Giffnock: Fairburn 2-6-4 tank 42243 passing Baird's siding, just west of Giffnock, on 7 August 1959 with a train from Busby bound for Glasgow Central.

Barry: Collett 0-6-2T no 6643 standing alongside Barry shed in August 1960.

Landore Shed: General view over Landore shed, Swansea, in the summer of 1960.

Swansea East Dock: Kitson CR-3 0-4-0ST no 1338, built in 1898 for the Cardiff Railway. Eventually withdrawn from Swansea East Dock (87D) in September 1963, the locomotive is now preserved by the Great Western Society at Didcot. Photographed on 7 August 1960.

Carlisle: Edge Hill Black 5 no 45069 standing at Carlisle platform 4 with a southbound (presumably Liverpool) train on 7 August 1965, with a Jubilee waiting on the middle road.

Carlisle: Holbeck Jubilee no 45697 Achilles stands at Carlisle on 7 August 1965. The locomotive is preparing to head home via the S&C with the summer Saturday 12.40pm Gourock - Leicester.

Carlisle: Holbeck Jubilee no 45660 Rooke at Carlisle on 7 August 1965 with the 9.30am St Pancras - Glasgow Central.

Carlisle: The combined 2pm ex-Glasgow Central/2.5pm ex-Edinburgh Princes Street leaves Carlisle on 7 August 1965 with through coaches for Manchester and Liverpool. In charge is Jubilee no 45684 Jutland of Bank Hall shed.

Carlisle: Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45593 Kolhapur brings the 6.35am Birmingham - Glasgow Central into Carlisle in August 1965.

Carlisle: One of Hawick shed's BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0s no 76049 brings the late running 9.50am Edinburgh Waverley - Leeds City into Carlisle on 7 August 1965. The locomotive had taken over the train at Hawick, following removal of St Margarets V2 no 60970, with an injector fault.

Carlisle: A pleasant summer Saturday afternoon at Carlisle on 7 August 1965. BR light Pacific 72008 Clan MacLeod has just arrived light engine from Kingmoor shed. The locomotive left a little later with the 4.37pm train to Bradford. See image [[32422]]

Carlisle: Jubilee 45560 'Prince Edward Island' approaching Carlisle from the south on 7 August 1965. The train is the 9.30am London St Pancras - Glasgow Central.

Carlisle: Jubilee 45697 Achilles stands with Clan Pacific no 72008 Clan MacLeod on the centre road at Carlisle on 7 August 1965, after arriving light engine from Kingmoor shed.

Carlisle: The 12.40pm Summer Saturday Gourock - Leicester train leaves Carlisle on 7 August 1965. Holbeck Jubilee no 45697 Achilles has taken over for the Carlisle - Leeds leg via the S&C.

Carlisle: Jubilee no 45684 Jutland, off Liverpool's Bank Hall shed, with the combined 2pm ex-Glasgow Central/2.5pm ex-Edinburgh Princes Street preparing to leave Carlisle on a fine and sunny Saturday 7 August 1965. The combined train contains through coaches for Liverpool and Manchester.

Carlisle: Pacific no 72008 Clan MacLeod takes the 4.37pm train for Bradford away from Carlisle in the summer of 1965.

Carlisle: 44717 is about to take the Summer Saturday 10.35am Glasgow Central - Blackpool away from Carlisle on 7 August 1965.

Carlisle: Black 5 no 45069 of Liverpool Edge Hill shed leaves Carlisle on 7 August 1965 with a southbound train.

Carlisle: Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45697 Achilles stands alongside Carlisle platform 1 having just brought in train 1S43, a Leicester - Gourock working, on Saturday 7 August 1965.

Barry: Withdrawn Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45690 Leander in the reception sidings at Barry in August 1966.

Bingen: DB Class 23 2-6-2 23 011 photographed at Bingen, on the left bank of the Rhine, in 1966.

Barry Docks: Looking as though they could still be stabled on shed, BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4Ts 80135 and 80079 keep each other company whilst awaiting their fate in the sidings at Dai Woodhams Barry Scrapyard in 1966. Both were under 15 years old when withdrawn. There was a happy ending for both, as, like many others, they were bought for preservation, with 80135 now based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and 80079 on the Severn Valley Railway.

Bingen: DB Class 23 2-6-2 23 011 looked to be in charge of a lengthy freight train when photographed waiting in one of the loop lines at Bingen in 1966. As it turned out, only the first seven wagons were attached when the Class 23 moved off a few minutes later.

Barry: Withdrawn Ivatt class 2MT 2-6-2T no 41313 stands on one of the scrap roads at Barry on 7 August 1966. Built at Crewe in 1952 the locomotive spent its entire life operating in southern territory before being finally withdrawn from 70D Eastleigh in October 1965. The locomotive was subsequently rescued and restored see image [[59766]]

Bingerbruck: Old and new at the head of southbound freights in 1966. These were waiting in the loop lines at Bingerbruck, on the left bank of the Rhine just north of Bingen. A Class E40 electric is alongside the 3-cylinder Class 44 2-10-0 44 1523.

Karlsruhe: Period scene at Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof in 1967, with DB Class 50 2-10-0 50 458 and a nice group of semaphore signals. On the right is a Class E10 (subsequently 110) electric.

Karlsruhe: DB Class 50 2-10-0 50 458, photographed at Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof in 1967. Although locomotives of Class 50 were designed principally for freight duty, they were also frequently seen throughout Germany on local passenger services.

Cardross: Class 25 5176 at Cardross with the SRPS Maid of Morven railtour returning from Oban to Falkirk on 07 August 1971.

Cardross: The 1225 from Oban to Glasgow Queen Street approaches Cardross on 07 August 1971 behind Class 25 no 5178.

Hemel Hempstead: Clayton Class 17 diesels were not a successful design and all but one were scrapped in the 1970s. The escapee was D8568 which was purchased in 1972 by the Hemelite company for use on the Hemel Hempstead - Harpenden line. The loco is pictured here in August 1976 near the Hemelite factory, still in its original BR green livery. On the right is the rake of trucks used to import power station ash for building block manufacture. D8568 moved on to a different industrial use in 1977 and happily survived long enough to be preserved by enthusiasts see image [[34392]].

Redbourn: Redbourn was the main intermediary station on the line between Hemel Hempstead and Harpenden. It lost its sparse passenger service in 1947, but the track remained in use until 1979 to serve the Hemelite factory at Hemel Hempstead. By 1976, only the platform, and a disused siding plus loading gauge, remained. The platform facing, being composed of high quality brick, was evidently proving attractive to someone. Presumably, they completed the job, because today no trace remains alongside the Nickey Line footpath and cycleway that now occupies the track bed.

