Hawick Shed: Gresley N2 0-6-2T no 69510 on shed at Hawick in 1958.

Doncaster Works: The rebuilt version of Gresley's infamous W1 no 10000, now renumbered 60700, stands at Doncaster works on what may have been its final visit, thought to be 24 May 1959. The locomotive, originally dubbed the Hush-Hush due to the number of experimental features incorporated, was the only 4-6-4 tender locomotive ever to run in Britain. After a problematic career the W1 was cut up here the following month.

Doncaster Works: Gresley B17 4-6-0 no 61665 Leicester City in the yard at Doncaster Works, thought to have been photographed on 24 May 1959, a month after its withdrawal from Yarmouth South Town (32D).

Doncaster Works: J52 0-6-0ST no 68824, thought to have been photographed awaiting its fate at Doncaster Works in May 1959. The locomotive had been withdrawn from Ardsley shed around 2 months earlier.

Doncaster Works: E5006 at Doncaster Works, thought to have been photographed during a visit on 24 May 1959. These DC electric locomotives, which eventually become class 71, were built for the SR Kent Coast electrification between 1958 and 1960. A total of 24 such examples emerged from Doncaster Works during that period, with 10 of the class being subsequently converted to electro-diesels (class 74) at Crewe during 1967-8. See image [[20699]]

Fairlie High: Ardrossan based Crab 42806 arrives at Fairlie High on 24 May 1960 with a Largs - St Enoch train.

Boydston Signal Box: A Largs - St Enoch express photographed near the site of Boydston signal box on 24 May 1960. The locomotive is Ardrossan based Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42194.

West Kilbride: The smart looking station at West Kilbride on 24 May 1960. View is north towards Fairlie.

Parkhouse Junction: Fowler class 2P 4-4-0 no 40668 with an Ardeer - Largs train approaching Ardrossan on 24 May 1960.

Ardrossan North: The road approach to Ardrossan North station, viewed from the south east on 24 May 1960. The tall chimneys in the background are part of the large Shell refinery on the west side of the line see image [[23867]]. By this time the station had been closed to passengers for some 28 years (July 1932). Demolition of the building would be completed by 1965, with the site subsequently used for lorry/coach parking.

Parkhouse Junction: Corkerhill Jubilee 4-6-0 45665 Lord Rutherford of Nelson just north of Ardrossan in May 1960.

Fairlie High: Platform scene at Fairlie High on 24 May 1960, looking north towards the tunnel.

West Kilbride: Fairburn 2-6-4T 42191 leaving West Kilbride on 24 May 1960 at the head of a Glasgow - Largs service. [Ref query 9666]

Kilwinning East Junction: The former Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway Junction at Kilwinning East on 24 May 1960 looking south. The line to Irvine (Bank Street) veered left and the Ardrossan line right. [Ref query 12308]

West Kilbride: 42190 seen shortly after passing through West Kilbride with a Largs - St Enoch train in May 1960.

Largs: 45697 Achilles stands at Largs on 24 May 1960. The Kingmoor based Jubilee was waiting to take out a returning Largs - Penrith excursion. See image [[52619]]

West Kilbride: A Swindon built DMU approaching West Kilbride from the north on 24 May 1960 with a Largs - St Enoch service. [Ref query 1095]

Largs: A 'Women's Guild Special' for Penrith awaiting its departure time at Largs on 24 May 1960. The locomotive is Jubilee 45697 Achilles.

Montfode Fuel Depot Sidings: Black 5 45490 at speed north of Ardrossan on 24 May 1960 with a Glasgow - Largs train.

Holm Junction: Fairburn 2-6-4T 42191 runs through Holm Junction on 24 May 1960 with a Largs - St Enoch train. At that time the locomotive was allocated to Ardrossan shed (67D), which stands in the background.

Ardrossan North: Taking on water at Ardrossan North on 24 May 1960. The locomotive is thought to be McIntosh Caledonian 3F 0-6-0T 56282. [Ref query 5143]

Parkhouse Junction: A Largs - Kilwinning train approaching Parkhouse Junction, Ardrossan, on 24 May 1960. The locomotive is Hurlford based Fowler 2P 4-4-0 no 40595. [Ref query 14927]

Montfode Fuel Depot Sidings: Jubilee 45697 Achilles approaching Ardrossan on 24 May 1960 with a Largs to Penrith excursion train. [Ref query 10055]

Fairlie High: 'Crab' 2-6-0 42806 leaving Fairlie High on 24 May 1960 with a Largs - St Enoch train.

Montfode Fuel Depot Sidings: A Glasgow St Enoch - Largs train photographed between Ardrossan and West Kilbride on 24 May 1960. The train is hauled by Corkerhill shed's BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 no 76091.

Annbank Junction: All quiet at Annbank Junction. View east in the spring of 1962.

Auchincruive: One of Ayr shed's 'Crab' 2-6-0s no 42805 with eastbound coal empties at Auchincruive on 24 May 1962. [Ref query 8 September 2018]

Belston Junction: All quiet at Belston Junction. View west on 24 May 1962.

Enterkine Viaduct: Ex-LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44189 crossing Enterkine Viaduct on 24 May 1962 bound for Ayr with a loaded coal train from Whitehill Colliery (Skares).

Belston Junction: Fowler 4F 0-6-0 44189 approaching Belston Junction on 24 May 1962 with a trainload of coal from Whitehill Colliery.

Drongan: View north at Drongan in the spring of 1962.

Blackhouse Junction: Ex-LMS 'Crab' 2-6-0 42912 with brakevan approaching Blackhouse Junction on 24 May 1962.

Polquhairn Junction: BR Standard Mogul 76097 photographed near Polquhairn, East Ayrshire, on 24 May 1962 with a train of coal empties from Ayr.

Belston Junction: Standard Mogul 76097 at Belston Junction on 24 May 1962 with a train of coal empties from Ayr destined for Polquhairn Colliery. [Ref query 5634]

Tarbolton: One of Ardrossan shed's Black 5 4-6-0s no 45457, near Tarbolton with a westbound freight in May 1962.
See query 2159

Mossblown Junction: One of Ayr shed's Crab 2-6-0s no 42916 brings a westbound goods train through Mossblown Junction on 24 May 1962 heading for home.

Mossblown Junction: Black 5 44785 passing Mossblown Junction westbound in May 1962 on its way back to Ayr.

