Laira: Castle class 4-6-0 no 5069 Isambard Kingdom Brunel in the shed yard at Laira, Plymouth, in August 1961.

Plymouth Friary: Drummond class M7 0-4-4T no 30036 inside Plymouth Friary shed in the summer of 1961.

Exmouth Junction Shed: Shed scene at 72A Exmouth Junction in August 1961. The repair shop stands to the left of the running shed. Locomotives in the yard include M7 0-4-4T 30025 and N class 2-6-0 31846.

Plymouth Friary: Drummond M7 0-4-4T no 30036 in the shed yard at Plymouth Friary in August 1961.

Exeter St Davids: Ex-GWR Hall class 4-6-0 no 4993 Dalton Hall waits with a train at Exeter St Davids in August 1961.

Carlisle: '...and how was the weather in Blackpool?' A returning summer Saturday holiday extra stands in the rain at Carlisle platform 1 on 17 August 1963. The train is the 10.35 ex-Blackpool Central, conveying through coaches for Perth and Edinburgh Princes Street. Royal Scot no 46128 'The Lovat Scouts' has just taken over the train which had arrived earlier behind Blackpool Central shed's Jubilee 45571 South Africa. See image [[39966]]

Carlisle: BR light Pacific 72009 Clan Stewart held on the centre road at Carlisle on a wet 17 August 1963. The locomotive is waiting to run north to Kingmoor shed after bringing in the 8am Aberdeen - Manchester (currently standing at platform 4). See image [[43696]]

Carlisle: One of Blackpool Central's Jubilees, no 45571 South Africa stands alongside the south end of platform 4 at Carlisle on 17 August 1963 awaiting the signal to head for Upperby shed. The locomotive had earlier brought in the 10.35 summer Saturday train from Blackpool to Perth and Edinburgh (Princes Street).

Carlisle: The 10.35 summer Saturday return working from Blackpool to Perth and Edinburgh Princes Street on its arrival at Carlisle on 17 August 1963. The locomotive is Jubilee no 45571 South Africa off Blackpool Central shed.

Lossiemouth: 1963 view of an NBL Type 2 arriving at Lossiemouth with a branch service from Elgin.

Newcastle Central: York V2 2-6-2 no 60855 stands at Newcastle Central on a gloomy 17 August 1963 at the head of the 8.8am summer Saturday service to Lowestoft.

Carlisle: 44692 at Carlisle on 17 August 1963 with the 11.55am ex-Hellifield.

Carlisle: The north west corner of Carlisle station on 17 August 1963, with demolition work taking place between the west wall and James Street. Waiting patiently alongside platform 1 is Kingmoor's Stanier 'Coronation' Pacific 46236 City of Bradford, the rostered relief locomotive for the 10am Euston - Perth. See image [[61049]]

Carlisle: Upperby shed's Royal Scot no 46118 Royal Welch Fusilier preparing for the off at Carlisle platform 4 on 17 August 1963. The locomotive is about to take out the 8.00am Aberdeen - Manchester.

Carlisle: A busy scene alongside a wet platform 1 at Carlisle on 17 August 1963. Stanier Coronation Pacific 46244 King George VI is in the process of running through the station light engine, passing Royal Scot 46128 The Lovat Scouts waiting to relieve the locomotive off the 10.35am Blackpool - Perth / Edinburgh Princes Street. In the sidings to the right is station pilot 47515.

Carlisle: Stanier 'Coronation' Pacific no 46242 City of Glasgow has just brought the 1035am Glasgow Central - Blackpool train into platform 4 at Carlisle on 17 August 1963.

Carlisle: Royal Scot 46128 The Lovat Scouts stands in the rain on the west side of Carlisle station on 17 August 1963 awaiting the arrival of the 10.35am Blackpool - Perth / Edinburgh Princes Street which it will take forward see image [[37728]].

Carlisle: Another wet summer Saturday at Carlisle on 17 August 1963 with Royal Scot no 46128 'The Lovat Scouts' at platform 1 ready to take forward the 10.35 ex-Blackpool, conveying through coaches for Perth and Edinburgh Princes Street.

Carlisle: The 11.50am Glasgow Central - Morecambe stands at Carlisle platform 3 on a summer Saturday in August 1963. Crewe North 'Coronation' Pacific no 46248 City of Leeds is about to take the train south.

Carlisle: Royal Scot 46118 Royal Welch Fusilier has just taken over a recently arrived service at gloomy Carlisle platform 4 in August 1963. The train in question is the 8am Aberdeen - Manchester Victoria.

Carlisle: Calling at Carlisle platform 1 on Saturday 17 August 1963 is the 1S46 9.15am Liverpool Exchange - Glasgow Central. Locomotive in charge throughout is Bank Hall shed's Jubilee 45698 Mars.

Carlisle: Waiting patiently at Carlisle station on Saturday 17 August 1963 is Crewe North based Royal Scot no 46155 The Lancer. The locomotive is diagrammed to take over a relief Perth - Euston train.

