', with 'Ticket Office' in the centre and 'The House' at the far end.

Corkerhill: Entrance to Corkerhill station on the Paisley Canal line in May 2007. View east towards Corkerhill depot, showing the electrified headshunt which runs from there to terminate alongside the redundant former westbound platform. The original 1896 G&SW railway village (demolished and cleared by 1971) stood in the background.

Hawkhead: View west from the road bridge at Hawkhead towards Paisley Canal in May 2007.

Corkerhill: View east over Corkerhill station on 20 May 2007 from Corkerhill Road bridge. See image [[19972]]

Cardonald: A Westbound empty stock movement passing through Cardonald on Sunday morning 20 May 2007.

Hillington East: Sunday morning scene at Hillington East on 20 May 2007 looking towards Glasgow, with the Cardonald flats visible in the background below the footbridge.

Mosspark: Station with a hangover? A strange feeling of 'morning after the night before' at Mosspark station early on a Sunday morning in May 2007. View towards Paisley Canal looking through the footbridge from the south side of the line.

Crossford (Fife): Bridge on the route of the Elgin Railway from Knockhouse (or possibly Berry Law) to Limekilns looking east near Crossford on 20 May 2007. The line of the original route is just to the west of the current aptly named Waggon Road and is in use as a footpath which crosses this bridge. This line opened in 1774 and was in use until c 1810 when the new route between Dunfermline and Charlestown opened. This makes the bridge one of the oldest surviving railway structures in Scotland.

Meadowend: Trespassers on the Charlestown Railway, although passage of a train looks an extremely remote possibility as the partially lifted track reverts to nature. View south at Meadowend on 20 May 2007.

Hillington West: The station building on the Glasgow bound platform at Hillington West, looking from the footbridge towards the industrial area to the north of the station on a quiet Sunday morning in the spring of 2007. Four tracks ran through the station, although at this time there were only two. [In 2011 this was increased to three.]

Elbowend Junction: Looking east towards Dunfermline. The partially lifted remains of the Charlestown Railway (which latterly served RNAD Crombie) meet the Kincardine line at Elbowend Junction.

Cardonald: Sunday morning 20 May 2007 at Cardonald, as a non-stop westbound empty stock movement runs through the station at speed.

Cardonald: SPT liveried 318250 is showing 'Glasgow Central' on its destination panel as it heads in the opposite direction through Cardonald station on a wet and windy Sunday morning in May 2007 on a westbound empty stock movement.

Dumbreck: The ramped entrance from Nithsdale Road leading down to platform 1 at the deceptively rural looking Dumbreck station. The next stop, less than two miles away and with a journey time of just over four minutes, is Glasgow Central. View is north east on 20 May 2007.

Hillington West: Scene at Hillington West on 20 May 2007. Entrance to the Glasgow bound platform from the station footbridge.

Mosspark: Looking towards Glasgow Central on 20 May 2007 along the platform of a wet Mosspark station.

Cardonald: Main entrance to Cardonald station on Berryknowes Road. May 2007.

Merryhill Level Crossing: Looking west along the Charlestown Railway from Merryhill Farm Crossing on 20 May 2007. The line begins its long descent from here towards Charlestown Harbour. This is also the start of the new (1894) alignment to the Harbour. The former alignment continued on the level until much closer to the Harbour and descended much more steeply, passing over the viaduct shown in photo 17374.

Hawkhead: View east from the platform at Hawkhead on 20 May 2007. The original station stood on the other side of the bridge carrying Hawkhead Road.

Elderslie Junction: Network Rail track inspection team at Elderslie on 20th May. The entrance to the Elderslie Loop can be seen on the left and this also give access to the WH Malcolm goods yard. Elderlie station was at the point approximately half way along the loop.

Dumfries: The 1303 Glasgow Central - Carlisle ScotRail service stops at Dumfries on 20 May 2008.

