Glasgow Central: Stanier Coronation Pacific no 46239 City of Chester gets ready to take the 'Mid-Day Scot' out of Glasgow Central on 3 September 1959.

Carlisle: The 12.25pm (SO) from Hawick runs into Carlisle station on 3 September 1960 behind D34 4-4-0 no 62488 Glen Aladale, about to pass a lady with a lot of luggage. The locomotive was withdrawn from Hawick shed the following month and cut up at Cowlairs 3 months later.

Carlisle: An afternoon arrival drifts into platform 4 at an otherwise quiet looking Carlisle station on Saturday 3 September 1960. The train is the 12.25pm stopping service from Hawick and the locomotive ex-NB class D34 4-4-0 62488 Glen Aladale.

Ayr: 57633 approaching Ayr from the south with a freight in September 1961.

St Boswells: A Class 26 enters St Boswells with a northbound service in September 1962. The photographer's notes on the back of the print record the time of day as 11.20 am and the weather as overcast, but do not record the loco number or the departing and incoming trains. But one may fairly conclude that they will have been the up Waverley and the 9.20 am Carlisle- Edinburgh.

St Boswells: A Class 26 brings an Edinburgh-bound service into St Boswells in September 1962.

Connel Ferry: BRCW Type 2 D5356 at Connel Ferry with a train for Ballachulish in 1964.

Ballachulish Ferry: BRCW Type 2 D5356 calls at Ballachulish Ferry with a Ballachulish branch service in 1964.

Connel Ferry: A Swindon DMU calling at Connel Ferry in September 1964 with an Oban-Glasgow service. The Ballachulish branch service alongside, headed by Type 2 D5356, is bound for Oban, the locomotive having run round after coming off the branch.

Barcaldine Halt: Barcaldine Halt in 1964, seen from a southbound train on the Ballachulish branch.

Creagan: Creagan station, seen from a southbound Ballachulish branch train in 1964.

Appin: The fine station building at Appin, seen in 1964 from a departing southbound branch service.

Duror: The fine station building at Duror, viewed in 1964 from a southbound branch service.

Ballachulish Ferry: Ballachulish Ferry station, viewed from a southbound branch service.

Ballachulish (Glencoe): BRCW Type 2 D5356 at Ballachulish with an afternoon service for Connel Ferry and Oban.

Buchanan Street: A4 Pacific no 60034 Lord Faringdon photographed shortly after arrival at Buchanan Street on 3 September 1964 with the 7.10am from Aberdeen.

Stirling: Neglected looking A4 Pacific no 60034 Lord Faringdon calls at Stirling on a dull 3 September 1964 with the 7.10am Aberdeen - Glasgow Buchanan Street.

Appin: A BRCW Type 2 waits in Appin station to cross an incoming Ballachulish service, from which the picture was taken, on 3rd September 1964.

Edinburgh Princes Street: Stanier Black 5 no 45492 waits at a gloomy Edinburgh Princes Street station platform 6 in 1965 with the 1.20pm train to Lanark. In the background a Clayton stands at platform 3 with the 2.05pm train for Carstairs and Manchester.

Carstairs Shed: Black 5 no 44786 in the sidings alongside Carstairs shed in September 1965.

Carstairs Shed: 44973 photographed standing in the shed yard at Carstairs on 3 September 1965. The Black 5 was officially withdrawn from here later that same month.

Edinburgh Princes Street: A cold, wet September afternoon at Princes Street station in 1965 sees Black 5 no 44700 preparing to work its way home with the 9.5 pm to Carstairs.

Edinburgh Princes Street: Black 5 no 45492 of Carstairs shed prepares to take the 1.20pm service to Lanark out of Princes Street on 3 September 1965.

Carstairs: Black 5 no 45492 prepares to depart from Carstairs on 3 September 1965 with the 1.20pm Edinburgh Princes Street - Lanark service.

Edinburgh Princes Street: Scene at Princes Street station on 3 September 1965 with a DMU preparing to leave platform 4 and a Clayton ready to take the 2.5pm to Manchester as far as Carstairs.

Carlisle: Bank Hall Jubilee 45721 Impregnable waits to restart from Carlisle on 3 September 1965 with the 1.10pm Liverpool - Glasgow Central / Edinburgh Princes Street. D5253 stands alongside on the centre road.

Buchanan Street: A4 60019 'Bittern' at Glasgow Buchanan St on 3rd September 1966, after completing a special day excursion to Aberdeen to mark the end of steam haulage of expresses between the cities. The excursion was advertised by BR Scottish Region as the 'Last public run of an A4 Pacific'. Things didn’t quite go to plan, however, as Ferryhill provided 60024 'Kingfisher' ten days later for the 17.15 to Glasgow and 8.25 return the following morning, after a shortage of diesels. According to a contemporary report in the Railway Society of Scotland’s newsletter, 'all this was to the great consternation of BR officials' and 'the firebars had since been removed from 60024 to prevent a recurrence'!

Aberdeen: 60019 Bittern shortly after arrival at Aberdeen on 3 September 1966 with the last BR scheduled A4 return service from Glasgow Buchanan Street. See image [[27834]]

Stirling: 60019 at Stirling with last public run to Aberdeen.

Stirling: The Scottish Region's 'Last Public Run of an A4 Pacific' special leaving Stirling on 3rd September 1966. The train from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Aberdeen and back, with A4 60019 'Bittern' in charge, ran to a three-hour schedule each way.

Tickets and labels: Ticket for the last A4 public run on 3 September 1966 See image [[25208]]

Buchanan Street: 60019 'Bittern' eager to be away from Buchanan Street with the special BR last A4 run to Aberdeen on 3 September 1966. See image [[27834]]

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: 60019 Bittern being serviced on shed at Ferryhill in September 1966 after bringing in a special from Glasgow.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: 60019 Bittern stands alongside 60024 Kingfisher at Ferryhill Shed in September 1966.

