Perth: Jubilee 45692 'Cyclops' departs Perth on the 3.29pm Perth to Edinburgh Waverley service on 23rd June 1958.

Saughton Junction: A2 Pacific no 60528 Tudor Minstrel about to turn north towards the Forth Bridge at Saughton Junction on 23 June 1958 with a train for Aberdeen.

Saughton Junction: Gresley V3 no 67608 heads towards Waverley on 23 June 1958, shortly after collecting empty stock from the carriage sidings at Saughton Junction.

Pinkhill: A DMU pulls away from Pinkhill on the last leg of its short journey to Corstorphine on Monday 23 June 1958. Part of Pinkhill station booking office can be seen on the road bridge spanning the line in the right background see image [[4581]]. The Corstorphine branch (at that time handling the journey to Waverley in just over 11 minutes) closed to passengers at the end of 1967.

Aberfeldy: Ex-CR Class 2P 0-4-4T 55200 enters Aberfeldy on the 1307 ex Ballinluig in June 1958.

Dalmuir Riverside: A Rutherglen - Balloch train leaving Dalmuir Riverside station on 23 June 1959. The locomotive is Polmadie shed's Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42057. The photograph is taken from the terminal platforms used for worker's trains. The wording on the building on the right is not a works name but instead 'For sale land and buildings' - shops and the smithy, part of the former Beardmore shipyard.

Dalmuir: Looking east at Dalmuir Park on 23 June 1959 as a Springburn - Balloch train pauses at platform 1 behind Parkhead V3 2-6-2T no 67662.

Newcastle Central: Gresley A3 Pacific no 60039 Sandwich takes the 9.30am Glasgow Queen Street - London Kings Cross out of Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962 see image [[37937]].

Newcastle Central: Platform scene at the east end of Newcastle Central in the summer of 1962. In the foreground is Gresley A3 Pacific no 60111 Enterprise, while in the background a Tyneside DC electric unit is preparing to depart for South Shields.

Glasgow Central: BR Clan light Pacific no 72002 Clan Campbell runs into Glasgow Central on 23 June 1962 with the 9.20am from Lockerbie. The locomotive would be withdrawn from Polmadie shed by the end of that year.

Carstairs Shed: View of Carstairs MPD from the station in June 1962.

Barrhill: RCTS/SLS RAIL TOUR OF SCOTLAND 23rd June 1962 123 and 49 south of Barrhill on the Ayr to Stranraer line.

Newcastle Central: One of Gateshead shed's A4s, no 60018 Sparrow Hawk, has recently taken over a train at Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962. The Pacific will shortly head north with the summer Saturday 10.25am Scarborough - Glasgow Queen Street.

Newcastle Central: 60001 Sir Ronald Matthews with a southbound ECML service leaving Newcastle Central. The photograph is thought to have been taken in the summer of 1962.

Newcastle Central: 'Strange, I suddenly feel hungry...' A group of young enthusiasts looks on as the 9.30am Glasgow Queen Street - London Kings Cross prepares to leave Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962. Locomotive in charge is A3 Pacific no 60039 'Sandwich'.

Glasgow Central: Royal Scot 46167 The Hertfordshire Regiment preparing to back onto the 1225 train to Lockerbie at Glasgow Central on 23 June 1962.

Newcastle Central: A boat train stands at Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962. A3 60083 Sir Hugo has recently arrived with the 9.40am Kings Cross - Tyne Commission Quay. The Pacific is preparing to hand over to a V1/V3 2-6-2T for the final short leg of the journey. See image [[35716]]

Newton Stewart: RCTS/SLS RAIL TOUR OF SCOTLAND 23rd June 1962
123/49 heading out of Newton Stewart on the Whithorn Branch.

Newcastle Central: Heaton A3 60085 Manna comes off the High Level Bridge and into Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962. The train is the 8.55am summer Saturday ex-Filey see image [[32210]].

Newcastle Central: Holbeck Jubilee 45605 Cyprus photographed from the platforms of Newcastle Central station on the afternoon of Saturday 23 June 1962. See image [[37526]]

Newcastle Central: York shed's V2 no 60887 arrives at Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962 with the summer Saturday 10.25am Scarborough - Glasgow Queen Street.

Glasgow Central: Activity at Glasgow Central on 23 June 1962 as Jubilee 45741 Leinster prepares to back onto the 11.50am train to Morecambe. Meantime, in the background, one of the recently introduced Blue Trains glides quietly past.

Newton Stewart: RCTS/SLS RAIL TOUR OF SCOTLAND 23rd June 1962
123/49 approaching Newton Stewart on the Whithorn Branch.

Eastwood: Fairburn tank 42244 climbing past Eastwood signal box on the East Kilbride branch towards Busby Junction on 23 June 1962 with a Glasgow bound train. [Ref query 3946]

Newton Stewart: RCTS/SLS RAIL TOUR OF SCOTLAND 23rd June 1962
123/49 approaching Newton Stewart from Stranraer.

Glasgow Central: Duchess Pacific no 46243 City of Lancaster pulls out of Glasgow Central on 23 June 1962 with the 9.55am relief service to London Euston. This Saturday working utilised the stock off The Caledonian weekday service.

Barrhill: RCTS/SLS RAIL TOUR OF SCOTLAND 23rd June 1962
123 and 49 south of Barrhill on the Ayr to Stranraer line.

Newcastle Central: Jubilee 45605 Cyprus makes an unusual sight standing at platform 4 of Newcastle Central on 23 June 1962. The Holbeck locomotive had worked in on the 9.30am from Manchester Exchange. After a brief visit to Gateshead shed, the Jubilee returned south later the same day with the summer Saturday 1.00pm Craigendoran - Leicester (London Road).