Dumfries: Traditionally a well kept station, a section of the down platform at Dumfries shows an interesting selection of platform furniture in May 2008. On the left above the wooden bench is a notice marking Dumfries as Best Station 1987. A tub of plants stands alongside the booking office door. An old platform kiosk, recently repainted, is being used to display art works. The former platform drinking fountain is on the right, with a red pillar box standing alongside. As for the canopy...

Dumfries: The 1859 G&SWR building on the west side of Dumfries station on 20 May 2008. The Station Hotel stands directly opposite.

Dumfries: The 1239 Newcastle - Stranraer train heads north away from Dumfries and towards Kilmarnock on 20 May 2008. To the left are the infilled bays that once accommodated direct services to Stranraer running along the former Port Road via Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart.

Blarney [CandMLR]: The former station at Blarney on the Cork & Muskerry Light Railway, seen on 20 May 2008. The building is now preserved as a tourist shop.

Johnstone Junction: 334006 passing by the junction of the southern part of the Johnstone Curve that connected the GPK&A Railway at Johnstone to the Bridge of Weir Railway at Cart Junction. The curve was originally built to allow trains to travel directly from Greenock to Ayrshire, that service ended in 1900.

Dumfries Goods: View north towards Dumfries station in May 2008, past some of the various goods facilities that once served the town, with miscellaneous old railway buildings still surviving (some only just). The station is on the other side of St Mary's Street road bridge in the background, while on the far right, on the up side of the line, is part of Dumfries & Galloway Police headquarters, built on the site of the former 68B shed, closed in 1966. See image [[6308]]

Lochmaben: Scene at Lochmaben in May 2008 looking south east towards the station site, of which no trace remains. Lochmaben closed in 1952, although the line survived until 1966. The white cottage in the centre was built across the trackbed at the north end of the station, which had been crossed by a road bridge located just beyond the cottages. The bridge was demolished and the B7020 road rerouted slightly to the west following closure. [With thanks to Alan Hannah]. See image [[35752]].

Lochmaben: View west towards Lochmaben town centre (and the Railway Inn) on 20 May 2008 with the B7020 just visible on the left. The white bungalow on the right stands on the old trackbed just beyond the end of the platforms, which ran across the centre of the picture. In railway days the road passed over the station on a bridge built slightly further to the east (now occupied by the houses of Station Court). No trace remains of bridge or station. [With thanks to Alan Hannah] See image [[21410]]

Dumfries: The 1303 Glasgow Central - Carlisle service arrives at Dumfries on 20 May 2008 formed by ScotRail 156504.

Dumfries: 156504 restarts from Dumfries on 20 May 2008 with a Glasgow Central - Carlisle service.

Elderslie Junction: 334030 just to the west of the Elderslie loop and WH Malcolm depot with a service for Ayr on 20th May

Dumfries: Colour co-ordination on the down platform at Dumfries in May 2008.

Dumfries Goods: View south from Annan Road bridge, Dumfries, on a hot and humid 20 May 2008. A coal train hauled by Freightliner 66551 is passing the meagre remains of Dumfries south sidings See image [[4633]].

Dumfries: The 1239 Newcastle - Stranraer service arriving at Dumfries on 20 May 2008. Overlooking proceeings on the right is the Station Hotel.

Lochmaben: The trackbed of the DL&L looking north west from Lochmaben on 20 May 2008, with the station site behind the camera. The double track through the platforms became single once again at this point with the route then passing the houses of Mossvale on the left before running below a road bridge just beyond. From there the line continued through open countryside to reach the next station at Shieldhill, some 3 miles to the west. For the view in the opposite direction see image [[35751]].

Dumfries: The extra large goods shed at Dumfries South on 20 May 2008 having come to the end of a period of several years as a Supermarket. View is northeast with the remaining sidings at the rear of the building and the still operational coal yard off to the left.

Coatdyke: 320318 comes out of the sun as it crosses the bridge over the A89 east of Coatdyke station on 20 May 2009 with an evening service for Airdrie.

