Polmadie Shed: Co-Bo D5715 and 2nd Co-Bo and Class 08 diesel at Polmadie in 1959.

Partick Central: CR 123 + GNSR no 49 at Partick Central on 19 September 1959 with a special in connection with the Scottish Industries Exhibition. The covered stairway and station buildings on Benalder Street can be seen above the first coach. The 1896 station had been renamed Kelvin Hall in June that year due to its proximity to the focal point of the exhibition, a name it retained until closure five years later. [Editor's note: The location on Railscot is shown as Partick Central throughout].

Plates, signs, notices etc: Nameplate of 46220 photographed at Glasgow Central on 19 September 1959.

Glasgow Central: 46220 Coronation stands at Glasgow Central with a WCML service on 19 September 1959.

Partick Central: CR no 123 + GNSR no 49 Gordon Highlander at Partick Central on 19 September 1959 with a special operated in connection with the Scottish Industries Exhibition see image [[30452]].

Campbeltown: The Clyde paddle steamer 'Caledonia' at Campbeltown in September 1964.

Campbeltown: PS 'Caledonia' at Campbeltown pier in 1964. A spectacular liner is one of several very trim looking local boats anchored in the foreground.

Millom Iron Works: Just before closure of Millom Ironworks, Millom No.1 (AB 2333/1953) draws No.12 and No.3 out of the shed to be photographed. No.1 and No.12 (AB 929/1902) went to the Lakeside Railway soon afterwards. The development of the Barclay 0-4-0ST over many years can be seen by studying these two locos. No.3 had been built by New Lowca Engineering 250/1912 and was out of use with coupling rods removed. This loco came from Cleator Moor in 1932 but was little used as it was known to wear axleboxes unevenly, possibly due to a bent frame. Being a rare beast, efforts were made to find a buyer but in 1968 many locos in scrap yards were in full working order. There were no takers for this damaged machine and it was scrapped in 1969.

Millom Iron Works: Conversation piece at Millom between driver Joe Walker and his fireman, in a siding at the ironstone mine, overlooking the Duddon Estuary and Morecambe Bay. Barclay 0-4-0ST No.1, delivered new to Millom, is a powerful loco nowadays to be seen hauling coaches on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite line and still bearing its cast number plate.See image [[23418]]. Sister Barclay No.2 (2334/1953) was scrapped in 1962. With thanks to Chris Moore for additional info.

Millom Iron Works: The last day of rail operations at Millom Ironworks sees Barclay 0-4-0ST No.1 (Works No. AB 2333/1953) standing outside the locomotive shed. Now preserved on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway as 'David' it still carries that fine looking number plate. The loco shed, built in 1944, is still in use as a factory making nylon brush bristles. (Thanks to Chris Moore for additional information.)

Millom Iron Works: A Barclay 0-4-0ST, probably No. 1, bustles about the foundry with internal user hopper wagons on the last day of operations at Millom Ironworks in 1968. On the left a John Fowler diesel shunter busies itself with a rake of 16 tonners. After the works closed later that year all trace of the industry was quickly swept away, although the three diesel locomotives went to Workington Docks where they survived for a further forty years.

Berwick-upon-Tweed: With what by Deltic standards was a rather understated exhaust (although the noise was doubtless up to standard) No 9006 The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry accelerates the 08:00 Kings Cross - Edinburgh away from the Berwick stop on 19 September 1970.

Tweedmouth: The former repair shop at Tweedmouth, photographed from the south end (with the ECML and Tweedmouth Yard to the right) on Saturday September 19 1970. Lurking inside is class 03 shunter No D2056, obviously stabled for the weekend, although my memory tells me it was much more usual, following the closure of the shed in June 1966, for the local pilot to be standing in the open either at Tweedmouth or Berwick. [Ref query 6667]

Tweedmouth: Brush Type 4 No. 1545 has rather beaten the camera as it accelerates off the Royal Border Bridge and past the junction with the Kelso line (still in the process of being dismantled) at Tweedmouth on Saturday 19th September 1970. 1E15 was a dated SO relief to the 10:30 Aberdeen - Kings Cross, departing Edinburgh 15 minutes ahead of it at 13:45, and should have run for the last time a fortnight earlier, but has been reinstated in anticipation of heavy traffic in connection with the Edinburgh Festival.

Tweedmouth: By the time of this photograph in September 1970, the coaling and watering facilities at Tweedmouth MPD had lain out of use for over four years, while the much longer disused roundhouse beyond had already been sold out of railway ownership to builders' merchants J. T. Dove.

Tweedmouth: By 1970, builder's merchants J T Dove Ltd had put their stamp on the roundhouse at Tweedmouth, with a new entrance formed through the north wall and a large sign proclaiming ownership. Access to the central turntable had been through an archway, by now blocked up, in the centre of the wall see image [[51011]].

Tweedmouth: Green EE Type 4 No. 252 approaches Tweedmouth with an Edinburgh bound parcels on a September afternoon in 1970. The time was 15:43 and the reporting number 6S21 - indicating that the train had originated in York.

Tweedmouth: As I recall it, entering the shed master's office at Tweedmouth to ask permission to go round the shed was a complete waste of time, even if accompanied by a responsible adult, but by 1970 that didn't matter - the straight shed had been demolished, the roundhouse was in private hands and there was only a single class 03 shunter stabled in the adjacent repair shop see image [[50935]] with nobody around on a Saturday to bother the casual visitor.

Berwick-upon-Tweed: As the down Flying Scotsman sweeps through Tweedmouth in September 1970 behind D9012 Crepello it will already be braking for the passage of Berwick station but then it will be the usual banshee wail as it accelerates away to the north - that was how I first experienced a Deltic in 1961 and it was something never to be forgotten. I was leaning over the wall just north of the then A1 overbridge at Berwick trying to read the number of a J39 which was shunting the yard when a Deltic went through non-stop. It was going too fast to be identified but I was mightily impressed!

Tweedmouth: The business side of the old coaling stage at Tweedmouth in 1970, obviously capable of dealing with two locos at any one time. If necessary, the far side could probably have been modified to coal locos from there as well, but the number of tenders and bunkers requiring to be replenished at any one time presumably never justified this. The blocked up entrance to the roundhouse is on the left.

