Crossmyloof: Royal Scot 4-6-0 no 46166 'London Rifle Brigade' speeds south through Crossmyloof on 20 September 1963 with the 5.30pm St Enoch - Carlisle.

Pollokshaws West Goods: A Kilmarnock local passing below the Cathcart Circle as it approaches Pollokshaws West in September 1963. At the head of the train is Hurlford Black 5 4-6-0 no 45007.

Crossmyloof: Fairburn tank 42263 photographed at Crossmyloof on 20 September 1963 heading for East Kilbride with the 5.33pm ex-St Enoch.

Cowlairs Works: Caledonian Railway 419 newly restored at Cowlairs Works in September 1964.

Cowlairs Works: CR 419 has just been preserved at Cowlairs works and awaits collection by the SRPS.

Cowlairs Works: Preserved Caledonian Railway 419 stands at Cowlairs following restoration on 20 September 1964 prior to collection by the SRPS. See image [[34030]]

Eastfield Shed: Shrewsbury's green-liveried Standard 5 73035 was an exotic visitor to Eastfield depot in September 1965, after a visit to Cowlairs works for overhaul.

Southampton Central: Standard Class 4 Mogul No 76057 leaves Southampton Central on 20 September 1966 with a westbound train. This was one of the batch with BR1B tenders, whose increased water capacity was useful in the Southern Region where no water troughs existed.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: B1 4-6-0 61072, with a lengthy haul of empty wagons, heading east towards Thornton Junction in September 1966. In the background is the short lived, and already closed, [[Rothes Colliery]] where the tall winding towers survived until the 1990s.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: In sidings alongside the depot at Thornton, B1 61140 shunts some DMU vehicles as J38 0-6-0 65925 passes light engine on the main line. 20th September 1966.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: J37 0-6-0 64606 at the head of a line of withdrawn locos at Thornton in September 1966.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: B1 4-6-0 61407, at the coaling tower of Thornton depot, on 20th September 1966.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: J38 0-6-0 65911 pauses to take water from a column, just across from the depot at Thornton, on the far side of the main line in September 1966.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: Ex-NB J36 65345 on stationary boiler duty at Thornton MPD in September 1966. She was to be one of the last two steam locomotives in service in Scotland, along with J36 65288 of Dunfermline shed. These two were I believe the last remaining nineteenth-century locomotives in active BR operation anywhere in the UK, though in the case of 65345 that would depend on whether you regarded 1900, its year of construction, as the last year of the 19th or the first year of the 20th. 65345 was replaced as stationary boiler by one of Thornton’s J38s not long after the picture was taken, and returned to further active service over the 1966-1967 winter, mostly as pilot around Seafield colliery. She steamed for the last time in April 1967 and was withdrawn at the beginning of June, after 67 years of service.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: J37 64618 pauses briefly, just across the tracks from the roadway entrance to the depot, at Thornton on 20th September 1966. After nearly forty six years service the old 0-6-0 was withdrawn from here at the end of the following month and cut up at Motherwell Machinery and Scrap in February 1967.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: Thornton shed in 1966, with WD 2-8-0 and B1 4-6-0 types in view. Nearest the camera is 90444, and next to it is 61350.

Salisbury: Double chimney Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No 75075 enters Salisbury from the West on 20 September 1966. Of note is the BR1F tender which it may have swapped with Class 5 4-6-0 No 73110, which was sporting a BR1B tender at that time.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: J38 0-6-0 65914 rolls past Thornton MPD in September 1966.

Thornton North Junction: Ex-NB J37 0-6-0 64602 takes the Dunfermline line at Thornton North Junction with a short freight in September 1966.

Thornton Shed [2nd]: An unexpected sight during a visit to the depot at Thornton in 1966 was a shunting operation on several DMU vehicles being carried out by B1 61140.

Salisbury: Warship No D801 'Vanguard' in maroon livery will shortly leave Salisbury station with an express for the West Country on 20th September 1966. Meanwhile another Warship, D846 'Steadfast' with the more usual livery but a little accident damage, slips by with an eastbound freight. D801 was one of the three non-standard prototypes (only 2000hp) that were withdrawn in 1968. D846 was North British built, later Class 43, which were withdrawn en masse in 1971.

Clydebank Engineering and Shipbuilding Works: The Cunard liner QE2 takes to the water for the first time, on her launch from the slipway of John Brown's in Clydebank, after being named by Her Majesty the Queen on 20th September 1967. As described at image [[83163]], there had been a nervous pause before the huge ship began to move.

Clydebank Engineering and Shipbuilding Works: A large crowd at John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank for the launch of the QE2 in September 1967.

Clydebank Engineering and Shipbuilding Works: The crowd begins to disperse after enjoying the magnificent sight of the launch of Cunard's QE2 from John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank.

Clydebank Engineering and Shipbuilding Works: Launch day of the QE2 at John Browns shipyard in Clydebank. The crowds are gathering in preparation for Her Majesty to launch the liner. There was a long pause after the launch button was pressed before the QE2 slowly slid down the slipway and into the River Clyde, much to the relief of the yard management. Photo by A McIntyre.

Paddington: The refuelling and fast - turnaround facility at Ranelagh Bridge, outside Paddington station, the Western Region version of Kings Cross Loco see image [[2575]], seen in 1969 with Brush and Western Type 4s using the facilities.

Royal Oak Junction: The up 'Bristol Pullman' held at signals alongside Royal Oak station in September 1969, with a class 47 hauled train in the background.

