Crieff [2nd]: A view of the 1960 RCTS/SLS Joint Scottish Tour from the west end of Crieff station.

Comrie: 54485 runs round the stock of the 1960 RCTS/SLS Joint Scottish Tour after arrival at Comrie. At this time Comrie was the terminus of the line as the route west closed in 1951. Comrie remained open until 1964. The view is east.

Lugton East Sidings: The empty stock of a Glasgow Central - Uplawmoor train at Lugton East sidings on 15 June 1961. Locomotive is Polmadie shed's Fairburn 2-6-4 tank 42055.

Uplawmoor [1st]: BR Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73058 running between Uplawmoor and Lugton East Junction with empty stock on 15 June 1961. [Ref query 6575]

Lugton East Junction: Fairburn 2-6-4T 42055 arriving at Lugton East Junction on 15 June 1961 The locomotive is heading for the sidings with the empty stock from an Uplawmoor train.

Larbert: NBL Type 2 D6134 passes J36 65217 French at Larbert on 15th June 1962

Heaton MPD: BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 no 76050 on the turntable at Heaton shed in June 1963.

Heaton: Gresley V3 no 67651 recently released off an empty stock working from Newcastle Central, photographed at Heaton east loop on 15 June 1963, a year before its withdrawal from Gateshead shed.

Little Benton North Signal Box: With more than a hint of fog hanging over the East Coast Main Line, A3 Pacific no 60070 Gladiateur takes a train north on the approach to Benton Quarry Junction in the summer of 1963. The splitting distant signals for the junction can be seen above the locomotive. The train, the 8.35am Scarborough - Glasgow Queen Street, is passing the former Little Benton sidings (left), with Little Benton North signal box on the right (the South box was located on the nearside of the bridge in the background). Little Benton sidings and its associated signal boxes had gone prior to the end of steam.

Eastleigh Shed: T9 4-4-0 No 120 is pictured at Eastleigh shed on 15 June 1963. It had been repainted in LSWR colours and was involved in several special trains about this time. It has since been preserved and has been seen on various Heritage lines.

Connel Ferry: Plenty of activity at Connel Ferry on 15th June 1964. An eastbound Callander & Oban line service is calling and, at the east end of the station, a BRCW Type 2 sits with Ballachulish branch rolling stock, probably ready to proceed into the platform once the westbound freight has left.

Riccarton Junction: The 'A3 Farewell' railtour of 5th June 1965 pauses at Riccarton Junction. A4 60027 'Merlin' had at short notice replaced the designated A3 60052 'Prince Palatine', which had had to leave the train after running hot on the Newcastle to Carlisle line.

Arkleston: A fine day on the cutting-side at Arkleston on 15 June 1967 sees the 14.30 InterCity dmu for Ayr running past. The view shows the former 4 track route after reduction to two tracks.

Canal Junction [Elderslie]: There is still some light available as Class 47 No D1849 approaches Elderslie with the 10.30 pm sleeper from Glasgow Central to London Euston on 15 June 1967. This train usually travelled via Barrhead and Kilmarnock, but at this time in the 1960s it also made a call at Paisley Gilmour Street and ran via Dalry instead.

Boat of Garten: With the trackbed looking a little overgrown, this view was taken from Boat of Garten South SB looking towards Aviemore in June 1974. The Up section home signal post can be seen on the left, at this point still devoid of an arm while on the right beyond the points is the Down Home signal. A year later things looked a lot better and the signal arm had been replaced. See image [[41692]]

Nethy Bridge: The station nameboard at Nethy Bridge in June 1974. The British Railways two part enamel sign was placed over the earlier sign after the raised letters were removed. Unfortunately, by the time the photograph was taken, part of the enamel sign had also been removed, leaving this strange combination.

Aviemore: Class 24 5112 takes a train north from Aviemore in June 1974.

Boat of Garten: A quiet day at Boat of Garten in June 1974. The carriage nearest the camera is buffet car SC79441 from a E&G Swindon Inter-City set. In 1974 it was named 'Glenfiddich' following extensive refurbishment.

Aviemore: An accelerating class 47 takes Inverness-bound 1S59 north out of Aviemore in June 1974.

Boat of Garten: Dailuaine No.1 ([[Andrew Barclay & Sons]] 2073 of 1939) parked outside Boat of Garten North cabin in 1974. This 0-4-0ST is now on display at Aberfeldy Distillery.

Boat of Garten: External restoration in progress at Boat of Garten North SB in June 1974, with a pair of Barclay 0-4-0ST locos parked on what had been (in LMS and BR days at least) the down line. Nearest the camera is 'Forth' (ex Granton Gas Works) and beyond is 'Dailuaine'

Aviemore Shed: Aviemore Shed as seen from the yard area under reconstruction on 15 June 1974. At this time there was still a fair collection of items outside the shed before the Strathspey Railway had managed to regain access.

Boat of Garten: Hudswell-Clarke 0-4-0 DM shunter (works number D613 of 1939) stands at Boat of Garten in June 1974. The loco was first used by the Air Ministry and was numbered AM 147 (a number that was still fitted on the cab sides) but the loco had come to the Strathspey Railway from the Caldwell Paper Mill at Inverkeithing. It has since been scrapped.

Boat of Garten: Ex-Granton Gas Works Barclay 0-4-0ST stands at the north end of Boat of Garten station in 1974 during a non-operational period on the Strathspey Railway.

Aviemore Shed: Re-instating tracks to connect up to the shed at Aviemore in June 1974. The worms eye view is south towards the station with the HML on the right as jacking and packing takes place. See image [[27699]] for the view in the opposite direction when the alignment was being surveyed.

Aviemore Speyside: Ex-CR rail mounted hand crane and ex-Aberdeen Gas Works coal wagon at Aviemore in June 1974 on what was to become the site of the Strathspey Railway's Speyside station.

Boat of Garten: Barclay 0-4-0ST No 1 Dailuaine with three ex-Aberdeen Gas Board coal wagons and two tank wagons alongside Boat of Garten North signal cabin on 15 June 1974.