Mountblow Oil Terminal: 7 August 1976, and 'PS Waverley' is in trouble whilst returning to Glasgow after an excursion to Rothesay and the Kyles of Bute - one of her paddles has broken and is making a terrible noise. The captain makes for the pier at the Old Kilpatrick oil depot with exhortations not to smoke! Enter the Denny-built 'Queen Mary II', which fortunately was also on a cruise that day. The picture shows a member of the Waverley crew preparing one of the gangways which were slung between the two boats in order for the QM to take on the Waverley passengers which it did with ease. Currently there are plans to restore the QM to working condition.

Sunnyside Crossing: One of the gates at Sunnyside level crossing on the 'Nickey Line' near Beaumont's Halt on 7th August 1976. Industrial traffic was still running then to and from the Hemelite factory at Claydale sidings, but despite the warning signs it seems the gates were left open permanently. I had to disentangle this one from vegetation to swing it shut for the photo. Hemelite had been responsible for operating the line since 1968 and received several reprimands from British Rail over safety matters up until final closure in 1979 when BR severed the connection to the main line at Harpenden.

Rothesay Pier: PS Waverley leaves Rothesay for a trip round the Kyles of Bute on 7 August 1976. Like most LNER boats, she was built by AJ Inglis at Pointhouse.

Sunnyside Crossing: A view along the former Harpenden - Hemel Hempstead line on 7th August 1976. The location is Sunnyside, a minor crossing to the east of Beaumont's Halt. The battered fixed signal is protecting the level crossing at the halt. The line remained in use for occasional ash traffic until 1979.

Glemsford: Glemsford station closed in March 1967 along with the rest of the Stour Valley line between Sudbury and Great Shelford. This is the view some 10 years later from the platform, looking east towards the former station house and level crossing.

Kirkham and Wesham: A Summer Saturday train from Blackpool seen between Kirkham & Wesham and Salwick stations behind Brush Type 2 31293 on 7th August 1982. The former D5826 was built in 1961 and would last in service until 1990 before being scrapped at Stratford in 1994.

Kirkham and Wesham: Although seen here on Summer Saturday Blackpool passenger duties, 25151 had only five weeks of service left before withdrawal and scrapping. The BR Type 2 is between Salwick and Kirkham heading for the resort with a rake of MkI stock.

Thornton Yard: 20227 and 08570 stand in Thornton Yard on 7 April 1983

Calder Grove: 08870 propels loaded MGR wagons between British Oak opencast disposal point and the BR exchange sidings under the former Thornhill to Notton line viaduct in August 1992

Calder Grove: 08870 'Millhouses' runs under the Crigglestone Junction to Horbury Bridge line overbridge as it crosses Blacker Lane returning from the exchange sidings into the British Oak opencast disposal point at Calder Grove, near Wakefield in 1992.

Calder Grove: Diesel Shunter 08870 propels loaded MGR wagons out of the British Oak opencast disposal point at Calder Grove towards Blacker Lane open crossing to propel up the gradient to the exchange sidings alongside the Barnsley - Wakefield line and beneath the former Thornhill to Notton Junction line viaduct.

Crianlarich: The centenary of the opening of the West Highland Railway saw a double headed steam charter travel to Fort William. One of the stops on the way was at Crianlarich where most of the passengers took the opportunity to stretch their legs. LNER K4 class no.3442 with K1 no.2005 are seen at Crianlarich on 07 August 1994.

Bridge of Orchy: 37409 Loch Awe and 37251 Northern Lights follow the West Highland Centenary steam special with the support coaches near Bridge of Orchy on the 7th August 1994.

Crianlarich: 3442 pauses at Crianlarich on 07 August 1994 with the West Highland Railway Centenary Special.

Rannoch: The SRPS Railtours West Highland Centenary Special crossing Rannoch Moor on the approach to Rannoch station on 7 August 1994 hauled by 2005 and 3442.

Corrour: On board the West Highland Centenary special on 07 August 1994 with the train approaching Corrour heading to Fort William.

Gorton [WHR]: The West Highland Railway centenary special approaches the remote Gortan crossing on 07 August 1994.

Arrochar and Tarbet: Ex-LNER K4 no 3442 and K1 no 2005 pause at Arrochar and Tarbet with the SRPS West Highland Centenary Special to Fort William on 7 August 1994.

Rannoch: Scene at Rannoch station looking north from the footbridge on 7 August 1994 with the SRPS West Highland Centenary Special from Edinburgh to Fort William at the platform ....which is just a wee bit busier than usual...

Rannoch: LNER 3442 on the West Highland Railway Centenary special to Fort William on 07 August 1994 receiving attention at Rannoch.

Spean Bridge: LNER 3442 at the head of the West Highland Railway Centenary special awaiting the arrival of a crossing service at Spean Bridge on 07 August 1994.

Rannoch: The crew of ex LNER K4 no 3442 The Great Marquess checking the pony truck of the locomotive during an extended station stop at Rannoch on 07 August 1994 whilst working the West Highland Railway Centenary special to Fort William.

Craigendoran Junction: Waiting in the loop at Craigendoran Jct, K4 no. 3442 and K1 no. 2005 let off steam while the crew attempt to get the portable RETB kit to receive a token from Banavie. The train was the West Highland Centenary special to Fort William.

Rannoch: K4 3442 and K1 2005 stand at Rannoch on 07 August 1994 with the West Highland Railway centenary special.

Eaglescliffe: 56046 passing Eaglescliffe in August 1997 with a freight off the Northallerton line bound for industrial Teesside. The train has just cleared Eaglescliffe South Junction with the Darlington route diverging west beyond the rear of the train.

Nuneaton: 66709 'Medite' approaching Nuneaton in 2005. It seems to be crossing from the WCML down slow to arrive in platform 1 - probably for a driver change. Notice milepost 97 in the foreground.

Nuneaton: LMS 5690 Leander approaches platform 7 shortly after its opening in 2005. In contrast to David Panton's predilection for random vegetation (see image [[75199]]), the new embankment is somewhat bare. This is partly because a section of the embankment was built of expanded polystyrene, to minimize dead weight on the river bridge below.

Bitton: Ex-LMS 4F 44123 mouldering away on a headshunt at the Avon Valley Railway on 7 August 2005.