Perth South Shed: McIntosh 2P no 55204 (or most of it) abandoned in a siding alongside Perth shed in August 1964, more than 18 months after official withdrawal. The locomotive was eventually cut up at Motherwell Machinery & Scrap, Wishaw, 4 months later. See image [[69824]] for a March 1961 view of the loco at work on the Killin branch.

General Terminus Quay: Standard 4MT 2-6-4T 80121 slips as it shunts a rake of 'Conflat' wagons at Glasgow’s General Terminus Quay in July 1965. No trace of this scene on the south bank of the Clyde remains now. The spire of Glasgow University, just visible in the distance, is probably the only thing in this view still standing.

Kyle of Lochalsh: D5334 prepares to leave Kyle of Lochalsh for Inverness on 17 August 1965.

Fort William [1st]: Looking south along the platform at the old Fort William station in the summer of 1965.

Morar: D5349 about to enter Morar station on 17 August 1965 with a train for Mallaig. Note the signal box, lower quadrant signals and level crossing gates. See image [[34896]]

Wath: A1A-A1A Type 2s (class 31) nos 5550 and 5820 stand on Wath shed, mid afternoon on Monday 17 August 1970.

Doncaster: Brush Type 2 no D5834 on the up through line at Doncaster in August 1970 with a trip working from one of the collieries to the north of the town.

Wath Road Junction: Class 25 no 5177 passes Wath Road Junction near Mexborough with a southbound express freight off the Swinton and Knottingley Joint line on 17 August 1970. The freight is about to cross over the four tracks running between the east end of Wath Yard and Mexborough / Swinton.

Mexborough West Junction: Brush Type 4 no D1564 heads an eastbound unfitted coal train from Wath Yard towards Mexborough and Doncaster on Monday 17th August 1970. The train is passing under the former Midland main line from Leeds to Rotherham and Sheffield.

Wath: Class EM1 electric locomotive no E26014 at Wath shed on Monday 17th August 1970.

Wath: The crew of EM1 (class 76) electric locomotive E26014 about to climb aboard at Wath shed in August 1970 before moving off to pick up a westbound freight from the Yard.

Wath: A general view of Wath shed looking west during the afternoon of Monday 17th August 1970. The three EM1 (class 76) electric locomotives are E26006/34/48.

Doncaster: Deltic no 9020 Nimbus takes the centre road through Doncaster station with train 1E05 the up Flying Scotsman at 13.33 on Monday 17th August 1970.

Wath Central: A photograph taken in August 1970 showing the station originally opened as Wath in 1851, renamed Wath-on-Dearne in 1907 and closed to passengers as Wath Central in 1959. The station was located between Wath Yard and Mexborough and had been served by Doncaster - Barnsley trains. The line continued in use for freight traffic until 1988 with the buildings eventually being demolished as part of a road improvement scheme in 2004.

Bishopbriggs Oil Depot: NBL 6133 with an eastbound freight on the E&G is passing the spur into Bishopbriggs Oil Terminal on a bright August evening in 1971. The freight has almost reached its destination at Cadder Yard. The locomotive was withdrawn from Eastfield shed at the end of that year.

Bishopbriggs Oil Depot: 6851+6850 with a tank train at Bishopbriggs oil terminal on a sunny evening in 1971. On the left is the E&G main line, where 5406 is passing with a westbound freight. 6851 is notable for having hauled the last down Anglo-Scottish freight over the Waverley Route (the 08.30 Kingmoor-Millerhill) on Saturday 4th January 1969. Delivered new from the Vulcan Foundry to Cardiff Canton in July 1963 it was later renumbered 37667 and eventually became part of the DRS fleet. See image [[51804]]

Cadder Yard: NBL Type 2s 6121+6124 eastbound through Cadder yard with an oil train in 1971. Both locomotives were withdrawn from Eastfield shed in October of that year.

Dunford Bridge: A pair of class 76 electric locomotives, with 76045 leading 76015, heading east with a freight at Dunford Bridge on the Woodhead route in August 1979

Pickering: Former Lambton Tank No 5 running round its train in Pickering station in the summer of 1980.

Wick: Scene at Wick in August 1985 with a pair of class 27 locomotives, headed by 27 042, preparing to leave with a train for Inverness.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: 44767 takes a Fort William - Mallaig special over Glenfinnan Viaduct in August 1986.

Banavie: Banavie (centre) with the Caledonian Canal, Neptune's Staircase and Loch Lochy in the distance taken from a Helicopter on a flight from Fort William and around Ben Nevis, was really amazing!!!!

Fort William: Photograph of Fort William taken from a Helicopter trip round Ben Nevis, the playing field is where we took off from.

Pitlochry: A lone passenger waits for the next southbound train at Pitlochry on 17 August 1989. On the right is the ornate 'heron' fountain, for a closer (and more recent view) See image [[65407]]

Dalfaber Level Crossing: Black 5 no.5025 in profile whilst working an Aviemore Speyside to Boat of Garten service in August 1989. The train is seen from amongst the heather at the halfway point between the stations.

