Fort William Shed: Eastfield Black 5 no 44996 on shed at Fort William in August 1960. The locomotive met its end at Shipbreaking Industries, Faslane, in 1964, lasting some 2 years longer than the old shed itself, which was officially closed in June of 1962 and subsequently demolished. A supermarket now stands on the site.

Didcot Shed: 6952 Kimberley Hall photographed in August 1964 stabled in the shed yard at Didcot.

Duns: The Gateshead breakdown crane arriving at Duns in the early afternoon of 30 August 1965. It was propelled from Reston by BR Sulzer Type 2 no D5180 to get it as close as possible to the derailed D181 see image [[35405]].

Aviemore: Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0 no 103 together with the preserved Caledonian coaches standing at signals at Aviemore station on 30 August 1965. The locomotive and coaches were returning south with the 1.35pm Inverness - Perth special working see image [[31765]].

Tomatin: HR 103 makes a stop at Tomatin on 30 August 1965, 3 months after official closure, with the special 1.35pm Inverness - Perth. The locomotive was returning south following involvement in the Highland Railway Centenary celebrations during the previous week.

Duns: Not again! Derailment at Duns, with D181 off the road on 30th August 1965. The day was an English Bank Holiday and Tweedmouth no longer steamed a loco for the Duns freight on such occasions, although it turned out to be a false economy in this instance! As the derailment occurred at the east end of the run-round loop, the Gateshead crane could only deal with one end of the loco and the west end had to be got back on the rails using jacks and packing.

Perth: Jones goods no 103 stops at Perth on the way south following participation in the Highland Railway centenary celebrations at Inverness in August 1965. The sleeping car standing on the right will be part of the London - Glasgow Central - Perth 'Night Limited', which ran between 1964 and 1987.

Duns: The Gateshead breakdown crane at Duns on 30 August 1965, seen shortly after its arrival to deal with the derailed D181 see image [[35405]].

Duns: D181 off the road at Duns on 30th August 1965. See image [[35373]]

Blair Atholl: The preserved ex-Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0 no 103 poses for photographs while taking on water at Blair Atholl on 30 August 1965. The locomotive was returning south with the pair of preserved ex-Caledonian Railway coaches forming the 1.35pm Inverness - Perth special. The combination had spent the previous week operating in the Inverness area as part of the Highland Railway Centenary celebrations.

Duns: When D181 came to grief at the east of Duns goods yard on the morning of 30th August 1965, more or less in front of my eyes, I had plenty of time to fetch my camera and get this shot as it waited for the arrival of the breakdown crane from Gateshead. The bright gable end immediately to the left of the loco is the station building on the westbound platform, with the goods shed to its left, while further over is Wilson's granary and  the gasworks chimney apparently sticking out of the roof.

Duns: Scene at Duns on the afternoon of 30th August 1965 see image [[44614]]. The Gateshead crane lifts the east end of D181, with the far end being dealt with using jacks and packing. Getting all eight axles of this heavyweight loco back on the rails can't have been a simple matter but had been accomplished by the end of the day.

Duns: After re-railing see image [[35405]] D181 was deposited in the goods yard opposite the long disused engine shed at Duns, where it is seen late in the afternoon on 30 August 1965. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether it left under its own power or was towed away as part of the branch freight later that week - school restarted the following day, precluding further daytime visits until the following weekend.

Inverness: Ex-HR Jones Goods no 103 prepares to leave Inverness with the 1.35pm special to Perth on 30 August 1965. The locomotive had been operating in the area as part of the Highland Railway Centenary celebrations.

Nottingham Victoria: 61131 on the turntable at Nottingham Victoria on 30 August 1966. The B1 had brought in the RCTS Great Central Rail Tour from Sheffield Victoria see image [[31846]].

Portobello East Junction: A Brush type 4 with a Freightliner container train is held at signals approaching Portobello East Junction off the sub in 1970. The train is standing below the bridge that carried the Lothian Lines on their way to Leith Docks. The Freightliner is waiting to cross the ECML and enter Portobello FLT, but the manoeuvre has been temporarily blocked due to the passing of an EE Type 3 with a train of tanks from Granton.

Portobello East Junction: A Deltic about to bring train 1S17, the thirteen coach down Flying Scotsman through Portobello East Junction in 1970. The bridge and embankment in the background carried the Lothian Lines across the ECML and around the northern perimeter of Portobello Yard.

Vienna East MPD: Giesl ejector fitted Kriegslok No. 52 7012 is seen in repose in front of the shed building at Vienna East MPD on a sunny late August day in 1974.

Deutsch-Wagram: Pacific tank No. 77.66 heads a late afternoon commuter train from Vienna Praterstern to Bernhardsthal on 30 August 1974. The shot was taken at Deutsch-Wagram on the Nordbahn, the first steam-worked line to be built in the Austrian empire.

Oberhausen Osterfeld Süd: In the summer of 1975 it was still possible to do a rewarding steam shed 'bash' in the Ruhr industrial heartland of the then West Germany. I had a guide produced by the NELPG which gave directions to reach the sheds and this proved most useful, aided by the typical ex Prussian Railways spherical water tanks which proclaimed a shed's existence from afar. Oberhausen Osterfeld Süd was one such shed visited on the afternoon of Saturday 30th August 1975, and here we see a group of class 50 2-10-0s clustered outside the shed, all in steam although it is unlikely they would move again until early on the following Monday morning. 051.225 is prominent while 050.232 stands behind and 052.545 has its water replenished on the left.

Oberhausen Osterfeld Süd: A shed bash on the last Saturday of August 1975 in Ruhr area of West Germany took in four different sheds of which Oberhausen Osterfeld Süd was perhaps the most disappointing photographically, with only a meagre fifteen class 50s present and most of these were hidden away in the shed. However a number were stabled outside in the vicinity of the coaler and water columns, so that a few pleasing images were obtained, including this one of 051.235 (left) with 052.545 beyond.