Tarbolton: A returning excursion from Ayr to Carlisle on the climb to Tarbolton on 24 May 1962. The locomotive is 72009 Clan Stewart. [Ref query 52559]

Annbank Junction: Standard Mogul 76097 runs through Annbank Junction with a coal train in May 1962 on its way from Polquhairn to Ayr.

Perth New Yard: View from Control Tower at Perth marshalling yard in May 1963. J38 off Thornton empties and V2 on Aberdeen postal.

Perth Power Box: The interior of Perth Power Signal Box.

Perth South Shed: 1649 from the Dornoch branch sports a Royal Highlander headboard at the rear of Perth Shed in 1963

Perth: A3 60041 Salmon Trout about to leave Perth for Glasgow with 3 hour train from Aberdeen.

Clyde Place Quay: PS 'Caledonia' at Bridge Wharf in 1964. One of the Clyde Navigation's small passenger ferries that criss-crossed the river can just be made out further along at the start of Windmillcroft Quay.

Clyde Place Quay: TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' at Bridge Wharf in May 1964.

Clyde Place Quay: TS Duchess of Hamilton and PS Caledonia at Bridge Wharf in May 1964. General Terminus Quay can be seen further along the river.

Clarkston and Stamperland: 80058 arriving at Clarkston on 24 May 1965 with the 5.33pm from St Enoch.

Busby Junction: Shrouded in steam, Black 5 45061 passes Busby Junction on 24 May 1965 with a train from Dumfries heading for St Enoch.

Peterhead: D5323 prepares to take the Formartine and Buchan Railtour out of Peterhead on 24 May 1969. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1965, although freight operations at the busy fishing port continued for a further 5 years. Nothing of the railway remains here today, with the site now occupied by Peterhead Academy see image [[17391]].

Maud: View south at Maud Junction on 24 May 1969 showing D5323 at the head of the GNSRA Formartine and Buchan Railtour.

Peterhead: View over the buffer stops at Peterhead on 24 May 1969 showing D5323 at the platform with the Formartine and Buchan Railtour preparing to return to Aberdeen.

Mintlaw: The GNSR Formartine and Buchan Excursion stands at Mintlaw on the Peterhead branch on 24 May 1969. For the first 6 years of its existence, this 1861 station carried the name Old Deer and Mintlaw, making it sound rather like one of the Connoisseur Range of Baxter's soups.

Ellon: The returning Formartine and Buchan Excursion, with D5323 in charge, makes a photostop at Ellon on 24 May 1969. View is north towards Maud Junction. The old goods yard and Boddam branch line were on the right of the island platform.

Longside: The GNSR Formartine and Buchan Excursion, with D5323 in charge, makes a scheduled photo-stop at Longside station on 25 May 1969.

Arnage: The Formartine and Buchan Excursion on a photostop at Arnage on 24 May 1969. View is south towards Ellon, with D5323 at the head of the train.

Maud: View north at Maud on 24 May 1969 showing D5323 with the GNSRA Formartine & Buchan Excursion railtour on a photo stop.

Brucklay [2nd]: The GNSRA Formartine & Buchan Railtour to Peterhead and Fraserburgh, heading south at Brucklay station behind D5323 on 24 May 1969.

Carlisle: The southern approach to Carlisle in May 1971, with a class 50 hauled WCML service approaching the station.

Carlisle: A murky Monday in May 1971 sees a pair of EE Class 50s lifting a mid-morning Glasgow Central - London Euston train out of Carlisle station. The train is about to cross the bridge over the goods lines. See image [[5345]]

Boat of Garten: Hunslet J94 No 48 being prepared for a day's work at Boat of Garten in May 1980. The locomotive is currently derelict on the Strathspey Railway. See image [[18897]]

Langwathby: Sprinter 156480, on a Carlisle - Leeds service, seen at Langwathby on 24th May 1995.

Settle: Northbound Platform and old Station building

Goring and Streatley: Platform view north at Goring and Streatley station on 24 May 2002. [Ref query 2 June 2018]

Redhill: EWS 66082 takes a freight south through Redill station in May 2002.

Redhill: A class 66 takes an STVA car carrier south on the centre road through Redhill station in May 2002. The train is signalled for the Dollands Moor / Channel Tunnel route.

Reading: 166214 forming a Paddington - Oxford 'Turbo Express' service calls at Reading on 24 May 2002.

Reading: Thames Trains 166206 calls at Reading on 24 May 2002 with an Oxford - Paddington service.

Reading: A Virgin Voyager on a Manchester Piccadilly - Bournemouth CrossCountry service undergoes a crew change at Reading in May 2002.

Reading: A Virgin Voyager forming a Southampton - Newcastle Central service stands at Reading in May 2002.

Reading: 166206 about to leave Reading with a Paddington bound service on 24 May 2002.

Goring and Streatley: A Virgin CrossCountry Voyager runs through Goring and Streatley in May 2002 heading north west towards Didcot. [Ref query 1657]

Logierait Viaduct: The plate at the west end of Logierait Viaduct, photographed in 2003. View across the Tay towards Ballinluig. For a general view of the bridge itself see [[72979]].

[*Note: notwithstanding the details on the plaque, the line actually closed in 1965. My thanks to Douglas Blades for spotting this.]

Logierait Viaduct: Looking east across the River Tay on 24 May 2003, with Logierait Viaduct dominating the scene. The viaduct once carried the Aberfeldy branch on the final leg of its journey across the river to the junction with the Highland main line at Ballinluig. Since closure of the line it has been comprehensively restored and subsequently reopened as a community-owned road bridge. For details see [[72990]].

Aln Viaduct: An up EWS coal train crossing the viaduct over the River Aln, just north of Alnmouth station, in May 2004. The listed structure (also referred to as Lesbury Viaduct) was built by Robert Stephenson in 1848/9.

Acklington: A GNER Edinburgh - London train speeds south through Acklington station, Northumberland, in May 2004.

Acklington: The (one and only) evening Metro Centre - Chathill train calls at Acklington on 24 May 2004.

Alnmouth: Early morning mist drifting inland off the North Sea shrouds the landscape on the southern approach to Alnmouth on 24 May 2004. View west from a lay-by alongside the A1068 Northumberland Coastal Route at High Buston as an EWS class 66 rumbles north with coal empties from Drax Power Station heading for Ravenstruther.

