Sanquhar: Black 5 no 44993 calls at Sanquhar on 15 July 1961 with a Glasgow - Carlisle train.

Kilmarnock: A southbound summer Saturday service from Glasgow, consisting of through coaches for Morecambe, Liverpool and Manchester, calls at Kilmarnock on 15 July 1961. At the head of the heavy train is Hurlford Black 5 no 45489 piloting Newton Heath Britannia 70045 Lord Rowallan.

Lockerbie Junction: Jubilee 45710 Irresistible of Newton Heath shed takes a Saturday Manchester - Glasgow train north away from the Dumfries stop on 15 July 1961.

Dumfries: Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45585 Hyderabad approaching Dumfries from the north on 15 July 1961 with a Glasgow Central - London Euston train.

Glasgow Central: 45010 (pilot 10.45 to Morecambe and Manchester) at No.2 platform Glasgow Central.

Dumfries: A busy summer Saturday at the north end of Dumfries on 15 July 1961. On the left is 'Peak' D18, some 7 months old at that time, with a down Leeds service. In the centre is Dumfries Black 5 45480 with a stoppping train for Stranraer, while on the right Hurlford based sister locomotive 45010 waits to depart with a Glasgow local.

Ardoch Signal Box: A Black 5 southbound passing Ardoch, on the GSW route between Sanquhar and Carronbridge, on a miserable July day in 1961, with a Glasgow St Enoch - Leeds City service. [Ref query 439].

Dumfries: Three railwaymen, a friend, a boy, a dog and a historic old signal box. Posed portrait (names unknown) at the north end of Dumfries station in the summer of 1961.

Ardoch Signal Box: A 'Peak' hauled Anglo-Scottish service southbound at Ardoch, midway between Sanquhar and Carronbridge, in the summer of 1961, with the River Nith off to the left. The train is the 1600 Glasgow St Enoch – Leeds City and is displaying an incorrect reporting code, which should read 1N63. [Ref query 165]

Dumfries: Black 5 45480 gets underway from Dumfries on 15 July 1961 with a Saturday local service for Stranraer. See image [[56491]]

Dumfries Goods: Jubilee no 45701 Conqueror leaving Dumfries for the south on Saturday 15 July 1961 with a train from Glasgow Central for Morecambe and Manchester.

Martinton Bridge: A Glasgow - Manchester train crosses Martinton Bridge over the River Nith in the summer of 1961 on the northern approach to Dumfries station. Polmadie Black 5 no 45172 is in charge.

Lockerbie Junction: Corkerhill based Jubilee 45621 Northern Rhodesia heading home after leaving Dumfries on Saturday 15 July 1961 with a down Leeds relief.

Sanquhar: Black 5 45467 approaching Sanquhar on 15 July 1961 with a down freight. [Ref query 9929]

Martinton Bridge: Stanier Pacific 46224 Princess Alexandra crossing the Nith at Dumfries on 15 July 1961 with a parcels train heading for St Enoch.

Martinton Bridge: A Blackpool - Glasgow train crossing the 1849 Martinton Bridge over the Nith north of Dumfries station on a summer Saturday in 1961. The locomotive is Patriot Class 4-6-0 45507 Royal Tank Corps.

Closeburn: Black 5 45010 pauses at Closeburn in July 1961 with a Dumfries - Glasgow train. [Ref query 783]

Corkerhill Shed: A view over the west end of Corkerhill shed in July 1962, taken near the end of the cinder road from Corkerhill railway village. Leeds Holbeck Royal Scot 46109 Royal Engineer stands at the head of a line up that includes Heaton A3 60083 Sir Hugo alongside various class 4 and class 5 locomotives.

Lanark: 44700 at Lanark with Carstairs train.

Muirkirk [2nd]: DMU arrived from Lanark.

Perth: Grubby Black 5 44797 on a passenger train at Perth on 15th July 1966. Taken by my father, I was the taller of the two young train spotters on the platform.

Strawfrank Junction: A photograph taken from the signal box at Strawfrank (now Carstairs South) Junction on 15 July 1966, with 70035 Rudyard Kipling about to run past with a train for Liverpool/Manchester.

Strawfrank Junction: Britannia 70035 Rudyard Kipling takes a Liverpool / Manchester train south from Carstairs past the former Strawfrank Junction on 15 July 1966.

Strawfrank Junction: Motherwell based Black 5 45029 approaching the former Strawfrank Junction from the south in July 1966 with a freight.

Perth: Taken by my father at Perth in July 1966, I look very pleased to be watching A4 60034 'Lord Farringdon' on a passenger service.

Braidwood: A northbound mixed freight runs through Braidwood behind a BR class 9F 2-10-0 in July 1966.

Cleghorn: Black 5 44850 passing Cleghorn with a down freight in July 1966. [Ref query 6780]

Glasgow Central: 70035 Rudyard Kipling awaits its departure time at Glasgow Central on 15 July 1966 with a train for Liverpool/Manchester.

Glasgow Central: Scene at Glasgow Central on Fair Friday, 15 July 1966, as Holbeck Jubilee no 45593 Kolhapur leaves with a special.