Parklee Signal Box: One of Polmadie sheds BR Standard class 5 4-6-0s no 73098 at the head of the 6.10pm Glasgow Central - Gourock on 23 June 1964. The train is seen here passing Parklee signal box, westbound between Langbank and Woodhall. The modern spelling Parklea was never used for this box which closed with the name Parklee (which can be seen in this photograph) in 1966.

Parklee Signal Box: The 7.05pm service from Glasgow Central to Gourock approaching Woodhall on 23 June 1964. The train is hauled by one of Ladyburn shed's Fairburn 2-6-4 tanks no 42260.

Cowlairs Works: Fairburn 2-6-4T 42265, Standard Class 3 77007 and an unidentified Black 5 were present outside Cowlairs Works in the steaming siding and erecting shop siding during a school railway club visit in June 1964. Some pupils can be seen observing the work in progress on the Fairburn, accompanied by two members of the works staff detailed to show the visiting party round.

Parklee Signal Box: Scene west of Parklee level crossing, half a mile to the east of Woodhall station, on 23 June 1964. The Parklee playing fields (now gone) are on the left. The approaching train is the 6.20pm Glasgow Central - Wemyss Bay, hauled on this occasion by Clayton Type 1 no D8527, which had arrived new at Polmadie shed the previous year.

Runcorn Viaduct: The northern approach arches of the 1868 Runcorn Viaduct carrying the railway across the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes. Photographed from the LCGB (North West Branch) Two Cities Limited Rail Tour on 23 June 1968. The special, hauled by Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033, has just crossed the river and is starting to turn west towards Liverpool Lime Street with the last leg of the tour from Manchester Victoria.

Manchester Exchange: Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033 photographed at Manchester Exchange on 23 June 1968 in connection with the LCGB (North West Branch) Two Cities Limited railtour. The special was shared with 73069 see image [[25335]] which handled the middle section of the tour.

Earlestown: Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73069 stands on the south western section of the Earlestown triangle on 23 June 1968. The locomotive is about to take over the LCGB Two Cities Limited railtour from Stanier 8F no 48033, which it will then take forward, via a roundabout route, on the next leg to Manchester Victoria. See image [[25335]]

Sankey for Penketh: Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033 with the LCGB Two Cities Limited railtour of 23 June 1968. The train is seen during a photostop at Sankey station on the west side of Warrington on its way from Liverpool to Manchester.

Sankey for Penketh: Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033 calls at Sankey station on the west side of Warrington with the LCGB Two Cities Limited railtour on 23 June 1968. The special was making a photostop on its way from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Victoria.

Earlestown: 73069 backs onto the LCGB Two Cities Limited at Earlestown on 23 June 1968, taking over from 48033 which brought in the train. The class 5 will take charge for the next section of the railtour as far as Manchester Victoria (via a circuitous route) following which 48033 will handle the final leg back to Liverpool Lime Street. See image [[31407]]

Manchester Exchange: The LCGB (North West Branch) Two Cities Limited railtour at Manchester Exchange on 23 June 1968. The locomotive is Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033. See image [[24974]]

Sankey for Penketh: The LCGB Two Cities Limited railtour stands at Sankey for Penketh station on 23 June 1968 behind Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033. The special was making a photostop on its way from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Victoria.

Manchester Exchange: Stanier 8F 2-8-0 no 48033 stands at the west end of Manchester Exchange on 23 June 1968 biding its time before taking over the final leg of the LCGB (North West Branch) Two Cities Limited railtour from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street.

Hindley: BR Standard class 5 no 73069 with the LCGB Two Cities Limited at Hindley North on 23 June 1968. Unlike other stations on this route, which have been left with island platforms, both lines in the picture have been lifted and trains now use those out of sight to the right. Hindley station, first opened in 1848, was renamed Hindley North in 1950 but has long since reverted to its original name.

Aberdeen: 26024 waits at Aberdeen, with a service for Inverness, on 23rd June 1981.

Oakbank Oil Works: Located near Midcalder Junction, the large shale bing associated with the Oakbank Oil Works was often referred to as 'Contentibus Bing'. In June 1984 it was in the process of being reclaimed for motorway construction with rail being the means of delivery. The entrance to the siding can just be made out in the right background.

Oakbank Oil Works: A pair of HKV hoppers standing in the sidings alongside the Oakbank Oil Works 'Contentibus' shale bing near Midcalder Junction, in June 1984. See image [[51104]]

Dumfries Shed: A dead electric train is dragged south through Dumfries by a class 47 on a Sunday morning in June 1991, with locomotive and stock in immaculate BR InterCity livery. The train is passing preparatory works for the new Dumfries & Galloway police HQ on the site once occupied by Dumfries shed.

Dumfries: A class 47 drags a dead electric train south through Dumfries in June 1991. The now demolished ex-Caledonian goods depot dominates the background on the east side of the station.

Shippea Hill: 'Your continued support is much appreciated...' The heavily buttressed signal box at Shippea Hill, between Ely and Norwich, about to be passed by a westbound HST in the summer of 1997. Shippea Hill stands in a totally flat Fen landscape a considerable distance from any substantial settlement and sees very low passenger numbers. There is nothing remotely resembling a hill anywhere near here.

Pontefract Monkhill: National Power 59202 is turning off the Wakefield line at Pontefract Monkhill to head along the spur to Castleford station with a rake of empty coal wagons on 23 June. The line to the extreme right, running behind the eastbound platform, is that formerly serving Prince of Wales Colliery loading point. [Ref query 3757]

Crich Tramway Museum: Scene at Crich Tramway Museum in the summer of 2002. On the left is Leeds City Transport no 399 of 1925, with Oporto Tramways 273 of 1928 alongside.

Scotland Street: The former Scotland Street station and tunnel in 2002. Opened in 1847, trains were rope-hauled by stationary engine under the New Town from Canal Street terminus. The tunnel was closed in 1868.

