Larbert: Platform view north on a wet day at Larbert in August 1951. Over on the left ex-Caledonian 0-6-0 57468 stands in the bay, while in the background a train is approaching Larbert North signal box.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: BR Standard 2-6-4 tank no 80008 passing Upper Port Glasgow Siding on 25 August 1958 with a train for Princes Pier.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42247 approaching Upper Port Glasgow siding from the west on 25 August 1958 with a Glasgow bound train.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: BR Standard Tank 80002 midway between Kilmacolm and Upper Port Glasgow Siding on 25 August 1958 with a train for Princes Pier.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: The signal box at Upper Port Glasgow siding, photographed looking south east in the summer of 1958.

Kilmalcolm: BR Standard class 3 2-6-0 no 77009 approaching Kilmacolm with an up goods train on 25 August 1958. The location is half a mile north west of the station where there were catchpoints for runaways on the Greenock bound line.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42240 passing Upper Port Glasgow Siding on 25 August 1958 with a Glasgow bound train.

Kilmalcolm: One of Ladyburn sheds smartly turned out Fairburn tanks, no 42238, seen here shortly after leaving Kilmacolm on a fine and sunny 25 August 1958 with a train for Princes Pier.

St Leonards: J35 0-6-0 no 64510 with the SLS Edinburgh and Dalkeith Rail Tour at St Leonard's goods yard on 25th August 1962 - 115 years after the end of regular passenger services! 64510 had propelled the train up from the branch junction at Duddingston on the 'Sub'.

Dalkeith: The SLS (Scottish Area) Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railtour stands at Dalkeith on 25th August 1962. Locomotive in charge is Gresley V3 2-6-2T no 67668. Dalkeith had lost its passenger service in 1942 and would close completely in 1964. See image [[47542]]

Newcastle Central: Gateshead V3 no 67652 at Newcastle Central on 25 August 1962. The 2-6-2 tank has taken charge of the 10.40am Kings Cross - Tyne Commission Quay Boat Train for the final part of the journey to North Shields. (See image [[53835]]).

Dalkeith: Gresley V3 2-6-2T no 67668 stands at Dalkeith on 25 August 1962. The locomotive had arrived with the SLS (Scottish Area) Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railtour from Waverley.

Duddingston Junction: J35 0-6-0 no 64510 at Duddingston Junction on 25 August 1962. The locomotive took charge of the SLS Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railtour for the section between here and St Leonards terminus see image [[27447]].

Newcastle Central: A3 no 60107 'Royal Lancer' leaving Newcastle Central on 25 August 1962 with the 5.10pm to Kings Cross.

St Leonards: Cabside view of J35 0-6-0 no 64510 at St Leonard's goods yard on 25 August 1962 with the SLS Edinburgh and Dalkeith Rail Tour. See image [[27447]]

Newcastle Central: Leeds (Neville Hill) based A3 Pacific no 60081 Shotover stands at Newcastle Central on 25 August 1962, shortly after bringing in the 11.30am train from Manchester Exchange.

South Leith: An SLS Railtour stands at the original Edinburgh & Dalkeith Railway terminus at South Leith on 25 August 1962 behind Gresley V2 2-6-2T no 67668. This was the first passenger station in Leith, opened in 1832 as plain 'Leith', with the prefix 'South' being added in 1859. Date of final closure to passengers varies between 1903 and 1905, dependent on source of information and definition of 'last passenger train'. See image [[11374]]

Newcastle Central: Gresley A3 60046 Diamond Jubilee seen shortly after arrival at Newcastle Central on 25 August 1962 with the 10.40am Kings Cross - Tyne Commission Quay boat train. The Pacific would shortly hand over to a V3 for the remainder of the journey to the Quay at North Shields. See image [[48033]]

Edinburgh Waverley: Thornton B1 no 61118 stands at Waverley platform 14 in August 1962 having brought in a train from Fife.

Dalkeith: The SLS (Scottish Area) 'Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railtour', hauled by Gresley V3 2-6-2T no 67668, at Dalkeith on 25 August 1962. The short branch from Glenesk Junction on the Waverley route see image [[30685]] lost its passenger service in January 1942 and freight in August 1964. A significant part of the station site later became a bus depot.

Duddingston Junction: St Margarets V3 2-6-2T no 67668 at Duddingston Junction on 25 August 1962. The locomotive had brought the Stephenson Locomotive Society (Scottish Area) Edinburgh & Dalkeith Rail Tour from Waverley and handed over here to J35 0-6-0 no 64510 for the trip up the St Leonards branch see image [[36313]].

Newcastle Central: A1 Pacific 60118 Archibald Sturrock takes the 11am Glasgow Queen Street - London Kings Cross 'Queen of Scots' Pullman away from the Newcastle stop in the summer of 1962. The train ran over the Leeds Northern route, via Harrogate and Leeds Central, home for the Copley Hill Pacific. See image [[5341]]

Motherwell Shed: Holmes North British J36 0-6-0 65331, seen in the yard of Motherwell Shed on 25 August 1963.

Kipps Shed: Holmes N.B. Class Y9 0-4-0ST no 68104 photographed out of use at Kipps in August 1963. Built in the latter years of the 19th century around half the class (but not this example) were permanently coupled to wooden tenders. Many of these versatile engines were hired out by BR from time to time, with 68104 spending a period at the [[Phoenix Tube Works]] in Rutherglen in 1961. The locomotive was cut up at Cowlairs a month after this photograph was taken.

