Partick Central: C.R 0.6.0s crossing the River Kelvin at Partick Central. 57472 on Rutherglen - Balloch train.

Partick Central: 42143 passing Partick Central on a Rutherglen - Balloch train in the summer of 1957. View is east with the River Kelvin on the right and the station building on Benalder Street visible above the locomotive.

Tweedmouth: J72 0-6-0 no 68682 of 52D shunts at the south end of Tweedmouth station in August 1957.

Joppa [2nd]: The down 'Flying Scotsman' passing Joppa on 6 August 1959. A3 Pacific no 60060 The Tetrarch.

Voss: Norwegian Railways 4-8-0 No 402 is at Voss on 6 August 1959 and about to take its train of fairly ancient vehicles on the uphill journey to Mjolfjell on the route to Oslo.

Joppa [2nd]: An eastbound stopping train, thought to be a Dunbar local, photographed at Joppa station on 6 August 1959 behind St Margarets V3 no 67670.

Voss: In 1959, trains were diesel hauled from Oslo to Voss, and the journey onwards to Bergen was under the wires. On 6 August, Norwegian Railways diesel loco No 3617 has just come off an Oslo train at Voss, and is about to be replaced by electric loco No 112080 which will take it on to Bergen.

Joppa [2nd]: Gresley A3 60078 Night Hawk heading back to the north east late one afternoon in the summer of 1959. The Pacific is at the head of an ECML service from Waverley photographed passing through Joppa.

Joppa [2nd]: A2 Pacific no 60512 Steady Aim gets into its stride passing Joppa with a southbound ECML working on an overcast afternoon in August 1959.

Dalrymple Junction: Class 2P 4-4-0 40595 photographed at Dalrymple Junction on 6 August 1960 with a Dalmellington - Ayr train. [Ref query 2625]

Maybole: A sunny morning at Maybole, looking south along the platforms in the summer of 1960.

Belmont Level Crossing: Horwich Mogul 42805 with a Girvan to Glasgow summer Saturday relief service about to pass over Belmont level crossing on the southern approach to Ayr station on 6 August 1960.
See query 2274

Dailly: A Swindon DMU on a Girvan - Glasgow service photographed near Dailly on 6 August 1960. [Ref query 1072]

Belmont Level Crossing: Horwich Mogul 42745 passing Belmont level crossing, south of Ayr station, on 6 August 1960. The train is a summer Saturday Heads of Ayr - Newcastle Central service.

Maybole: Black 5 45036 pilots Standard 73100 at Maybole on 6 August 1960 with a Stranraer Harbour - Glasgow boat train.

Barrow-in-Furness Shed: 42401 stands alongside 42432 in the shed yard at Barrow in the summer of 1960.

Kilkerran: Ex-Caledonian 0-6-0 57633 heading north towards Ayr with the Girvan goods on 6 August 1960. The train is leaving 'Ben's Cut' in the Girvan Valley and is about to pass Kilkerran's down distant signal. [Ref query 4839]

Abermule: A smile from the signalman at Abermule on 6 August 1960. A tragic 'misunderstanding' between staff at this station some 39 years earlier led to a single line head-on collision resulting in 17 fatalities. [Ref query 8091]

Belmont Level Crossing: One of Ayr shed's Crab 2-6-0s no 42917 climbing towards Belmont Road level crossing to the south of the town on 6 August 1960. The lengthy train is made up of empty stock for a summer Saturday holiday special on its way to Heads of Ayr.
See query 2198

Alloway: LMS 2P 4-4-0 40595 near Alloway on 6 August 1960 with a train for Heads of Ayr. [Ref query 9615]

Capenoch Signal Box: Horwich Mogul 42805 leaving the '[[Marl Hole]]' south of Maybole on Saturday 6 August 1960 with a train of empty stock destined for Girvan.

Dalrymple: BR Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73121 with a Glasgow - Stranraer express near Dalrymple on 6 August 1960.

Maybole: A double headed Stranraer Harbour - Glasgow St Enoch train photographed at Maybole in the summer of 1960. The locomotives are ex-LMS and BR class 5s 45036 and 73100.

Belmont Level Crossing: Ex-Caledonian 0-6-0 57633 near Belmont level crossing, Ayr, in the summer of 1960, climbing with an up Girvan goods. [Ref query 603].

Dalrymple Junction: A Park Royal Railbus passing south through Dalrymple Junction on 6 August 1960 on its way from Kilmarnock to Dalmellington.

Newtonmore: A pair of Derby Type 2s in original BR livery heading south from Newtonmore with the 3.40 pm train ex-Inverness on 6th August 1961.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Standard 9F 2-10-0 92011, in ex-works condition at Carlisle Kingmoor in August 1965.

Stainton Junction: A 1965 photograph of V2 60844 setting off on the Waverley Route with a northbound freight. The train is crossing the bridge over the West Coast main line, just north of Carlisle Kingmoor depot.