Tyne Dock Shed: The roofless roundhouse at Tyne Dock might have been ideal for the railway photographer but it can't have been much fun for shed staff working on locos inside it - the afternoon of Saturday 3rd September 1966 was pleasant enough as Q6 No. 63377 basks in the sun under the shear legs, but just imagine what it must have been like with rain driving in off the North Sea.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: 60019 Bittern in the shed yard at Ferryhill on 3 September 1966 being prepared for the return leg of the BR 'A4 Farewell Tour' to Buchanan Street.

Buchanan Street: A4 60019 'Bittern' was pictured awaiting departure from Glasgow Buchanan St on a special day excursion to Aberdeen on 3rd September 1966. This was timed at three hours each way and advertised by BR Scottish Region as the 'Last public run of an A4 Pacific'. Photographers and spectators enjoyed remarkably free access to the tracks around the locomotive – a few can be seen in this shot, but there were many more milling around.

Bowshank South Bridge: Train 1X75, the South & West Railway Society Euston – Aberdeen Granite City, approaching Bowshank Tunnel behind V2 60836 on 3 September 1966. Various locomotives were used during the trip, with 60836 handling the Carlisle – Edinburgh leg, following which A2 60532 Blue Peter took over for the journey to Aberdeen via the Glenfarg route see image [[20700]]. The special returned south the following day via the ECML, terminating at Kings Cross.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: A4 Pacific 60024 Kingfisher receives visitors in the gloom of Ferryhill shed on 3 September 1966 as Type 2 diesel D5307 looks on in the background. The official BR withdrawal date for 60024 was 5 September 1966, two days after this photograph was taken.

Perth: 60019 Bittern seen at Perth during her special last run to Aberdeen and back on 3 September 1966. The A4 was officially withdrawn by BR two days later.

Kinross Junction [2nd]: The South & West Railway Society Granite City from Euston heads north through Kinross Junction on the Glenfarg Line on 3 September 1966 behind A2 Pacific 60532 Blue Peter on the Edinburgh - Aberdeen leg of its journey. The 1890 Kinross Junction was the second station to bear the name and the last survivor of the 4 (5 - EC) stations built in Kinross, finally closing in January 1970. See image [[20706]]

Ferryhill Junction: Black 5 44703 at Ferryhill Junction on 3 September 1966 with an Aberdeen - Glasgow train.

Ferryhill Junction: Scene at Ferryhill Junction on 3 September 1966 as Black 5 44703 passes southbound with an Aberdeen - Glasgow train.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: A4 Pacific 60024 'Kingfisher' at Ferryhill on 3rd September 1966. This was the day of BR Scottish Region's 'Last Public Run of an A4 Pacific', with sister locomotive 'Bittern' running from Glasgow to Aberdeen and back on a three-hour schedule each way. The photograph was taken whilst 'Bittern' was on shed for servicing. 'Kingfisher' had been beautifully prepared for working the Aberdeen to Edinburgh section of a 'Granite City' railtour from London the following day, and she was brought out from inside the shed to enable photography. The powers that be intended the railtour duty to be her final one before withdrawal. That did not work out, however, as she sneaked an extra time return trip to Glasgow a few days later, deputising for diesels on the three-hour service.

Aberdeen: Timeous admonition on the footbridge (Vote for Cliff?) as 60019 Bittern moves off a recently arrived train at the north end of Aberdeen station. The date is 3 September 1966 and 60019 has just completed the last BR scheduled run north by an A4 from Buchanan Street. [Railscot addendum: The message on the bridge refers to an election for a new rector of Aberdeen University and the Cliff in question was Cliff Michelmore. With thanks to Denis Coutts]

Aberdeen: 60019 Bittern stands at Aberdeen on 3 September 1966 after bringing in the last scheduled BR A4 return service to operate from Glasgow Buchanan Street.

Aberdeen: 60019 Bittern waits to leave Aberdeen on 3 September 1966 with the last BR scheduled A4 Buchanan Street - Aberdeen return run. See image [[27834]]

Buchanan Street: A4 60019 Bittern stands at the buffer stops at Glasgow's Buchanan Street station on 3 September 1966 following its return from Aberdeen with the BR A4 Farewell Tour.

Buchanan Street: 3rd September 1966 and A4 No 60019 'Bittern' is eager to leave Glasgow Buchanan Street on the advertised 'Last A4 trip to Aberdeen'. Equally eager was Standard 5MT 73153, which provided powerful assistance as far as the St Rollox shed. Note Buchanan House, Scotrail's new headquarters, under construction on the right.

Stirling: 60019 Bittern photographed at Stirling on 3 September 1966 with the last scheduled A4 run to Aberdeen.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: A4 60019 Bittern receiving attention at Ferryhill shed on 3 September 1966 after bringing in the BR (Scottish Region) Glasgow Buchanan Street - Aberdeen A4 Farewell Tour.

Aberdeen: The last BR scheduled A4 hauled Buchanan Street - Aberdeen return service, with no 60019 Bittern in charge, waits to leave Aberdeen on 3 September 1966.

Tyne Dock Shed: Having just been withdrawn that same week, Q6 No. 63363 languishes on the scrap line at Tyne Dock after a working life of some 53 years - rather better than the ten years which the 9F standing in front of it had achieved. My trusty black and white tartan duffle bag has been placed rather injudiciously!

Forfar [2nd]: The Glasgow Buchanan Street - Aberdeen 'A4 Farewell Tour' of 3 September 1966 stands at Forfar behind 60019 Bittern. Aberdeen trains would soon be rerouted via Dundee following closure of the Strathmore route east of Forfar in 1967.