Tweedmouth: EE Type 4 No. 276 passes between Tweedmouth Yard and the closed MPD with the 11:50 Aberdeen to Kings Cross Freightliner on 19 September 1970. While a bulled-up green class 40 could look very smart see image [[26757]], my opinion is that in more typical condition they looked drab in the extreme and that the blue livery was actually an improvement, something not necessarily the case for every class.

Tweedmouth: With only four Mk 1 coaches and a Southern Railway PMV in tow, Brush Type 4 No. 1513 is already making good speed following the Berwick stop as it passes through Tweedmouth in 1970. The train is the 14:15 Edinburgh to Newcastle semi-fast, or perhaps semi-slow as it had already taken 90 minutes to get this far! The rear end of the 09:20 York to Edinburgh parcels, which had passed two minutes previously see image [[50958]], can just be discerned on the Royal Border Bridge.

Tweedmouth: The north end of the former repair shop at Tweedmouth MPD in September 1970, with the once all-important bike shed prominent in the foreground.

Tweedmouth: A general view of the repair shop at Tweedmouth from the weed infested shed yard on 19 September 1970. Inside is class 03 shunter No D2056 whose services were not required over the weekend

Springfield Yard: The former SRPS yard in Falkirk during an open day in 1970. Despite still appearing in its final British Railways withdrawn state ex NB Holmes class J36 0-6-0 65243 Maude is nonetheless turning out to be quite an attraction with visitors. See image [[34229]]

Springfield Yard: SRPS Open Day at the Falkirk yard in 1970. Shuttle services provided by an ex SSEB Barclay tank with one of the CR carriages alongside the Kirkintilloch Model Club smaller scale shuttle.

Falkirk Grahamston: A Waverley bound Metro-Cammell DMU runs past the stations west box and into the eastbound platform at Falkirk Grahamston on 19 September 1970.

Springfield Yard: CR 419 on display at an open day in the SRPS yard, Falkirk in 1970.

Springfield Yard: A young would-be driver daydreams in the cab of a Ruston diesel shunter at the former SRPS site in Springfield Yard, Falkirk in 1970. One of the Anderson - Grice cranes can be seen in the yard next door.

Tweedmouth: 9019 Royal Highland Fusilier roars through Tweedmouth on 19 September 1970 with the 10:30 Aberdeen - Kings Cross. The Deltic will have taken over from a Haymarket Class 47 at Edinburgh Waverley.

Lostwithiel: 46026 heads down the Fowey branch near Milltown with export clay. Back in the 1970s Peaks were quite a common sight on the branch, along with Westerns and class 47 locos.

Kirriemuir Junction: Shortly after passing the former Kirriemuir Junction, 37026 heads towards Forfar with the 'Ayr - Aberdonian' tour on 19th September 1981.

Forfar [2nd]: Heading back to Perth, 37026 leads the 'Ayr - Aberdonian' tour away from Forfar on 19th September 1981.

Inverness: For a number of years in the 1980s a through container wagon from Aberdeen Freightliner Terminal was attached to passenger trains between Aberdeen, Inverness and a customer in Thurso. The container is seen here on its way back to Aberdeen as part of the 12.35 mixed train from Inverness on 19th September 1984.

Branchton: Looking east at Branchton station with 303 027 heading to [[Wemyss Bay]].

Wemyss Bay: Class 303 trains at Wemyss Bay station.

Miles Platting: Scene looking west at Miles Platting on 19 September 1987.

Miles Platting: View north over the 1844 Manchester & Leeds station at Miles Platting looking as if its days are numbered in September 1987. The old station managed to survive another 8 years before being officially closed on 27 May 1995.

Miles Platting: A DMU leaving Miles Platting in September 1987. The station was finally closed to passengers in May 1995.

Greenock Central: In 1987, before refurbishment by Railtrack, Greenock Central still featured a large glazed roof over the circulating area. The Gourock Extension platforms had canopies over them but not an overall roof, this having been cut back at an earlier date. The photograph was taken from the end of what must be one of the shortest platforms in the country. The view looks west with the Gourock platforms on the far left. Before the opening of the Gourock Extension the terminal platforms continued to a station on Cathcart Street, serving transatlantic ships via East Quay Lane. The circulating area shown here is now a car park. The Greenock Railway's locomotive shed and works was originally located in the area occupied by the Gourock platforms, resulting in the establishment of Greenock Ladyburn shed as a replacement.

Greenock West: A view west over Greenock West in 1987, showing the large girder bridge over the passenger station and, to the right, lines running into the goods station. The bridge has since been rebuilt (see image [[67913]]).

Port Glasgow: Looking west at Port Glasgow station, Goliath crane in background.

Gourock Pier: [[DSMV Juno]] at Gourock Pier.

Gourock Pier: [[MV Keppel]] at Gourock Pier.

Newburgh [1st]: 37088 is seen passing the location of the original Newburgh station with an Edinburgh - Inverness train on 19th September 1990. Just visible above the 3rd carriage is the roof of a bungalow now occupying the site.

RAF Leuchars: The internal railway at RAF Leuchars on the 19 September 1992 open day.

RAF Leuchars: The internal sidings at RAF Leuchars (superceded by the Linkswood Fuel Store) on an open day on 19 September 1992. With the RAF base scheduled to be replaced by an army depot, could the sidings be revived?

Dalgety Bay: 37404 (that's 404) with the Royal Scotsman passing construction works in connection with the new Dalgety Bay station on 19 September 1997.

Collessie: 37409 + 37405 climb past Collessie with an SRPS Linlithgow - Kyle of Lochalsh tour on 19th September 1998.

Neidpath Viaduct: Crossing the River Tweed on Neidpath viaduct in September 2002, heading west along the ex-Caledonian route from Peebles to Symington.

Neidpath Viaduct: View of Neidpath Viaduct, to the west of Peebles. Looking south along the River Tweed in September 2002.

Neidpath Viaduct: Looking west over Neidpath viaduct across the Tweed in September 2002. View towards Lyne station.

Lyne Viaduct: The viaduct over the Lyne Water approaching Lyne station from the east in September 2002. The former station is now a private house located beyond the trees.

Lyne Viaduct: Former railway bridge over the Lyne Water on the ex-Caledonian route between Symington and Peebles. View south in September 2002, with Lyne station off to the right.