Crown Street Goods: This shot turned into something of a panorama of the southern approaches to Carlisle, as they stood in 1965, but I can't say it was planned as such. Walking along the road towards Upperby, I suddenly caught sight of a freight coming off the Settle & Carlisle route behind one of the last two surviving Royal Scots, number 46140 'The King's Royal Rifle Corps'. So it was just a matter of pointing the camera quickly in the direction of the locomotive before it disappeared below the bridge below the West Coast main line.

Kirkconnel: The 1325 Glasgow - Morecambe, photographed on 6th August 1966 near Kirkconnel behind a pair of Black 5s.

Kirkconnel: A Peak arrives at Kirconnel with the down Thames - Clyde Express on 6 August 1966.

Kirkconnel: A down Thames - Clyde Express Saturday relief working runs into Kirkconnel station on 6 August 1966 behind a Peak type 4 locomotive.

Kirkconnel: The 0925 Blackpool - Glasgow of 6 August 1966 behind Black 5 no 44778 which seems to be a Blackpool locomotive (24E) seen just north of Kirkconnel.

Kirkconnel: Black 5 no 44862 takes a southbound train through Kirkconnel on 6 August 1966.

Kings Cross: The hive of activity that was 'Kings Cross Loco', the stabling and fuelling point squeezed into the area between the end of the platforms and Gasworks Tunnel. The location is seen here on 6 August 1968 with (Left to Right) Brush Type 4s D1531, D1542 and D1556 amongst those making use of the facilities that day.

Kings Cross: An ECML arrival at Kings Cross in 1968 with a busy 'Kings Cross Loco' in the background.

Paddington: 'Pardod by dose...' a depressed looking class 251 DMU set, with modified front-end, stands at Paddington with the Bristol Pullman in August 1969.

Carrbridge: 40117 brings a southbound train into Carrbridge on 6 August 1980.

North Shields: The 1890 NER station at North Shields on 6 August 1980, just 5 days before the station was closed for refurbishment and electrification in connection with the Metro project. The new North Shields was reopened as part of the Tyne & Wear PTE Metro system on 14 November 1982. See image [[2271]]

Kyle of Lochalsh: 26044 shunts at Kyle of Lochalsh. 6th August 1981.

Abington: A Class 86 heads north with a service to Glasgow near to Abington in August 1994.

Beattock: D1962 'Captain Peter Manisty RN' heading north through Beattock in the summer of 1994 hauling the stock of The Royal Scotsman.

Beattock: 47773 with a headboard 'The Capital Express' heads south at Beattock with a rake of maroon Mk1 coaches on 06 August 1994. The yellow BR vans add a bit of colour to the shot on what was a rather dull day.

Bugle: An InterCity HST calls at Bugle on Cornwall's Atlantic Coast Line to Newquay in the summer of 1994.

Beattock: Southbound WCML express at Beattock in August 1994.

Beattock: A class 87 locomotive brings up the rear of a WCML service heading south through the remains of Beattock station in August 1994.

Goonbarrow Junction: A summer Saturday HST service on the Newquay branch at Goonbarrow Junction signal box in August 1994.
See query 2252

Llangollen: Former BR 3F Jinty 47298 in steam in Llangollen engine shed yard during shunting duties in August 1997. Standard 76079 is alongside being propelled towards the shed on the adjacent line. See image [[50866]]

Carrog: Derby Works 1944 built Stanier Black 5 4806 at Carrog Station in August 1997, getting ready to depart for Llangollen. The locomotive carries its original LMS livery and number. Like BR Standard 4MT 76079 this loco has since been bought by, and moved to, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where, as at April 2015, it is undergoing a major overhaul.

Llangollen: Drewry designed class 03 0-6-0 diesel shunter D2162 stabled in the sidings alongside Llangollen engine shed in August 1997. The cabside carries the legend Birkenhead South 1879 - 1985. The loco is owned by Wirral Borough Council, and is on long term loan to the Llangollen Railway

Carrog: Stanier Black 5 44806 readies for departure to Llangollen from the recently re-opened Carrog Station on 6 August 1997. The loco was later sold on to the North Yorks Moors Railway, who in late 2019 had need to sell it on due to the need to gain funds to cover its 10 year overhaul; and the long delay to that starting. Work had just started on stripping down the loco, which was bought in early 2020 by Peter Best owner of USAC S160 No. 2253 ‘Omaha’, when Covid-19 lockdown came in April 2020.

Llangollen: BR Standard 4MT 76079 and former National Coal Board operated North British built ex GWR Collett Pannier Tank 7754 being propelled towards Llangollen shed by an ex Pilkington Glass diesel shunter in August 1997. 76079 is now owned by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and returned to traffic after heavy overhaul in late November 2014 see image [[49644]].

Duffryn: Looking Southwest down the Afan Valley in August 2002 with the trackbed of the Rhonnda and Swansea Bay line curving between the road and the river.