North Leith: The old North Leith terminus in June 2002 looking along the platform towards the buffer stops. The large former bonded warehouse in the background stands on the north side of Commercial Street. For the front view of the station see image [[1070]]

North Leith: Frontage of North Leith station in June 2002. See image [[1069]]

Crich Tramway Museum: Restored Oporto Tramways car no 273 of 1928 in action at Crich Tramway Museum in June 2002.

Rosebank Cemetery: Plaque on the Royal Scots memorial in Rosebank cemetery to those killed as a result of the Quintinshill disaster.

Rosebank Cemetery: Memorial and roll of honour in Rosebank cemetery to the 200+ men of the Leith Territorial Battalion the Royal Scots, killed as a result of the Quintinshill disaster. See image [[4097]]

Plean Junction: An unusually hot summers day in June 2005 sees an early afternoon Glasgow Queen Street - Dunblane service running north past the tall signal box at Plean, heading for its next stop at Stirling.

Plean Junction: A Dunblane - Glasgow Queen Street train runs south through Plean in June 2005.

Oban Bay: View across Oban Bay towards Kerrara in June 2006, with Calmac 'MV Eigg' seen entering the bay whilst approaching the Oban ferry terminal on a working from Lismore in relatively calm conditions. See image [[77051]] for a view in June 2013.

Helensburgh Upper: The new shelter at Helensburgh Upper. Quite stylish.

Helensburgh Upper: Southbound 67 hauled sleeper at Helensburgh Upper.

Helensburgh Upper: Sleeper for London, any takers? The guard of the sleeper waits for custom at Helensburgh Upper.

Cardross: PS Waverley, formerly a LNER vessel, passes a mere youngster on a former LNER line.

Glasgow Central: Track replacement at Glasgow Central

Leith Central: Odd one out, Easter Road, June 2006. View north west showing the rear of the modern flats now filling the gap originally occupied by a tenement block demolished in 1901. The demolition took place to make way for the lines across Easter Road into the new Leith Central station. See image [[10105]] for the view east from Leith Central.

Oban Station Pier: View looking across Oban Bay towards the ferry terminal from Corran Esplanade in June 2006, with two of the larger Calmac ferries seen at the berths serving Craignure on Mull and the outer islands of Coll and Tiree.

Glasgow Central: The rear of 390037 Virgin Difference as it departs from Glasgow Central

Glasgow Central: 92004 Jane Austen at Glasgow Central collecting the Caledonian Sleeper

Glasgow Central: 156434 and 15642 at Glasgow Central showing the contrasting colours utilised within First ScotRail train services around Glasgow.

Glasgow Central: 91128 Peterborough Cathedral pulling into Platform 1

Glasgow Central: Glasgow Central with 156457 and 390050 Virgin Invader.

Glasgow Central: 390037 Virgin Difference departing from Glasgow Central, looking from Platform 9.

Glasgow Central: 390037 Virgin Difference on the approach to Glasgow Central

Glasgow Central: Cab end of 90024 at Glasgow Central

York: 87022 Cock o the North heads north from York with a Kings Cross - Berwick charter.

York: 87022 pauses at York with a Kings Cross - Berwick charter.

Levisham: SR Schools class 926 Repton brings a southbound service into Levisham on the NYMR on 23 June.

Nateby: Nateby Crossing Cottage (SD 483457). There was never a halt here the station itself being some distance away to the west. In the background the A6 road can just be seen climbing to cross the old track bed, which can be seen from that road when travelling north. For a very early view of this location See image [[20599]]. The cottage is under threat in 2017 as the land between Nateby Crossing Lane and the A6 is earmarked for building.

Livingston North: Progress at Livingston North on 23 June with work underway on construction of the westbound platform.

Cupar: Southbound service leaving Cupar on 23 June 2008.

Conder Green: The Glasson Dock branch bridge over the tidal River Conder carried its last train in 1964 but is now part of a cycle way from Lancaster. View towards Glasson Dock. Map Ref SD 456560

Broomhill Junction: Standard class 4 Tank 80105 looking good at the head of a five coach train on its way to Broomhill.

Craigentinny Depot: Scene at Craigentinny on 23 June as 66132 passes on the main line with the empty Binliner containers from Oxwelmains returning to Powderhall, while West Coast Railway locomotives 47826 and 33025 stand in the east sidings.

Bathgate Yard: Newcraighall service leaving Bathgate on 23 June 2008 passing various signs of forthcoming engineering works.

Cupar: Cupar signal box looks over improvements to the station car park at the north end.

Cupar: Main entrance to Cupar station on 23rd June. Temporary fencing protecting work site.

Ashton Hall [Private]: The Glasson Dock branch followed the Lune estuary for most of its length and is particularly close to the river around Ashton Hall, north of Conder Green. View along the trackbed/cycleway towards Aldcliffe and Lancaster, with the Lake District mountains in the distance, from Map Ref SD 456577. The private halt at Ashton Hall was a little further north from this viewpoint and the building there survives.

Ashton Hall [Private]: Ashton Hall, on the Glasson Dock Branch (closed passengers 1930 and goods 1964), was the site of a private halt. This bridge carries a private drive over the trackbed/cycleway, and still has two brackets in the brickwork that presumably carried telegraph wires, but the halt itself was a little further north from here. View south towards the intermediate station of Conder Green. Map ref SD 456570. (On visiting this location again in August 2009 the arch walls had sadly been graffitied).

Chateauneuf sur Charente: No skimping on the passing loops on this single line. Despite singling the Saintes to Angeloume line has been left with several lengthy loops, suitable for freight trains, as can be seen in this view from the front of a DMU for Saintes running in to Chateauneuf sur Charente and crossing a freight heading towards Angouleme.

Preston: The up Highland Sleeper, with through sleeping cars from Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen, calls at Preston station around 0430 hrs on 23 June behind EWS 90026. At this point the driver of what became a combined 15 coach train at Edinburgh Waverley prepares to hand over to a colleague for the remainder of the journey to London Euston.