Calder Grove: The Crigglestone Junction to Horbury Bridge branch overbridge crossing Denby Dale Road at Calder Grove, immediately after Crigglestone junction, with the Thornhill to Notton line viaduct in distance. The latter crossed the British Oak disposal point's canal coal staith spur and exchange sidings, Denby Dale Road, and the Horbury Junction to Barnsley line. Standing at the crossroads in the centre of the picture there is a rail overbridge visible a short distance along all four roads. See images [[28081]] and [[28877]] for views of the other two bridges.

Coatdyke: Network Rail standard Health & Safety information board erected at the Kennedy Drive access point in Coatdyke. May 2009.

Pitlochry: The 08.33 Edinburgh to Inverness departs Pitlochry at 10.24 (5 minutes late) on 20 May past the starter at danger. Signal technicians were working at the open box and the signalman had authorised the movement.

Ladybank: 57601 heading north from Spondon to Dundee with a railtour approaching Sweetholm Crossing near Ladybank as a 170 passes heading south.

Inverkeithing Central Junction: Empty stock off the evening Edinburgh - Cardenden commuter train returns south on 20 May behind 67008, seen here passing Inverkeithing Central Junction.

Pitlochry: On 20th May 2010 the down Highland Chieftain 12.00 ex-Kings Cross powers into Pitlochry station with 43 251 in the lead, on time at 18.28.

Glasgow Central: Looking towards the new large open area in front of the buffer stops at Platform 12 & 13 of Glasgow Central - convenient when the platforms are busy at peak times.

Glasgow Central: 314209 about to draw into the new Platform 12 at Glasgow Central, as seen through the arch at the end of the platform.

Ardmore Level Crossing: Just a short distance to go, a westbound service at Ardmore. Beyond is the derelict Craigendoran pier, Helensburgh (and its pier) and the hills of Argyll tempting us to travel on by the West Highland Line.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: Significant progress on the expansion at DIRFT since my last visit here see image [[33773]]. View is towards Rugby on 20 May 2011, with rails shown in place here on the north west side of the A5. The wagon in the middle distance looks like it is being used in loading tests.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: Progress at DIRFT looking south east towards the main depot and yard on 20 May see image [[33772]] with rails now passing under the A5. The class 66 lurking in the undergrowth on the right is no 708.

Auchindachy: Passing the closed station of Auchindachy on the Keith and Dufftown Railway in May 2012. Originally opened as Botriphnie in February 1862 the name change to Auchindachy took place in October that year. The station closed in 1968.

Craigellachie [2nd]: The surviving Speyside platform at Craigellachie in May 2012 looking north west towards the A95 road bridge. The line curved south towards Boat of Garten beyond the bridge. Behind the camera the route continued to Keith. The Elgin platforms stood off to the right beyond the trees. Craigellachie closed to passengers in May 1968. For a view looking back over the station from the road bridge half a century earlier see image [[22477]].

Garsdale: A Leeds - Carlisle train leaving Garsdale on 20 May 2012.

Strathmill Distillery Siding: Shortly after leaving Keith Town station the line to Dufftown passes these former goods facilities. The board reads J&B Scotch Whisky, Strathmill Distillery. Photographed on 20 May 2012 looking back from a passing Keith - Dufftown train.

Drummuir: Almost ready to leave Drummuir for Keith Town on a glorious 20 May 2012 after dropping off a walker, with volunteer guard Steve Rhodes about to reboard the train for the off.

Drummuir: The 14.00 Dufftown - Keith service calls at Drummuir on a sunny 20 May, with a number of walkers disembarking.

Drummuir: Spring is in the air. Walkers disembark from a Sunday afternoon Dufftown - Keith DMU service at Drummuir station on a warm and pleasant 20 May 2012.

Keith Town: The Spirit of Speyside waits at Keith Town on 20 May 2012 prior to operating the early afternoon return service to Dufftown.

Dufftown: Scene on the Keith and Dufftown Railway in May 2012, with the DMU operating the shuttle service to Keith Town awaiting its scheduled departure time at the Dufftown terminus.