Pontrhydyfen: The village of Pontrhydyfen in the Afan Valley has two viaducts. The nearest structure shown here was an aqueduct, but visible through the arch is the abutment of the viaduct that carried the Rhondda and Swansea Bay line. Pontrhydyfen is also the birthplace of Richard Burton.

Pontrhydyfen: The viaduct at Pontrhydyfen that carried the Port Talbot Railway to Tonmawr. See image [[49927]]

Blackford Hill: Westbound coal empties destined for Ravenstruther seen shortly after passing Blackford Hill on the Edinburgh sub in August 2006. EWS 66163 is about to run below Oswald Road bridge heading for Morningside.

Blackford Hill: EWS 66021 eastbound on the Edinburgh sub between Morningside and Blackford Hill in August 2006 with the Dalziel-Lackenby steel empties.

Pomathorn Halt: A former crossing - keepers box, originally located at the south end of Pomathorn station (closed 1962), now relocated halfway along the platform and in use as a garden shed in August 2006. The corner of the former station house can be seen on the right.

Pomathorn Halt: Interesting ornamental plant container attached to the wall of a house near the former Pomathorn station, Penicuik, in August 2006.

Inverness: 158721 at Inverness on 6 August awaiting its next turn of duty

Inverness: This plaque was brought from a viaduct over the Spey at Dalvey ([[Boat o' Brig Viaduct]]) and commemorates the completion of the line between Nairn and Keith, completing the link to London from Inverness. The plaque is now displayed at Inverness station.

Inverness: This plaque was brought from a viaduct over the Spey at Dalvey ([[Boat o' Brig Viaduct]]) and commemorates the completion of the line between Nairn and Keith, showing the names of the directors of the Inverness & Aberdeen Junction Railway. The plaque is now displayed at Inverness station.

Glasson Dock: There used to be sidings here alongside the Glasson Dock, Lancaster Canal basin and they continued beyond the trees to the dock itself See image [[66272]] for an old map of the dock area. Shortly before closure in 1964 Fowler 2-6-4T 42301 from Lancaster Green Ayre shed was brought down with the branch goods for scrapping by shipbreakers but this was a one off event. The dock itself continues to be busy with commercial shipping, including a daily freight service to the Isle of Man, hence the cranes that can be seen.

Dalgety Bay: The 1Z36 Northern Belle from London Kings Cross to Inverness, hauled by 47790 'Galloway Princess' + 47818 climbs away from Dalgety Bay on 6 August running about 50 minutes late because of weather-related problems on the ECML.

Dalgety Bay: The 14.50 Aberdeen - Kings Cross 'East Coast' service passing the down Northern Belle near Dalgety Bay on 6 August 2011. See image [[35165]]

Woodacre Crossing: 45305 was back in charge of the Cumbrian Mountain Express again on 6th August 2011. Running around fifteen minutes early the Black 5 is seen heading north on the approach to the former level crossing at Woodacre, just before the heavens opened.

Woodacre Crossing: In a summer downpour WCRC 47760 hauls The Lakelander north along the WCML at Woodacre near Garstang, heading for Carnforth where the train would be handed over to Stanier 8F 2-8-0 48151 for the trip round the coast to Ravenglass. The train had originated at Wolverhampton and travelled via Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Chester to reach here. Out of sight on the rear is another Brush Type 4, Stratford liveried large logo 47580.

National Museum of Scotland: Some of the railway-related exhibits on display at the recently reopened National Musum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Broughty Ferry: Platform 1 at Broughty Ferry station on 6 August 2012. The former ticket office and waiting room have been separated from the station area to form a new retail/restaurant development. The former signal box, which once stood alongside the level crossing has been refurbished and relocated alongside.

Carnforth: Scene at Capernwray, just outside Carnforth on the Wennington line, where the railway crosses the Lancaster Canal. View south along the canal as a Morecambe to Leeds Sprinter heads east on 6th August 2012. [With thanks to Vic Smith, Gordon Harris and Andrew Wallace]

Broughty Ferry: Platform scene at Broughty Ferry on 6 August looking east towards the level crossing. 170402 stands at Platform 2 with the 15:09 Glasgow Queen Street - Aberdeen service. Part of the recent retail development on the south side of the station, together with the refurbished and relocated signal box, can be seen on the right.

Newcraighall: Newcraighall ceremony - left to right club president Neil Fraser, Peter Jewell, the Club's Bill Thomson and Kenny Munro.

Broughty Ferry: The unique Broughty Ferry signal box that once stood alongside Gray Street level crossing at the east end of the station see image [[27897]]. Now restored and relocated midway along platform 1.

Woodacre Crossing: Former Royal Train locomotive 47798 Prince William was given to the National Railway Museum by EWS in 2004 but retained its main line status and made occasional forays from the NRM. Currently however it is in full main line use with West Coast Railways and seen here passing Woodacre on 6 August with the southbound Mersey Moorlander, which it had taken over at Carnforth from Black 5 45305. 47580 in Stratford Jubilee livery brought up the rear.