Boat of Garten: City of Truro being prepared for a test run at Boat of Garten. 07/08/06

Boat of Garten: City of Truro at Boat of Garten. 07/08/06.

Glasgow Central: Expanded to its current size in 1905, it replaced the origional building built in 1879. This view is from Union Street and shows the Scotrail Offices at Caledonian Chambers.

Birkhill: Looking south along the platform of the SRPS station at Birkill in the summer of 2007. The station building was originally at Monifieth.

Polmont: Passing strangers. View east at Polmont on 7 August 2007, with Edinburgh and Glasgow bound stopping trains at the platforms sporting old and new ScotRail liveries.

Polmont: EWS 66138 approaching Polmont Junction on 7 August 2007 with returning Longannet - Hunterston empties.

Birkhill: The former station building from Monifieth now stands at Birkhill on the SRPS system, following its appearance at the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. The much travelled structure is seen here on 7 August 2007 looking south west towards Manuel.

Polmont Junction: Good places not to have a points failure - no. 59 Polmont Junction. A Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh Waverley shuttle passing at speed on 7 August 2007.

Polmont Junction: Westbound service leaving the E&G and running over the ski-jump at Polmont Junction on its way towards Falkirk Grahamston on 7 August 2007.

Polmont Junction: An EWS class 66 about to take coal empties from Longannet power station over the top at Polmont Junction on 7 August on their way back to Hunterston. On the left is the site of Polmont shed, closed in 1964 and demolished in 1966.

Polmont Junction: A ScotRail 158 about to complete the climb up from Falkirk Grahamston to join the E&G at Polmont junction on 7 August 2007. The train is a Dunblane - Edinburgh Waverley service.

Borgo a Mozzano: View south from the Ponte della Maddalena at Borgo a Mozzano, Tuscany, showing the Lucca - Aulla line running along the west bank of the River Serchio.

Polmont Junction: An Edinburgh - Dunblane 158 service, having just left the Edinburgh and Glasgow main line at Polmont Junction (at the bridge in the left background) on 7 August 2007, runs downhill towards its next stop at Falkirk Grahamston. See image [[16130]]

Polmont Junction: A Waverley bound 158 joins the E&G main line at Polmont Junction on 7 August 2007.

Polmont: Coal empties from Longannet pass through Polmont station on 7 August 2007 on their way back to Hunterston. EWS 66138 will leave the E&G main line at Polomont Junction just behind the camera see image [[16173]].

Newburgh: FSR 158 passing the still waters of Lindores Loch on the journey south to Edinburgh on 7 August 2008.

Lancaster Green Ayre: View towards Halton from approximately the end of the platforms at Lancaster Green Ayre station, now a park close by the River Lune. This would also have been the limit of the electrification masts and catenary for the EMU services from Morecambe and Heysham, which reversed here to traverse the link up to Lancaster Castle station. The cycle track along the old line can be followed through Halton and on to Caton. Map ref SD479623

Bolton-le-Sands: A Morecambe to Leeds service on its short WCML dash to the junction at Carnforth passes Bolton-le-Sands crossing, which is CCTV controlled from Hest Bank signal box. View south towards Hest Bank.

Lancaster Green Ayre: The approach to Green Ayre station site on the trackbed from Halton is quiet and feels very rural but is close to Lancaster centre and the busy one way system. This stretch of line survived the 1966 closure as a siding serving the power station until around 1980.

Easley, SC: A trio of locomotives with a northbound freight, headed by D9-40CW no 9591, rumbles through downtown Easley, South Carolina, on the Norfolk Southern Railway Crescent Line in August 2009.

Forrestfield: Looking west over Hillend reservoir towards Caldercruix on 7 August 2009 see image [[25603]].

Buckshaw Parkway: A Manchester Airport bound First TransPennine Express service is seen passing the site of the planned Buckshaw Parkway station which has now received the full funding to see the area developed as a transport hub. A part of the extensive local housing development can be seen in the backgound

Morecambe Promenade: The former platform entrances at Morecambe Promenade can still be seen either side of the stage area inside The Platform, as this entertainment venue is now known. The doors now lead to offices and back stage but until 1994 this was the way to the trains.

Balshaw Lane Junction: A northbound Super Voyager approaches Balshaw Lane Junction at speed on 07 August 2009. The former slow lines from Standish are to the right of the Voyager, while to the north of the junction, the slow lines are still in place to Preston.

Buckshaw Parkway: This road sign has been in place for over 3 years, although the station to which it is pointing has not yet been built! The extensive housing and industrial development on the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton/Chorley has been scheduled to have a new railway station for some time, but only in the first days of August 2009 was the final funding obtained to make the station a reality. The former ROF Admin Block to the left of the photograph is now an outstation of Runshaw College, Leyland. This along with the large number of houses on the adjoing estate should make this an attractive park and ride site for those travelling to Manchester and to the north.

Balshaw Lane Junction: From the archive, 66412 at the time was a DRS loco wearing Malcolm branding and working an intermodal service to Daventry on 07 August 2009. The train is seen on the up fast at Balshaw Lane Jct before the significant relaying of the junction 4 years later.

Bathgate [4th]: The former Bathgate station on a sunny 7 August 2009, with passengers waiting to board a mid afternoon service to Edinburgh. See image [[38438]]

Euxton Junction: A First Trans-Pennine Express service for Manchester Airport leaves the WCML at Euxton Junction and heads to Manchester via Chorley and Bolton on 7 August 2009. The road in the foreground is the A49 former trunk road which passes under the WCML through a two part bridge. The older part (dating from the opening of the railway?) is known as Pack Saddle Bridge and is so narrow that traffic has to be controlled by traffic lights. It has also suffered from being struck on several occasions by road vehicles due to restrictions on height as well as width.

Midland Hotel [Morecambe]: From the canopy at the old Promenade station in Morecambe the view across the old forecourt has been enhanced by the recent restoration of the famous art deco Midland Hotel.

Plates, signs, notices etc: One of three Pendolino City of Lancaster plates originally cast, this was presented to Lancaster City Council by Virgin Trains on 16th July 2004 and is displayed on the main staircase at Lancaster Town Hall. The other two plates are of course on Pendolino No. 390035 itself.

Rhu: 45407 breasts the summit of the climb from Craigendoran in the summer of 2009 and descends to the site of Rhu Station.

Perth: DRS 37608+37409 arriving at Perth on 7 August 2010 with the Northern Belle bound for Inverness.