Worstead: A busy day at Worstead on the Bittern Line in May 2005.

Auchmuty Paper Mill: Bridge on the former line to Auchmuty off the Leslie branch passing under the A92 near Cadham. May 2007.

Lamancha: The modified former WWII era shed and bridge over the trackbed at Lamancha in 2007. View west towards Macbie Hill from the A701 looking beyond the former station which stands off camera to the left. See image [[49929]]

St Fort: Turbostar southbound passing the noted sand & gravel quarry near St Fort.

Tay Bridge South Junction: Leaving the Tay Bridge behind, Commonwealth Games 170.461 heads south round the long S-bend. The arches on the north side of the river can be seen on the approach to Dundee station.

St Fort: Aberdeen service passing RAF Leuchars fuel depot at nearby Linkswood. Reception siding seen below coaches.

Carstairs: Freightliner locomotives 86621+86638 take the Coatbridge containers north out of Carstairs after being held for some time in the station loop on 24 May 2007.

Carstairs: Driver takes the air at the cab door of 86621, held at Carstairs with the Basford Hall - Coatbridge containers, as he awaits a passing train - in this case a GNER Kings Cross - Glasgow Central service off the Edinburgh line.

Carstairs: 86621+86638 with the Crewe - Coatbridge containers brought to a halt in the loop at Carstairs station on 24 May 2007.

Leslie Viaduct: Viaduct near Leslie former station, now a pedestrian pathway.

Cleghorn: Old station house (extended) looking east over Cleghorn level crossing on 24 May 2007. The station was to the left of the crossing and closed in 1965. The station had originally opened in 1848 as Lanark, but was renamed following the opening of the current Lanark station in 1855. See image [[22231]]

Cleghorn: Don't even think about it! A southbound Pendolino speeds south over Cleghorn level crossing near Lanark on 24 May 2007.

Dunsyre: Railway remains at Dunsyre on the Dolphinton branch. View is south from the village in May 2007. The station, which closed in 1945, was located off to the left.

Carstairs: GNER Kings Cross - Glasgow Central service comes off the Edinburgh line and snakes through Carstairs on 24 May 2007, passing a pair of class 86s on the Coatbridge containers held in the loop.

North Queensferry: Edinburgh bound 170413 leaves North Queensferry and runs out onto the Forth Bridge on 24 May 2008.

North Queensferry: Evening sunshine at North Queensferry catches the colourful hawthorn and broom. A Fife Circle train leaves for Inverkeithing and the darkness of the tunnel ahead.

Woodhead: View east along the platforms towards Sheffield and the 1954 tunnel at the former Woodhead station on 24 May. The lorry is heading for Manchester on the winding A628 road.

Hadfield: The rusting remains of a 4 aspect colour light signal hanging high in the undergrowth just east of Hadfield station on the former Woodhead route. Photographed in May 2008, some 27 years after rail traffic through the tunnel ceased.

Woodhead: View east from the former Woodhead station on 24 May showing the single bore Woodhead tunnels of 1845 & 1852, alongside the double track tunnel built for the 1954 Manchester-Sheffield-Wath electrification. Life for the crews of steam locomotives in the days of the 3 mile long single bore tunnels, particularly those westbound hauling the heavy trans-Pennine coal trains from Wath concentration yards, must have been hell.

Downpatrick: The preserved and rebuilt station at Downpatrick on what is now the heritage 'Downpatrick and County Down Railway', looking from the buffer stops on 24 May 2008. To the left is former NIR railbus RB 003, ex-LEV3, ex-DB977020, the third of BR's prototypes which, regauged to 5'3' worked the Coleraine / Portrush line for about 10 years from 1982. The signals were relocated from Bangor see image [[24989]].

Downpatrick: The station building at Downpatrick on 24 May 2008. This is actually the house of the manager of the local gas company, moved from the other side of Market Street and rebuilt. The original station is long demolished, and its site and yards are now buried under a supermarket. See image [[37451]]

Downpatrick: The view from the buffer stops at Downpatrick station on 24 May 2008 through the tangled security fencing. See image [[37451]]

Fraserburgh Shed: After a gap of more than 40 years one of the Fraserburgh totems returns home. The building on the right is the engine shed and within a couple of yards or so of that there was a totem on one of the passenger platforms which ran immediately adjacent to the engine shed, from right to left. The location of the old turntable is immediately behind the engine shed and the lorry.

Woodhead: The west portal of the 1954 Woodhead tunnel on 24 May 2008. This 3 mile double track tunnel was built for the Manchester-Sheffield-Wath electrification and replaced the 2 original single track mid 19th century tunnels alongside. Passenger services over Woodhead ceased in 1970 with the last train using the tunnel in 1981.

Goathland: D6700 approaching Goathland on the NYMR on 24 May.

Disentis-Muster: The Glacier Express changing over locos from friction to rack and pinion at Disentis-Muster (3750 feet) on 24 May 2009. From here the railway climbs to 6,670 feet.

Shepton Mallet: Say what you like about the S&D, they certainly looked after the trackside. Ahem. Kilver Court gardens certainly make Charlton viaduct more Serene and Delightful than Slow and Dirty. Well worth a visit (the viaduct can be walked over only on special occasions).

Shepton Mallet: The other Shepton Mallet viaduct see image [[25805]] is over Bath Road. Unfortunately it fell down (partly) in 1946. The large concrete block seen in this view was installed approx' 2005.

Levisham: D5061 stands at Levisham Station on 24 May with a morning train for Grosmont.

Shepton Mallet: The underside of Charlton Viaduct see image [[25805]] clearly shows the join where it was widened circa 1892.

Kirkby Stephen: Excellent facelift of a very dull old waiting shelter on the down platform. Marvellous what you can do with a little imagination and a lack of vandals!

Kirkby Stephen: Evening view East across the footbridge at Kirkby Stephen in May 2010.

Edinburgh Waverley: The 1421 Edinburgh - Dunbar train ready to depart Waverley platform 3 on 24 May 2010.

Gobowen: Oswestry Branch Junction and run round spur viewed looking south from Gobowen Station in May 2010. The line on the right formerly served the now abandoned coal yard sited alongside the station.

Wroxham: View over the Bure Valley Railway station at Wroxham from Wroxham signal Box on 24 May 2010. The Norwich - Cromer main line runs past on the right.