Craiginches Yard: 44703 climbing away (south of Craiginches) from Aberdeen on the 13.30 to Glasgow on 3rd September 1966.

Stirling: 60019 Bittern on the last run to Aberdeen on 3 September 1966 photographed during the stop at Stirling.

Stirling: A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern at Stirling on 3 September 1966 with the last BR scheduled A4 hauled service between Aberdeen and Glasgow Buchanan Street. See image [[27894]]

Stirling: A4 Pacific no 60019 Bittern calls at Stirling on 3 September 1966 with the BR Scottish Region A4 Farewell Tour from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Aberdeen.

Tyne Dock Shed: A Saturday afternoon visit to Tyne Dock shed in late summer 1966 found a full house but only a few in steam, of which Q6 0-8-0 63366, seen here in the yard, was one.

Aberdeen: A4 60019 'Bittern' after arrival at Aberdeen with a special day excursion from Glasgow Buchanan St on 3rd September 1966. This was timed at three hours each way and advertised by BR Scottish Region as the 'Last public run of an A4 Pacific'. This marked the end of the celebrated period of A4 haulage on the 3-hour expresses between the cities.

Perth: A4 60019 Bittern photographed during the stop at Perth on 3 September 1966 with the last BR scheduled Glasgow - Aberdeen steam hauled passenger working. The goods bypass and centre goods yard (originally NBR) is on the right.

Buchanan Street: Plenty of admiring spectators, as A4 60019 'Bittern' awaits departure from Glasgow Buchanan St with a special day excursion to Aberdeen, timed at three hours each way and advertised by BR Scottish Region as the 'Last public run of an A4 Pacific'.

Ferryhill Shed [2nd]: Quite a crowd of spectators at Aberdeen's Ferryhill engine shed, admiring two famous Scottish A4 Pacifics, 60024 'Kingfisher' and 'Number 9'. Out of sight behind 'Kingfisher' was sister locomotive 60019 'Bittern', being serviced at the depot before returning south to Glasgow with BR's 'Last Public Run of an A4' special. One has to think that, on what was probably the last occasion on which these superb steam locomotives were seen together, the two intrusive diesels, NBL Type 2 D6155 and a Class 25, might have shown a bit of discretion by retiring into the shed out of sight.

Buchanan Street: Gresley A4 60019 Bittern prepares to leave Glasgow's Buchanan Street station on 3 September 1966 with the last BR scheduled A4 hauled service to Aberdeen. The special had been arranged to mark the end of the swansong years of the A4 Pacifics on the 3-hour expresses.

Tyne Dock Shed: The ashpan of 9F 92063 looks as if it has just been emptied following its return to Tyne Dock shed on completion of the Saturday morning shift on 3 September 1966. Just eleven weeks after this picture was taken, 92063 (but in much better external condition) had the honour of heading the last steam hauled iron ore train to Consett.

Buchanan Street: Saturday 3 September 1966 at Buchanan Street, with 60019 Bittern preparing to take out the last A4 hauled BR service to Aberdeen.

Buchanan Street: A4 Pacific no 60019 Bittern about to set off from Buchanan Street on 3 September 1966 with the BR (Scottish Region) A4 Farewell Tour to Aberdeen. The train was banked by Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73153 as far as Balornock.

Aberdeen: A4 no 60019 Bittern takes a bow for the photographers at Aberdeen on 3 September 1966, the occasion of the last scheduled A4 operated service to Glasgow.

Carlisle: 'No, no, no that's still not right...' D247 making preparations to take a train out of Carlisle in September 1970.

Carlisle: A class 50 takes a southbound train out of Carlisle in 1970.

Benfleet: Not a good place to alight in search of an emotional uplift in 1976. Benfleet station, looking towards Southend, on 3rd September of that year.

Exminster: 45010 passes Exminster with 1V85, the 1040 Manchester to Paignton, in 1977. The old station building is on the left [[19523]]. The former D112 was in service for a further eight years. Along with many other 'Peaks' it was cut up by MC Metals in Glasgow in 1989.

Stranraer Harbour: Scene at Stranraer Harbour in September 1978 from the road alongside the station.

Treherbert: Sunday morning at Treherbert - looking back down the valley towards Pontypridd on 3 September 1985.

Cowlairs West Junction: Eastfield depot viewed from Cowlairs West Junction with the previous Cowlairs signalbox on the left. The photograph was taken from a West Highland train.

Gorton [WHR]: Gorton seen from a passing northbound train, just as regular 37 haulage was ending and the Sprinters were to be introduced.

Glen Douglas Halt: 37409 approaching Glen Douglas loop from the south in 1988. The signalposts were still in place and signalbox still stood despite its closure in January 1986. Sprinters were to be introduced shortly and the vast majority of passengers were there to enjoy the 37s. The track to the right provides access to the NATO depot.

Liskeard Viaduct: 37669 heads back to St Blazey, crossing Liskeard viaduct, on 3rd September 1988. 37669 had been the standby loco at Plymouth. It had been used to drag some unwell 50s back from Exeter to Laira depot that day and now it was heading home.

Cowlairs West Junction: View looking south at Cowlairs West Junction in 1988. From left to right: City of Glasgow Union Railway, Sighthill Branch*, Turkey Yard*, Cowlairs Carriage Sidings* and (extreme right)the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway running south to Queen Street. The lines marked * have subsequently been lifted. The photograph was taken from a northbound West Highland train.

Cowlairs Carriage Sidings: The north end of Cowlairs Carriage Sidings looking north, the cleaning sheds were behind the camera on the right. On the far right is the line to Springburn and at this date the Cowlairs Chord had not yet been built. Photograph taken from a northbound West Highland train in 1988. The sidings are long gone but the site remains in railway use.