Duisburg-Wedau: DB class 50 2-10-0 No. 053 075 was another late built example of the class constructed to a simplified design, in this case retaining its original 'bath-tub' tender. Here it is retiring into the roundhouse at Duisburg-Wedau shed after a Saturday morning's toil around the Ruhr, which was still had a number of steam depots in 1975. The situation was similar to the last months of steam on BR in Lancashire during 1968 except that the locos were a lot cleaner!

Duisburg-Wedau: As can be seen from the shed clock, it's into the afternoon on Saturday 30th August 1975 so class 50 2-10-0 No. 052 372 will have completed its diagrammed workings around the Ruhr and is retiring into Duisburg-Wedau shed for the remainder of the weekend. The roundhouse was able to stable electric as well as steam (and diesel) locos which will seem very strange to British eyes.

Oberhausen Osterfeld Süd: Old and (relatively) new rub shoulders at Oberhausen Osterfeld Süd shed in the Ruhr area of West Germany on Saturday 30th August 1975. The two more prominent class 50 2-10-0s, Nos. 050.489 and 050.056, were in their last year of operation but electric No. 140.247 on the left, originally classed as type E40, would survive well into the 21st century. Class E40 was once the standard medium powered electric freight loco on DB, extending to 879 units built between 1957 and 1973, but is now extinct.

Wanne-Eickel: From the looks of the curtains the Putzfrau (cleaning lady) at Wanne-Eickel depot in the Ruhr has been neglecting her duties! A 3 cylinder 2-10-0 contributes to the murk as it whiles away a Saturday afternoon in August 1975 on one of the stabling roads inside the shed, which was accessed via a traverser.

Thorrington: The Colchester to Clacton and Walton line has “lost” only two stations during its history, but oddly both closures have been to the detriment of the largest community en route. Thorrington (sited between Alresford and Great Bentley and the nearest of the three stations to the port of Brightlingsea) was the first closure in November 1957. Remnants of the platforms and a waiting room were still present in 1976 as recorded here. The second station closure was Brightlingsea (served by a branch from Wivenhoe) in 1964. It had been temporarily closed in 1953 when floods washed away sections of the track. A local campaign to reopen Thorrington was rejected in 2002. Quite why the inhabitants of Brightlingsea and its vicinity have deserved such bad luck with their rail services remains a mystery! With thanks to the crossing keeper for allowing me to get a photo between trains.

Elbergen: DB 042-018-2 northbound near Leschede, just south of Elbergen, with a coal train on 30 August 1976.

Brightlingsea: One of the last remaining structures on the Wivenhoe-Brightlingsea branch was this waterside trestle bridge on the approach to the terminus. It can be easily appreciated how the line became so severely damaged in the 1953 floods, taking months to repair. The view is towards Wivenhoe in August 1976.

Monks Risborough: The basic halt at Monks Risborough (& Whyteleaf) on the line between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury as seen on 30th August 1977. The small hut was the waiting shelter, just able to seat three abreast at most! A replacement station was opened to the north of this location in 1986.

Bledlow: The passenger service to Bledlow, sited on the former Princes Risborough to Oxford line, ended in 1963 and the last freight traffic (latterly oil and cars) passed through in 1991. This photograph shows the station on 30th August 1977 when the line still had regular business. Today, the former station is open for bed and breakfast, with a four poster bed available if desired.

Kyle of Lochalsh: A class 37 stands at Kyle of Lochalsh with empty stock on the evening of 30 August 1987.

Salisbury: A Waterloo - Paignton Summer Saturday service approaching Salisbury on 30 August 1992.

Markinch: 60009 Union of South Africa at its then home base at Markinch in August 1993.

Markinch: 60009 Union of South Africa outside its former home alongside Markinch station on 30 August 1993.

Hollycombe: Hunslet Quarry Tank Gerry M, poking out of its shed at the Hollycombe Steam Collection near Liphook, Hampshire, on 30 August 1999.

Michaelstein: 218 435 working the 15:42 from Elbingerode to Halberstadt in August 2003 pauses at the reversing station of Michaelstein before starting the steep descent to Blankenburg. At reunification the terminus of the line had been at Koenigshuette, a few miles beyond Elbingerode, but the service was cut back in 1999 and withdrawn beyond Blankenburg in December 2005.

Michaelstein: DB diesel-hydraulic B-B No. 218435 has just arrived, leading its train, at Michaelstein, a reversing station on the electrified Rübelandbahn in the Harz area of eastern Germany. From here it will propel the two coaches comprising the 14.06 departure from Halberstadt towards Rübeland and Elbingerode, its destination. The grades both in and out of Michaelstein are as steep as 1 in 16.6 and this section of the line was once rack fitted on the Abt system - this was dispensed with following the introduction of powerful 2-10-2T locos in 1920.

Dalgety Bay: The 'Royal Scotsman' nears Dalgety Bay in 2005 behind a class 37 and 31190 'Gryphon'.

Haymarket MPD: View showing some of the new facilities under construction at Haymarket MPD on 30 August 2006, seen from the south side of the line. On the far right is part of the embankment that carried the Caledonian suburban lines out of Princes Street, which crossed the E&G on a bridge here. Coltbridge Junction signal box was located on this embankment just out of shot (see image [[28548]]).

Alness: A quiet Thursday afternoon in Alness on 30 August 2007 sees two schoolgirls in the shelter on the shortened platform looking on in admiration as the local Tarzan turns in a virtuoso performance on the parallel scaffolding. View east towards Invergordon.