Westerleigh North Junction: View south from a passing CrossCountry train looking along the former Midland Railway route into Bristol, now a branch line, albeit seeing regular traffic running to Westerleigh oil terminal on the north side of the city.

Newcraighall: The 'Place of Dreams' sculpture alongside the platform at Newcraighall station [see adjacent news item].

St Andrew Square [Tram]: Tram track laying along the eastern side of St Andrew Square, looking north on 6 August 2012.

Bill Douglas: Newcraighall posters at the exhibition 'Our Childhood' in the Museum of Edinburgh until 3 September to mark the 40th anniversary of Bill Douglas's iconic film 'My Childhood'.

Woodacre Crossing: A close up of the Diamond Jubilee embelishments to Stratford liveried 47580, seen here passing Woodacre on the rear of the returning Mersey Moorlander tour in August 2012. With former Royal train loco 47798 on the front the Brush 4s had taken over the train at Carnforth from Black 5 45305.

Bo'ness: 249 Morayshire heading west from Bo'ness on 6 August with the 14.05 to Manuel.

Edinburgh Park: The rear class 334 set forming the 6-car 12.21 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central stands alongside platform 2 at Edinburgh Park on 6 August 2013. Leading unit is SPT liveried 334026 - see [[44160]].

Gogar Tram Depot: Scene at Gogar Tram Depot on 6 August 2013 looking west, with trams on training and familiarisation trips to and from Edinburgh airport.

Bo'ness: D49 no 246 Morayshire at rest at Bo'ness on 6 August 2013.

Edinburgh Park: Roadway, walkway, tramway and railway all running on a parallel course through Edinburgh Park on 6 August 2013. The bus is the Lothian 12.03 South Gyle - Jewel no 2 service and the train is the ScotRail 10.57 Milngavie - Edinburgh Waverley. Trams should follow in another 9 months or so.

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: Looking south along the Waverley trackbed towards Gorebridge on 6 August 2013, with the site of Lady Victoria Colliery behind the camera.

Manuel High Level: D49 4-4-0 no 246 Morayshire dropping down from Manuel with the SRPS 12.55 to Bo'ness on 6 August 2013.

Edinburgh Park: Scene at Edinburgh Park on 6 August 2013 as the 12.21 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central arrives at platform 2.

Callander and Oban Railway Through Time: The front cover of the Callander and Oban Railway Through Time book which is now available from bookshops (and Crianlarich station tea room!). More details are in this short article.

Edinburgh Park: A Waverley bound service arrives at Edinburgh Park platform 1 during the early afternoon of 6 August 2013. The unique stained glass window, created by renowned Japanese artist Yoshiro Oyama in 2006, can be seen at the rear of the waiting area in the right background see image [[12444]]. The train is the 10.40 ex-Helensburgh Central.

South Gyle: The 10.17 Newcraighall - Glenrothes with Thornton is about to pass below the A8 before running through the site of the proposed train/tram interchange station at Gogar (to be called Edinburgh Gateway) on the other side of the bridge. See image [[35080]]

South Gyle: A First ScotRail DMU northbound out of Edinburgh heading for The Forth Bridge on 6 August 2013. The train has recently restarted its journey after calling at South Gyle station, whose platforms are visible on this side of the bridge in the centre background.

Scottish Maritime Museum: The interior of the great hall at the Maritime Museum in Irvine on 6th August 2013. The building is the former engine works of Stephen's Linthouse Shipyard. This was moved to Irvine and rebuilt there to provide an exhibition hall. The Laird Forge works was located there before, rail served from the Irvine Harbour branch, but closed in the early 1980s creating an ideal site for a museum.

Edinburgh Park Station [Tram]: Tracklaying activity underway on the tram route adjacent to Edinburgh Park station on 6 August 2013. View is west along the ramp carrying the lines up to the bridge over the E&G main line just off to the right - see [[50415]]. Edinburgh Trams carried the first fare paying passengers 9 months later on 31 May 2014.

Edinburgh Gateway [Tram]: View north through the new tunnel that will take Edinburgh's trams under the A8, just to the east of Gogar roundabout. Photographed from the Gyle shopping centre car park on 6 August 2013. Edinburgh Gateway tram stop is located just off to the left after the junction on the other side of the tunnel see image [[43397]]. The second pair of lines runs to Gogar Tram Depot.

Manuel High Level: Looking east over Manuel Station on 6 August 2013, with the 12.55 to Boness waiting at the new platform behind 246 Morayshire. Over on the right 170452 is passing on the E&G main line.

Edinburgh Park: Bet a bus comes first! Adjacent bus and tram stops alongside Edinburgh Park station on 6 August 2013.