Boat of Garten: Hudswell-Clarke 0-4-0 DM shunter (works number D613 of 1939) at Boat of Garten on 15 June 1974. Although it had latterly had been owned by Inveresk Paper, it still had the number plate on the cabsides from the first owners, the Air Ministry, and these displayed 'AM No 147'.

Goathland: Early days on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as Lambton Colliery 0-6-2T No.29 ran short of steam on the steep gradient between Grosmont and Goathland on 15 June 1974. There was a lot of action on the footplate, and steam aplenty, but it was soon on the way again and reached Goathland without further incident.

Aviemore: Class 24 and 26 types on a southbound service approaching Aviemore in June 1974.

Aviemore: Class 24 no 5112 heads north from Aviemore in June 1974.

Boat of Garten: Barclay 0-4-0ST 'Clyde' is seen at Boat of Garten in 1974, sandwiched between two coaches, having the firebox cleaned out. Tube brush and fire picker are amongst the items on the platform.

Ferryhill Junction: Viewed through the western arch of the Wellington suspension bridge, 40106 (in green) moves slowly past on its way to Ferryhill shed, Aberdeen in June 1975.

Ferryhill Junction: Looking across the Wellington Suspension Bridge in Aberdeen as 47109 passes Ferryhill Jct in June 1975. A Mark 1 sleeping car is on an adjacent track.

Loughborough Midland: Peak Class 45 45143 approaches Loughborough from the north on a St Pancras express in June 1981. Just above the roof of the signal box is an industrial class 08 shunter working in the aggregate sidings - the now preserved D3101 [Identity confirmed by Vic Smith - Ed]

Nottingham: Peak Class 45 45111 Grenadier Guardsman, formerly D65, at Nottingham Midland on a St Pancras express in 1981. What a good looking locomotive. It lasted in service for another ten years until May 1991 and was cut up at MC Metals, Glasgow the following year, one of over 50 Peaks to be scrapped there.

Haymarket: Deltic 55013 The Black Watch rumbles east through Haymarket station en route from 64B to Waverley on 15 June 1981.

Loughborough Midland: Passengers under the platform canopy at Loughborough Midland await the arrival of an express service in the summer of 1981.

Hadfield: Class 506 1500v Dc EMU led by M59407M at Hadfield on 15 June 1983 about to depart for Manchester Piccadilly.

Guide Bridge: Redundant EM1 Electric locomotives in the sidings at Guide Bridge on 15 June 1983, two years after closure of the Woodhead route.

Guide Bridge: Abandoned 76004 dreams of happier days. Guide Bridge, 15 June 1983.

Inverness: On 15 June 1991 the Scottish Chamber Orchestra chartered a train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh with a performance at the destination. Motive power was 37025 (now based at Bo'ness and occasionally hired for main line use) seen here at Inverness awaiting departure.

Dingwall Crossing Panel Box: The Scottish Chamber Orchestra charter train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh passing the closed (in 1988) Dingwall Crossing Panel Box on the outward journey. Motive power was 37025 on 15th June 1991.

Achnasheen: Entering Achnasheen on 15 June 1991, from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra charter train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh with a performance at the destination.

Strathcarron: View from charter train to Kyle on 15th June 1991, passing 37409 on the 'Royal Scotsman' at Strathcarron. The charter was also hauled by a 37, the now preserved 37025, and 37409 remains in main line service thirty years later with DRS.

Kyle of Lochalsh: On 15 June 1991 the Scottish Chamber Orchestra chartered a train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh with a performance at the destination. Motive power was 37025 (now based at Bo'ness and occasionally hired for main line use), seen here after arrival at Kyle.

Launceston: Shed scene at Launceston in June 1997.

Ropley: Southern Railway Urie 4-6-0 No. 30506 at Ropley station on the Mid Hants Railway on 15th June 1997.

Launceston: Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST Lilian with a train at Launceston in the summer of 1997.

Launceston: Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST Lilian (works no 317 of 1883) in action on the Launceston Steam Railway in June 1997.

Alresford (Hampshire): USA S160 2-8-0 No.3278 “Franklin D. Roosevelt” seen on the Mid-Hants Railway on 15th June 1999.

Rannoch: Looking to Rannoch station from the end of the former long siding. The West Highland line is on the right.

Rannoch: Last northbound service of the day at Rannoch.

Rannoch: 'Lighthousemen of the land' is a particularly evocative phrase John Thomas used in his West Highland Railway book to describe the signalmen working in the isolated signal boxes of Rannoch Moor. The distant welcoming light is Rannoch station as seen from above the north side of Loch Laidon at the end of the dirt road out from the station.

Greenhill Lower Junction: A westbound DMU in SPT livery passing Greenhill Lower Junction in June 2004.

Larbert Junction: With rain clouds beginning to form over the Ochil Hills, a morning Dunblane - Edinburgh service runs through Larbert Junction on 15 June 2004. The train is signalled for Carmuirs East and Falkirk Grahamston.

Carmuirs West Junction: EWS 66107 about to pass Carmuirs West box with a Hunterston - Longannet coal train in June 2004. The train is on the steep climb north after passing below the Forth and Clyde Canal and will bear right here taking the route via Winchburgh Junction and the Forth Bridge to reach the sidings at Halbeath see image [[46559]].

Larbert Junction: View north from The Boardwalk car park alongside Millenium Wheel Drive on 15 June 2004. In the background an SPT liveried 170 DMU is passing through Larbert Junction with a Glasgow Queen Street - Dunblane service. In the foreground an AA patrol van is heading west along the A803 in the general direction of Bonnybridge.

Greenhill Lower Junction: An Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Queen Street DMU just west of Greenhill lower Junction in June 2004.

Greenhill Lower Junction: Looking east towards Greenhill Lower Junction in June 2004. A DMU heading for Glasgow Queen Street is about to run through the site of Greenhill (Lower) station (closed April 1966). See image [[6666]]

Carmuirs West Junction: View east towards Carmuirs West box, seen here in June 2004 following a spruce-up.