Pitlochry: Pitlochry - view north, August 1989.

Berwick-upon-Tweed: The Reverend Brydon Maben of Waverley Route fame, seen against a background of Border hills and Berwick's station platforms on 17th August 1993. See image [[18723]]

Kilmacolm: View west over the former Kilmacolm station on 17 August 1998. What is now 'The Pullman,' still survives (despite its appearance here) see image [[14333]].

Kilmacolm: Another view showing conversion of the former Kilmacolm station building in August 1998 see image [[42381]].

Paddington: D1015 Western Champion prepares to leave Paddington on 17 August 2002 with the 'Western Noon' railtour to Birmingham and Worcester.

Heudeber-Danstedt: Until late 2002 Heudeber-Danstedt was a junction on the Halberstadt - Wernigerode - Goslar cross-country line, with a branch striking off north-westwards to Osterwieck. Not long before closure in late 2002, single-unit former DR piglet taxi No. 772 345 approaches the weed infested branch platform at Heudeber-Danstedt with a late afternoon working from Osterwieck-West. The branch can be seen diverging to the right of the signal-box in the left background.

Stranraer: A Sunday morning service for Glasgow Central leaving Stranraer Harbour in August 2003.

Stranraer: A train for Glasgow Central stands at Stranraer Harbour in August 2003.

Stranraer: Looking along the operational platform at Stranraer Harbour station on 17 August 2003. A train for Glasgow Central is awaiting its departure time.

Stranraer Town: The station forecourt and main building at Stranraer Town in August 2003. See image [[15283]]

Stranraer: Buffer stops - Stranraer Harbour - August 2003.

Stranraer: A train for Glasgow Central awaiting its departure time at Stranraer Harbour in August 2003.

Stranraer: View over Stranraer Harbour on a Sunday morning in the summer of 2003 with a train at the platform.

Stranraer Town: The abandoned Stranraer Town station in August 2003 looking west towards Portpatrick. The boarded up station building still stands in the background. Stranraer Town closed to passengers in March 1966.

Barrhead: Bay platform 3 at Barrhead in August 2006, with a train boarding for Glasgow Central.

Barrhead: Part of the enormous former goods shed standing alongside Barrhead station in August 2006, photographed from the northbound platform.

Barrhead: SPT 156509 about to enter the bay platform at the north end of Barrhead station on 17 August 2006 with a terminating service from Glasgow Central.

Barrhead: A terminated service from Glasgow Central stands in the bay platform at Barrhead in August 2006.

Barrhead: Trains from Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock pass at Barrhead in August 2006. View south.

Barrhead Viaduct: Looking south west along the A736 at Barrhead in the summer of 2006. In the background is the remaining section of the viaduct that once carried the Paisley and Barrhead District Railway. Each of the arches is in use by a small business operation, while on the right is the car park of the nearby Tesco Superstore. See image [[7557]]

Barrhead: A Glasgow Central - Kilmarnock stopping service approaching platform 1 at Barrhead on 17 August 2006.

Barrhead: A terminating service from Glasgow Central leaves the main line at Barrhead in August 2006 and takes the route towards the bay platform.

Barrhead: The smart looking signal box just north of the station at Barrhead, seen shortly after receiving a 'wash and brush up' in the summer of 2006.

Barrhead: Break time at Barrhead 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: A ScotRail DMU in 'Commonwealth Games 2014' livery waiting to leave Waverley on 17 August 2007 with a semi-fast service for Glasgow Queen Street.

Bristol Bath Road Depot: Bristol from a balloon #2. View west showing, at the bottom of the picture, the site of the former Bath Road shed, soon to be transformed into an entertainment complex. The south end of Temple Meads station is to the right. 17 August 2007.

Pilning: First station after leaving the Severn Tunnel on the Cardiff - Bristol route is Pilning, seen here with a PW squad giving way to a 158 on 17 August 2007.

St Philips Marsh Depot: Bristol from a balloon #1. First Great Western depot at St Philips Marsh. 17 August 2007.

Pilning: 66592 brings a freight through Pilning station on the eastern side of the Severn Tunnel in August 2007.

Edinburgh Waverley: With engineering work ongoing and platform space at a premium, a First ScotRail arrival slowly approaches 14, where a Voyager has left just enough space.

Koln Hauptbahnhof: ICE operating as an IC service (for Aachen) at Koln with the impressive cathedral beyond to the right.

Dumfries: Watercolour painting by Dumfries artist Dennis McCallum entitled Catching up on time showing a train leaving the north end of Dumfries station in the early 1970s. [Editor's note: The painting is based on an old photograph see image [[3438]] about which Dennis contacted me through the website asking permission to use it as the basis for this work. He has kindly sent me one of the limited edition prints based on the original painting. His father was a driver at Dumfries shed.]

Livingston North: A Bathgate-Edinburgh service approaches Livingston North station on 17 August 2009.