Royal Oak Junction: A 'Western' class diesel-hydraulic with a Penzance train passing Royal Oak on the approach to Paddington station in September 1969.

Kelso: Demolition and recovery work taking place at Kelso in September 1969. Nearest the camera is D2720 see image [[47677]].

Foxlow Junction: Class 31 No. 5690 trundles along between Foxlow Junction and Barrow Hill in September 1971 with the 1155 Wath to Toton. The loco sports a hybrid livery of green with corporate logo which, from my own observations, was by no means unusual for the later members of this class.

Foxlow Junction: D9 'Snowdon', one of the ten original class 44 'Peaks', photographed in September 1971 still sporting green livery. The locomotive is passing a fine collection of semaphore signals on the up approach to Foxlow Junction with a freight from the Sheffield area, probably bound for Toton Yard.

Barrow Hill: 'Peak' 46179 passes through Barrow Hill on 20 September 1971 with a special fully-fitted train of sheeted tube wagons, possibly originating from the Stanton Ironworks near Ilkeston.

Foxlow Junction: Tinsley based Brush Type 2 No. 5558 passes Foxlow Junction on the Midland 'Old Road' with 8V63, the 1115 Tinsley to Severn Tunnel Junction working. Photographed on 20th September 1971, the class 31 would migrate north to Thornaby within a few weeks.

Foxlow Junction: Peak No. 135 wheels the very mixed partially fitted 0330 Severn Tunnel Junction to Tinsley past Foxlow Junction, just east of Barrow Hill, in September 1971. The tracks diverging to the left led to Hall Lane Junction (forming a triangle with the branch from Barrow Hill) and Staveley Town.

Beighton Junction: A green/blue class 24 combination powers an up mixed freight southwards along the Midland Old Road at Beighton Junction to the east of Sheffield in the summer of 1971. Leading locomotive is 5001 with 5160 behind.

Barrow Hill: Brush Type 4 No. 1542 on the Midland 'Old Road' seen just to the east of Barrow Hill station in 1971 with a special ECS working. From the sparkling condition of the Mk 2D coaches, they appear to be on their delivery run from Derby Works to (probably) Heaton Carriage Depot. The train consist is TSO + TSO + BSO + FK + TSO (the TSOs will be part of lot No. 30822, the BSO lot No. 30824 and the FK lot No. 30825).

Foxlow Junction: Class 47 no 1556 with the fully-fitted 0901 Scunthorpe to Newport Alexandra Park Junction, comprising rolled steel sections on bogie bolster wagons. Photographed in 1971 at Foxlow Junction, just east of Barrow Hill, on the Midland 'Old Road'.

Watford West: Prior to the opening of Watford football stadium halt in 1982, the only intermediate station on the Watford High Street to Croxley Green branch was Watford West. This photo, taken at Watford West on the afternoon of 20th September 1979, shows a Class 501 EMU departing for Watford Junction.

North Conway: The 'Minuteman' logo of the Boston and Maine Railroad adorns the front of EMD F7 unit 4266, standing alongside the depot at North Conway, New Hampshire, in September 1995. The location is now part of the extensive Conway Scenic Railroad.

North Conway: Front end close up of ex-Canadian National EMD FP9 unit 6516 stabled in the yard at North Conway, New Hampshire, in September 1995

North Conway: Platform scene at North Conway, New Hampshire, operating centre of the Conway Scenic Railroad, in September 1995. Centre stage is ex-Canadian National FP9 unit 6516, acquired the previous month along with unit 6506. The pair, known as 'The Sisters' had entered operational service 4 days earlier on the Notch Trains between here and Fabyan, passing through the spectacular Crawford Notch in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

North Conway: Scene in the yard at North Conway, New Hampshire, in September 1995, with Boston & Maine F7A 4268 on static display. This unit was subsequently removed for long-term major restoration work.

Barrhead: On 20 September 1997, unit 156 456 waits in the bay at Barrhead to return to Glasgow. The platform lighting seems to be giving platform 2 the cold shoulder!  Flourescent lighting was already a bit old-fashioned by this time and to be found at only a few locations in Scotland. Barrhead was to be upgraded in a matter of months.

Plates, signs, notices etc: A dip into old timetables is always a pleasure, but does serve to remind you how poor a service could often be sustained compared with the level on surviving lines today. This extract from the timetable for Lanark, Carstairs and Muirkirk winter 1960-61 shows a scanty service on the Muirkirk branch when you consider that 'E' and 'S' were the equivalents of 'SX' adn 'SO'. Even the service from Glasgow to Lanark was infrequent - and slow! 'D' meant a diesel service (DMU, probably). 12/09/1961

Cowdenbeath: 117 308 stands under a temporary footbridge at Cowdenbeath in September 1999 awaiting its scheduled departure time with a service for Edinburgh Waverley.

Blunsdon: 7903 Foremarke Hall, 'running-in' on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway near Blunsdon in September 2003.

Newcraighall Junction: The Northern Belle Pullman empty stock arrives at Millerhill Yard on 20 Sept 2006 behind EWS 67017. An excursion from Waverley... 'to the delightful fishing village of Oban' (sic) is scheduled to take place on the 24th.

Balshaw Lane Junction: 66114 hauls a rake of empty HAA coal wagons northwards on the approach to Balshaw Lane Junction on 20 September 2006. The train is heading to Scotland to reload before returning south with another load for one of the then operational power stations of the north of England.

Millerhill Yard: EWS 67017 brings the empty stock of The Northern Belle south into Millerhill yard on 20 September 2006. On the right a 158 is about to leave the reversing siding and run back to Newcraighall station, where it will form the next service to Dunblane.