Kipps Shed: Drummond ex-Caledonian 0F 0-4-0ST Pug no 56029 of 1895, seen here in the sidings alongside Kipps shed in August 1963. By this time the locomotive had been officially withdrawn for 8 months and the shed had been closed to steam for over 6 months.

Old Oak Common: 7029 Clun Castle stands in the sunshine at Old Oak Common shed in the summer of 1964.

Swindon Works: 6976 Graythwaite Hall in the works yard at Swindon in August 1964.

Willesden Shed: 45552 Silver Jubilee alongside the coaling plant at Willesden in August 1964.

Swindon Works: A Castle class 4-6-0 stands at the head of a lineup of condemned ex-GWR locomotives in a siding at Swindon works in the summer of 1964.

Langbank: 80027 skirts the Clyde near Langbank on 25 August 1965 with a Gourock - Glasgow local.

Rothesay Pier: TS Queen Mary II leaving Rothesay Pier on 25 August 1965.

Carstairs Shed: Black 5 no 44791 stabled in the shed yard at 64D Carstairs in the summer of 1965.

Greenock Princes Pier [2nd]: 44992 pilots 73104 with a boat train for St Enoch from Greenock Princes Pier in August 1965.

Carstairs Shed: Black 5s at Carstairs. 45217 and 45245 at the west end of 64D Carstairs in the the summer of 1965. See image [[1189]]

Greenock Princes Pier [1st]: BR Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73104 at Greenock Princes Pier with a boat train for St Enoch in the summer of 1965. Regular scheduled passenger services to and from Princes Pier had ceased in 1959, but boat trains continued to use the terminus until November 1965. See image [[11279]]

Rothesay Pier: PS Caledonia approaching Rothesay Pier in the summer of 1965.

Gourock Pier: [[TS Queen Mary II]] photographed approaching Gourock Pier on 25 August 1965.

Greenock Princes Pier [2nd]: General view of the 1894 Glasgow and South Western Railway station at Princes Pier, Greenock, taken from the signal box in August 1965. This station replaced the first Princes Pier station (1869), located 90m due south, and originally named Albert Harbour.

Greenock Princes Pier [1st]: BR Standard class 5 4-6-0 73104 of Corkerhill shed at Greenock Princes Pier with a boat train in August 1965.

Princes Pier Shed: 44992 brings empty stock for a boat train into Princes Pier station in 1965.

Greenock Princes Pier [1st]: View of Princes Pier station framed in the gantry of GSWR signals in August 1965 as 73104 awaits the arrival of its train.

Edinburgh Princes Street: Thompson B1 4-6-0 no 61134 of Dalry Road shed on station pilot duty at Princes Street on 25 August 1965, while 44973 waits over on the left with a Carstairs working. 1965 was the final year of operation for Princes Street station, Dalry Road shed and both locomotives.

Carstairs Shed: Black 5 no 45217 photographed in Carstairs shed yard on 25 August 1965.

Carstairs Shed: Black 5 no 45245 standing at the west end of Carstairs shed in August 1965.

Schwandorf: DB Class 50s at Schwandorf MPD in August 1974. No. 052 794 with 050 737 behind. The class 217 B-B diesel hydraulic standing on the right was one of a small class of only 15 locos built in the late 1960s. As of late 2011, four of them were still in service on freight work from Mühldorf, although 217 018 was not one of them.

Schwandorf: Class 50 low axle-load 2-10-0 No. 052 055 sits out a late summer Sunday at Schwandorf MPD in Bavaria, not far from the Czech border, on 25 August 1974.

Schwandorf: The diesel locomotive standing in the background on Schwandorf's roundhouse turntable in August 1974 is an indication that Class 50 No. 050 737 and its classmates had only a limited time left.

Kirchenlaibach: DB Class 50 2-10-0 No. 050 674 comes off shed at Kirchenlaibach early on a Sunday afternoon in August 1974. Kirchenlaibach is a junction station to the south-east of Bayreuth in northern Bavaria at the intersection of the Weiden - Bayreuth and Nuernberg - Marktredwitz (-Cheb) lines. In 1974 it still had a substantial allocation of class 50s for local freight work, but this being a Sunday it seems more likely that its next duty will be a local passenger working.

Weiden: The locomotive shed at Weiden, a junction on the Regensburg to Hof line, with almost everything stabled under cover on Sunday 25 August 1974. Class 044 No. 044 247 stands with its nose poking out of the roundhouse.

Schwandorf: The photographer's conveyance of the time provides some additional interest to this shot of class 50 2-10-0 No. 050 253, seemingly put out to grass at Schwandorf MPD in late summer 1974.

Schwandorf: DB class 50s, Nos. 052 185 and 051 899 standing adjacent to the roundhouse at Schwandorf MPD in August 1974. Schwandorf is an important junction on the Regensburg to Hof main line, although much of the local freight work, which in 1974 still required a fleet of class 50s to operate, has now disappeared.

Windsor and Eton Riverside: A Bank Holiday excursion train, headed by a Class 33, is stabled for the day at Windsor and Eton Riverside station on 25th August 1975. The platform in view eventually fell into disuse and the track was lifted, with the trackbed now forming part of a car park.

Windsor and Eton Central: August Bank Holiday Monday 1975 was rather warm in Windsor. Tired trippers awaiting a train home are grateful for the shade from the long canopy on platform 1 at Windsor & Eton Central. Since then, the station has undergone two major redevelopments: firstly, as an exhibition site for Madame Tussauds, and latterly as the Windsor Royal Shopping mall. The platform was shortened each time until it became only suitable for 3 coach trains. [Ref query 10710]

Redruth: D1025 'Western Guardsman' arrives at Redruth with 1A45, the 1225hrs Penzance to Paddington on 25 Aug 1975. Withdrawal of the Westerns was underway by this time and D1025 had only another six weeks of service left. Carn Brea Castle can be seen on the hill behind the train.

