Sudbury and Harrow Road: An unusual scene on the ex-Great Central route at Sudbury and Harrow Road in the London suburbs in 1963. Maroon WR Warship D844 Spartan heads north with the Saturday 13.25 London - Birmingham service operating, on this occasion, from Marylebone as opposed to the normal Paddington. [Thanks to all respondents - with a special thank you to Martin Smith, Robert Heron and Dave Winter of the Great Western Society for their help in finally nailing this one.]

Irvine: A wet and overcast day at Irvine station in May 1963. A Kilmarnock - Ardrossan (Winton Pier) train arrives at the northbound platform behind Hurlford Standard class 3 2-6-0 no 77017.

Irvine: A wet and misty Saturday morning on the Ayrshire coast in May 1963 sees Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42190 bring an Ardrossan (Winton Pier) - Kilmarnock train into the platform at Irvine. [Note the Station Master!]

Heaton: Heaton based V2 2-6-2 no 60913 photographed at the north end of the yard there on 25 May 1963.

Newcastle Central: An up pigeon special heads west on the goods lines past Newcastle Central on a murky 25 May 1963 behind Gresley V2 2-6-2 no 60847 'St Peter's School, York, AD 627'

Heaton: J27 0-6-0 no 65821 with a down freight passing through Heaton Yard, thought to have been taken on 25 May 1963.

Heads of Ayr [2nd]: A DMU stands at the platform at Heads of Ayr station in May 1963. The original Heads of Ayr station, located slightly west of here, had closed in 1930 and the second station was opened in 1947 to serve the holiday camp opened nearby after WWII. This station finally closed in September 1968, along with the remainder of the line back to Alloway Junction.

Heaton: The coaling stage at Heaton shed on 25 May 1963, with locally based A3 Pacific 60073 'St Gatien' alongside.

Ayr: A Glasgow - Stranraer Harbour boat train prepares to leave Ayr station on Saturday 25 May 1963. Locomotive in charge is Ardrossan Black 5 no 45251.

Stevenston No 1 Signal Box [2nd]: View south east in 1963, showing a Caley 0-6-0 with a train of gunpowder vans in the Ardeer ICI sidings by Stevenston No 1 signalbox. To the immediate right is the trackbed of the Misk branch which carried a workers passenger service to the single platform Ardeer station (served by both CR and G&SW). In particular this branch served the Nobel explosives works. On the horizon is the disused trackbed of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway. Today (2012) the ICI sidings seen here (which ran along the southern edge of the Ardrossan line) are lifted but the overgrown Misk branch remains in place.

Gateshead Shed: Gresley A4 meets EE Type 4. Scene in the shed yard at Gateshead on a grey Saturday 25 May 1963, with 60029 Woodcock replenishing its water supply while D254 looks on.

Kilwinning: Clayton D8502 with a freight at Kilwinning in May 1963. The locomotive had been delivered new to Polmadie in October 1962 and was withdrawn from the same location exactly 9 years later. D8502 was cut up at St Rollox in March 1973.

Kilwinning: 45498 brings a train from Glasgow into the Largs branch platform at Kilwinning in May 1963. Kilwinning Junction signal box stands in the right background.

Heaton MPD: J72 0-6-0T no 69028 stabled on Heaton shed on 25 May 1963.

Kilwinning: The north end of Kilwinning station on a grey and overcast Saturday 25 May 1963. A standard class 5 4-6-0 is running into the Largs platform with a train from Glasgow.

Heaton: A1 Pacific no 60129 Guy Mannering with a freight in Heaton Yard on 25 May 1963. The 52D shed plate shows the locomotive to have been a resident of Tweedmouth shed at that time.

Gateshead Shed: A murky Saturday morning on Gateshead shed in May 1963. ECML stalwart 60017 Silver Fox stands in the yard alongside a pair of 52A's by now considerable allocation of EE Type 4 diesel locomotives.

Alloway Junction: A DMU takes the Heads of Ayr branch at Alloway Junction on 25 May 1963. This was the final section of the line to close, along with the station serving the Butlin's holiday camp at Heads of Ayr, in September 1968.

Sudbury and Harrow Road: A western region Warship takes a train from Birmingham through Sudbury and Harrow Road station towards London in May 1963. Final destination on this occasion was Marylebone as opposed to the normal Paddington due to engineering activity affecting the latter. The train is thought to be the 1140 ex-Birmingham New Street. [Editors note: This is the second of the 2 images taken at this location which were eventually identified by members of the Great Western Society... many thanks.]

Ardrossan South Beach: Caley 0-6-0 no 57336 with a rake of empty mineral wagons is held at signals at Ardrossan South Beach station on 25 May 1963. The locomotive was withdrawn from Ardrossan shed 4 months later.

Gateshead Shed: York V2 60828 stands alongside Kings Cross A4 60025 Falcon on Gateshead shed in the spring of 1960. EE Type 4 and Deltic diesel locomotives can also be seen in the photograph.

Ardrossan South Beach: See and be seen! A Kilmarnock bound stopping train overtakes a 'pedestrian' just prior to arrival at Ardrossan South Beach station on 25 May 1963. Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42190 is passing below the bridge carrying South Beach Road.

Neasden Depot: Visitors admire the exhibits at an open day at London Transport's Neasden Depot in May 1963 ....with the current switched off!

Neasden Depot: A London Transport Open Day at Neasden Depot in May 1963.

Heaton: Gresley V2 2-6-2 60887 photographed in Heaton yard on 25 May 1963.

Neidpath Viaduct: Viaduct and tunnel leading to Peebles CR.

Clarkston East Junction: BR Standard tank 80056 descending towards Giffnock on 25 May 1964 with the 8.15am ex-Clarkston.

Dumfries Shed: Crab 2-6-0 No 42795 is being turned on the Dumfries turntable on 25 May 1964. It then headed for the adjacent shed.

Crossmyloof: Britannia Pacific 70008 Black Prince takes the 5.30pm Glasgow - Carlisle train south through Crossmyloof on 25 May 1965.

Strathbungo: Hurlford Black 5 no 45489 with a train between Strathbungo and Crossmyloof on 25 May 1965.

Thorntonhall: 80130 at Thorntonhall with train from Gourock to East Kilbride

Thorntonhall: Hard working BR Standard class 4 tank no 80063 climbs towards Bogton Bridge, south east of Thorntonhall, on 25 May 1965.

Crossmyloof: The 5.33pm St Enoch - East Kilbride hurries south through Crossmyloof station on 25 May 1965 behind BR Standard tank 80058.

Steele Road: Lifting of the Up line at Steele Road had come to a halt several months before this 25th May 1969 shot, looking south. This was the favoured territory for Peter Handford's classic Argo Transacord sound recordings of trains battling up the eight miles of continuous 1 in 75 gradient from north of Newcastleton to north of Riccarton Junction. Handford's ashes were scattered at the site of Steele Road station following his death in 2007. This photograph is from David Spaven's latest book Border Union Dream: the inside story of Britain's boldest railway preservation bid.

Perth: Inverness - Edinburgh train arriving at Perth behind 5320+5121 in May 1970.