Bury St Edmunds: Bury St Edmunds station appears to be immaculate, until you notice the buddleia growing out of the gutters. The excursion train in the far platform on 6 August is the Pathfinder Tours Anglian Explorer.

Bury St Edmunds: If you've seen an American streamlined steam locomotive like this at Bury St Edmunds, you might have had one sherbet too many. Makes a nice pub sign, though!

Glasgow Central: The Commonwealth Games visitors have departed but Clyde remains on the concourse to greet passengers entering Glasgow Central Station.

Oubeck Loops: Dusk at Oubeck and, only two miles from its Lancaster destination, 8F 48151 and the returning Fellsman has been looped. This northbound Pendolino was one of four trains that overtook the steam hauled special before it got underway again.

Reading: Only those who knew the old Reading station see image [[19005]] can truly appreciate the spaciousness and modernity of its replacement. First Great Western 43165 leads the 0813 to Swansea on 6th August.

Bury St Edmunds: So that's what he was interested in see image [[48675]]. Turbostar no. 170272 forms the 1357 to Cambridge at Bury St Edmunds on a bright, sunny 6th August.

Bury St Edmunds: It's over there... the photographer is clearly more interested in the unit for Cambridge than the Pathfinder Tours Anglian Explorer at Bury St Edmunds on 6 August. The latter, topped and tailed by class 66s, is in the process of setting back into the platform from the loops ready for departure.

Banbury: The 06.33 Birmingham New Street - Southampton Central CrossCountry Voyager breezes into the platform at Banbury during an overcast morning on 6th August 2014. The headlight visible under the bridge is on a DVT on a loco-hauled set. see image [[41185]]

Ipswich: The Pathfinder Tours Anglian Explorer heads towards Felixstowe docks on 6 August via Bacon Factory curve. This recently constructed curve should increase traffic on the Nuneaton North Chord - eventually.

Toddington: The unapproachable Norton. The Worlds' Best Road Holder, a vintage advertising sign for Norton Motorcycles at Toddington station.

Haigh: The morning after the night before, and just over ten hours after the line possession starting the old arch bridge is no more and the embankment has been cut back on either side. Some minor remedial work is being done on the remaining lower stone abutments to prepare them for landing the new concrete abutments and deck assembly onto them later in the day. The lattice gantry is carrying diverted S&T cables, and forming a walkway across the gap, during the duration of the 52 hour bridge replacement works timetable.

Twyford: Just on the London side of Twyford was the lovely photographic loaction of Ruscombe, now ruined by the electrification. Just before the wires went up we see 46233 running as 5Z46 0923 Southall to Bishops Lydeard with its support coach. The onward march of the electrification can be seen in the background. Many railway photographers spent time here. It was a very busy place to watch the trains go by an a quiet bridge with little road traffic.

Haigh: Earlier than indicated the new Haigh Lane bridge assembly has been transported from its casting and assembly site to left of view, and is seen still being supported above the remaining lower section of the support walls from the removed arch bridge. All looks to have fitted together as required, although the new abutments overhang on the corners where the remaining stonework has a contoured profile to the wing walls.

Toddington: The nameplate of 35006 'Peninsular & Orient Line'.

Toddington: A period advert for Fry's Pure Breakfast Cocoa at Toddington station.

Toddington: 35006 'Peninsular & Orient Line' arriving in Toddington station ex-CRC.

Toddington: 35006 'Peninsular & Orient Line' approaching its train prior to heading back to Cheltenham Racecourse.

Cheltenham Racecourse: 35006 'Peninsular & Orient Line' running around its train at Cheltenham Racecourse (CRC).

Toddington: 7903 'Foremark Hall' departing Toddington for Cheltenham. Newly overhauled and looking good in its new coat of paint.

Haigh: A late afternoon view of the new bridge over Haigh Lane shortly after the heavy lift transporter has been removed, but before backfilling of the removed embankment areas has commenced. The removal of the old bridge and installing of the new bridge had only taken 17 of the 52 hours line possession. Unfortunately I was unable to get down to see how work progressed on the Sunday. See image [[28863]] for a view of the old arch bridge and its more limited clearance compared to the new bridge.

Hinderwell: A well preserved set of up and over concrete steps, with hand grab posts intact, still sits astride a fence alongside one gate post from a farm crossing between Staithes and Hinderwell, on the former Saltburn to Whitby West Cliff line. Considering the line closed in May 1958, these have survived remarkably untouched in the intervening 59 years. It only needs a replica wooden gate to complete the scene. The rail served Boulby Potash Mine can be sen in the distance, at the end of the relaid section of line running from Crag Hall sidings by Skinningrove steel works

Dunfermline Town: The first SRPS 'The Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' of August departs Dunfermline Town after a water stop.

Watherston Bridge: The first SRPS 'The Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' of August approaches Galabank Junction. 37685 brings up the rear.