Dinwoodie: A Stobart Rail liveried class 92 locomotive hauling a southbound ballast train on the west coast main line on 24 May 2011. The location is approximately 6 miles north of Lockerbie near the site of the former Dinwoodie station (closed 1960).

Lockerbie: The 07.25 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley, seen shortly after leaving Lockerbie on 24 May 2011.

Gogar Tram Depot: General view over the Edinburgh tram depot currently under construction at Gogar on 24 May 2011.

Gogar Tram Depot: Scene inside the maintenance shed at Gogar tram depot on 24 May 2011.

Gogar Tram Depot: Scene in the yard at Gogar tram depot, Edinburgh, on 24 May 2011.

Leyland: DRS 47790 in 'Northern Belle' Pullman colours seen here on 24 May passing through Leyland on an ecs move from Keighley to Crewe via Hellifield & Carnforth (with 47810 on the rear). It is believed to have been on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for filming purposes.

Butterton: A narrow gauge tunnel with standard gauge dimensions. The L&MVR was quite advanced in its thinking as it conveyed standard gauge wagons on narrow gauge transporters so the tunnel at Butterton had to be large enough to accommodate them. Although most of the branch trackbed is now a footpath and cycleway a short stretch from Wetton to Butterton also carries light road traffic. This section includes the tunnel, viewed here from the southern end. Butterton Halt was just on the north side at which point the road veers away again leaving the Manifold Valley Trail to be followed to Hulme End.

Stranraer: The 12.36 service to Glasgow Central waits to leave Stranraer Harbour on 24 May 2012.

Blacksboat: View north west towards Blacksboat station on 24 May 2012 with the River Spey behind the camera.

Knockando: Interior of the Knockando main station building in the process of being renovated in May 2012, following a long period since its last use as a visitor centre for the Tamdhu Distillery.

Parsley Hay: Limestone cutting on the Tissington Trail, mid way between Parsley Hay and Hartington. This view looks back towards the junction south of Parsley Hay where the High Peak trail leaves the old Ashbourne line See image [[39041]].

Alsop-en-le-Dale: Like the other old stations on the Tissington Trail Alsop-en-le-Dale has been swept away since closure in 1954 and is only a car park and trail access point. Immediately north of the station site however is this fine bridge, still carrying the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road over the old line, which has now been a cycle path for over forty years. View north towards Parsley Hay and Buxton.

Knockando: Room with a view. Looking out of Knockando's main station building on the eastbound platform to the now nameless westbound platform in May 2012. Which name will the station take once renovation is complete?

Ballindalloch: Approaching Ballindalloch station from the west in May 2012. The Spey viaduct lies off to the left just beyond the curve. See image [[39157]]

Hopton Incline: Looking south towards Middleton Top from the Hopton Incline summit where there is an information board with a picture of two NLR 0-6-0Ts storming the bank with an SLS enthusiasts special in 1953. There is also a warning board for High Peak Trail cyclists for the 1:14 hill. Behind the camera is the site of Hopton (Goods) Station, now a picnic site.

Parsley Hay: Only a few original railway artefacts survive on the High Peak Trail but this signal post (and part of the arm) still stands on the line to Cromford and was presumably the Parsley Hay distant for the junction with the Ashbourne line. View north from the line to Friden - just round the bend beyond the bridge is the short Newhaven tunnel which the trail passes through.

Ballindalloch Viaduct: Maintenance work underway on the Spey Viaduct at Ballindalloch on 24 May 2012. View south across the river towards Ballindalloch station. During the closure walkers on the Speyside Way can take advantage of a free taxi service between Blacksboat and Ballindalloch courtesy of Moray Council.

Blacksboat: Standing on the trackbed at Blacksboat on 24 May with the 'Speyside Way' continuing north east towards Aberlour.

Parsley Hay: The parting of the ways. This is the former junction to the south of Parsley Hay station. To the right is the old LNWR line to Ashbourne, open from 1899 to 1963 and now the Tissington Trail. Swinging left is the much older (1825) Cromford and High Peak line, which never had a regular passenger service and reached Cromford by a series of inclined planes. This line finally closed in 1967 and has also been converted becoming the High Peak Trail.

Dailuaine Halt: The former Dailuaine Halt on the Speyside line seen in May 2012 looking towards Carron. Located some two and a half miles south west of Aberlour and a short distance from Diageo's large Dailuaine distillery, the former halt has benefitted from some welcome repair and refurbishment work in recent years see image [[20003]].

Bridge of Carron: This is the rail and road viaduct at Bridge of Carron, just east of Carron station seen in 2012. It now carries an unclassified road and the Speyside Way.

Craigellachie [2nd]: Looking north towards Craigellachie alongside Ferndearn Pool on the River Fiddich. The stump of a signal post remains here to the left of the footpath.

Aberlour: Approach to the 1863 station building at Aberlour from Victoria Terrace in May 2012.

Carron: The surviving station building at Carron in May 2012, looking west towards Knockando. See image [[37627]]

Ballindalloch: The former station at Ballindalloch in May 2012 looking south west towards Grantown-on-Spey.

Hartington: With all other station remnants gone on the Tissington Trail the beautifully restored signalbox at Hartington is a notable survivor. The display baord shows it in service when it fronted directly onto the wooden station platform and the brick base was almost hidden. Passenger services ceased in 1954 and the last goods train departed for Buxton in 1967. View north towards Parsley Hay.

Ballindalloch Viaduct: The temporarily closed Spey Viaduct at Ballindalloch, now part of the Speyside Way, looking south across the river on 24 May 2012 with repair and refurbishment work in progress. See image [[39037]]

Llandrindod Wells: Crew change at Llandrindod Wells Station on 24 May 2012, with 150231 forming the 13.14 Swansea - Shrewsbury and 150256 the 14.04 reverse working. The driver of the latter is just setting off to walk towards the south end of the platform, to beyond the old signal box see image [[15415]], in order to give up his token before he can cross over to take forward the Shrewsbury bound service.

Middleton Top: When the gradient post reads 1 in 1056:1 in 8 (and a quarter!) you know this is a railway location with a difference. This is the summit of the Middleton incline, the upper of the two rope worked inclines on the Cromford and High Peak. The gate is a later addition, to slow down the cyclists, and I presume the semaphore has been brought here from elsewhere too. From the foot of Middleton was a one mile level section at Sheep Pasture worked by an isolated locomotive and then a further rope worked incline down to Cromford.