Penhelig: Emerging from Aberdovey tunnel number 3 into Penhelig station on 17 August 2011.

Kilmarnock Water Viaduct: DBS 66131 crosses Kilmarnock Viaduct with 4S84 Milford to Greenburn empty hoppers on 17 August. It will shortly run round in the Long Lyes before returning south to reach its destination.

Kilmarnock Water Viaduct: Class 156, 156501 runs over Kilmarnock Viaduct with 1E96, the 13.49 from Glasgow Central to Newcastle Central service. Photo taken from the rooftop of the adjacent multi-storey car park.

Lancaster: Stanier 8F 2-8-0 48151 gets to grips with the steep climb out of Lancaster with a Fellsman charter to Carlisle via Preston and the S&C. ON this clear still morning I'm sure the bark of the locomotive's exhaust could be heard all over the city.

Avoncliff: The Bath Spa Express passing northbound through Avoncliff on 17 August 2011 on its way from Poole to Bristol. The rostered engine was meant to be 60019 but 70000 turned up instead.

Avoncliff: The First Great Western 0923 Portsmouth Harbour - Cardiff Central DMU 158952 seen west of Avoncliff on 17 August 2011 heading for its next stop at Bath Spa.

Farington Curve Junction: LMS Stanier 8F no 48151 hauls The Fellsman railtour on 17 August 2011 as it approaches Coote Lane road bridge on the climb from the WCML between Farington Curve Junction and Lostock Hall.

Machynlleth: The new ERTMS signs at Machynlleth on 17 Aug 2011.

Tywyn: A southbound Cambrian Coast Line service approaching Tywyn station on a summer evening in August 2011, ultimate destination Birmingham International.

Chorlton: Chorlton-cum-Hardy station closed in 1967 but freight continued to pass through until as late as 1988. After full closure the trackbed was preserved allowing reopening to tram services in July 2011. Metrolink 3016 calls at the new Chorlton tram stop, on the site of the old railway station, on its way to Oldham Mumps.

St Werburgh's Rd: Temporary terminus - future junction. St Werburgh's Rd in Chorlton is a new tram stop on the Metrolink line line to East Didsbury. The line opened fully in 2013 but in 2012 this was the temporary limit of operations. 2014 also saw a new line to Manchester Airport join the system and this diverges at this station. Tram 3018 has just reversed and leaves for Oldham Mumps.

Burton Road: A brand new Metrolink station under construction in 2012 on the East Didsbury line that reopened the following year. Although this is a new site for a station the line itself was once the old Midland main line out of Manchester Central, which closed to all traffic in 1969. As the trackbed was protected it has been available for use on the expanding Metrolink network. View towards Chorlton (-cum-Hardy) on 17 August 2012 from what became the station entrance.

Rugby: Morning rush hour at Rugby, with a down Pendolino on the left, and 66178 (centre distant) with an up container train, waiting patiently for the 07.02 for Euston via Northampton to clear platform 6. The gentleman on the left appears to be on the receiving end of some ribbing.

Hinckley: View over Hinckley station see image [[44275]] from the footbridge in August 2013. There's quite a variety of architectural details on show. This platform is for trains towards Leicester.

Hest Bank: One quarter of the DRS Class 20 fleet passes Hest Bank level crossing on a Sellafield to Crewe working on 17 August, comprising a single wagon. 20312 (VF 1959) and 20302 (RSH 1961) are from the same era as the doomed Hest Bank box (1958) but hopefully the locos still have further useful life ahead of them.

Longniddry: 380101 forms the 17.27 from North Berwick to Edinburgh, seen leaving Longniddry on 17 August.

Longniddry: The 15.50 from Glasgow Central to North Berwick, formed by 380103, arrives at Longniddry on 17 August 2013.

Lillooet: Lillooet, British Columbia - a very rare example of a Canadian rural passenger service. This curious DMU operated by CN for the BC Government operates a daily service known as the Kaoham Shuttle along the shores of Seton Lake, connecting First Nations settlements around Seton Portage with the small town of Lillooet, taking about an hour to complete its scenic run.

Hinckley: The 1862 station building at Hinckley between Nuneaton and Leicester in August 2013. The building provides a home for an IT company, contains a vacant business unit, houses a therapist, accomodates a picture framing company. Oh yes... there's a railway ticket office as well.

Fraser River Canyon [British Columbia]: As far as the eye can see - a westbound (towards Vancouver) Canadian National freight on Canadian National tracks south of Lytton shortly before swapping riverbanks with the Canadian Pacific track.

Long Marston: Vivarail D-Train in the short platform at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The D-Train, rebuilt around former LU D78 stock, is currently undergoing testing here [see recent news item].

Long Marston: D-Train conversion work in progress at Long Marston in August 2015. See image [[52425]]

Long Marston: Ex-LU D78 car with 'modified front end' in the yard at Long Marston on 17 August 2015. The 'modification' resulted from a controlled crash into a 3 tonne tank of water during testing of the bodyshells, which are being converted to low cost 'D-Train' units by Vivarail.