Brough: A view west from Brough's large footbridge as Northern's 158796 arrives on an early evening service heading for Hull. As at other locations on this line there are still semaphores at Brough, including this particularly tall bracketed example.

Broomfleet: 43277 leads an East Coast HST set acclerating west into the setting sun through Broomfleet, East Yorkshire. The signalman kindly advised me the train was due as it wasn't in the timetable and I think may be an ECS working from Hull of an earlier arrival from Kings Cross.

Dufftown: The crest of the Keith and Dufftown Railway Company displayed in the waiting room at Dufftown on 20 May 2012. Also on display along the mantlepiece are several examples of the local product... all empty.

Fiddich Viaduct: Scene on the Keith and Dufftown Railway on 20 May 2012, with a DMU from Keith Town heading back towards the terminus at Dufftown. The train is crossing the Fiddich Viaduct, less than half a mile from its destination.

Craigellachie [2nd]: The trackbed and platform that once served the Strathspey route through Craigellachie. Photograph taken in 2012, looking west below the bridge that carried the A95 over the station. The goods shed and yard stood opposite this platform, while those platforms serving the Morayshire line were located off picture to the right. The station closed to passengers in 1968 and the trackbed now forms part of the Strathspey Way long distance walking route.

Drummuir: A lone walker appears to be having second thoughts after disembarking from a Keith bound DMU at Drummuir on a Sunday afternoon in May 2012. (He was in fact watching the antics of a Great Spotted Woodpecker in a nearby tree).

Dufftown: Take a pew. Dufftown, 20 May 2012.

Dufftown: Malt whisky country near Dufftown on 20 May with the mid afternoon train from Keith Town nearing its destination.

Drummuir: Remains of the former goods yard at Drummuir on the Keith and Dufftown Railway in 2012. View is south west towards the platform, with the station entrance on the east side of the road bridge in the centre background.

Dufftown: Way out, Dufftown, May 2012.

Keith Town: Keith & Dufftown Railway DMU preparing to leave Keith Town station on the afternoon of 20 May 2012 for the return trip to Dufftown see image [[39580]]. [Ref query 754]

Dufftown: The 11.25 DMU service to Keith Town waits to leave Dufftown on 20 May 2012.

Keith Town: The early afternoon service to Dufftown awaits its departure time at Keith Town on 20 May 2012.

Brough: A May 2012 Sunday evening at Brough sees Hull Trains Adelante unit 180111 call on a service bound for Kings Cross. During the same week the nearby aircraft factory received the welcome news of a new contract for Hawk jets from Saudi Arabia. Brough station dates from 1840 and trains formerly ran on both sides of the two island platforms.

Gilberdyke Junction: Gilberdyke station sees two Trans-Pennine 170 units heading west from Hull to Manchester Airport with a Sunday evening service. The semaphore signal indicates they are taking the Selby and Leeds route rather than the Goole and Doncaster line.

Dufftown: The 14.50 ex-Keith Town approaching its destination at Dufftown on 20 May 2012.

Drummuir: The 14.00 Dufftown - Keith DMU approaching Drummuir on Sunday 20 May 2012.

Dufftown: Originally supplied new from the English Electric Vulcan Foundry to the Seaham Harbour Dock Co in 1967, this 0-6-0 diesel hydraulic (works no D1193) was subsequently sold to Scottish Grain Distillers at [[Cameronbridge Distillery]], Fife, where it obtained its notable livery. It has been on loan to the Keith and Dufftown Railway since March 2000. Photographed on 20 May 2012 in the yard at Dufftown. See image [[58399]].

Eastrington: Eastrington, now an unstaffed halt on the Gilberdyke to Selby line, seen here in May 2012 with a view from the level crossing east towards Gilberdyke and Hull.

Dalston: Northern 156443 departing Dalston, Cumbria, on 20 May 2012 bound for Carlisle.

