Thornton Shed [2nd]: Gresley K2 2-6-0 No 61787 Loch Quoich at Thornton Junction on 29 July 1958. Built by Kitson & Co at their Leeds works in 1921 the locomotive spent most of its life on the West Highland line before withdrawal by BR in October 1959. Two months later 61787 became one of the 60 plus locomotives cut up by Arnott Young at Old Kilpatrick.

Kittybrewster Shed: BR Standard class 4 no 80114 stands together with ex-LNER class J35 no 64483 alongside the coaling plant at Kittybrewster in July 1958. Kittybrewster shed was closed in June 1961 and subsequently demolished. Local authority offices now occupy the site.

Dundee West Shed: Reid class J37 0-6-0 no 64618 stands with a black 5 alongside the covered coaling dock in Dundee's ex- Caledonian goods yard on 29 July 1958 see image [[20937]]. Both locomotives look ready for the road, with the J37 (which spent most of its life at Thornton Junction) looking exceptionally clean. This has prompted suggestions that it had either been prepared to handle a railtour, or was on its way back to Thornton from a visit to Inverurie works.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: Reid ex-NBR Scott class 4-4-0 no 62442 Simon Glover stands at Thornton in July 1958. Officially withdrawn by BR that year, the locomotive was cut up in February of 1960 at Motherwell Machinery & Scrap, Wishaw.

Aberdeen: Reid ex-NBR 4-4-0 62493 Glen Gloy at the north end of Aberdeen station in July 1958. Withdrawn from 61A Kittybrewster in June 1960, the locomotive met its end at Inverurie works 4 months later.

Kittybrewster Shed: One of a pair of Z4 0-4-2T locomotives built by Manning Wardle for the GNSR and introduced in 1915. Both locomotives spent their operational lives based at Kittybrewster shed, where 68191 was photographed in July 1958.

Aberdeen Guild Street: Guild Street yard, Aberdeen on 29 July 1958. McIntosh 0-6-0T no 56240, built at St Rollox Works in 1898, takes a break from shunting duties. The locomotive was eventually withdrawn from 61B Ferryhill shed in July 1961 and cut up at Inverurie works a short time later.

Craigendoran Pier: Looking east from the pier platform at Craigendoran in July 1959 as class C15 no 67474 prepares to move off with the push-pull train for Arrochar and Tarbet.

Dawsholm Shed: McIntosh 3F no 57612 on shed at Dawsholm in July 1959. The locomotive was later transferred to Grangemouth shed, from which it was eventually withdrawn in 1962.

Hamilton MPD: Standard class 3MT 2-6-0 no 77005 on Hamilton shed in July 1959.

Carstairs Shed: Pickersgill ex-Caledonian 4-4-0 no 54461 stands with other stored locomotives in a siding at Carstairs in the summer of 1959, some 3 months after official withdrawal from 64D. Disposal took place via Motherwell Machinery & Scrap, Wishaw, the following February.

Hamilton MPD: Caley Jumbo 57370 on 66C Hamilton shed in the summer of 1959. McIntosh 0-6-0T no 56256 stands alongside.

Craigendoran Pier: C15 67474 at Craigendoran pier platform in 1959 with the push-pull train to Arrochar and Tarbet. The two C15s fitted for push-pull operations were allocated to Eastfield, with overnight stabling available at the sub shed at Arrochar. This was a servicing area, at the west end of Arrochar and Tarbet station, where facilities included a bothy, stabling road with pit and a siding to accomodate a coal wagon. The C15s were withdrawn in April 1960, and a diesel railbus took over the service, which came to an end in June of 1964. As for the pier platform itself, the last steamer operated from here in 1972, resulting in closure of the platform and demolition of the associated station building in September that year. See image [[29284]]

Helensburgh Upper: First stop on the West Highland line for the Craigendoran - Arrochar push-pull train was Helensburgh Upper. 67474 is seen leaving the station with the northbound service on 29 July 1959.

Motherwell Shed: McIntosh 3F 0-6-0T no 56264 in the shed yard at Motherwell in July 1959. The locomotive was officially withdrawn from here the following October and cut up at Inverurie works the same month.

Saughton: A train approaching Saughton Junction from the north, Edinburgh bound, on 29 July 1959. Locomotive is St Margarets J39 0-6-0 no 64795.

Eastfield Shed: One of the push-pull fitted Reid ex-NB C15s no 67460 at Eastfield in July 1959. The locomotive was used on the Craigendoran - Arrochar service for many years along with classmate 67474 see image [[24286]]. Built by the Yorkshire Engine Co in 1912, withdrawal of both (the last surviving examples) took place in April 1960, at which point a diesel railbus took over the service. Both C15s were cut up at Cowlairs works the following month.

Doncaster: J94 0-6-0ST no 68075 stands alongside A1 Pacific 60130 Kestrel at the south end of Doncaster station in July 1961.

New Cumnock: Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45673 Keppel runs north through New Cumnock on 29 July 1961 at the head of a Birmingham - Glasgow express.

Cumnock [2nd]: General view of Cumnock station looking north on 29 July 1961.

Polquhap Siding: Black 5 no 44880 approaching Polquhap summit on 29 July 1961 with a St Enoch to Leeds express.

Doncaster: A3 Pacific 60063 Isinglass non-stop through Doncaster with a Kings Cross bound ECML service in the summer of 1961.

Doncaster: Gresley class O2 2-8-0 no 63973 with an up goods through Doncaster on 29 July 1961 passes the restaurant car of a Leeds - Kings Cross train standing at the platform.

Doncaster: Colwick based Gresley K3 2-6-0 no 61821 prepares to leave Doncaster for the south in the summer of 1961. The train is the 4.54pm service to March.

Doncaster: 60023 Golden Eagle receives a salute from the driver of 64450 on a passing goods train at the south end of Doncaster station in July 1961 as the A4 is about to run through on the centre road with the 10.00 Kings Cross - Edinburgh Waverley.

Cumnock [2nd]: An up freight from Falkland Yard approaching Cumnock on 29 July 1961. The locomotive in charge is Standard class 5 4-6-0 73123. [Ref query 8 September 2017]

Bank Viaduct: A summer Saturday Blackpool - Glasgow Central express crossing Bank (or Templand) Viaduct, Cumnock, on 29 July 1961 behind Jubilee 45584 North West Frontier.

Auchinleck: A down coal train about to run through Auchinleck station on 29 July 1961. The locomotive is Royal Scot 46121 Highland Light Infantry, City of Glasgow Regiment.

Doncaster: An unidentified A3 Pacific about to bring a down ECML express through Doncaster on 29 July 1961.

Kilmarnock: A fine summer Saturday in July 1961 sees Leeds based 'Peak' D19 arriving at Kilmarnock's platform 3 with the down Thames - Clyde Express.

Doncaster: A DMU leaving Doncaster southbound on 29 July 1961 passes J50 0-6-0Ts 68917 and 68928 standing on the centre road.

Polquhap Siding: 'Peak' type 4 no D11 is about to pass the site of Polquhap siding on 29 July 1961 at the head of a St Enoch - Leeds City train.

Doncaster: A4 Pacific no 60015 Quicksilver stands at Doncaster with an up ECML service in July 1961.

Doncaster: A DMU waiting at the platform at Doncaster in July 1961 alongside Gresley J50 0-6-0T 68928 (with 68917 coupled behind) standing on the centre road.

Doncaster: An unidentified V2 2-6-2 about to run north through Doncaster station on the centre road in the summer of 1961. The train is the 10.10am Kings Cross - Glasgow Queen Street

New Cumnock: A parcels train runs through New Cumnock on 29 July 1961 behind Crab 2-6-0 42831.

Auchinleck: Black 5 no 44886 passing through Auchinleck on 29 July 1961 with a St Enoch - Carlisle service.

Cumnock [2nd]: Kingmoor Black 5 45081 approaching Cumnock from the south in the summer of 1961 at the head of a Glasgow bound express. [Ref query 901]

Doncaster: One of Kings Cross shed's A3 Pacifics, no 60110 Robert the Devil, approaching Doncaster with a train from the south in the summer of 1961.