Saujon: Saujon is now the only surviving intermediate station on the single line branch between Saintes and the seaside terminus at Royan. The station has a passing loop and is still staffed and the station master can be seen here crossing to meet the recently arrived Angouleme to Royan train. Services on the line are a mixture of new diesel units and these first generation DMUs. This one comprises two single unit power cars with a trailer car in between.

Angouleme: Cross country connection. TGV 507, heading south from Paris, connects with a DMU at Angouleme comprising two single bubble cars with a trailer in between. This will go forward to Cognac, Saintes and Royan. The smaller of the two windows in the DMU is for a bicycle storage area that also contains tip up seats and provides an excellent drivers eye view from the moving train.

St Server-de-Saintonge: A DMU for Angouleme forks left at the triangular junction at St Server-de-Saintonge and joins the line running eastwards down the Charente valley to Cognac and Angouleme. The main line running south to Bordeaux is straight on at this point but only the Cognac line platforms remain at this little used country station that lies around 12km south east from Saintes.

North Queensferry: A National Express HST set passes through North Queensferry station on 23 June 2009 with train 1E24, the 14:49 Aberdeen - London Kings Cross.

Partick Central: View east over the cleared Partick Central station site showing Benalder Street bridge in June 2009.

Saintes: 3 double slip crossovers form part of a complicated approach to Saintes as seen from the front of an S.N.C.F. DMU from Angouleme that is routed into the far left platform. Here it will reverse for the branch to Royan. Saintes train maintenance and repair depot is on the far right, opposite the station.

St Server-de-Saintonge: The stationmaster at St Server emerges to see the DMU for Angouleme pass through non-stop and join the single line towards Cognac that starts just beyond the station platforms. The main line to Bordeaux lies to the right of the station building.

North Queensferry: 170430 hurries through North Queensferry station with the 1425 Aberdeen - Edinburgh Waverley service on 23 June 2009..

Newton: 314 205 at Newton on 23 June with a service from Glasgow Central.

Saintes: Biodiesel Bubble Cars. Traditional SNCF DMUs are now gradually being replaced by new units, three of which are seen here from the station platforms outside Saintes depot and workshops. I was grateful to the local enthusiast who pointed out the special instructions on the side of these particular cars specifying only biodiesel to be used in the fuel tanks.

Euston: 'Yes mi'Lady'... 57307 Lady Penelope and friend at Euston on 23 June.

Newton: 318 269 awaits its departure time from Newton on 23 June with a service for Glasgow Central.

Partick Central: Area of Partick Central station and goods yard from old 4 inch to 1 mile map of Glasgow.

Partick Central: Barrier at south end of bridge over River Kelvin from former Transport Museum side to Partick Central station side.

Dalwhinnie: A southbound service runs through Dalwhinnie on 23 June 2009.

Partick Central: Bridge over River Kelvin from former site of Transport Museum on south side to Partick Central Station side.

Jarnac: Not a GNR somersault signal but a points indicator at the eastern end of Jarnac passing loop on the Saintes to Angeloume line. This was formerly double track throughout but has now been singled, although it retains some lengthy passing loops that allow freight and pasenger trains to be operated. Drivers eye view from a DMU bound for Angouleme.

Partick Central: Partick Central Station - remains of platforms below Benalder Street in June 2009.

Partick Central: Looking across the overgrown site of Partick Central station in June 2009, view north from Benalder Street bridge.

Chateauneuf sur Charente: Drivers eye view from the front of a DMU on the Saintes to Angeloume line as it enters the loop at Chateauneuf sur Charente. 63786, a single cab diesel previously seen shunting at Saintes see image [[24596]] is heading a long train of open wagons in the opposite direction.

Partick Central: Partick Central - goods yard arches with current line over.

Partick Central: Partick Central Station site showing short tunnel to NW of site below Castlebank Street.

Partick Central: Partick Central platform below Benalder Street bridge.

Cognac: Cognac - a name to conjure with for brandy drinkers but the station is nothing special to look at. This is a DMU driver's eye view of the station approach from the west end and the start of the passing loop. The crossing keeper's cottage on the left is now a private house, as are all the many others on this line. Behind the station is a large container depot with a resident SNCF shunter, or tracteur as they are known in France. No prizes for guessing the principal commodity being shipped out.

Newton: The main station building at Newton looking east towards Newton East Junction and the reversing siding on 23 June.

Newtonmore: The cut back platform at Newtonmore seen on 23 June looking south, with the former station building on the right.

Saintes: Mixed traffic SNCF diesel 63786, dating from the 1950s, makes up its freight train in Saintes yard as seen from the station platforms. Behind is another, slightly younger, locomotive 66130 that is stabled between duties. Being France, once the train was ready to go the crew trooped off for lunch. See image [[24621]]

Angouleme: Southbound TGV No. 316, as seen from the front end of a local DMU approaching Angouleme station, which lies immediately beyond the tunnel under the town.

Saintes: 44 years old and still on front line express duties. 67400 Class 2367 hp Bo-Bo 167475 calls at Saintes on a Co-Rail Bordeaux to Nantes service. The builders plate showed it to have been built by Brissonneau et Lotz in 1965. In the background a local DMU waits for passengers connecting for the Cognac line.

Kelvin Viaduct: View east across the River Kelvin on 23 June with an EMU held at signals on the Kelvinhaugh Viaduct.

Kelvin Viaduct: Bridge over the River Kelvin, with Partick station half a mile off to the left.

Kelvinhaugh Viaduct: Close-up of makers plate on a section of the Kelvinhaugh Viaduct - June 2010.

Seafield Colliery: East Coast's morning Leeds to Aberdeen service about to pass the Seafield Colliery junction site on 23 June 2010

Kelvinhaugh Viaduct: Looking towards the Clyde from the south end of Ferry Road, at the point where it is crossed by a section of the Kelvinhaugh Viaduct.