Nigg: The former station at Nigg on 30 August 2007 looking south towards Invergordon. View from the road with the level crossing off picture to the right. See image [[16886]] [Ref query 5821]

Golspie: Rush hour at Golspie on 30 August 2007 as the 0923 to the far north pulls into the platform. The group had arrived at the station on a tour bus (just visible on the left) 10 minutes earlier.

Nigg: The former station at Nigg on 30 August 2007 looking south from the level crossing.

Bridge of Earn: 1448 Perth to Edinburgh passed under the Perth Road, Bridge of Earn.

Johnstone: 66066 passing through Johnstone en route for Longannet with a full load of coal.

Fearn: Road approach to Fearn station from the east in August 2007. The B9165 crosses the line off to the right see image [[37219]].
See query 2168

North Johnstone: The site of North Johnstone station, now cleared along with the trackbed and embankment and forming part of area of the new Morrisons store on its site

Bridge of Weir [1st]: Old semaphore period telegraph pole just to the east of Bridge Of Weir station

Johnstone: 334005 about to pull into Johnstone with a service for Glasgow Central

Johnstone: 66164 passing through Johnstone heading west in the direction of Hunterston for more coal

Tain: The former station building on the down platform at Tain on 30 August 2007, showing how unused need not necessarily mean neglected. See image [[16648]]

Gryfe Viaduct: Looking across the Gryffe Viaduct just to the west of Bridge Of Weir station, looking towards Kilmacolm.

Gryfe Viaduct: Gryffe Viaduct just to the west of Bridge Of Weir station, crossing the River Gryfee.

Johnstone: 66066 passing through Johnstone heading east with loaded coal hoppers, some of which are the Scottish blue banded ones

Acheilidh Crossing: The mid afternoon southbound ScotRail service on the far north line, having recently left Rogart heading for Lairg in the summer of 2007. [Ref query 18 December 2017]

Kilmacolm: At Kilmacolm station, looking along where the trackbed and platforms were. Now the Pullman Tavern

Kilmacolm: Kilmacolm Station, now the Pullman Tavern, showing the car park and station buildings.

Foulis: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Dingwall on the north shore of the Cromarty Firth stand the remains of the long closed station at Foulis, seen from the south side of the private crossing in August 2007.

Bridge of Earn: 1335 Edinburgh to Perth passing the old goods shed at Bridge of Earn with Moncrieff Hill the background.

Kilmacolm: Looking east along the trackbed towards Bridge Of Weir from the location of Kilmacolm station.

Bridge of Weir [1st]: Old semaphore period telegraph pole still in place next to the trackbed just east of Bridge Of Weir

Kilmacolm: Looking west along the trackbed towards Kilmacolm from Route Marker 18 on the cycle track that sits on the trackbed

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: Looking east along the trackbed towards Kilmacolm, giving an idea of how bleak this stretch of line could be.

Kilmacolm: Looking towards Port Glasgow just West of Kilmacolm showing an overbridge and abandoned semaphore telegraph pole.

Upper Port Glasgow Siding: Abandoned semaphore period telegraph pole to the East of Upper Port Glasgow, looking West towards Port Glasgow.

Fearn: View north from the platform at Fearn station 30 August 2007.

Fearn: The attractive 1864 station at Fearn, seen from the B9165 road bridge in the summer of 2007. Looking south west along the platform in the general direction of Invergordon.

Rogart: The early morning train from Wick/Thurso bound for Inverness on 30 August 2007, seen here running along the southern slopes of Strathfleet shortly after leaving Rogart.

Edderton: And you couldn't wish for better neighbours... Looking west beyond the old Edderton station in August 2007 towards the Balblair distillery dating from 1790.

Edderton: The former station at Edderton, Ross-shire (1864), attractively converted for private use, seen here looking towards Bonar Bridge on 30 August 2007. Passenger services were withdawn from Edderton in June 1960.

Invergordon: View south at Invergordon on 30 August with rigs dominating the skyline behind the station.

Oykel Viaduct: The 10.39 service from Inverness to the far north crosses the Oykel Viaduct towards Invershin station in August 2007. Note the walkway attached to the side of the viaduct see image [[3272]].

Oykel Viaduct: View south over the Oykel Viaduct towards Culrain on 30 August from Invershin station platform with the Kyle of Sutherland below.

Invershin: The remaining shell of Invershin station on 30 August 2007 looking north along the platform.

Ardgay: The main station building at Ardgay in August 2007.

Ardgay: Platform side at Ardgay looking south on 30 August 2007. The station originally carried the name Bonar Bridge.

Invergordon: Part of the Tracey Shough commemorative mural at Invergordon station, 30 August 2007.

Mount Vernon: A Glasgow Central - Whifflet train arrives at Mount Vernon on 30 August formed by 156 433, as a freight heads west in the background towards Carmyle.

Hillington East: Looking towards Glasgow Central from Hillington East on 30 August as 334 020 arrives with a Gourock service.

Partick: A pair of 320s pass at Partick on 30 August as reconstruction and modernisation work continues on this important west side rail/bus/Subway interchange.

Inverkeithing: 43238 snakes into Inverkeithing on 30 August with an Aberdeen - Kings Cross service.

Leyland: 55022 Royal Scots Grey with the Deltic Retro Scot special arriving at Leyland to pick up passengers at 0815 on Saturday 30 August on its way to Edinburgh.

Burneside: The signalman's tiny hut at the Burneside level crossing on the Windermere branch, about 300yds south of the station itself.

Burneside: Although the Windermere branch is now operated as a one engine in steam siding the level crossing near Burneside station is still protected by two semaphores. View towards Burneside station, which is just round the corner, and Windermere.