Auchinleck: Mogul 42739 shunting an up slag train at Auchinleck on 29 July 1961. [Ref query 26 May 2018]

Doncaster: A1 Pacific 60130 Kestrel on an up ECML train at Doncaster, thought to have been taken in July 1961.

Doncaster: K3 2-6-0 61873 stands at Doncaster on 29 July 1961 with a summer Saturday Scarborough - Nottingham Midland train.

Doncaster: An up ECML express rushes south through Doncaster station on 29 July 1961 hauled by A2 Pacific no 60524 Herringbone. Standing at the platform is K3 2-6-0 no 61965 which has recently arrived with the 2.40pm from Hull.

Doncaster: Recently arrived at Doncaster on 29 July 1961 is K3 2-6-0 61965 with the Saturday 2.40pm service from Hull.

Doncaster: An ECML express about to run through Doncaster on Saturday 29 July 1961 on a service from Peterborough (then Peterborough North) to Edinburgh Waverley. The train is hauled by York based A2 Pacific 60515 Sun Stream.

Doncaster: An up ECML service makes a scheduled stop at Doncaster on 29 July 1961. The train is the Saturday 11.55am Newcastle Central - London Kings Cross. Locomotive in charge is A3 Pacific no 60088 Book Law.

Doncaster: Gresley K3 2-6-0 61812 brings empty stock into Doncaster on 29 July 1961.

Doncaster: Class O2 2-8-0 63933 takes an up freight through Doncaster in July 1961.

Stirling: On a summer morning at Stirling, Black 5 44998 comes through non-stop at the head of the Glasgow – Aberdeen “Granite City” express. 29th July 1963.

Mount Pilatus: The summit of the Mount Pilatus rack railway on 29 July 1963. It is easily the steepest railway in Switzerland and an incredible feat of engineering. Note that the trains illustrated are both heading in an upwards direction.

Corkerhill Shed: The shed yard at Corkerhill on 29 July 1963. Jubilee 45622 Nyassaland stands on the left.

Perth: If it is Dewar's it must be Perth. The station pilot on 29th July 1963 was 46460, an Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0

Perth South Shed: View of Perth shed from a passing Glasgow-Inverness train in 1963. A1 Pacific 60161 'North British' was about to move off, and drew in to Perth station next to our Inverness train during its change from steam to diesel. The other locomotives were Black 5 44924 and Caprotti 5 73147.

Polquhap Summit: Class 5 4-6-0 no 45100 with a summer Saturday Scarborough - Glasgow express near the summit at Polquhap on 29 July 1963.

Perth: Headlamps being repositioned after A1 Pacific 60161 'North British' has coupled up to a northbound parcels train at Perth in July 1963.

Polmadie Shed: Royal Scot 46165 The Ranger (12th London Regt.) runs west past Polmadie shed on 29 July 1963 with a train from North Wales.

Interlaken Ost: Two classic BLS electrics at Interlaken Ost station in 1966. On the right is the doyen of the Ae 6/8 class, number 201, dating from 1939. On the left is Ce 4/6 304, dating from the nineteen twenties. The Swiss build to last.

Abington: D1956 south of Abington with colourful train from Liverpool.

Reston [1st]: The 1000 Kings Cross - Edinburgh Waverley passing Reston on 29 July 1967 behind D9010 King's Own Scottish Borderer.

Abington: 70049 south of Abington with the only steam hauled train at the return Glasgow Fair.

Carlisle: A summer Saturday relief Kilmarnock - Blackpool North service about to leave Carlisle on 29 July 1967. Kingmoor's Britannia Pacific no 70012 John of Gaunt has recently taken over the train for the journey south.

Crawford: A pair of EE Type 1 diesel locomotives, with D8122 leading, between Abington and Crawford on 29 July 1967 with a long train of empty stock.

Craigendoran Junction: An NBL Class 29 loco arrives at Craigendoran Jct running wrong line to come and rescue the London to Fort William sleeper. The pair of BRCW Type 2s on the train had developed faults and an EE Type 1 on a freight was unable to move the train. At a time when the NBL engines did not have the best reputation, it was rather pleasing to be successfully rescued by one of these locos.

Craigendoran Junction: Euston, we have a problem... The Fort William sleeper stands in the loop at Craigendoran on the morning of 29 July 1967, following partial failure of a pair of class 27s on the climb north from the junction. The 27s were then joined by a class 20 commandeered from a nearby freight, but their combined efforts still proved insufficient. The photograph shows the trio having detached themselves from the train awaiting the arrival of a rescue locomotive from Eastfield MPD. An NBL type 2 subsequently appeared and eventually took the sleeper on its belated journey north.

Clatchard Craig Quarry: January 2016 marked the 50th anniversary of a major rock fall at Clatchard Craig Newburgh which blocked the Ladybank - Bridge of Earn route as a through line until re-opening on 16th January 1967. During this time Newburgh goods depot was served by a daily shunt from Perth and a run round loop was provided at Clatchard to enable ballast trains access. 25008 passes the site of the rockfall on 29th July 1978 with a Perth - Edinburgh service.

Littleport: 37102 with a train on the Cambridge - Liverpool Street line at Littleport, Cambridgeshire, in the summer of 1981.

Ipswich: 03179 shunts waggons on a quiet summers afternoon at Ipswich station on 29 July 1981.

Ipswich: Strange but true... On 29 July 1981 BR Eastern Region introduced a special discount one-off return fare to anywhere in the UK, for the benefit of anyone who wanted to avoid a certain Royal Wedding that was taking place that day. The 'get away from it' trip chosen in my case was Newcastle - Ipswich. One of the first photographs taken on reaching Ipswich.... 47583, County of Hertfordshire, arriving specially decked out in large logo blue livery, with additional red, white and blue body bands, all applied courtesy of Stratford shed to commemorate... the Royal Wedding!

Ipswich: A class 37 stands alongside a class 101 DMU for Lowestoft at Ipswich on 29 July 1981.

Norwich: 31124 with the 1M67, 1322 service to Birmingham New Street, boarding at Norwich on 29 July 1981.

March: Withdrawn class 306 emus await their fate in the sidings at March on 29 July 1981. Based on an original LNER design the units first saw service in 1949 on the newly electrified Liverpool Street - Shenfield line.

Scarborough: King Arthur class 4-6-0 No.777 'Sir Lamiel' is standing under the famous signal gantry at Scarborough and is about to leave with the 'Scarborough Spa Express' on 29 July 1982. A couple of Peaks can be seen in the background.

Lochend Junction: A pair of triple dmus heading back to Waverley from Meadowbank past Lochend South Junction on 29 July 1986 with a Commonwealth Games rehearsal special.

London Road Junction [Edinburgh]: Unit 116387 heads back to Waverley from Meadowbank stadium over London Road Junction on 29 July 1986 with a Commonwealth Games rehearsal special. See image [[13664]]

Fenchurch Street: Class 302 slamdoor stock at London Fenchurch Street in July 1987 in Network SouthEast markings.

Hayes Knoll: Smart looking 0-4-0ST Merlin operating on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway in July 1990.

Lindores [1st]: 47817 approaches Abdie with a diverted overnight London - Inverness service. Originally constructed with double track throughout most of the Ladybank - Hilton Jctn route was singled in 1933. The exceptions being Newburgh - Glenburnie Jctn and Bridge of Earn - Hilton Jctn which were singled in 1960 and 1972 respectively. 29th July 1990.

Chinnor: Kitson 0-6-0ST No 5459 Austin No 1 with a train in Chinnor Station on 29 July 1996.

Carstairs: Aerial view of Carstairs. The route to Glasgow is to the left, to London to the bottom right, to Edinburgh to the top right and to Dolphinton to the centre right. Also visible is the so-called 'Queens Curve' (actually the original Edinburgh route, replaced when the Dolphinton Branch opened) from the line at the top right to the line at the bottom right. The station is centre left.

Sheffield Park: Bulleid West Country Pacific no 21C123 Blackmore Vale, lined out in Southern Railway colours, photographed at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway on 29 July 2001.

Wemyss Bay: A quiet period at Wemyss Bay in the summer of 2005. Looking back along platforms 1 and 2 towards the station concourse.