Kelvin Viaduct: View west along Kelvinhaugh Viaduct towards the River Kelvin on 23 June 2010.

Kelvinhaugh Viaduct: View north on 23 June 2010 showing a locally decorated section of the Kelvinhaugh Viaduct crossing Castlebank Street.

Kelvinhaugh Viaduct: A section of the Kelvinhaugh Viaduct crossing Sandyford Street. View south towards the Clyde in June 2010.

Kirkcaldy: 67 023 restarts from Kirkcaldy on 23 June with its morning Inner Circle service to Edinburgh via Dunfermline.  Going the other way is a pair of class 170s, forming the 0727 to Edinburgh via the coast.  The scenery's nicer via the latter route, but which train would you rather be on?

Blackridge: Mega footbridge structure at the new Blackridge Station site viewed from the A89 on 23 June, with the rail trolley of the tracklaying train having run to the rear of the unit in the station area to collect further supplies of sleepers.

Cardonald: 66185 about to pass through Cardonald with a coal train from Hunterston bound for Longannet PS

Riverside Museum: Advertisement for the BR 'Starlight Special' excursion trains, attached to the side of a bus in the Glasgow Riverside Museum on 23 June 2011. See image [[19303]]

Cardonald: 67030 passing through Cardonald on 23 June with a short consist of tanks from Mossend to Dalry

Paisley Gilmour Street: 380017 departs Paisley Gilmour Street on a Largs service on 23rd June 2011. It is passing the new set of turnback points just outside the station that were added as part of the Paisley corridor improvement programme. This allows empty stock workings to turn back here instead of Elderslie and for additional services to run between Paisley and Glasgow should the need arise.

Cardonald: Looking towards Cardonald Junction from Cardonald station. The new third track is in place at a number of places between Shields Junction and Arkleston including Cardonald, and the new pointwork is already in place in the foreground for the new layout at Cardonald Junction. In the background is Hillington East, the new overhead mast layout giving a clear view of the track between the stations see image [[19023]]

Dunfermline Queen Margaret: A Freightliner class 66 with a coal train emerging from Townhill sidings and approaching Dunfermline Queen Margaret station on 23 June 2011.

Dunfermline Queen Margaret: Freightliner 66548 with imported coal from Leith Docks passing south through Dunfermline Queen Margaret on 23 June, having run round its train in Townhill sidings. The coal is destined for Longannet power station.

Preston PSB: Part of the panel in Preston PSB on 23 June 2011. Although somewhat lacking in character when compared to the old mechanical boxes, the panel boxes of the 60s and early 70s have far more character than the VDU screens of today. Preston PSB was approaching 40 years old when the photo was taken and looks like it will still be in service when it reaches 50, although the new signalling for the Blackpool lines electrification will be controlled from Manchester.

Cardonald: 57011 and 57009 about to pass through Cardonald on 23rd June 2011 with a nuclear flask train from Hunterston to Carlisle Kingmoor

Preston PSB: Part of the panel at Preston PSB on 23 June 2011. With the closure of Bare Lane SB on 8 December changes will include a separate desk to control the LC. This desk will also take on the monitoring of Hest Bank and Bolton-le-Sands LCs when Hest Bank level crossing frame also closes in February 2013. Hest Bank LC is the orange panel over the WCML in the centre of the picture and Bolton-le-Sands LC is the orange panel on the right.

Riverside Museum: Ex-South African Railways locomotive no 3007, built in Glasgow 1944-45, on display at the Glasgow Riverside Museum on 23 June 2011 [see recent news item].

Cardonald: 318256 is about to pass under the newly installed signal gantry alongside Cardonald station on 23 June with a service to Glasgow Central. The signals will allow access to Deanside Transit from Cardonald Junction see image [[34661]]

Tyseley: Far from ideal weather conditions for the Tyseley VT Open Day - but a glorious sight nonetheless. The locomotives are, from the left, Nunney Castle, Peckett no 1 of 1941, Rood Ashton Hall, Kinlet Hall and 2885. The observant will note that the latter is not in steam - having recently been rescued from 'informal storage' at Moor Street station. See image [[41818]]

Balshaw Lane Junction: A dull midsummer day at Balshaw Lane Junction on 23 June is brightened by the appearance of Colas Rail Freight 56302 and 66850. The locomotives are heading north with the Chirk to Carlisle empty log wagons.

Conon Bridge: 158715 runs into Conon Bridge on 23 June with the return Sunday afternoon 16.20 Invergordon to Inverness service.

Dornoch: Looking from track level along the platform to the well maintained and occupied station building at the former Dornoch Station, showing both structures still intact 53 years after closure.

North Weald: D7523 at North Weald on the Epping Ongar Railway, deep in rural Essex and part of the LU Central Line until September 1994 (which now seems hard to believe), on 23rd June 2013.

Tyseley: Another fine product of the Ransome and Rapier company see image [[32721]], this turntable is only 56 years old - quite late for steam. The bending of the rail on which the wheels run must have been a spectacular operation.

Forsinard: Northern approach to Forsinard Station along the A897 on 23 June. The old North signal box stands on the left see image [[16559]].

Tyseley: An unusual view from the Vintage Trains site at Tyseley on a grey 23 June, showing a 9-coach class 170 formation snaking slowly into the London Midland depot.

Tyseley: 'Rood Ashton Hall' and 'Nunney Castle' engage in a steaming competition around the turntable (formerly contained in the Tyseley roundhouse) at a 2013 Vintage Trains Depot Open Day.

Tyseley: The big boys' play accessory set at Tyseley on 23 June. A water tank, a coal drop, an old cast iron lamppost, plenty of boiler tubes... what else could an enthusiast want? Oh yes - a steam crane. Ticks all the boxes for me.