Kyle of Lochalsh: The Kyle of Lochalsh starter/home signals in August 1977.

Nossen: Mid-afternoon on 25th August 1979 finds rebuilt class 50 2-10-0 No. 50.3554, fitted with a Giesl ejector, running tender first into Nossen on a short freight from the west, probably from Döbeln. What appears to be double track beyond the train was in fact two single lines, the left-hand one from Döbeln and Leipzig, the right-hand from Riesa.

Nossen: Towards the end of steam, original class 50s had become something of a rarity in East Germany, and one fitted with Wagner smoke deflectors (as opposed to the Witte type familiar in the UK on the A3s) was rarer still. No. 50 1002, shedded at Nossen, therefore had something of a celebrity status, even if the duties on which it was employed were rather modest. Just after 15.30 on a Saturday afternoon in August 1979 it is seen leaving Nossen on a local freight for Riesa.

Scotland Street Junction: The BLS 'Clydeside Wanderer' at Scotland Street Junction, just south of General Terminus, on a photo stop on 25 August 1979.

Etteridge Crossing: 40157 heads a southbound passenger train at Etteridge, north of Dalwhinnie, in the summer of 1980.

Dalnaspidal: 60009 Union of South Africa northbound past Dalnaspidal with the 'Osprey Express' on 25 August 1980. The 9-coach special, organised by BR (Scottish Region) ran as a return excursion between Edinburgh and Aviemore.

Wivenhoe: In the 1980s, August Bank Holidays still saw very large influxes of day trippers from London into the coastal resorts of Clacton and Walton. British Rail anticipated that the inhabitants of these resorts would like nothing more than to escape the invasion by heading off on a mystery excursion. Having departed Clacton at 6.00 a.m on August Bank Holiday 1980, the MystEx (hauled by 47114) calls for additional custom at Wivenhoe around half an hour later. The train's destination was Scarborough. Whether or not it was passed en route by a similar MystEx from Scarborough to Clacton is another mystery...

Broughty Ferry: BRCW Type 2 26029 with a southbound service at Broughty Ferry in August 1982. The train is standing alongside the abandoned bay platform at the west end of the station.

Kidderminster Town: LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 no 46443 had just arrived at Kidderminster with another busy service from Bridgnorth on the SVR on 25 August 1985.

Minety and Ashton Keynes: A GWR 150 steam special in 1985. BR ran a series of these from Gloucester and Swindon. It was just a pity they chose to close Swindon Works at the same time but there is a nice shopping centre in its place. GWR Castle 4-6-0 7029 'Clun Castle' hauled one of the specials, seen here southbound for Swindon at Burry Hill Farm Bridge near Minety on 25 August 1985.

Karlsruhe: Trams meet in the Marktplatz in Karlsruhe. These trams are operated by VBK but the line that they are on has disappeared as they have been moved underground making it a pedestrianised area. In the Marktplatz you can see a pyramid and an open air market and in the distance is the 18th Century Karlsruhe Palace and the Badisches Landesmuseum both worth a visit.

Crewe: A class 150 departs Crewe for Nottingham in August 1990.

Crewe: Looking north west over Crewe station on 25 August 1990 as an InterCity set with DVT leading heads south on the up through road.

Crewe: A view from the end of platform 2 at Crewe over the southern approaches as a Class 87 and Mk3 set with DVT heads north on 25 August 1990.

Crewe: The Hunslet Barclay weedkilling train arrives at Crewe off the Shrewsbury line in August 1990. 20902 is leading and 20905 is on the rear.

Crewe: A local class 304 service for Manchester runs into platform 1 at Crewe on 25 August 1990.

Crewe: 87101 heads south from Crewe station in August 1990.

Crewe: A 47 on a straight run south through Crewe station as a class 90 makes a stop with a northbound service. August 1990.

Crewe: Class 20 no 20905 in Hunslet Barclay livery arrives at Crewe from the south in August 1990 on the rear of a weedkilling train. Locomotive no 20902 is at the head of the train.

Crewe: Arrival at Crewe off the Shrewsbury line in August 1990.

Tobermory Pier: Glenlight Shipping's MV Glencloy [II] anchored in Tobermory Bay in 1993 seen from MV Iona which was just leaving the pier.

Newcastle Central: Wide angle platform view from the west end of a busy Newcastle Central on 25 August 1997, looking back towards the main station.

Bowshank Tunnel: In the gloom of tree growth by the northern portal of the Bowshank Tunnel in 2002.

Crookston Mill Bridge: The northern of the two bridges at Crookston in 2002. The bridge has been repaired and painted green.

The Whin Bridge: Trackbed of the line on the girder bridge at The Whin in 2002, long before any work to reinstate the line had begun. Ballast had survived remarkably well, despite closure 33 years earlier.

Torwoodlee North Viaduct: Just to give an impression of the state of the line before clearance and repairs began, this is the northern bridge at Torwoodlee back in 2002. This view looks south over the bridge remains towards the tunnel.

Marshall Meadows: A southbound coal train passing Marshall Meadows, just north of Berwick on Tweed, on an August evening in 2004.

Dundee: A very busy period at Dundee on 25 August, with 3 158s joined by a Virgin 221 on platforms 2 and 3 and another pair of 158s stabled in the sidings.

Alloa [1st]: August 2006, work continue to open the S-A-K line.
First heavy rain for weeks. This is the site of the old Alloa East Junction. the new Alloa station will be beyond the bridge.