Perth: Loading the car carriers at Perth in July 1966 ready for an overnight run to London. Photo by A McIntyre.

Montrose: J37 0-6-0 64547 on the turntable at Montrose shed in the summer of 1966.

Ravenstruther: Britannia 70042 Lord Roberts passes Ravenstruther with a down train on 15 July 1966.

Silvermuir Junction: Kingmoor Black 5 no 44899 struggles to restart its train in the rain past Lanark Junction box (which controlled Silvermuir, Silvermuir South and Cleghorn Junctions) in the summer of 1966. It was located at Silvermuir.

Carstairs: Britannia Pacific 70010 Owen Glendower arriving at Carstairs from Glasgow Central in July 1966.

Carstairs: Carlisle Kingmoor's Black 5 no 45018 with a down goods at Carstairs station on 15 July 1966. Various parts of 64D shed can be seen projecting above the station roof.

Carlisle: Black 5 4-6-0 45345 of Preston's Lostock Hall shed (10D) lets off steam alongside Carlisle platform 3 at the head of a summer Saturday working, thought to have been taken on 15 July 1967.

Leeds: Holbeck Jubilee 45593 Kolhapur standing in wait at Leeds on 15 July 1967. 45593 will relieve the locomotive off the incoming 6.40am Birmingham New Street - Glasgow Central, a train which ran via the S&C and G&SW routes.

Carlisle: Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45593 Kolhapur photographed at Carlisle on 15 July 1967 shortly after bringing the 6.40am Birmingham New Street - Glasgow Central into platform 3.

Carlisle: Jubilee no 45697 Achilles arrives at Carlisle platform 3 in July 1967 after bringing train 1S67, the 9.20am London St Pancras - Glasgow Central, over the S&C route from Leeds. See image [[34755]]

Carlisle: Black 5 no 44948 stands at Carlisle platform 4 on 15 July 1967. The Carnforth based locomotive is about to take forward the 1.26pm Summer Saturday Glasgow Central - Morecambe Promenade, which had arrived via Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

Carlisle: The 9.20am St Pancras - Glasgow Central approaching Carlisle past Crown Street goods depot on 15 July 1967 behind Jubilee 4-6-0 45697 Achilles.

Carlisle: The 9.20am London St Pancras - Glasgow Central arrives at Carlisle off the S&C route from Leeds in July 1967 behind Holbeck Jubilee no 45697 'Achilles'. See image [[34132]]

Carlisle: Britannia 70039 Sir Christopher Wren pulls away from Carlisle on 15 July 1967 with train 1M28 (the combined 2pm ex-Glasgow / 2.05pm ex-Edinburgh) for Manchester and Liverpool.

Carlisle Upperby Shed: Britannia Pacific 70015 Apollo on Upperby shed, thought to be in July 1967, a month before withdrawal.

Sheffield Park: Wainwright SE&CR Class P 0-6-0T 323 Bluebell (ex BR 31323) sits in a siding at Sheffield Park in July 1969, in the first decade of operation of the Bluebell Railway. The railway celebrates its 60th Anniversary in August 2020.

Sheffield Park: Billington 1897 ex LB&SCR Class E4 0-6-2T 473 Birch Grove (former BR 32473) stored in a siding south of Sheffield Park station in July 1969, in the early days of the Bluebell Railway. Wainwright 1904 SE&CR Class H 323 Bluebell stands beyond.

Grantshouse: Aftermath. Part of the wreckage of a Freightliner train derailed near Grantshouse on 15 July 1969. The ensuing enquiry attributed the accident to a loose tyre on one of the Freightliner vehicles. See image [[32604]]

Sheffield Park: Wainwright SE&CR Class P loco 27 (Ex BR 31027) runs through the station at Sheffield Park in July 1969, in the first decade of operations on the Bluebell Railway; which celebrates its 60th Anniversary in August 2020. Unfortunately 27 will not be active in the celebration, as it is presently a kit of parts, some old, some, such as the new longitudinal main frames and cylinder block, being brand new. The owning group are seeking funds to complete the rebuild.

Horsted Keynes: A pair of tickets from 15 July 1969 for a return journey between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes, in the first decade of services on the Bluebell Railway that was due to celebrate 60 years operation since opening during August 2020, but coronavirus may put a stop on any activity. It was one of the days out, East, West & South with my girlfriend of 20 months whilst we were holidaying for two weeks in Southsea near her brother and his family. She was very forgiving of my rail visits during the trip, as we went on to be together for 50 years.

Fort William Shed: Type 2s predominate on Fort William shed in the summer of 1970.

Fort William Shed: Looking through the remains of Fort William shed in July 1970.

Fort William [1st]: A Glasgow train leaving Fort William (old) station in the summer of 1970 running alongside Loch Linnhe.

Fort William [1st]: 5390 having just arrived at the old Fort William station on 15 July 1972 with the London sleeper.