Sandsend: In the mouth of East Row beck at Sandsend there is a support pier reminder of the long, high, wooden, trestle viaduct that took the coast line south shortly after leaving Sandsend station. The line crossed the main coast road immediately after the station, and then ran along the rear of the properties to upper right of view before running onto the curving viaduct high above the road and the previous building to that by the beckside, and then running between coast road and beach en route to Whitby West Cliff station approx 2 miles away.

Watherston Bridge: The first SRPS 'The Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' of August approaches Galabank Junction with 37685 bringing up the rear.

Dalgety Bay: The 'Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' excursion calls at Dalgety Bay on its return on 6 August.

Cairntows Level Crossing: The cyclist has just left Duddingston Road West and is heading north west along the trackbed of the line to St Leonards (the so-called Innocent Railway). In just over half a mile he will enter the tunnel under Holyrood Park. Photographed on 6 August 2017 looking over the site of the level crossing. (At some point in the past 13 years the gatepost on the left has been repositioned nearer the centre of the old trackbed see image [[6125]].) The line between Duddingston Junction and St Leonards was closed (along with St Leonards goods depot) in 1968.

South Cerney: A minature locomotive, loosely modelled on an LNER V2 2-6-2 with a Group Standard tender, giving rides with a rake of suburban coaches at the Gloucestershire Vintage and Country Show, South Cerney Airfield on 6th Augst 2017.

Wintringham: Now this is only my personal opinion, but I would rather ride behind this plinthed steam locomotive than behind a petrol hydraulic see image [[60573]]. The name on the side of the boiler is Stan Johnson.

Maud: Maud station on 6th August 2017. A couple of wagons are on display here and I believe this was used for taking prisoners to and from Peterhead jail.

Maud: Makers plate from a Harrisons and Camm of Rotherham railway wagon dating from 1913. The old van is on a short section of track awaiting restoration at Maud station.

Bowshank North Bridge: Black 5 45407 approaching the north end of Bowshank Tunnel at around 12:35 on Sunday 6th August 2017, seen against the background of Torsonce Hill and Bow Farm Cottages.

Duddingston Brewery: The surviving entrance gates of the former Deuchar's Duddingston Brewery on Duddingston Road West, one of the seven rail served breweries operating in the area during the 1930s. Photographed looking west on a Sunday morning in August 2017. Last photographed in March 2007 supposedly 'just prior to demolition!' See image [[14240]]

Ellon: The annual Railway Relay Race from Peterhead to Ellon took place on 6th August 2017. This is a minor road crossing and the remains of a bridge abutment half way between Auchnagatt and Ellon where the runners changed over.

Galabank Junction: The first SRPS 'The Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' of August 2017 approaches Galabank Junction. 37685 brings up the rear.

Borthwick Bank Signal Box: Black 5 45407 at Borthwick with a Borders Steam special on 6th August 2017.

Maud: A short (Very!) wheel base wagon, built in Rotherham by Harrison and Camm in 1913, awaiting restoration at Maud station on 6th August 2017.

Millerhill EGIP Depot: The new train washing plant at Millerhill on 6 August 2017, looking almost complete.

Sandsend: A view looking up to the former Sandsend Station building from the road at the bottom of the A174 Lythe Bank showing the height of the trackbed above the road immediately south of the station, and needing a substantial bridge to cross both the road and the nearby Sandsend Beck to continue on to Whitby West Cliff Station.

Wintringham: Here is a view of the engine shed and distillery - see image [[60573]]. Rather ironic that we drove an electric car to ride on a petrol-powered train.

Järpen: Estate agent 'You were looking for a small roundhouse in Sweden? I have just the thing for you!' Client 'Err, actually I wanted a small, round, house....' This one, situated in the station yard at Järpen, is already privately owned and no longer conected to the live railway. But is it really round? Check the reflections in the glazed doors.

Wintringham: The 7.25 inch gauge WWLR was built in 2005, allegedly to bring the lavender in from the fields to the distillery (right background - no drams, I'm afraid) There is a businesslike petrol driven engine and freight wagons, but the layout leads me to suspect that passenger traffic was always intended. Wintringham is near Malton.

Shawfair: The ScotRail 0848 from Tweedbank arrives at Shawfair on 6 August 2018 on its way to Edinurgh Waverley.

Princes Street [Tram]: Electronic notice at the Princes Street tram stop on 6th August 2019. This fault has been ongoing since before the start of the Festivals.

Oxford: Two GWR Class 800 IEPs, 800-028 and 802-003, in Oxford station on 6th August 2019.

Oxford: Chiltern Railways 168001 at rest in Platform 1 at Oxford on 6th August 2019.

Oxford: Colas Rail 70810, northbound through Oxford with an engineers train on 6th August 2019, passing a Cross Country Voyager.

Portrush: NIR 3000 class unit 3015 after arrival at Portrush at 0957 on Tuesday 6th August 2019. The station was upgraded in time for the 148th Open Golf Championship held at Royal Portrush. Three platforms are available although only one appears to be used regularly.