Perth: 5128+5324 leaving Perth with a Glasgow - Inverness train - 25 May 1970.

Perth: 'OK let's give it a go!' Conference session 2 - Perth Station, 25 May 1970 see image [[2963]]. (It finally left 22 minutes late).

Perth: Perth Station on 25 May 1970. 5320+5121 wait patiently with an Inverness - Edinburgh train while 260 prepares to lead the way with an Aberdeen - Glasgow working.

Perth: Will this work? Platform conference at Perth as D7578 + D406 wait to depart with the morning Perth - Euston train on 25 May 1970. See image [[3726]]

Tay Viaduct [Perth]: Glasgow - Aberdeen train crossing the Tay at Perth behind D361 in 1970.

Perth South Shed: A northbound DMU passing the closed Perth shed in May 1970. The shed had officially closed in May 1967.

Perth South Shed: Looking south towards the closed Perth shed in 1970, with the shed clock still in place and a number of the former stabling roads being used to store lifted track.

St Leonards Bridge Junction: The southern approaches to Perth station in 1970, with a pair of type 2s leaving with an Inverness - Edinburgh train.

Perth: Brush Type 4 1958 about to leave Perth with the morning Motorail for Kensington Olympia in May 1970 while a northbound DMU waits in the Dundee platform.

Perth: A Glasgow Queen Street - Dundee train arrives at Perth behind D5385 on 25 May 1970.

Perth Holding Sidings: The locomotive stabling point alongside the west wall at Perth station in the spring of 1970. This location was formerly the down carriage sidings, now used for stabling following closure of Perth South Shed. The two lines in the foreground are the goods bypass.

Perth South Shed: The approach to Perth shed from the station in 1970, some three years after official closure. Demolition work and tracklifting are underway with redundant track lengths stacked on the former shed roads.

Perth: A pair of Type 2s 5320+5121 recently arrived at Perth with an Inverness - Edinburgh train on 25 May 1970. Over on the Dundee platforms EE Type 4 260 prepares to depart with an Aberdeen - Glasgow working.

Newtongrange [1st]: Seen through the bridge carrying the A7 over the line are the disused platforms of Newtongrange station almost two and a half years after closure. The rails on the down line still have a bit of a shine to them, indicating that this was still in use to serve Lady Victoria Colliery.

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: Looking north at Lady Victoria Pit signal box in May 1971. The notice marks the end of yard working and the lower part reads Trains must not proceed beyond this point without the permission of the signalman at Millerhill.

Newbattle Coal Stocking Site: Although still looking in reasonable condition, this Andrew Barclay 0-6-0ST carrying running number 20 of the NCB Lothians Area gives the distinct impression of having been put out to grass. It was photographed on a visit to Newtongrange in May 1971 at what I am reliably informed was referred to as the Newbattle Coal Stocking Site. See [[40967]].

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: The signal box at Lady Victoria Pit, seen from the east side of the Waverley Route in May 1971 when the colliery was still rail served - although not for much longer. Note the coal stocks in the background - see [[40939]].

Eassie: Passing Eassie goods yard on the Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express', bound for Forfar on 25 May 1974. The view looks back (to the west) to show the granary building which still stands today.

Coupar Angus: A pair of condemned vans stand in the sidings at Coupar Angus in May 1974. The view is to the north west just to the west of the platforms. The malthouse with the ventilator on the left has not survived but the nearer large sheds are now a Ford dealership.

Coupar Angus: Scene at Coupar Angus on 25 May 1974 during a visit by the Strathspey Railway Association's Strathmore Express.

Coupar Angus: A DMU stands at the platform at Coupar Angus during a photostop in May 1974. The special is the Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express' which had recently arrived from Edinburgh Waverley.

Coupar Angus: Entering Coupar Angus, on the Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express', bound for Forfar on 25 May 1974.

Coupar Angus: The Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express', stopped at Coupar Angus on 25 May 1974. The train is stopped on the former eastbound main line.

Cargill Viaduct: The Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express' about to cross Cargill Viaduct on 25 May 1974 see image [[5778]]

Bo'ness Junction: The Strathspey Railway Association Strathmore Express takes the Kinneil branch past Boness Junction signal box on 25 May 1974.

Ardler: Opening the crossing gates at Ardler for the passage of the Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express' on 25 May 1974.

Forfar Shed [2nd]: Closed and trackless Forfar locomotive depot, seen from the Strathspey Railway Association 'Strathmore Express' railtour on 25 May 1974. The building has survived to the present day, converted for business use See image [[52766]].

Woodside and Burrelton: Old signal box at Woodside and Burrelton seen from the Strathspey Railway Association's 'Strathmore Express' on 25 May 1974.

Coupar Angus: Coupar Angus station seen from the Strathspey Railway Association's Strathmore Express in 1974. The view looks to Forfar and shows the goods yard of the station and fine goods shed. The footbridge provided access to the platforms from Station Road on the north side of the station and Candlehouse Lane to the south.

Westfield Disposal Point: The 'Strathmore Express' railtour stands at Westfield Opencast, Fife, in May 1974.

Perth Railway Works: 24009 with a train of bullhead track panels in the loops to the south of Perth. Seen from the 'Strathmore Express', returning from Forfar on 25 May 1974. The former railway works are seen in the background, both to the left of the locomotive and above the first flatbed.

Forfar [2nd]: The Strathspey Railway Association's Strathmore Express of 25 May 1974 during a photostop at Forfar.

Ferryhill Junction: A Brush Type 4 brings the 1S17 service (ex Kings Cross?) off the River Dee Viaduct on the curve towards Ferryhill Junction on 25 May 1975. Photo taken from near to the trackbed of the Deeside line.

Ferryhill Junction: With Ferryhill MPD to the right, a Class 40 brings a train off the Dee Viaduct on the approach to Aberdeen station in May 1975. The three ex Aberdeen Gas Works locos can be seen to the right of the Class 40. See image [[18043]]

Dee Viaduct: A class 40 heads south from Aberdeen over the Dee Viaduct on 25 May 1975

Craiginches North Sidings: Craiginches North SB on 25 May 1975 with a class 47 passing on a train for Aberdeen.

Ferryhill Junction: 47474 leaves a cloud of exhaust over Ferryhill box on 25 May 1975 as it passes under the adjacent signal gantry with the 1015 hrs train to Edinburgh, shortly after leaving Aberdeen station.

Craiginches North Sidings: A class 40 heads south past Craiginches North SB on 25 May 1975.

Craiginches Yard: The signals are off but no trains appear; Craiginches North box is switched out one weekend in May 1975. The view is east from the bridge carrying Wellington Road over the railway. Today there are fewer sidings but the Blue Circle cement building still stands.

Edinburgh Waverley: A Brush type 4 arriving at Waverley with an Aberdeen train in 1975 meets a gleaming D7590 standing at the east end of the station.

Ferryhill Junction: Class 40 passing Ferryhill SB heading for the MPD on 25 May 1975.

Ferryhill Junction: BRCW Type 2 no. 26028 passing Ferryhill SB on 25 May 1975 running light engine from Aberdeen station to Ferryhill MPD.