Lamington Viaduct: A Pendolino leans into the curve as it runs south across the Clyde at Lamington on an overcast 20 September 2006. The train is the 1140 Glasgow Central - London Euston.

Ladybank: The classic lines of the Edinburgh and Northern Railway's 1847 station at Ladybank, Fife. Photograph taken in September 2007 looking south east across Victoria Street.

Great Rocks Junction: Tucked in behind the signalbox at Great Rocks Junction was this shunter (the nameplate reads 'Harry Townley'). I was reminded of the dead shunters collection standing alongside the ECML at Oxwellmains cement works. See image [[2175]]

Earn Viaduct [Forgandenny]: The new Strathearn Viaduct. It has four arches, vegetation obscuring one.

Entwistle: Entwistle looking north. Served by public road from the east and dirt road from the west.

Markinch: Rail passengers arrive in the forecourt of Markinch Interchange on 20 September 2007 on a bus from Glenrothes. The old station building and booking office stands in the left background. The new Interchange was officially opened two and a half weeks later.

Ladybank Works: Part of the former EP&D works buiding at Ladybank looking south towards the station from the level crossing on the Perth line on 20 September 2007. A running shed stood further south towards the junction.

Brierfield: Brierfield looking to Colne from the level crossing.

Ladybank: An Aberdeen - Edinburgh train runs south through Ladybank on 20 September 2007, while a freight is held at signals waiting to come off the Perth line in the left backgound.

Magdalen Green: An afternoon Dundee - Glasgow Queen Street service approaches the site of the former Magdalen Green station on 20 September 2007. In the background maintenance work is underway at the north end of the Tay Bridge.

Dundee Esplanade: Train heading for Edinburgh on 20 September on the climb up from Dundee station to the Tay Bridge.

Dundee Esplanade: ScotRail 170413 photographed shortly after leaving Dundee station with an afternoon service to Edinburgh on 20 September 2007. The DMU is running west parallel with Riverside Drive on the climb up towards the Tay Bridge. The notable landmark in the left background is the spire of Dundee West Church on Perth Road.

Peak Forest: Two 67s and a 60 causing a stir at Peak Forest.

Ladybank: A return Georgemas Junction - Hartlepool freight consisting of empty pipe flats comes off the Perth line at Ladybank on 20 September 2007 and runs south through the station.

New Mills Central: Looking west at New Mills Central. This station has no car park, no place to turn round, nor is there much provision for dropping off here. But it does feature an original building.

Ladybank Works: View east down the drive of a house in Golf Street, Ladybank from the road on 20 Sept 2007. On the other side of the line stands part of the works built by the EP&D circa 1848 (a running shed stood to the south nearer the junction). Lattery this building was used as a wagon repair shop, then an S & T store. See image [[16665]]

Ladybank: Shortly after restarting following a signal check, EWS 66100 proceeds south through the single lead junction off the Perth line at Ladybank on 20 September 2007. The train consists of empty pipe flats from Georgemas Junction returning to Hartlepool. The crossover to the up line is located just beyond the south end of the platform (see image [[16716]]).

Dunfermline Queen Margaret: 170 476 pulls into Dunfermline Queen Margaret on 20 September with a Cowdenbeath service.

Greenock Containerbase Sidings: Looking over the site of Princes Pier Shed, latterly in use as container sidings for the Greenock Ocean Terminal. The bridge in the centre of shot goes over Brougham Street (See image 8933 and 15507) and ran into Princes Pier Station. It has been converted for use as a road bridge and for use with the run round loop. The signal box was to the right of the bridge, and signal gantry was at the end of the bridge.

Greenock Containerbase Sidings: Looking over the site of Princes Pier Shed, it was latterly is use as container sidings for Greenock Ocean Terminal. To the left is Greenock Central Sawmills, where the shed buildings stood. The sidings have been out of use for some years.

East Perth: Scene at East Perth Terminus on 20 September 2008. The plinthed steam locomotive is 3ft 6in gauge S Class 4-8-2 no S542 Bakewell. Unfortunately someone thought it was a good idea to obscure the wheels with a hedge.

East Perth: The wheels and motion of S Class 4-8-2 Bakewell at East Perth Terminus on 20 September 2008. See image [[46085]]

Dunkeld and Birnam: Special train restarting southbound from Dunkeld on 20 September 2008 following a pathing stop. Locomotive 47854 with the SRPS touring set.

Hayes Knoll: Slough Estates No 3 departing from Haynes Knoll on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway on 20 September.

Dunkeld and Birnam: The 1200 London - Inverness HST approaching Dunkeld on 20 September 2008 where it is crossing the southbound 47854 with a West Coast Railway hauled train bound for Newcastle.

Princes Street [Tram]: Looking down South St David Street towards Princes Street on 20 September 2008. The cordoned off area, behind which tram works are now well underway, has one official notice displayed alongside an unofficial addition courtesy of a passing eejit. (The official notice reads 'Catch the first tram 2011'.) See image [[47515]]

Dunkeld and Birnam: 47854 arriving at Dunkeld on 20 September 2008 with SRPS Railtours train 1Z48. Here it will cross the 1S15 Inverness bound Highland Chieftain.

Cowdenbeath: Having reversed at the crossover south of Cowdenbeath station on 20 September, 170 476 runs back into the platform with its lights the wrong way round.

Dunkeld and Birnam: 47804 the most photographed class 47 locomotive this year in Scotland is tailed behind a special charter to Newcastle, seen at Dunkeld on 20 September 2008.