Kildonan: View north at Kildonan Station in June 2013 showing the current up and former down platform. Note the contrasting styles of the old and new waiting shelters.

Forsinard: The freshly painted former signal box looking pristine on the northbound platform at Forsinard in June 2013. See image [[16558]]

Pickering: Scene at Undercliff level crossing, just north of Pickering station, in the summer of 2013, with the NYMR teak 'observation coach' bringing up the rear of a morning service to Grosmont. At the head of the train is A4 Pacific no 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley. (For details of this unique coach see [[43356]].)

Balshaw Lane Junction: Viewed through the steps of a footbridge, a northbound Pendolino approaching Balshaw Lane Junction on 23 June 2013.

Tyseley: 'Firing retro rockets Captain': After a tiring day showing off by the turntable see image [[43592]], Nunney Castle crawls into the new shed at Tyseley at less than 5 mph.

Dornoch: The former Dornoch Station building remains occupied and in a well maintained condition, as seen here in June 2013.

Forsinard: View looking south from the level crossing at the platform end of Forsinard, showing the transition from twin track to single on the bend beyond the stop boards, and the engineers siding running off the north side platform line.

Kildonan: The disused, but tidy, redundant waiting shelter on the former down platform at Kildonan station in June 2013. See image [[43610]]

Balshaw Lane Junction: A southbound Pendolino has just passed Balshaw Lane Junction on 23 June 2013. The train is speeding south towards its next stop at Wigan North Western. Another Pendolino can be seen heading north in the background.

Kinbrace: Kinbrace station, like Forsinard, sits directly by the A897 rural road running south from Melvich on the north coast, to Helmsdale on the east coast of Sutherland. The remaining former southbound platform is seen from alongside the level crossing on the B871 single track road running north east back to the north coast further west.

Tyseley: From the Birmingham small ads: 'perfectly formed and restored chassis seeks compatible boiler, cylinders, wheelsets, etc. DIESELS NEED NOT APPLY. Responses to Box #65 at Vintage Trains.

Balshaw Lane Junction: Looking north over Balshaw Lane Jct as a Pendolino speeds south on 23 June 2013. Work has commenced in preparation for the complete rebuilding of the junction (and two others between Euxton Jct and Warrington Bank Quay) during a 9 day possession from 13 to 21 July.

Balshaw Lane Junction: As a Wigan to Blackpool service runs beneath the camera on 23 June 2013 an up Voyager passes the prefabricated switch and crossing panels for the replacement of Balshaw Lane Jct during a 9 day possession in July.

Tyseley: D1755 (aka 47773) and 6201 Princess Elizabeth sheltering from intermittent rain in the recently built shed on VT's Tyseley depot. Although she looks complete from this angle, 6201 is under overhaul.

Balshaw Lane Junction: Pendolinos passing at Balshaw Lane Jct on 23 June 2013. On the left is a northbound service which is crossing the junction, while a southbound service is approaching on the right.

Balshaw Lane Junction: Colas Rail Freight 47739 hauls 56087 and a rake of sleeper wagons from Carlisle to Washwood Heath on 23 June 2013. Photographed just south of Balshaw Lane Junction.

Tyseley: London Transport pannier tank L94 (originally GWR 7752) and Duchess of Sutherland 46233 (take my word for it) preparing to return to shed after running passenger shuttles at the very popular Tyseley Open Days on 22nd-23rd June. The coaches on the right provide a static buffet facility. See image [[17855]]

North Weald: GNR 1744 Class N2 0-6-2T at North Weald with an Epping Ongar Railway train to Ongar, on 23rd June 2013. 107 of these locomotives, designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, were built between 1920 and 1929 with 1744 coming off the production line in 1925. They were built specifically for London suburban services out of King's Cross and Moorgate (via the Widened Lines) but could also be seen on local services in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Edinburgh Waverley: WCRC 37516 Loch Laidon at Waverley platform 19 on 23 June with the Edinburgh - Keith Royal Scotsman.

Princes Street [Tram]: Trams crossing at the The Mound tram stop on 23 June.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof: The 13.37 Berlin-Warsaw Express Eurocity service pulls out of Berlin Hauptbahnhof on 23rd June. Of six coaches on the train, no less than four were compartment stock.

Croftfoot: Quiet afternoon at Croftfoot, 23 June 2015.

Princes Street Gardens Cutting: Virgin Rail East Coast-liveried HST forms the 07.55 Aberdeen - London Kings Cross service, approaching The Mound tunnel in Princes Street Gardens on 23 June.

Dalston: The Northern Trains 1736 Carlisle to Barrow service operated by Direct Rail Services leaves Dalston on 23 June 2015 on a rare sunny day. Fuel tankers at The Petroineos oil terminal occupy the background.

Halton [NWR]: The closed station at Halton, on the Lancaster to Wennington line on 23rd June 2015. This view looks along the outside of the retaining wall on the former Lancaster platform but conceals the car park behind it where the platform used to be and the trackbed cyclepath. See image [[18186]]. The well preserved station building is on the Wennington side.

Heysham Port: A pair of DRS Class 20s trundling along the Heysham branch on 23rd June 2015, taking three flasks to the nuclear power station. 20309 is bringing up the rear of a train headed by 20305 in this view towards the port from the bridge at Heysham Moss (Map Ref SD 423613). This was the last year that DRS used the English Electric Type 1s on this duty.

Prestwick Town: Left for Glasgow, right for Ayr - the ubiquitous 380s.

London Euston: Statue of Robert Stephenson, by Carlo Marochetti, dating from 1870, outside Euston Station.

London King's Cross: Statue of Sir Nigel Gresley by Hazel Reeves at Kings Cross.

Edinburgh Park: Edinburgh Park interchange - the station from the Tram stop.