Middleton Top: Middleton Top engine house, as seen from the summit of the Middleton incline. The steam winding engine is still (occasionally) operational and open days are held. The trackbed cycle path curves round behind this building, passes a visitor centre and then heads for nearby Hopton Incline and Parsley Hay beyond. There is no trace of the small engine shed that housed the C&HPR locomotives until the 1967 closure.

Friden Goods: Friden goods station generated a lot of traffic for the Cromford and High Peak, not least from the DSF Refractories (formerly Derbyshire Silica Firebrick) works that still operates alongside the old trackbed trail. This was the point where Buxton locomotives would hand soutbound trains over to the Middleton Top based tank engines and in turn take their trains, and traffic from Friden, northwards. View north towards Parsley Hay past the firebrick plant, which had a siding inside this building. (With thanks to Malcolm Chattwood for additional information on the location).

Hopton Incline: Fearsome is probably the best adjective to describe the 1:14 Hopton Incline. As built it had a stationary steam engine and rope haulage but was eased to 1:14 by the LNWR and loco haulage commenced. For many years the ex North London 0-6-0Ts would charge the foot of the bank with a few wagons, often only to have to return for another attempt. For the last few years of service the work transferred to J94 0-6-0STs before final closure in 1967. Seen here from a nearby minor road the level section from Middleton Top crosses the bridge on the right with the bank itself climbing ahead directly alongside the lane beyond the crossroads. One of the many quarries that provided the line with traffic is seen to the right, this one producing dolomite from which magnesium was extracted in the plant that can be seen beyond the bridge. The incline now forms part of the High Peak Trail. (Thanks to Malcolm Chattwood for additional information on the location)

Aberlour: The beautifully preserved station building at Aberlour, photographed on 24 May 2012. View is east with the River Spey behind the camera. The neo-Norman tower of Aberlour Parish Church stands in the background.

Blacksboat: Old station building at Blacksboat, photographed from the trackbed on 24 May 2012.

Craigellachie [2nd]: The filled in turntable pit at Craigellachie on 24 May 2012, Speyside line to the left, Elgin line to the right.

Ballindalloch Timber Siding: Byeeeeeeeee......... EC about to set off towards Dufftown along the Speyside way near Ballindalloch on 24 May 2012. Heading north proved to be a good decision on this particular occasion see image [[39037]].

Blacksboat: Weak sunshine filters through the foliage to illuminate the well preserved old station building at Blacksboat on the former Strathspey line in May 2012. Photograph taken from the road bridge looking south towards Grantown-on-Spey. The trackbed here is now part of the Speyside Way.

Ballindalloch Viaduct: The former railway bridge over the Spey at Ballindalloch, photographed during a period when it was closed for maintenance in the spring of 2012. View is south towards the river, with the former Ballindalloch station (a hostel at that time) on the far shore. The 200ft long lattice girder viaduct today forms part of The Speyside Way.

Hurdlow: The last leg of the HIgh Peak and Tissington Trails runs north from the old station site at Hurdlow towards Buxton, as seen here from the foot of the station approach on a very sunny May morning. Even more remote than the other stations on the line Hurdlow closed in 1949, five years before the withdrawal of Buxton to Ashbourne passenger services. No trace of the station remains but a pub at the top of the approach road makes a good watering hole on days like this.

Grantown-on-Spey East: Standing on the old station forecourt at Grantown-on-Spey East on 24 May 2012. The area off to the right was being used to store large quantities of gravel at the time. As can be seen, the station building itself was in a very poor state of repair. For the same view 7 years later see image [[67496]].

Cromdale: View of Cromdale station from the south. 24 May 2012.

Stranraer: Stena Line no more - Stranraer Harbour 24 May 2012.

Ballindalloch Viaduct: The old railway viaduct over the Spey at Ballindalloch seen from the north on 24 May 2012, during a period when the structure was undergoing some major repair and maintenance work see image [[39037]].

Middleton Top: Until 1967 this would have been a view of Middleton Top steam shed, a tiny single road structure housing two tank engines that worked the upper section of the Cromford and High Peak to Friden. The shed joined onto the low building in the foreground. Behind is the stationary engine house that powered the 1:8 cable-worked incline that started by the signal beyond.

Llangennech: Looking north from an occupation level crossing along Llangennech station on 24 May 2012. The level crossing leads to a nature reserve in land to right of view running down to the upper reaches of the Burry Inlet off Carmarthen Bay. The station foot crossing is seen in this view

Aberlour: The former station at Aberlour, viewed platform side looking south east in May 2012 , with the river Spey behind the camera. The old station closed to passengers in 1965 and is now home to the Speyside Way visitor centre and tearoom.

Parsley Hay: Newhaven Tunnel is on the High Peak Trail just to the south of the junction with the Tissington Trail. It carries the A515 Buxton to Ashbourne road over the old line and bears stone plaques over each portal commemorating its construction in 1825. View towards Parsley Hay.

Lancaster: A heavy ballast train is double headed north through Lancaster station on 24 May. Freightliner's 66514 and 66615 are on the Down Through line, probably heading for Carlisle New Yard.

Bay Horse: De-branded Thunderbird 57308, formerly known as Tin Tin, seen on a light engine movement from Crewe to Oxenholme passing Bay Horse on Friday 24th May 2013. The Class 57 is now owned by DRS but has not yet been repainted from its Virgin livery.

Lancaster: Compared with the north end of Lancaster station, the jumble of catenary, masts and gantries at the south end makes conventional photographs quite difficult. 221105 William Baffin approaches on a Birmingham New St to Edinburgh service on 24 May 2013.

Bay Horse: Empties from Fiddlers Ferry to Hunterston pass through the closed station at Bay Horse on 24 May behind Freightliner 66520. The station house, now a private residence, can be seen on the left of the picture, although the platforms were cut back many years ago.

Farington Curve Junction: Colas Rail Freight 56302 hauls 17 loaded timber wagons from Carlisle to Chirk on 24 May 2013 just south of Farington Curve Junction on the WCML.

Wick: Wick station, actually located in Pulteney, seen from the approach road which crosses the river Wick from the main part of the Burgh of Wick.

Wick: First ScotRail 158722, snug in its little house, waits to depart with the first afternoon train to Inverness.

Mallaig: Ex LNER K1 2-6-0 no 62005 following arrival at Mallaig on the Jacobite.