Greenock Central: A surviving castellated tower at the north east corner of Greenock Central that once provided part of the support for the former station roof (note the 'slot' in the wall). Photographed in July 2005 looking out across the station's east end bay with another famous Clydeside structure standing on the horizon.

Greenock Central: Echoes from the past. Arches spanning the entrance to Greenock Central from Station Avenue in July 2005.

Wemyss Bay: Star turn. The circular booking office at Wemyss Bay, July 2005.

Greenock Central: A Gourock - Glasgow Central service arriving at Greenock Central in July 2005.

Wemyss Bay: The classic booking office at Wemyss Bay station in July 2005, looking resplendent following a paint job.

Greenock Central: A mid-morning Gourock - Glasgow Central service leaves platform 1 of Greenock Central on 29 July 2005. Note the surviving supporting walls from the original overall roof, complete with castellated turrets at the east end (see image [[21301]]). The old bay platform is to the left.

Paisley Canal: Glasgow Central service waiting at Paisley Canal in July 2005. Looking east from the steps up to the road bridge.

Gourock: Awaiting refurbishment. A sad and neglected looking Gourock station in the summer of 2005.

Gourock: View from the station concourse along platform 1 at Gourock in July 2005.

Greenock Central: A quiet period at Greenock Central - looking west through the station in July 2005 with the abandoned bay on the right. Note the still impressive station walls complete with turrets.

Paisley Canal [1st]: Looking west from the road bridge at Paisley Canal in July 2005 over the original G&SW station.

Paisley Canal [1st]: Lunch 'al fresco' at the old Paisley Canal station in July 2005.

Paisley Canal [1st]: Original G&SW station frontage at Paisley Canal in July 2005. Now an eating and drinking establishment.

Paisley Canal: Train for Glasgow Central at Paisley Canal terminus in July 2005. The original station was on the other side of the roadbridge.

Gourock: View out along the Gourock platforms in 2005 from the station concourse.

Wemyss Bay: Approaching the booking office at Wemyss Bay station along the covered walkway from the pier on a summers morning in 2005.

Greenock Central: Looking across the bay platform at Greenock Central in the summer of 2005 as a train from Glasgow Central arrives at the station en route to Gourock.

Wemyss Bay: General view looking back towards the buffer stops at Wemyss Bay station in July 2005. Photograph taken from platform 1.

Gourock: Interior shot of Gourock station - July 2005.

Wemyss Bay: Looking out from the station concourse, Wemyss Bay, July 2005.

Wemyss Bay: View west across the A78 at Wemyss Bay towards the station and ferry terminal in the summer of 2005.

Woodhall: View across the platforms at Woodhall station early on a Sunday morning in July 2007. Outside the station entrance on Glasgow Road a solitary passenger can be seen utilising the interchange facilities (formerly waiting for a bus).

St Rollox Works: The surviving sidings of St Rollox Works in the summer of 2007, photographed looking south from what was by then the adjacent car park of the Tesco Superstore in St Rollox Business Park. Standing below the gantry crane is DRS 37029. (Addendum: After 163 years and several changes of ownership the works finally closed in July 2019.)

Greenock West: Looking across Inverkip Street at the original 1889 renaissance style station building at Greenock West on 29 July 2007.

Rogart: Part of the Frank Roach collection at Rogart station in July 2007. Items on display include camping coach accommodation marketed through Sleeperzzz.com

Derby: 'Markeaton Lady' looking suitably demure. This image taken on the now-lifted MPLR in 2007.

Cartsdyke: Scene at Cartsdyke station on 29 July 2007 - looking northwest across the tracks to the Glasgow platform.

Cartsdyke: Early Sunday morning at Cartsdyke in July 2007, with a Glasgow bound train pulling away from the station.

Whinhill: View west over Whinhill station from above Cartsburn Tunnel on 29 July 2007, looking towards Wemyss Bay.

Drumfrochar: Entrance to Drumfrochar station on the Wemyss Bay line in July 2007, looking east towards Glasgow.

Fort Matilda: A lone taxi awaits the arrival of an early Sunday morning service from Glasgow in the otherwise deserted (apart from me) station car park at Fort Matilda on 29 July 2007.

Woodhall: Entrance to Woodhall station on the east side of Port Glasgow. View northwest across Glasgow Road (and the Clyde beyond) on Sunday 29 July 2007.

Markeaton Park: Here's looking at you, kid. The driver of 'Markeaton Lady' does his best Humphrey Bogart impression - I hope he didn't think I looked like Lauren Bacall.

Markeaton Park: The 15 inch gauge MPLR operated from 1989 to 2016. It is currently derelict, with some track lifted. 0-4-2T Markeaton Lady now operates on the Evesham Vale Light Railway, where it has been renamed Monty.

Greenock West: The 0923 Gourock - Glasgow Central emerges from the 1.2 mile Newton Street tunnel into Greenock West station on 29 July 2007. Forming part of the 1889 Gourock Extension, the country's longest tunnel runs below Newton Street and beyond, to emerge just east of Fort Matilda station on the western edge of Greenock.

Markeaton Park: 'Markeaton Lady' poses at the Markeaton Park platform in 2007. see image [[60033]]

Greenock West: Looking across Inverkip Street in July 2007 towards Greenock West station, showing the street level building giving access to the lower level platforms. Opened by the Caledonian Railway in 1889 the new station featured '...a very neat and substantial stone building in Renaissance style at street level, with two large and handsome doorways from the booking hall onto Inverkip Street... a stationmasters room, a general waiting room and two first class waiting rooms; one for ladies and one for gentlemen.'

Branchton: Quiet Sunday morning at Branchton on 29 July 2007. View over the station looking towards Wemyss Bay with the A78 off to the right.

Woodhall: Bright and early one Sunday morning in July 2007, ambling across the footbridge at a deserted Woodhall station heading back to the car, with the first scheduled train of the day not due for more than half an hour, when suddenly... SPT liveried 334040 running fast and empty appears from the Gourock direction with an eastbound ecs movement. The Clyde estuary and the hills of Argyll are visible top right.

Inverkeithing East Junction: Westbound 170460 crosses Inverkeithing East Junction on 29 July.

Inverkeithing Central Junction: Almost there - Inverkeithing Central Junction on 29 July.

Branchton: Passengers wait for a delayed Glasgow train at Branchton on 29 July 2007. View west towards Wemyss Bay.

Sighthill West Junction: Part of the new Network Rail West of Scotland Signalling Centre under construction at Cowlairs. Photographed on 29 July 2007 looking south west. Doesn't seem like there's any need for KEEP OUT signs here!

Greenock West: A Sunday morning service to Glasgow Central leaves Greenock West on 29 July 2007, passing below the bridge carrying Inverkip Street over the line.

Sighthill West Junction: Progress on the new Network Rail signalling centre under construction at Cowlairs. View west on 29 July 2007 with the line linking Sighthill and Cowlairs West junctions running parallel with the fence in the foreground.

Fort Matilda: The road approach to the impressive looking 1889 station building at Fort Matilda - now sadly disused. View south on a pleasant July morning in 2007.

Eassie: Former station house at Eassie looking north west. The main line crossed l.r under my feet. A goods yard existed behind the house with numerous sidings.

Nethermill Junction: Dividing bridges approaching Newtyle Junction (off to the right). The nearer carried the line to Ardler Junction and the further away abutment, where the car is, was the line to Alyth Junction.

Kirkinch: Crossing Cottage beside the main Strathmore Line at Kirkinch in 2007.

Fort Matilda: A Glasgow bound train leaves Fort Matilda on 29 July 2007.

St Rollox Works: DRS 37029 standing in the yard at St Rollox Works on 29 July 2007 awaiting attention. (Photographed through the chain-link fence).

Kirkinch: East view of former level crossing at Kirkinch.

Rogart: A service from the far north to Inverness calls at Rogart on 29 July 2007.

Upper Greenock: The bricked up passenger access tunnel that once led to the platforms of Upper Greenock station (closed 1967) photographed on 29 July 2007. A sealed entrance that would probably have made Howard Carter himself curious.

Upper Greenock: At the top of Lynedoch Street stood the island platform station of Upper Greenock, closed by BR in June 1967. Wide view looking south approximately 40 years later, with the bricked up former passenger entrance on the left.