Lyne Viaduct: The substantial bridge that brought the railway across the Lyne Water into Lyne Station. Looking east over the river towards Peebles in September 2002, with the old station (now a secluded private residence) off picture to the left.

Aviemore Shed: The former Longmorn distillery Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0DM shunter Queen Anne [works no 265618/1948] in the SRS shed yard at Aviemore in September 2004 see image [[53716]].

Aviemore: The shunt head where SPR locos run around at Aviemore. Level access to the Strathspey Platform is via a boardwalk protected by the gate, or via the NR station footbridge, for the fitter. The Grampian Mountains in the distance.

Liverpool Street: DBSO 9701 at the head of a Liverpool Street - Norwich push-pull set awaiting its departure time from the London terminus in September 2006. The locomotive at the other end of the train is 90014 see image [[8798]].

Carlisle: A southbound Pendolino arrives at Carlisle on 19 September 2006.

Liverpool Street: Scene at Liverpool Street in September 2006 with 90011 and 90014 at the buffer stops.

Liverpool Street: A recent arrival from Norwich stands at Liverpool Street in September 2006

Carlisle: A Voyager for Edinburgh Waverley stands at Carlisle on 19 September 2006. On the left a 156 service ready to leave for Glasgow Central via the G&SW route waits in the bay for the Voyager to depart after which it will follow it north as far as Gretna Junction.

Carlisle: A class 66 takes a coal train south through Carlisle station on 19 September 2006.

Carmuirs West Junction: A container train takes the right fork for Grangemouth.

Carlisle: A class 153 single car unit, on the rear of a 156 service from Preston via the Cumbrian coast, stands in the M&C bay at Carlisle on 19 September 2006.

Tay Bridge: Renovation work in progress on the Tay Bridge - scaffolding and safety boat in evidence.

Carlisle: Edinburgh - Manchester Voyager arriving at Carlisle on 19 September 2006.

Liverpool Street: A view from the Dark Side. Looking back into Liverpool Street station on 19 September 2006. Waiting at the platforms are (from left to right) 317708 with a Stansted Express service, 317661 recently arrived from Chingford and 315860 leaving shortly for Hertford East.

Larbert Junction: Long shot of Larbert Junction box from the footbridge at Camelon. The golf course is Falkirk Tryst.

Camelon: 66203 quietly pulls the Longannet empties through Camelon, this service will be diverted via Stirling in the new year.

Liverpool Street: 90014 at the rear of a push-pull service to Norwich awaiting its departure time at London's Liverpool Street station on 19 September 2006.

Carlisle: EWS 66192 arrives at Carlisle with a train of loaded HAA wagons heading for one of the power stations in northern England on 19 September 2006.

Dundee Esplanade: The Tay Bridge north end. Brick building is on the site of Esplanade station.

Balmossie: Looking east from the footbridge at Balmossie on 19 September 2007. The shortness of the platforms exaggerates the stagger. If one platform were to warrant a shelter it would be the Dundee-bound one, but the tiny number of people each year catching the daily train the other way do at least get a bench. For a picture of one of those trains a few years earlier see image [[16711]].

Leuchars: Up GNER HST at Leuchars on 19 September 2007 with an Aberdeen - Kings Cross service.

Balmossie: View from the eastbound platform at Balmossie on 19 September 2007.

Elvanfoot: Northbound permanent way train at Elvanfoot.

Elvanfoot: TESCO train passing Elvanfoot heading north.

Kirkby Stephen: Coal from Ayr crawling up the gradient from the tunnel south of Kirkby Stephen.

Strines: Manchester to Sheffield service at Strines.

Long Preston: Coal train approaching Long Preston from the west.

Ribblehead: Gypsum traffic heading north at Ribblehead having waited for the passenger train (in distance) to clear the single track over the viaduct.

Ribblehead: A Carlisle - Leeds service arrives at Ribblehead on 19 September 2007 with the mist rolling in off the fells.

St Columb Rd: Newquay branch intermediate station St Columb Rd has been reduced to basic, albeit very tidy, facilities and the loop was removed a long time ago. View west towards Quintrel Downs and Newquay.

Perranwell: Traditional running in board at Perranwell at the Truro end of the surviving platform. It is mounted between two old rails and although this is a fairly basic halt the old sign adds character to the Falmouth Branch station.

Perranwell: Falmouth Branch intermediate station Perranwell used to be a passing loop but is now a single platform. There is talk of reinstating a loop on the branch to increase capacity but it will probably be at Penryn nearer to the terminus. View towards Truro.

Perranwell: A view towards Falmouth along the platform at Perranwell, one of the intermediate halts on the picturesque branch from Truro. The passing loop has been removed but the disused up platform can still be seen.

Knighton: At the time of this photo Knighton's passing loop was out of action and a sign proclaimed that all trains (4 each way a day) departed from Platform 1. New electrically operated points were later installed and the loop is now fully operational again with both platforms in use. View towards Craven Arms from the station footbridge.

Cardiff Rod Mill: Early morning steelworks scene as hired DBS shunter 08782 Castleton Works, a long way from its previous work location, arrives to collect some loaded steel wagons from inside the blue shed. This is the view from the Future Inn hotel in Cardiff Bay and while Mrs. B. would have preferred to look at the harbour I was quite happy with this busy scene and the numerous trip workings!

Bargoed: The start of the single line section to Rhymney is controlled by semaphore lower quadrant signals from Bargoed's plain looking Signal Box. Some services from Cardiff terminate here and then return down the Rhymney Valley.

Armathwaite: Coming to the end of its current spell on the main line, LMS Coronation Pacific no 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' heads south through Armathwaite station on 19 September 2009. The railtour was called the 'Tyne Valley Tourer' and had started at Peterborough and travelled via York where 6233 had taken over. It headed north on the ECML from York before turning west towards Carlisle just prior to Newcastle.

Wetheral: On a weekend that has seen no fewer than four steam hauled railtours at York, two of them came to Carlisle via the ECML and Hexham. The second of the tours that ended up at Carlisle on 19 September 2009 is seen passing through Wetheral station with 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' in charge and a number of photographers recording the event.

Carlisle: 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland awaits her passengers at Carlisle on 19 September 2009 ready for the return leg of a special about to head back to Peterborough.

Ashley: Ashley, looking to Chester.