Oxford: 66773 'Pride of GB Railfreight,' in its special Pride livery, hauls a northbound stone train through Oxford station on 6th August 2019.

Edinburgh Waverley: LNER Azuma 800 105 approaches platform 9 with a trial run from Newcastle on 6th August 2019.

Newington [NBR]: 68018 passes the site of Newington Station with empty stock for the evening Fife Circle service from Waverley on 6th August 2019.

Oxford: Freightliner 66511 southbound through Oxford at 1247hrs on 6th August 2019.

Findhorn Viaduct [Tomatin]: Edinburgh bound HST crossing Findhorn Viaduct, with the village of Tomatin in the background, on 6th August 2020. Power car 43028 leads with 43137 on rear.

Slochd Viaduct: 66302 'Endeavour' hauls Pandora's Box across Slochd Viaduct on the way back to Carlisle on 6th August 2020. 66305 should also have been in the consist but was taken off at Inverness to help ailing 66425 take the very late container train back to Mossend.

Gore Glen Bridge: The ScotRail 1029 Tweedbank - Edinburgh about to exit the woods at the northern end of the Gore Glen on 6 August 2020 as it runs towards Newtongrange.

Slochd Viaduct: LNER Azuma forms the southbound 'Highland Chieftain' as it crosses Slochd Viaduct in some very welcome brilliant sunshine. 800104 in the lead on 6th August 2020.

Almond Junction: View east on the Union Canal where the 1847 Slamannan Junction Railway crossed overhead, forming a link between the Slamannan Railway and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.

Moy: Inverness bound cement train, crossing the moor at Moy, on one of the best days this summer in these parts. 70814 does the honours on 6th August 2020.

Slochd Viaduct: On one of the best days this summer, 66726 'Sheffield Wednesday' and 73967 double head the Inverness Sleeper away from Slochd Viaduct. 6th August 2020

Leyland: 88007 is seen to the north of Leyland on 6 August 2021, with a very late running Daventry to Mossend intermodal service. The trouble appears to have started to the south of Crewe and when it passed Leyland it was running 217 minutes late. However being out of path it lost further time and unfortunately was 266 minutes late by the time it reached Mossend. The buddleia is growing well on Carr Lane/Mill Lane bridge abutments!

Hornsey Road: The site of Hornsey Road station, looking west towards Gospel Oak, seen through the upstairs side windows of a TfL New Routemaster bus on route 91 to Crouch End, on 6th August 2021. This section of line opened as the Tottenham & Hampstead Junction Railway in 1868 with Hornsey Road being added in 1872. It closed as a WWII economy on 3rd May 1943 but never reopened and was demolished soon after the war. Until 1960, steam-hauled summer excursions from St. Pancras to Southend Central came this way, afterwards leaving only a DMU shuttle service between Kentish Town and Barking that Beeching wanted to shut in 1963. It survived and in 1981 trains were diverted at the western end from Kentish Town to Gospel Oak along a line that had closed to passengers in 1925. The line is also very busy with freight while the London Overground passenger service was belatedly electrified in 2019.

Rodney Street Tunnel: A nicely intact quartet of telegraph insulators above the south portal of Rodney Street tunnel. The next box (or cabin, really) on the way north was Warriston Junction. A noise like a hammer drill turned out to be the weird snoring of one of two people sleeping in the tunnel mouth, surrounded by lager cans. Not typical here, but I thought I'd share it.

Leith East Old Dock: The track from the dock can be seen curving to where it once joined the others and crossed Commercial Street - where that office now stands - and on to the Leith North branch. During WWII the open crossing was mercifully exempted from blackout regulations, only for a stushie to erupt over who would pay the electric bill for the lighting…

Princes Street Gardens Cutting: A Glasgow Queen Street service about to plunge into Haymarket Tunnel on 6 August 2021. I've pulled back a bit so you can appreciate Castle Rock.

Forth Bridge: Network Rail has submitted a pre-application notice to City of Edinburgh Council for revised proposals to install a bridge walk and visitor hub at the iconic Forth Bridge. The revised proposals include a low-level reception hub to the east of the Forth Bridge, further away from neighbouring residential properties, minimising the impact on the surrounding environment.

Denmark Hill: Denmark Hill, looking towards Victoria from the footbridge, on 6th August 2021. The splendid entrance building on the bridge, dating from the 1860s, was badly damaged by fire in 1980 and, of course, BR wanted to demolish it. However, a campaign spearhead by Sir John Betjeman, a great lover of railways, and a great hero of mine and with local residents, managed to stop the demolition gangs and the building was saved and restored. It now partly functions as a ticket office but the main part is now The Phoenix pub/restaurant - and very nice in there it is too!