Cartsdyke: Early Sunday morning sunshine over Cartsdyke station on 29 July 2007. View north towards the Clyde.

Stranraer: The Stena Seacat ferry service from Belfast prepares to dock at Stranraer Harbour on 29 July 2008, while a First Scotrail 156 DMU awaits passengers at the station platform.

Kelvin Bridge: Kelvingrove Tunnel entrance blocked off. Tunnel from Kelvinbridge to Stobcross.

Balloch Central: Balloch Central Station, now Tourist Information Offices. View from rear after National Park portacabins removed. The current Balloch station is off to the left on the other side of the former level crossing over the A811 road.

Lubeck: Shortly after leaving Lubeck on 29 July, unit 928 216 accelerates north west bound for Kiel Hauptbahnhof.

Lubeck: Station scene at Lubeck on 29 July 2009.

Huså: This former Post Boat was last seen at Huså on the shores of Kallsjön in Jämtland northern Sweden. The sign on the right has some text explaining how she got there. I offer a translation of the sign without further comment. Viewers can decide for themselves: 'Lisa was built in Dublin at the end of the 19th Century. She arrived by train at Järpen Station accompanied by an English sea captain who brought her across Kallsjön Lake to Sundet. She was transported onwards to Lake Anjan using the aerial ropeway belonging to Verdal Bruk; 'Johnnie Walker' had a hunting lodge on the western side of the lake. She was used mainly to transport hunting guests to the grouse moors on the east side of Lake Anjan. Eventually Berhard Mona from Fäviken received her in exchange for the grouse shooting rights in that area. During her time on Kallsjön she was used, amongst other things, as a Post Boat. The boat was found under a tarpaulin in Björnänge by the Friends of Lisa Society' (Lisas Vänner). As the sign contains some artwork representing someone looking like JW of whisky fame it would probably be in breach of copyright to show it. Note the Saltire and the flag of the 'Republic of Jämtland' on the forestay.

Forton: The first of the Fellsman steam excursions from Lancaster departed in poor weather and is seen here heading south at Cleveley Bank Lane Bridge, Forton, behind Jubilee 4-6-0 5690 Leander. All six tours are reported fully booked for the trips to Carlisle via Preston, Blackburn, Hellifield and the S&C and return by the same route.

York: West Coast Railways no 37 516 awaits its next turn of duty at the south end of York on 29 July 2010.

Accrington: A Northern service from Blackpool North to York calling at the East Lancashire station and former junction at Accrington on 29 July 2010. The view is to the west and the platforms of the line through Helmshore and Haslingden towards Bury and Manchester once stood over to the left.

Accrington: 158794 arrives at Accrington with a Blackpool North to York service on 29 July 2010. The photo looks west towards Blackburn. On the left is a Tesco store under construction on the former route towards Helmshore, Ramsbottom and Bury.

Ayr: The 07.09 from Stranraer runs into Ayr on 29 July 2010. The passage under the bridge to the left used to lead to the south bay platforms, now a car park covers the area.

Grange-over-Sands: A Barrow to Manchester Airport service skirts Morecambe Bay running in to Grange-over-Sands station. 185128 is seen through the window of a cafe that overlooks the line from the promenade car park.

Pleasington: 142048 calls at Pleasington station in the leafy suburbs to the west of Blackburn on 29 July 2010 with a Colne to Blackpool South service.

Gourock: Looking out from the concourse at Gourock on 29 July 2010.

Gourock: Work finally underway on the long-awaited new station at Gourock. Seen here on 29 July 2010.

Gourock: Sunshine on Gourock. With work now underway on the new station, scenes like this will soon become a memory. The 11.23 Gourock - Glasgow Central service bides its time at platform 3 on 29 July 2010. See image [[30014]]

Haverthwaite: Hard to believe that Repulse is one of the battered wrecks that had such a hard life at the Haig and Ladysmith collieries in Whitehaven See image [[26735]]. It was actually bought from the scrapman at the colliery, a last minute rescue in 1975, but has been painstakingly restored and probably finds lifting six MkI coaches up to Lakeside a doddle compared to life at the pit.

Newby Bridge Halt: A train for Lakeside runs in to Newby Bridge Halt on 29 July behind 0-6-0ST Repulse. Summer trains on the LHR can be very busy and the six MkI coaches on this service were well loaded, mainly with passengers on combined tickets that include a cruise on Windermere.

Haverthwaite: Part of the loco shed at Haverthwaite as seen from a train heading for Lakeside. The Class 03 shunter, D2117, was built at Swindon in 1959 and withdrawn from Springs Branch in 1971. It travelled to Ulverston under its own power and from there it went by road to Haverthwaite and has remained on the LHR ever since. The DMU is an ex Calder Valley BRCW Class 110 (without centre trailer), withdrawn from Neville Hill.

Pleasington: Looking west from Pleasington station on 29 July 2010 as 142055 approaches on a Blackpool South - Colne service.

Accrington: A Colne to Blackpool South stopping service in the hands of 142055 has just crossed the Accrington viaduct and is entering the station on 29 July 2010. The former route to Ramsbottom and the south used to follow the line of the newly created footpath on the right. The footpath has been built in connection with the new Tesco superstore.

Burnley Barracks: At the time of my visit in 2010, the platform shelter at Burnley Barracks station did not afford much overhead cover. Fortunately the road bridge did offer good overhead protection, although it could be a bit of a wind tunnel if the wind was from the east! The view westwards along the platform towards Gannow Jct. The fact that this was formerly a double track railway is evidenced by the overgrown disused platform on the right. plus the two sets of smoke deflectors on the overbridge in the middle distance.
See query 2282

Ayr: The 07.30 from Glasgow Central arrives at Ayr on 29 July in persistent drizzle.

Paisley Canal: The 13.07 service from Glasgow Central arrives at Paisley Canal on a sunny 29 July.

Niddrie West Junction: 66154 takes the 'sub' at Niddrie West Junction on 29 July 2011 heading for Portobello. The locomotive had just arrived at the junction via the line on the left from Millerhill / Niddrie South and then reversed! I'm obviously missing something. [2 emails received suggest that the locomotive was being turned on the triangle as a temporary expedient due to a technical problem affecting one of the cabs.]

Millerhill Marshalling Yard [North]: A tracklaying train held at a red light at the north end of Millerhill in the summer of 2011 waiting to enter the yard. The line in the right foreground is the Borders route veering away towards Shawfair, while straight ahead is the trackbed of the former turnback siding once used by trains terminating at Newcraighall station (see [[69016]]).

Millerhill Yard: 66221 brings a tracklaying train into the north end of Millerhill yard on 29 July 2011.

Niddrie West Junction: 66154 crosses from down to up lines at Niddrie West on 29 July 2011 before heading for Portobello as part of a turning manoeuvre on the Millerhill / Niddrie West / Portobello / Millerhill triangle.

Oban: The next train to Glasgow Queen Street enjoying the afternoon sunshine at Oban on 29 July 2011.

Kirkham North Junction: A Northern Class 142 on a Blackpool South to Colne service comes off the branch at Kirkham North Jct on 29 July 2011. The signalbox on the right was demolished in 2017 at the time of the electrification from Preston to Blackpool North after which signalling is controlled from Manchester ROC. The track layout has also been radically changed (rationalised) but Kirkham & Wesham station has gained an extra platform.

Niddrie West Junction: 66154 running between Niddrie West Junction and Portobello on 29 July 2011. The locomotive had arrived at Niddrie West from Millerhill and is thought to be in the process of being turned on the Niddrie/Portobello triangle.

Niddrie West Junction: An unidentified EWS class 66 is about to take coal empties from the Millerhill direction onto the 'sub' at Niddrie West Junction in July 2011.

Cisco [Utah]: A Union Pacific freight passing Cisco, Utah, on 29 July 2013.

Sandside: Another view of the charming, but little known, trackbed footpath heading North from Sandside see image [[44097]]

Lancaster: No shortage of reds and yellows as the 08.38 to Euston coasts into Lancaster on 29th July. I seem to remember from my schooldays that the steel frame on the right is used to train rugby players to scrum down. Nice platelayer's hut standing beyond.