Winchcombe: Ex-GWR Churchward 2-8-0 no 2807, seen heading towards Winchcombe in fine style on its inaugural run on 7 August 2010 see image [[30149]]. Unfortunately, later in the day, an eccentric pin failed on the locomotive and ended up smashing a valve cover and ruining a set of piston valves, thus putting something of a damper on an otherwise enjoyable occasion.

Carrbridge: The Northern Belle passes a Scotrail Turbostar at Carrbridge on 7th August 2010.

Pretoria: All of South Africa's premier cities have grand stations, this is Pretoria.

Pretoria: Pretoria, along with all of South Africa's major rail centres, has a large suburban rail network operated by Metronet. Here we see five Metronet EMUs at Pretoria, the one second from left is a newer version. There are more platforms under the white curved canopies.

Toddington: BR 9F 2-10-0 no 92203 Black Prince at Toddington on 7 August 2010.

Toddington: Special occasion on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway on 7 August 2010, the occasion of the inaugural run for restored ex-GWR 2-8-0 no 2807, seen here at Toddington on the day. See image [[30166]]

Toddington: BR Standard class 9F 2-10-0 no 92203 Black Prince at Toddington on 7 August 2010.

Inverkeithing East Junction: DRS class 47 no 47790 Galloway Princess leads the 'Northern Belle' round Inverkeithing North/East chord on 7 August 2011.

Preston: Black 5 no 45231 arrives back in Preston with The Fellsman on a wet and murky evening on 7 September 2011. The locomotive looked in fairly good condition with the exception of the smokebox which appears to have suffered from a summer in the West Highlands.

Eskbank and Dalkeith: The original Eskbank station looking south towards Hardengreen on a fine day in August 2011. Opened in 1847 as Gallowshall, it was renamed Eskbank in 1850. Between 1954 and closure in 1969 it carried the name Eskbank & Dalkeith.

Haverthwaite: EE Type 1 no 20214 in the shed at Haverthwaite on 7 August 2012.

Loughor Viaduct: Piling rig at work on the new Loughor Viaduct construction across the River Loughor to the east of Llanelli in August 2012. The work is part of the track re-doubling running some 5 miles from just west of the viaduct eastward to beyond Gowerton Station where the disused up platform will be brought back into use.

Haverthwaite: Scene at Haverthwaite station on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway on 7 August 2012. Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42085 is in the process of running round its train.

Haverthwaite: A sparkling D5370 photographed on 7 August 2012 inside the L&HR shed at Haverthwaite.

Wylam: Unit 142016, forming a Carlisle - Newcastle service, departing from the Wylam stop on 7 August.

Haverthwaite: Ex-LMS diesel shunting locomotive AD601 inside the shed at Haverthwaite on 7 August 2012.

Neath and Brecon Junction: View over Neath & Brecon junction in August 2012 from a passing train on the South Wales main line. The former N & B line to Onllwyn Washery runs straight ahead with the remaining western section of the former Vale of Neath line to Cwmgrach branching off to the right.

Cardiff Central: 66206 with a rake of covered steel wagons weaves across tracks onto the eastbound slow lines after passing through Cardiff Central on 7 August 2012. Photographed from a train descending the inclined viaduct approach from Queen Street. It was this viaduct that was affected by the landslip three days later preventing trains from operating directly between these two Cardiff stations.

Pentre-bach: Platform view at Pentre-bach station looking towards Merthyr Tydfil on 7 August 2012. Part of the Art Deco 'Hoover' building can be seen in the right background below the station sign.

Cardiff Canton: Former First Great Western Motorail vans stabled on the siding running through the now tankless water tower structure near the Colas Rail maintenance facility at Cardiff Canton. There are plans to use the vehicles on a trial working by Colas between Euston station and Daventry.

Merthyr Tydfil : 150260 rests at Merthyr Tydfil on 7 August before forming the 09.38 service to Bridgend via Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan line.

Haverthwaite: Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42085 brings a train into the platform at Haverthwaite on 7 August 2012.

Haverthwaite: 42085 with a train waiting to leave Haverthwaite on 7 August 2012.

Wylam: '... and a bag of prawn crackers to go with that.' Wylam signalman, 7 August 2012.

Wylam: Ballast machine running east through Wylam station on 7 August 2012 heading towards Newcastle.

Cardiff Central: Busy scene at the south side of Cardiff Central on 7 August 2012. On the left units 150241 and 158954 (the latter on the 07.23 ex Portsmouth Harbour) arrive together at opposite ends of platform 4 to sandwich 150283. Meantime 143605 and 143624 run into platforms 6 & 7 on Valley Line services. Shortly afterwards 150241 reversed to leave on the 10.51 to Treherbert via City line, whilst 150283 formed the heavily loaded 10.57 two stop service to Fishguard Harbour.

Haverthwaite: 42085 almost ready for the off at Haverthwaite on 7 August 2012.

Lancaster: The 15 Guinea Fellsman ran double headed as planned on 7 August but Black 5s 44932 and 45231 were last minute substitutions for 45699 Galatea and 46115 Scots Guardsman. Complete with 1T57 reporting number on the smokebox the two 4-6-0s made a spirited climb of the bank from the start at Lancaster station. See image [[42324]]

Carlisle: 44932 and 45231 are about to move the ecs of The Fellsman out of platform 3 at Carlisle prior to propelling it into the sidings on the west side of the station, where it will lie until shortly before its 15.34 return to Lancaster.

Pollokshaws West: Glasgow's oldest working station at Pollokshaws West. The station was officially opened by the Lord Provost on 7 August 2013 as the new home of South West Community Cycles. See image [[39393]]

Matlock: Preserved Peak D8 Penyghent with a train at Matlock on 7 August 2013.

Crossmyloof: A poster commemorating the 125th anniversary of Crossmyloof station, opened on 1 June 1888.

Sheffield: Approach to Sheffield station in August 2013.

Carlisle: 44932 and 45231 bring The Fellsman to a halt in platform 3 at Carlisle on 7 August. To commemorate the 45th anniversary of the end of BR steam and the very last working on 11th August 1968, it was carrying the 1T57 reporting number of the Fifteen Guinea Special, albeit the actual number allocated in 2013 was 1Z52.

Pleasington: A bunch of 5s on The Fellsman on 7 August 2013 made it look rather easy as the return from Carlisle raced up the bank towards and through Pleasington station to the west of Blackburn. 44932 leads 45231 with 12 coaches behind as the train heads west in the evening sun.