Bargoed: Modern developments at Bargoed, particularly the new road system, give the station a hemmed in feel and there is a short artificial tunnel at the Cardiff end. Bargoed enjoys a four trains an hour service from Penarth and Cardiff during the day, with one of these trains going forward to Rhymney.

Talybont-on-Usk: The station at Talybont-on-Usk closed in 1962, along with the Brecon and Merthyr line, but it has been extended and converted into a residential education centre. It lies some way outside the village itself at Map Ref SO 119231.

Pontsticill: A Brecon Mountain Railway service, headed by an American outline tender locomotive, heads north from Pontsticill alongside Torpantau reservoir. The narrow gauge BMR follows the track bed of the old standard gauge Brecon and Merthyr line, which closed in 1962.

St Albans City: A terminated Thameslink 319 service from the south stands at St Albans on 19 September.

St Albans (City): St Albans South signal box - September 2010

Tongland Viaduct: Part of the surviving remnants of Tongland Viaduct are seen here behind a house alongside the A711 road. The road crosses the River Dee running parralel to the old Kirkcudbright railway but then swings sharp right to pass under the line although the road bridge has been removed since the line closed in 1965.

Kirkcudbright: The well preserved station building at Kirkcudbright, looking south along the main street. Behind the building, where the trainshed and platforms were once situated, residential apartments have been built and joined on to the old station, which is currrently used as a fitness studio.

Tongland Viaduct: The surviving southern stump of the Tongland Viaduct, on the Kirkudbright branch, as seen from the nearby road bridge. Nature has softened the landscape around the structure in the last few years See image [[6002]] although the pile of rubble is still in the field. Call me pessimistic but I have a feeling this is one Scottish line that will not be re-opening.

Blackridge: The 1039 Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley arrives at Blackridge on a foggy 19 September 2011.

Uphall: Parking at Uphall recently became much easier, with the opening up of the the second car park on the north side of the station. View west on 19 September 2011 with the 13.55 Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley arriving at a rainswept eastbound platform. Part of the new north side car park can be seen on the right with the M8 Motorway running past beyond the fence. See image [[28762]]

Bathgate [4th]: Bathgate 1986 - 2010. RIP. See image [[20316]]

Holmes Summit: The new summit-board near Forrestfield on the Airdrie-Bathgate route named after the late Derek Holmes. Born in Dundee in 1959, Derek began his railway career as a signalman in the Dundee area. At the point of his untimely death in January 2010 he held the position of Production Director with Network Rail, as well as being chairman of the Institution of Railway Operators.

Holmes Summit: The 12.27 Milngavie - Edinburgh Waverley service approaching Forrestfield through the rain on 19 September 2011. The train is running alongside the east end of Hillend reservoir and will shortly pass the highest point on the line at Holmes Summit see image [[35721]].

Armadale: The 11.21 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central arrives at Armadale on a grey and damp 19 September 2011. Even the station pigeon looks thoroughly fed up.

Armadale [1st]: The 11.21 ex-Edinburgh Waverley has just left the Armadale stop and passed below Station Road on its way to Helensburgh Central on 19 September. The train is running through an area on which considerable preparatory work (not least additional drainage) was required during the construction phase see image [[26594]]. It will shortly pass the site of the original Armadale station (of which nothing remains) opened by the Bathgate and Coatbridge Railway in 1862 and closed in January 1956. A new housing development is currently underway beyond the fence in the right background.

Blackridge: A mid morning train from Helensburgh Central calls at a grey and misty Blackridge, West Lothian, in September 2011 on its journey to Edinburgh. The embankment running across the centre of the picture once carried the mineral line from Blackrigg No 2 Colliery (closed 1955) which joined the main line at Woodend Junction just up ahead.

Uphall: Hold on to your hat! A lone passenger leaves the platform shelter and braves the wind and rain at Uphall on 19 September 2011, an afternoon so dull and overcast that the station lighting has already been activated. The train recently arrived is the 13.55 ex-Helensburgh Central, bound for Edinburgh Waverley.

Holmes Summit: The 12.27 Milngavie - Edinburgh Waverley about to pass the 'Holmes Summit' board alongside Hillend reservoir, between Caldercruix and Blackridge, on 19 September 2011 see image [[35721]].

Prestonpans: The 13.27 North Berwick - Edinburgh Waverley about to run into Prestonpans on 19 September 2012. The junction on the left is the line into Cockenzie power station.

Lanark: 320308 stands in the sunshine at Lanark station on 19 September 2012.

Hamilton West: Platform scenes at Hamilton West on 19 September 2012. The station has recently been adopted by NHS Beckford Lodge, with some attractive and colourful results.

Prestonpans: Sprinters? Prestonpans, 19 September 2012. The train is the 13.27 North Berwick - Edinburgh Waverley.

Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum: Preserved rail-mounted 4w vertical boilered steam crane no 130, built by Whitaker Brothers of Horsforth, Leeds, circa 1890. Photographed on 19 September 2012 in the yard at Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum, East Lothian.

Prestonpans: The 13.30 ex-Waverley speeds through Prestonpans station on 19 September 2012 on its 4 hour 26 minute journey to Kings Cross. The train is about to run past the impressive mural created by artist Adele Conn a year earlier see image [[4963]].

Aviemore: Class 08 D3605 [formerly 08490] removing the rear two coaches from a service train at Aviemore on 19 September.

Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum: 'Please mind your fingers...' Part of the mechanism of the Whitaker Brothers steam crane on display in the yard at Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum on 19 September 2012 see image [[63097]].

Barry Docks: View of the goods line that starts at Cadoxton Station and runs parallel to the passenger line almost to Barry Docks station where it drops down and turns under Ffordd Y Mileniwm to reach the Barry Docks' industrial complex.

Kidderminster Railway Museum: Some of the interesting items on display at the Kidderminster Railway Museum in September 2013.

Wittersham Road: D9504 brings a train into Wittesham Road Station on the Kent & East Sussex Railway on 19 September.

St Pancras: A near full house at the St Pancras Eurostar terminal with one set just arriving at the blocks at 19.15 and the set to the right having preceded it in by only a few minutes.

Reading TMD: The early evening sun reflects off three First Great Western Networker 3 car DMU sets stabled at the east end of the new Reading Train Care Depot on 19 September see image [[44087]].