Lancaster: 'We don't often meet here, do we?' Scene at Lancaster station on 29 July 2013. The Voyager on the right, the 19.47 to Birmingham, was on time; but the 19.07 to Glasgow (left) was distinctly late.

Beetham: The footpath from Arnside to Milnthorpe see image [[44097]] comprises three sections without obvious links. On the Southern approach to Sandside your path is blocked by an infilled road overbridge; if you are led along the shore heading north, you have to double back. Still, there's a picnic table to help you relax. PS 12/11/13: the village of Beetham is well to the East of this location.

Arnside: Looking north west towards Arnside signal box and the Kent estuary in July 2013. Here is the junction between the current Cumbrian Coast line and the former line to Hincaster. The builders of these lines would surely have been bemused to know that in the distant future, the only vehicle passing towards Hincaster would have been a personal horseless carriage belonging to the signalman.

Sandside: Remember last summer? This view looks North towards Hincaster in the cutting at Sandside see image [[45282]], recently reopened as a foot or cycle path.

Lancaster: This delightful trackbed path runs from an entrance just below Lancaster station to the site of Green Ayre station. Photographed in July 2013 looking north and slightly east. see image [[31938]]

Crewe: A Northbound Pendolino proudly shows off the Virgin version of blood and custard at Crewe in July 2013. The roof trusses are perhaps more elegant. Drivers must surely be pleased to see everyone standing behind the yellow line as requested.

Lancaster: Unit 156484 is about to form the 08.36 to Morecambe as a northbound Pendolino calls at the main line platforms. I am usually at least 150 miles further South at this time of day - sadly.

Lancaster Green Ayre: Four bridges and an express at Lancaster. A Pendolino can just be seen on the WCML bridge over the River Lune in the background, while the Churchillian salute on the left is a support for the pedestrian Millennium Bridge. The road bridge on the right was formerly the rail bridge for the line from Green Ayre to Morecambe. The fourth bridge is out of shot - I was standing on the curved and rising viaduct carrying the link from Green Ayre to Castle station see image [[19357]].

Inverkeithing: A Dundee - Penzance CrossCountry service leaves Inverkeithing on 29 July.

Inverkeithing South Junction: Northbound 170428 coasts downhill towards Inverkeithing station on 29 July 2013. Maintenance is being carried out in the background on the Rosyth Dockyard branch.

Lancaster: Light and shade looking North at Lancaster on 29th July. The train in platform 1 is the 16.55 to Millom - which station apparently has the highest traffic of any station in the UK, relative to the surrounding population. This anomaly is explained by the proximity of the BNFL plant at Sellafield.

Cisco [Utah]: A Union Pacific freight passing Cisco, Utah, in the summer of 2013. See image [[44380]]

Arnside: Gateway to a slower journey - looking in the opposite direction to the signal box see image [[44929]], a leisurely walk around the bay on the former line to Hincaster awaits explorers.

Crewe: GBRF operated 92043 Debussy, with Eurotunnel markings, emerges from the tunnel under the former 5A Crewe North shed on 29 July with a long rake of STVA empty double deck car carrier wagons.

Sandside: This charming, but short (half mile) footpath heads for the former Milnthorpe viaduct from Sandside, and is North of the footpath around the shoreline starting from Arnside. It is accessed from the B5282 opposite the Shoreline Business Park. See image [[11855]]

Sandside: To the north of the picnic table at Beetham see image [[44918]], there's a cool, shaded cutting featuring a nice stone bridge. View looks North-East towards Sandside village.

Goathland: Lambton 0-6-2 Tank No. 29 approaching Goathland with a NYMR train in July 2014.

Crewe: It does what it says on the tin. DRS 57311 Thunderbird in the stabling siding, opposite platform 12, at the north end of Crewe station whilst on WCML Thunderbird duty on 29 July.

Leeds: View over the west end of Leeds on 29 July sees 158s standing at bay platforms 10, 13 & 17, with a further member of the class running into through platform 8 on the left. Odd man out is the 142 Pacer at Platform 17.

Kingswood Tunnel: 68005 'Defiant' climbs towards Kingswood tunnel with Inverness - Mossend empty containers on 29th July 2014.  Earlier on the same date this loco had made the Class 68 debut on the Highland main line. David Spaven comments: the large majority of containers on the Inverness-Mossend service are actually loaded - typically with board products from the Norbord plant at Dalcross. Back-loading is critical for the rail economics, as indeed it is for road hauliers.

Marylebone: Approach to Marylebone Station on 29 July 2014.

Goathland: Black 5 45428 passing Abbots House Farm, south of Goathland, on 29 July 2014.

Tweedbank: Work in progress on the station site at Tweedbank on 29 July 2014. View towards Galashiels, with the currently closed pathway on the left following the original Waverley route.

Kilnknowe Junction: The northern approach to Galashiels seen from Kilnknowe Place road bridge on 29 July 2014. The houses of Wood Street stand up on the left with the A72 running in parallel just beyond. View towards the point where the Peebles Loop and Waverley route began to diverge. See image [[28518]]

Fenham Hill: Grab shot of the 10.00 Edinburgh-Kings Cross from St Cuthbert's Way, passing Fenham Hill Footpath Crossing 10 miles south of Berwick on 29th July. Walkers wishing to cross the ECML here have the old-world pleasure of using a railway telephone to contact the signaller at Tweedmouth box to request permission. The photographer was asked how many were in the party and 'How long will it take you to cross?' before being given the go-ahead.

Galashiels: The A7 Ladhope Vale at Galashiels (currently closed to northbound traffic) on 29 July 2014. On the left work is in progress on the new interchange, while activity to the right is on the site of the new station. Passenger interchange between buses and trains will be via the currently out-of-use pedestrian crossing. See image [[48198]]

Royal Border Bridge: Looking across Tweedmouth Harbour towards three generations of bridges, with a northbound Voyager crossing the Royal Border Bridge on 29th July. The photographer's great great great grandfather worked as a stonemason on the rail bridge construction in 1849-50.

Manchester Piccadilly: What at first glance might appear to be a super-length Commonwealth Games Special is in fact EMU 350402 entering through platform 15 at Manchester Piccadilly, with the 0900 Manchester Airport - Glasgow Central TransPennine Express service via Wigan, as a Virgin Pendolino runs across behind it into a Piccadilly stop end platform on arrival a few minutes late with the 06.55 ex Euston service.

Selkirk Junction: View north west over the former Selkirk Junction towards Galashiels town centre on 29 July 2014 from the footbridge linking Galafoot Lane and Woodstock Avenue. See image [[50304]]

Crewe: 90043 Freightliner Coatbridge runs north light engine along the avoiding line beside Crewe station on 29 July. The locomotive is about to enter the tunnel under the former 5A Crewe North shed site to join the WCML beyond the Heritage Centre.

High Wycombe: 168107 speeds through High Wycombe on 29 July with an express for Banbury. In the foreground is the former Marlow branch siding with its new platform for terminating services from Marylebone.

Dawlish: A Cross Country HST hurries through Dawlish with a Plymouth to Edinburgh service on 29th July 2015. Power car 43321 brings up the rear as the train passes the platforms where there is much evidence of refurbishment work after the winter storm damage.

Bere Alston: The guard of the 1054 from Plymouth changes the points at Bere Alston allowing the Sprinter to reverse and continue to Calstock and Gunnislake. This ritual has been taking place since 1970 when the old main line was singled and Bere Alston box closed. See image [[13932]]

Cherry Tree: The Fellsman railtour returning to Lancaster on 29 July 2015, with 46115 Scots Guardsman passing through Cherry Tree, heading for Preston.

Bere Alston: FGW Sprinter 150131 waits alongside Bere Alston station building on a Gunnislake to Plymouth service. Behind, while the driver walks to the other end of the train, the guard has to change the points back to the main line.

Calstock Viaduct: Calstock viaduct, striding across the River Tamar, which is 120' below and still tidal at this point. The viaduct is Grade II listed and a Transport Trust Transport Heritage Site being the largest viaduct in Britain constructed entirely of concrete blocks. See image [[52522]]

Ceret: The frontage of the former Ceret station, in the Pyrénées-Orientales area of the Catalan region of south west France. The station stands on the abandoned section, beyond St-Jean-Pla-de-Cort, of the branch that leaves the coast line to Spain near Argeles sur Mer. Track is still in place through to just beyond the station, with an array of weed covered sidings opposite the building.