Maldon East: Immediately beyond the exit from Maldon East station was a level crossing on a busy main road (the B1018), and beyond that the station signal box. At times of freight shunting, the gates could be shut some considerable time, and it was necessary to provide an underpass for pedestrians and light traffic. Headroom was only 9 feet. This view, recorded 12 years after final closure, shows the underpass, overbridge and derelict signal box before all was swept away for a new roundabout. See image [[26158]]

Maldon West: By the late 1970s, the remains of Maldon West station were well and truly overgrown and only accessible by a circuitous walk. The platforms and goods yard were separated by an under road tunnel, the bricked up northern portal and one of the platforms being visible here. The booking office was located above the portal at road level. The passenger service ended in 1939 and the last traffic passed through in 1959. The trackbed between Maldon West and Maldon East was finally claimed by the A414 town bypass and a roundabout now covers this site.

York: A class 108 dmu standing alongside a class 124 trans-Pennine unit in the old platforms 10 and 11 at York in July 1979. These platforms are currently (2014) numbered 6 and 7 see image [[34776]].

Aviemore Shed: WD 0-6-0ST Austerity no. 48, built by Hunslet in 1943 (works number 2864) on shed at Aviemore, Strathspey Railway, in the summer of 1979.

Saughton: 40049 approaching Saughton junction in July 1981 with a car train heading for Bathgate.

Saughton Junction: 47403 brings an eastbound train past Saughton junction in July 1981.

Saughton Junction: Class 40 no 40049 passing Saughton Junction with cars for Bathgate in the summer of 1981.

Derby: A pair of class 20s led by 20187 passes through Derby station on 15 July 1983.

Toton MPD: A trio of class 56s in the yard at Toton on 15 July 1983, with the main shed in the background.

High Wycombe: A class 115 leaves High Wycombe with a service to Banbury on 15 July 1985.

Cardross: A Glasgow bound service off the West Highland Line passes through Cardross in July 1986.

Bainfield Level Crossing: Class 37 with a train for the West Highland Line approaching Cardross in July 1986.

Crossmyloof: DMU 101 687 calls at Crossmyloof with a Glasgow Central service in July 1998.

Stalham: After closure in 1959, Stalham station became a council roads depot and, after that use ended, it was carefully demolished and rebuilt at Holt to serve the North Norfolk railway. This photo shows the station in July 1990 when in council use. The sign in between the platforms backs up the one on the right. It says 'Do not EVEN THINK about tipping here!' [Ref query 22 August 2018]

Bolitho Viaduct: 37674 on 6S55, the Burngullow to Irvine clay slurry 'silver bullets' at Bolitho, Liskeard on its long journey north in 1990. As can be seen, when the load was light only one loco was used rather then the normal pair of 37s. This was the Sunday working on a very hot day.

Brooklands: Altrincham line EMU 304024 at Brooklands Station in 1991. This was during the period running up to total conversion of the route for Manchester Metro tram operation and linking to the Bury line via Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria stations.

Greenock Central: 303 088, westbound with a Gourock service, calls at Greenock Central in July 1997.

Coxbench: EWS 60001 waits by the former Coxbench station, Derbyshire (closed June 1930) for the crossing gates to be opened before heading up the Denby freight branch to the opencast loading point in July 1997. The mothballed branch was finally lifted during 2012.

Coxbench: The driver of EWS 60001 chats to a colleague operating the level crossing gates on the branch line serving Denby opencast loading point in Derbyshire in July 1997. The roof of the former Coxbench station is visible above the rear of the loco and the leading wagon.

Crianlarich: A West Highland service at Crianlarich in October 1997, with the Oban portion at the front about to be detached. Some of the people on the platform will have nipped out for an oily rag; these opportunities were sometimes announced by the conductor in the days before smoking on the platform was banned.

Dunfermline Town: An Edinburgh service calls at Dunfermline station in July 1999 in charge of a Class 156, not much seen in Fife then or since. The station, which appears to be receiving some attention, was to get the suffix 'Town' a few months later when Dunfermline Queen Margaret opened.

Castle Douglas: The substantial old goods shed at Castle Douglas, seen here in July 2002 put to use by a builders merchant.

Annan: Looking north west from St Johns Road, Annan in 2002, over a railway scene much changed in the previous 25 years. What were substantial goods facilities on both sides of the line here have gone, with the old down yard currently a wasteland, save for a siding terminating at a point where a footpath now gives access to the northbound platform. Beyond the main station building the former up yard is now occupied by commercial premises including a Royal Mail delivery office. The original building that once stood on the down platform has given way to a modern shelter. Annan signal box survives in the background. For the same view in 1955 see image [[31280]].

Annan: Annan Station looking northwest in the summer of 2002. Annan signal box stands in the left background.

Drem Junction: A Waverley - North Berwick train running onto the branch at Drem Junction in July 2005.

Drem Junction: An Edinburgh Waverley - North Berwick train with EWS 90029 at the rear, photographed shortly after leaving the ECML at Drem Junction on 15 July 2005. North Berwick Law stands in the left background.

Drem: EWS 90029 'The Institution of Civil Engineers' pulls away from Drem station on 15 July 2005 with a North Berwick - Edinburgh train.