Burneside: The small lever frame that operates the signals at Burneside crossing on the Windermere branch, outside the former crossing keepers cottage.

Staveley: The Windermere train leaves Staveley formed of Pennine unit 185146. Staveley is a request stop but Trans Pennine have clearly spent money on the village station with automated train announcements, digital displays and CCTV.

Staveley: The entrance to Staveley station is a steep flight of steps but it is close to the Lake District village centre and enjoys a good level of service.

Springburn: 156 457 on a Glasgow Queen Street - Cumbernauld service calls at Springburn on 30 August 2008.

Staveley: A Windermere train approaches Staveley from the south and passes the station entrance. The former down platform can be seen to the right of Pennine unit 185146.

Greenfaulds: Opened in May 1989, Greenfaulds station stands on the southern edge of Cumbernauld. Scene looking southwest over the station on 30 August as 156 513 moves off with a Motherwell - Cumbernauld service.

Burneside: The old station building at Burneside, now a private house, can be seen just beyond the platform. View towards Kendal and Oxenholme. The semaphore signalled Burneside level crossing see image [[20479]] is beyond the right hand bend in the distance.

Burneside: Formerly a double track station, Burneside is now a single platform on the former Up side but this has been refurbished by Trans Pennine Express. View towards Staveley and Windermere over the other Burneside level crossing, this time controlled by automatic lights.

Inverkeithing: New sign at Inverkelting station on 30 August 2008.

Hillington West: 334 031 forming a Gourock - Glasgow Central service at Hillington West on 30 August.

Baillieston: 156 504 arrives at Baillieston on a service for Whifflet on 30 August 2008.

Carmyle: Whifflet train at Carmyle on 30 August, formed by unit 156 507.

Kirkwood: Saturday shoppers prepare to board a Whifflet - Glasgow Central train at Kirkwood on 30 August 2008, formed by DMU 156 433 The Kilmarnock Edition.

Stepps: 170 470 with a service for Glasgow Queen Street about to leave Stepps on 30 August 2008.

Bo'ness: A DRS (Malcolm liveried) Class 66 (412) makes an appearance on the Boness & Kinneil Railway on 30 August during their August Diesel Weekend.

Cheltenham Racecourse: BR 9F 2-10-0 92203 Black Prince on a visit from the East Somerset Railway to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in August 2009, seen here taking on water at the end of the platfom at Cheltenham Racecourse station.

Dunbar: Competing East Coast IC225 and Arriva CrossCountry trains pass at Dunbar on 30 August.

Durham: Looking along the down platform of Durham station from a passing southbound train on 30 August 2010.

Chippenham: Reconstructed 1920, broken in half 2007. See image [[30698]].

Chippenham: The first bridge out of Chippenham - looking rather like an arch in an ornamental garden in August 2010.

Darlington [Bank Top]: The north end of Darlington station on 30 August 2012 viewed from a passing train.

Siddick Junction: OK - pick a window...!! Deltic 55022 skirts the Cumbrian Coast approaching Siddick with the Western and Eastern Coastal Express railtour from Crewe to Newcastle and Durham on 30 August 2010.

Newcastle Central: Past and present traction on the East Coast Main Line standing together at Newcastle on 30 August 2010. On the left, recently arrived from Edinburgh, is 91131 en route to London, while on the right is Deltic no 55022 Royal Scots Grey, which had arrived earlier with the Compass Tours Western and Eastern Coastal Express from Crewe.

Tursdale Junction: Tursdale Junction on the ECML between Darlington and Durham is where the line from Stockton joins. 66151 heads north with an empty coal train on 30 August 2010, as seen looking south from a train on the Stockton line.

Dunbar: The driver of 322481 heads towards a seat in the sun prior to taking out the 15.04 to Edinburgh Waverley from Dunbar on 30 August.  These units should be replaced by 334s in March 2011. [Railscot note: The units were eventually replaced by 380s in June 2011]

Chippenham: A replacement bridge over the Avon East of Chippenham on the Calne branch, which has recently been converted into a quality foot/cyclepath with a rolled stone surface, seen here in August 2010. Unusual features include the kink in the middle (no insult intended to the gent in shorts) and the lower level viewing platform on the right.

Newcastle Central: Voyagers under the station roof at Newcastle Central on 30 August 2010.

Three Spires Junction: View north east at Three Spires Junction on 30 August 2011, with Freightliner 66542 approaching Coventry from Nuneaton on a container train. The line to the left serving the Prologis Industrial Park looks a little underused. Coventry City's Ricoh stadium in the background, standing alongside the line, is woefully under-provided with car and coach parking. A new station here should be completed by December 2013.

Gogar Tram Depot: 'I know... let's test the lights again...' Only another two years to go till the system is due to open for business. View west over Gogar Tram Depot on 30 August 2012, with the Royal Bank of Scotland bridge over the A8 in the left background.

Hairmyres: Crosshouse Primary School pupils Liam Orton, Kai Gallagher, Cameron Sinclair, Jack Ralston, and Emma MacDonald tending to one of their planters at Hairmyres station. [See adjacent news item]

Edinburgh Park Station [Tram]: The new tram stop under construction at Edinburgh Park on 30 August 2012. In the background the 14.04 Edinburgh - Dunblane service calls at the station.

Gogar Tram Depot: Trams lined up ready for the off in the sidings at Gogar depot on 30 August 2012. Roll-on September 2014.

Montrose: The new footbridge with integral lifts nearing completion at Montrose station on 30 August 2012.

Gogar Tram Depot: After passing the site of Edinburgh Gateway see image [[40201]] trams heading for the airport will run west between the tram depot and the A8. The view is west from the new bridge serving Gogar tram depot (and eventually accessing the new Edinburgh Gateway station) on 30 August 2012.