Tunbridge Wells West: Looking out from the end of the platform at Tunbridge Wells West in September 1988 just over 3 years after closure of the branch from Eridge. Happily the line is now in the hands of the Spa Valley Railway.

Eardington Halt: 80079, a Riddles BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4T, passing north through the disused Eardington Station, on the Severn Valley Railway in 1997.

Kirknewton: A Virgin HST runs south west at speed through Kirknewton station in September 2002, its engine noise almost drowning out the warning klaxon from the level crossing off picture to the right.

Kirknewton: Platform scene at Kirknewton in September 2002. The driver of an Edinburgh - Glasgow Central stopping train is manually activating the half-barrier level crossing before leaving the station.

Kirknewton: The pedestrian entrance to Kirknewton station from Station Road in September 2002. The memorable 1848 'B' listed station building, designed by Sir William Tite, is now a private residence. The unique design, with its severe angular structure, pseudo-castellations, ball finials etc. etc.. always conjures up thoughts of the aftermath of an architects wild night out.

Kirknewton: Looking west over Kirknewton level crossing in September 2002 as a train leaves for Glasgow Central.

Helensburgh Upper: 45407 enters Helensburgh Upper with morning train to Fort William.

Edinburgh Waverley: Further steps in the redevelopment of Waverley... leading from Concourse level to the new bridge which will provide access to the escalator link to Princes Street. 3 September 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: '...some kind of festival apparently.' Sunday morning work resumes at Waverley on 3 September 2006, following the enforced lay-off.

Earn Viaduct [Bridge of Earn]: 3 arch bridge over River Earn, approaching Hilton Junction from Bridge of Earn. The Scottish Central Railway runs across the centre of shot.

Burghlee Ground Frame: The northern extent of the wasteland once occupied by the the sidings of Bilston Glen Colliery, seen here in 2007. Trains serving the colliery used the former EL&R route, now a surfaced public walkway running towards Loanhead in the distance. The colliery was officially closed in 1989, with the last train leaving the sidings carrying stockpiled coal for Cockenzie power station two years later.

Johnstone: 66120 about to pass through Johnstone with an empty coal train bound for Hunterston.

Bargeddie: Whifflet - Glasgow Central service picks up passengers at Bargeddie on 3 September 2007. Note the train protection measures applied to the footbridge.

Newburgh: 170423 in Scotrail colours passing the site of the first Newburgh station.(1848-1909)

Johnstone: 318257 pulling into Johnstone with an Ayr service

Kinghorn Tunnel: Having just left Kinghorn tunnel, the 09.50 Aberdeen - London Kings Cross NXEC service passes Pettycur Bay. A steeply graded branch once dropped to the shore at the left of the train to serve a bottle works. The Forth Bridge stands in the left background.

Bridgnorth: Part of the decor in the Station Bar, Bridgnorth, on 3 September 2008.

Bridgnorth: Wall of the Station Bar, Bridgnorth, 3 September 2008.

Largo Viaduct: The harbour at Lower Largo, Fife, looking back towards the village, with the remains of the viaduct that once carried the Fife Coast line dominating the background. Lower Largo was, as every schoolboy knows, the home of Alexander Selkirk (1676-1721) a local sailor who spent 4 years marooned on a desert island and who is believed to have been the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe. Not that you'd know it here! Morning coffee is being taken in The Castaway Bar in the background, with the Crusoe Hotel standing on the right. The signpost at the roadside includes a pointer to Juan Fernandez Island (7,500 miles). For some reason the expression Thank God it's Friday came to mind...

Largo Viaduct: The northern approach to the village of Lower Largo in September 2010 with the old railway viaduct dominating the scene. The white building nearest the camera on the left is the Railway Inn standing at the end of Station Wynd, with the Crusoe Hotel beyond. Part of the harbour can be seen through the arch to the right.

Auchtermuchty: Spot the station! Auchtermuchty (closed June 1950) photographed in September 2010. At this stage it was incorporated within a furniture storage/warehousing complex.

Leyland: A southbound Freightliner container train with 86627 + 86637 passing through Leyland station on 3 September 2010. An interesting contrast between the old and new Freightliner liveries.

Milnathort: Station remains at Milnathort, Kinross-shire, looking south east in September 2010. Opened in 1858 on the NB Glenfarg route between Mawcarse Junction and Bridge of Earn, part of the station was built on a bridge spanning the North Queich (which enters Loch Leven less than a mile away). One of the bridge girders stands on the trackbed between the surviving platform sections. Milnathort station closed to passengers in 1964 and the line itself 6 years later. The majority of the former railway land has since been redeveloped.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: Looking west over Cameron Bridge towards Thornton Junction on 3 September 2010. No obvious change here - other than the usual impression that the Diageo complex seems to have grown larger since the last visit.

Leyland: Three little MAIDSsssss ... from Crewe! ... diddy dah - diddy dah - diddy dah - diddy dah - etc ... etc ... (with apologies to WS Gilbert). A trio of Freightliner Class 66s en route from Carlisle to Crewe. 66596, 66507 and 66606 photographed heading south through Leyland station on 3 September 2010.

Milnathort: The station remains at Milnathort (closed 1970) may look odd at first glance. In fact, second glance might not help much either. The surviving sections of the wooden platforms, seen here in 2010, serve as a bridge over the North Queich. This is now part of a pedestrian route from the old station approach (off picture top left), across the far away platform, down a set of steps (the wooden handrails of which can be seen) towards some new housing off to the right. The rubble in the right background is from the recently demolished former goods shed.