Craiginches Yard: A class 27 on an Aberdeen bound train at Craiginches North on 25 May 1975.

Edinburgh Waverley: Edinburgh - Glasgow push-pull services at Waverley west end in May 1975.

Craiginches North Sidings: A class 47 rounds the curve at Craiginches North on the approach to the viaduct over the River Dee, Aberdeen on 25 May 1975.

Ferryhill Junction: BRCW Type 2 no. 26028 passes Ferryhill Junction on 25 May 1975 and heads for the MPD.

Rheine: 042-052-1 with a coal train in the yards at Rheine in May 1977.

Boat of Garten: No 60 + no 48 with a train at Boat of Garten on 25 May 1980. No 60 was being run in at the time.

Wirksworth: The Wirksworth Phoenix at Wirksworth on 25 May 1985. The location is now home to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. The special, organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours, ran from Derby and was formed by unit 150002.

Wirksworth: Unit 150002 at Wirksworth on 25 May 1985 with the Wirksworth Phoenix. The special, which ran from Derby, was organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours. The location is now the home of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.

Millerhill Junction: Millerhill has been a location of long slow decline but in May 1995 there was still something to see. The abandoned ECML electrification depot ahead marks the course of the Waverley route, swinging to the right was the remains of the Bilston Glen branch, acting as headshunt to the Monktonhall colliery line right.

Carlisle: A 4-car Arriva Trains 156 service from Leeds approaching Carlisle station off the S&C on 25 May 2003.

London Road Goods [Carlisle]: Opened by the N&C in 1836, Carlisle London Road became a goods depot on the opening of Citadel in 1847. The building is seen here abandoned in 2003 following a period in commercial use. (Note: The listed building has since been partially refurbished and is currently (2019) in use as a commercial vehicle sales centre.)

Kames Colliery: Just west of Muirkirk the NCB's Kames Colliery to Wellwood Colliery line crossed over the Garpel Water. The view looks north with the bridge in the distance. The view is from the closed Glasgow and South Western line. Note the opencast site in the distance with floodlights.

Muirkirk: Just west of Muirkirk the Muirkirk Waggonway crossed the Garpel Water. This view looks north east towards Muirkirk at the site of the bridge. Further north the Glasgow and South Western line crossed over the stream and further north still the NCB Wellwood line crossed the stream.

Carlisle Kingmoor Marshalling Yard: View north over Kingmoor yard in May 2003.

Rome Street Junction: Scene on the former Carlisle goods lines in the spring of 2003 looking north west from Rome Street towards the site of Dentonholme South Junction. By now there is little sign that a railway ever existed here. For the same view 14 years earlier see image [[9046]].

London Road [Carlisle]: Looking east towards Carlisle's former London Road station in 2003. The Newcastle & Carlisle Railway opened the city's first station here in 1837, also used by Lancaster & Carlisle and Maryport & Carlisle trains for a time prior to the opening of Citadel, following which the location became a goods depot. London Road Goods is seen here abandoned in May 2003, following a period of use as a fertiliser warehouse.

London Road [Carlisle]: The overgrown former London Road station, Carlisle, viewed from the east in May 2003. The building had spent its final years as a storage depot for a fertilizer supplier. London Road itself (A6) can be seen running past the site in the left background. See image [[38289]]

Muirkirk [1st]: Just west of Muirkirk station the Muirkirk Branch crossed over the Garpel Water. View looks north west from the former Muirkirk Waggonway bridge.

Carlisle Kingmoor Marshalling Yard: EWS 66205 pauses to change crews on the west side of Kingmoor yard in May 2003 with a northbound train of coal empties destined for Ayrshire.

Kames Colliery: Looking back to Muirkirk old station (distant) and Linkyburn Square from the Kames Colliery line. This line extended as far west as Wellwood Pit.

Bedlington: Barrington Road level crossing on 25 May 2004. Across the road is Bedlington North signal box and in the left background the remains of Bedlington station. Beyond the box the line splits at Bedlington Junction with the Ashington line on the left and the line to Morpeth to the right behind the fence. View is south east towards Blyth. See image [[6364]].

Bedlington: Approaching Bedlington station from the Morpeth direction in May 2004. On the left is Bedlington North signal box, with the platform and station building straight ahead. The Ashington route runs past the other side of the box.

Winning Junction: Winning signal box and level crossing, view west towards the junction on 25 May 2004.

Freemans Level Crossing: Freemans level crossing, North Blyth, in May 2004, looking west towards Winning Junction.

Bedlington: The view from Bedlington station on 25 May 2004 showing the line splitting at Bedlington North Junction. The Morpeth line runs to the left of the box with the route to North Blyth and Ashington to the right.

Bedlington: Looking across Station Road level crossing to Bedlington Station on 25 May 2004, looking north east from alongside Bedlington South signal box.

Winning Junction: Scene at Winning Junction on the Blyth & Tyne in May 2004 looking east towards North Blyth. The signals controlling the junction behind the camera refer to the routes south to West Sleekburn (right hand signal) and north to Marcheys House. Note the motor-driven boom crossing gates in use here at the time see image [[39368]].

Freemans Level Crossing: View south west at Freemans Crossing on the North Blyth branch in May 2004. Winning Junction is three quarters of a mile off to the right see image [[4619]].

Bedlington: Between The Railway and The Clayton Arms stands Bedlington South signal box and level crossing. View east on 25 May 2004, with the former Bedlington station standing immediately to the left of the crossing see image [[22454]] and Furnaceway Sidings off to the right beyond the box.

Winning Junction: The signal box at Winning Junction, located to the south of Ashington on the Blyth and Tyne route, seen looking north east from the roadside on 25 May 2004. Unfortunately the box name board appears to have been nicked. See image [[46995]]

Bedlington: Approaching Station Road level crossing, Bedlington, from the south on 25 May 2004, with Bedlington South box on the left. The crossover from the up line gives access to Furnaceway Sidings, located just behind the camera on the left. To the north of the level crossing is the up platform and the surviving buildings of Bedlington station (closed November 1964). Bedlington North signal box is visible in the background, standing at the junction of the Morpeth and Ashington routes.

North Seaton: Approaching North Seaton signal box eastbound along the A196 on the southern edge of Ashington in May 2004. North Seaton station, which stood to the left of the crossing, closed in 1964.

Bedlington: Looking south across Station Road level crossing towards Bedlington South signal box in May 2004. The long closed Bedlington station is behind the camera with an appropriately named hostelry located on the far right. The northern end of Furnaceway Sidings can be seen in the left background just beyond the crossover. See image [[49300]]

Marcheys House Junction: EWS 66076 rumbles south over Marchey's House level crossing between Ashington and Bedlington Station on 25 May 2004 with a train of empties from Lynemouth ps.

Larbert: Entrance to Larbert station looking north across Main Street in 2005.

Falkirk High: A train for Edinburgh leaving a rain soaked Falkirk High on 25 May 2005.

Larbert: North and southbound ScotRail services meet at Larbert station in the pouring rain on 25 May 2005.