Blair Atholl Shed: Looking north at Blair Atholl on 25 August 2007. Track entered the shed at the other end. The former locomotive shed closed in 1962. [[Blair Atholl]] station is out of shot to the right.

Tomatin: The abandoned platform signal box at the former Tomatin station on 25 August 2007, looking north towards Inverness.

Cardross: Class 40 heading towards Cardross with a tour to Fort William.

Cardross: 40 hauled Carlisle to Fort William tour returning south.

Dalwhinnie: An Inverness bound train approaching Dalwhinnie in August 2007.

Dalwhinnie: A Glasgow Queen Street - Inverness service runs north through Dalwhinnie station on 25 August 2007.

Dalwhinnie: A Glasgow Queen Street - Inverness train just north of Dalwhinnie in August 2007. Photographed looking north west from a layby alongside the A9.

Rogart: A southbound train for Inverness is routed into the up platform at Rogart in August 2007.

Dunblane: A Glasgow Queen Street 170 service stands at platform 1 at Dunblane on 25 August while a 158 from Edinburgh leaves platform 3 for the reversing siding.

St Blazey Roundhouse: A deserted St Blazey shed with just 66004 on the depot in August 2007. The turntable in the foreground is currently under repair having been out of use for some time. Compared to how it was in the 20th Century St Blazey is quiet indeed now.

Dalwhinnie: The road approach to a smart looking Dalwhinnie station in the summer of 2008. The old building had recently been given a bit of a refurbishment. [Ref query 21 July 2018]

Dalwhinnie: Smart refurbished signal box at the north end of Dalwhinnie, seen here in August 2007 from the up platform.

Blair Atholl: Entrance to the down platform at Blair Atholl in August 2007 from the south side of the level crossing on Ford Road.

Blair Atholl Shed: South end of the former [[Highland Railway]] locomotive shed at [[Blair Atholl]], seen here in August 2007. The shed spent its final operational years as a sub-shed of Perth (63A) along with those at Aberfeldy, Crieff and Forfar. See image [[30733]]

Linlithgow: A 6-car Glasgow train pulls into Linlithgow on 25 Aug 2007.

Rogart: A train from the far north bound for Inverness seen shortly after leaving Rogart on 25 August 2007. The train is heading west towards Lairg at this stage with the A839 road running parallel on the right. See image [[42675]]

Stirling: Empty stock at platform 7 at Stirling on 25 August 2007 with 158 732 showing Bathgate on the destination panel.

Dalwhinnie: ScotRail 170429 northbound coming out of the sun about to run through Dalwhinnie station on 25 August 2007. See image [[36021]]

Blair Atholl: View from the north side of the level crossing over Ford Road, Blair Atholl, in August 2007.

Meikle Ferry: Approach to the former station at Meikle Ferry in August 2007. The building is now part of a holiday complex. The sign on the front of the building reads 'Dornoch Bridge Inn'.

Meikle Ferry: A train from the far north passing the long closed station at Meikle Ferry on 25 August 2007. The station was open for less than 5 years, closing on 1 January 1869, having been originally planned when consideration was being given to taking a direct route north from here across the Dornoch Firth.

Larbert: The northern approaches to Larbert seen on 25 August 2007 as 170 475 arrives with a Glasgow train.

St Dennis Junction: One would never know that St Dennis Junction ever existed looking at this 2007 view. A new road bridge for the A30 has been built over the railway, close to where the signal box stood. See image [[38293]]. A HST from Newquay is passing, heading for Paddington.

Dalwhinnie: Heading north from Dalwhinnie on 25 August 2007 past the surviving water tank base and operational signal box.

Blair Atholl: Looking south west over the level crossing at Blair Atholl towards the signal box in August 2007, just before the rain!

Tomatin Viaduct: ...and theres another one. Tomatin viaduct to the north of the town, 2007.

Dalwhinnie: The up platform building at Dalwhinnie in August 2007.

Rogart: A southbound train on the far north line leaves Rogart for Inverness on 25 August 2007.

Bridge of Allan: 170 452 on an Edinburgh - Dunblane service at Bridge of Allan on 25 August 2007.

Dunblane: 170 477 awaits its departure time at Dunblane on 25 August 2007 with a Glasgow Queen Street train.

Vilanova i la Geltru: Lineup at the RENFE museum roundhouse at Vilanova, 40km southwest of Barcelona, in August 2008.

Dalgety Bay: 37 248 climbs north away from Dalgety Bay with The Royal Scotsman on 25 August 2008.

Cairneyhill: Pathfinder Railtour hauled by EWS 60100, passing Cairneyhill, Fife, heading west between Dunfermline and Longannet, on 25 August 2008.

Aberdour: EWS 60100 with the Pathfinder railtour between Dalgety Bay and Aberdour on 25 August.

Cairneyhill: EWS 66082 brings empty coal hoppers east from Longannet on 25 August, passing the site of Cairneyhill station in the right background.

Farington Curve Junction: Direct Rail Services Class 37 No. 37194, on a test run, rejoins the East Lancashire line at Farington Curve Junction while on a test run from the West Coast Railway depot at Carnforth where it had recently been overhauled. The loco had reversed in Preston and provided an unusual sight as DRS locomotives are rarely seen on the Preston to Blackburn line.

Farington Curve Junction: Looking very ex-works an immaculate DRS 37194 arrived light engine in Preston via the East Lancashire line, presumably on a test run from WCRC at Carnforth where it has recently been overhauled. Here it is seen on the slow lines running down towards Skew Bridge from Farington Curve Junction. After a short stop in Preston the loco retraced its outward journey. See image [[25183]]

Princes Street [Tram]: Edinburgh tram update 25 August 2009. View east from the new pedestrian access crossing at the foot of Frederick Street.