Haymarket MPD: The word 'Trains' appears to have fallen off the wall sign as ScotRail and Hull Trains 170s stand in the Haymarket depot sidings above Russell Road in June 2005.

Kandanga: The Rattler receiving attention on the Mary Valley Railway, Kandanga, Queensland, in June 2005.

Haymarket MPD: One of the Hull Trains class 170s, considered as possibilities for use on the North Berwick route, standing in the rain at Haymarket shed on 15 June 2005.

Perth: A 158 DMU leaving Perth for Dundee on 15 June 2006.

Perth: Crew change for an Inverness - Edinburgh Waverley service recently arrived at Perth in the summer of 2006.

St Leonards Bridge Junction: DRS 66408 crosses over to the Dundee line on the southern approach to Perth station in June 2006 with a train of containers from WHM Grangemouth destined for Aberdeen.

Perth: View west along platform 1 at Perth station in the summer of 2006, with a Dundee bound service about to draw to a halt alongside platform 2.

Perth: A Dundee - Glasgow service leaves Perth's platform 1 in June 2006.

Perth: A Dundee - Glasgow Queen Street service calls at Perth in June 2006.

Perth: A Dundee bound train arrives at Perth platform 2 on 15 June 2006, while in the background an Inverness - Glasgow Queen Street service is in the process of leaving platform 4.

Perth Carriage Sidings: The old carriage shed and sidings at the north end of Perth station seen from platform 3 in June 2006.

Perth: Grangemouth - Aberdeen WHM containers passing through Perth station in June 2006.

Ballachulish (Glencoe): Closure notice displayed just inside the main entrance of the surgery now occupying the former station building at Ballachulish.

Woodmill Viaduct: Edinburgh service runs out onto Bothwell Street Viaduct shortly after leaving Dunfermline Town station on 15 June.

Greenloaning: 170431 speeds through Greenloaning as the 1513 Perth to Glasgow

Alloa Loop: East end of Alloa loop complete with signals installed in both directions.

Meon Valley Railway: Wickham - Bridge over the A334 at Wickham on the Meon Valley line, Hampshire, closed in 1955.

Meon Valley Railway: Wickham - View across the former railway bridge over Bridge Street, Wickham, on the Meon Valley line in June 2008.

Crianlarich: Push button route selector at Crianlarich on 15 June 2009.

Aberdour: 170 395 and a 158 unit form the 13.35 Edinburgh-Inverness service heading downhill towards Aberdour on 15 June 2009

Arbroath Harbour Junction: 170 411 about to run into Arbroath station on 15 June with an Aberdeen - Glasgow service, after passing Arbroath North box.

Crianlarich: A 6-car train is split at Crianlarich on 15 June following arrival from Glasgow Queen Street. The first two cars will head for Oban with the remaining 4 destined for Fort William.

Aberdeen: An Inverness service, formed by 158 716, prepares to leave Aberdeen platform 7N on 15 June 2009. Note the abandoned platforms 8 & 9 behind the fence to the right where a single through line now runs along the centre of the formation.

Dyce: 158 715 for Inverness calls at Dyce on 15 June. My photography appears to be attracting the frank curiosity of the chap on Platform 2.

Inverurie: The signal box at the north end of Inverurie station, photographed on 15 June 2009.

Dyce: As a service heads off for Inverurie in the background, 158 715 is belled off for Aberdeen from Dyce station on 15 June 2009.

Aberdeen: The concourse at Aberdeen station, looking south towards bay platforms 3 to 5 on 15 June 2009. (There is no platform 1 or 2).

Inverurie: 158 715 approaches Inverurie with an Inverness to Aberdeen service in June 2009. The second platform is used only when both lines are needed

Inverurie: Looking over Inverurie station on 15 June 2009 in the general direction of Inverness.

Arbroath: In the day's only brief spell of quasi-sunshine, Aberdeen bound 170 425 pulls into the platform at Arbroath on 15 June 2009.

Lostwithiel: The signal is back at danger and the barriers starting to rise as the last wagon in the train of china clay for Fowey clears the crossing. 66093 is drawing its train from Goonbarrow into the Up Loop on the main line where it will run round and then head back through Lostwithiel station to join the branch to Fowey. View towards Bodmin Road.

Plymouth: A FGW Penzance to Paddington service, with power car 43170 bringing up the rear, snakes out of Plymouth station heading east on 15 June 2010. The HST will shortly pass Laira depot, where these trains are serviced and repaired.

Lostwithiel: 66093 slows through Lostwithiel station to enter the Up Loop with a train of china clay for Fowey that it has brought down from Rocks Dries at Goonbarrow Junction See image [[29396]]. The bracket semaphore signal controlling access to the Fowey line is just off the end of the Down platform. The former EWS china clay sidings to the left of the station platform are now overgrown and rusty. View west towards Par on 15 June.

Linlithgow: 158 721 calls at the always-smart Linlithgow station with a Dunblane to Waverley service on 15 June 2010

Par: The Newquay train emerges from the stabling siding into Platform 3 at Par. 150248 is just passing the signalbox and lower quadrant semaphores. Trains from this platform can either turn right towards St Blazey and Newquay or left to access the main line. View west towards St. Austell.

Looe: Just short of the original terminus, now a car park, 153368 stands at the very neat Looe station with the town and estuary behind. Although everything looks quiet the train was about to depart and nearly full, partly because the local pre-school group was enjoying a return trip to Liskeard - an excellent introduction to the joys of rail travel for the youngsters.

Coombe Junction: The view north from Coombe Junction Halt showing the freight only section to Moorswater Dries, formely the Liskeard and Caradon Railway. At the time of my visit this section was temporarily closed due to nearby construction work. The Moorswater branch can be seen in the valley 150' below the main line Moorswater viaduct immediately to the west of Liskeard station. 153368 is reversing here to continue down the line to Looe.

Haymarket: First TransPennine 185 506 pulls into Haymarket on 15 June with the early morning Manchester Airport - Edinburgh Waverley service.

Maryhill: No, it's not a myth, Maryhill really is named after someone called Mary Hill.  On 15 June 158 730 calls at the once rural location called Gairbraid on the last leg of its journey from Glasgow Queen Street High Level to Anniesland.