Teignmouth: First Great Western 43015 speeds through Teignmouth at the head of a Paddington to Penzance express on 29th July 2015.

Calstock Viaduct: View of the famous Calstock viaduct from the left hand window of a Gunnislake bound Sprinter cautiously rounding the approach curve on the Devon side. The Tamar river is the county boundary and Calstock village in Cornwall can be seen on the far side of the bridge.

Newton Abbot: Pacer 143603, on a local service for Paignton, meets a Paddington bound HST at Newton Abbott station. 43009 is leading the London service and, on the far left, another Pacer can just be seen waiting to go forward to Exeter and Exmouth once the express has departed.

Exeter St Davids: Now in Scotland for conversion to a West Highland Active Travel Carriage, this is single unit 153305 on the fueling point at Exeter in July 2015.

Plymouth: View from the west end of Plymouth station, with 43037 ready to depart for Penzance and 150131 in the bay on Gunnislake branch duties for the day. Over on the right, just visible behind the Sprinter, is a 153 unit probably acting as spare for the Cornish branches.

Teignmouth: A FGW Plymouth to Paddington HST hurries through Teignmouth and onto the coastal line to Dawlish and Exeter. The further of the two over bridges seen here features in many lineside photographs at Teignmouth but usually from the sea wall See image [[43852]]

Cherry Tree: A Blackpool South to Colne service, operated by 150138, passes under the A674 road bridge as it enters Cherry Tree station in July 2015. To the right is the fenced off area that formerly led to a small goods shed, now used by a local business [[26646]].

Calstock Viaduct: Looking across Calstock Viaduct from the boarded crossing at the end of the station platform. There is a 15mph restriction on the bridge itself and sharp curves on both approaches See image [[52191]]. Until 1934 a siding ran out from this point along the right hand side of the viaduct to a wagon lift that allowed wagons to be lowered to and lifted from the Tamar quayside.

Cherry Tree: 3-car 158756 comes out of the shadows as the front catches the evening sun at Cherry Tree in July 2015 with a York to Blackpool North service.

Whimple: Grab shot of Whimple station, from a passing Class 159 on the L&SWR main line heading for Exeter in July 2015.
See query 2241

Exeter Central: FGW Sprinter 150263 leaves Exeter Central and immediately begins the steeply graded descent to St. David's station with a service from Exmouth to Barnstaple. The signal box is no longer in use but lingers on alongside the line.

Bere Ferrers: The station at Bere Ferrers, seen from a train on the Gunnislake branch in July 2015. The signal box is part of a small railway heritage centre and was formerly at Pinhoe on the LSWR main line. It carries the name Beer Ferris, which was the station's name until 1897.

Cherry Tree: Northern 142044 arrives at Cherry Tree in July 2015 whilst on a Colne to Blackpool South service. This particular Pacer made its last revenue earning run in September 2019 and was delivered by road to Booths in South Yorkshire for scrapping three months later.

Ceret: Looking across overgrown tracks towards the platform side of the former Ceret station building in 2015, still with name plates on the east end and over the blocked up door from the platform. The building is now in use by a community organisation. Ceret is at the current limit of track on the branch line from Elnes that formerly continued west to Arles-sur-Tech.

Calstock: Quiet interlude at Calstock station in July 2015. The famous viaduct starts immediately beyond the boarded foot crossing at the east end of the platform and some arches can just be seen under the shelter canopy through the legs of the notice board.

Exeter St Davids: FGW Pacer 143611 approaches Exeter St Davids from Paignton and crosses over to Platform 1. From here the unit will reverse and take the left hand tracks up the steep incline to Exeter Central before continuing down the branch to Exmouth.

Calstock: FGW Sprinter 150131 is about to leave Calstock for Gunnislake after dropping off a party of ramblers. The tightly curved platform just accommodated the two coach train, which could be heard climbing the gradient to the branch terminus for a long time after it left this quiet village.

Exeter Central: Looking east over the long platform at Exeter Central, a Paignton to Exmouth service is seen calling on on 29th July 2015. The two car Pacer seems lost in this station and the area of the long lifted through lines emphasises the space between the two platforms. 143611 was withdrawn from service in November 2020, slightly ahead of the last GWR Pacers which succumbed the following month.

Ardlui: This overgrown railway is not abandoned. This is the view south at Ardlui where throughout the station a visit from the weedkiller train might just be due.

Crianlarich: A northbound 37 with stock from Steamtown heads north just south of Crianlarich.

Dumbarton Central: The hanging gardens of Dumbarton. This is the disused eastbound platform at Dumbarton Central viewed from the north west. It was platform 4 at time of track lifting. In the subsequent renumbering the remaining eastbound platform became platform 1.

Arrochar and Tarbet: 66740 heads south with the empties from the Lochaber Smelter in July 2016. Ben Lomond rises in the background.

Braehead Viaduct: The 0944 Glasgow - Inverness service, unusally a Class 158 unit and diverted to start from Glasgow Central due to the Queen Street High Level Tunnel works, is seen passing over the Bargeddie bridges just over a year after the M8 viaduct opened. The temporary embankments used in construction have long gone and the carriageways of the new M8 extension now run under the viaduct. The distinctive steelwork of the beginning of older 'Cutty Sark' bridge can just be seen on the left above the earthworks of the A8 realignment now under construction.

Bristol Temple Meads: A Voyager for Birmingham New Street stops adjacent to the Temple Meads station bar in 2016. Had I not lingered in that bar a bit too long, we could have been half way to Bath. But you can't hurry a good beer.

Lower Crianlarich Junction: At Lower Crianlarich Junction the former C&O remains as a grassy siding, at least not much worse than 10 years ago see image [[9831]]. The name of the location has varied over the years.

Braehead Viaduct: The 1015 Glasgow - Aberdeen service, diverted to start from Glasgow Central due to the Queen Street High Level Tunnel works, passes over the Bargeddie M8 viaduct just over a year after it opened. The temporary embankments used in construction have long gone and the carriageways of the new M8 extension now run under the viaduct. The eagle eyed viewer need have no concern over what appears to be a stowaway in a yellow hi-viz jacket sitting on the rear coupler, he is in fact working on the abutment for the new Bredisholm Road M8 overbridge.

Braehead Viaduct: Partly obscured by the remaining spans of the former Bredisholm Road bridge over the A8, a diverted Class 170 DMU speeds across the Bargeddie Bridges. In the foreground the new alignment for the A8 takes shape; the new section of the M8 will run alongside it, cutting through the present dual carriageway after passing under the new railway viaduct opened in 2015 see image [[46140]].

Stirling: 0948 from Glasgow Queen St to Stirling arriving at its destination.

Manchester Airport (tram): Easy interchange with trains and aircraft is offered at Manchester Airport tram terminus.

Manchester Piccadilly: A recently installed footbridge offers an excellent viewpoint from which to watch the distant wall under Piccadilly station ingesting and ejecting trams. Main line trains can also be seen crossing the grey bridge in the distance.

Musselburgh: ScotRail 380010 arriving at Musselburgh on 29 July 2017 with the 1651 North Berwick - Edinburgh.

Stirling: 1E13 arriving at Stirling with the Inverness to London Kings Cross. Details of the alterations to the station to allow electrification are now at planning approval (see the Heritage Report in particular). The footbridge will be raised and canopies cut back.

Gartsherrie North Junction: A view from the site of Gartsherrie North Junction looking to Gartsherrie South Junction. Gartsherrie South Jct has had some track realignment since 1989 see image [[50822]]. The box closed in 1999, after which the down line (right) became a headshunt for Coatbridge Freightliner Terminal and the up line (left) is a single track from here to Gartcosh Junction.

Gullane: Seen in a garden at Gullane, an unexpected signal.

Garelochhead: 66733 Cambridge PSB enters Garelochhead station with the aluminium tanks from North Blyth to Fort William on the afternoon of 29th July 2017.

Stirling Middle Junction: 1E13 departing from Stirling with the Inverness to London Kings Cross.