Cowdenbeath: A 4-car 158 pulls into Cowdenbeath on 20 September 2008 with an outer circle working.

Perth WA: Two Transperth emus meet at McIver on the level crossing on 20 September 2008. This is on the line from the Central Station out through East Perth, the Indian Pacific terminal.

Dunfermline Queen Margaret: A 4-car 158, headed by an Alphaline set, on a returning inner circle service, calls at Dunfermline Queen Margaret on 20 September.

East Perth: An outbound TransPerth emu leaving the suburban side of East Perth station WA on the narrow gauge line in September 2008. The tracks and platform to the left are standard gauge and are used by the 'Indian Pacific' services from Sydney which terminate here.

Blair Atholl: Southbound HST has just passed under the west drive of Blair Castle and is braking for a yellow distant.

Aberdour: 156513 leaves Aberdour with a Fife Inner Circle service on 20 September.  On Sundays 156s often appear on such trains as they are not required on Shotts line services.

Helensburgh Upper: A 6-car DMU bound for Glasgow Queen Street calls at Helensburgh Upper on 20 September 2009.

Balloch Pier: Station building and platform remains and the [[PS Maid of the Loch]] at Balloch Pier being inspected by fox terrier on 20 September 2009.

Dunkeld and Birnam: 170 419 approaches Dunkeld with a busy (as always) Inverness to Edinburgh service on 20 September.  This track is bidirectional and is used by all passenger services except the one a day which needs to cross here, and the odd special see image [[20750]].  The difference in track usage is obvious, and the approach signalling shows that Platform 2 is not bidirectional but Down only.

Kirkcaldy: East Coast 43 299 approaches Kirkcaldy with the afternoon Aberdeen - London Kings Cross service on 20 September 2010.

Perth: 158 869 stands at Perth Platform 5, about to return to Edinburgh on 20 September.  It is one of the Alphaline liveried 158s which ScotRail have had on loan for over 3 years now and which add a bit of variety. They have 400hp engines rather than the standard 350hp and sound subtly different.  Also sounding different is their digitised on-board safety announcements which are spoken in a mild estuarial whine, rather than the well-spoken but slightly actressy Glaswegian used in all other digitised ScotRail announcements, onboard and in stations.

Dunkeld and Birnam: Dunkeld's station building is long out of rail use, but it has an occupier and is maintained in fine order, as can be seen in this study of 20 September.  When the station opened it was the end of the line for 7 years and had an overall roof. This can still be imagined from the substantial wall, now supporting the canopy, which would once have been replicated on the other platform.

Dunkeld and Birnam: On 20 September 170 419 pulls into Dunkeld & Birnam with an Inverness to Edinburgh service . Note the low platforms and the steps which through careful driving will be matched up to the doors. Dunkeld was as far as you got for the first seven years of the Highland main line's existence, so the track would have come to an end about where it disappears in this picture. As well as an overall roof here there were extensive goods sidings (of which a fragment remains) running behind the station and towards Birnam, a site now covered by the A9. When this was the railhead for the Highlands they would have been rather busy.

Haymarket [Tram]: Tram rails being laid through Haymarket Yards on 20 September, along the curving route between the office blocks. A 334 unit passes by on the E&G main line in the background.

Haymarket [Tram]: New tram rails being laid through Haymarket Yards on 20 September 2011. View north east towards Haymarket Terrace. See image [[29758]]

Kinness Burn Viaduct: There is not much left of the railway south of the station site at St Andrews, but a length of embankment is a foot / cycle path for a short distance including the Kinness Burn viaduct. View of the bridge from the west on 20 September 2011.

Forrestfield: View east at Forrestfield on a wet and overcast 20 September as the 11.27 Milngavie - Edinburgh Waverley runs through the site of the former station. What at first glance might look like a new stretch of canal on the left (until you notice the digger in the distance) is the rain soaked cycle path/walkway built to replace that which the railway has recently taken back. See image [[26557]]

Carrbridge: A Network Rail team erecting the new mast at the South end of Carrbridge station as part of their new private radio network on 20 September 2012. The old south signal box is just visible in the background. This is one of the last masts to be erected on this section of the line, those at Moy, Slochd, Aviemore and Kinveachy having been installed a few weeks earlier.

Skipton: The well travelled 322482 rolls into Skipton on a service from Bradford Forster Square in September 2012. The EMU has previously been used on the North Berwick branch and Stansted Express services see image [[32813]] but joined Northern almost a year ago. The canopies at Skipton are currently being renovated.

Inverkeithing: A dreich day in Fife on 20 September 2012, as the 12.33 departure for Edinburgh Waverley restarts its journey south from Inverkeithing station.

Carlisle: As Pendolino 390005 leaves Carlisle Citadel for London, Scotrail's 156508 is seen stabled on the opposite through road before returning north on a GSWR line service.

Dunfermline Town: An intending passenger's view from the northbound platform at a wet and chilly Dunfermline Town station on 20 September 2012. Not a customer in sight... probably sheltering from the weather. The passenger information display is inviting customers to attend the ScotRail 'Meet the Managers' Forum in Dalgety Bay on 25 September [see recent news item].

Porthmadog Harbour [FR]: Station pilot. Ffestiniog Railway Baguley Diesel 'Criccieth Castle' at Porthmadog in September 2012.

Barrow-in-Furness: 153315 arrives in Barrow on a very wet morning, clearing the single line section from Askam for a Carlisle service to go forward. Just beyond the platform end the refuelling and stabling point (BW) is still in use, albeit empty during the daytime.