Swindon: 43170 leads the 15.29 departure from Swindon to Paddington, ex Swansea, on 19 September. Standing up ahead is 66027 stabled with a rake of loaded steel wagons brought out of Cooper's scrapyard during the morning.

Paddington: 43186 reinforces the Train Manager's 'Now at Paddington, All Change, All Change' announcement as the 15.28 ex Swansea HST runs into the London terminus on 19 September.

Scout Green: Part way down the long descent of Shap Bank, TPE 350410 passes Scout Green on 19 September with a service from Scotland to Manchester Airport.

Whitwick: If I didn't know this was the road level access to a railway station built in 1881, I would guess it was a toll cottage built about 100 years earlier. Whitwick station, just North of Coalville on the way to Loughborough Derby Road, closed to passengers in 1931; and is now, appropriately, used by the local Historical Society. [Ref query 13610]

Swindon: Bulleid rebuilt West Country Pacific no 34046 Braunton coming out of the sun past the Keypoint Railfreight Terminal on the eastern outskirts of Swindon on 19 September 2014 on its way from Bristol to Southall.

Scout Green: K4 61994 The Great Marquess storms up Shap on 19 September crossing the bridge at Scout Green with the 2014 Railway Touring Company West Highlander Steam Express. The 2-6-0 took charge of this leg of the four-day tour from Preston to Glasgow.

Shap: A TPE 350 EMU, bound for Manchester Airport, runs through the open countryside between Harrisons Sidings and Shap village on 20th September. The Lake District Fells, normally clearly visible in the distance from the vantage point on the A6 road, are hidden beneath low cloud on this occasion.

Kirkby Stephen: A Leeds to Carlisle service, formed by Northern 158855, slows for the Kirkby Stephen stop on 19th September 2014. The well known signal box should be here for a few more years as those on the S&C are only scheduled to close in 2027.

Colera: Two RENFE Class 447 EMUs have just left Colera station and rumble onto the viaduct heading south. The bridge, high above the town itself, is one where the rails run across the open girders but there is no decking. Through the tunnel the landscape opens out again into impressive coastal scenery - see image [[53557]]

Becconsall: Kerr Stuart Joffre class locomotives works numbers 3014 and 2405 running light engine during the 100th anniversary celebrations of the construction of 2405. The locomotives were part of an order for 70 ordered by the French Artillery Railways during World War 1. Six are believed to survive.

Cloverdale: At the splendid replica station on the original site at Cloverdale, interurban car 1225 awaits its next return trip to Sullivan on 19th September. The journey will use the old British Columbia Electric Railway interurban network. The route is used on weekdays by freight trains operated by Southern Railway of British Columbia with whom the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society enjoys a positive working relationship.

Cloverdale: To British eyes the vehicle pictured would be a tram but is known to its owners as an interurban car. On September 19th car 1225 leaves Cloverdale station heading towards Sullivan on the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway in Surrey, British Columbia. Similar cars once travelled this route on the 2¾ hour 63 mile journey from New Westminster to Chilliwack. The vehicle being propelled by the car contains a generator and rectifier to provide a 600v DC supply in the absence of overhead wires on a route which is still in daily use by freight trains.

Alloa: Despite appearances, this Hunterston-Longannet coal train is not halted on Alloa viaduct while the driver sneaks a bacon butty at the “Farm Snack Bar”. The railway “passing trade” ended with the closure of Longannet power station in March 2016, six months after this photo was taken. At the time of writing, the drive in snack bar (highly recommended) was still going strong.

North Queensferry: The station building at North Queensferry has briefly been taken over from the 19th to 20th of September to promote the Darjeeling Railway. For more details visit the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society website.

Talybont: Arriva 158832 slows for the request stop at Talybont on the Cambrian Coast between Harlech and Barmouth. The train is the 1338 from Pwilhelli, one hour into its journey. At Machynlleth it will combine with another service from Aberystwyth to go forward to Birmingham International (arr 1848).

Penmaenpool: A view looking back over the wooden toll bridge at Penmaenpool to the south bank of the estuary, and the bird hide signal box, on 19th September 2016. The old station lies just to the right of the toll booth, which was once adjacent to a level crossing.

Aberdour: The 'GBRf 15' tour from Edinburgh to Inverness and return nears Aberdour hauled by Harry Needle 20096 and 20107, with Colas 47739 on the rear. 19 September.

Penmaenpool: The closed station site at Penmaenpool, looking east towards Dolgellau along the old trackbed in September 2016. The station house is now an accommodation annexe for the adjacent George III Hotel, while the (now removed) platforms were just beyond. The toll house for the estuary bridge is on the left of the picture and the surviving signal box is just hidden behind the small tree. See image [[13937]]

Pickering: My old French teacher used to say to those whose French was execrable, 'Your heid's fu' of bogie wheels'. Perhaps this is what he meant.

Llwyngwern Quarry: The business end of the CAT funicular. This is the upper station with car Martha sitting in front of the winding gear. The water tank roughly occupies the blue area below Martha's front windscreen and the slight staining shows the outlet where water is discharged at the lower station.

Grosmont: The 13.30hrs for Pickering gets away from Grosmont behind Standard Class 4MT Mogul 76079 on 19th September 2016.

Llandecwyn: A direct Then and Now comparison at Llandecwyn showing the rebuilt halt that was upgraded at the same time as the nearby Pont Briwet bridge (and road). See image [[17930]] for the same view eight years previously. Not as quirky but an improvement for passengers.

Barmouth Ferry: With the Barmouth Viaduct in the foreground, this view looks across the estuary to the Ferry terminus of the Fairbourne Railway on 19th September 2016. A wisp of steam by the building indicates a train has just arrived from Fairbourne.

Corris: The Corris terminus of the short length of preserved railway from Maespoeth, seen in September 2016. There was originally a small passenger trainshed spanning the left hand line in pre-closure days. The line from Machynlleth originally continued beyond here to Aberllenfenni but the section above Corris was for goods only. The railway finally closed in 1948 with the first preserved trains running again in 2002.

Talybont: ATW 158832 pulls away from the halt at Talybont with a Pwilhelli to Birmingham International service. This view looks south towards the next minor halt at Llanaber with Barmouth and the Mawddach estuary beyond.