Prestonpans: 90039 is at the rear of a North Berwick train leaving Prestonpans station in July 2005.

Prestonpans: A train for North Berwick leaving Prestonpans on 15 July 2005 with EWS 90039 at the rear.

Drem Junction: Heading for North Berwick at Drem Junction - July 2005.

Drem: A push-pull operated North Berwick - Edinburgh train arrives at Drem station in July 2005 behind EWS 90029.

Drem Junction: Due to EMU shortages in 2004, the North Berwick line saw the temporary introduction of push-pull services made up of leased EWS Class 90s with spare Virgin Mk3 stock. These trains operated between May 2004 and September 2005. The photograph shows DVT 82120 leading one of the sets onto the branch at Drem Junction on 15 July 2005, with 90029 bringing up the rear.

Carlisle: An old LMS enamel warning sign relating to not trespassing, found on a wall at the end of a street in Carlisle whilst out exploring on 15 July 2005.

Drem Junction: An Edinburgh bound Virgin Voyager passing Drem Junction in July 2005.

Perth: The feeling of 'times past' that seems to radiate from various corners of Perth station.... such as the magnificent old clock outside the former signal box midway along platform 5, seen here in 2006.

Perth: Bay platforms 5&6 at Perth, looking north during a quiet period in July 2006.

Perth: Hole in the wall, Perth 2006, showing the abandoned and overgrown former locomotive stabling area beyond the west wall of Perth station. See image [[1569]]

Perth Princes Street: Having just crossed the River Tay, an afternoon Aberdeen - Glasgow Queen Street service now crosses the A989. The train is about to pass through the remains of the former Perth Princes Street station see image [[9931]] which stands behind the Fergusson Gallery on the left.

Perth Power Box: Perth Signalling Centre, summer 2006.

Perth Princes Street: A down train passing the remains of Perth Princes Street station in the summer of 2006, some forty years after closure. Seen from the west end of the Tay Viaduct. See image [[34217]]

Perth: Perth station entrance 2006.

Tay Viaduct [Perth]: An afternoon Dundee - Glasgow Queen Street service crosses the Tay Viaduct at Perth in July 2006.

Tay Viaduct [Perth]: Glasgow - Dundee service crossing the Tay at Perth, view north in July 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: A southbound HST leaves Waverley platform 7 on 15 July 2007, passing the locomotive bays where work continues, although the 2 previously trapped sleeper locomotives have now been released. See image [[15750]]

Edinburgh Waverley: Ongoing works at Waverley, 15 July 2007.

Edinburgh Waverley: Long lens shot looking west from Waverley Bridge on Sunday 15 July 2007 as a GNER HST, appropriately sporting the name National Galleries of Scotland, leaves platform 19 and disappears under its namesake on its way to Aberdeen.

Edinburgh Waverley: Work continues on the renewal / extension of the west end platforms at Waverley on 15 July 2007 as an Aberdeen bound GNER HST departing from platform 9 enters The Mound tunnel. The advent of full-width electrification here over the following 3 months would put an end to unobstructed views such as this - see [[16993]].

Gleneagles: The wet summer of 2007 is ignored as a 170 heads north through Gleneagles.

Dumgoyne: Blane Valley - sign on the West Highland Way next to site of Dumgoyne Station.

Strathblane: Strathblane on the Blane Valley Line - Brick buttress of long gone road bridge next to site of Strathblane Station.

Strathblane: Blane Valley - Track looking E of Strathblane Station.

Campsie Glen: Blane Valley - Road bridge to Craigend Farm.

Campsie Glen: Blane Valley - Remains of Campsie Glen Station site next to entrance to former Lennox Castle Hospital (LCH).

Campsie Glen: Blane Valley - Bridge for middle entrance access to former Lennox Castle Hospital.

Ballinluig: Southbound service passing under one of the two new flyovers at Ballinluig. To the right of the train the A9 dual carriageway can be seen which now has the national maximum speed limit of 70mph.

Campsie Glen: Blane Valley - Rail section milepost.

Lennoxtown [2nd]: Blane Valley - Road bridge over both Blane Valley line and Glazert Water looking W from site of Lennoxtown Station.

Bathgate LMD: Bathgate update, view west on 15 July 2008.

Longridge (Lancashire): Stone Bridge lies a few hundred yards to the Preston side of the former Longridge terminus see image [[18466]]. The bridge supports a busy roundabout and has been filled in on the far side. The blue plaque, placed by the Longridge Heritage Committee, reads: Stone Bridge. Constructed in 1847 using cast iron girders with brick infill arches to support the road, the bridge spanned the Preston to Longridge Railway. The first steam train to use the line was on the 12th June 1848. The line closed to passenger traffic in June 1930 and goods traffic ceased in October 1967.

Croftfoot: Platform scene at Croftfoot. July 2009.

Burnside: Newton bound 314 212 stands at Burnside on 15 July 2009.

Croftfoot: A Glasgow bound 314 211 approaching Croftfoot station on 15 July.

Burnside: The neat platforms of Burnside station. View west on 15 July 2009.