Skipton: Awaiting departure for Leeds from Skipton's island platform No.4 on 20 September is EMU 333008. In this view looking east the roof of a Class 66 can just be glimpsed over the retaining wall of the old platform 5 on the right. This is waiting to bring a load of stone from Cracoe Quarry off the Grassington branch.

Porthmadog Harbour [FR]: Technical problem? Porthmadog station, September 2012.

Grosmont: Gresley N2 0-6-2 tank No. 1744 backs down onto its train at Grosmont on 20 September. It's a long way from Kings Cross and suburban commuter duties!

Grosmont: Gresley N2 0-6-2T No. 1744 prepares to take its train up the bank from Grosmont to Goathland on 20 September. Beautifully painted, lined and numbered, the former Kings Cross based BR 69523 is a long way from the City of London's Moorgate, although the chalked addition of the 'S' has brought it much closer to home in NYMR terms.

Horrocksford: DBS 60024 has recently received the nameplates Clitheroe Castle from 60029. On 20 September 2014 the locomotive was displayed at the Hanson Cement Works in Clitheroe during a works open day. There are six trains a week from the works heading to Avonmouth or Mossend operated by DBS, normally by a Class 66 locomotive - so the naming and display of a Class 60 made an interesting change.

Castle Bolton: Trackbed of the Wensleydale Railway at Castle Bolton, looking towards Redmire on 20 September 2014. Redmire is the current limit of operations but, when the Northallerton link is complete, if the railway pushes westwards this is likely to be the first temporary terminus. A pile of concrete sleepers awaits further developments. [Ref query 13438]

Horrocksford: One of two 0-6-0 diesel shunters used at the Hanson Cement works near Clitheroe on 20 September 2014. The works formerly was known as Castle Cement is connected to the Blackburn to Hellifield line at Horrocksford Jct. The connection sees 6 arrivals and 6 departures each week using either 4 wheel or bogie tank wagons. See image [[42683]]

Leyland: The 6V38 Ribblehead to Chirk log train operated by Colas Rail Freight heads through Leyland on 20 September 2014. The train had been held at Farington Junction before joining the WCML for the run as far as Warrington. Class 56s, 096 and 105 are providing the necessary power and insurance.

Ashey: The former Ashey station seen from a UK Railtours' chartered return train from Wootton to Smallbrook Junction on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, on 20th September 2014. This station opened with the Ryde to Newport line on 20th December 1875 and closed when passenger services on the line and up to Cowes on the original Cowes & Newport Railway of 1862, the first line on the island, were withdrawn as part of the Beeching cuts on 21st February 1966. The IOSWR runs along part of the Ryde & Newport line and on which services were extended from Haven Street to a new station at Smallbrook Junction on 20th July 1991. Ashey station was not reopened at first but on 2nd May 1993 a new platform, which can just be seen on the right in front of the train,, was opened as a request stop. The original 1875 station, seen here on the left, is now a private residence.

Garsdale: The old Hawes platform at Garsdale in September 2014, looking north along the acceess road and car parking area that occupies the trackbed. Passenger services to Hawes ran until 1959 but towards the end there was only one train in each direction per day. Garsdale was closed between 1970 and 1986.

Carcassonne: SNCF B-B 107259 arrives at Carcassonne hauling 17 coaches on a Bordeaux to Marseille service. In the adjacent platform a two car Alstom DMU waits to work the 12:38 to Limoux and Quillan.

Smallbrook Junction: 02 class 0-4-4T no, 24 'Calbourne' at Smallbrook Junction with a UK Railtours' charter to Wootton on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on 20th September 2014 (the railway was specially opened on this day for UK Railtours visitors). This loco was the first to be acquired by the Wight Locomotive Society (the genesis of today's heritage line) in 1967 and was designed by William Adams and constructed at the LSWR's Nine Elm Works, entering service in 1891. It was shipped to the Isle of Wight on 26th April 1925 and worked on the Ryde to Cowes line until this sadly closed in 1966. The loco was restored to its 1930s livery in the 1990s and in 2002 a major overhaul became necessary which took 8 years to complete.

Castle Bolton: Looking west towards Aysgarth along the Wensleydale line trackbed at Castle Bolton in September 2014. When rebuilding starts this is likely to be the first temporary terminus, serving the nearby castle, before pushing on towards Aysgarth, Hawes and Garsdale.

Wootton: Isle of Wight Steam Railway train from Smallbrook Junction just arrived at the terminus at Wootton, on Saturday, 20th September 2014. The locomotive is 02 Class 0-4-4T W24 'Calbourne' dating from 1891 and constructed by the L&SWR at Nine Elms Works in London. The IOWSR was specially opened on this day for a visit by UK Railtours.

Ryde St John's Road: Class 483 (ex-London Underground 1938 stock) from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight arriving at Ryde St. John's Road station, on 20th September 2014. Ten sets of these old LUL units were purchased by Network South East in 1988 and introduced on the Island Line between 1989 and 1992 to replace the even older class 485 and 486 sets that had worked the remnants of the line since electrification in 1967. The section from Shanklin to Ventnor had closed the previous year, the excuse being that the former tube trains were 'not suitable' for the long tunnel under St. Boniface Down, north of Ventnor.

Havenstreet: A1X Stroudley Terrier class 0-6-0T no. W8 'Freshwater' arriving at Haven Street station with a UK Railtours' chartered train from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, on 20th September 2014. Fifty of these locomotives were built at Eastleigh works in 1877 and this one was originally numbered 46 and named 'Newington'. It worked on the Hayling Island branch until this closed on 4th November 1963 and it was withdrawn but then displayed on a plinth on the island outside the 'Hayling Billy' pub from 1966 until 1979 when it was donated to the Wight Locomotive Society and shipped back to Haven Street for restoration before being steamed again on the IOSWR on 21st June 1981.