Edinburgh Park: The 12.10 Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley pulls away from Edinburgh Park station on 30 August 2012. Running parallel with the E&G at this point is the trackbed of the York Place - Edinburgh Airport tram route, with platforms currently under construction on the right. Next stop east will be Haymarket for the train and (eventually) Bankhead for the tram.

South Gyle: A service from Cowdenbeath runs into South Gyle in August 2012 on its way to Waverley.

Barry: The east end of the former six (now five) road Barry steam shed (88C) and yard, now run by Cambrian Transport as a base for the Vale of Glamorgan Steam Railway. Barry (Town) station canopy is visible at a higher level on the right.

South Gyle: A Cowdenbeath - Edinburgh Waverley service leaves South Gyle station on 30 August 2012.

South Esk Viaduct: Crossing Montrose Basin in August 2012.

Barry: The rusting and tenderless 9F 92245 together with Black 5 44901 standing in the south east corner of the yard at the former 88C Barry steam shed. This is now run by Cambrian Transport as the base for the Vale of Glamorgan Steam Railway. In 2013 the two locos were somewhat crudely dismantled to remove boiler and cab from the frames. See image [[48402]] Some parts were to be used for other rebuild projects. The rolling chassis of 44901, as of Jan 2023, is now located at the Vale of Berkeley Railway in Gloucestershire.

Crewe Junction: 67002 leaves Shrewsbury Station and heads onto the Crewe line on 30 August with the 16.15 Cardiff to Holyhead Welsh Assembly funded service. The leading Mk 3 coach with kitchen and buffet provides a 1st class three course dining service available between Cardiff and Chester.

Edinburgh Park Central [Tram]: The tram route near what will be Edinburgh Park Central, between Edinburgh Park station and Gyle Centre. View south on 30 August 2012 towards the flyover west of Edinburgh Park station see image [[34390]], with the Pentland Hills on the horizon. One 'side benefit' of the delay to the trams project has been the additional time for the establishment of the trees now screening the numerous office blocks located here along both sides of the route.

Edinburgh Gateway [Tram]: Site of the train/tram interchange station at Edinburgh Gateway viewed north west from the A8 on 30 August with Edinburgh bound road traffic coming off the Gogar roundabout on the left and rail traffic passing by on the right. After tunnelling under the road see image [[40193]] the tram route will emerge just beyond the cones to call at the station, following which it will turn west to pass below the new bridge in the left background. The bridge carries the road running north off the roundabout giving access to the tram depot (seen just beyond) and will also provide access to the station in due course. The control tower of Edinburgh Airport stands on the horizon.

Scotscalder: The owner of the station house at Scotscalder had just enough time to rescue her washing from the track before the train for Thurso arrived on 30 August, a day of good visibility and a north westerly wind.

Gyle Centre [Tram]: After leaving Gyle Centre the tram route to Edinburgh Airport drops to enter a tunnel below the A8 to reach the tram/train interchange at Gogar (to be called Edinburgh Gateway) on the north side. View south west on 30 August 2012 from above the tunnel, with the Gogar Roundabout visible in the right background.

Guide Bridge: The outgoing Scarborough Flyer, with 46233 at the head and class 37516 tucked in behind, rounding the curve towards Stalybridge after passing through Guide Bridge on 30 August. Seen from the waiting 08.25 ex Leeds to Manchester Airport TransPennine Express service held for the special to cross over from the Stockport line.

Woodacre Crossing: Glasgow/Edinburgh to Manchester Airport services move to EMU operation from December 2013 and, ahead of that, TransPennine has hired a London Midland Class 350 for driver training between Preston and Carlisle. The unit stables in Preston and makes up to three return trips on weekdays. The green, grey and black 350252 makes an unusual sight in Lancashire, seen approaching Woodacre on 30 August.

Rugby: Sometimes our ambitions are too small. I had been trying for years to photograph a freight train emerging from the container loading area at Rugby; but when I finally got the shot, it had a steam engine in it. 44932 was heading South on the afternoon of Friday 30 August with two support coaches, presumably to take a tour out of London on the Saturday.

Crewe: County of Staffordshire nameplate attached to 57308, now freshly repainted in DRS livery, seen stabled near Crewe platform 12 whilst on 'Thunderbird' standby duty on 30 August.

Rugby: The unusual sight of a passenger train on platform 6 in Rugby (a 350 destined for Euston). As the station is run by Virgin Trains, there is a gent in a red shirt helping London Midland passengers. The path on the left leads from the station underpass to a multi-storey car park.

Crewe: View south along the Crewe low level avoiding lines from the former Crewe North shed site in August 2013, with Manchester lines to the left and WCML lines on the right.

Crewe: Freshly painted in DRS livery, 57308 is stabled near Crewe platform 12 on 30 August 2013 whilst on 'Thunderbird' stand-by duty.

Leeds: Northern Rail EMU 322483 stands at Leeds platform 11 east end on an extension to the allowed 6 minute turn around following early arrival on the 08.26 from Doncaster on 30 August.

Rugby: A Voyager heads south empty stock through Rugby platform 4, while passengers await a Pendolino on platform 5.

Chathill: Looking north along the down platform at Chathill on 30 August 2013.

Crewe Heritage Centre: A high level view looking across the station car park to Crewe Heritage Centre on 30 August catches (left to right) A4 60009 Union of South Africa in light steam, Brush Type 4 D1842, the smokebox of mostly hidden 71000 Duke of Gloucester and the APT exhibit see image [[20732]]. The A4 worked the southbound Cumbrian Mountain Express special the following day.

Barassie: Colas Rail freight 56105 on 6N47 empty A1 aviation fuel oil tanks from Prestwick airport to Grangemouth passing through Barassie station on 20 August 2013.