Wakefield Kirkgate: The 16.40 Grand Central service for London Kings Cross ex-Bradford Interchange lays over for 7 minutes at Wakefield Kirkgate's reordered island platform 3 on 20 May. The train will shortly head via Pontefract Monkhill and the Askern line to reach its next stop at Doncaster.

Keith Town: A pleasant and sunny spring afternoon at Keith Town station on 20 May 2013 as the Spirit of Speyside prepares for its return journey to Dufftown.

Wakefield Kirkgate: Compared to the canopy installed along the full operational length of platform 1 at Wakefield Kirkgate the re-ordered island platform 2 & 3 has been left rather sparsely appointed. Scene on the afternoon of 20 May 2013.

Wakefield Kirkgate: Looking over the remaining section of wall from the former transhipment shed that ran along the rear of the eastbound platform at Wakefield Kirkgate. The former goods yard is now a Network Rail maintenance operating base, with the new area signalling centre top right.

Clapham Common: Original sign at the entrance to Clapham Common station, Northern Line, on 20th May 2013. This opened in 1900 with the first extension of the City & South London Railway, the world's first deep-level tube line that had opened between King William Street and Stockwell in 1890. Not until 1926 was the line further extended south to Morden. The line then became known as the Morden-Edgware Line until 1937 when the LPTB renamed it the Northern Line, notwithstanding that a lengthy section of the line is in SOUTH London, as here at Clapham Common. One of London Transport's little jokes that has persisted to the present day.

Lymington Town: Although the Lymington branch was electrified in 1967, the half hourly service has been maintained by diesel units on weekdays since withdrawal of the last slam door EMUs in 2010 see image [[27862]]. SWT 158886 pulls away from a very clean looking Lymington Town station on 20 May 2014 bound for Brockenhurst.

Kirkby Stephen: The regulations of the National Railway Museum state that exhibit 1964-30527, passenger, bedraggled, station canopies for the testing of, must be given 1 (one) annual outing on the Settle and Carlisle Railway. A day's outing should be adequate to capture all four seasons.

Reedsmouth Viaduct: The remains of the bridge that carried the Border Counties Railway over the River Rede just under a quarter of a mile north west of Reedsmouth station. Photographed on 20 May looking west from the adjacent road bridge. This section of the Border Counties line closed in 1963. [Ref query 6399]

Etal: Bunty with a train at the Etal terminus of the Heatherslaw Light Railway, Northumberland, on 20 May 2014, with Etal Castle in the background.

Lymington Town: The very tidy exterior of Lymington Town station building seen from the forecourt. This staffed station is operated by South West Trains and enjoys a 30 minute frequency service seven days a week.

Settle: There's something about Settle station - even the gate onto the platform looks peaceful and serene. see image [[47644]]

Carlisle: The 1400 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley TransPennine Express service calls at Carlisle on 20 May 2014.

Yarmouth [IoW]: Over sixty years after closure the old station at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight is undergoing a full restoration. The work includes creating a replica signal box (actually a tall bird hide), as seen here in this view towards Newport in May 2014. The trackbed is now a foot/cycle path.

Bournemouth Cliff Lifts: The gradient on each of the three Bournemouth cliff railways is very nearly 1:1. The most westerly of them is Fishermans Walk, serving Southbourne and Boscombe, which is younger (1935) and shorter (128') than its sisters. This image taken from the top station looks down the 45 degree slope to the promenade. The lifts generally operate from Easter to October each year.

Carlisle: You've been framed! The 14.16 Edinburgh Waverley - Manchester Airport arrives at Carlisle station on 20 May 2014.

Bankhead [Tram]: Edinburgh tram 266 stops for lunch at Bankhead on 20 May 2014, while work continues in preparation for the commencement of public services in 11 days time.

Belses: Bridge over the Waverley trackbed just north of Belses on 20 May 2014.

Edinburgh Park: Edinburgh tram 272 and ScotRail 170417 meet west of Edinburgh Park station on 20 May.

Settle: The 11.46 to Carlisle arrives at a well-kept Settle station on 20th May.