Shanklin: Class 483 (ex-London Underground 1938 stock) just arrived from Ryde Pier Head at Shanklin station on 20th September 2014. This has been the terminus of the line since 1966 when the section on to Ventnor was closed (note abandoned platform on left), amid much local opposition. My friend, also called David and who accompanied me on this visit, is not really a railway enthusiast and he rather unflatteringly described these vintage trains as 'garden sheds on wheels'. That was him off the Christmas card list that year.

Gisborne [Victoria]: On 20/9/14, northbound train of 3 'Sprinter' Railcars runs past Gisborne Station.

Pitlochry: DRS 66302 about to run south through Pitlochry on 20 September 2014 with the 4D47 Inverness - Mossend intermodal.

Smallbrook Junction: Class 483 (ex-London Underground 1938 stock) with an Island Line service from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin arriving at Smallbrook Junction, on 20th September 2014. This station opened in 1991 to provide an interchange with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (on left) that was extended here from Haven Street at the same time. The station has no other function and no public access except by train.

Devonport: 70806 on a track maintenance train from Bodmin Parkway back to Westbury at Devonport, Plymouth. This was once Devonport Albert Road when Kings Road at Devonport was open.

Edinburgh Waverley: Having been pulled 'backwards' from Tweedbank 60009 prepares to head off ECS from Waverley Platforms 1 and 20 in September 2015.

Delph [West Lancashire Light]: Two Kerr Stuart Joffre locos at a gala event on the West Lancs, the first pair in steam together for over 60 years. Leading engine is Kerr Stuart no.3014 of 1916 from the Apedale Valley Light Railway near Stoke on Trent and was restored by the owners the Moseley Railway Trust. Behind it is the West Lancashire Light Railway Trust's Kerr Stuart no.2405 of 1915 which was celebrating its 100th anniversary over the weekend of 19 and 20 September 2015.

Edinburgh Waverley: 67 026 Diamond Jubilee has just hauled a returning steam special from Tweedbank and with 60009 at the other end attention is being lavished at Platform 1 rather than here on No 20. You can almost feel sorry for the out shadowed diesel.

Galabank Bridge: 67026 Diamond Jubilee brings up the rear of the Borders Line Steam Special passing Galabank to the north of Stow. Sunday 20 September 2015

Preston: A Northern Rail service to Colne awaits its departure time at Preston station on 20 September, while passengers who had to leave an earlier service to Glasgow, await another train before they can continue their journey.

Galabank Bridge: It would be nice to describe 60009 Union of South Africa as sweeping downgrade at Galabank but in reality the Borders Line Steam Special has to crawl at 20 mph over bridges Nos. 65 (Watherston) and 67 (Galabank), the second of which is just out of shot to the right. Sunday 20 September 2015

Haymarket: 170407 in British Transport Police vinyls at Haymarket today. The re-liveried set bearing the text number 61016 was launched by transport minister Humza Yousaf.

Lostock Hall: Ex BR Standard 4 2-6-0 no. 76084 looking resplendent as it passes Lostock Hall on the afternoon of 20 September 2016 while carrying out a loaded test run from Carnforth. It is worth noting that this run was conducted the day after it had run from Sheringham on the NNR with support coach and WCRC 37669 in tow. Welcome back to the mainline and congratulations to 76084 Locomotive Company Ltd for achieving this with a former Lower Darwen loco.

Durham: XC 09.25 Plymouth to Aberdeen calls at Durham four minutes down at 16.21.

Knightswood South Junction: Strengthening works in progress on the Strathcona Drive overbridge in September 2017.

Split: Split, in Croatia, appears to have two railway systems. There is the regional/international network with trains to, for example, Zagreb and a suburban network. This is the port terminus of the latter known as the 'Split Suburban Railway'.

Dieppe: Bimodes at Dieppe.

Hest Bank: A special working through Hest Bank. DRS 57304 Pride of Cheshire hauls electro-diesel 88005 Minerva and a single MkII coach from Crewe to Kingmoor on 20th September 2017.

Knightswood South Junction: Seen shortly after leaving platform 3 at Anniesland, 156495 forms the 1156 Queen Street via Maryhill service. In the left background strengthening works are in progress on the Strathcona Drive bridge over the main Northbank electric lines.

Morningside Road: NR Railhead Treatment Train (RHTT) on The Sub approaching OB11 Morningside Road, highest point on the railway in Edinburgh see image [[54123]] The train is hauled by a EWSR liveried Class 67.

Aberdeen: An Inverness service boards at Platform 6 South Aberdeen, probably chosen in preference to the more intuitive north end to allow passengers arriving at Platform 5 (left) to change easily. As to why a southbound service was simultaneously using 7 North, well your guess...

Stonehaven: Stonehaven station is a bit of a hike from the town centre, but blame geography for that. As at similarly placed locations the town has grown to meet the once isolated station. A southbound service calls on 20 September 2018.

Aberdeen: In the 1970s the northern end of Aberdeen station had a shopping centre (as they were then called) built over most of it, but the former Platforms 8 and 9 escaped. The track is a siding which ends behind me. The granite (of course) building on the right was once the suburban booking office; amazing to think such a thing was once needed.