Burnside: 314 203 approaching Burnside with a service for to Glasgow Central

Livingston North: Electrification masts continue heading west near Livingston North on 15 July 2009.

Haworth: Storming the bank. BR Standard class 4 2-6-4T no 80002 approaching Haworth station with a train on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on 15 July 2010.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: A Blackpool to Liverpool service, formed by 156464, calls at Euxton Balshaw Lane, which reopened in 1998, twenty nine years after it first closed. The original station had four platforms, that were cleared after closure See image [[29820]] but the new station has only slow line platforms, complete with huge access ramps.

Aberdour: The up platform at Aberdour on 15th July 2010. The hanging baskets are a treat.

Damems: 80002 arriving at Damems on a service to Oxenhope on 15 July 2010.

Wrexham General: The former Wrexham & Shropshire Railway servicing facilities at the south end of Wrexham General Station lie unused and returning to nature in July 2011 following the cessation of operations earlier this year. See image [[24908]]

Nuneaton: Ahhh go on... give us a smile! Freightliner 70.001 'Power Haul' shows off its curves as it heads South through Nuneaton station with containers on 15 July 2011.

Wrexham General: Preparatory works underway in connection with a new lift and footbridge alterations to provide step-free access from the ticket office or any other platform to platform 4 at Wrexham General, to right of view. A tortuous journey through the station car park to the main road, across the road bridge, and down the ramp seen beyond the existing footbridge, is the only means of wheeled access to platform 4 at present.

Nuneaton: 'Please stand clear. Fast train approaching.' So reads the display top right at Nuneaton station on 15 July. However, this Southbound DBS 66-hauled container train then pulled up at the platform for a driver change. That's the new man on the left.

Preston (Ribble Branch): Blackpool Council Illuminations have gifted a large number of 3D faces to the Ribble Steam Railway and they are a perfect fit on smokebox doors. They are now used at Friendly Engines Days as seen here on 0-6-0ST Walkden with the locos in service and those in the museum all smiling (or frowning) at the young visitors.

Ribble Steam Railway Workshops: Shunter 08628 was bought by the Ribble Steam Railway with a view to restoration followed by deployment on the Bitumen Tanker trains and passenger services. However, it became clear that repairs would be a long and very expensive process and, as other similar locos in working order were scheduled to arrive, it was stripped for spares and breaking. The former D3795, withdrawn from Bescot in 1999, is seen here inside the RSR running shed for component recovery in July 2012. See image [[52838]]

Bristol Parkway: Freightliner 66530 runs out of the west end throat for platform 4 and adjacent through line at Bristol Parkway with a rake of coal wagons on 15 July 2013.

Bristol Parkway: A failed 66115 stands in the stabling sidings alongside Bristol Parkway on 15 July 2013 awaiting the arrival of a rescue locomotive.

Gowerton: View looking west from the new footbridge along the expanded Gowerton Station in July 2013, with the re-laid up line and rebuilt platform on the right, following re-doubling of the line from near Llanelli to east of Gowerton station. [Ref query 6792]

Gowerton: The new up platform at Gowerton in July 2013, following completion of works to reinstate double track over a five mile section from Llanelli to east of the station. See image [[38112]]

Bletchley: A down Pendolino rushes through Bletchley on a hot Monday evening in July 2013.

Gowerton: The station entrance, ramped footbridge and enlarged car park at the expanded Gowerton Station. Photographed in July 2013 following re-doubling of track from near Llanelli and rebuilding of the formerly derelict up platform. [Ref query 7163]

Wakefield Westgate: The new footbridge at Wakefield Westgate on 15 July, with down side stairway added over the previous week. CrossCountry Voyager 221130 runs in to form the 12.23 service to Plymouth.

Shawfair: Progress at Shawfair on 15 July 2014 - view south towards Sheriffhall.

Arniston Catchpoints: View south at Arniston towards Gorebridge on 15 May 2014, with sleepers awaiting tracklaying.

Gorebridge: Evening scene on 15 July looking south over Gorebridge station site.

Tweenie Hills: This attractively decorated bridge, near Brookfield, is on the former Bridge of Weir Railway. There is a fine surface for cycling on this path. View looks North in July 2014.

Tynehead Junction: Probably the most short-sighted piece of infrastructure on the entire Borders Railway - Overbridge 41 at Cowbraehill between Tynehead and Falahill, looking south on 15th July. Under Transport Scotland's original specification this section of the route would have been double track. Following the cutback from 16 miles to just 9 miles of double track on the railway, this will now be single - and, in the absence of 'passive provision', any future attempt to double here will require complete demolition of the bridge (carrying a farm access road).

Arniston Catchpoints: Track laying imminent at Arniston, between Newtongrange and Gorebridge, looking north towards Lady Victoria on 15th July 2014.

Tynehead: The future double-track solum of the Fushiebridge-Tynehead dynamic loop, looking south at Tynehead station on 15th July. Note the route of the former siding to the east of the line, now used as an access road for contractors, and in the foreground the concrete uprights of the former path to the Down platform (with thanks to Colin Maclean).

Holytown: DRS 68002 with Motherwell - Edinburgh ECS through Holytown on 15 July 2015.