Haigh: Progress on construction of the bridge components needed for replacement of the current Haigh Lane overbridge has been rapid in the four weeks since concrete pads were cast on the adjacent work site. Two abutments are already seen cast, only needing end pilasters casting, whilst the former for the bridge deck can be seen through the gap between the two lorries.

Haigh: A grab shot of a Northern Rail class 158 crossing the soon to be replaced arched Haigh Lane bridge as it heads for its next stop at Wakefield Kirkgate on the 10.18 ex Nottingham to Leeds fast limited stop service.

Bourg Saint Maurice: Night train to Paris, and a reminder that Eurostars also visit.

Belvedere (Locarno): The two 1950s built cars of the Locarno Funicular cross near the intermediate station of Belvedere. The track steepens progressively as it climbs towards the upper station at Orselina.

St Pancras: Eurostars 3008 and 3108 await departure to Brussels and Paris, at St Pancras on 23 June.

Le Chatelard: The 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) metre gauge Chemin de Fer de Martigny au Châtelard and Ligne de Saint Gervais - Vallorcine make an end to end connection here.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Northern 150277 calls at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on a service for Colne on 16th June 2017. This station opened in 1987 and is now used by over 100,000 passengers per year so will be a significant contributor to receipts on the Blackpool South branch. On the right of the picture houses on Burlington Rd can be seen. Burlington Road was a halt at this location for railmotor services between Blackpool and Lytham. It opened in 1913 and closed in 1949, but this station opened on the same spot in 1987.

Insch: A view of the level crossing, signal box and former water tank (with totem) at Insch from the 'Inverness' end of the station. This is perhaps the best example of a close to intact smaller GNoSR station.

Briton Ferry: Network Rail High Speed track measurement train passing through Briton Ferry station returning to Derby after a trip from Old Oak Common to Swansea . 23rd June 2017.

Insch: An unusual view across the platforms at Insch station. A mixture of old and new.

Insch: Insch station, seen from the north, on 23rd June 2017.

Kirkham and Wesham: A four car Pacer train slows for the Kirkham stop with a Blackpool North to Hazel Grove service on 16th June 2017. Alongside the surviving running lines work is taking place on the site of the recently lifted fast lines in connection with electrification and Kirkham's new third platform.

Dinting: Another grab shot from a Hadfield bound train at Dinting on 16th June 2017. This view looks across to the Glossop branch platform, which the train had called at a few minutes previously prior to going into Glossop to reverse and then take the Hadfield line on the triangle.

Insch: Rear of the signal box and the level crossing at Insch station.

Wroxham: A view across the turntable at the Wroxham end of the narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway on 23rd June 2018.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Cheese! Happy train 365523 at platform 5 on a training run on 23rd June 2018. The 365s were due to go into service later that day.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: 170420, unbranded apart from small Abellio stickers on the doors, sits at platform 1 at Glasgow Queen Street in June 2018

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: ScotRail announce a 'Happy Train' departure for Edinburgh (see bottom of departure board).

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A Happy Train seen at Glasgow Queen Street.

Bressingham: No. 994 'George Sholto', a 2 foot gauge Hunslet 0-4-0ST, built for the Penrhyn Quarries in 1909 and purchased, after withdrawal from there, to work at Bressingham Gardens. 23rd June 2018.

Raith's Farm Sidings: Raiths Farm Ballast Store (?) being passed by a Dyce to Inverurie service in June 2018.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Looks the part! A Happy Train seen at Queen Street.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Happy Twins at Glasgow Queen St on the evening of 23rd June 2018.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Discussion at the Queen Street buffer stops on the evening of 23rd June 2018. Newly arrived 365537 looks like it prefers working in Scotland to being in storage at Ely.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The nameplate on this Class 365 has been retained during its move to Scotland. 230618

Dyce: 170419 leaves Dyce, currently operating as a terminus while the line to Aberdeen is doubled. Note the works on the railway beyond the station.

Friarton Junction: 68033 leads the Inverness - Mossend Tesco train away from Perth on 23rd June 2018.

Bressingham: 'Alan Bloom', a 10.25' home built garden railway engine, named after the Bressingham Gardens founder, seen at Bressingham on 23rd June 2018.

Crewe: This memorial plaque at Crewe pays tribute to the rail staff who were brutally assaulted in the Great Train Robbery of 1963. In memory of Jack Mills and David Whitby who gave great service to the railway. Both showed extreme bravery whilst at the controls of IM44 Glasgow Central to London Euston Royal Mail train in the early hours of Thursday 8th August 1963.

Comrie Dean Viaduct: About to cross the Dean Viaduct, whose eight arches carried the Stirling & Dunfermline Railway over the Grange Burn until closure of this section of the route in 1982. Photograph taken on 23 June 2019 looking east towards the site of Oakley station, which stood less than a mile away. See image [[67584]]
See query 2108

Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]: 37884 'Cepheus', working light engine from Leicester to Mossend, passes the site of Scorton station on Sunday 23rd June 2019. Scorton was one of four stations between Preston and Lancaster that closed as early as 1939 and nothing of it remains - but see image [[23874]]

Bogside Fife: Looking south west along the trackbed of the Stirling & Dunfermline route towards Alloa on 23 June 2019 showing the surviving, but deteriorating, signal box (the NB would prefer 'cabin') at Bogside, Fife. This stands alongside what is now a walkway / cycle path. Very few boxes of this style survive.

Bogside Fife: The old signal box at Bogside, Fife, seen here in the summer of 2019. View is west along the trackbed of the former S&D route in the general direction of Dunfermline.

Dillicar Watertroughs: DB 66065 runs high above the River Lune at Dillicar, with an intermodal service from Seaforth to Mossend, on 23rd June 2020.

Grayrigg [2nd]: 88009 'Diana' leans into the curves between Grayrigg and Low Gill, hauling a Daventry to Mossend intermodal service, on 23rd June 2020. The signal beyond the bridge has a feather to allow access to the Up Loop at Grayrigg.