Llandecwyn: Then and Now at Llandecwyn showing the rebuilt halt looking towards the new Pont Briwet bridge that replaced the old timber structure in 2014. See image [[17931]] for the same viewpoint eight years previously, since when the rustic character of this tiny halt has been lost but the facilities have been greatly improved.

Llwyngwern Quarry: The water balanced cliff lift is the main access route for visitors to the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth. Using water from one of the many nearby streams cars Annie and Martha lift visitors up the 180' from the car park to the main site in the old quarry above. Note the viewing platform in front of the winding house.

Penmaenpool: The lower quadrant signals at Penmaenpool are a nice reminder that the hotel access road in the foreground occupies the old GWR trackbed. This view looks east with the old station site just out of sight beyond the bridge toll house. The wooden toll bridge over the Mawddach Estuary still carries road traffic.

Roma S. Pietro: With reference to Mark B's question about the units at Civitavecchia See image [[69714]] here is a picture of the same units at Roma S Pietro. They are run as private charters by the cruise companies from the cruise terminal to Rome.

Wernigerode: A blur of speed - HSB 99 222 approaching Wernigerode with the 15:53 train from Drei Annen Hohne on 19 September 2017! This locomotive features on the tickets for the Wernigerode-Brocken Summit service See image [[61132]] and See image [[61119]] for a note on its unique, cylindrical feed-water heater.

Quedlinburg: HSB 99 6001 about to take the 10:30 train from Quedlinburg to Alexisbad on 19 September 2017. Built by the Krupp Corporation of Essen in 1939, it was the prototype of a class of locomotives for the Nordhausen-Wernigerode-Eisenbahn. However, the outbreak of the Second World War meant that it was the only one built. After serving on the Nordhausen-Wernigerode line it was displaced to the Selketal line by the arrival of the New Steam Engines in the 1950s.

Flaxton: The former Flaxton Station goods yard weighbridge office still stands proud on the south side of the York to Scarborough line, diagonally across from the extant former station, alongside Rice Lane level crossing located to the south of Flaxton village.

Milano Centrale: Pendolino at Milan. (Fancy them copying us!)

Dre Annen Hohne: HSB 99 7239-9 approaching Drei Annen Hohne with the 14:08 from Eisfelder Talmühle on 19 September 2017. The carriage at the left of the shot is the last one of the 15:06 train from Drei Annen Hohne to Brocken - for the front of the train See image [[61122]].

Eisfelder Talmühle: For Bill Jamieson! HSB 997239-9 (one of the so-called 'New Steam Engines' built in the mid-1950s for use on the 1000 mm gauge system in the Harz) makes a spirited start out of Eisfelder Talmühle with the 14:08 train to Drei Annen Hohne on the 19th of September 2017. Unfortunately, not taken from the open observation car immediately behind the locomotive, as recommended by Bill, but it still conveys how hard the engine is working.

La gare du Sud à Nice: This photo shows a modern tourist-friendly DMU operating a commuter service at the southern end of the CFP. The original terminal has been redeveloped, and its modern replacement (which was already in use when I last visited twenty years ago) contains attractive displays including a poster recalling the Meyrargues branch lost in the Second World War.

Milano Centrale: The rather impressive signal box at Milano Central.

Alexisbad: HSB 99 6001 departing Alexisbad with the 11:46 train to Gernrode on 19 September 2017. It had just arrived with the 10:30 train from Quedlinburg. This locomotive was built by the Krupp Corporation of Essen in 1939 and was the prototype for an entire class ordered by the Nordhausen-Wernigerode-Eisenbahn. However, the outbreak of the Second World War meant that only this one was built.

Drei Annen Hohne: HSB 99 7237-3 taking the 15:06 train out of Drei Annen Hohne to Brocken on 19 September 2017. From here to the summit is 19 kilometres and a height difference of 585 metres, an average gradient of 1 in 32.5, so the loco, one of a batch built in the 1905s, has to work hard!

Wernigerode: HSB 99 5901 and 99 7232-4 at Wernigerode on 19 September 2017. Locomotive 99 5901 was built in 1897, as the first locomotive for the Nordhausen-Wernigerode-Eisenbahn and is the oldest narrow-gauge (1000 mm) steam engine still operating in the Harz region. The Mallet design was particularly suitable for the tight curves (as little as 60 metres radius) on the Harz lines. Taken out of service in 1989 when the rolling stock was converted to air-braking, it was subsequently fitted with air brakes and re-entered service in 1992, being used for special trains rather than regular services.

Quedlinburg: A pair of Harz-Elbe Express (HEX) Desiro DMUS at Quedlinburg on the 19th of September 2017. Built by Siemens, these 2-section articulated DMUs of class 642 are in widespread use with DB Regio. The left-hand unit is heading to its terminus at Thale and so has its front auto-coupler covered. The right-hand unit is heading to its terminus at Magdeburg but its rear auto-coupler is uncovered, as it will form the front part of the combined train when it joins with the set from Halle at Halberstadt. Quedlinburg is also one end of the 1000 mm gauge Harzer Schmalspur-bahnen system (this part originally the Gernrode-Harzgerode-Eisenbahn). With thanks to Bill Jamieson for locomotive information.

Baillieston [1st]: 318267 on a Dalmuir Whifflet service passes the site of the original Baillieston station. The houses seen top left in the background are on the site of sidings serving Calderbank Colliery which was itself accessed via a short tunnel. In the right foreground was the signal box and junction for the goods station at Baillieston.

Eisfelder Talmühle: HSB 99 7239-9 preparing to take the 14:08 train from Eisfelder Talmühle to Drei Annen Hohne on 19 September 2017. This locomotive is one of the batch of 17 New Steam Engines built in the 1950s for service on the 1000 mm gauge system in the Harz Mountains. These 2-10-2Ts are powerful locomotives - they need to be to master the climb out of Eisfelder Talmühle See image [[61133]].

La gare du Sud à Nice: Chemin de Fer de Provence. The original terminal (seen here) has been redeveloped, and its modern replacement (which was already in use when I last visited twenty years ago) contains attractive displays including a poster recalling the Meyrargues branch lost in the Second World War.

Baillieston: Foundations are now in place for the crane pad which will be the location of the crane to be used to lift the temporary pedestrian and services bridge into place when it is assembled. As with the Shotts Station Road bridge project, the deck of the present road bridge at Bailleston will be used as the site for assembly of the temporary bridge structure.