Matlock: 156497 at Matlock on 7 August with an East Midlands service from Beeston.

Matlock: Scene at Matlock on 7 August 2013. The locomotive is preserved Peak D8 Penyghent.

Matlock: Ex-WD Austerity 0-6-0ST 68013 (RSH 7136/1944) in action at Matlock on 7 August 2013.

Lancaster: Edging cautiously down the bank towards Lancaster, this Bescot to Shap stone empties working has just passed a signal at yellow. The next signal protects the station itself so a passenger service is probably being allowed out of Lancaster ahead of DBS 66056.

Carlisle: Up until this point I was expecting a red Galatea to be piloting a green Scots Guardsman, but it would be churlish to complain about the sight of two locos in BR lined black. 44932 and 45231 bring the terminating down Fellsman into Carlisle station on 7th August 2013.

Cotehill: Following a two and a half hours sojourn in Carlisle, 44932 and 45231 head The Fellsman back south between Howe & Co's. Siding box and Cotehill on 7 August. They are already well into their stride, which with class 10 power available they should be - one Black 5 is quite capable of running the train to time.

Midland Hotel [Morecambe]: The beautifully restored Midland Hotel, Morecambe (opened 1933), photographed on 7 August 2014.

Yorkhill: An eastbound train at Yorkhill on 7 August 2014.

Rochdale: The newest addition to the Metrolink network is the 1km street running extension from Rochdale Railway station, down the hill into the town centre. Tram 3054 is at the new Rochdale tram terminus, which opened in March 2014, on a brief layover prior to returning to East Didsbury via Manchester.

Partick Central: View west from Benalder Street over the site of Partick Central on 7 August 2014, with the River Kelvin on the left. Lift and stair towers are now in place for the new flats. See image [[46940]]

Whitefield [Tram]: Two Metrolink trams roll out of the 140yd Whitefield Tunnel and into the sunshine to call at Whitefield station on a service from Bury to Manchester and Altrincham. Just above the tunnel mouth is the old street level booking office from BR days.

Deansgate: Nearing the end of a long journey from Felixstowe, GBRf 66741 rumbles through Deansgate station on 6 August heading for the Trafford Park freight terminal with a lengthy train of containers.

Carlisle: 156490 prepares to depart from Carlisle platform 5 with the 17:28 service to Newcastle on 7th August 2014. Standing beyond at platform 6 is the 18:14 Leeds via Settle service.

Shudehill: Single line Metrolink working through Manchester Victoria continued in August 2014 although the staff was being carried through the section by drivers rather than a pilotman. 3057 waits at Shudehill for a four car set to bring the staff through and the barrier across the tracks to be opened.

Carlisle: DRS 66304 draws into Carlisle platform 1 on 7th August 2014 for a crew change, following which it will resume its journey to Coatbridge Freightliner Terminal.

Manchester Victoria: As the new roof at Manchester Victoria is installed by two huge cranes, Bury and Rochdale trams continue to pass on the temporary single line. Metrolink 3003 drops down from Shudehill to pass through the building site heading for Bury on 6th August 2014.

Morecambe Promenade: The former Midland Railway Morecambe Promenade station on 7 August 2014, nicely restored and in use as a pub, restaurant, tourist information and arts centre.

Rochdale: A brace of trams, led by 3061, roll down the new street running section in Rochdale towards the terminus. The sole purpose of the traffic lights appears to be to stop road vehicles while Manchester bound trams come off the short single line section and cross over to the other side of the road.

Rochdale: A brace of M5000 series trams approaching Rochdale Railway Station on 7 August along the new section of the Metrolink system from Rochdale Town Centre. They will run via Oldham to Manchester and then out to East Didsbury. The fire station and its prominent tower are still for sale! See image [[34125]]

Morecambe Promenade: The south side entrance to Morecambe Promenade station in August 2014, with the initials of the Midland Railway carved in the stonework above the door. It's a pity that the attention to detail apparent in the early 20th century building was not perpetuated in the recent extension on the right - note the flashing where the new roof meets the original wall!

Carnforth: A 'brief encounter' with the famous station clock at Carnforth on 7 August 2014.

Shudehill: Metrolink 3060 leads a four car tram off the temporary single line section through Victoria and climbs towards Shudehill. This is now the only stop in the district while Victoria is closed to trams and so the pavements behind the Heras fencing are busy with commuters who wouldn't normally alight here.

Morecambe: Arriving at Morecambe by rail in the 21st century is a distinctly underwheming experience, although there is at least a decent ticket office with a seated waiting area, out of shot behind the camera. The class 150 dmu just arrived from Lancaster on 7 August and forming the 16:19 to Leeds (via the Bare Lane to Hest Bank chord) gives a better level of comfort than the Pacers often encountered on this route.

Carnforth: On a fine late afternoon in the summer of 2014, unit 156481 runs into the sharply curved up Furness line platform at Carnforth on the 16:10 Northern Rail Barrow to Lancaster service.

Morecambe Promenade: A view from the north side of the canopy protecting the main entrance (facing directly towards the sea), shows how developments adjacent to the 1907 built Morecambe Promenade station have been carried out in a sympathetic style.

Morecambe Promenade: With a dual carriageway separating Morecambe Promenade station from the feature after which it was named, patience is required to obtain an unobstructed frontal view of the main entrance canopy, seen here on 7 August 2014.

Portbou: A descriptive oval plate is affixed to the wall at stations in Spain, as this one at Portbou and also one at the small Llanca station en route to Figueres, with each showing what appears to be a metric 'above sea level' measurement. Someone fluent in Spanish can possibly translate its wording.

Portbou: View north in August 2015 over the infrequently used east side standard gauge tracks at Portbou used by SNCF services crossing the border from Cerbere. These are electrified at 25KV rather than the 3KV of Renfe tracks. The extensive main building has a full length platform canopy along this side and an overall roof on the other. See image [[52276]]

Llanca: The platform side entrance to the ticket office at Llanca, on the section of line between Portbou and Figueres, with decoratively tiled station name above the door. A clock can be seen alongside the door, with a small RENFE plate and the evacuation plan for that location below. There is also a descriptive oval plate, showing a measurement as at Portbou, mounted above the fire extinguisher.