Broomieknowe: View west towards Bonnyrigg High Street on the route of the former Polton branch in 2014. The line ran in a cutting here to reach Broomieknowe station before passing below the High Street to enter Lasswade Tunnel. The cutting has long been filled in and the station site now accommodates the local health centre in the background. See image [[10232]]

Haymarket: 170474, 406 and 455 at Haymarket on 20 May 2014.

Yarmouth [IoW]: The ferry slipway at Yarmouth, at the western end of the Isle of Wight, showing 'MV Wight Light' awaiting cars and passengers for Lymington on 20th May 2014. This is one of three vessels that are used on this route, the other two being Wight Sky and Wight Sun.

Settle: The driver looks back at Settle station on 20 May 2014 before setting off with the 19.55 service to Leeds.

Carlisle: Northern Trains unit 158792 appears to be playing hide and seek at the south end of Carlisle station on 20th May. There is a similar 'behind the wall' siding at Bristol Temple Meads.

Yarmouth [IoW]: The former station at Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) on the Freshwater, Yarmouth and Newport Railway. The station closed in 1953 and was later used as a youth club. View along what is now a cycle path towards Freshwater on 20 May 2014. [Ref query 4406]

Lymington Pier: Lymington Pier station, as seen from the ferry Wight Sky arriving from Yarmouth. The ferries no longer berth alongside the rail station See image [[33517]] but it is still only a very short walk from the ship to the platform. Spare ferry Wight Sun is moored beyond the station, near the rail bridge.

Heatherslaw Mill: Looking across the River Till, Northumberland, on 20 May as a train departs from Heatherslaw Mill bound for Etal Castle on the Heatherslaw Light Railway, hauled by Alan Keef 2-6-0T Bunty.

Berlin Zoologischer Garten: DB was on strike on 20th May so quite a surprise to be caught unawares by this westbound ICE running non-stop through Zoo Station.

Larbert Junction: Approaching Larbert Junction from the north on 20 May 2015 is DBS 66067 with a return empty working from Longannet power station to Hunterston coal import terminal.

Larbert Viaduct: A ScotRail 158 DMU rossing Larbert Viaduct over the River Carron on the morning of 20 May 2015. The train is operating a Glasgow Queen Street to Alloa service and is approximately half a mile from its next scheduled stop at Larbert.

Leyland: Platforms 1, 2 and 3 at Leyland have been extended to allow them to accommodate 6 car sets during the engineering work at Farnworth Tunnel. 156482 arrives on Platform 1 on 20 May 2015 forming a Liverpool to Preston service.

Berlin Zoologischer Garten: Eastbound S-Bahn train at Berlin Zoologischer Garten on 20 May 2015. The station has four main line platforms (two islands) and over to the right a separate island platform for the S-Bahn.

Larbert Junction: A southbound DMU from Dunblane passing through Larbert Junction in the spring of 2015. The train is a Glasgow Queen Street service and is on the route via Carmuirs West and the tunnel under the Union Canal. The line nearest the camera turns towards Carmuirs East and Falkirk Grahamston.

Larbert Junction: ScotRail 158782 drops down from Larbert Junction towards Carmuirs East on 20 May 2015 with a Dunblane - Edinburgh service. Over on the right is the route to Carmuirs West, also on a falling gradient in order to pass below the Forth and Clyde Canal, above which stands the Falkirk Wheel in the right background.

Berlin Zoologischer Garten: ODEG (Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH) emu bound for Cottbus at Berlin Zoo on 20 May 2015.

Larbert Junction: ScotRail 158782 forming a mid-morning service from Dunblane takes thr Falkirk Grahamston route at Larbert Junction on 20 May 2015.

Larbert Junction: It's all downhill from here... A ScotRail Aberdeen - Glasgow Queen Street service turns south west at Larbert Junction in the spring of 2015. The train is starting the descent towards Carmuirs West Junction, beyond which the line drops still further before passing below the Forth and Clyde Canal. One of the canal's notable features, the Falkirk Wheel, is visible through the haze in the background.