Dyce: Having the world's busiest heliport on its landward side means Dyce fairly thrums with the sound of helicopters going to and from North Sea platforms; you don't have to wait long for a shot like this. Dyce station does pretty good business with rig workers, easily identified by their enormous holdalls - no mimsy wheeled suitcases here. Dyce itself is OK, but has the 'there's no there there' feel of a town which grew up too quickly. My opinion. The chopper is a Bristow. I only know that because it says.

Aberdeen: Looking north across the platforms in September 2018. From left to right: through platforms 7 (empty) and 6, then bays 5, 4 and 3. The former platforms 2 and 1 are both used for stabling; there's a 158 in the shortened(?) former Platform 1.

Stonehaven: An Aberdeen to Kings Cross HST approaches Stonehaven on 20 September 2018. HSTs will soon make up most (or all?) services here, but the ScotRail ones will be short and blue rather than long and red.

Stonehaven: An Inverurie service approaches Stonehaven on 18th September 2018 past lovely semaphores.

Schoolhill: Schoolhill's platforms ended at the bottom of the picture and Aberdeen's started the other side of Union Bridge. That's exactly 200 metres by my reckoning - surely some sort of record. The siding on the right (or at least its course) will not now be incorporated into the Aberdeen to Dyce redoubling as this has been cut back to Kittybrewster due to clearance (ie cost) issues. Let's hope this short stretch of single track won't be too much of a weakest link when frequencies double shortly.

Dyce: Edinburgh (right) and Inverness services pass at Dyce on 20 September 2018. The line from Aberdeen had been closed for months for redoubling, so I was a little disappointed to find that although new Up track was in place there was no connection yet at Dyce. Effectively nothing had changed!

Schoolhill: The remains of the station building at Schoolhill form a wall with a car park. This station, a (very) short distance from Aberdeen Joint, was apparently served by Deeside line sevices extended at appropriate school times. It is (and probably was) in rather less louche surroundings than the Joint station. The expected redoubling of this section has been shelved, though will be necessary if the Buchan line reopens(!).

Llangollen: Former GWR 5100 Class 2-6-2T engine no.5199 backs onto a train at Llangollen on 20 September 2019.

Johnnie Cope's Hole: The Battle of Prestonpans Memorial Tables on the former Tranent Waggonway.

Llangollen: Ex GWR 2-6-2T no.5199 arrives at Llangollen on 20 September 2019 as viewed from the road bridge over the River Dee.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Colas Class 56 locomotives 087 and 113 sit at the end of closed platforms 5 and 4 respectively on 20th September 2019, the first week of work to extend the platforms. 56113 is coupled to a train of wagons for removing spoil.

York: A former Scotrail Class 170, now working for Northern and seen in the York bay platform waiting to work to Leeds via Harrogate on 20th September 2019.

Chirk: A Transport for Wales Class 158 departs from Chirk on 20 September 2019 with a service to Chester. Meanwhile one of the station volunteers is watering the very smart flower beds on the southbound platform.

Tranent Goods: The Tranent end of the Tranent and Cockenzie Waggonway, later a railway. Tranent Goods was some way behind the camera.

Newton-le-Willows: Former Scotrail 158786, passing Newton-le-Willows, working for Northern on 20th September 2019.

Chirk: A TfW service to Chester arrives at Chirk in September 2019. The view is northwards.

Chirk Viaduct: A northbound TfW Class 150 crosses the Chirk Viaduct on 20 September 2019 watched by walkers on the towpath on the Chirk Aqueduct which carries the Llangollen Canal over the same valley.

Newtongrange: Light but persistent rain on the morning of Sunday 20 September 2020 sees the 0911 Edinburgh Waverley - Tweedbank emerge from below the A7 to arrive at the wet platform of Newtongrange station.

Gorebridge: A northbound morning service on the Borders Railway leaving Gorebridge for Edinburgh Waverley on 20 September 2020. The train will arrive at its destination in 25 minutes time.

Sheernest Bridge 148 [LC]: A picturesque stretch of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal runs through the village of Holme, as seen here in September 2020. The much lower level of the non-navigable section can be seen by the exposed bridge stonework, although a local resident has a shallow water craft to hand. The water supply from Killington to Tewiftifield runs through here so although shallow the water is clear and moving slowly.

Newtongrange: The combined effects of a wet Sunday morning and Covid 19 can be seen at Newtongrange on 20 September 2020. The train at the platform is the ScotRail 0911 Edinburgh Waverley - Tweedbank.

Machrihanish: The Ugadale Hotel pre-dated the short lived light railway to Machrihanish, which terminated at the rear of the premises. This gate in the hotel wall was presumably installed to allow passengers to access the hotel and grounds.

Bedworth: Its good to see a ticket machine at Bedworth; its location does not commit you to walking down to the wrong platform and up again. The phrase mugging alley does, however, spring to mind. View looks towards Nuneaton in September 2021.

Campbeltown New Quay: One day's worth of timber loads, deposited on the New Quay at Campbeltown, rises above one of the logging trucks transporting them from the Kintyre forests. They will be shipped across the Firth of Clyde to Irvine. The C&MLR had a siding on the New Quay as well as the passenger tracks to the quayside terminus (See 1921 map [[33469]]) but there is no trace of that today. The structure behind the timber is the linkspan for the Calmac ferry services.

Campbeltown: Panorama of the harbour area of Campbeltown on 20th September 2021. The C&MLR trains used to terminate in front of the four storey stone buildings [[33379]] behind what is now the marina. They ran alongside the quay onto the area now grassed before turning right (just above the dockside crane) [[61654]] to run up the small glen and out towards Machrihanish. The southerly New Quay has the Cal-Mac terminal and link-span but also sees regular timber traffic from Kintyre to Irvine.