Princes Street [Tram]: Edinburgh tram update 25 August 2009. View west from the new pedestrian access crossing at the foot of Frederick Street.

Shepherd's Bush: Marshalled in the centre of a Dollands Moor - Wembley freight on 25 August 2010, the first of the new ScotRail emus, no 380106, passes north through a rain-soaked Shepherd's Bush station on the West London Line.

Shepherd's Bush: The first of the new ScotRail emus, unit 380106, seen here just after passing the northbound platform at Shepherd's Bush station on the West London Line on 25 August 2010 as part of a Dollands Moor - Wembley freight.

Farington Junction: Colas Rail 66841 heads south on the WCML Up Fast line at Farington Junction on 25 August 2010 with the Carlisle - Chirk log train. In the distance on the left is another Class 66 heading south on the Up Slow. To the right of the log train are the tracks from Lostock Hall Junction and the East Lancashire lines.

Preston: The last run for this summer of The Welsh Mountaineer on 25 August 2010 sees ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 no 48151 'Gauge O Guild' charge southwards along the WCML from Preston with whisps of steam emanating from the cylinder draincocks. The train is about to cross Factory Lane, Penwortham. Summer must be over as this is the first dry and bright Wednesday morning that this train has seen!

Farington Curve Junction: The Lindsey Refinery to Preston Docks tar tank train is seen dropping down from the East Lancashire line towards Farington Curve Junction for the short run north to Preston with the unique liveried 60074 Teenage Spirit providing a welcome break from the usual Class 66.

Daventry International Railfreight Terminal: Looking South-East to the original yard at DIRFT in late August 2011, the new line is clearly complete; even if there's some more concrete to add to the bridge.

Elderslie Junction: It can be a lonely job at times! Track inspection taking place at Elderslie on 25th August 2011

Old Roan: The modern structures at Old Roan near Aintree. Like many Merseyrail stations it is a bit non-descript at platform level but worth a second look from the street. This view was taken from the bus area of the Old Roan interchange and looks towards the booking office. It also shows the lift for the Ormskirk platform and the subway to the Liverpool platform, which also has a similar glass lift tower. Old Roan station opened in 1935 to serve housing developments to the north of Aintree.

Falkirk Grahamston: Passengers leaving a terminated service from Glasgow Queen Street via Cumbernauld after arrival at Falkirk Grahamston on 25 August 2011. The ECS is about to run forward onto the Grangemouth branch for a short layover prior to crossing over and running back into platform 2, where it will form the next service to Queen Street via the Cumbernauld line.

Taw Valley Halt: After a fair few trials and tribulations, the Swindon & Cricklade Railway finally opened their temporary terminus, known as Taw Valley Halt, on the north west outskirts of Swindon. GWR 5521 is seen at work on clearance and safety checks at Taw Valley Halt before the first passenger trains.

York: Remember when proper trains carried destination boards. 'The Royal Scot' board is seen here on one of the coaches of the UK Railtours 'Harrogate and HMS Pinafore' special from Reading to Harrogate, photographed at York station on 25 August. DBS 67022 top & tailed 67026 Diamond Jubilee.

Carron: On a very wet August day the progress of the undergrowth in enveloping Carron Station is clear. Rate of growth over the past 3 years is suprising! Taken from the site of the level crossing in August 2012, looking north towards Aberlour.

Buckie [GNSR]: The bridge that carried the Moray Coast line over the Burn of Buckie, located between Buckpool and Buckie stations looking east to Buckie in August 2012. The old sleeper wall on the right is in need of replacement. The photograph belies the built - up areas on both sides of the burn.

Nordhausen: A study tour by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships based at the German town of Nordhausen in August 2003 included a visit to the town's tram depot, which resulted in an impromptu tour of the tram system using vintage vehicle No. 23 (can't see that happening in Edinburgh somehow!). On the extreme left is well-known Edinburgh rail campaigner Lawrence Marshall and to right of centre isn't our CIA minder but Railscot contributor Ian Dinmore.

Hardengreen: The roundabout at Hardengreen on Sunday 25 August. Looking north along the A7, with preparations for the new rail bridge continuing.

Gorebridge: Progress at Gorebridge - view north over the station site on 25 August 2013

Tyne Dock: Vehicle roof view of mostly hidden recent import GBRf 66748, together with 66737 & an unidentified class member, seen stabled at Tyne Dock coal loading point reception sidings by the Cemex concrete plant on Jarrow Road on 25 August 2013.

Grafton East Junction: An eastbound First Great Western HST passing Crofton on 25 August 2013.

Sheriffhall City Bypass Overbridge: Looking east from Sheriffhall Roundabout along the Edinburgh City bypass on Sunday morning 25 August 2013. The temporary diversion to the north (left) is due to be brought into use during September. This will allow a section of the main carriageway to be taken out of use, followed by excavation work to enable the Borders Railway to pass below the road.

Inverkeithing South Junction: Looking north near Inverkeithing harbour along the Rosyth branch on 25 August. Weeds seem to be taking over; in contrast, some major bridge construction in connection with the Queensferry Crossing approaches will preserve the route for the future ...