Kilbarchan: This gentleman was doing a fine job of maintaining the cyclepath parallel to the Glasgow to Ayr line on 15th July. Despite being laden with a trailer and a petrol engine powered leaf blower, he overtook my wife and I twice! Mobile Works indeed. View south towards Kilbarchan station.

Rotterdam Centraal: A four car DubbeldeksInterregiomaterieel or Verlengd InterRegio Materieel (DD-VIRM to its friends) about to head west from Rotterdam Central on 15 July 2015.

Howwood: 380104 bustles off from Howwood in the general direction of Ayr in July 2015. We were actually catching a train northwards, as a summer cold (me) and a binding brake (her bike) had reduced our enthusiasm for pedal power.

Rotterdam Centraal: Stadsgewestelijk Materieel 2 set, Plan Y2 no 2943 awaits departure from Rotterdam Centraal on 15 July 2015. The name translates as 'Suburban Equipment'; these units were designed specifically for suburban services between stations short distances apart, with fast acceleration and quick braking capability. They can reach 125km/hr in 72 seconds. This is a second generation set, delivered to NS in 1983, refurbished and updated in 2003-2006 by Bombardier in Denmark.

Wigan North Western: A TransPennine service from Scotland calls at Wigan North Western on 15 July 2015 en route to Manchester Airport. On the right a Northern Electrics stopping service to Liverpool Lime Street awaits its scheduled departure time.

Balloch Pier: Looking south from the Loch Lomond end of the platform at Balloch Pier on 15 July 2015. The platform and former station building both appear to have been well looked after. See image [[22314]]

Balloch: Balloch in July 2015. 320310 couldnt get to Loch Lomond, so it set off back towards Glasgow.

Hest Bank: 46115 Scots Guardsman wheels the empty stock of The Fellsman through a sunny Hest Bank on the 15th July 2015. The train is on the short run from Carnforth to its first pick up point in Lancaster.

Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: DRS 68006 climbs away from Jamestown Viaduct on 15 July with empty stock from the Edinburgh - Cardenden evening service.

Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: Freightliner 66619 coming off Jamestown Viaduct with an Aberdeen - Oxwellmains cement train about to pass 170433 on a northbound service.

Cart Junction: Scene just North West of Cart Junction on the old route to Kilmacolm in July 2015. The bridge was demolished around 2004, some 20 years after closure of the branch. This location looks very rural and peaceful in this view, but it is only a mile or two from the former Linwood car plant. Notice the lamp post to the right of the tall tree - this marks the alignment of the busy A737 road.

Kilbarchan: Light and shade. Looking South on the cycle path parallel to the Glasgow to Ayr line at Kilbarchan in July 2015. See image [[52151]]

Preston: 90037 and 90035 bring the 4M25 Mossend to Daventry container train through Preston on 15 July 2015.

Kilbarchan: The passenger access ramp at Kilbarchan station in 2015. The station closed in 1966 but is on a greenway [[14250]].

Preston: Royal Scot 46115 Scots Guardsman departs south from Preston on 15 July 2015 with The Fellsman railtour bound for Carlisle via Blackburn and Settle.

Preston: DRS locos often appear in pairs and this ecs move on 15 July 2015 from Carlisle to Crewe was no exception. Pure EE traction in this case with a Class 37 and Class 20 passing Preston.

Preston: 46115 Scots Guardsman sets off from Preston on 15 July 2015 with The Fellsman railtour to Carlisle.

Ribble Viaduct [Preston]: Northern 158757 crosses the Ribble Viaduct, on the approach to Preston, with a York to Blackpool North service on 15 July 2015.

Bryn: A Northern Electric service from Wigan to Liverpool on 15 July 2015, formed by one of the refurbished ex-Thameslink Class 319 EMUs, arrives at its first intermediate stop at Bryn.

Ribblehead Viaduct: Class 158 passes over Ribblehead Viaduct in 2015.

Port Talbot Parkway: Took the camera out this morning to see the Chirk Kronospan Colas Rail to Baglan Bay wood train (70806) passing through PT.

Port Talbot Parkway: 66128 heads east through Port Talbot with a Trostre to Margam Yard empties on the up goods line.

Preston: A Network Rail test train stops at Preston just before midnight on 15 July 2016 whilst working from Blackpool to Derby, although not the direct route. The train had run earlier run via Preston, Blackburn, Hellifield, Carnforth, Morecambe (reverse), then back tracking to Blackburn where it travelled to Bolton(reverse) back to Blackburn (reverse) and then Preston (reverse). It finally headed south towards Derby with the overhead line inspection coach having the pantograph raised. What was noticeable was the foliage stuck in the pantograph which it appears to have collected earlier in the journey. The loco on the front for the next part of the journey was Inter City liveried 37254 and Colas liveried 37175 was on the rear.

Rotterdam Centraal: Catering on Rotterdam-Antwerp train. (No trolley here).

Antwerp Central: The triple level Antwerp main station.

Paris Est: TGV and Coradia liner bimode at Paris Est. Bimodes are very much in the news at the moment.