Liskeard Viaduct: The magnificent Liskeard viaduct, carrying the Cornish main line, as seen from the Looe branch train that has just passed under this structure while climbing from Coombe Junction up to Liskeard. For a superb picture that exemplifies the steep gradient on this link line see image [[17767]].

Polmont: The footbridge at Polmont has enough clearance for overhead wires and is of the same pattern, maker and date as those used on the North Clyde Lines electrification in 1960 see image [[28404]].  Was electrification of the EGML cancelled after work had started, or is this just a spare bridge they had for one that need replacing in a hurry?  Somewhere in between, I expect.  Anyway 170 474 stands under it with a Dunblane to Edinburgh service on 15 June.

Falkirk High: 170 452 approaches the Edinburgh-bound platform at Falkirk High on 15 June. There's a new shelter on the other platform. It seems to have been designed by someone who thinks we need to challenge our assumptions about the appearance - and function - of a shelter. Clearly they are never going to have to use it.

Sheringham: The 1045 National Express East Anglia service from Norwich arrives at the BRB 1967 Sheringham terminus in bright sunshine on 15 June 2010. The previously severed level crossing behind the camera beyond which stands the original station, now operated by the North Norfolk Railway, was recently reconnected after 46 years. See image [[28075]]

Par: Par excellence! Par is a junction station with its original buildings and where main line trains still connect with branch line services. There are freight trains on the main line and branch too and all movements in the station are controlled by lower quadrant semaphores. 150248 waits to form a service to Newquay in this view towards Lostwithiel on 15 June 2010.

Holt: So is this where the key goes? A wind-up at Holt station on the North Norfolk Railway on 15 June 2010. Locomotive ex-GWR 0-6-2T no 5619.

Liskeard: WR Brown totems and running in board are a nice touch on the Looe branch station at Liskeard (and the other stations on the Looe line), as is the GWR bench in the foreground. That said, no train used on the branch would ever reach this far down the platform. In this scene 153368 has just arrived from Looe, to which it will shortly return with another healthy complement of passengers.

Hapton: 158754 heads west through Hapton station in east Lancashire on 15 June 2010 with a York - Blackpool North service.

Dunblane: 170 451 pulls into Dunblane with a Glasgow to Inverness service on 15 June 2010. Note the well-braced up starter signal DB14.

Looe: The sharp curves of the Looe branch, part built along an old canal, start immediately as seen in this view northwards from the short Looe platform. 153363 is ready to run back up the scenic East Looe valley to Coombe and Liskeard.

Bishopbriggs: Eastbound at Bishopbriggs on 15 June - 170 470 pulls in with a Dunblane service.

Goonbarrow Junction: Goonbarrow Junction signal box, as seen from the window of a Newquay to Par service on 15 June 2010. The train has just called to surrender the staff for the long single line section from Newquay and pick up the token for the next section to St. Blazey. See image [[26480]] for a panoramic view of the China Clay works just visible in the background of this picture.

Dalreoch: 334 010 clatters over the junction pointwork at Dalreoch on 15 June with a Helensburgh - Airdrie service (Drumgelloch temporarily closed due to A-B works).

Coombe Junction: The Looe Bubble Car, 153368, pauses briefly at the very short platform of Coombe Junction Halt to reverse and continue down the East Looe River valley to Looe. The junction between the branch proper and the steeply graded link to Liskeard is just beyond the slight bend in the track. View towards Looe.

Newquay: The Newquay branch is now a single line siding beyond Goonbarrow, which restricts operations. 150248 is on a two minute turnaround after arriving from Par on 15 June at a terminus that is kept tidy but is a shadow of what it once was.

Liskeard: The curious little separate Looe branch station, Platform No.3 at Liskeard, that is a short walk from the main line platforms. The guard of the branch train is having a short break between services as 153368 waits at the buffers before dropping down to the East Looe valley again. See image [[11870]]

Liskeard: Cross Country Voyager 220025 calls at Liskeard on a service from Penzance. This view from the station footbridge looks west towards Moorswater viaduct and shows some of the lower quadrant semaphores that still control all movements in the station.

Goonbarrow Junction: Grab shot of a China Clay train from the Rocks complex, taken from a passing Newquay branch train that it followed when the single line to Par cleared. 66093 was taking the loaded clay wagons to the port at Fowey via reversal at Lostwithiel.

Padiham: The remains of a bufferstop and a short length of track to the west of Padiham near to the entrance to the former power station. The Padiham Greenway path now follows part of the trackbed of the Great Harwood loop line, although in 2010 this part had not been surfaced.

Saltash: Brunel's famous Saltash suspension bridge over the Tamar estuary (or as it is technically known - lenticular truss viaduct), as seen from an approaching Penzance to Exeter train, which is just about to call at Saltash station and then swing sharply right onto the bridge approach. Under the left hand span the Ernsettle Royal Navy depot, rail served from the Gunnislake branch that runs along the far shore, can be seen.

Padiham: A view east towards the site of Padiham station. This was to the left of the trees in the centre of the photo, with the goods yard to the right in the vicinity of the pile of rubble. Other than the bridges over the roads and river in this area, there was very little to suggest the railway had been here.

Ibrox: Site of the former Ibrox station on 15 June 2010, looking west towards Paisley Gilmour Street.

Dunblane: Platform 3 at Dunblane has acquired a number sign since my visit last year, but it's academic to the travelling public as it has no departures as there's no crossover to the southbound track. It is though in frequent used for any of the three terminating trains an hour needing to clear the main lines. 158 870 has done just that on 15 June 2010, letting a Glasgow to Inverness service call. It is now running to the crossover at the north end where it will reverse and cross to the Up Main platform 1 to return to Edinburgh.

Plymouth: Best check that map again and see where we are. The driver of a FGW Paddington bound HST is at the controls of power car 43035 awaiting the departure signal. The train had originated at Penzance. Plymouth station was formerly known as Plymouth North Road in the days when there were two main stations in the city, the other being the Southern station - Plymouth Friary.