Falkirk High: A cloudburst over Falkirk High station in May 2005 as a 158 approaches from the Edinburgh direction.

Larbert: Rainy day at Larbert, northbound arrival - May 2005

Larbert: Larbert North signal box in May 2005

Larbert: An early afternoon Edinburgh Waverley - Dunblane ScotRail service heads north away from Larbert in May 2005 during a period of exceptionally heavy rain.

Powmillon Viaduct [South]: View west from the trackbed looking towards [[Strathaven Central]] from the former approach from [[Stonehouse]]. On the hillside above the lineside hut is the remains of the [[Strathaven Viaduct [North] ]] which brought the approach from [[Strathaven North]] to [[Strathaven Central]].

Larbert: A southbound service about to arrive at Larbert during heavy rain on 25 May 2005 passes Larbert North signal box.

Larbert: Northbound arrival at Larbert in May 2005.

Larbert: Leaving Larbert Station northbound during a rainstorm in May 2005.

Larbert: Platform scene at Larbert Station looking south in May 2005.

Larbert: Plaque at Larbert station commemorating those who left on the troop train for Liverpool docks bound for Gallipoli in the early hours of 22nd May 1915 only to perish later that morning at Quintinshill. See image [[4099]]

Falkirk High: The modern station at Falkirk High, looking across the car park entrance in May 2005.

Falkirk High: A Glasgow - Edinburgh shuttle calls at Falkirk High on 25 May 2005 during heavy rain.

Falkirk High: Wet plaform scene at Falkirk High looking west in 2005 as a train arrives from Glasgow Queen Street.

Larbert: Larbert - south end - May 2005.

Piercebridge: Piercebridge Goods Shed looking west towards Gainford and Barnard Castle. The line used to run to the right of the shed, which until recently was part of a haulage yard. It is now being converted into a house

Piercebridge: Piercebridge Goods Shed looking west towards Gainford and Barnard Castle. The line used to run to the right of the shed, which until recently was part of a haulage yard. It is now being converted into a house

Piercebridge: Piercebridge Station site looking east towards Darlington. Platform edging can be seen by the trees to the left centre. The level crossing used to be behind the trees to the left of the white van.

Pickhill: Pickhill Station looking north towards Newby Wiske and Northallerton in May 2006. The level crossing used to be in the foreground.

Sinderby: Sinderby Station looking north towards Pickhill and Northallerton.The station is adjacent to the A1.

Sinderby: Sinderby Station looking north towards Pickhill and Northallerton.The station is adjacent to the A1.

Sinderby: Sinderby Station forecourt.The station is adjacent to the A1.

Cardross: Westbound steam engine for the summer only Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig. Approaching Cardross.

Garelochhead Viaduct: Crossing the viaduct north of Garelochhead on the way north to Fort William.

Cardross: Steam train for Fort William is approached by a Glasgow bound EMU.

Garelochhead Viaduct: Steam train for Fort William passing the head of the Gare Loch.

Faslane Platform: Steam train for Fort William passing the site of Faslane Platform near Shandon.

Cardross: Running east from Cardross is 67009 on sleeper driver training run.

Cardross: 61264 passes Cardross, bringing the Jacobite stock up from Carnforth. May 25, 2006.

Craigendoran Junction: 61264 pauses in Craigendoran Loop. May 25, 2006.

Dalmuir Park Junction: 67011 passes Dalmuir on a crew-training run. May 19, 2006

Barrasford: Barrasford station, now a Scout hall.

Barrasford: Barrasford station, now a Scout hall.

Woodburn: Woodburn

Wall: Wall looking to Reedsmouth Junction.

Wark: The former Wark station.

Wark: The former Wark station showing the two platforms.

Bellingham (North Tyne): The station building at Bellingham (closed to passengers in October 1956) standing on the single platform. Photographed in May 2006.

Bellingham (North Tyne): Bellingham looking to Reedsmouth Junction.

Reedsmouth Shed: Reedsmouth engine shed. The line to Riccarton was to the left and the junction behind the camera.

Reedsmouth: Reedsmouth, Riccarton platforms looking to the junction.

Reedsmouth: Reedsmouth; Border Counties platforms to left and Wansbeck Railway platform to right.

Reedsmouth: Reedsmouth; Border Counties platforms to left and Wansbeck Railway platform to right. The signalbox and station buildings still stand.

Reedsmouth: Reedsmouth; building still standing on the Riccarton bound platform.

Jedfoot: Remains of Jedfoot station looking towards Nisbet.

Jedfoot: Remains of Jedfoot station looking towards Jedburgh.

Nisbet: Nisbet station looking towards Jedfoot.

Nisbet: Old coach body in the garden of the former Nisbet Station.

Kirkbank: Kirkbank Station goods dock is largely obscured by trees. Looking towards Roxburgh.

Kirkbank: Kirkbank Station looking towards Nisbet. The building has had three extensions since sale in 1969.

Rutherford: Rutherford Station site looking towards Roxburgh.

Maxton: Maxton Station looking towards Rutherford. The other crossing gate still exists.

Maxton: Maxton Station looking towards Rutherford.

Maxton: Crossing gate at Maxton Station.

Crawford: Out of the darkness cometh light... Southbound Pendolino at speed near Crawford on 25 May.

Kinghorn: A Waverley bound service, headed by SWT liveried 158 786 calls at Kinghorn on 25 May 2007.

Floriston Level Crossing: Voyager southbound over Floriston LC on 25 May.

Floriston Level Crossing: Northern Trains 156 crosses Floriston LC heading south towards Carlisle on 25 May. The destination panel shows Cleethorpes!

Paris Austerlitz: The Joan Miro - overnight hotel train from Paris to Barcelona. This train will change gauge at the French/Spanish border.

Paris Austerlitz: Sybic electric backs down onto its stock.

Les Aubrais-Orleans: Southbound freight at Les Aubrais-Orleans yard

St Fort: Passing Linkswood fuel bunkers then under the A92 on right, towards the Tay Bridge.
Edinburgh - Aberdeen 170.

Plean: 66030 heads north with 6A30 Mossend - Aberdeen pipes approaching Plean signal box.

Plean: 158.725 heads south past Plean.1156 Dunblane for Edinburgh.

Carmuirs West Junction: 66201 heads west past Carmuirs West box on 25 May with coal empties.

Carmuirs West Junction: 66030 with the Mossend - Aberdeen (Laurencekirk) pipes having just passed Carmuirs West.

Port of Menteith: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Port of Menteith Station House.

Port of Menteith: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Port of Menteith Station House.

Port of Menteith: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Port of Menteith Station - porters room sign.

Moncrieffe Tunnel: Escape shaft for smoke or diesel fumes connected to Moncrieffe Tunnel south of Perth.

Hilton Junction: The late running 1200 London Kings Cross approaching Perth.

Carmuirs West Junction: The 1155 Stirling - Glasgow Queen Street service passing Carmuirs West Junction on 25 May 2007.

Port of Menteith: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Looking W along the line at Port of Menteith Station, anyone for tennis?