Long Marston: Vinyl-applied design on the test power car of the D-Train at Long Marston on 17 August 2015.

Lockerbie: Planters maintained by 'Lockerbie in Bloom' give a welcoming appearance to this station, which is the railhead for a large area of South-West Scotland.

Edinburgh Waverley: Sculpture by Charles Avery Tree no.5 (from the Jadindagadendar) currently at Edinburgh Waverley near Platform 2 for the Edinburgh Arts Festival.

Prestwick Town: The 15.03 ex Girvan speeds through Prestwick Town on 17 August. This train runs non-stop from Ayr to Kilwinning and thence stops only at Paisley Gilmour Street prior to reaching Glasgow Central.

Falahill Summit: A southbound train on the Borders Railway runs past the village of Falahill on the morning of 17 August 2016. The car in the left background is heading north along the A7.

Cowlairs Incline: A guard gazes at the gantries which now grace the Cowlairs Incline as a Class 170 DMU from Aberdeen decends towards Queen Street.

Cowlairs Incline: Were it not for the cemetery on the hill in the background, it would be hard to believe that this is a view of Sighthill. The empty cable drum seen under the new OHLE gantry is in the Fountainwells EGIP depot and the Alloa bound 170 is half hidden by the recently planted lush greenery on Keppochill Drive.

Ettrickfoot Viaduct: Just under a mile south of Abbotsford Ferry the Selkirk branch crossed the Tweed on its way to Lindean. The railway bridge is long gone see image [[57798]] but the remains of the piers still provide a base for anglers from time to time. This scene, looking south west at Ettrickfoot on a sunny August morning in 2016, shows the remains of the northernmost pier being put to use for such a purpose. Straight ahead is the Ettrick Water, which joins forces with the Tweed at this point. The Selkirk branch closed completely in 1964.

Falahill Summit: Northbound Scotrail 158735 emerges from under the A7 at the south end of Falahill village on 17 August 2016. The train is the 1259 Tweedbank - Edinburgh. The road runs immediately beyond the wall - note the extremely acute angle between road and railway, resulting in the lengthy 'diveunder' required here.

Whitecraigs: Station adoption can lead to a transformation of the surroundings of a station. Here is some late summer colour at Whitecraigs on the Neilston line.

Ettrickfoot Viaduct: View west at Ettrickfoot, some 3 miles south of Galashiels, from below the bridge that carries the A7 across the River Tweed. At this point the Tweed has just been joined by the Ettrick Water, running in from the upper left. It was here that the Selkirk branch crossed the river, midway between Abbotsford Ferry and Lindean stations. The branch closed in 1964 and the viaduct was subsequently demolished, although remains can still be seen in the river. This view in 2016 shows an angler alongside the remains of the north pier. For a view of the old viaduct from the south in the early 1960s see [[57798]].

Fountainhall: A northbound service from Tweedbank approaching out of the sun hurries past the site of Fountainhall station on 17 August 2016. The train is about to pass over the Network Rail access pad marking the approximate site of the former level crossing (the photograph was taken from the replacement overbridge). The old station building remains boarded up and gradually falling into a state of disrepair see image [[6220]].

Lindean: Looking north towards the site of Lindean station in August 2016 see image [[56634]]. The former level crossing beyond which the station was located is now a minor crossroads on the A7, which today occupies the trackbed at this point. No signs remain of either the platform or the small goods yard, although the modified and extended former station house survives, standing behind the brown fence just beyond the crossroads.

Falahill Summit: The 1332 Tweedbank - Edinburgh runs north past Falahill village heading for the summit on 17 August 2016.

Thrumster: A photograph of the ticket office window at the restored Thrumster Station, which closed in 1944.

Bartonholm Colliery Pit No 1: The site of Bartonholm Colliery Pit No 1 which later became a depot within the ICI Bogside (Snodgrass) Works of Nobel Explosives, the east part of the Ardeer works. This view looks to Bogside Junction. Snodgrass workers platform was somewhere in this vicinity.

West Kilbride: In bucketing rain a 380104 draws to a stop at West Kilbride. Although out of use the station building still stands, but nothing appears to remain of the former up platform.

Bogside Colliery No 1: A branch of the Eglinton Iron Works Railway ran under the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock and Ayr Railway just north of Bogside Junction to reach Bogside Colliery No1, in the middle of Bogside Racecourse.

Bay Horse: D345 heads the Carnforth to York leg of the Scarborough Spa Express seen at Bay Horse on 17th August 2017. An extra treat for the passengers before the steam loco takes over. The train is scheduled to be hauled by a Colas Rail Class 56 on 310817.

Ardeer Platform: The single platform of Ardeer Platform, looking to the junction. This very long platform remains, largely overgrown. It served the large ICI, formerly Nobel Explosives, complex at Ardeer.