Crofton Beam Engine: Photograph taken on 25 August 2013 during a visit to see the working Beam engines located at Crofton on the Kennet and Avon Canal, close to Marlborough. Not exactly (!) railway but the boiler is labelled GWR Swindon and the valve gear could have been used by George Stephenson. See image [[29247]]

Tyne Dock: Looking towards Tyne Dock coal loading point reception sidings adjacent to the Cemex concrete plant on Jarrow Road on 25 August 2013. Locomotives present include recently imported GBRf 66748 alongside classmate 66737.

Newton: The 1840 Pendolino from Glasgow Central passes Newton West Junction at speed on a Bank Holiday Monday in August 2014. Engineering works at Watford mean the service will terminate at Milton Keynes on this occasion.

Bo'ness: D49 Morayshire being coaled after the last train of the day at Boness on 25 August 2014.

Eastriggs MOD: Fireless 0-6-0 steam locomotive Sir James on display outside the Devil's Porridge museum, Eastriggs, on 25 August 2014. Built by Andrew Barclay & Sons in 1917, the refurbished locomotive was originally used at the Gretna Royal Ordnance Factory [works no AB 1550/1917].

Bo'ness: Having spent the weekend at Bo'ness, Colas 56094 leaves on 25 August to return to main line duties. The signalman is about to hand over the token.

Wakefield Kirkgate: Slow progress on the restoration of Wakefield Kirkgate Station building, seen in this late August view. The east and west end multi storey structures and centre clock section appear to have now been re-roofed, with the single storey sections of the building still under restoration.

Bo'ness: A preserved hybrid class 303 in the yard at Bo'ness on 25 August 2014. See image [[10753]]

Edinburgh Park Central [Tram]: A tram bound for Edinburgh airport pulls into Edinburgh Park Central on 25 August 2015.

Carlisle: Jubilee No. 45699 Galatea has been halted on the centre road at Carlisle while running tender first out to Upperby after arrival with the Dalesman charter on 25 August 2015. The crew members are obviously not expecting the signal to change any time soon as their attention has been attracted by something more interesting in the opposite direction!

Edinburgh Waverley: 'Big Four' reproduction poster Take your dog with you by rail on display at Waverley station on 25 August 2015 see image [[50973]].

Edinburgh Park Central [Tram]: A city-bound tram crosses one of the pleasing grassed-over stretches of track on the approach to Edinburgh Park Central in August 2015. Big money around here: Wall Street, EH12. Your photographer was in the area for a job interview. There is no connection between the previous 2 statements.

Partick: Westbound emu approaching Partick Station on 25 August 2016. The buildings are on the west end of the site of Partick Central station. No reopening here. More student accommodation.

Oxford Parkway: This Chiltern Railways train arrived at Oxford Parkway at 19.53 from Marylebone, carrying an impressive load of commuters; and returned as the 20.08 see image [[55244]].

Morrison Street Goods: View west to Haymarket station (right) over the site of the Caley's Morrison Street Goods Yard. Can you see the board that says South Tunnel? The line to Waverley passes below.

Morecambe: Another circuit around the play area for the only train on the Happy Mount Park miniature railway in Morecambe. The locomotive appeared to me to be a freelance design but my granddaughter assured me it was a Pendolino. 25th August 2017.

Stirling North Junction: 170394 enters Stirling, passing the North signalbox and the Down home signal on 23rd August 2017. This and the Down starter are the last semaphore signals in the station area.

Kirkby Viaduct: High tide at the Kirkby Pool inlet as 37425 crosses the girder bridge with the 1437hrs service from Barrow to Carlisle on 25th October 2017.

Hest Bank: DRS 37425 powers alongside Morecambe Bay at Hest Bank with 2C47, Preston to Barrow, on 25th August 2017.

Alexandra Parade: A Dumbarton Central service enters Alexandra Parade, the location named after King Edward VII's long-suffering consort. The destination is Dumbarton Central. The date is 25 August 2018.

Edinburgh Waverley: GBRf 92028, at the head of the Caledonian Sleeper service, at Waverley's Platform 7 on the morning of 25 August 2018. Shhh, some people may still be asleep.

Ballater: There is a good cafe inside the restored station at Ballater in the area known as the 'Platform'. 25th August 2018.

Laurencekirk: View of the Laurencekirk station track layout looking north from the footbridge on 25th August 2018.

Purton: No 9 passing southbound from Worcester and Gloucester through Purton enroute to Swindon and then Paddington with a 'Cotswold Venturer', sponsored by the Railway Touring Company, on 25th August 2018.

Lunan Water Viaduct: DRS Class 66, in charge of 4A13 Intermodal service, crossing the River Lunan viaduct on 25th August 2018.

Knightswood South Junction: A Rutherglen service passing Knightswood South Junction on the approach to Anniesland. Rutherglen is not normally a destination, but engineering works in the Motherwell area made it one on Saturday 25 August 2018. The junction was recreated to cover for the temporary closure of the approach to Queen Street High Level a couple of years ago, but has not seen much use since.

Anniesland: A Balloch services crosses Great Western Road and rolls into Anniesland station on 25 August 2018. I do wish my predictive text would stop giving me the (too predictable) alternative to 'Balloch'.

Laurencekirk: The 1530hrs Edinburgh to Aberdeen in the down platform Laurencekirk on Saturday 25 August 2018.

Midford: Express headlights. There is still overnight traffic on the Somerset and Dorset. In particular, a group of about eight cyclists, who were cycling to Exmouth overnight and are seen passing the old Midford platform. They do it every year but apart from that, they seemed quite normal. 25th August 2018.