Haig: Canadian Pacific 8500 on the rear of a 120 wagon, coal empties train climbing through the Rockies at Haig in May 2013. As is common North American practice the train had four locomotives with two on the front, one in the middle and this engine at the back but on a Distributed Power basis with all controlled from the front cab. Distributed power saves fuel and reduces rail and flange wear. It is an engineering feat, not least because the front of the train can be on the down grade when the other locomotives are still lifting cars towards the summit.

Kirkcaldy: DBS 66113 with the Mossend - Aberdeen Waterloo service, diverted through Fife on 24 May because of engineering work in the Larbert area. The train is seen here passing Kirkcaldy.

Kinghorn: West Coast 37685 passes Kinghorn on its way from Dundee to Craigentinny on 24 May.

West Brompton: 378223, with a London Overground service to Clapham Junction, arriving at West Brompton station, on 24th May 2014. The former West London Extension Railway was closed to local trains as a Second World War economy in October 1940 but remained open for through freight and summer excursions to the south coast until fully reopened to passengers in 1994. This station was opened in 1999 on the site of the WLER station that had closed in 1940; on the right is the LUL District Line station (Wimbledon branch). For many years this was closed at weekends but, since becoming an interchange with the London Overground, is now open full time again. Southern services also call at the LO platforms.

Hythe Pier: Spare loco of the Hythe Pier Railway, in a short siding at the depot, on 25th May 2014. Its sister, a very similar loco, was handling all services at this time. 2022 marked the centenary of their purchase, when they were just five years old, and they have formed the entire Pier Railway fleet since that time. In 2023 however the railway is under threat of closure due to declining passenger numbers.

West Brompton: 378 224, working third rail with a London Overground service from Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction, approaching West Brompton station where platform lengthening was taking place, on 24th May 2014. On the left, the LUL District Line branch to Wimbledon, which has its own platforms here, descends to pass obliquely beneath the LO tracks, the latter also served by Southern trains. See image [[6247]].

Little Bispham: The Gold Blackpool Heritage timetable on 24th May meant six classic trams were in service, including Balloon No. 701. The red and white double decker is seen here on the cliffs approaching Little Bispham station with one of five services that worked through to Fleetwood.

Little Bispham: Blackpool Standard No. 147 accesses the turning circle at Little Bispham with a heritage tour while the conductor resets the points for the through line. Looking at this traditionally designed tramcar from the 1920s it is easy to understand the impact of the streamlined Balloons that were brought into service less than ten years later See image [[25693]].

Leith North: The Caledonian's Leith North branch (closed 1962) has long been coverted to a cycleway - except for the last couple of hundred yards where things fall apart badly. The path currently (May 2015) ends abruptly after the Lindsay Road overbridge and the approach to the terminus was built over by a small industrial estate many years ago (to the right of the shrubbery). The station building itself was demolished more recently and flats now occupy the site. See image [[45699]] for a similar view in 1962.

Mangotsfield South Junction: Sustrans has planted a tree to replace each former awning support at the site of the abandoned Mangotsfield South Junction to the East of Bristol city centre, seen here in May 2015.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: The graceful lines of Blackpool Boat Car No. 230 are seen to good effect in Pharos Street at Fleetwood as it pauses at the heritage tram stop before returning to the Pleasure Beach. The hardy souls on board this service were well wrapped up. The modern building at the end of the street stands on the site of Fleetwood Railway Station, closed in 1966.

Pensford Viaduct: Just as magnificient from ground level as from the air see image [[26020]]; but due to residential development and guard dogs on the trackbed, Pensford Viaduct is not readily approachable in May 2015.

Mangotsfield (2nd): If my mental compass is working right, this is the East to South spur at Mangotsfield. see image [[51459]] The peculiar acoustic properties of the railway layout here inspired Arnold Ridley, who later played Private Godfrey in 'Dad's Army', to write the play 'Ghost Train'.

Buffalo Central: View of Buffalo Central Terminal (closed 1979) from the passing Toronto-bound Maple Leaf on 24 May 2015.

Cabin [Tram]: Bolton 66, a regular performer on Heritage services in Blackpool since 1981, climbs past the Cliffs Hotel stop between Gynn Square and the Cabin in May 2015. It ran in Bolton from 1901 to 1946, spent time in use as a summer house and then chicken hut but was purchased by the Bolton 66 Trust in 1963 and restored.

Oban Bay: Calmac Ferry MV Clansman arriving at Oban Pier in May 2016.

Dolgoch: Talyllyn Railway train from Tywyn Wharf to Nant Gwernol, behind 0-4-2T locomotive No.7 'Tom Rolt', dating from 1991, arriving at Dolgoch on the gloriously warm and sunny morning of 24th May 2016. Although not apparent from this photo, this is the busiest station on the line, where many people alight to visit the nearby Dolgoch Falls.

Nant Gwernol: Talyllyn Railway locomotive No.6 'Douglas' (1918), running round at Nant Gwernol on 24th May 2016.

Polmont: A six-car service from Glasgow Queen Street Low Level to Waverley pulls into Polmont on 24/05/2016. Photographed from the road bridge recently ratcheted-up to accommodate electrification (see advancing masts in background). The footbridge behind me has been electrification-ready for overs 50 years. That's planning.

Polmont: Looking east at Polmont on 24/05/2016 with EGIP works clearly evident. Both Polmont and neighbouring Linlithgow now have masts up and wired either side of the stations.

Edinburgh Waverley: In this view of Edinburgh Waverley our train to Tweedbank must be leaving from the same area as my train back to Hawick 47 years ago. I'm sure it was usually platform 7 but today it's 3. But who's complaining? An awful lot better than parking in Edinburgh and driving all the way home.

Inverkeithing: Power car 43062 brings up the rear of the New Measurement Train as it passes Inverkeithing with a Craigentinny - Aberdeen and return working on 24 May.

Abergynolwyn: 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' at Abergynolwyn, with a train from Nant Gwernol to Tywyn Wharf, on 24th May 2016. As Nant Gwernol station lacks any facilities, return trains stop here for a considerable time for passengers to partake of refreshments and visit the gift shop. Abergynolwyn was the original upper terminus for passengers until 1976 when the line was extended.