Auchtermuchty: Wide view looking north from alongside the B936 towards Auchtermuchty in September 2010. The station was located to the south of the town and sat roughly midway between Mawcarse Junction and Ladybank on the Fife & Kinross line. Auchtermuchty lost its passenger service in 1950 although the line continued to be used for freight for several more years. The old station building has since been incorporated within what is now a storage site used by a furniture retailer and can be seen here sandwiched between a large warehouse and the filled in road bridge.

Largo Viaduct: The East of Fife Railway viaduct at Lower Largo, Fife, photographed looking north along Harbour Wynd in September 2009. The line across the viaduct closed in 1966. [Ref query 1528]

Milnathort: Looking over the station remains at Milnathort in 2010. View is west along the old route to Kinross showing the surviving wooden platform sections forming part of a bridge over the North Queich (which flows into Loch Leven). The disused railway land and livestock market area to the south of the town was in the process of redevelopment, including the office building now occupying the trackbed directly ahead. Beyond this building the line passed below a road overbridge (now infilled) carrying the A922 South Street. The wooden steps on the right are part of a shortcut between new housing behind the camera and the main road.

Star Lane: DLR unit 31 to Woolwich Arsenal arriving at Star Lane, on 3rd September 2011, four days after it opened and DLR trains took over the Stratford to Canning Town section of the North Woolwich line. This station was a brand new location on opening. The heavy rail line was quadruple track here with passenger trains on the two easternmost tracks and freight trains the westernmost. The latter are now used by LUL Jubilee Line Extension trains that first ran along here to North Greenwich in 1999.

Stratford High Street: DLR units 29 to Stratford International and 48 to Beckton at Stratford High Street on 3rd September 2011, three days after DLR trains began running along the Canning Town to Stratford section of the former North Woolwich line. This station is on the site of the old Stratford Market station that closed in 1957.

Helensburgh Central: Busy scene at Helensburgh Central on 3 September, with platform 3 accommodating 320307, platform 2 is occupied by 334024 on the 1210 service to Edinburgh Waverley, while 334027 is about to depart from platform 1 with the 1140 hrs also to Edinburgh Waverley.

Abbey Road: Abbey Road, Docklands Light Railway, looking south on 3rd September 2011, four days after it opened and DLR trains took-over the Stratford to Canning Town section of the former North Woolwich line. This station was a brand new location.

Carlisle: View over the south end of Carlisle station on a particularly wet Saturday afternoon on 3 September 2011. A Settle & Carlisle line service for Leeds prepares to leave platform 6, with trains for Newcastle and Manchester Airport standing at platforms 5 and 4 respectively.

Carlisle: First ScotRail 156446 waits at Carlisle platform 7 with a service to Dumfries on a dismal Saturday afternoon in September 2011.

Copplestone: No doubt where this is the former station house for. It is a private residence now. 3rd September 2011.

Arnside: The tide is just ebbing as TPE 185142 comes off the refurbished Kent Estuary viaduct and onto the steeply cambered embankment that leads into Arnside station. The train is a Barrow-in-Furness to Manchester Airport service.

Silverdale: Silverdale station is some way from the village but with a connecting rural minibus service, and also being close to the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, it is quite well used. 153324 leads a pair of 153s on a Cumbrian Coast service heading for Carnforth and Lancaster.

Arnside: Track level view of Arnside signal box as 153304 leaves the station heading for Barrow-in-Furness with a Northern stopping service on 3 September. To the left of the box the embankment that carried the long closed line to Hincaster Junction alongside the Kent Estuary can be seen.

Heysham Port: Aerial view of Heysham Port in September 2012. Two Seatruck ferries, part of a fleet serving Dublin, Belfast and Warren Point from Heysham, are moored at the linkspans. Lower down the picture, partly obscured by cloud, is the railway station and Isle of Man terminal. The rail link and exchange sidings for the power stations can also be seen as can part of the internal railway, curving between the car parks round to Heysham 2 [[55295]]. The white roofed building bottom centre is the old Midland Railway power station [[62823]], now a port engineering workshop. Photo by Mike Burke.

Heysham Port: Isle of Man Steam Packet's 'Ben-my-Chree' approaching Heysham in September 2012. Nearly eleven years later her replacement, the new 'Manxman' has just been delivered and will be taking over the Heysham to Douglas route later in 2023 (See recent news item). Her services are being retained as a spare vessel for the time being however.

Whitby: A 'through the window' footplate shot of 75029 The Green Knight, taken at Whitby on the 3rd September 2012.

Heysham Port: Heysham Port, and the adjacent power stations, on 3rd September 2012 with the IOMSP 'Ben-my-Chree' approaching with the daytime crossing from Douglas. The much reduced station is alongside the quay on the right where the ship will berth after turning round and backing onto the linkspan. Between the station and Heysham 1 nuclear power station are the sidings where the flask trains drop off and collect their loads. Heysham 1 was due to close in 2024 but has recently been given a two year extension. Heysham 2 will be generating into the 2030s.

Silverdale: A pair of Northern single units approaching Silverdale level crossing in September 2012 heading for Carnforth and Lancaster with a Cumbrian Coast service.

The Mound: DRS 37608 and 37218 run south past what remains of The Mound station with a nuclear flask special on 3 September 2013. Once the junction for the Dornoch Branch, time has taken its toll here and the area is now heavily overgrown. The former station building still stands as a private residence.

Kilnknowe Junction: The new railway bridge spanning Wheatlands Road, Galashiels. Photographed on 3 September 2014, looking south towards the town centre.

Galashiels: Concrete pouring alongside Ladhope Vale, Galashiels, on 3 September, looking east across the A7.

Eskbank: Lunch break at the site of the new Eskbank station on 3 September 2014. View south towards Hardengreen Viaduct.