Wemyss Bay: 314203 leaves Wemyss Bay, and its reverse curves, with a Glasgow train on 17th August 2017.

Hellifield: 35018 British India Line arrives in the Up loop at Hellifield whilst on the second loaded test run around the 'Carnforth Circuit' on 17 August 2017. The train comprised of twelve coaches without any diesel assistance.

Bogside Junction: 380020 passes the site of Bogside Junction.

Huncoat: WCRC's 'Scarborough Spa Express' heads east at Huncoat with 40145 making a special appearance on the tour on 17 August 2017. Nice to see a Class 40 on the East Lancashire lines again. See image [[19324]]

Rogart: Locomotive 'Balblair' at Rogart station with the relocated west signal box on the right.

Holme Tunnel: Looking down from above the south-east portal of Holme Tunnel on 17 August 2017 as a Blackpool North to York Class 158 passes below. My last visit to this location was during the engineering project to refurbish the tunnel in 2013/2014.

Thrumster: The original buffer at Thrumster, but the rails came from Subsea 7.

Stansfield Hall Junction: A pair of Pacers on a Manchester to Blackburn service via Todmorden pass a Class 158 on a Blackpool to York service at Stansfield Hall Jct at the south end of the Copy Pit line on 17 August 2017. The actual junction is behind the photographer however there is a facing crossover between the two trains to give southbound access to the single line Todmorden Curve.

Stansfield Hall Junction: A Northern service from Blackburn to Manchester Victoria via Burnley takes the single line to the right at Stansfield Hall Jct heading to the next stop at Todmorden. The line to the left leads to Hall Royd Jct and Hebden Bridge.

Bogside Junction: On tour. 5Z74; a sleeper coach and 73970 en route from Kilmarnock Works to Polmadie. View looking west. The floodlighting is for a recycling centre.

Shilford Summit: 156502 on the descent to Barrhead from Shilford Summit. View looks to Barrhead. 30 years on from my last visit to this location see image [[7737]] - there's been a bit of tree growth in the intervening years.

Todmorden: Crossing the viaduct above the rooftops of Todmorden, GBRF 66716 heads east with a loaded biomass train from Liverpool Biomass Terminal on 17 August 2017. The train was heading to Drax power station.

Rogart: Golden rod at Rogart - a harbinger of Autumn.

Giffen: Giffen is very much reverting to nature. Some earthmoving followed by further tree growth has obscured the remains (and single track which is probably still underneath). See image [[[[11449]]]] for a similar view eleven years ago.

Portsmouth (Lancashire): A Northern Blackpool to York service passes over the level crossing at the site of Portsmouth station (closed 1958) on the Copy Pit line between Gannow and Hall Royd Junctions.

Bogside Junction: In a forest stands a buffer. This is the stub of the Snodgrass (Bogside) branch now cut back to close to the junction. The view looks to the junction. Initially a mineral line for Bartonholm Coal Pit No 1 it was later used as secondary access to the Ardeer works carrying both goods and, for a while, workers trains.

Garnock Longford Viaduct: A southbound 380 crosses the River Garnock with Kilwinning in the background and the Bartonholm marsh in the foreground. The distant tower belongs to Kilwinning Abbey.

Towneley: A York to Blackpool service crosses the level crossing at Towneley on the south side of Burnley. The signalbox now only looks after the level crossing, the signalling being controlled from Preston PSB since October 1973.

Wemyss Bay: Panorama of the circulating area of Wemyss Bay station. The covered walkway to the pier is to the left and ticket office and platforms to the right. See a panning and zoomable version.

Inverness: After bypassing the station, and the driver quickly changing ends, the 1713 from Kyle of Lochalsh to Elgin waits to continue its journey at Platform 4 at Inverness on 17th August 2018. This is the only timetabled train to use the chord past Inverness station before arriving at it!.

Livingston North: Very occasionally (I have only seen it twice before) a TIPLOC Timing Point Location creeps onto a passenger display by mistake. This must be confusing for the punter who will be wondering here what 'NWBG' is. It is Newbridge Junction. Don't pretend you knew.

Edinburgh Park: Having passed under the tram viaduct, on the very edge of the city proper, an Edinburgh service approaches Edinburgh Park station on 17th August 2018.

Livingston North: An Edinburgh service pulls into Livi North on 17 August 2018. Eastbound services use the original 1986 platform, which goes under the overbridge behind me. There was no room there for a second platform when the line was redoubled so there is a stagger. I'm not sure though why the westbound platform couldn't have been a little further east as there is surely room in front of the camera...

Livingston North: A Milngavie service enters Livingston North on 17 August 2018. If you want to get to the centre of Livingston from here I'd get the bus as it is two miles away. On second thoughts I wouldn't bother.

Lijiang: Lijiang Station in August 2018. This is the five platform terminus of the branch from Dali further south in Yunnan Province. The line is a steeply graded electrified mix of double and single track with loops with significant sections in tunnels through the mountainous country. The infrastructure appears to be relatively new and is in very good condition. There are 8 x 18 coach day-time round-trip services, which cover c.180km to Dali in around 2 hours, plus overnight trains. The return fare is about 7GBP. Lijiang will soon be connected to the Chinese high speed network as the final section of the Beijing - Kunming High Speed Railway will be open by 2020.