Sanquhar: 156511, on a Glasgow to Carlisle service, calls at Sanquhar on a fine 19 September 2017.

La gare du Sud à Nice: The modern station includes this attractive display of the route north.

Sanquhar: A collection of bygones (safely fenced off) at Sanquhar station in September 2017.

La gare du Sud à Nice: This photo shows a modern tourist-friendly DMU operating a commuter service at the southern end of the CFP.

Sanquhar: The well restored station building at Sanquhar, seen from the street on 19 September 2017.

High Street: The seemingly insatiable demand for student flats means that High Street station is losing its 'abandoned' look. Another block is going up immediately to the north with the staircase framework already in place. The station was originally called College, as this was once the site of Glasgow University. The students you see there today however attend nearby Strathclyde University.

Kilmaurs: 156439 leads a 4-car 156 for Kilmarnock at Kilmaurs on 19 September 2017. Kilmaurs is the only single track station on the Glasgow - Dumfries - Carlisle line. You do feel that in the 1960s and 1970s they singled the wrong bits of the G&SW line, though I suppose coal traffic south of Kilmarnock was then a consideration.

Nice Ville: That name seems oddly familiar .. Thello arrival from Milan at Nice. (Thello is a subsidiary of Italian Railways.)

High Street: Edinburgh (left) and Balloch services cross at High Street on 19 September 2017.

Roma S. Pietro: A typical Italian train unit, covered in graffiti, seen at Roma S. Pietro in 2017.

Shrubhill Tram Depot: Progress at Shrubhill on 19 September 2017, looking south east towards Leith Walk. Further demolition has taken place and major new construction is apparent in the background beyond the cranes. Parts of the old tram depot scheduled for preservation stand in the left foreground, including the unique octagonal works chimney. The rusting Powderhall branch runs off to the right.

La gare du Sud à Nice: The modern station (which was already in use when I last visited twenty years ago) contains attractive displays including this poster recalling the Meyrargues branch lost in the Second World War.

Benneckenstein : HSB 99 7239-9 with the 14:08 from Eisfelder Talmuehle to Drei Annen Hohne near Benneckenstein on 19 September 2017. By this stage of the journey, it was not having to work so hard as starting out from Eisfelder Talmühle.

Drei Annen Hohne: HSB locomotive 997239-9 (one of a batch built in the mid-1950s for the Harz 1000 mm system) just finished taking on water after hauling the 14:08 train from Eisfeder Talmühle on the 19th of September 2017.

Karlsruhe: Karlsruhe Albtalbahnhof is where the trams become trains, and vice versa. From the platform café it could be described as tram-train heaven. 19th September 2018.

Preston: With the sale of the ten Colas Class 60s to GBRf the Preston Dock bitumen trains have seen double headed Class 56 haulage and, on 19th September 2018, a Class 70. This is a grab shot from a Pacer bound for Blackburn on the Up Slow out of Preston. 70802 and the tanks are on the Goods Line, waiting to follow the passenger service.

Heniarth: A view of the station or halt at Heniarth taken from a passing train heading to Llanfair on 19 September 2019. When looking at some of the designs for station buildings today, perhaps they have been based upon the basic shelter seen here, just that they are using modern construction materials.

Newtongrange [Village]: View south from the top of Eighth Street, Newtongrange, in September 2019. The overgrown trackbed of the Newbattle Collieries Railway runs between the modern fence on the left and the original boundary wall on the right. It continues to just beyond Sixth Street where it becomes farming land. The route beyond, between Third Street and the site of Lingerwood Road level crossing, now forms part of the extended gardens of the houses on Lothian Terrace. The pedestrian route on the right still runs in parallel with the trackbed on the other side of the wall. [See Railscot article 'Newtongrange - The Making of Scotlands Largest Pit Village']

Welshpool [1st]: Looking south west along the platform of the original Welshpool station on 19th September 2019. Where passengers once came and went, today shoppers browse over the collections of clothes.

Sylfaen: A view to the rear of the last train of the day, heading west to Llanfair on 19 September 2019, of Sylfaen station (on the left) and one time loop (on the right) currently disconnected from the running line.

Welshpool [1st]: An impressive station frontage for a small town but at one point Welshpool it is believed almost became the HQ of the Cambrian Railway until a change of management made the decision to choose Oswestry.

Newtongrange [Village]: The tree covered trackbed of the Newbattle Collieries mineral line running south west from Suttieslea Road towards the level crossings at the top end of Main Street, Newtongrange, in 2019. Bryans Road is on the right, with Hamilton Crescent on the left.

Llanfair Caereinion: Preparing the train set for the day at Llanfair Caereinion on 19 September 2019. Original 0-6-0T of the Cambrian Railway in GWR livery and numbered 823 shunts the stock while 0-4-0 Hunslet diesel, No.11 'Ferret' sits in the station yard.

Welshpool [1st]: The grandiose station building at Welshpool which has found new life as a retail outlet and café. The station was relocated to a site out of view to the right when the A483 bypass was constructed between the present railway and the old station building.

Welshpool: Class 158s pass each other at the current Welshpool station on 19 September 2019. Nearest the camera is a westbound service while behind it to the right is an eastbound service heading towards Shrewsbury.

Stuttgart Hbf: One of the new Deutsche Bahn double deck Inter city trains in the new livery. This is a push pull set with the driving trailer at the front of the IC2383 09.16 train to Singen (Hohentweil) 11.25. The train engine was one of the new Class 147 electrics manufactured by Bombardier, which look like a 30 foot container with cabs at each end.

Welshpool [W and LLR]: The bridge over the Montgomery Canal that used to carry the W&LLR on the section between Raven Square and the original terminus near to the mainline station. Today some of this route is a public footpath with useful information boards showing pictures of the railway as it ran through the town

Konstanz: Konstanz Germany with its beautiful old bell tower and station building. Platform 1A is in Germany and you can walk to platform 1B which is in Switzeland. You can also go boat trips from here to Switzerland and Austria on Bodensee (Lake Constance) with good views of the Alps on a fine day.

Welshpool Raven Square: After bringing in the first train of the day from Llanfair Caereinion, on 19 September 2019, No.823 'Countess' takes on water in the headshunt at Welshpool Raven Square.