Sheringham: 5619 arrives at Sheringham station on North Norfolk Railway on 15 June 2010. The locomotive will take out the 3.00pm service to Holt.

Bridge of Allan: Platform view north at Bridge of Allan on 15 June as 170 459 calls with a Dunblane - Glasgow Queen Street service.

Anniesland: Arrival at Anniesland - 334 030, destination Dalmuir, pulls in on 15 June 2010

Armadale: Down line in place at Armadale station on 15 June 2010

Lancaster: Pendalongo platform extensions are being constructed at various WCML stations to accommodate the planned 11 coach trains. This is the extension to Platform 4 on the Up line at Lancaster, seen here on 15th June 2011 as TPE 185109 leaves on a service for Preston. See image [[20266]]

Saxmundham: Overlooked by the East Suffolk Line's RETB signalling centre on the left, a Class 153 waits to depart from Saxmundham as the 17.09 to Ipswich on 15th June 2011.

North Blyth Staiths: A dreich June day in 2012, looking across the cut - down remains of North Blyth staithes to the former railway settlement of that name. The building on the left is North Blyth WMC, once the BR Staff Assoc Club. The nearest street is named Worsdell Terrace (of J27 fame). The former steam shed was located to the left of the Club. It's diesel depot replacement was located at Cambois, a further mile to the left. The pedestrian ferry that ran from this point across the river to the town of Blyth was withdrawn in the 1980's - it is now many miles by road between the two settlements.

Alnmouth: The new passenger lifts installed onto the existing footbridge at Alnmouth, photographed in June 2012. Useful but not exactly pretty. A down CrossCountry service heads for Edinburgh (see image [[5268]]).

Cambois Shed: A Freightliner coal working, having departed from North Blyth terminal on 15 June 2012, creeps past the cleared site of Cambois Diesel Depot, with rain and North Sea haar making for awful photographic conditions. The building just visible above the locomotive is the listed former pit head baths of Cambois Colliery. The rest of the colliery site has been cleared.

Blyth West Staithes: With the trackwork now lifted on both approach (upper level) and return (lower level) sidings the greenery invades further at Blyth West staithes. The West staithes were the last of the massive timber coal exporting structures to be built and were completed in the 1920's. Along with the South, North, Cowpen and Bates facilities they enabled Blyth to become the biggest coal shipping port in Europe with a peak annual tonnage in the 1960s of c 7 million tons. West Staithes continued until the early 90's but were then demolished. Not sure why the lamp standards remain? See image [[24005]]

Ardrossan Harbour: View of the builders plate on Calmac 'MV Caledonian Isles' taken as it battled a strong wind and extremely rough sea on the crossing from Ardrossan Harbour to Brodick Pier on Arran in June 2013.

South Hampstead: 378233, with a London Overground Euston to Watford Junction service, emerging from tunnel and arriving at its first stop at South Hampstead on 15th June 2013. This station opened in 1879 as Loudoun Road for Swiss Cottage and was renamed in 1922. The disused platforms on the WCML are out of view on the right (see image [[67931]]). Just above the tunnel portals in the background runs the Chiltern Line to and from Marylebone without a station here, so no interchange facilities.

Kinghorn: 47832 brings up the rear of the Northern Belle passing through Kinghorn station on 15 June en route from Darlington to Dundee. 47501 is on the front of the train.

Brodick Pier: CalMac Ferry MV 'Caledonian Isles' is seen loading at Brodick Ferry Terminal for the slightly delayed 16.40 return crossing from Arran to Ardrossan, after a very rock and roll trip from the mainland in severe weather on 15 June 2013. See image [[67659]] for a view of the ferry as it entered Ardrossan to load after the previous crossing from Arran

Kinghorn Tunnel: The Darlington - Dundee Northern Belle between Kinghorn tunnel and station on 15 June behind 47501. No 47832 was on the rear of the train.

Oxenholme: Colas Railfreight 56087 heads south through Oxenholme on 15 June with a Carlisle Yard to Chirk Kronospan log train.

Drumclog: The rail underbridge on the road running NE to Gilmourton from the A71 north of Drumclog, South Lanarkshire, in June 2013. The old bridge was in use at the time as an avant-garde sheep shelter.

South Bermondsey: South Bermondsey station looking south on 15th June 2013. The original station was situated just to the north-west of here and opened with the LBSCR South London Line as Rotherhithe on 13th August 1866 and renamed South Bermondsey in 1869, with wooden side platforms on the outside of the three-track viaduct. This was closed as a First World War economy on 1st January 1917 but reopened on 1st May 1919. By the mid 1920s it had fallen into an advanced state of disrepair and, with the lifting of the centre track, the opportunity was taken to provide a new island platform in that space and this opened on 17th June 1928. The 1866 station then closed and nothing now remains. The 1928 station once had a wooden canopy but was removed either in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Until 8th December 2012, this station was also served by the long-established South London Metro service between London Bridge and Victoria but this was discontinued and on the following day most of the line was taken over by the London Overground, reviving a line from Surrey Quays that had closed in 1911 and which joined the South London Line between South Bermondsey and Queens Road Peckham stations. South Bermondsey does, however, remain open with a regular service of trains from London Bridge to other destinations in south and south-east London.

Slochd Viaduct: The late running Cathedrals Express crossing Slochd Viaduct on 15 June 2013 hauled by 60163 Tornado.

Hest Bank: Compass Tours charter from North Berwick to Morecambe (via the Cumbrian Coast) hauled by WCRC 47854, crosses to the down line at Hest Bank before taking the branch to Bare Lane on 15 June 2013.

Oxenholme: SB Rail track tamper DR73904 heads north through Oxenholme on 15 June 2013.

Hest Bank: A Class 144 Pacer, on a Morecambe to Leeds (via Lancaster) service, approaches Hest Bank level crossing in June 2013. The single-track chord from Bare Lane joins from the right.

Dalnaspidal: On a cold, wet and miserable morning A1 Pacific 60163 is approximately forty minutes late as it climbs the gradient north of Dalnaspidal on the way to Druimuachdair Summit with The Cathedrals Express. Needless to say, by the time it arrived I was also cold, wet and miserable...