Helensburgh Pier: Having arrived pretty much on time, PS Waverley departed Helensburgh around 100 minutes late on 25 August 2018. The steamer is seen heading west on what was supposed to be a trip to Rothesay, the stop at Dunoon having been removed during the extended stop at Helensburgh. However reports suggest that around 15 minutes later the paddles stopped turning.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A close-up of the the 'North British [Hotel]' lettering exposed by the Queens Street rebuilding works, seen on 25 August 2018. The term 'North Britain' for Scotland most certainly belongs to another age.

Bellshill: A Glasgow Central service calls at Bellshill on 25 August 2018. Unusually, there seems to be more custom on the Edinburgh-bound platform.

Leuchars: The new Caledonian Sleeper Guest Lounge at Leuchars.

Ballater: The newly restored station at Ballater.

Edinburgh Waverley: The 0800 to Glasgow Queen Street on Saturday 25 August is in the charge of a 7-car Class 385. I noticed a number of 385s at Eastfield depot, but out there on the EGML it is 365s doing most of the duties. To me, 385s look like maggots with an unfortunate mutation but I recall thinking the same about 380s which now seem comparatively beautiful.

Ballater: The restored station at Ballater showing some detail from the front.

Helensburgh Central: Helensburgh Central on a lovely warm Saturday evening in August 2018. A few extra passengers awaiting the next train as the Waverley had broken down and then one train was cancelled. Oh dear. I think the footbridge requires a wee bit of TLC.

Dalmarnock: Engineering works in the Motherwell area on 25th August 2018 meant that this Class 318 was entering Dalmarnock ECS after biding its time in the Rutherglen cord. It will pick up its first passengers (including me) and head for Milngavie.

Bishopbriggs: A Glasgow to Dunblane service calls at Bishopbriggs on 25 August 2018. Opinion is divided on whether Bishopbriggs means 'Bishop's bridges' or 'Bishop's strip-fields (riggs)'. The station name sign's Gaelic translator is going for the former.

Greenock Container Port: 'Mein Schiff', German cruise liner at Greenock Container Terminal. Picture taken from Helensburgh Peir in August 2018.

Lunan Water Viaduct: LNER HST crossing the River Lunan viaduct on 25th August 2018.

Bishopbriggs: A Class 365 for Edinburgh passes through Bishopbriggs at speed on 25 August 2018. Passing through is all the 8-coach sets will do here as they are too long for the platforms.

Garrowhill: An Airdrie to Balloch service calls at Garrowhill on 25 August 2018. In the days when these things mattered this was 'Garrowhill Halt' and it still retains its halt-like ticket office at street level and has rudimentary platform accommodation.

Kirkcaldy Corporation Tramways Power Station: The former Kirkcaldy Corporation Tramways power station in Victoria Road. Operating from 1902 the tramway closed in 1931 but the power plant continued to supply the town until the 1960s. Derelict since then it is being demolished for redevelopment. The tramway ran along the street in front. 25 August 2018. There was a siding off the harbour branch to the rear.

Helensburgh Central: Looking towards the East (Mecca, Glasgow) at Helensburgh Central in August 2018. I was eagerly waiting on the next train home as the previous one was cancelled.

Purton: Taken on the south side of Purton on the GWR Gloucester to Swindon line, a northbound HST 125, 43186 heading for Cheltenham Spa. See them whilst you can.

Forth Bridge: A Kings Cross to Aberdeen HST nears North Queensferry as it crosses the Forth Bridge in August 2018.

Carmyle: A Kirkwood to Dalmuir service enters the rather featureless Carmyle Station on 25 August 2018. Trains were originating from Kirkwood rather than Whifflet or Motherwell due to some rather comprehensive engineering works. This coloured most of the lines south-east of Glasgow red in the relevant posters.

Laurencekirk: The 1530hrs Edinburgh to Aberdeen service in the down platform at Laurencekirk on 25th August 2018.

Pollokshields East: A view from Albert Drive on 25 August 2018. The driver of this Neilston to Glasgow service seems to have forgotten to change the destination blind at Neilston. Or, more charitably, he has used a signal stop here to change it in advance of arriving at Central.

Pollokshaws East: A Cathcart Circle service via Maxwell Park calls at 'Shaws East on 25 August 2018. The high flats in the background, situated in the not terribly huge distance between Shawlands and Pollokshaws East, are a local landmark.

Midford: This facsimile on steel of the 1949 S&D working timetable could be handy for programming your TARDIS if planning to travel to one of the tastier destinations in the past that I could think of. It is facing the pub car park at the North end of the viaduct at Midford, made famous in the opening sequence of the 'Titfield Thunderbolt'.

Duke Street: A Dumbarton Central to Cumbernauld service calls at Duke Street on 25 August 2018. The run to Alexandra Parade vies with two others for being the shortest on ScotRail. A sign says it is a nine-minute walk, but I for one could hop backwards in less.

Muirhouse South Junction: A Kilmarnock service passing Muirhouse South on 25 August 2018. The line to the right leads to Larkfield Junction and has no passenger services.

Ballater: The interior of the restored (or should it be called 'new'?) station at Ballater in August 2018.

Shiplake: View over Shiplake Station, on the Henley on Thames branch, seen from the level crossing in August 2018. [Ref query 15 January 2019]

Malton: TPE liveried DRS 68027 hauls a Nova 3 set east passing Malton signal box on the second day of in passenger service test running between Liverpool Lime Street and Scarborough and return. All did not go fully as planned due to low fuel causing one late afternoon run to be terminated at Manchester Victoria, plus a number of other issues, but rather than lasting just one week the in service running continued and was then increased to a second set; although not without cancellations on a regular basis.

Donibristle Platform: 44871 drops down Donibristle bank with the last 'Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' SRPS excursion of the season on 25th August 2019.