Farington Curve Junction: The 4-car Class 319 EMUs dominated services from Blackpool North for a while but 3-car Class 331/0s are now appearing on services to Lime Street. 331001 passes Farington Curve Junction on the Up Slow on 19th September 2019.

Konstanz: The 17.40 RE4728 Regional Express to Karlsruhe about to leave Konstanz (Constance). This is double decker push pull set with class 146 226 on the rear. The Wife is in the right hand side of the picture and is in Germany whilst I am taking the picture from Switzerland

Winchcombe: On a lovely sunny day GWR Hawksworth Modified Hall 4-6-0 7903 'Foremarke Hall' climbs near Winchcombe on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway on 19th September 2020. There were plenty of sound effects from the loco but no visuals.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Alphabetical lists of departures are not common, and this one at the revamped Queen Street is probably the only one in Scotland. On 19 September 2020 about half of the destinations have 'Please enquire' next to them, meaning they have no direct service (or any service) due to various landslips several weeks previously.

Croy: A Glasgow Queen Street service pulls into Croy on 19 September 2020.

Croy: Falkirk Grahamston is not usually a destination for trains at Croy, but the Polmont landslip made it a temporary terminus for services that would otherwise be going on to Edinburgh. Passengers didn't seem to be tempted by the 3-stage journey to Edinburgh so these trains ran largely empty. The alternative routes didn't seem busier either.

Anniesland: This 5-year-old notice of 'forthcoming' works has a long way to go before it beats the 33 year record held by the one at Yoker Depot (See image [[70320]]), but it would certainly be easier to remove. The link was necessary for the temporary closure of Queen Street High Level station, but it has seen no passengers since then (and little else by the look of the rails).

Winchcombe: Despite the lack of visual effects, 7820 'Dinmore Manor' was working hard climbing the gradient at Winchcombe on 19th September 2020 and there was plenty of 'chimney music' at the lineside.

Laverton Halt: 7820 'Dinmore Manor,' drifting tender first down from Broadway to Toddington, near Laverton village on 19th September 2020.

Thornliebank: An East Kilbride to Glasgow pulls into leafy Thornliebank station on 19 September 2020.

Argyle Street: The 1979 Argyle Street station is underground, but the island platform is approached from below so to leave the station you have to go down a level and up two. There are escalators but no lifts; it just would not be built that way today. In the low-roofed 'sub-basement' passengers queue to buy tickets to leave the station.

Winchcombe: GWR Collett 4-6-0 7820 'Dinmore Manor,' in sparkling BR lined black livery, climbs the bank at Winchcombe on the G&WR on 19th September 2020.

Knightswood South Junction: 320316 is looking less than spruce as it rattles over the points at Knightswood South on 19 September 2020. The train is a Balloch to Airdrie service. Photographed from Anniesland's Platform 3, which can serve only the Maryhill line.

Cambuslang: A Larkhall service calls at Cambuslang on 19 September 2020.

Winchcombe: 7903, one of the later batch of Hawksworth 'Modified Hall' 4-6-0s, climbs the G&WR bank at Winchcombe on 19th September 2020. This loco is presently running in BR lined green livery.

Euxton Balshaw Lane: The roaring monster that is A1 Pacific 60163 'Tornado' is seen passing Euxton Balshaw Lane (station out of view to the right) with 'The Ticket to Ride' railtour, returning to Darlington North Road from Liverpool on 19 September 2020. The outward journey had been made via Manchester but the return went via Blackburn and Copy Pit.

Uddingston: A TPE service whooshes south through Uddingston on 19 September 2020.

Uddingston: Caledonian Sleeper stock from Edinburgh heads through Uddingston on its way to Polmadie on 19 September 2020.

Lochailort: View east along Loch Eilt on 19th September 2020, with the Road to the Isles (A830) on the left. 'The Jacobite' is returning to Fort William on the right behind K1 2-6-0 62005.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The revamped Glasgow Queen Street looks so starkly new in this image that it appears more like an architect's simulation. The view is from George Square.

Farington Curve Junction: Stanier Pacific, 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' approaches Farington Curve Junction on 19 September 2020 whilst on a 'Northern Belle' working from Lancaster to Carlisle via Preston and the S&C.

Leachbhuidh No 79 Tunnel: K1 No.62005 hauls 'The Jacobite' round the curve at the eastern end of Loch Eilt on 19th September 2020. Nearby is the Essan Bothy and on the right are the remains of sheepfolds. The horseshoe shape of the land just in front of the bridge is where the Allt Easain and the Allt na Diollaid burns meet. They used to flow into Loch Eilt separately but when the railway was built their courses were altered so that only one bridge would be needed.

Slateford Junction [1st]: A through-the-window 'grabshot' (ie excuse for a rubbish photo - like I need an excuse) of the former Slateford Junction box. It had a fairly short working life; the junction was created here in the 1960s then Edinburgh Signalling Centre took over 15 years or so later. It is still in use as something-or-other.

Campbeltown New Quay: On the penultimate weekend of the 2021 Ardrossan to Campbeltown ferry sailings 'MV Isle of Arran' is at the Campbeltown slip, prior to returning to Ardrossan with the Sunday evening sailing. 24 hours later this image would have been impossible as the small pile of Kintyre logs seen here had grown again to fill the quay awaiting shipping to Irvine.

Tayinloan Pier: 'MV Loch Ranza', the regular vessel on the Gigha Ferry for many years, approaches the slipway at Tayinloan on 19th September 2021. There is an hourly service for most of the day with a twenty minute crossing to the island, which can be seen behind the ferry with Islay beyond in the background. The pier was extended out to deeper water recently to overcome problems with the old slip silting up and preventing the ferry docking.

East Loch Tarbert Slip: Viewed from the elevated position of the grounds of Tarbert Castle, Calmac's 'Isle of Cumbrae' ferry leaves the slipway in East Loch Tarbert heading for Portavadie on the Cowall peninsula on 19th September 2021.

Woodacre Crossing: National Mourning Specials West Coast Railway's 86401, still in Caledonian Sleeper blue livery, passing Woodacre with the 1Z86 special from Lancaster to Euston on 19th September 2022. This was the third day when this rake of coaches was hauled by a Class 86 electric, to supplement Avanti trains for those wishing to attend events in London following the death of Her Majesty. These duties were shared with 86259 'Les Ross'. LSL's 90002 operated a similar service from Manchester Piccadilly.