Balavil Signal Box: Painted in early B.R.Express Passenger Blue, A1 Pacific No 60163 Tornado hauls the Cathedrals Express south on 15 June passing Balavil Cottage near Kingussie.

Oxenholme: GWR Castle class 4-6-0 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe paired with LMS Princess Coronation Pacific Duchess of Sutherland on the Cumbrian Conqueror as they thunder through Oxenholme on their way from Tyseley to Carlisle on 15 June.

Dalfaber Level Crossing: On a nice bright afternoon Ivatt Class 2 No.46512 hauls the last train of the day up the long gradient out of Aviemore on the way to Broomhill on 15 June. The Cairngorms form the backdrop.

Hest Bank: The ecs from the Compass tours special from North Berwick to Morecambe on 15 June 2013 is hauled back for servicing at Carnforth by 47786. The train is joining the WCML off the Bare Lane route at Hest Bank. To the right are the sands of Morecambe Bay and on the horizon above the van in the yard is the town of Morecambe itself. See image [[43442]]

Bare Lane: Following servicing at Carnforth, 47854 brings the ECS for the Compass Tours return charter to North Berwick back towards Morecambe through Bare Lane station on 15 June. See image [[43442]]

Westminster: Now withdrawn LUL C stock on a clockwise Circle Line service calling at Westminster on 15th June 2013. This station opened as Westminster Bridge on Christmas Eve 1868 and was the temporary terminus of the Metropolitan District Railway until 30th May 1870 when it was extended to Blackfriars. It was renamed simply Westminster in 1907 and was completely rebuilt in the 1990s to accommodate the Jubilee Line Extension that opened deep below in 1999.

Bare Lane: A Leeds to Morecambe service at Bare Lane on 15 June 2013. The signalbox on the right is now out of use with lines and level crossing controlled by Preston PSB. As there is no PIS on the platforms to advise passengers which platform their train will arrive at, a member of staff is using the old box as a base from which to direct passengers until displays are installed.

South Bermondsey: The rather unwelcoming - especially at night - entrance to the 1928 station at South Bermondsey in south-east London, opened by the Southern Railway to replace the original 1866 station, slightly to the north-west, seen here on 15th June 2013. The 1866 station was known as Rotherhithe until 1869 when Rotherhithe got a more conveniently-located station on the East London Line, now part of London Overground. This used Sir Marc Brunel's historic Thames Tunnel that had opened in 1843 as a pedestrian footway, having taken 18 years to complete and was the world's first under water tunnel.

Ardrossan Harbour: Calmac 'MV Caledonian Isles' battles a strong wind and extremely rough sea to reach her berth at Ardrossan Harbour on 15 June 2013 after arrival from Brodick Pier on Arran.

Ardrossan Harbour: Calmac 'MV Caledonian Isles' loads for the return sailing after battling a strong wind and extremely rough sea to reach her berth at Ardrossan Harbour on arrival from Brodick Pier on Arran in June 2013.

South Hampstead: 90041 heading north on the West Coast Main Line past the disused platforms at South Hampstead station, on 15th June 2013. The remaining platforms on the local lines, part of London Overground since 2007, are on the left, from the down platform of which this photo was taken (see image [[81680]]).

Scottish Vintage Bus Museum: Edinburgh horse tramcar no 23, built 1885, restored from 'garden shed' condition and on display in June 2014 at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum, Lathalmond, Fife.

RNSD Lathalmond: Hunslet MOD 251 heads along the western extension to the Lathalmond Shed 47 Group site on 15 June while running brake van trips for visitors.

RNSD Lathalmond: Former Rosyth Dockyard Hunslet MOD 251 running brake van trips at the Shed 47 Group Lathalmond site on 15 June. See image [[17274]]

King's Gate Junction: Having cleared the Edinburgh City Bypass, a ScotRail 158 heads south towards King's Gate points on the early afternoon of 15 June 2015 during a driver training run to Tweedbank.

Gorebridge: 158741 on crew training duty on 15 June passing north through Gorebridge station.

Eskbank and Dalkeith: Borders Railway crew training on 15 June. 158741 Southbound past the platforms at Eskbank (Old). Mind the gap!

Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway: Opened in 2013, Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway still has a brand new feel about it two years later. 172337 makes its first stop on a London Midland Stratford-upon-Avon to Stourbridge Junction service on 15th June 2015.

Shawfair: ScotRail 158738 held at Shawfair station platform 1 on 15 June on a crew training trip returning from Tweedbank.

Dalmeny Junction: Scene at Dalmeny Junction during the Winchburgh Tunnel diversions on 18 June 2015. 158726 waits its turn to head to Edinburgh from Fife as trains to Dunblane (left) and from Dunblane (right) negotiate the Dalmeny loops.

Dalmeny Junction: VTEC HST power car 43316 leads a service through the Dalmeny loops on 15 June. Not unusual at first glance, but this is the up Highland Chieftain diverted through Fife because of the Winchburgh closure, running late because of a freight train failure on the HML.

Gorebridge: 158741 on crew training duty on 15 June leaving Gorebridge and heading north towards Arniston.

Wilmcote: A London Midland maintenance gang tidying Wilmcote station on 15th June 2015. This view towards Stratford was actually a grab shot taken from the top deck of an open top sightseeing bus as it crossed the line.

Cowlairs Tunnel: Slab track panels neatly stacked on recently lowered down line at North portal of Queen St tunnel.

Cowlairs Incline: New rail awaiting transfer and laying on new slab panels for down line in Queen St tunnel. Note headless post for signal CO24B.

Dunfermline Netherton: This footpath, parallel to Abington Road in Dunfermline, was the course of the Elgin Railway line to Nethertown Station, finally closed in 1959.

Tralee [Aquadome]: A view towards Blennerville from Tralee Aquadrome of the short-lived heritage section of the former Tralee & Dingle Light Railway, in the far south-west of the Irish Republic, on 15th June 2016. The original line closed to passengers in 1939 and to freight in 1953. This short section between a newly constructed platform at Tralee and Blennerville was reopened in 1993 but lasted only 20 years and sadly closed in 2013.