Grand Central Terminal: 6109 & 6121 from Metro North Rail Road, await their turn.

Nairn: Nairn station's 19th century Highland waiting room is being restored with the help of a grant from the Railway Heritage Trust. Viewed from the opposite platform in August 2018.

Inverness: 158706 rolls into Inverness Platform 3 with the 2000 arrival from Dyce on 17th August 2018.

Brundall: Neither 37419 (brakes stuck on) nor I (Day Ranger and railcards lost) were having a good day on 17th August 2019. Fortunately the driver fixed the engine, and some honest soul handed my ticket folder in at Norwich Thorpe.

Attleborough: The former goods shed at Attleborough has been converted into an oxygen generation facility. Hard to believe now that LT&S 4-4-2T Thundersley was restored here in the late 1960's.

Ipswich: 66758 nears the end of its journey from Hams Hall to Parkeston Quay heading train 4L20 on 17th August 2019. I was on a Day Ranger to ride behind class 37s out of Norwich, but made a side trip to Ipswich.

Reedham: A pleasantly old fashioned scene at Reedham, looking towards the coast in August 2019. In case you haven't taken the hint, the sign on the door on the left reads 'Heritage Room'.

Lowestoft: 37407 'Blackpool Tower' having a little throb at Lowestoft, on 17th August 2019, before heading back to Norwich. The soundtrack was good; but with faulty AC, the carriages were rather warm.

Lea Road: 319381 approaches Darkinson Lane road bridge to the west of the site of Lea Road station on 17 August 2019 while working a Blackpool to Manchester Airport service.

Oxheys: A northbound Pendolino passes Oxheys on the outskirts of Preston, making to the next station call at Lancaster on 17 August 2019.

Acle: The small, but perfectly formed, signal box at Acle still has opening sash windows. Taken from a proper train, with a 37 on the front.

Gorgie Junction: A hoarding at Gorgie - August 2019.

Norwich: 37601 'Perseus' makes a valiant attempt to hide behind 90002 at Norwich. Locals told me that this loco had been used to bring in new Stadler FLIRT units.

Oxheys: 86608 and 86607 head the 4M83 Coatbridge to Crewe intermodal on 17 August 2019. The train is passing Oxheys on the approach to Preston.

Norwich: 90.002 'Eastern Daily Press' getting ready to haul its train to Liverpool Street. Notice the class 37 in the background.

Great Yarmouth: 37407 'Blackpool Tower' champing at the bit to get back to Norwich on 17th August 2019 - preferably without brake problems from 37419.

Lea Road: Northern DMUs 150117 and 150276 approach the site of Lea Road station while working a Blackpool to Preston service on 17 August 2019.

Cambridge North: Train 6036 from Whitemoor to West Hampstead Thameslink whizzes through Cambridge North behind 66733 on 17 August 2019. The building taking shape on the left is a 4-star hotel see image [[71712]].
See query 2231

Cambridge North: An evening shot, appropriately, of 66779 Evening Star on an engineering train from Whitemoor to Camden Road. This train had preceded me South from Ely, but kindly waited in a loop so that I could get a picture. I must admit, the combination of livery and name brought a lump to my throat.

Norwich: This is what you get for publishing your memoirs without asking your bosses first. 55 years later, all anyone can see of you is your face on the side of Greater Anglia single unit 153309. The name is Fiennes - Gerard Fiennes.

Great Yarmouth: The signal box at great Yarmouth is still called Yarmouth Vaux(hall). The train on 17th August 2019 was class 37 hauled.

Ipswich: As a Victorian country dweller might say: every few minutes, another one pops out of this hole in the ground. A class 321 forming the 17.44 stopping train to Norwich is performing the trick at Ipswich on this occasion.

Cambridge North: The developments around Cambridge North station should give plenty of traffic in and out - including the extension to the guided busway. But it will be a much longer walk to the car park when the hotel is built. I like the 1950's style of this sketch.

Reedham: We like us telegraph wires in Norfolk, we does. Not quite so many as there used to be, like, but them very nostalgic, they be.

Moy: 70815, in Colas Rail livery, heads a train of empty calcium carbonate tanks from Mossend to Aberdeen Waterloo, running via Inverness on 17th August 2020. Once filled they will be taken to the paper mill in Irvine.

Moreton-in-Marsh: I cant quite imagine the builders of the Old Worse and Worse anticipating that their railway would use trains designed in Japan. Still, times change. This is a down train at Moreton-in-Marsh in August 2020.

Inverkeithing: LNER Azuma 800105 waits for time in Inverkeithing Up Loop with an Aberdeen to Doncaster Carr IEP depot empty working on 17th August 2020. This was diverted via Inverness and Fife because of the tragedy at Carmont. 170451 passes with the 17.28 from Haymarket to Kirkcaldy.