Larbert Junction: A Glasgow Queen Street - Alloa service approaching Larbert Junction in the spring of 2015. The train is on the climb north from Carmuirs West Junction, having recently emerged from the tunnel under the Forth and Clyde Canal. The lines on the left drop down towards Carmuirs East Junction and Falkirk Grahamston.

Fouldubs Junction: A smart looking Fouldubs Junction signal box bathed in sunshine on 20 May 2015. See image [[27559]]

Preston: Freightliner veterans 86628+86612 pass through Preston station on 20 May 2015 while working the 4M74 Coatbridge to Crewe Basford Hall container service.

Newtongrange: Ongoing work in and around the station area at Newtongrange on the afternoon of 20 May 2015.

Leyland: In the new timetable which started on 17 May, Northern began operating class 319s between Liverpool and Preston. On 20 May 2015, 319367 worked the 1800 from Liverpool Lime Street and is seen here arriving at Leyland.

Hardengreen Viaduct: Activity at the south end of Hardengreen Viaduct on 20 May 2015.

Leyland: Royal Mail postal EMU 325008, and two other 4 car sets, form a Warrington to Shieldmuir working past Leyland on the evening of 20th May 2015.

Larbert Junction: DBS 66067 has just taken the right fork at Larbert Junction on 20 May 2015 with a return empty working from Longannet power station to Hunterston coal import terminal. From here the train will drop down to Carmuirs West Junction before passing below the Forth and Clyde Canal. In the background a canal boat is about to enter the upper gondola of the Falkirk Wheel on the Union Canal, prior to being lowered to the basin of the Forth and Clyde Canal 115 ft below.

Corrour: Platform view of Corrour station in May 2016. Off to the left is a small utility shed associated with the excellent (and remote) Corrour Station House restaurant by the station (out of shot off to the right). Photograph by Mark Edwards.

Brundall: Brundall station on the Wherry Lines by night waiting for the last train to Norwich at 00:03 May 2016.

Dalgety Bay: DB red liveried 66206 is on the rear of the 6K50 Millerhill - Elgin rail train on 20th May 2017. The train is passing Dalgety Bay with lead locomotive 66117 out of sight beyond the bend See image [[59300]].

Dalgety Bay: 66117 (and DB red 66206) pass Dalgety Bay with the 6K50 Millerhill - Elgin rail train on 20th May 2017.

Stourbridge Town: Parry People Mover 139002 descends through the brick lined cutting towards Stourbridge Town station with a morning commuter service from the Junction station on 20th May 2017.

Dalgety Bay: 60103 Flying Scotsman climbs away from Dalgety Bay with the first 'The Cathedrals Express' trip from Edinburgh to Fife.

Kirkham and Wesham: Sunday 20th May 2018 was the first day of scheduled electric trains to Blackpool. 319370 leaves Kirkham with a Manchester Airport to Blackpool North service. The new lifts are nearing completion.

Poulton-le-Fylde: The first day of the new 2018 timetable, 20th May, saw some cancellations and bustitution but electric services from Blackpool to Liverpool and Manchester Airport commenced on schedule. 319442 calls at refurbished Poulton with a service from Lime Street.

Edinburgh Waverley: A grab shot of the splasher nameplate of the 'Flying Scotsman' from Waverley's platform 20 as the train arrived.

Blackpool North: The first electric train in passenger service departs Blackpool North to Manchester Airport (via Wigan North Western) at 0843 hrs on 20 May 2018. The unit bestowed with this honour was Northern 319424.

Lumphinnans Central Junction: 60103 passes the site of Lumphinnans Central Junction with the first 'The Cathedrals Express' trip from Edinburgh to Fife.

Lumphinnans Central Junction: 47760 brings up the rear of 'The Cathedrals Express' circuit of Fife, as 60103 heads for Cowdenbeath from Lumphinnans.

Layton: A short distance east of Blackpool North a Northern service to Manchester arrives at Layton on a sunny Sunday morning, 20th May 2018.