Tralee [Aquadome]: Remains of the line and station (in background) by the Aquadrome at Tralee that was opened in 1993 for a short revived section of the former Tralee & Dingle Light Railway as far as Blennerville, in the far south-west of the Irish Republic, and seen here on 15th June 2016. The original line ran between the two towns in its title and was originally closed to passengers in 1939 and to freight in 1953. Sadly, this narrow gauge heritage railway only lasted 20 years and was closed in 2013. A consortium in 2015 looked at the possibility of its reopening but as at the start of 2021, this has yet to come to fruition.

Tralee [Aquadome]: View across the disused level crossing towards Tralee Aquadrome of the short-lived revived section of the former Tralee & Dingle Railway, in County Kerry in the far south-west of the Irish Republic, that ran for only 20 years between 1993 and 2013, seen here on 15th June 2016.

Didcot Parkway: DBS 66136, westbound through Didcot with a rake of stone empties bound for the Somerset Quarries on 15th June 2017. This engine hauled the first London to China freight train recently.

Swindon: 800-003 'Queen Elizabeth 2', standing on the centre road in Swindon Station on 15 June 2017. This unit arrived as part of an 8-car train in convoy with 800-004 and eventually departed as a 4 car train running west to Bristol.

Kinness Burn Viaduct: View north along Viaduct Walk at the Kinness Burn viaduct see image [[35756]] in June 2017. The walkway and cycle route are at formation level along the trackbed of the former Anstruther and St Andrews Railway. Further north at the end of the walkway, the trackbed has been infilled to bring it up to street level for use as a series of car parks.

St Andrews [2nd]: The north end of Viaduct Walk marks the point where the former trackbed has been infilled to form a series of carparks leading to the St. Andrews station site itself.

Croston: The Branch Line Society's Cat and Dock railtour around parts of the north-west took place on 15 June 2017. The tour used the stock being used for the Three Peaks Challenge later that day and subsequent two days. The BLS tour is seen on the 'outward' leg of their trip from Stafford to Ormskirk as 68026 passes Croston with the 11 coach train, quite unusual as it normally sees a 2 car DMU.

Didcot Parkway: 37608 topping and tailing a Network Rail Test train with 37611 on 15th June 2017. A pause before heading towards Oxford. Both the Class 37s were until recently part of the DRS fleet, now owned by Euro-Phoenix.

Kinness Burn Viaduct: The continuation of the former line viewed from the south end of Viaduct Walk at Cannongate. The former trackbed appears to have been added (officially or unofficially) to the gardens of some of the houses built on either side of the line.

St Andrews Bus Station: A number of tantalising flashes of red double arrow rail logo are to be seen in the vicinity of the bus station, but for the moment they are merely advertising the availablity of through tickets via connecting buses.

Kinness Burn Viaduct: A rare relic of the St. Andrews railway is this plate for a sign, now unreadable, which remains in place on the Kinness Burn viaduct.

Croston: The Branch Line Society's 'Cat and Dock' railtour passes Croston on 15 June 2017 returning to Preston having visited Ormskirk during a trip around some lines in the north-west.

Appersett Viaduct: Appersett Viaduct carried the Midland Railway's Garsdale to Hawes branch (closed 1959) over Widdale, a side valley of Wensleydale, just over a mile to the west of Hawes. The westernmost arch is completely obscured by trees so that in this view from a footpath to the south-east the full length of the structure is not obvious.

Great Yarmouth: No service to Berney Arms, seen at Yarmouth.

Morpeth: 37 611, with a Rail Operations Group working, passing Morpeth station heading north on 15th June 2018. The Rail Operations Group was granted a licence by the ORR in March 2015 to provide ad-hoc movements of rolling stock around the UK with the very first working being made by 37 884 in November 2015. These workings can be seen anytime anywhere so it was a sheer fluke that I happened to be there when it was passing Morpeth on this rather dull Sunday afternoon.

Craigentinny Depot: A trio of 73s seen at Craigentinny.

Ashington: Remains of Ashington station, on the Blyth & Tyne Line that closed to passengers in 1964, looking north on 15th June 2018. Campaigns to reopen the line culminated in an announcement on 23rd January 2021 that £34 million has been granted to the reopening aiming for 2025 when the first trains will run. See recent news item. The campaigns also pressed for reopening the connecting line from Morpeth to Bedlington but this is not presently included in the scheme.

Newcastle Central: 185105 to Manchester Airport waiting to depart from Newcastle station on 15th June 2018.

Ashington: Weed-infested platform remains, minus all buildings, at Ashington station, Northumberland, closed with the line in 1964, looking south towards Newcastle, on 15th June 2018. A news report on 23rd January 2021 stated that £34 million funding has been found for the restoration of passenger services. The current estimate is an opening date in 2025. Lets hope so but it does sound a little ambitious, especially with the dreadful ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Ashington: Looking across the weed-infested former southbound platform towards the northbound at Ashington station on the Blyth & Tyne line in Northumberland, that closed to passengers in 1964 but is still open for freight, on 15th June 2018. Ashington is a major town that should never have lost its rail service and campaigns to reopen have been going on for years. Then, on 23rd January 2021, an announcement was made that £34 million has now been granted towards reopening with a possibility this will take place in 2025. We shall see.

Morpeth: 142016 from Newcastle, just terminated at Morpeth with a Sunday service on 15th June 2018. The train will move forward onto the first few yards of the Bedlington freight branch to reverse into the opposite platform to form a return service to Metro Centre.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A view of the last remnants of Consort House still standing in mid June 2018 with the long reach demolition machine approaching and about to continue crunching concrete.

Edinburgh Waverley: The re-branding of the East Coast begins. Signage seen at Waverley.

Morpeth: Pacer 142016, on a service to Metro Centre, at Morpeth station in Northumberland on 15th June 2018.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The new passageway connecting platform 2 with the low level vestibule at the west side of Queen Street station is seen here looking east towards platform 2. Both ends of the passageway are behind the barriers.