Lancaster Old Junction: The wreath on the smokebox of 46115 marks the first anniversary of the death of West Coast fireman Mike Middleton, while working 'The Dalesman' through Garsdale, in August 2020. The Scot made a strong start up the bank out of Lancaster on this occasion, despite the inclement weather.

Hoghton: The rear of a Northern service from Colne to Preston with 150108 is seen passing 46115 'Scots Guardsman' working 'The Pendle Dalesman' from Lancaster to Carlisle via the S&C at Hoghton on a miserable 17 August 2021.

Woodacre Crossing: Possibly because of the proposed changes to the Newcastle to Edinburgh route in May 2022, TPE Class 802 Hybrids worked a Craigentinny - Preston - Glasgow - Preston - Craigentinny test/training diagram from 16th to 19th August 2021 (Cancelled on 20th). 802218, one of several used, is seen at Woodacre on the leg from Glasgow on the Tuesday working. This routed through the platform lines at Lancaster without stopping. The train was diagrammed as a DMU despite the routes being entirely electrified.

Falkirk Wheel: Trip boat about to negotiate the Falkirk Wheel on 17th August 2021.

Bay Horse: The 1M11 sleeper from Inverness and Aberdeen was cancelled at Edinburgh on 17th August 2021 but the full train later ran as 5M11 ecs to Wembley. 92033 runs through the cutting at Forton, near Bay Horse, just before 9.30am on a grey damp day.

Bamber Bridge: The driver of Colas 70805 gives a long blast on the horn as it passes Bamber Bridge with the empty bitumen tanks to Lindsey Oil Refinery on 17 August 2021. I suspect the horn was for the benefit of someone using the foot crossing only 150 yards to the east of the station.

Hoghton: The rear of a Northern service from York to Blackpool North with 195116 is seen on the final hundred yards to the top of Hoghton Summit, viewed from the foot crossing next to the former quarry siding signalbox.

Falkirk Wheel: Inside a Falkirk Wheel trip boat on the afternoon of 17th August 2021.

Falkirk: Boat on the restored Forth & Clyde Canal at Falkirk, on 17th August 2021.

West Kilbride: The 11.03 for Glasgow on 17th August 2022, another Class 380, unfortunately into the sun. I must say the goods track is pretty rusty - even Mrs M noticed that! I had also planned to photograph the conveyor bridge over the A78 near Hunterston but it has just been demolished had completely disappeared.

Killin Junction: Killin Junction looking south west. The main line is bottom left and Killin branch to the right with the junction station further away (the remaining portion of concrete platform can be seen distantly).

Glenoglehead Crossing: View north over Glenoglehead Crossing. The view shows just how remote this location is, not an ideal spot for a temporary terminus being three and a half miles away from Killin.

Woodacre Crossing: 34067 'Tangmere' hauled an excursion that originated in Lincoln on 17th August 2022. The BB Pacific took over the train at Carnforth and ran WCML to Carlisle and then S&C to Blackburn. There a diesel took over allowing it to return E+C to Carnforth, seen here passing Woodacre only twenty minutes from its home base.

West Kilbride: This is the Network Rail platform side of the West Kilbride station building looking north on 17th August 2022. All doors on this side have been removed apart from one emergency exit from the Tapas Restaurant that occupies the building.

Blackburn: Northern 195112 on a Blackpool to York service arrives at Platform 2, Blackburn on 17 August 2022. On the right in the west end bay platform is WCRC 47804 which had arrived earlier from Carnforth to take over from 34067 on a Northern Belle charter from Carlisle to Lincoln.

Glenrothes with Thornton: Levenmouth Ballast 66955 runs through Glenrothes with Thornton, with the ballast empties from the Levenmouth branch to Ravenstruther, on 17 August 2022. 66952 was out of sight dead on the rear of the train.

Blackburn: Bulleid Battle of Britain pacific 34067 'Tangmere' arrives at Blackburn with a Northern Belle charter from Carlisle on 17 August 2022. The train was returning to Lincoln and the steam loco was removed here (returning to Carnforth) with 47804 being attached in replacement. On the other end was WCRCs 47815 in two tone green which became the train engine as the tour reversed here heading east via Copy Pit.

Ferguslie Viaduct: Scottish Government Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth visited the site of the first new feeder station to be commissioned as part of a £120m investment to boost the electricity supply into the railway network. The Ferguslie feeder station, which will connect to the network in October 2022, was installed near Paisley and supports the existing infrastructure as well as providing the additional electric power needed to support future decarbonisation of Scotland's railway.

West Kilbride: The new Tapas Restaurant that has been operating in the West Kilbride station building since February 2022.

Redford Junction: Thornton Yard east access, taken from a passing train on 17 August 2022. Pretty overgrown. Is that a buffer stop in there? The track has since been cleared for transfer of stored concrete sleepers and ballast for use on the Levenmouth branch.