Grayrigg [2nd]: 390157 leans in to the reverse curves between Low Gill and Grayrigg loops on 23rd June 2020. It was around this time that the application of Avanti vinyls to the Pendolinos resumed but this unit was still in the plain finish as it hurried south with a Glasgow to Euston service.

Dillicar Watertroughs: An eleven coach Pendolino is no small train, but they are dwarfed by the landscape of the Lune Gorge. This Glasgow to Euston service was heading past the site of Dillicar watertroughs on 23rd June 2020. Having experienced the serious flooding in Lancaster in 2015 it was good to see plenty of Slow the Flow tree planting on the hillsides above the Lune.

Roseburn Terrace Bridge: This bridge over the A8 carried the CR Leith branch just south of Murrayfield station. Lions from the Caledonian's crest bookend some more inclusive flora. As a sign of the times Wales was thought dispensable but Ireland wasn't. The original (or maybe last) colour scheme of red, green and blue has faded to shades of grey.

Dillicar Watertroughs: High above the river, a TPE Class 397 EMU runs through the very scenic Lune Gorge at Dillicar with a service from Manchester Airport on 23rd June 2020.

Grayrigg [2nd]: 66107, working light engine Carlisle to Crewe, negotiates the sweeping curve between Low Gill and Grayrigg on 23rd June 2020. There was a momentary lull to otherwise busy traffic on the M6 as the 66 passed this spot.

Dillicar Watertroughs: Three Class 325 EPUs form an evening southbound postal service passing through the Lune Gorge at Dillicar on 23rd June 2020.

Dillicar Watertroughs: A Euston to Glasgow Pendolino leans into the curve at Dillicar, as it enters the Lune Gorge on 23rd June 2020. This was before the Avanti liverying programme got underway again and most of these units ran without vinyls during the summer months.

Dillicar Watertroughs: Broadside view of DB 66065 as it threads the Lune Gorge at Dillicar on 23rd June 2020, hauling a Seaforth to Mossend intermodal service. The separated levels of the motorway are clearly visible from across the valley.

Jordanhill: 320417 arrives at Jordanhill with a train for (all together now, and spoken a la Karen) Scotstounhill, Garscadden, Yoker, Clydebank, and Dalmuir. Karen is the digital announcer who sounds like a bored shop assistant from Rutherglen. The other one, more obviously actressy, is called Alison.

Garscadden: A Juniper amid the junipers. Class 334 on its way through Garscadden ECS on 23 June 2021.

Glasgow Green: The last time I was here, 10 years ago, the facade of the station building (qv) was still in place above and slightly behind the tunnel mouth as seen in this view looking west. It was demolished the following year, 2012, after it was damaged in a storm (as far as I remember). Arms at full stretch here so trains are heard rather than snapped.

Jordanhill: I somehow already knew this, but didn't know about this plaque. Oddly perhaps Wikipedia's own entry on itself mentions the two millionth entry, but not this or any other landmark on its way to the current 6.2 million English articles. Elsewhere though founder Jimmy Wales was recorded as being 'thrilled' about the entry.

Oxford: Chiltern Railways 168214 departing Oxford for London Marylebone at 1234 hours on 23rd June 2021.

Hyndland: A Dalmuir service calls at Hyndland on 23 June 2021. The service interval seen on the CIS is fairly typical, so this quarter of Glasgow has an excellent rail service. The slight drawback is that the station is rather tucked away.

Oxford: EWS liveried DB 66093 takes a northbound freight through Oxford. One of very few freights that I saw operating on 23rd June 2021.

Scotstounhill: A Whifflet service calls at Scotstounhill on 23 June 2021. The retreating stopper is for Dalmuir as, during the day anyway, they invariably are.

Hyndland: A Motherwell train approaches Hyndland on 23 June 2021. The Up and Down lines are separated here because of the island platform; the track in the background is the goods loop which doesn't see much use.

Tollerton: An unexpected pair of Colas locos on a light engine movement from Carlisle New Yard to Doncaster Carriage Holding Sidings. 66848 leads sister 66849 south with the 10.02 ex Carlisle working on 23 June 2021. Colas 66s are almost unheard of on the ECML, as Class 56's or Class 70's are the usual fare.

Oxford: Comparison of front ends, between a 20 year old X-Country 220 Voyager and an almost new GWR 800, in Oxford on 23rd June 2021.

Carlisle: Platform one of Carlisle station is closed while a new platform surface is being prepared.

Scotstounhill: The platforms of the Glasgow suburban network must have seemed like a building site in the 1970s as original buildings were demolished to make way for more functional (and less combustible?) replacements. For the decade that taste forgot the results are not always too bad - especially if maintained well - as here at Scotstounhill.

Partick: A Dalmuir service pulls into Partick on 23 June 2021. Signal YF496, like the others between Finnieston and Hyndland East Junctions, changes as often as a traffic light (well nearly).

Oxford: GWR 800-024, creeping into Oxford station at 1240 on 23rd June 2021, eventually bound for Paddington.

Blackford: While cycling past the new Highland Spring facility at Blackford I noticed that the rails now join with the main line. This view at the west end shows the new connection on 23rd June 2022.

Blackford: The new crane has arrived at the Highland Spring facility at Blackford (at the far end of the photo). No trains of course as this was the second national rail strike day, 23rd June 2022.

Woodacre Crossing: In normal circumstances the stone train from Harrisons Quarry at Shap to Tuebrook in Liverpool would pass Garstang around 5.30am. During the national rail strike days however it headed south during the afternoon. Celebrity GBRf 66794, in Railfreight Sector livery, matches the grey wagons nicely as it passes Woodacre on on 23rd June. From Tuebrook the stone is tripped in two workings to Edge Lane terminal on the Haydock branch stub near Golborne.