Oban Bay: Calmac MV Clansman approaching Oban from Mull in May 2016

Nant Gwernol: Talyllyn 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' (1991) about to run round at Nant Gwernol on 24th May 2016. This station lacks facilities so trains only pause here long enough for the locomotive to run round before returning to Abergynolwyn for a longer wait at what was, until 1976, the upper terminus of the line with requisite facilities. Nant Gwernol sits at the bottom of the former Bryn Eglwys incline and has no road access but there are several footpaths that have been opened up on and off the incline and back to Abergynolwyn.

Dolgoch: 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' (1991) departing from Dolgoch, with a Talyllyn Railway train from Nant Gwernol to Tywyn Wharf, on 24th May 2016.

Girvan: The 14.53 arrival at Girvan, which terminates here and will return as the 15.00 to Ayr.

Tywyn Wharf: Exterior of Tywyn (formerly Towyn) Wharf station, Talyllyn Railway, the world's first ever heritage line, on 24th May 2016. The heritage railway movement in the UK today is all down to the wisdom and foresight of one man, Tom Rolt (1910-1974) who conceived the idea of reviving the Talyllyn Railway from its almost derelict state in the 1950s. Better known as the author, L.T.C. Rolt, the story of his rescuing the Talyllyn Railway is told in his book 'Railway Adventure'. He also helped to restore canals back from their near derelict state too, thanks to the publication of his book 'Narrow Boat' in 1944.

Tywyn Wharf: Having run round its train, 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' is now ready to depart from Tywyn Wharf station with a Talyllyn Railway train to Nant Gwernol, on 24th May 2016. No.7 was rebuilt at the railway's Pendre Works in 1991 from an 0-4-0WT locomotive and named after the founder of the Talyllyn Railway Society. Without him we may never have had all the heritage lines the UK now enjoys.

Dolgoch : After a brief lull, Dolgoch station bursts back into life as an afternoon train to Nant Gwernol arrives behind No.6 'Douglas' on 24th May 2016. This locomotive is smaller than others in the Talyllyn fleet and was constructed in 1918 by Andrew Barclay's for the Air Service Construction Corps. From 1921 to 1945 it ran on the RAF Railway at Calshot Spit (delightful name) at Southampton. In 1949, following a period of disuse, it was purchased by Abelson & Co. (Engineering) Ltd. which presented it to the Talyllyn Railway in 1953 and given the name 'Douglas'. It was overhauled in the early 1990s and fitted with a new boiler returning to service in 1995, since when it has been performing splendidly.

Oban: Unusual destination displayed at Oban, namely Queen St LL. Taken during the tunnel and electrification works at Queen St High Level on 24th May 2016.

Fort William: Diamonds are forever!!!! The NBL works plate of 62005, seen in Fort William at the head of the morning Jacobite in May 2016.

Dolgoch: 0-4-2T No.7 'Tom Rolt' (1991) calling at Dolgoch, with a Talyllyn Railway train from Nant Gwernol to Tywyn Wharf, on 24th May 2016.

Ardlui: Ardlui station nameplate. A quick jump off and back on the train picture.

Dolgoch Viaduct: Dolgoch Viaduct, Talyllyn Railway, dating from 1865 and a Grade II Listed structure since 15th August 2000, seen here looking north on 24th May 2016. This red-brick viaduct, the Talyllyn Railway's major engineering feature, consists of three segmental spans on two slightly tapered piers and carries the narrow gauge line just over fifty feet above the Nant Dolgoch Stream, part of the Dolgoch Falls Ravine that eventually flows into the Afon Fathew. The splendid Falls are directly behind where I stood to take this photo.

Brora: DRS 66301 heads the Flask train from Georgemas to Kingmoor at Brora on 24th May 2017.

Morecambe South Junction: Light engine testing of the new DRS electro diesels continues between Carlisle and Crewe. On 24th May 2017 88001 Revolution was in use and is seen here returning north approaching Morecambe South Junction.

Tain: The old station at Tain is now a restaurant. This interior view shows the old station plate from Golspie.

Curriehill: A Glasgow to Edinburgh service calls at Curriehill in the first week of a fully electric service. Slightly disappointingly the 2019 timetable has hardly changed, except that Breich now has hourly trains (whether it wants them or not). Maybe a more ambitious timetable is planned for the future.

Bedford: Former LUL stock, now running as a Class 230 DEMU, seen at Bedford in between Bletchley line duties, on 24th May 2019 shortly after these refurbished trains were introduced to the line.

Fenny Stratford: 24th May 2019 brought an opportunity to try out the Class 230 DMUs on the Bletchley to Bedford line. I found these converted Underground trains very nice to travel on, if a little slow. This image taken at the intermediate station of Fenny Stratford.

Curriehill: A TPE service for Manchester Airport passes through Curriehill on 24 May 2019. Post-Beeching this line became a bit of a Cinderella but is now probably busier than it has ever been.

Bay Horse: The slight easing in Covid restrictions brought an opportunity to pass the major civil engineering works to stabilise the long cutting at Forton, to the south of Bay Horse. The main work has been carried out during weekend closures. This was the scene on Sunday 24th May 2020, with drains in place and hessian matting laid over the embankment, but awaiting the chicken wire top covering to prevent burrowing. See image [[66621]] for the same location eighteen months earlier.

Bay Horse: Sunday engineering work in progress on 24th May 2020. This view south from Stony Lane bridge at Forton shows excavators at work regrading the banking, part of a major project to stabilise the long cutting which lies between Bay Horse and Scorton.

Aberdour: 66746 nears Aberdour with the first 'Classic' Royal Scotsman tour of the year on 24 May 2021.

Abbey Wood [EL]: The rebuilt entrance to Abbey Wood station, seen here on the First Day of Elizabeth Line services, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. The station is also served by National Rail South Eastern trains.

Farringdon [EL]: View up the escalator at Farringdon station, Elizabeth Line, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022.

Abbey Wood [EL]: Class 345 unit to Paddington departing from the terminus at Abbey Wood on the First Day of Elizabeth Line services, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. On the left are the through platforms used by National Rail South Eastern services.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: Heritage tram services do not run every day to Fleetwood so I was fortunate to see Balloon 717, rounding the curve from Lord St heading for the Ferry, on 24th May 2022.

Farringdon [EL]: New entrance to Farringdon station during a heavy downpour on the First Day of Elizabeth Line services, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. Also giving access to Thameslink services, this faces the London Underground station across Cowcross Street.