Port of Menteith: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Looking E along the line at Port of Menteith Station.

Kippen: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Kippen Station Signal Box - Grade 3 listed building now in an unsafe condition.

Niddrie West Junction: A track maintenance unit ambles along the sub at Niddrie West Junction on 25 May 2007. The unit has just entered the single line section to Portobello.

Kippen: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Kippen Station House - an old coach - anyone know what it is/was?

Kippen: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Kippen Station House, standard design.

Kippen: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. There is a goods shed in the garden!

Kippen: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. Goods shed in the garden!

Kippen: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway. At Kippen Station, line looking W.

Kinghorn: Scene at Kinghorn in May 2007 showing the up waiting room in the early stages of dismantling. Although it appeared in reasonable external condition the structure had been declared unsafe and had been out of use for some time.

Rockcliffe: Carlisle - Glasgow (via Dumfries) service passing the site of Rockcliffe station in May 2007. The station house can be seen through the trees while in the right background stand the lighting towers of Kingmoor yard.

Rockcliffe: Scotrail 156508, in Strathclyde PTE livery, passes Rockcliffe on the approach to Carlisle with a service from Dumfries on 28 May 2007. In the background is the flyover carrying the Up Avoiding Arrival line to Kingmoor yard.

Plean: FSR 170 races north through Plean bound for Stirling with the 1140 Glasgow express.

Niddrie West Junction: A track machine heads along the single line section of the sub between Niddrie West Junction and Brunstane on 25 May 2007.

Zermatt: Maintenance train at Zermatt on the Zermatt to Gornergrat cog railway the Gornergrat Bahn (The Matterhorn Railway) on 25 May 2009.

Cardiff Central: These teenage snakes - no stamina. Or perhaps it's a modern art display? Watering hoses actually, on Platform 0. Notice the (non-railway) water tower in the background. It was freshly painted with giant daffodils when I arrived in Wales in 1985 - all faded away now.

Leaderfoot Viaduct: Leaderfoot Viaduct on 25 May 2009.

Furnace Sidings: The current motive power on this short preserved line is Devonport Dockyard saddle tank no. 19. You can almost feel every piston stroke on the steep climb to Whistle Inn.

Big Pit Mining Museum: These saddle tanks are stabled next to the Big Pit mining museum, where one can go underground into the old pit (easiest for those under 4'10'!). One engine has a concealed speaker playing 'loose coupled shunting' noises - rather eerie.

Ebbw Vale Parkway: When I lived in Wales, it was all growling 37's and 0-8-0 diesel shunters here. So a squeaky clean 150 looks a bit out of place. But it was encouraging to see the service well patronized, even on a Bank Holiday Monday - and even feeding into Cardiff.

Daylesford: Scene at Daylesford, Victoria, terminus of the 5ft 3in gauge Daylesford Spa Country Railway, photographed in monsoon rain in May 2009. Ironically, just a few months before this, the wildfires had destroyed about one and a half km of their track.

Furnace Sidings: I couldn't quite hear what the fireman was saying. It might have been 'another 50 tea bags should do it, drive'; or it could have been 'Shut up about Beeching and McGregor and I'll let you out again'...

Cardiff Central: Creeping modernization on platform 2. Given the current rate of change, I suggest detachable panels.

Farington Junction: 156452 heads south on the Up Slow lines at Farington Junction with a service for Manachester Victoria on 25 May 2009. A close examination of the front gangway door suggests someone has been taking pot shots at it!

Big Pit Mining Museum: It's nice to have two steam trains stabled adjacent to the Big Pit museum. But by the state of the track in the foreground and the wagon on the right, the volunteers will be busy for years yet.

Melbourne Southern Cross: N466 'City of Warrnambool' (5'3' gauge) at the buffer stops at Melbourne's Southern Cross station on 25 May 2009 - note the dual gauge tracks nearer the camera. The photograph shows part of the much-vaunted roof structure see image [[23705]] which doubtless led to this being named as one of the world's top ten railway stations in a recent poll.

Leyland: A journey between Blackpool North and Manchester with Northern Rail can produce a widely differing standard of rolling stock. At the bottom of the range you could be privileged to get a Class 142. Getting better it could be a Class 150 or a Class 156 but at the top of the range you could be lucky and travel on one of the two Class 180 5 car sets that Northern have leased. Here looking south towards Leyland we see 180108 on the up slow line on a service to Manchester Victoria on 25 May 2009.

Fountainhall: Notice advising of compulsory purchase orders, published by the Waverley Railway Project, affixed to a fence alongside the trackbed at Fountainhall on 25 May 2009.

Farington Junction: Looking south along the WCML towards Leyland from Fowler Lane bridge, a Liverpool bound Super Sprinter snakes its way from the Up Fast, across the Down Fast to the Up Slow. The Leyland Trucks factory is on the right and there is still a connection off the Down Slow into a small yard which is now in the Leyland Enterprise Park. The actual Farington Junction is behind the camera on the left with a line heading to Lostock Hall Junction on the East Lancs line.

Farington Junction: 185102 heads north on the Down Fast line towards Preston with a First Trans Pennine Express service to Blackpool North. Just beyond the unit is Fowler Lane overbridge and beyond that Farington Junction with a line diverging to the right leading to the East Lancs line at Lostock Hall Junction.

Becconsall: Kerr Stuart 'Tattoo' Class locomotive 'Stanhope' arrives at Becconsall on 25 May 2009 with a train on the West Lancashire Light Railway.

Fountainhall Bridge: Former rail bridge over the Gala Water on the Lauder Light Railway. Photographed on 25 May from alongside the A7 a little to the east of Fountainhall Junction.

Oxton: The surviving former lineside trolley shed at Oxton Station yard in May 2009. Almost all other railway atrifacts have gone and the old yard is currently disused. 

Oxton: The site of Park level crossing, a little to the north of Oxton, on the Lauder Light Railway. May 2009.

Clackmannan and Kennet: Freightliner 70003 with the 4C07 13.26 Longannet - Ravenstruther empties at Clackmannan on 25 May 2010.

Clackmannan and Kennet: DBS 66154 with the 6G06 10.23 Hunterston - Longannet loaded hoppers at Clackmannan on 25 May 2010.

Craven Arms: Arriva Trains Wales single unit DMU 153320 waits under the footbridge at Craven Arms for right of way prior to running forward onto the 'Heart of Wales' Line with the 14.36 service to Swansea.

Craven Arms: Arriva Trains Wales single unit DMU 153320 runs onto the 'Heart of Wales' Line on 25 May after leaving the northbound platform at Craven Arms with the 14.36 service to Swansea.

Chirk: Grab shot from the 0822 Chester - Cardiff (ex-Holyhead) train passing the Kronospan plant at Chirk, showing DRS Fastline liveried 66434, a regular locomotive on the Carlisle timber trains of late, having completed the unloading process, with a discussion group meeting alongside.

Stranraer: Stranraer Harbour still has a flexible layout with mechanical signalling and run round loops but for the normal timetabled service the box is switched out and the Sprinter shuttles in and out with the single line token from Dunragit. The functional train shed has greatly improved weather protection for this exposed location in recent years. See image [[1056]] for the same scene forty years earlier.