Edinburgh Waverley: A portrait of footplate crew of the 'Flying Scotsman' at Edinburgh Waverley. Mr Sooty.

Haymarket West Junction: First class decadence - all before 10am on a Sunday! 'The Cathedrals Express' passes Haymarket West Junction on a trip from Edinburgh to Fife.

Poulton-le-Fylde: The post-electrification timetable change sees York trains running through to Blackpool North again rather than terminating at Preston. 158790 calls at refurbished Poulton-le-Fylde on 20th May 2018, the first time since December that trains were stopping here although some services were still being operated by bus replacement.

Culloden Viaduct: The southbound Caledonian Sleeper departs Culloden Viaduct hauled by 67005 * Queen's Messenger *.

Dumfries: A Glasgow - Carlisle service approaching the Dumfries stop in 2018. The SPT liveried DMU is passing Dumfries signal box which opened in 1957 replacing several older boxes in the area. The feathers on the signal at the end of the down platform controlled the junction for the former Stranraer route, the surviving stub of which, running as far as the ICI polypropylene plant at Cargenbridge, was officially closed in 1994.

Gleneagles: Gleneagles station seen through the latticework of the footbridge. Beautifully maintained, this would make a nice spot for a tearoom. The car park here is always busy but the service has long gaps between stopping trains.

Greenhill Lower Junction: On the first weekday of the new May 2019 timetable, 170414 with a Stirling to Queen Street service slows at Greenhill Lower Junction to allow an E&G service to clear Greenhill Upper.

Bowling Green Street Level Crossing: Tarmac marks the spot where the rails crossed the otherwise cobbled West Bowling Green Street and into Bonnington Goods Station, just behind the (later) gates, and on to the North Leith branch just beyond that. There was a signal box left of that lamp post. Photographed incidental to my daily exercise permitted under emergency coronavirus legislation.

Bay Horse: One of the first post lockdown excursions was the LSL special that ran out over the Settle and Carlisle Railway from Crewe, and returned over Shap, on 20th May 2021. D1935 (47805) rumbles slowly through the cutting at Forton heading south over a long standing temporary speed restriction.

Newtongrange: Light rain has just started to fall at Newtongrange on the morning of 20 May 2021 as the 1002 ScotRail service to Edinburgh (0929 ex-Tweedbank) arrives at the platform. Note the zig-zag pathway leading from the car park up the hillside to the National Mining Musem.

Bay Horse: Pre and post weekend engineering movements are often interesting and this Crewe to Carlisle working, comprising five Freightliner 66s, was certainly one. 66569, 66518, 66566, 66503 and 66951 make their way through the cutting at Forton on 20th May 2021. 66503 was in the new orange livery but the others in original green and yellow.

James Ross Farquharson: The London society magazine Vanity Fair dated 26 August 1876 featured this caricature portrait of James Ross Farquharson, Laird of Invercauld and Chairman of the Aboyne and Braemar Railway Company. He was also known as Piccadilly Jim and, as laird, he personally funded the building of the Bridge of Gairn Tramway. The artist was (James) Jacques Joseph Tissot 1836-1902). Public Domain image.

Oxford: There seems to be quite a bit of greenery encroaching the lines at Oxford on 20th May 2022. Colas 70809 is northbound with a fast stone train from Westbury Down T.C. to Cliffe Hill Stud Farm (GBRf). Rep. No 627Z @ 1348 hours

Didcot Parkway: DB Cargo three of a kind, 66206, 66025 and 66100 in the station sidings at Didcot on 20th May 2022. 66100 seemed to have a wheel problem as it had a skid fitted on the leading axle.

Didcot Parkway: DBC 66100 seemed to have a wheel problem at Didcot, stabled in the station sidings on 20th May 2022, as it had a skid fitted on the leading axle.

Oxford: DBC 66142, in blue Maritime livery, northbound through Oxford with a fast freight, Southampton Docks to Birch Coppice Exchange Sidings. Rep. No. 460Z on 20th May 2022.