Berneray Slipway: View from the passenger area of MV Loch Portain as it nears the Berneray slipway after another crossing of the Sound of Harris on a murky 29th July 2018. This was a much delayed first return crossing of the day due to high winds that morning, which had disrupted many Calmac services.

Leverburgh Pier: MV Loch Portain arrives at the Leverburgh slipway on Harris after negotiating the rocks and islets of the Sound of Harris with the Calmac service from Berneray on grey 29th July 2018. The vessel was specially designed for this shallow and very interesting crossing.

Niddrie West Junction: Normal service restored at Niddrie West following completion of works carried out here over the previous two and a half months in connection with a major subsidence problem see image [[64369]]. About to pass on the reopened direct line to Niddrie South on 29 July 2018 is DB 66080 with the the 0750 Gartsherrie South Jct - Millerhill SS empty ballast working.

Niddrie West Junction: After a long period of engineering works activity around Niddrie West Junction, the men, materials, plant, equipment, temporary accommodation, etc..etc... have all gone. View north west across the site from the footbridge over a scene of peace and tranquility on 29 July 2018. See image [[64867]]

Orsa: A side view of the station building looking rather overgrown; however it is still used. Inlandsbanan AB run summer tourist trains and freight trains and the local heritage railway OJF run passenger trains (railbuses) when the local street music festival, OrsaYran, takes place on Wednesdays in July. The six road roundhouse is seen on the right.

Niddrie West Junction: One useful legacy from the major subsidence work carried out at Niddrie West in recent months is the level crossing on the sub, which now provides flat access from the north into the area within the 'V' of the junction, something which will no doubt be appreciated by future PW teams. Passing on its way back to Millerhill South Sidings on 29 July 2018 is a ballast train returning from Winchburgh Junction. Note the former Niddrie yard has now totally disappeared under another significant housing development, with the houses immediately beyond the train now forming part of Bonnybridge Drive. For the scene in 1971 see image [[4546]].

Niddrie West Junction: The 0750 Gartsherrie South Jct - Millerhill SS return ballast working eastbound on the section between Niddrie West and Niddrie South on 29 July 2018. The line had recently reopened following a lengthy closure due to a major subsidence problem. Signs of the remedial work carried out can be clearly seen alongside the third vehicle of the train.

East Fortune: Probably the slightly late running 11 30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh viewed from the Museum of Flight at East Fortune.

Sizewell Loading Point: A profusion of instructions confront drivers leaving the Sizewell loading point for the run to Saxmundham Junction. Professional railway staff might be offended by one of the notices. This view looks towards Leiston and Saxmundham on 29th July 2019.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The slightly delayed 1113 from Edinburgh arrives at the newly reopened extended platform 3 at Glasgow Queen Street on 29th July 3019. This train had 7 coaches although platform 3 can now accommodate 8 coach trains.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The new frontage revealed from within Queen Street station.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The newly extended platforms 3 and 4 at Queen Street. But only 158s were using them when I arrived.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: 4 coach units 385113 and 385111, together forming the 8 coach 1100 Queen Street to Edinburgh service on the day (29th July 2019) that platforms 2 and 3 reopened to traffic after being extended to accommodate such trains.

Morningside Road: Morningside Road station closed in 1962. The old booking office is To Let in 2019.

Snape Goods: This is the view along one of the roads inside the Snape Maltings complex, looking towards the arch through which railway wagons were brought from Snape Goods station right up to the branch closure in 1960. J15 GER 0-6-0s worked the lightly constructed Snape Goods branch but only horses were used in the Maltings. 29th July 2019.

Clapham Junction: 378148, with a London Overground service from Highbury & Islington via Surrey Quays, arriving at Clapham Junction on 23rd May 2015. The headboard reflected the recent introduction of new carriages taking all the 378s from three or four carriages to five per train.

Leiston: Looking towards Aldeburgh in July 2019 from the level crossing at Leiston, with the station just behind the camera. The line continues for a mile or so terminating at the Sizewell loading point. Aldeburgh itself is gone without trace underneath a housing development.

Leiston: Leiston station, on the Aldeburgh branch, closed to passengers in 1966. Freight to Aldeburgh also ceased but the line was retained to serve the Sizewell Loading Point, just beyond Leiston, for nuclear flask traffic. This is Leiston station, looking towards Saxmundham Junction from the level crossing. The branch appears to be unused at the moment but in a good state of repair. Its future depends to a large extent on whether Sizewell 'C' power station is built, in which case construction trains are likely to run as well as future nuclear fuel loads.
See query 2138

Thorpeness: Passenger services on the Aldeburgh branch commenced in 1859 but the intermediate station at Thorpeness didn't open until 1914. The excellent Disused Stations website shows old Great Eastern coach bodies being used as station buildings Thorpeness link. These were probably intended to be temporary structures but in fact lasted until the line closed in 1966. At first glance there doesn't appear to be any infrastructure left at the station site other than a large overgrown mound where the platform was. However, searching through the undergrowth I found these concrete beams, which presumably supported those old coaches for the fifty years they were in use.

Sizewell Loading Point: The nuclear flask loading point at Sizewell, about one mile east of disused Leiston station, viewed from the level crossing on 29th July 2019. This is now the end of the branch from Saxmundham but prior to 1966 passenger trains continued beyond here to Aldeburgh. The facility is effectively mothballed at present but ready to receive traffic for Sizewell 'B', and the proposed new 'C' power station, should it be required.

Macbie Hill: View north along the trackbed of the LL&D from Macbie Hill towards Leadburn on 29 July 2020, with the remains of the station behind the camera (see [[39576]]). Although the Leadburn - Dolphinton route closed in 1933, the section between Broomlee (West Linton) and the junction with the Peebles Loop at Leadburn was brought back into use by the War Department to serve what became RNAD Leadburn during WW2. This 6 mile 'branch' was not officially closed again until 1960. Several of the surviving buildings once used to store munitions along the route can just be made out in the centre background. See [[52120]]

Springs Branch Shed: Class 769 EDMUs numbers 450 and 458 sit on the new servicing sidings at Springs Branch, Wigan on 29th July 2020. This part of the depot is on the trackbed of the former line to Wigan Wagon Works and a number of other industrial sites. Photo taken from the filled in bridge carrying the A573 Warrington Road over the trackbed.

Kenyon Junction: There is very little to see at the former Kenyon Junction. The station closed in 1961, while the junction went with the Leigh line in 1969, but the original inter-city line, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway does continue in use. The view is west and the platforms were where the green stone crusher is on the right. The junction was west facing with the line heading to Pennington and Leigh.

Glazebury and Bury Lane: Looking north along the A574 Warrington Road, at the site of Glazebury and Bury Lane, on the L&MR. The platforms were staggered on either side of the bridge, the Manchester platform on the left and Liverpool one on the right. No trace remains of the station, which closed in 1958, but The Glazebury public house on the right was shown as the Chat Moss Hotel on the OS 25 inch map from 1907 on the NLS website. Unfortunately the trains seemed to pass when I was inside enjoying an excellent meal.

Springs Branch Junction: DRS 88010 'Aurora' passes Springs Branch on 29th July 2020 while working the 4S44 Daventry to Mossend intermodal service.

Woodacre Crossing: Avanti vinyls are being applied to the Pendolino fleet, but in quite a lot of cases only to the driving cars so far, although this still really improves the appearance from the unliveried sets. 390141 heads south at Woodacre, alongside yet another stretch of new green palisade fencing, on 29th July 2020. This installation was probably inevitable after livestock strayed onto the line the previous summer. See image [[70120]].

Aberdour: An Aberdeen-bound Azuma passes through Aberdour on 29th July 2020. It will be travelling at line speed which on this stretch is not great. The geology which obliges the line to hug the coast has, just as inconsiderately, not arranged for the coast to be a straight line.

Pyle: 'Britannia' 70000, in the disguise of 70022 'Tornado', made a visit to South Wales on 29th July 2020, hauling The Red Dragon from Bristol Temple Meads to Carmarthen. Here seen passing at speed down Stormy Bank through Pyle station with D1935 on the rear.