Stranraer: Looking back along the breakwater from the platform end at Harbour station towards Stranraer itself. This picture shows the one line that remains in regular use, the switched out signals and the other rusty (although still usable) track and pointwork.

Kilmarnock: Corkerhill set 156445 on the 1443 from Stranraer is seen here arriving a couple of minutes early in bay Platform 1 at its destination, Kilmarnock. It will shortly make another round trip to Stranraer as the 1704 departure and 1933 return.

Stranraer: Ferry connection made. Scotrail 156506 looks out from the Harbour trainshed as MV Stena Caledonia turns after reversing out of its berth and heads into Loch Ryan with a Belfast sailing. A number of the passengers on the ferry had arrived on the first train from Glasgow - and others who had arrived on the ship now joined it for a 10.05hrs departure north.

Barrhill: The 1005hrs Stranraer to Glasgow Central makes its first call at Barrhill. The train was scheduled to take 40 minutes for this first leg but had been held up at Glenwhilly crossing by the late running southbound Sprinter. 156506 was back on schedule though by the time it left Ayr. My thanks to the guard for allowing me this quick picture while the passengers joined the train.

Stranraer: Compared to their English cousins the Corkerhill 156s lead a varied life. One day they are working intensive suburban services around Glasgow and the next off to west coast outposts such as Oban, Mallaig or Stranraer Harbour as seen here. 156506 has connected with the Northern Ireland ferry and will soon head for Glasgow but will be back later in the day with another service.

Bearsden: 334017 pulls away from Bearsden heading along the short double track section to Hillfoot that sits in the middle of the mainly single track Milngavie line. This dynamic loop allows an intensive service to be operated on the branch. The original station building is now a pub/restaurant and the small modern ticket office and waiting room is just beyond it on the Up platform.

Glasgow Central: The 11-car Pendolongo prototype 390054 rests briefly in Platform 2 at Glasgow Central bewteen test runs on 25 May. This was a chance encounter while changing trains here. Note the Alstom crest on the nose - a reminder that Virgin had yet to agree terms for its use although around the time this photo was taken it was announced that the train would be taken on by Virgin but only initially as a nine car set. Long but not for much longer.

Stranraer: The first down train of the day is almost on the sea wall as it drops down the link line from Stranraer Town station to the Harbour on 25 May 2011. 156506 will, after a 40 minute layover in the quayside station, head back north on the 2 1/2 hour run to Glasgow.

Arbroath Harbour Junction: 158871 + 170434 leaving Arbroath on 25 May 2011 with an Edinburgh-Aberdeen train.

Inverkeithing: The Aberdeen portion of the Caledonian Sleeper calls at Inverkeithing at 00.12 on 25 May on its way to Edinburgh Waverley, where it will combine with the Inverness and Fort William portions for the onward journey to London Euston.

Hyndland: View from the west end of the Hyndland island platform on 25 May as EMU 334002 runs in on a service for Larkhall.

Advie: Platform remains at Advie in May 2012. View north east towards Craigellachie.

Milton Keynes Central: UK Railtours 'Snowdonian' charter train heading northwards at Milton Keynes, with 67006 on the front followed by a classmate in silver livery. Posted with respect to the ever affable John Farrow, who sadly passed away in April this year.

Milton Keynes Central: It's not every day that you see blood and custard and mirror glass together. Scene at Milton Keynes Central on 25 May 2012. The railtour is the UK Railtours 'Snowdonian'; the view is South-East from the footbridge.

Forres [2nd]: The west end of the former triangular station at Forres in May 2012. The surviving platform, serving trains on the Inverness - Aberdeen line, is straight ahead, while the remains of the west-south platform, which handled trains to and from Aviemore, is on the right. Part of the station car park currently occupies the trackbed beyond the trees.

Advie [2nd]: View south west along the trackbed of the Strathspey Railway at Advie on 25 May 2012, with the long single platform of the former station visible on the far side of the road bridge. Located approximately midway between Grantown-on-Spey and Aberlour, the station was closed to passengers in 1965.

Hixon: A Pendolino on a Manchester to Euston service passes the site of Hixon Halt (closed 1947) and its infamous level crossing. In 1968 a Euston bound express hauled by AL1 E3009 smashed into a 120 ton transformer on a low loader on the automatic half barrier crossing and eleven people were killed. The subsequent public enquiry resulted in a number of recommendations to improve safety at these crossings. A bridge was eventually built at Hixon in 2002 but it is still available as an engineers' access point.

Advie [2nd]: The overgrown single platform at Advie (closed 1965), seen here from the road bridge on 25 May 2012. View is south west in the general direction of Grantown-on-Spey.

Forres [2nd]: An afternoon Inverness - Aberdeen service calls at Forres on 25 May 2012.

Dalnacardoch Ground Frame: A northbound passenger train approaches Dalnacardoch from the south. In scorching heat that pool looked inviting.

Milton Keynes Central: You don't often see freight at MKC in the morning. But withdrawal of my usual bus service has given me more time on the platforms awaiting an alternative. So here is 90044 heading North with boxes (GB) or cans (US) at about 7.30 on 25 May, while Southbound commuters wait for the next up service.

Forres [2nd]: Part of the redundant west to south platform at Forres in May 2012. The southernmost section of the platform now borders the car park on the west side of the station. The Inverness - Aberdeen line runs across the top of the picture see image [[39013]].

Kirkcaldy: View east along the former course of Randolph Road and the Wemyss Tramway (closed 1932) in Kirkcaldy on 25 May 2013, with the modern-day road diverging in the background.

Long Preston: 47580 County of Essex heads the return Compass Tours The Lakeland Moorlander from Carlisle to Nuneaton on 25 May 2013 passing Long Preston. This part of the tour had travelled via the Cumbrian Coast and then reversed at Carnforth.

Worcester Shrub Hill: This siding into Worcester's Metal Box works was the last industrial siding in Worcestershire when it closed earlier this year. Sadly, the factory will soon shut down altogether. A class 66 used to visit here on weekdays, leaving at about 7am. On this occasion, the only scrap traffic to be seen was in road vehicle trailers. UPDATE JULY 2018: sadly, this factory has now been demolished.

Bannockburn: An Alloa Glasgow Queen Street service approaches the location of the former Bannockburn station on May 25th 2013. The Wallace Monument provides the backdrop. The station may yet be resurrected as a Park and Ride facility for Stirling, though probably under the name of Stirling Parkway or similar.

Alne: The remains of the former crossing keepers cottage on the Easingwold Railway at Alne Station in May 2013, seen during major alteration works that extend onto the trackbed. For the view in December 2008 see image [[21801]].

Long Preston: A Northern service from Morecambe to Leeds, with 153351 leading and 144022 on the rear, sets off from Long Preston in May 2013

Long Preston: A Northern Carlisle to Leeds service formed by 158790 calls at Long Preston on 25 May 2013.