Loo Bridge: Kenmare Branch. Loo Bridge station, looking in the direction of Headford Junction on the Mallow to Killarney line. The station building survives on the single platform although much altered with a large private house being added. An old lower quadrant semaphore provides a link to the station's past use. The branch from Headford Junction to Kenmare opened on 4 September 1893 and closed on 1 February 1960.

Charlestown Buffer: Having indicated a year earlier that repairs were unlikely I was proved entirely wrong and temporary repairs have been effected to the buffer presumably by the local community group which also maintains the path alongside the now totally overgrown track along towards Braeside Junction and Crombie Depot. This is more TLC than these buffers have ever received since their installation in February 1964 when the branch was cut back to here.

Machrihanish: Following a disastrous fire the club house for the Machrihanish golf course has been completely rebuilt in a very modern style. As part of this development an overflow car park has been built on part of the site of the old railway terminus with tarmac and amenity lighting. This view looks towards the buffers in September 2021 and shows a bricked up gateway that presumably once afforded access to the station. See image [[63663]] from 2018.

Touch South Junction: Looking west along Halbeath Road as 170396 crosses with a Fife Circle service on 20 September 2021. The dip in the road allowed trams from the Dunfermline & District Tramways to pass underneath, and a similar situation occurred in the background where the Touch South/North chord passed over until 1970.

Touch North Junction: Looking west towards Dunfermline Upper on the former Edinburgh and Northern Railway's Dunfermline branch (to the latter day Dunfermline Upper Station) at Touch North Junction where the chord from Touch South Junction gave access to/from the Forth Bridge from the Forth Bridge from 1890.

Loo Bridge: Kenmare Branch. Loo Bridge station with a close up of an old lower quadrant semaphore which has been placed in the garden of house which contains the former station. The branch from Headford Junction on the Mallow to Killarney line opened on 4 September 1893 and closed on 1 February 1960.

Loo Bridge: Kenmare Branch. Loo Bridge station looking in the direction of Kenmare. The platform survives as does the single storey original station building along the platform with the addition of a large house since closure. The trackbed is now a farm access road serving several properties. The branch from Headford Junction on the Mallow to Killarney line opened on 4 September 1893 and closed on 1 February 1960.

Cardross: For me, the return of the 'Leaf Train' marks the beginning of Autumn. It seems to appear earlier every year!

Loo Bridge: Kenmare Branch. The surviving eponymous Loo Bridge over the River Flesk just to the north of the former Loo Bridge station in the direction of Headford Junction. The girder bridge looks in need of some TLC. It now forms part of a farm access road. The Kenmare branch from Headford Junction on the Mallow to Killarney line opened on 4 September 1893 and closed on 1 February 1960.

Nine Elms [Northern Line]: A nice welcome from TfL staff at the new Nine Elms station on the LU Northern Line Battersea Power Station branch from Kennington, on the First Day of passenger services, Monday, 20th September 2021.

Nine Elms [Northern Line]: Nine Elms station, looking towards Battersea Power Station, on the new LU Northern Line branch from Kennington, on the First Day of passenger services, Monday, 20th September 2021.

Nine Elms [Northern Line]: Exterior of Nine Elms station, the only intermediate station on the new LU Northern Line branch (here in south London) from Kennington to Battersea Power Station, on its First Day of passenger services, Monday, 20th September 2021. After 173 years, this station has put the district of Nine Elms back on the passenger railway map of London following the extension from the original 1838 Nine Elms terminus of the London & Southampton Railway to Waterloo in 1848. After only 10 years as a passenger station, Nine Elms became a goods station and motive power depot but closed in 1967 and the site is now occupied by the New Covent Garden Market.

Battersea Power Station [Northern Line]: First Day of passenger services to Battersea Power Station station, terminus of the new LU Northern Line branch from Kennington (here in south-west London), on Monday, 20th September 2021.

Battersea Power Station [Northern Line]: LU 1995 stock heading away from the camera on a service to High Barnet, departing from the new Northern Line terminus at Battersea Power Station on the morning of its First Day of service, Monday, 20th September 2021.

Battersea Power Station [Northern Line]: The concourse towards the escalators at Battersea Power Station terminus of the new Northern Line branch from Kennington, seen here in the morning on the Opening Day, Monday, 20th September 2021. On the right, a train of LU 1995 stock (that I travelled on from Archway) is waiting to return to High Barnet.

Pleasure Beach [Tram]: Flexity 017 runs south towards Starr Gate, on a quiet section of the Blackpool Promenade, on 20th September 2022. It will be a lot busier in the evening after the illuminations are switched on.

Lentran: 68001 'Evolution' and 68007 'Valiant' make history on 20th September 2022 as the first Class 68s to haul Pandora's Box to Georgemas Junction on the Far North Line. Hidden in the trees, in the distance on the right, are the platforms of the long closed station at Lentran.

Squires Gate: 150122 leaves Squires Gate on the short run to Blackpool Pleasure Beach with a service from Preston on 20th September 2022. Both stations can be seen from the bridge at Harrowside (see [[45289]]).

Balshaw Lane Junction: A pair of LSL Class 20s head north at Balshaw Lane Junction on 20 September 2022. D8107 and D8096 were on a positioning move from Crewe to Carlisle in preparation for 'The Ayr Liner' railtour to Stranraer on the 21st.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 150122 approaches Blackpool Pleasure Beach station, viewed from the Harrowside road bridge, with a service for Blackpool South on 20th September 2022.