Crewe: Grab shot showing ex DRS operated, former Malcolm liveried, 66412 running along the Crewe station avoiding line, just after it exits the underpass below the main line. The train is a Freightliner intermodal working from Manchester.

Chathill: The 13.00 East Coast Edinburgh Waverley - London Kings Cross service speeds through Chathill on 30 August 2013.

Chathill: The station building and signal box at Chathill on 30 August 2013 seen looking north from the level crossing.

Roade: After you: a London Midland 110mph class 350 rushes south towards Hanslope Junction and London on 30 August, having bypassed Northampton on its way south from Rugby; while 66422 shyly peeks out under an accommodation bridge in the background as it approaches off the Northampton line with a train of Stobart containers.

Fountainhall: View south over base camp at the former Fountainhall station on 30 August 2013.

Rugby: Looks like the Smoke Monster is ready for a nibble see image [[26281]]. 44932 leaves Rugby platform 6 on 30 August, southbound for London.

Tynehead: View south over the site of the former Tynehead station on 30th August 2013.

Bowshank North Bridge: View north over the northern portal of Bowshank Tunnel towards the girder bridge across the Gala Water, 30th August 2013.

Tynehead: View north from the overbridge at the site of the former Tynehead station on the 30 August 2013.

Hollowshank Bridge: Boarded up lineside cottage close to Hazelbank on 30 August looking south towards Fountainhall.

Fountainhall: View of the 'base camp' and large cleared areas to either side of the line at the former Fountainhall station. This is the view from the farm crossing just to the north of the station on 30th August 2013.

Balshaw Lane Junction: The outward run of the Cumbrian Mountain Express on 30 August 2014 from Crewe to Carlisle via Manchester, Bolton, Wigan and the S&C. The train was hauled by Stanier Pacific 46233 Duchess of Sutherland. The tour is seen here being routed along the Down Slow line at Balshaw Lane Junction, in weather conditions hardly befitting a Duchess.

Hardengreen Viaduct: Traffic on the A7 negotiating Hardengreen Roundabout under the Borders Railway viaduct. View south on Saturday morning 30 August 2014. The new Eskbank station is currently under construction off to the left .

Gorebridge: Platform construction underway at Gorebridge on 30 August 2014.

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: Waverley trackbed alongside the Lady Victoria site on 30 August 2014, with Newtongrange station taking shape this side of the A7 road bridge in the background.

Newtongrange: Saturday working at Newtongrange station site on 30 August 2014, looking south from the A7.

Barnstaple: Looking out from the terminus at Barnstaple towards Exeter on 30 August 2014. See image [[33957]].

Barnstaple: The view towards the buffer stops at Barnstaple station on a quiet 30 August 2014 see image [[39435]].

Hollowshank Bridge: The 0840 Newcraighall - Tweedbank crossing the Gala Water just north of Fountainhall on 30 August 2015.

Scottish Industrial Railway Centre: Substantial progress at ARPG Dunaskin. Photographed on 30 August 2015.

Dunaskin Shed: The Fireless locomotive hiding at the ARPG's Dunaskin shed on 30 August 2015, unable to run due to a valve problem in the steam system. See image [[51874]]

Scottish Industrial Railway Centre: The next restoration project at ARPG Dunaskin, former Ayrshire Area No 1 (AB 2368/1955) seen here on 30 August 2015.

Dunaskin Platform: Looking south along the ARPG Platform at Dunaskin on 30 August 2015. On the far right is the Network Rail line from Dalrymple Junction, currently out of use. Once past the 10 mph sign, ownership changes to Hargreaves for the line up to Chalmerston Opencast, now also out of use. No. 10 is back on Brake van Shuttle duty.

Tutbury and Hatton: Tutbury and Hatton station, looking towards Derby on 30 August. The original station closed in 1966 but reopened in 1989 with platforms staggered either side of the level crossing. The large factory in the background is owned by Nestle and was rail served until the 1970s.

Gore Glen Bridge: A ScotRail DMU on the Borders Railway heading for Tweedbank on a bright and sunny August morning in 2015. The train is about to enter the Gore Glen on the scenic section between Newtongrange and Gorebridge.

Norwich: 170201, on a service to Cambridge, at Norwich station on 30th August 2016

Wymondham Abbey: Metro-Cammell DMU just arrived with the last Mid Norfolk Railway train of the day from Dereham at Wymondham Abbey 'station', on 30th August 2016. This halt-like construction opened in 1999 and is the current southern terminus of the line. The track from here to the junction with the Ely to Norwich line at Wymondham remains intact and is used for stock transfer.

Dereham: Exterior of Dereham station, Mid Norfolk Railway, on 30th August 2016. Originally opened on 15th February 1847, it closed to passengers - amid much local opposition - on 6th October 1969 but survived as a coal depot until 12th September 1984. After that, there were plans to demolish the station and its vast site of sidings and cover it with a housing estate but the Mid Norfolk Railway Society had other ideas and the station was saved and reopened for heritage trains on 26th July 1997.

Wymondham: 170 201 from Norwich to Cambridge at Wymondham station, Norfolk, on 30th August 2016

Kemble: Kemble railway station on the 30th of August 2016. The corridor is 90 degrees from the platform, to the right of the glazing is a beautiful garden.

Wymondham: Its actually Farewell to Wymondham as 170 201 departs the station with a Norwich to Cambridge service on 30th August 2016

Kemble: Kemble railway station looking north on the 30th of August 2016. The engineer's siding off to the right is the remainder of the line to Cirencester. To the left, beyond the building, was the branch to Tetbury.

Kemble: Platform view from Kemble railway station looking south on the 30th of August 2016. The engineer's siding on the left is the remains of the former line to Cirencester.