Cerbere: A long distance panoramic view east over Cerbere from within Spain, with a lengthy intermodal rake seen alongside the station, and rakes of carriages stabled in the transhipment yard. Two SNCF electric locos and an SNCF Fret 469200 series Bo-Bo diesel shunting loco are stabled between station and yard, with the nose of a further electric loco, on the southern end of the intermodal rake, just visible below the signal gantry.

Llanca: Despite being a small intermediate station Llanca still has a ticket counter that is open for much of the day, with an inside waiting area complete with ticket machine, available for other periods. The tidy station is a credit to Adif, the local network operator, as is the use of English to assist any non Spanish speaking traveller.

Braehead Viaduct: 318255 forming the late running 0904 service to Milngavie crosses the new bridge at Bargeddie on a sunny 7th August 2015. The carriageways of the new section of the M8 have still to be dug out from under the bridge.

Braehead Viaduct: A Dalmuir - Whifflet service crosses the new bridge at Bargeddie on a sunny 7th August 2015. The distinctive steelwork of the original Cutty Sark bridge can just be seen on the left.

Horrocksford: Two views of the Horrocksford branch on 7th August 2015. The first shows DRS 66054, in the run round loop with 14 empty tanks from Mossend, ready to propel its train along the branch and into the cement terminal. The second, taken from the West Bradford level crossing, shows the propelling movement taking place. This was done under radio control from a member of staff who was walking ahead of the train and operated the crossing lights.

Wemyss Bay: Ongoing refurbishment, repair and renewal work in progress at Wemyss Bay station on 7 August 2015.

Wemyss Bay: ScotRail 380017 awaits its departure from Wemyss Bay in the midday sunshine on 7 August 2015.

Wemyss Bay: Some of the major renewal works underway at Wemyss Bay station in August 2015.

Port Vendre: It is often said that the road loading gauge benefits road hauliers over rail but this is not the case a short distance south of Port Vendres, on the road to Banyuls sur Mer, as signified by the tight clearance for the standard height road tractor and trailer unit seen heading south through the single track underbridge below the SNCF coast line from Perpignan to Cerbere; which then crosses the border to Portbou in Spain, and continues to Barcelona under Renfe.

Portbou: Adif liveried centre cab Bo-Bo diesel loco 311.126 accelerates out of the Portbou SNCF/RENFE freight interchange facility with a rake of empty intermodal bogie flat wagons heading for the short tunnel leading to the SNCF yard at Cerbere just across the border in France.

Portbou: SNCF Fret Bo-Bo diesel loco 469203 propels a fully loaded intermodal rake into the Portbou SNCF/RENFE interchange yard, no doubt having been brought over the border from the nearby SNCF yard at Cerbere in France. Almost immediately afterwards an Adif Bo-Bo freight loco set off in the opposite direction with a rake of empty intermodal wagons being taken through the tunnel to Cerbere.

Portbou: Looking north through the overall barrel roofed trainshed at Portbou in August 2015, with a Renfe Rodalies de Catalunya EMU seen stabled at platform 4.

Portbou: The ticket office at Portbou, which was not seeing a lot of business for a Fri late PM, as witnessed by the ticket clerk sitting whiling away the time. Services are very infrequent according to the departure display. Interestingly, mounted above the right top corner of the ticket office is a panoramic view of the bay at Portbou.

Portbou: There is a very sparse timetable for services to Portbou from the south for an early August, for period from Friday early evening through to mid morning Saturday, as indicated on the arrivals display for that period. Of note is the fact that all signage at stations has English as one of the three languages, plus rather than RENFE the provider is shown as Adif - the Spanish version of Network Rail.

Portbou: Portbou lies between two hills with tunnels to the north and south, with the northerly one crossing the border into France. The upper image shows the main tunnel south for the RENFE broad gauge tracks to Figueres, Girona and Barcelona. The lower image shows the opposite side of the large south end station building, beyond which there is a smaller tunnel for the SNCF standard gauge tracks from France serving the external platform at the station See image [[53237]]. This may be a dead end tunnel to provide a headshunt for run round purposes beyond the restricted space around the station.

Llanca: A lengthy rake of what appear to be redundant two axle covered car carrier wagons, with associated flat wagons, are stored in the sidings alongside Llanca Station between Portbou and Figueres. Above the flat wagons can be seen the traction power supply connection from the local Spanish electricity network to that section of line

Portbou: View south along the lengthy platform at Portbou, first station in Spain on the line running between Perpignan and Barcelona Sants, with the external easternmost lines on the left showing a lack of regular use. These lines are standard gauge, electrified at 25KV for the occasional SNCF services that run beyond Cerbere. A 3 coach Rodalies de Catalunya EMU can just be seen under the station roof, after arrival on a service from Barcelona Sants, and a number of Renfe Mercancias Bo-Bo electric freight locos are stabled over on the right. The large freight yard is located beyond the stabled locomotives.

Portbou: A 3 coach Renfe Rodalies de Catalunya liveried EMU stands under the impressive overall roof at Portbou on the afternoon on 7 August 2015, awaiting departure on the next service towards Barcelona Sants.

Portbou: With a person seated above the rear buffer of the leading wagon, a lengthy loaded intermodal rake is being propelled into the SNCF/RENFE interchange yard by Portbou station by SNCF Fret Bo-Bo loco 469-203. Such activities are no doubt totally forbidden in the UK today but at one time...See image [[26114]]

Portbou: A line of four Renfe Mercancías operated Bombardier Traxx 3KV DC Bo-Bo electric freight locos stand alongside Portbou station in August 2015, with dirty 253-082 and immaculate 253-095 the nearest pair. These locos were built to operate on the wider 1668mm gauge lines in Spain, unlike the Traxx locos of other operators which are all for standard 1435mm gauge operation. The interchange yard with SNCF is to right of view.

Portbou: View from the station platform at Portbou over freight in the transhipment yard, showing the various gantry cranes for transhipping loads between standard and Spanish gauge rolling stock. Locos in the yard are Adif Bo-Bo shunter 311.126 on the left, an unidentified Renfe Mercancias electric loco partially hidden in the centre and SNCF Fret Bo-Bo shunter 469203 on the right.

Portbou: A quick grab shot into sun looking down onto Portbou transhipment yard. Taken on 7 August 2015 from the narrow winding mountain road between Portbou and Cerbere. The lengthy intermodal rake seen stabled is that propelled into the yard by SNCF Fret Bo-Bo Shunter 469203 See image [[53109]]

Horrocksford: A Gate Guardian has been installed at the entrance to the Castle Cement works in the form of an old quarry wagon, mounted on a short length of track. The new feature is seen here alongside DBS 66054, which had arrived from Mossend and was shunting its train under the loading facility.