Pleasington: Ex LMS Jubilee no.45690 Leander passes Pleasington nearly an hour late with the return Cumbrian Mountain Express on 15 July 2017. The train was heading to the stop at Farington Jct where Leander was replaced by 86259 for the run back to Euston.

Flåm: Class El 17 no. 2230 at Flåm. The class has been withdrawn from service so, as the loco was parked next to the museum, I presume it is preserved.

Okehampton: Okehampton with a connection from Exeter for Meldon.

Flåm: 18 2243 nears Flåm with a service from Myrdal on the Flamsbana. 18 2254 is on the rear.

Myrdal: EMU 75163 enters Myrdal from Bergen on 15 July 2018. Since that time these units have been repainted in a livery not dissimilar to the current GWR Help green.

Myrdal: EL18 2252 at the Flam branch platform at Myrdal on 15th July 2018.

Flåm: 18 2258 brings up the rear of a train for Myrdal, looking back down the valley to Flåm on 15 July 2018.

Flåm: Spare electric loco 18 2256 outside the engine shed at Flam in July 2018. See image [[35110]] showing predecessor E17 locos, reportedly much less reliable, at the same location a few years earlier.

Wanton Walls Junction: The single track Lothian Lines route from Niddrie North met the NB freight lines from Niddrie West at Wanton Walls Junction. The meeting occurred at the bridge seen here on 15 July 2018. View is north, with the houses in the background standing on the south side of Newcraighall Road. To the left both lines crossed the road on substantial bridges while to the right the combined route continued south towards Monktonhall Junction and the ECML.

Flåm: 18 2243 on the rear of a Myrdal train, climbing away from Flåm. The scene has an Alpine feel, or does the resemblance to the Swiss Re 460 class have a bearing on this. (They are a direct ancestor).

Okehampton: Delightful platform scene at Okehampton. The engine-shed is now a youth hostel.

Niddrie North Junction [Lothian Lines]: The single line between Niddrie North and Wanton Walls Junction see image [[1404]] originally passed through open countryside. Nowadays, in addition to the advent of Brunstane, further housing developments have since taken place. About a third of the way along the route a bridge once crossed the line. Part of the Gilberstoun housing development now occupies this area, with the road through the old formation named Gilberstoun Brig. View is south east along the trackbed towards Wanton Walls Junction on 15 July 2018.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Much activity behind the sheeting surrounding Platforms 2 and 3 at Queen Street during week 3 of the works to extend the tracks by 26m to accommodate 8 coach class 385 trains. The beams supporting the track over the Low Level station are being strengthened as part of the works

House o' Hill Halt: This euphoniously alliterative halt was rather evanescent and has left not a wrack behind. There are no traces of the more substantial Davidson's Mains or Barnton stations either. This useful walkway is a legacy however. The steps in the background are formed of sleepers. It would be nice to think they came from the old line though they probably didn't.

Bamber Bridge: The first steam charter since lockdown, Saphos Trains 'The Fellsman' is seen near Bamber Bridge on 15 July 2020 with 70000 'Britannia' working hard on the climb to Hoghton.

Custom House [DLR]: DLR unit 55 with a service from Tower Gateway to Beckton arriving at Custom House on 15th July 2021. On the right are the as yet unopened Crossrail tracks and station that should have been carrying trains since December 2018. Here, the tracks descend to a brand new tunnel built especially for Crossrail which joins the existing TfL Rail route west of Stratford. However, the Connaught Tunnel to the west of Custom House at Prince Regent, was used by trains to and from North Woolwich until these ceased in 2006 but has been rejuvenated for the Crossrail line.

Locheilside: Black 5 No.45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' races along past Fassfern with 'The Jacobite' for Mallaig on 15th July 2021, which was a mixed day weatherwise and with an awkward breeze for this type of photography..

Hayes Knoll: A country walk in July 2021. The Swindon and Cricklade Railway are slowly but surely extending the railway north from Hayes Knoll towards Cricklade. This is the revamped trackbed, and some of the track components that came from Didcot Power Station that will be used to extend the track.

Loch nan Uamh Viaduct: Black 5 No.45407 crosses Loch nan Uham Viaduct with the morning Jacobite service on 15th July 2021. This picture was something of a disappointment as I had hoped for the same clarity as at Fassfern but the light breeze had other ideas.

Mallaig: Black 5 No.44871, awaits departure time at Mallaig on 15th July 2021.

Hayes Knoll: The S&CR are slowly but surely extending the railway north towards Cricklade. A demolished bridge is in the way so that will be the next terminus for now. Most if not all of the material comes from the dismantled coal fired power station at Didcot. All the internal rail system was declared to be scrap and free to a good home. Apart from the cost of transportation, the S&CR managed to acquire a tidy amount, for the extension and future use.

Leachabhuidh No 79 Tunnel: Black 5 No.44871, with the return working of 'The Jacobite' from Mallaig, pictured passing Essan at the east end of Loch Eilt on 15th July 2021. [Note that No 79 Tunnel is the nearest location in our database, to the east of this point.]