Kemble: Looking along the former Cirencester platform at Kemble railway station on the 30th of August 2016, now an engineer's siding which peters out after a short distance beyond the platform in a station car park.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: View over the former station at Cameron Bridge. Edging on the island platform can be seen in the centre of the frame; the through line to Methil is to the right with the run-round and sidings to the left. Yes, the track is still there!

Forth Road Bridge: Detail from a bronze infomation plaque at the south end of the FRB dating from opening in 1964 and showing a map of the surrounding area. The Fordell Wagonway is shown, though it had been disused since 1946. Also shown is the East Ness Jetty branch from Donibristle which was used to transport seaplanes from RNAS Donibristle 'Donibee' to the Forth. I didn't know it had a loop, but then it was a bit secret so I don't know much about it! The roads are interesting too, with the infant M90 coming to a sudden end at Pitreavie and the projected East Fife Regional Road, not to open for another 28 years and further north as the A92. The projected West Fife road is also shown (off picture) but that didn't open at all, leaving the rather overblown A823(M) as no more than a long slip road.

Norwich: DVT 82102 at Norwich station, just arrived from London Liverpool Street, on 30th August 2016

Weymouth: SWT 444022 waits time in Weymouth prior to forming a service back to London Waterloo on 30th August 2017.

Moy: Nuclear flasks en route to Georgemas top and tailed by 66301 & 66302 south of Moy. 30th August 2017.

Cowlairs Incline: With a few days to go before the wires were energised, 156500 on an Anniesland service climbs noisily out of the tunnel and under the substantial metalwork which is now a feature of the line. The OHLE remains under test until October 2017, with no electric traction permitted before then.

Weymouth: Looking out from the station concourse at Weymouth in August 2017 along platforms 2 and 3. The train at platform 3 is being prepared to form the next scheduled service to Waterloo.

Moy: Royal Scotsman with 66843 for Aviemore incorporating a stop at Carrbidge before an overnight at Boat of Garten. The location is near Moy on the Highland Main Line.

Kingsknowe: Kingsknowe closed 1964 but reopened 1971 after a successful campaign led by Douglas Blades. Soon this 2-car 158 will be replaced by a 3-car 385.

Wareham: Swanage Railway service in the main line platform at Wareham with D6515 and 37518 waiting to return to Swanage on 30th August 2017.

Thornhill: An evening view over the south end of Thornhill station as the sun sets on 30 August 2018. [Ref query 7 September 2018]

Shawfair: A train on the Borders Railway running south along the short section between Newcraighall an Shawfair stations in August 2018. The DMU is dwarfed by the new Edinburgh and Midlothian Recycling and Energy Recovery Centre, seen here nearing completion in the north west corner of the former Millerhill marshalling yard.

Eastleigh: Colas 37421, one of two 37s topping and tailing a Network Rail test train that had been held in Eastleigh Works on 30th August 2018.

Shawfair: View west at Shawfair on 30 August 2018 as the 0930 ex-Tweedbank pulls away from the station on its way to Waverley. Photographed from the bridge carrying the spur from the A6106 Millerhill Road, visible on the right. In the middle distance are the established houses of Newton Village to the left, with one of a number of new housing developments taking shape towards the centre. Watch this space!

Thornhill: Looking across the tracks at the station building at Thornhill after the sun had set on 30 August 2018.

Eastleigh: EWS DB Schenker 66009 leading a Castle Bromwich to Southampton Docks car train through Eastleigh at 1258hrs on 30th August 2018.

Eastleigh: Former DRS 37612, now in use by Colas, topping and tailing a Network Rail test train with 37421 at Eastleigh on 30th August 2018.

Shawfair: The 0955 Edinburgh - Tweedbank heading south on the short stretch between Newcraighall and Shawfair on 30 August 2018. The fully operational Biogen plant is in the left background, while the Edinburgh and Midlothian Recycling and Energy Recovery Centre looks to be nearing completion on the right.

Eastleigh East Yard: GBRf 66737 <I>Lesia</I> passing through Eastleigh station yard light engine on 30th August 2018.

Eastleigh: London South Western EMU 444006 on the Down Fast line through Eastleigh heading for Southampton at 1347hrs on 30th August 2018.

Eastleigh: Cross-Country Class 220 Voyager southwest bound on the fast line through Eastleigh at 1136hrs on 30th August 2018.

Eastleigh: Freightliner 66570, leading a container train for the docks at Southampton, passing through Eastleigh at 1418hrs on 30th August 2018. An EMU is just departing in the direction of London.

Oubeck Loops: Livery contrast between consecutively numbered 90044 and 90043, seen passing Oubeck Loops near Lancaster University on 30th August 2018. The train was a Daventry to Coatbridge intermodal service. Postscript: In January 2020 90044 was repainted from this grey livery into the new Freightliner orange scheme without ever carrying green paintwork.

Holywood [2nd]: Looking south towards Dumfries from behind the level crossing gates at Holywood on 30 August 2018, I was surprised to see that the platform was still extant in view of the fact the station closed 69 years ago. [Ref query 4 September 2018]

Oubeck Loops: The Seaforth to Mossend intermodal service was very lightly used when it started running in early 2018 but loadings have quickly picked up and there were only a few empty spaces on 30th August. As 66075 powers northwards past newly cut fields at Oubeck Loops, above the loco in the distance the distinctive tower at Forton M6 motorway services can be seen.

Coatbridge Central: A pair of Class 73s bring a set of Mark V Caledonian Sleeper coaches through Coatbridge, en route to Polmadie from Inverness on 30th August 2019

Dundee: The new frontage at Dundee Station, the shape of which bears a remarkable resemblance, albeit on a much smaller scale, to Wuhan station. See image [[73042]]. China is regularly accused of copying western designs etc. but here is an example which might be the other way round. 30th August 2019.