Hardengreen Junction: The NB freight-only line between Hardengreen and Smeaton closed in 1934, with most of the route now obliterated or built over. A surviving memento is this partially filled in bridge that carried the B6392 over the line shortly after it left the junction. The west side is now a flat landscaped area, while to the east the cutting still survives beneath the foliage. View north towards the Eskbank roundabout on 3 September showing the western (top) and eastern parapets. See image [[68132]]

Bridge No 95: Close up section of the upgraded bridge over the Gala Water on 3 September 2014, showing detail of the raised deck. See image [[28553]]

Eskbank and Dalkeith: Work underway at the old Eskbank station site on 3 September 2014. View north.

Hardengreen Junction: The eastern parapet of the bridge that once carried Dalhouse Road over the NB freight line from Hardengreen Junction to Smeaton (closed 1934). Photographed in September 2014 looking south, with the route back to Hardengreen Junction (approximately 200 yards off to the right) now infilled and reclaimed. The north side of the bridge is still accessible below from the old trackbed, although the density of the vegetation prevented a suitable photograph at this time. Fortunately an opportunity arose some four and a half years later - (see image [[68132]]).

Headfield Junction: Looking along a virtually weed free remaining section of the Railway Street & Wharf Street branch line towards the main line junction with the former L&Y cross pennine route at Thornhill Lees, Dewsbury. This is the stabling and run round loop to service the Hope Cement distribution depot whose sidings are seen running off to the right.

Headfield Junction: View from Bretton Street overbridge looking along what was latterly the Railway Street branch towards Headfield Junction. The Market Place line continued ahead through the stone arch and the line to Railway Street goods yard turned off to the right under the steel bridge to cross both Mill Street East and the River Calder en route. Not aware if stone is still being delivered periodically to the yard on the right, although it looks probable. See image [[53805]] for a view in the opposite direction.

Bo'ness: In terms of football rivalry (like I care) these two names should never be seen together but here in the museum all that is put aside. These are name signs from signal boxes (boxboards, in the railwayana world). The Easter Road one can be seen in situ in see image [[35868]] where the box dominates the platform! Photographed 03/09/2016.

Manuel: The station you can't leave as it has no public access. NCB No 19 has arrived from Bo'ness with the 14.10. It will run round and go back with, we hope, all the passengers it arrived with. Less leisurely trains speed past on the EGML behind me. Manuel [1st] was slightly further east.

Bo'ness: The signalling board for [[Glasgow Queen Street High Level]] box from the period it was controlled from [[Cowlairs Power Box]]. Both lines out are bidirectional, but 'other line' running is rare (meaning I've never seen it). The board is now on display in the Scottish Museum of Railways

Kelling: Preserved LNER B12 4-6-0 8572 in action near Kelling on the North Norfolk Railway during the NNR 2016 Steam Gala.

Lostock Hall Junction: Carrying out a turning move at Lostock Hall Jct, ex LMS 4-6-0 no.46115 'Scots Guardsman' reverses off the line from Farington Jct and briefly heads east towards Bamber Bridge. A few minutes later it came back through the crossover and headed to Preston station to pick up the CME railtour to Carlisle. 50 years ago this movement could have been completed without the need of a reversal with the use of the East Lancs line from Preston via Todd Lane Jct which used to join this line in the dark trees beyond the support coach to the left. It was used then to get holiday specials from Scotland to Blackpool without the need to reverse in Preston.

Millerhill EGIP Depot: Progress at Millerhill on 3 September 2017. General view south showing the second of the new junctions, with the line now running past the washing plant towards the stabling bays, just visible through the clutter in the background.

Forth Bridge: A view from the Queensferry Crossing 3rd September. We won the ballot to go across the new bridge today and here is a photograph of the rail bridge, and old road bridge, from a unique viewpoint, and not to be repeated.

Uffington: 60103 & 46100 passing eastbound at Longcot on the GWML. Between Swindon and Didcot, running from the West Somerset Railway to Southall via Bristol. Thankfully a blue sky appeared just in time, otherwise it would have been a soggy photographer.

Forth Bridge: Three Forth Bridges in one view;
The Forth Bridge,
The Forth Road Bridge and
The Queensferry Crossing

Middlewood: Looking east along the L&NW route to Buxton at Middlewood on 03 September 2017. The bridge over the station used to carry the Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway (operated by the MS&LR and NSR) but now forms the Middlewood Way cycling/horse riding/walking path. [Ref query 21 January 2019]

Styal: A Northern Class 323 arrives at Styal with a train from Manchester Piccadilly to Alderley Edge via Manchester Airport on the morning of 03 September 2017.

Handforth: A Manchester to Euston Pendolino passes Handforth on 03 September 2017. The station has an interesting collection of Handforth station signs in the livery of various operators and railway companies with the largest a the BR (LMR) sign to the right of the train.

Poynton: The beautiful station at Poynton is passed by an Arriva XC Voyager on 03 September 2017 en-route to Bournemouth from Manchester.

Styal: A Manchester Piccadilly to Alderley Edge service sets off from Styal on 03 September 2017 heading to the next stop at Wilmslow.

Middlewood Higher: Looking north along the trackbed at the site of the former Middlewood Higher station. The line was finally closed in 1970 and today it has become the Middlewood Way from Rose Hill Marple to Macclesfield. The signs on the right point to the lower station on the Hazel Grove to Buxton line.

Higher Poynton: Looking south at Higher Poynton on 03 September 2017 with both platforms extant and the trackbed a well manicured lawn. The former line has been converted into a long distance trail, the Middlewood Way between Marple and Macclesfield.

Niddrie West Junction: Survivor... standing alongside the footbridge at Niddrie West Junction - September 2017.

Middlewood: A Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton service runs non-stop through Middlewood station on 03 September 2017. The photo was taken from the bridge that used to carry the Macclesfield to Marple line and is now the Middlewood Way bridleway.