Woolwich Dockyard: Woolwich Dockyard, eastbound platform, seen from a South Eastern service to Cannon Street via Greenwich, on 15th July 2021. This station was also opened with the North Kent Line on 30th July 1849. Only the original walls remain, all the Victorian buildings were demolished circa mid 1970s and replaced by the usual ghastly bus stop style waiting shelters.

Gregson Lane Crossing: LSL's 2+5 HST set with 43058 and 43059, refurbished at Eastleigh in Rail Charter Services livery of green and grey, seen at Gregson Lane on 15 July 2021 with a training run from Crewe to Settle. The train later ran from Settle to Carlisle and back. This HST set will form the majority of the 2021 Staycation Express services which run from 19 July to 09 September.

Gregson Lane Crossing: The LSL 2+5 HST set for this years Staycation Express has been turned out in Rail Charter Services green and grey livery and is seen on a demonstration run at Gregson Lane on 15 July 2021 heading to Settle.

East Ham: The fine LU station at East Ham, looking east towards Barking and Upminster, on 15th July 2021. Originally opened by the LTSR in 1858, BR Southend line trains ceased to call in 1962. The platform on the right was an island with the down Southend line which is now behind the hoarding but the up Southend platform was further apart and separated by a wall. Both are now derelict but passed through every day by fast trains to and from Fenchurch Street. There was also a bay platform on the down side of the LU platform that closed in 1958; until that year, steam trains from St. Pancras via what is now the GOBLIN line ran alternatively to Barking or East Ham, reaching the latter by a spur from Woodgrange Park, now removed.

East Ham: Exterior of East Ham station, east London, on 15th July 2021. This station was originally opened by the LTSR in 1858 and also served by District Line trains from 1902. Southend trains, then under BR Eastern Region control, ceased to call after electrification in 1962, leaving the station with District Line services to and from Upminster and Metropolitan (now the Hammersmith & City) services to and from Barking only. This and the other stations between Bromley-by-Bow and Upminster remained in main line ownership, however, until 1969 (except Barking and Upminster).

Abbey Wood: 376024 at the rear of a South Eastern service to Sidcup departing from Abbey Wood in south-east London, on 15th July 2021. On the left, behind the fence that infuriatingly obscures the view, is the as yet unopened Crossrail terminus. Abbey Wood was originally opened on 30th July 1849 by the North Kent Railway and completely rebuilt and enlarged to cater for Crossrail in the second decade of the 21st Century. In anticipation of the opening of Crossrail in December 2018, the rebuilt National Rail station opened on 23rd October 2017 but there is still no firm date as to when the first Crossrail trains will operate.

Arisaig: The morning and afternoon 'Jacobites' pass each other at Arisaig on 15th July 2021. Black 5s 45407 (nearest the camera) and 44871. The trains are passing at Arisaig this season because the afternoon service now also has seven coaches and the Glenfinnan loop is too short for them to pass there.

Greenwich: 465164 to Cannon Street, departing from Greenwich, on 15th July 2021. The London & Greenwich Railway was London's first, opened between Spa Road and Deptford on 8th February 1836 and extended to a temporary station at Greenwich on 24th December 1838, replaced on 12th April 1840. The station was re-sited on 1st January 1873 with the opening of the extension to Maze Hill as the first stage of closing the gap between Greenwich and the North Kent Line at Charlton which was completed on 1st February 1878. Over 120 years later, it became an interchange with the Lewisham Extension of the DLR (on left) on 20th November 1999, the tracks descending to the tunnel between here and Island Gardens beneath the National Rail station building.

Lancaster: 195121 has just left Lancaster, heading for Manchester Airport with a service from Barrow, and crosses the Lancaster Canal on 15th July 2022.

Wells Harbour [WHR]: In 2021, Wells-next-the-Sea suffered yet another railway closure, this time of the Wells Harbour Railway. This photo, taken on 15th July 2022, shows the former track bed with the only rails remaining set into a crossing. At the time, construction work was underway either end of the mile long harbour wall to provide infrastructure for a replacement electric bus service. The surprise and dismay of unsuspecting holidaymakers arriving for a train ride that day was obvious. Whereas the railway was both an attraction and a service, the bus is just a service. I may be wrong, but I suspect the Wells Harbour Railway is merely taking a break ...

Moy: 66714 'Cromer Lifeboat' and 73966 head south at Moy with the Caledonian Sleeper, in what was the only sunny evening shot of the sleeper that I managed to get in 2022.

Lancaster Basin: Apart from a very short length by the now filled in Kendal Terminus, the only point on the Lancaster Canal where the towpath moves to the east side of the waterway is a short distance in Lancaster between Bridges 98 and 100. This is the 'Changeline' Bridge 98 where a horse travellng northwards would pass under the arch before climbing round over the bridge without needing to unhitch the rope.

Lancaster: Busy scene on the Lancaster Canal just outside the city centre as wide and narrow boats pass by Bridge 98 in July 2022. The crane is now in a garden but is a nice reminder that this area once had numerous wharves and warehouses. Bridge 97 in the background carries the WCML over the canal, just to the south of Lancaster station.