Coatbridge Central: Colas 56078 heading towards Grangemouth with empty tanks from Prestwick on 30th August 2019.

Newtongrange [1st]: The 0947 ScotRail Tweedbank - Edinburgh passes through the site of the original Newtongrange station, shortly after leaving the current version on Sunday 30 August 2020. Shortly after rounding the curve up ahead the train will run out onto Newbattle Viaduct.

Newtongrange: A northbound Sunday morning service on the Borders Railway photographed shortly after restarting from Newtongrange on fine and sunny 30 August 2020. The train has just cleared the platform and the adjacent road bridge carrying the A7.

Ellel Hall Bridge [LC]: Early morning scene on the Lancaster Canal near Galgate in August 2020. This view looks south on the section that passes through the former park land of nearby Ellel Grange.

Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont]: This is the view north from Carmont Hill to the site of the Carmont derailment. The bridge over the Carron Water is unseen, in the centre of the view, with the rear of the derailed train to the right. Above, and to the left, the access road takes shape.

Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont]: The view north from Carmont Hill. Temporary stairway access is to the left, approached by a boardwalk. A little to its right is the landslip which derailed the train. The train is obscured by trees to the right. The new access road can be seen on the far right. Note the mast providing temporary mobile phone coverage in the field above the site.

Ravenscraig: Extract form a map included in the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1885) from my personal library (get him). Gourock stands alone, the line going no further than the current Greenock Central. Ravenscraig station was near the current Branchton; Branchton itself wasn't there. As yet there's no familiar WHL arching round Helensburgh.

Cranmore: 'JOAN', built in 1963, Works No.10165 was a lightweight version of the 40 ton 0-4-0 Side Rod (SR) drive Sentinel diesel. Seen at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway on 30th August 2021.

Midsomer Norton South: An LMSR six-wheel milk tanker in the sidings at the S&DRHT, Midsomer Norton, on 30th August 2021. These days it is used to supply water to the steam engines.

Midsomer Norton South: LMSR 7109 "JOYCE" , a Sentinel geared loco hauling passenger trains at the S&DRHT on 30th August 2021. Built in 1927 for use at a gasworks, came out of service in 1960 and purchased for preservation.

Grimsargh: On the line of the Whittingham Hospital Railway, a short distance outside Grimsargh, at the point where the railway crossed Savick Brook, which was culverted under the embankment. In the sixty four years since full closure part of the embankment has been cleared back to farmland, and that over the culvert has partly collapsed, but the distinctive metal border fencing still lines most of the two mile route [[35617]].

Becconsall: On my first visit to the West Lancs Light, I was shocked to find that Irish Mail appeared to be missing part of its trousers. Either that, or it was a very early example of a hatchback (rail leading road again - see image [[61468]])

Grimsargh: The view along the Preston and Longridge railway trackbed towards Grimsargh in August 2021. The posts by the trees roughly mark the spot where the Whittingham Hospital line diverged. The separate station for the hospital railway [[33378]] was sited where the houses are now. The line to Preston continued southwards and the P&L station was beyond the houses on the other side of the main road [[24597]].

Cranmore: Also at Cranmore is the privately owned Sentinel 10218 'PBA 39', formely used by the Bristol Port Authority. It was built in May 1965 and for Sentinel fans, there are several of their locos at the East Somerset Rly.

Whittingham Hospital: In the ten years since I previously visited the old Whittingham Hospital railway yard there have been a number of changes. The old engine shed seen here still stands, although is perhaps no longer in regular workshop use. However, possibly as part of the NHS Covid response, the yard is now full of containers and portacabins and the weighbridge building appears to have been demolished [[33021]].

Midsomer Norton South: 'AUSTIN No 1', a Kitson of Leeds 0-6-0ST 5459 of 1932. Built for use at the Longbridge factory of the Austin Car Co. Now on long term loan at the S&DRHT from the Llangollen Railway.

Grimsargh: Although the two mile Whittingham Hospital Railway was a lightly laid single track branch, a wide strip of land was purchased from various landowners and is still clearly defined for much of its route by the original iron rail fencing. The line was open from 1887 to 1957. This view looks towards the Savick Brook bridge, on the way to the hospital, at Dixons Farm near Grimsargh in August 2021. The gate across the solum is a recent development, and part of the excavation for a pipeline currently being laid that cuts across the old line in two places.

Cranmore: LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 46447, departing Cranmore for Mendip Vale, on the East Somerset Railway on 30th August 2021.

Grimsargh: This old gradient post, just outside Grimsargh heading for Longridge, has been photographed before but has now been turned into a footpath marker post showing the point where the public path leaves the trackbed. The last goods train from Longridge passed here in 1967, but passenger services finished 37 years before that.

Grimsargh: Looking south towards Grimsargh, from the site of a foot crossing at Sudell's Farm, on 30th August 2021. Although partially grubbed out in places the low embankment of the line to Longridge is still very noticeable. Nearer the village a public footpath is now routed along it. The excavation in the foreground is for a new pipeline installation.

Cranmore: The new Platform 2 at the East Somerset Railway's Cranmore Station on 30th August 2021.

Grimsargh: A public footpath briefly follows the old Longridge branch trackbed out of Grimsargh towards Longridge. This is the point where, until 1957, the Whittingham Hospital Railway diverged following the line of the modern fence on the left of the picture. The single track main line continued over an embankment to climb north eastwards to Longridge, about two miles away. See image [[26565]] taken at this location over one hundred years earlier.

Haymarket: HST power car 43021 leads an Edinburgh to Aberdeen service away from Haymarket in the late morning of 30 August 2021.