Forth Bridge: The Forth Bridge seen from the Queensferry Crossing on the 3rd September. (We won the ballot to go across the new bridge).

Barrow-in-Furness: Bay Platform 3 at Barrow-in-Furness is now the limit of Northern loco-hauled services. 68033 pulls in on a sunny 3rd September 2018 with a train from Carlisle while 185143 waits in Platform 1 with a service for Manchester Airport.

East Kilbride: The East Kilbride line reaches its 150th anniversary. There was a plaque-unveiling today at the station by Kiwi Preschool Playgroup with Deputy Provost Colette Stevenson and ScotRail staff member Louise Costello.

Stirling: The results of the weekend's work - the footbridge over Stirling's platforms 6 & 9 has now gone.

Stirling: Platform view at Stirling on 3 September 2018. The footbridge over platforms 6 & 9 has now been removed in preparation for electrification.

Falls of Cruachan: The rather well kept platform at Falls of Cruachan looking towards Oban in September 2019. I was informed that it is looked after by a member of the local community and what a good job they are doing.

Loch Awe: 156500, with a Dalmally to Oban, service departs Loch Awe on a miserable dreich evening, 3rd September 2019.

Manchester Victoria: Northern Class 150s at Manchester Victoria on 03 September 2019. The unit in front is departing to Wigan Wallgate via Walkden while the one to the right followed it out heading to Clitheroe via Bolton. Contrary to what it appears, the photo isn't taken at night, it is just that being under the MEN Arena gives you that impression.

Loch Awe: A view of Loch Awe station from the footbridge on 3rd September 2019. This allows access from Loch Awe Hotel to the loch shore.

Falls of Cruachan: 1Y24, the 1243 Oban to Glasgow Queen St, approaching Falls of Cruachan station on 3rd September 2019.

Loch Awe: An Oban to Glasgow Queen St service approaching Loch Awe station, passing the camping coach, on 3rd September 2019.

Dalmally: 156500 arrives at its Dalmally destination with the afternoon service from Oban on a very wet 3rd September 2019. This was well used as a school service for the local children. Dalmally station building is used as an Airbnb accomodation and is looked after by the wonderful hosts Graham and Liz.

Falls of Cruachan: The clean and tidy Falls of Cruachan station looking towards Loch Awe in September 2019. Closed in 1965 but reopened in 1988 trains only call here in daylight hours between March and October.

Preston: Colas Railfreight 56078 hauls 70804 southwards at Preston on 3rd September 2019. The light engine move was from Grangemouth to Doncaster.

Dalgety Bay: The 08.20 CrossCountry service from Aberdeen to Penzance nears Dalgety Bay on 3 September. The train was terminated at Inverkeithing because of a trespass incident on the Forth Bridge.

Newton-le-Willows: Inside one of the new Mk 5 carriages from CAF, in service with TPE on the 1E39 Liverpool to Scarborough service on 03 September 2019. For anyone who hasn't yet opportunity to experience the Mark 5s (TPE or Caledonian Sleeper day coaches) then the seats can be described as 'firm' and the ride quality unfortunately doesn't match a Mark 3, just like the seats don't match up with the windows.

Brock: Looking south along the Lancaster Canal from the Calder Aqueduct (a siphon), 88005 is glimpsed heading north with a Daventry to Mossend intermodal service on 3rd September 2020.

Hardengreen Viaduct: A northbound service on the Borders Railway slows for its next scheduled stop at Eskbank shortly after clearing Hardengreen Viaduct on an overcast 3 September 2020. The train is the 0828 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley, formed by ScotRail DMU 170418.

Griff No 4 Colliery: Well griced by moonlight: standing a few metres South of Croft Road towards Heath End Road, we are close to two disused trackbeds. Under the trees to the right, one railway connecting Nuneaton Brick Works to the Coventry Canal - and later serving Griff #4 colliery - passed under Croft Road; the road bridge was a single track bottleneck, filled in and demolished in the 1980s (there are still sink marks in the tarmac road surface). The tarmac footpath leads (curving left after the lamp post) to the track of a waste line from the tile works, which is now a line of trees in a local green space.

Brock: Part Avanti liveried 390103 speeds north through the Lancashire countryside between Brock and Garstang on 3rd September 2020.

Brock: 66112 runs through a sudden rain shower between Garstang & Catterall and Brock on 3rd September 2020. The train was a short rake of MOD wagons that had started from Glen Douglas that morning heading for Fenny Compton.

Pollokshields West: 380008 waits at Pollokshields West for the signal at the end of the platform (protecting Muirhouse Central Jct) to clear whilst working a Newton to Glasgow Central service on 3 September 2021.

Kirkhill: 380013 departs Kirkhill on 3 September 2021, whilst working a Glasgow Central to Newton service.

Crosshill: The narrow platform at Crosshill, with 320420 departing towards Queens Park on a service to Glasgow Central on 3 September 2021.

Croftfoot: A Newton to Glasgow Central service with 320420 calls at Croftfoot on 3 September 2021.

Mount Florida: 380105 departs from Mount Florida on 3 September 2021, with a service to Neilston.

Queens Park: A Cathcart Inner Circle service calls at Queens Park on 3 September 2021 as the driver of 380008 looks back along his train having just closed the doors.

Kings Park: 380008 arrives at Kings Park whilst working from Glasgow Central to Newton on 3 September 2021.

Burnside: 380008 with a Glasgow Central to Newton service departs from Burnside on 3 September 2021.