Portsoy Harbour: The top of the former Portsoy Harbour branch, looking down the slight incline towards the harbour, on 15th June 2019.

Bogside Fife: The westbound platform's waiting room still stands at the former Bogside Fife station. The view is to the west with the signal box beyond.

Farington Junction: Colas 70810 hauls 70802 onto the WCML at Farington Jct in the early afternoon of 15 June 2019. The pair were on a light engine move from Carlisle to Bescot and had travelled over the S&C.

Purton: Flying Scotsman passed through Swindon and headed up the Gloucester line with a Railway Touring Company Train for Worcester on the 15th. This view is of it running through the site of the defunct Purton Station. The train had been heavily promoted in the local paper and, in consequence, every fraction of spare land around Swindon was filled with the admiring public.

Elgin East: The disused Elgin East station, opened 1852, closed 1968, on 15th June 2019.

Cherryton Brick Works: Remains of the Cherryton Brick Works with its notable high chimney. This was a little was east of the Black Devon. Sidings served the brick works by reversal from Tulligarth Colliery No 2.

Portsoy Harbour: The trackbed of the Portsoy Harbour branch, on 15th June 2019.

Brock: DB 66128 heads south at Brock with an evening train of containers from Grangemouth to Daventry on 15th June 2019.

Corfe Castle: Corfe Castle station, on the preserved Swanage Railway, seen from a South Western Railway Class 159 DMU on 15th June 2019.

Cherryton Brick Works: Brick kilns at the former Cherryton Brick Works. This works closed in the early 1980s.

Buckpool: Dismantled bridge on former Moray coast line at Buckpool, just west of Buckie, on 15th June 2019. The line here opened on 1st May 1886 along with Nether Buckie station that was renamed Buckpool on 1st January 1887. The station closed on 7th March 1960, ahead of the complete closure of the line on 6th May 1968 as a result of the Beeching cuts.

Bogside Fife: The signal box at Bogside Fife viewed from the west in June 2019. The station was beyond and the goods yard off to the left.

Bogside Fife: View west at Bogside showing the waiting room surviving on the former westbound platform and signal box beyond.

Elgin East: Exterior of the disused Elgin East station, opened in 1852, closed in 1968, on 15th June 2019. The main building is now in use as offices.

Farington Junction: 67001 heads south with an SRPS charter from Glenrothes to Chester and Llandudno on 15 June 2019. The train is seen on the WCML at Farington Jct and on the rear was 67012. When the tour was passing the rain had almost stopped but it did make me think of another SRPS tour almost exactly three years previously See image [[55413]] when I also became rather damp.

Cullen Burn Viaduct: The old Moray coast line at Cullen, opened in 1886 and closed in 1968, on 15th June 2019. What a magnificent ride by train this route must have been.

Brock: Llandudno to Glenrothes is not a routing you see every day on the WCML. 67012, still in Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway base colours, hauls the return leg of an SRPS tour through Brock on 15th June 2019. 67001 was on the rear of the train.

Bay Horse: 66121 takes the MWF only Carlisle to Margam train past the continuing cutting works at Forton on the evening of 15th June 2020. Its not just matting and chicken wire that is being used for lining, as the strip of stones shows, but the need for the former is shown by the rabbit burrows in the cutting side.

Uffington: 'Thank You NHS' is the message carried by Rail Operations Group 47815 'Lost Boys 68-88', seen here hauling a rake of condemned Mk 3 coaches from Ely Papworth Sidings for scrapping at Newport Docks. Train photographed passing Uffington on 15th June 2020.

Uffington: Rail Operations Group 47815 'Lost Boys 68-88', and also with NHS logos, hauling a rake of condemned Mk 3 coaches past Uffington on 15th June 2020. This ran from Ely Papworth Sidings taking them for scrapping at Newport Docks. The former D1748 had an interesting role in 1976 when, as 47155 with bogies and buffers removed, it was transported by road from Stratford to West Thurrock power station to act as a temporary stationary generator for three months.

Levenmouth: Plan of proposed Levenmouth terminus (overflow car park omitted).

Cameron Bridge: Plan of the proposed new two platform Cameron Bridge station. The station will have two platforms, linked by a footbridge with lifts, on a double track electrified line with a large car park. This will be east of the original [[Cameron Bridge [1st] ]] station.

Cattal: Former Scotrail operated Bombardier Turbostar 3-coach 170460 runs across the level crossing by Cattal station en route to Leeds, via Harrogate, with the 16.12 ex York Northern Trains service on 15 June 2021. The ground level crossing box can be seen to right of view.

Cattal: Cattal station still retains a signal box, semaphore signals, and manually opened and closed gates, with only the flashing wigwam signals, to halt road traffic, for modernity in June 2021. View is looking south along Station Road towards Cattal Street seen beyond the closed crossing gates.

Cattal: Former Scotrail 3 Coach Turbostar 170460 readies to depart Cattal with the 16.12 ex York to Leeds via Harrogate service. Of note is the substantial semaphore signal structure, with both Home and Distant signals, that protects the adjacent level crossing. The line is clear for the unit to head towards Knaresborough, with a colour signal in the far distance near Whixley gated crossing showing a green aspect. The miniscule signal box still sits at the platform end.

Cattal: Former Scotrail operated Bombardier Turbostar 3-coach DMU 170473 readies to depart Cattal for York with the 15.29 ex-Leeds via Harrogate Northern Trains service on 15 June 2021.

Ayr Harbour: An unexpected visitor to Ayr. Waverley, light, undertaking a berthing trial. She resumes public sailings tomorrow. When I got there only one bloke with a phone was taking photos. By the time I left, there seemed to be hordes! Having berthed, she quickly departed stern first with the pilot boat in attendance.

Cumbrae Ferry Terminal: 'MV Loch Shira' at Cumbrae Slip, the landing point for the island since 1972, on 15th June 2022.

Largs Slip: 'MV Loch Shira' disembarks passengers at Largs, after crossing from Great Cumbrae, on 15 June 2022.