Kilmaurs: Super Sprinter 156499 pauses at Kilmaurs whilst working 1L55 Glasgow Central to Carlisle,

Crewe: 66128 waits to take the UK Railtours Whitehouse Wanderer south then east out of Crewe on 25th May 2013 towards its next stop at Chaddesden Sidings. This was only the second passenger train to run over Nuneaton's North Chord.

Rimington: Looking south across the Ribble Valley just west of the former station at Rimington (closed 1958), DRS 47818 heads the Northern Belle with 47501 on the rear during the early evening on 25 May 2013. The train was returning to Crewe following a trip to Ravenglass. The eastern edge of Pendle Hill (infamous for witches) can be seen on the right of the picture.

Kilmaurs: Deltic no D9000/55022 Royal Scot Grey passes Kilmaurs with 6Z53 Glasgow Works to Brodie's Bonnyton Works Kilmarnock 334030 drag for refurbishment

Broadford [Victoria]: Three single unit 'Sprinters' in multiple, run into Broadford, Victoria, on 25 May 2013 on their way to Melbourne.

Sinfin Central: Here's where all that avgas goes every Thursday: looking into the Rolls-Royce civil aero engine test beds tank farm on 25 May 2013 from the passing UK Railtours 'Whitehouse Wanderer'.

Hythe Pier: Hythe Pier Railway train at the Pier Head station, awaiting the arrival of the ferry from Southampton on 25th May 2014. The ancient electric locos do their job well but could not be called stylish.

Brockenhurst: Weekend workings on the Lymington Branch use an EMU that is not available on weekdays. 450032 runs in to the branch platform at Brockenhurst, as seen from a temporary footbridge. A single DMU or EMU can maintain a 30 minute frequency service on the 5.5 mile Lymington branch.

Hythe Pier: The Hythe Pier train sets off on yet another trip to the pier head to meet the ferry from Southampton. The ancient electric loco is always at the landward end and so, when propelling, is controlled from the leading coach. In the background, across the busy Solent, the huge Asian Vision car carrier is being loaded with Range Rovers for export to the Far East.

Hythe Pier: One of the UK's more unusual commuter lines, the Hythe Pier Tramway maintains a half hourly service to connect with the Southampton Ferry 363 days a year. One of the two 97 year old Brush 3rd rail electric locos is seen here approaching the station at the landward end of the pier on 25 May 2014.

Hythe Pier: Hythe Pier Head, showing a train under the overall roof. The flat truck is used to carry bags and bulky items and behind that is the Driving Trailer, two further coaches (all with wooden slatted seats) and the electric loco. The pedestrian ramp to the Solent Ferry is just behind the camera.

Hythe Pier: Hythe Pier tramway depot, as seen from the station platform. The 3rd rail of the main line track can be seen but the depot sidings are not electrified. Also in the picture is the spare loco and a railed diesel tank, used to supply fuel to the two Hythe ferry boats..

Hythe Pier: Hythe Pier's Class 91? The pier electric loco is always coupled at the landward end and so has a large windscreen when being driven See image [[47707]] but just this small one facing the train. The loco propels the train along the 700yd, 2' gauge track to Hythe Pier Head every thirty minutes before hauling it back. The two locos were built as battery electrics by Brush for the Avonmouth Mustard Gas Factory in 1917 but purchased by Hythe Pier in 1922, converted to 250v DC third rail operation and have worked here ever since.

Brockenhurst: The four tracks at Brockenhurst serve two island platforms, only accessible by footbridges. Major work to install lifts was underway on 25 May 2014 as Voyager 220010 called on a service from Bournemouth heading for Manchester.

Redmire: What would appear to be a former weighbridge building stands in the yard by Redmire station, as seen in May 2015

Bath (Combe Down): The excellent Ralph Allen Cornerstone museum in Combe Down alerted me to the existence of this former tramroad used to haul stone from quarries adjoining Summer Lane (just off the top of this picture) to the Somerset Coal Canal at Tucking Mill, near the eponymous S&D viaduct. The foreground part was horse-hauled; the steps just visible in the background were a rope-worked incline to a T-shaped junction with branches to left and right.

Redmire: Looking east along the platform at Redmire Station on the Wensleydale Railway, with the well maintained station building now used by the Scouting Organisation. Sidings for the occasional loading or off-loading of military vehicles to or from Catterick Garrison are located behind the camera.

Redmire: Platform view west through Redmire Station on the Wensleydale Railway in May 2015, showing the lengthy run round loop on the left and the loading sidings for military vehicles to and from Catterick Garrison on the right beyond the platform end.

Tucking Mill Viaduct: That won't fall down in a hurry. View looks South-East see image [[45270]]. I don't know what's brewing in the foreground, but I wouldn't recommend drinking it.

Toronto Union Station: Union Pearson Express, new Toronto airport rail link DMU, at Toronto Union Station on 25 May 2015.

Redmire: Looking west from the platform end at Redmire in May 2015, with the two loading sidings for Military Vehicles to and from Catterick Garrison on the right. The head-shunt is out of view round the curve, with the points for the platform line to join the loop just visible. See image [[6502]] [Ref query 6607]

Shettleston Junction: The bridge which carries the Shettleston Loop as well as the line to Airdrie (and now through to Edinburgh) over Gartocher Road receives a thorough inspection over several days in May 2016. A second and now disused bridge which carried the Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge Railway over the road is still in place just beyond the advertisment hoardings to the right.

Fort William Junction Yard: Black 5 No.44871 has just passed Fort William Junction on the way to Mallaig with The Jacobite .

Creag Mhor Level Crossing: Black 5 No.44871 races along the straight at Torran Nam Meirleach (Little Knoll of the Thieves), south of Morar, with the westbound Jacobite.

Thuxton: Diagram inside Thuxton signal box, Norfolk, June 2016.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan Viaduct and the afternoon Jacobite heading for Mallaig, hauled by Black 5 No. 45407.

Smardale Gill Viaduct: A distant view of Smardale Gill Viaduct from the south-west above Scandal Beck - from this distance the structure looks fairly insignificant. The Stainmore line once ran below what appear to be natural rock outcrops to the left of the picture, but are actually the remains of Smardale Quarry, once a major user of the railway (a derelict limekiln can be discerned towards the centre of the shot).  25th May 2017

Seafield Level Crossing: Sadly the Leith Docks branch has fallen into disuse and it's evident that not even the weedkilling train had been here for a while. This is Seafield Level Crossing, photographed on a hot 25th May 2017.

Leith Docks: It looks like the trucks in the foreground have been abandoned to their fate on this now disused line. Further back thick vegetation surrounds them and saplings of several years old are even growing through them.

Dalreoch Junction: 334017 takes the Helensburgh line at Dalreoch Junction.

Smardale Viaduct: The southernmost span of Smardale Viaduct on the S&C, which crosses over what was once the Kirkby Stephen (East) to Tebay section of the Stainmore line, about a quarter mile west of the former Smardale station. Presumably the vegetation growing out of the masonry joints demonstrates Network Rail's commitment to biodiversity. 25th May 2017. [Ref query 1157]

Treales: About midway between Kirkham & Wesham and Salwick the railway passes near to the village of Treales. A short distance to the west there had been a siding and at one time this had been a four track main line. Recent tree felling and lineside clearance in preparation for electrification has enabled photography at this location, at least until the masts go up.