Buxton: Modern Railfreight. After running round its train of (full) huge box wagons in the recently extended Buxton Up Relief Sidings, 66767 draws up towards Buxton Signal Box to allow a brake test to be completed prior to continuing its journey from Hindlow to Wellingborough on 3rd September 2021. The train will take the ex Midland Railway route through Peak Forest towards Chinley and the Hope Valley line. #COP26

Buxton [Midland Railway]: Is there a collective noun for bridges? Lightwood Road in Buxton still retains three overbridges in daily use. 66767 has just left the Up Relief Sidings on the route to Peak Forest and the Hope Valley line whilst behind can be seen the access to the sidings from Hindlow on the LNWR Ashbourne line across which the train would have passed an hour earlier. The bridge at the rear carries the line which conveys passenger trains from Buxton to Manchester Piccadilly via Whaley Bridge. Not visible beyond that are the piers of a fourth bridge which once allowed access into the Down Sidings from the LNWR line. This bridge is now demolished and the site of the sidings is occupied by a housing scheme (visible in Image [[78292]])

Shawlands: Another appearance of 380008 during my tour of the Cathcart Circle on 3 September 2021. This time it was arriving at Shawlands on a Cathcart Inner Circle service from and to Glasgow Central. The outer circle service seems to have been suspended during the pandemic.

Southall: 345040, with a semi-fast service from Paddington to Reading, departing from Southall on 3rd September 2021. I must have been through this station many hundreds of times over the past 50 years or so but this was the first time I had alighted here, purely to give the recently-opened new buildings the benefit of my inspection. Note the bilingual (Punjabi) running-in board.

Paddington: 345061 (left) and 345060 in the former Metropolitan Railway Bishops Road station, now an extension of Paddington, on 3rd September 2020. 061 was not in service but would later form a service to Reading while 060 was about to depart with a short working to Hayes & Harlington.

Cambuslang: A Lanark to Glasgow Central service departs from Cambuslang on 3 September 2021. 385043 was leading and 385040 the rear set.

Maiden Lane [NLL]: This graffiti-scarred bridge (how do the culprits get up there?) across York Way to the north of Kings Cross carries the London Overground line that opened with the extension of the East & West India Docks & Birmingham Junction Railway in December 1850 from Highbury & Islington to Camden Town (renamed Camden Road 100 years later in 1950). The name was changed to the simpler North London Railway in 1853 and in 1887 the NLR opened Maiden Lane station on the embankment to the west of this bridge (left of picture) and it retained that name even after the thoroughfare was changed to York Road and has since been changed again to York Way. This station only lasted 30 years, closing as a WWI economy in 1917 and never reopened. Remains of the platforms and some of the buildings were still visible in the 1960s but have now disappeared although there are some scant remains of the entrance at street level. This view is through the front upstairs windows of a TfL 'New Routemaster' bus on route 390 to Archway about to pass under the bridge on 3rd September 2021.

Southall: 66520 heading east through Southall, on the GWR main line in west London, on Friday, 3rd September 2021.

Bamber Bridge: The Pathfinder railtour from Bristol to Carlisle (via Shap) returned south over the S&C with BB pacific 34067 'Tangmere' hauling the trip from Carnforth on the outward leg and to Preston on the return. The latter is seen at Bamber Bridge in the early evening of 3 September 2022.

Furnace Sidings: I mistakenly thought the Pontypool and Blaenavon was having a Gala, but it was the following weekend. However, we travelled through some pleasing countryside and it proved to be a good place to see and hear a steam loco at work. 0-4-0ST 'ROSYTH No 1', AB 1385/1914, was working hard with two coaches.

Chorley: The 1210 hrs TPE Manchester Airport to Edinburgh service, with 397009, approaches Chorley on 3 September 2022.

Balshaw Lane Junction: LSLs 47501 and 47805 head the Settle to Carlisle and Coastal Statesman tour from Milton Keynes as it approaches Balshaw Lane Junction on 3 September 2022.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: The BLS 'The Garston Growler' charity railtour is seen near Euxton Balshaw Lane on 3 September 2022 on the Preston to Crewe via Merseyside leg. 37676 leading and 37516 was on the rear of the tour at this stage.

Preston: Looking south from platform 3 at Preston as 319384 heads ecs to Warrington Bank Quay on 3 September 2022. On the right is 57010 with 57012 out of sight behind waiting to couple up to the Pathfinder railtour in platform 4 which was returning to Bristol.

Eglinton Street: The 11.07 Avanti service from Euston passes the former Eglinton Street station on 3 September 2022.

Furnace Sidings: 0-4-0ST 'ROSYTH No 1', Barclays 1385/1914, pulling into Furnace Sidings with a two coach Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway service on 3rd September 2022. The image does not do justice to the effort the wee pug was putting in.

Balshaw Lane Junction: GBRF 66772 hauls the empty cement tanks from Avonmouth to Clitheroe on 3 September 2022, and joins the Down Slow line at Balshaw Lane Junction.

Edmiston Drive Depot [Subway]: Looking south from Edmiston Drive to a storage area of Broomloan Depot, near to the site of Ibrox station, with new Stadler trains stabled. 3 September 2022.

Chorley: The Branch Line Society ran 'The Garston Growler' railtour around the north-west on 3 September 2022. 37516 is leading through Chorley with the tour heading to Preston and 37676 was on the rear.

Broomloan Depot [Subway]: A close-up of new Stadler Subway units, and a Clayton shunter, outside Broomloan Depot on 3 September 2022.

Leyland: The Pathfinder The Cumbrian Fells Express return trip from Carlisle to Bristol passes Leyland with 57012 and 57010, having taken over from 34067 'Tangmere' at Preston on 3 September 2022.

Edmiston Drive Depot [Subway]: Looking north along the course of the old Govan branch towards Broomloan Depot on 3 September 2022. The trackbed was relaid to 4 foot gauge for the Subway when the depot and associated sidings were extended.

Balshaw Lane Junction: 57313 in Northern Belle livery heads the Pathfinder railtour from Bristol to Carlisle at Balshaw Lane Junction on 3 September 2022.