Springs Branch Junction: 769448 moves around the servicing facility at Springs Branch on 29 July 2020. If you look very closely you will see that the pantograph is down so it was moving under diesel power. Hopefully they will be able to enter service with Northern very soon.

Margam Moors Junction: 'Britannia' 70000, in the disguise of 70022 'Tornado', climbing Stormy Bank passing Margam Moors Junction on the return leg of 'The Red Dragon' excursion from Bristol Temple Meads to Carmarthen on 29th July 2020.

Haymarket: A ScotRail HST for Aberdeen pulls out of Haymarket on 29th July 2020; next stop Leuchars. The set numbers on the front are so small as to be almost token. Only for the benefit of depot staff, perhaps?

Haymarket: A ScotRail HST pulls into its penultimate stop on 29th July 2020. I didn't notice the driver's wave at the time so that's my card marked. The set is wearing a facemask, something which would be hard to recognise a matter of months ago. To be honest it's not that obvious now and looks more like a nappy.

Kirkcaldy: A semi-fast service for Edinburgh calls at Kirkcaldy on 29th July 2020. The emergency timetable in operation at the time left Fife services fairly unaffected (outwith peaks, anyway) and there were still four trains an hour each way here.

Haymarket: An incoming service from the Fife Lines approached Haymarket on 29th July 2020.

Haymarket: A Glasgow Central stopping service calls at Haymarket on 29th July 2020.

Aberdour: A Fife Circle service calls at Aberdour on 29th July 2020.

Kirkcaldy: A Fife Circle service calls at Kirkcaldy on 29th July 2020. The telegraph pole is a survivor from another age of communications.

Saughton Junction: A couple of spotters look on as a Glasgow to Edinburgh service recovers from a signal slow on 29 July 2021. Photographed from the tram bridge which is the only one to have a public path along it. Seems generous when there is already a nearby footbridge but I'm not complaining.

Carlisle: You don't see a HST in Carlisle every day - especially on platform 6. Having waited on the Up line outside the station for a 158 to Leeds to clear the platform, 43058 leads the 'Staycation Express' into Citadel. The unit on the right is for the Cumbrian Coast line.

Balloch Pier: 'PS Maid of the Loch' out of the water for inspection on the slip at Balloch Pier in July 2021. The pier and former station are just beyond.

Morgongåva: The older style Upptåget arrives on its way to Sala from Uppsala. These units were, until late 2019, also used on the route north from Uppsala when they were gradually replaced by the newer Stadler double deckers see image [[74451]]. The northern mainline is still mainly single track with passing loops at some stations and recently lengthened 775m freight loops. Upptåget and longer-distance SJ passenger services cannot be run more frequently without major loop-building and resignalling. The modern name for the line is Dalabanan. The minimal shelters are fairly typical of recently (re)built Swedish stations. The village place-name means Morning Gift which is what it was at one time.

Carlisle: Its not every day you see a palindromic locomotive. 66066 runs light engine from Carlisle to Crewe through Citadel Station on 29th July 2021.

Gort: Gort station, on the Irish Western Rail Corridor, looking north with a train for Galway ready to depart on 29th July 2021. The train is formed of a Class 2800 Arrow unit, originally fitted with gangways but now sealed up.

Canada Water: Canada Water, opened with the Jubilee Line Extension from North Greenwich to Bermondsey on 17th September 1999, looking towards Stanmore, on 29th July 2021. This immediately became an interchange with the new Underground (now London Overground) station, opened one month earlier. A train on a short working to Wembley Park can be seen behind the platform doors.

Penge West: View north from the footbridge at Penge West with 700101 on a Thameslink service to Cambridge or Peterborough speeding past on 29th July 2021. This station was opened as Penge by the London & Croydon Railway in 1839 but closed in 1841. It was reopened on 1st July 1863 by the LB&SCR (that had absorbed the London & Croydon) and on the same date, the LC&DR opened their line through Penge with a totally separate station at Penge Lane. Penge was renamed Penge West and Penge Lane renamed Penge East on 9th July 1923 by the Southern Railway that had taken over both lines and stations following its formation at the Grouping on 1st January 1923.

Balloch Pier: The starboard paddle wheel of the 'PS Maid of the Loch', out of the water on the slip at Balloch Pier in July 2021.

Penge West: Exterior of Penge West, opened 1839, closed 1841, reopened 1863, on 29th July 2021. This station building was severely damaged by arsonists in 2005 and limited facilities were in use until the summer of 2006 when rebuilding began, completed in December of the same year. The station is served by National Rail Southern services and, since 9th December 2012, London Overground services when the station was handed over to TfL control.

Herne Hill: Herne Hill, looking south-east on 29th July 2021. This was opened by the LCDR on 25th August 1862 as a temporary terminus from Victoria before extension to Beckenham Junction on 1st July 1863. On 6th October 1863, Herne Hill became the junction for the City Extension branch as far as Elephant & Castle and on 1st January 1869, a spur was opened south to Tulse Hill, connecting with the LBSCRs Peckham Rye to Sutton line of 1868. Following reopening of the tunnel between Blackfriars and Farringdon in 1988, Thameslink services now operate through here, serving the outer edges of the two island platforms with trains on the line from Victoria towards Beckenham Junction serving the inner edges, allowing cross-platform interchange. The grandiose Victorian street level entrance building has been a Grade II Listed Structure since 1998.

Prince Regent: Class 345 unit, on Crossrail test run to Paddington, heading away from the camera as it passes the Docklands Light Railway's Prince Regent station on 29th July 2021. Crossrail trains here use a section of the old North Woolwich line, including the Connaught Tunnel, that had closed in 2006 and from which this train has just emerged. See image [[18422]] taken here in 2008.

Bedale: Bedale station, from the road side, in July 2021.

Limerick: Following removal of the car park in front of Limerick station a few years ago the building now faces on to an attractive open pedestrian area. On 29th July 2021 it was devoid of pedestrians due to the rain. The official name of the terminus is Limerick Colbert.

Balloch Pier: A broadside view of 'PS Maid of the Loch', on the slip at Balloch Pier in July 2021.

High Morlaggan Railway Cottage: A Highland Explorer heads south above Loch Long, before the turn into Glen Douglas. Appropriately the dirt track to the right of the train is the route of the Three Lochs Way, popular with walkers and cyclists. This portion of the route runs between Garelochhead and Arrochar. At Garelochhead the route is far above the station. It is more easily accessed at Helensburgh Upper. (See https://threelochsway.co.uk )

Athenry: A Limerick to Galway train has just come off the Limerick line at Athenry in July 2021. Here it will reverse and head west to Galway. Meanwhile, the Galway to Limerick train on the left waits to depart south once the line is clear.

Prince Regent: Class 345, on a Crossrail test run to Paddington, emerging from the rehabilitated Connaught Tunnel, closed in 2006 when North Woolwich trains were withdrawn, at Prince Regent on 29th July 2021. The DLR is on the right but Crossrail trains, delayed for nearly three years, will not stop here when the line does eventually open but the lines will interchange half a mile further on to the west at Custom House station, where a brand new Crossrail station has been built on the site of the one closed in 2006.

High Morlaggan Railway Cottage: The loaded North Blyth to Lochaber Smelter train is seen running about 25 minutes early above Loch Long.

Balloch Pier: The port bow of 'PS Maid of the Loch' with the vessel on the slip at Balloch Pier in July 2021.

Haymarket: A service from the Cumbernauld line (probably) approaches Haymarket on 29 July 2021.

Edinburgh Park: Edinburgh Park (with its puzzling logo which suggests that it is falling down) is at last expanding south to meet its station - bottom centre - and this large hoarding shows an artist's impression of things to come. 'Cultural quarter' is pushing it a bit, though a temporary tent-like building is serving as an extra concert venue during the pandemic.

Balloch Pier: The stern and rudder of the 'PS Maid of the Loch', viewed from the starboard side.

Inverness: Barrel train 'Not to be Moved' at Inverness in July 2022.

Floriston Level Crossing: Chance encounter. A brief stop at Floriston, while heading north on 29th July 2022, saw 43049 leading the 'Midland Pullman' on an ecs working from Crewe to Dundee. Just out of sight behind the trailing power car was 70815, waiting to emerge onto the main line for a light engine move to Millerhill.