Smardale Gill Viaduct: Viewed close up from the south-west, both the curvature and gradient on the viaduct are fairly obvious - the line climbed from right to left, reaching an 889' summit at Sandy Bank, not far to the west, before descending to Ravenstonedale and Tebay. Not so obvious in this view is the fact that the viaduct was built to double track width, albeit the Kirkby Stephen to Sandy Bank section always seems to have been single track, latterly extended westwards to Ravenstonedale.  25th May 2017

Ballantrae: Ballantrae Garden Centre - Craigiemains 'Train' Station on 25th May 2017. Rusty track, no trains - but new season fare notices displayed.

Treales Siding: 150149 passes near to the site of Treales Siding as it heads west towards Kirkham whilst on a Colne to Blackpool South service on 25 May 2017. The ground between the train and the wall on the left (parapet of a road bridge) used to have a further two tracks however rationalisation in BR days saw them removed.

Beattock: Whilst not at a station, there is a small collection of railway items and photos, many relating to Beattock at the Old Stables Inn in the village. Apart from the items on display, the food was most enjoyable for my lunchtime stop on my way north.

Galway Ceannt: Galway Ceannt station, and a surviving water tower, seen on 25th May 2019.

Slateford Junction: On 25 May 2019, DB 66085 takes a long ballast train off the link from the suburban circle at Slateford Junction and through the station. This was a serendipitous shot; RTT is of course only for nerds.

Galway Ceannt: Galway Ceannt Station signal box, seen on 25th May 2019.

Broadway: GWR King 4-6-0 6023 King Edward II is Tail End Charlie heading to Broadway during the G&WR Gala on 25th May 2019. You might think, having paid a lot of money to get the King to Toddington, they just might have given it a more prominent position but it seemed to be forever running tender first or tucked in behind 7903. I did find out, it was a GWR practice to have the pilot engine leading the train engine. Ah well.

Winchcombe: LNER B1 4-6-0 No.1264 running tender first towards Winchcombe during the G&WR Gala on 25th May 2019.

Winchcombe: GWR double header. 7903 'Foremarke Hall' and 6023 'King Edward II' running into the loop at Winchcombe station from Cheltenham on 25th May 2019.

Cork Western Road: Western Road Station, Cork, and the former bridge over the River Lee in May 2019. The station site lies beneath the River Lee Hotel and the adjacent Lancaster Gate apartments. This was a 3ft gauge system opened to Blarney (largely for tourist traffic - the station and turntable still survive there) in 1887, Coachford in 1888 and Donoughmore in 1893. It was absorbed by the GSR in 1925 and closed completely at the end of 1934. A bridge abutment is visible here emerging from underneath the River Lee Hotel and bridge piers remain in the river. The tracks on the abutment are not original and appear to have been added to show that this was where the railway ran (there is a nearby heritage trail signboard which gives some details about the railway). The bridge was badly damaged in the Irish Civil War but was repaired. After crossing the River Lee, the track ran as a tramway along Western Road.

Winchcombe: One or two hiccups at the G&WR Gala on 25th May 2019. CR 0-4-4T No. 419 failed with a hot bearing on the Thursday. It was fixed but as a precaution the loco was confined to running around the station site at Winchcombe with a few goods vehicles.

Broadway: MN 4-6-2 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co.' heading northwards to Broadway as trailing engine to B1 4-6-0 1264 at the G&WR Gala on 25th May 2019.

Galway Ceannt: Galway Ceannt Station throat on 25th May 2019. A Dublin Heuston service is sitting in Platform 1. This Midland Great Western Railway station opened in 1851.

Galway Ceannt: View from the 11.55 to Limerick Junction departing from Galway Ceannt station. From the left, surviving engine shed, water column, turntable behind the fence and, on the right, the short-lived former route to Clifden (1895-1935). Departures to Clifden from Galway must have involved a reversal immediately after leaving the platform.

Broadway: MN 4-6-2 35006 heading to Broadway on the G&WR on 25th May 2019.

Broadway: LNER B1 1264 approaching Stanton, on its way to Broadway, during the G&WR Gala on 25th May 2019.

Winchcombe: 7903 'Foremarke Hall' & 6023 'King Edward I' tender first southbound on the northern outskirts of Winchcombe during the G&WR Gala event on 25th May 2019.

Cork Glanmire: The former site of Cork Glanmire station, Penrose Quay, on 25th May 2019. The original Great Southern & Western Railway station in Cork was a terminus at Penrose Quay and operated from 1855 to 1893 when the current Kent Station (formerly Glanmire Road) opened. The line of the original station, at right angles to the River Lee behind is apparent from the wall in the foreground and the buildings just to the right of the towercrane in the middle of the picture. This area is currently being developed as part of the Horgan's Quay and Penrose Quay developments and these remains have disappeared since the picture was taken.

Galway Ceannt: Galway Ceannt station throat and signal box, with a Dublin Heuston service awaiting departure from Platform 1, on 25th May 2019.

Galway Ceannt: Galway Ceannt station on 25th May 2019. View south over the surviving, but disconnected, turntable towards the platforms with a Dublin Heuston service in Platform 1. For a 1991 view see [[21132]].

Dalgety Bay: 170403 leaves Dalgety Bay with the 13.25 from Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh on 25 May 2021..

Dalgety Bay: Caledonian Sleeper allocated GBRf 66755, 'Tony Berkeley OBE RFG Chairman 1997 2018', passes Dalgety Bay on 25 May 2021 running back to Aberdeen Clayhills from Edinburgh Waverley. Purpose of journey unknown to me.

Bamber Bridge Hospital Crossing: 45699 'Galatea' is back out again this year running as 45562 'Alberta'. The Jubilee is seen to the east of Hospital Inn crossing (between Bank Head and Coopers user worked crossings) working 'The Pendle Dalesman' tour from Lancaster to Carlisle on 25 May 2021.

Inverkeithing East Junction: Former VTEC power cars 43290 and 43299 on an Edinburgh - Aberdeen - Slateford test train climbing away fro Inverkeithing East Junction on 25 May. 2021.

Lossie Viaduct: This view looks south towards Elgin over the River Lossie and the A96. The railway bridge was removed as part of the Elgin flood prevention scheme a couple of years ago. The trackbed to the A96 crossing has been obliterated by various industrial estates.

Blackford Quarry : A piece of rail formerly a fence post at the side of Blackford Hill Quarry, Edinburgh. It was probably left after the internal tramway for quarried stone was lifted. See the OS map of 1931 https://maps.nls.uk/view/82877517 With thanks to Bill R. for pointing this out.

Farringdon [EL]: Premature sign at Farringdon station, Elizabeth Line, as there are no trains from here to Heathrow, Maidenhead nor Reading for at least another year. Trains on this much-delayed central section under London from Abbey Wood are temporarily terminating at Paddington. Photo taken on the First Day of Service, Tuesday, 24th May 2022.