Docker Viaduct: Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class Pacific 35018 'British India Line' heads 1C96 07:08 London Euston to Carlisle the &Cumbrian Mountain Express' crossing Docker Viaduct on the West Coast main Line. Good to see a full rake of maroon carriages behind the loco. Surprisingly I was the only photographer at this location.

Becconsall: O&K 0-4-0T&WT 'Montalban', WLLR no.22, re-entered service on 6 August 2022 after a major overhaul. This was day 1 of the railway's Summer Gala. The loco, with Kerr Stuart 0-4-2ST 'Stanhope', is seen at Becconsall having just arrived from Delph.

Hackney Central: Hackney Central, looking west, on 6th August 2022. This is partly on the site of the old North London Railway's Hackney station that opened in 1850 and closed in 1944 after heavy war damage precipitated the end of the Broad Street to Poplar service. For 35 years this line, through the teeming heart of east London, carried only freight until a diesel passenger service from Stratford to Camden Road was suddenly reinstated in 1979 with Hackney Central opening in 1980. After the closure of Broad Street in 1986, this was electrified and incorporated into the Richmond service, which is now part of the London Overground network.

Kentish Town West: View from 378 230 with a London Overground service from Stratford to Clapham Junction on the Hampstead Junction Railway viaduct of 1860 across the rooftops of north-west London, crossing Prince of Wales Road looking east, as it arrives at Kentish Town West in scorching heat on the afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022. The original station opened in 1867, made entirely of wood and latterly rich in dusty unused waiting rooms but it was burnt down by brain-dead vandals in 1971. For ten years, trains passed the site before the present station opened in 1981.

Tottenham Court Road [EL]: The cavernous lengthy westbound Elizabeth Line platform at Tottenham Court Road, looking west, on 6th August 2022. Although only opened two and half a months earlier on 24th May, the Elizabeth Line is already no longer London's newest railway following the opening of the London Overground GOBLIN extension from Barking to Barking Riverside on 11th July.

Willesden Junction Low Level [New Lines]: Willesden Junction Low Level looking towards Euston, on Saturday, 6th August 2022. See image [[39164]] taken here in 1989.

Willesden Junction Low Level [New Lines]: Half a century old refurbished LU 1972 stock, with a Bakerloo Line service from Harrow & Wealdstone to Elephant & Castle, arriving at Willesden Junction Low Level on the scorching hot afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022. The Bakerloo is the only Underground line where both termini have an '&' in their names, though that might change if the Lewisham extension ever gets built. (These platforms are also served by the London Overground Watford Junction to Euston service.)

Willesden Junction Low Level [New Lines]: 710376, with a London Overground service from Watford Junction to Euston arriving at Willesden Junction Low Level, in searing heat on the afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022. The Low Level platforms are also served by the LU Bakerloo Line.

Hackney Central: 378221, with a London Overground service to Stratford, heading away from the camera as it departs from Hackney Central on the afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022. On the left and right are the remains of the original 1850 Hackney station that closed in 1944 when severe war damage ended the Broad Street to Poplar service. A passenger service on this section of the North London Railway (as renamed in 1853) was suddenly and without ceremony reintroduced in 1979, at first with d.m.u.'s shuttling between Stratford and Camden Road, running non-stop between Stratford and Canonbury, and marketed as the 'Crosstown Linkline'. Hackney Central and Hackney Wick stations were added in 1980 with Homerton and Dalston Kingsland following in 1985.

Hackney Central: The new south side entrance on Graham Road to Hackney Central station, London Overground, opened on 5th July 2022, seen here a month later on Saturday, 6th August.

Maiden Lane [NLL]: View from 378 230 with a London Overground service from Stratford to Clapham Junction passing the site of the North London Railway's Maiden Lane station, on the baking hot afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022. The line here opened in 1851 but Maiden Lane was not opened until 1887 and retained that name even when that thoroughfare was renamed York Road and is now York Way. It only lasted 30 years, closing as a WWI economy in 1917 and never reopened. The wide space between the two sets of tracks marks the site of its demolished island platform and the two side platforms have also disappeared. This station is not to be confused with the GNR's temporary Maiden Lane terminus that opened in 1850 and served for only two years before King's Cross was ready in 1852.

Tottenham Court Road [EL]: Platform and train doors closing simultaneously at Tottenham Court Road as 345016, with an Elizabeth Line service from Abbey Wood to Paddington, prepares to depart on 6th August 2022.

Abbey Wood [EL]: 345016 (left) and 345033 (right) at Abbey Wood, the south-east London terminus of the Elizabeth Line, on the boiling hot afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022, two and half months after the line's much-belated opening on 24th May. It should have opened in December 2018.

Custom House [EL]: View from 345 016 with an Elizabeth Line service from Abbey Wood to Paddington calling at Custom House, on the hot afternoon of Saturday, 6th August 2022. This station is on the site of the former North Woolwich line station that closed in 2006 and is one of only two on the new line that is on the surface and does not have platform doors, the other being the terminus at Abbey Wood.