Portbou: A lengthy loaded intermodal rake is being propelled into the SNCF/RENFE interchange yard alongside Portbou station by SNCF Fret Bo-Bo loco 469203 See image [[52995]] Note the railway worker seated above the rear buffer of the leading wagon.

Portbou: Adif liveried centre cab Bo-Bo diesel shunter 311.126 makes a very speedy exit from the yard at Portbou, making for the tunnel into France en route to Cerbere yard, with a lengthy rake of intermodal container flat wagons See image [[52756]]

Nantwich: A midday Sunday service to Manchester Piccadilly passes the full paraphernalia of a modern level crossing as it slows for Nantwich station on 7 August 2016.

Wrenbury: You might think that this sign indicated a disused station and line. Not quite - it has a passenger train every 4 hours on Sundays. Weekdays are much busier.

Wrenbury: A bit late to buy a ticket then. What's more, the clock has stopped. This is the Southbound platform at Wrenbury, seen here in August 2016 see image [[57119]].

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Business as usual for the Edinburgh via Falkirk High trains as the Class 170 DMUs return to Queen Street High level. Work on the tunnel slabtrack replacement finished ahead of schedule enabling reopening 2 days earlier than planned, with services to the north east of Scotland resuming on the Monday.

Cowlairs Incline: The 1358 service from Queen Street to Edinburgh climbs smoothly up the new track of the Cowlairs Incline on the second day of operations from the reopened High Level station. The work in the tunnel finished ahead of schedule, allowing some services to resume 2 days earlier than originally planned. See image [[54489]] for a pre-closure view from the same location.

Edinburgh Waverley: Royal Scot at Waverley bound for the Borders on the 7th of August.

Edinburgh Waverley: The nameplate of the Royal Scot.

Tynehead Junction: 67009 EWS heads the Borders Steam Special south of Gorebridge on its way back to Edinburgh on Sunday 7th August 2016.

Gorebridge: Icons Of Steam... 46100 Royal Scot south of Gorebridge, being towed back on the return journey to Edinburgh on 7 August 2016 while operating on the ScotRail 'Borders Line Steam Special'.

Wrenbury: There's something rather domesticated about this ingenious conversion of a rather short goods shed, to the North-East of the station. The surrounding yard is currently up for sale.

Wrenbury: Looking NE over the crossing at the former station building, the outline of the former ticket office window can be seen in the white painted brickwork. [Ref query 97]

Aberdour: 68005 enters Aberdour with a 'Northern Belle' excursion from Glasgow to Dundee. 68022 was on the rear.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Old sandstone meets new brick - the point on platform 4 where the new alignment starts. As rebuilt, platforms 4 and 5 now curve slightly eastward of their previous incarnation.

Aberdour: VTEC power car 43312 nears Aberdour with the 10.00 from London KX to Aberdeen. The 12.47 ScotRail service from Aberdeen to Edinburgh disappears round the bend.

Paisley Gilmour Street: 314213, in SPT livery and now some 38 years old, calls right time at Paisley Gilmour Street on a service for Gourock on 7th August 2017. These noisy old units contrast with the new Class 380s that they have replaced on some Gourock and Wemyss Bay services and there have been letters to the (local) press!.

Haymarket East Junction: 170472, on a Glasgow Queen Street to Edinbrgh Waverley service, clatters over the points at Haymarket East and into the station. Photographed from Distillery Lane on 7 August 2017.

Stirling: Looking south from the Stirling footbridge as the 0526 Virgin service to Kings Cross is made ready for departure on Monday 7 August 2017.

Glenfinnan: The crowd control barrier in use at glenfinnan on 7/8/17. (Taken in a position of safety, in possession of a valid Network Rail PTS and not involved in safety critical duties at the time.)

Wemyss Bay: 314211 newly arrived at Wemyss Bay with a train from Glasgow Central on 070817. These old rattlers are uncomfortable and noisy but keep time and are used alongside the new trains. It has dawned on the residents of Wemyss Bay that they have lost the nice 380s from some services and they are not happy. Report in Largs and Millport Weekly News.

Stirling: A dreich morning and just about light enough for photographs. The 05 26 VTEC service to Kings Cross seen on Monday 7 August 2017.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: The Photographers' gallery at Glenfinnan on 7/8/17!

Leith Central: 'The Opening of Leith Central', a photo mural in the newly relocated doctors' surgery in the old station building. Notice that they've had to reverse the image. On my brief visit both waiting rooms were completely devoid of patients, which is testament to Leith's healthy climate. Photographed with permission of surgery staff.

Leith Central: Leith Walk Doctors' Surgery has just moved into fine new premises of on both floors of the old station building. Here are the murals in the ground floor waiting room, and by that I mean the surgery waiting room! Incidentally three streets on that map extract have since changed their names due to duplication with Edinburgh street names. Well done if you get them all. With thanks to surgery staff for permission to photograph.

Stirling: First light on a damp morning at Stirling and the red and grey livery of the 0526 VTEC service to Kings Cross contrasts with the blue of the Scotrail Sprinter in the bay platform. 7th August 2017.

Dundee: Dundee bay platforms with Turbostar 170450 awaiting its return journey to Glasgow Queen Street on 7th August 2018.

Duved: Who says that sleeper trains are on the way out? Not only is there now a year-round daily service here to and from Stockholm (but not Gothenburg) see image [[54203]] provided by national railway company SJ but there is also a private sector company, Snälltåget, which runs sleeper trains from Storlien from late August to the end of September 2018 to/from Malmö and a high season service from 19th December until April 2019 between Duved and Malmö. The summer high season sleeper train waits on Track 1 at its terminal station for eastbound departure. Three additional through tracks plus two unelectrified sidings and a maintenance depot make this the biggest station between Östersund Central and Trondheim. Despite this being a single track line these platforms are needed to stable these extra trains in addition to the normal service trains. This should be useful when the area hosts the Alpine World Ski Championships in February 2019.

Dundee: Dundee Esplanade Station in the distance (now closed) with the new footbridge which connects Tesco's with the Town side. Picture taken from Dundee Station.

Edinburgh Waverley: A new view of Waverley is possible from the top of the repositioned southern escalator which opened at the start of August. It doesn't however look very new as they've obvioulsy just reinstalled the old one, which was removed to allow the Platform 12 extension.

Dundee: The new Station forecourt at Dundee, looking very smart on 7 August 2018.