Dunaskin Platform: Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group's No. 10 taking water from their refurbished BP tank wagon on 25th August 2019. This has to be done twice per day due to the longer run to the Laight Crossing.

Grafton East Junction: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' approaching the Crofton Pumping Station on the GWR Berks & Hants line on 25th August 2019. I believe the train was on a Round Robin trip starting and finishing in Oxford.

Dunaskin Platform: 'The Race to the North' - both locos at Dunaskin running in parallel on 25th August 2019. No.10 is off to the shed while the Fireless loco is parking the tank wagon in the headshunt.

Inverkeithing East Junction: GBRf 66742 is on the rear of an Arbroath to Millerhill ballast as it approaches Inverkeithing East Junction on 25th August 2019. 66728 leads.

Gorebridge: A Sunday morning Edinburgh - Tweedbank service drops down towards the Gorebridge stop on 25 August 2019. The 5-car train is formed by ScotRail units 158726+170402.

Malton: Out of view TPE liveried DRS 68027 hauls a Nova 3 set east on 25th August 2019, passing Malton signal box, with the driving trailer at the rear. This was the second day of in passenger service test running between Liverpool Lime Street and Scarborough and return. All did not go fully as planned due to low fuel causing one late afternoon run to be terminated at Manchester Victoria, plus a number of other issues, but rather than lasting just one week the in service running continued and was then increased to a second set; although not without cancellations on a regular basis.

Donibristle Siding: 37685 'Loch Arkaig' brings up the rear of the 'Forth Bridge & Scottish Borders' SRPS excursion as it nears the site of Donibristle siding on 25 August 2019.

Stromeferry: A plaque in place at Stromeferry to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening from Dingwall.

Dunfermline Town: 'The King sat in Dunfermline toune, drinking the blude-red wine', apparently, but then they didn't have CCTV in the thirteenth century so he could get away with it. A northbound circle service pulls into Dunfermline Town on 25 August 2021.

Touch North Junction: Someone with a sense of history has gone to the trouble of making these signs and placing them on the path near the site of Touch (pronounced 'tookh') North Junction. To those without that sense they may be literally misleading though. The old curve to Touch South has long been built over and the shortest way to the lower town is also to the right.

Haytor Quarries: The Haytor Tramway was used to bring granite from Dartmoor and was constructed from the material it was used to carry. It has been closed for around one hundred years but there are lots of traces remaining as here below Haytor Quarry in August 2021.

Kirkland Yard: The end of the beginning. The Methil branch has been lifted, apart from Cameron Bridge yard. Some tidying up work was being done at Kirkland on 25th August 2021. The Fife Heritage Railway (beneficiary of a mile of track) depot is in the background.

Kirkland Yard: Their work done, contractor's rail trolleys used on the Methil branch lifting, which is now complete, are taken away from Kirkland Yard on 25th August 2021. The haulier's truck is passing the stack of recently lifted track sections.

Rosyth: A Fife Circle service for Edinburgh pulls into Rosyth on 25 August 2021. A nearby sign proclaims Rosyth to be Scotland's only garden city; this leads you to expect more than you actually get.

Kirkby-in-Furness: 156486 leaves Kirkby-in-Furness heading down the east side of the Duddon Estuary on 25th August 2022, with one more stop (at Askam) before its destination at Barrow. These coastal 156s take around two and a half hours for the journey between Barrow and Carlisle, but it is certainly scenic.

Llandudno Junction: Slate carrying freight train at Llandudno Junction. Welsh slate aggregate is being transported to Luton via rail freight for the first time ever, thanks to a joint initiative between Network Rail, construction materials company Breedon, and the Welsh Government.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: With the edging stones removed from the old island platform at Cameron Bridge work commenced on removing the platform itself. This was the scene on 25th August 2022 with an excavator busy removing brickwork and infill material, to be taken away by dump trucks along the old track bed to Kirkland Yard.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: Looking east from Station Road at Cameron Bridge on 25th August 2022. Dumper trucks pass in the space created by demolition of the island platform, the material from which they are taking to Kirkland Yard..

Kirkby-in-Furness: 156486, working from Carlisle to Barrow, is on the east side of the Duddon Estuary crossing the Kirk Pool watercourse as it approaches Kirkby-in-Furness station on 25th August 2022.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: Looking east, over the fence, to the refurbished bridges over the River Leven, adjacent to the distillery at Cameron Bridge, in August 2022. This scene has changed significantly in the last nine months. See image [[79419]].

Eskbank and Dalkeith: The 0915 ex-Edinburgh Waverley runs through the heavily overgrown site of the original 1847 Eskbank and Dalkeith station on the morning of 25 August 2022 bound for Tweedbank. This station was closed by BR in 1969, with the current Eskbank station opened a short distance south of here in September 2015.

Scorton [Lancashire] [1st]: Now that the Hitachi sets for the West Coast are being assembled, what next for the Avanti Voyagers? Two unidentified sets tilt round the curves, as they approach Broadfall Farm footbridge near Scorton, running from Edinburgh to Euston on 25th August 2022. Could these be part of the Inter7City fleet in the future?

Hardengreen Viaduct: An Edinburgh bound DMU runs onto Hardengreen Viaduct from the south on 25 August 2022. The 0850 ex-Tweedbank is less than half a mile short of its next scheduled stop at Eskbank. View is from the north eastern approach to the roundabout, with the road traffic heading north along the A7.

Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]: Broadside view of DRS 88010, in its new 'Refrigerated Rail... COOL Move' branding, heading a Mossend to Daventry intermodal over the embankment at Scorton on 25th August 2022.