Tottenham Court Road [EL]: Tottenham Court Road, Elizabeth Line westbound platform, looking towards Paddington, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. The platforms here are on a slight curve.

Custom House [EL]: Custom House station, Elizabeth Line, on the site of the former North Woolwich branch station of the same name and an interchange with the Docklands Light Railway's Beckton branch, looking west on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. A new bus service, no. 304, also began on this day running from here to Manor Park station on the Shenfield section of TfL Rail which has now also been re-branded as the Elizabeth Line but which, for the time being, continues to run into and out of Liverpool Street main line station.

Chilvers Coton: Whos a pretty boy then? Clearly not 70017, which is passing the former platforms of Chilvers Coton station, to the south of Nuneaton. The back of the train is coming off Coton Arches viaduct; while the central girder of the bridge carrying the tracks over the Coventry Canal can also be seen in the distance. The train is no. 441G from Trafford Park to Southampton.

Le Fret: Opened in 1925, a relatively late addition to the French railway network was the 109km long metre gauge branch from Carhaix with a connection to the Brest to Quimper main line at Chateaulin. It was built primarily to serve agricultural communities on the Crozon Peninsula terminating at the fishing port of Camaret-sur-Mer with a short branch to Le Fret, the latter pictured here on 24 May 2022. The attractive stations were built to the same design, nicknamed bigoudenes because of openwork granite chimneys resembling an embroidered headdress of the Breton bigouden country. The line closed on 28 April 1967.

Canary Wharf [EL]: Canary Wharf station, Elizabeth Line, looking across from the eastbound platform to the westbound, from a train to Abbey Wood, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022.

Farringdon [EL]: Farringdon station, Elizabeth Line, eastbound platform looking back west towards Paddington from a train to Abbey Wood, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. All stations, apart from Custom House and Abbey Wood which are on the surface, are fitted with platform doors like those on the LU Jubilee Line Extension of 1999.

Paddington [EL]: Really, at last, the Elizabeth Line is open, at least according to this sign by the Hammersmith and City Line at Paddington on Opening Day, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. What the sign does not say is that this only includes the new stretch beneath London from Paddington east to Abbey Wood. Through trains from Shenfield to Heathrow and Reading will have to wait another year. Also, there is no indication that the walk from here to the Elizabeth Line is unfortunately lengthy, through the taxi rank almost the entire length of the eastern side of Paddington and then an escalator and the entire width of the station concourse.

Custom House [EL]: 345 unit with an Elizabeth Line service from Paddington to Abbey Wood calling at Custom House, looking back west, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. The new line comes to the surface here and this station is on the site of the old North Woolwich branch station. From here to just west of the former North Woolwich terminus the new line uses the old track-bed including passing through the Connaught Tunnel. Custom House and Abbey Wood stations, being on the surface, are the only ones on the new line not to have platform doors.

Abbey Wood [EL]: 345059 with an Elizabeth Line service to Paddington waiting to depart from the south-east London terminus at Abbey Wood, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. The train will head away from the camera when it departs. According to reports on the BBC and ITV London evening t.v. news the following day, it is estimated that a quarter of a million people turned out to say 'I was there' on the very first day of this multi-billion pounds new line. Maybe, with so many delays, they wanted to make sure, as I did, that the line would actually open and wouldn't believe it had until they were on board and moving.

Canary Wharf [EL]: 345 unit on Elizabeth Line service from Abbey Wood to Paddington calling at Canary Wharf, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. Sliding doors are in place at all of the below surface stations on the new line.

Silvertown: View from class 345 unit on an Elizabeth Line service from Paddington to Abbey Wood, now on the alignment of the former North Woolwich line, just emerged from the revived Connaught Tunnel and passing the site of Silvertown station, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. The new line utilises the old North Woolwich line from Custom House to just west of the old North Woolwich terminus where it descends into new tunnels to pass beneath the Thames to Woolwich and Abbey Wood. Despite industry and new housing here in Silvertown, no Elizabeth Line station has been provided but nearby is London City Airport station on the DLR's Woolwich Arsenal branch.

Paddington [EL]: Paddington, Elizabeth Line platforms, looking across to the eastbound platform on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. Trains from Abbey Wood terminate here for the present although those arriving at the westbound platform then run-on to reverse and crossover for the return journey. In a year or so, trains from Abbey Wood (and from Shenfield too) will continue west beyond here to Heathrow and Reading.

Abbey Wood [EL]: On entering Abbey Wood station, rebuilt for the Elizabeth Line and also served by National Rail South Eastern services, passengers pass through the entrance hall into this waiting area above the tracks, which includes public conveniences. Seen here on the First Day of Elizabeth Line services, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. Stairs and lifts give access to the two island platforms

Custom House [EL]: Class 345 unit with an Elizabeth Line train from Paddington to Abbey Wood just emerged from the new tunnel from Paddington and arriving at Custom House, on the site of the former North Woolwich branch station, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. From here, the Elizabeth Line utilises the North Woolwich alignment, including the Connaught Tunnel, until just short of the former terminus before descending into newly-built tunnels underneath the Thames, surfacing again just to the west of Abbey Wood.

Woolwich [EL]: Woolwich station, Elizabeth Line, looking back west towards Paddington from 345 unit making its penultimate stop en route to Abbey Wood, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022.

Liverpool Street [EL]: Liverpool Street, Elizabeth Line westbound platform looking towards Paddington, with a class 345 for the latter just visible through the platform doors, on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. In a year or so's time when the through Elizabeth Line service from Shenfield to Heathrow or Reading begins, the Abbey Wood section will become a branch from Whitechapel.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: The occasional heritage tram tours to Fleetwood lay over in the loop at Fleetwood Ferry where the regular service trams can pass them. Prior to the tramway refurbishment this was the tram terminus. The modern tram stop at Fleetwood Ferry is just round the corner nearer the North Euston Hotel [[40940]]. Blackpool Balloon No.717, restored to broadly original condition, was the tram in use on 24th May 2022.

Tottenham Court Road [EL]: Elizabeth Line eastbound platform at Tottenham Court Road on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022. An interchange with the Central and Northern Lines but beware! If you are travelling towards Paddington and want to change here for the Underground, DO NOT go in the last carriage of the Elizabeth Line train or you will find you are confronted with a lengthy walk along the platform and then a considerable distance further to the tube lines. I found this to my cost when changing to go home after my visit, along with a quarter of a million others, on the opening day