Stirling: From the 1990s onward, Stirling station became reputable for having platforms 2 to 10, but no platform 1. However, this was not strictly true because the latter did exist, albeit hidden from view in a truncated form, and had track to serve it. This photo shows platform 1 at Stirling on 7th August 2018 when it was hosting a 'cherry picker' resting between nocturnal electrification duties.

Carrbridge: Inspection Coach 975025 'Caroline,' with 37405 propelling from the rear, passing through Carrbridge on the way from Derby to Inverness on 7th August 2018.

Lostock Hall: Fifty years after the end of steam these are the remains of Lostock Hall loco shed (10D), viewed south west from Watkin Lane on 07 August 2018. The site has been overgrown for many years but recently cleared in preparation for a new use, caravan storage. The outline of the shed buildings and pits are exposed for the moment but it is expected that the whole area will be levelled, surfaced and not just cleared of vegetation.

Dalgety Bay: LNER 43206 speeds through Dalgety Bay at the head of the 0750hrs from Leeds to Aberdeen on 7th August 2018. Virgin-branded 43277 was on the rear.

Lostock Hall: 'The Fellsman' railtour on 07 August 2018 was operated by LMS Jubilee 45699 'Galatea' with Brush Type 4 47245 tucked in behind on 'spark prevention' duties. The returning trip is seen passing through Lostock Hall on a rather dull evening.

Carrbridge: 37405 propels Inspection Coach 975025 'Caroline' as they pass Carrbridge on the way from Derby to Inverness. 7th August 2018.

Haymarket: EMUs 365537 and 365529 stabled in platform 0 at Haymarket on 7th August 2018.

Edinburgh Waverley: Old and New! A new class 385 7 coach departing Edinburgh Waverley on the 10.15 to Glasgow Queen Street and an old Class 158 dmu arriving from Glenrothes on the Fife Circle route. 7th August 2018.

Dundee: A former GWR HST, now a four car set, on driver training duties on the Scottish East Coast. 43179 on the front and 43037 on the rear but these power cars have no branding as yet. Seen stabled in Dundee West sidings on 7th August 2018, photographed from Dundee station platforms.

Dundee: Platform view at Dundee on on 7 August 2018 looking back towards the new station entrance and hotel in the background. For the street level view see image [[65077]].

Hereford: 70000 'Britannia' and its support coach depart Hereford to take on water at Hereford Diesel Sidings before returning to take the Saphos Trains 'Welsh Marches Express' forward to Cardiff on 7th August 2019.

Hereford: 70000 'Britannia' brings the Saphos Trains 'Welsh Marches Express' into the down passing loop at Hereford on 7th August 2019. The train originated at Preston and is bound for Cardiff before returning later the same evening. D1944 is on the rear.

Hereford: D1944 on the rear of Saphos Trains 'Welsh Marches Express' sitting in the down relief line at Hereford on 7th August 2019. A train from Birmingham New St approaches its destination.

Hereford: 175108 departs Hereford on a Manchester Picadilly to Milford Haven service, which was 75 mins late at this point. It did not reach its planned destination but was terminated at Cardiff due to the late running. 70000 'Britannia' will depart shortly after and follow the DMU to Cardiff. 7th August 2019.

Woodacre Crossing: The 4-car CAF EMUs are reported destined for service in West Yorkshire but their testing is being conducted on the WCML between Edge Hill or Warrington and Carnforth. Displaying 'Not in Service' in the destination box, 331104 heads north at Woodacre on 7th August 2019.

Hereford: 70000 'Britannia' departs Hereford bound for Cardiff Central with Saphos Trains 'Welsh Marches Express' on 7th August 2019. The train had started its journey in Preston.

Llanwern Steelworks: The extensive steelworks at Llanwern, seen from across the Bristol Channel (Kewstoke beach, near Weston-super-Mare) in August 2020. Unfortunately, the extensive internal rail system cannot be discerned from this distance.

Denmark Hill: 700031, with a Thameslink service from Blackfriars to Sevenoaks via the Catford Loop, Swanley and Otford, arriving at Denmark Hill on 6th August 2021. To get from the Thameslink line onto Southeastern tracks, this train will have, a few minutes earlier, passed by the disused platforms at Loughborough Junction station on the Cambria Road spur from the ex-LCDR line.

Broomhill Junction: Black 5 No.5025 passing Tullochgorum, tender first back to Aviemore, on its first service train after restoration on 7th August 2021. Remains of a Bronze Age chambered cairn in the foreground and on the extreme right a pair of standing stones also from that era.

Burntisland [1st]: The old Burntisland terminus is often photographed from the entrance elevation, but on the other side the imprint of the trainshed roofs can still be clearly seen. Image [[58226]] shows an excellent model of the station when operational, including the trainshed.

Broomhill Junction: Twenty seven years have passed since Black 5 No. 5025 last hauled a train on the Strathspey Railway. Now fully restored and in gleaming LMS lined black the 4-6-0 is pictured at Croftnahaven, near the former Broomhill Junction, hauling the second train of the day to Broomhill on 7th August 2021.

Broomhill Junction: Black 5 No. 5025 passing Croftnahaven, with the second train of its first day in service after overhaul, heading for Broomhill. The overgrown embankment of the closed line to Craigellachie is in the background. On the far left, the abutments and piers of a dismantled viaduct over the River Spey can be seen.

Broomhill Junction: Black 5 No.5025 returned to service on the Strathspey Railway on 7th August 2021. Rather surprisingly to me I appeared to be the only photographer covering the event. The gleaming 4-6-0 is pictured, hauling its first train on the Strathspey Railway since 1994, passing Lower Lackgie near the old Broomhill Junction.

Shawfair: We are at Shawfair. A summer Saturday, a reduced timetable and social distancing mean that an otherwise unusual six cars on this Edinburgh service are more or less a necessity.

Mendip Vale: GWR (BR) 2-6-2T Small Prairie 4555 was the duty engine on the East Somerset on 7th August 2022. Seen here at Mendip Vale, running around its train at 1245.

Cranmore: For the technically minded, this image shows the rig set up to pressure test the smokebox steam pipes and superheater elements from GWR 2-6-2T Large Prairie 4110. This is an ex-Barry loco being repaired and overhauled for the Dartmouth Railway. It has not been steamed since 1963!

Cranmore: I understand this Tube car at the East Somerset Railway is a contract paint job. For whom, I do not know but it is up for sale.