Dyce: Dyce station from the south end in 1960.

Corkerhill Shed: Polmadie's 46230 'Duchess of Buccleugh' has invaded enemy territory by visiting the G&SWR's Corkerhill depot on 21 September 1963. Even in weathered condition it still looks magnificent.

Knightswood South Junction: B1 61140 leaves the loop at Knightswood South junction with a mixed freight on 21st September 1963. It has come off the spur from Maryhill Park and will head through Anniesland towards Clydeside. In the background a westbound “blue train” electric passes the junction in the other direction.

Parklee Signal Box: BR Standard Tank 80086 photographed leaving Langbank with a Gourock - Glasgow train on a misty Saturday morning in September 1963.

Langbank: 42129 approaching Langbank with an up goods on a misty Saturday morning in September 1963.

Glasgow St Enoch: A2 Pacific 60530 'Sayajirao' leaves Glasgow St Enoch with the 5.30pm to Carlisle. Six of these Pacifics had been surprisingly transferred to Polmadie earlier that year, though they did not have much success there. 'Sayajirao' was the only one to escape back to the east coast, being transferred to Dundee Tay Bridge in 1964. The others were all withdrawn after their Polmadie stint.

Parklee Signal Box: BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 no 76072 eastbound between Woodhall and Langbank with a Gourock - Glasgow Central semi-fast on a misty and murky 21 September 1963.

Buchanan Street: Standard Caprotti 5MT 4-6-0 73146 gets going from Glasgow Buchanan Street with the 5pm to Dundee on 21st September 1965.

Shanklin: Ex LSWR O2 0-4-4T No.27 'Merstone' enters Shanklin station on 21 September 1966, prior to returning to Ryde. Its days were numbered, as the line was due to be electrified by the end of the year. Sent from my iPad

Ryde Esplanade: O2 No W24 'Calbourne' has just left Ryde Esplanade and is heading for Shanklin on 21 September 1966. Wrong line working is in operation due to the impending electrification, although the activity on the closed line does not seem to be connected to this! This is an early example of top n tail working, as sister loco W17 'Seaview' is on the rear of the train and it will come off at Ryde St Johns. 'Calbourne' is still to be found on the Isle of Wight.

Ryde St John's Road: Ryde loco shed on 21 September 1966, sporting three O2s, each 75 years old! From left to right, W27 'Merstone', W31 'Chale', andW33 'Bembridge' are still active, but their days are numbered, as electrification is due by the end of the year, and they will be replaced by elderly Tube stock (the Isle of Wight goes in for antiques).

Ryde St John's Road: A top and tail train approaches Ryde St John's station on 21 September 1966, headed by W31 'Chale' and fellow O2 W35 'Freshwater'. It is travelling 'wrong line' because of work on the other line in preparation for electrification by the end of the year.

Ryde St John's Road: Clear skies over the Isle of Wight yet again. O2 No W27 'Merstone' heads towards Ryde Esplanade from Ryde St John's, top and tailing with sister loco W24 'Calbourne' on 21 September 1966. The locos are Victorian, the rolling stock is pre-grouping, and they shortly be replaced by London Underground Tube stock dating from the 1920s! Happily, W24 is still with us as the only survivor of the O2s.

Hull Dairycoates: Preserved A3 Pacific no 4472 Flying Scotsman on shed at Hull Dairycoates on 21 September 1968, having arrived in the city with the LCGB's East Riding Ltd from Kings Cross.

Louth: 4472 Flying Scotsman with the LCGB East Riding Ltd railtour from Kings Cross, seen during a photostop at Louth on 21 September 1968. Part of the large Associated British Maltsters site can be seen on the right.

Barnetby: The LCGB 'East Riding Limited' of 21 September 1968 during a photostop at Barnetby before heading west to reach Hull via Applehurst Junction and Selby. The special, which originated from Kings Cross, was hauled throughout by 4472 Flying Scotsman. See image [[23701]]

Louth: 4472 Flying Scotsman stands at Louth station, Lincolnshire, on 21 September 1968 with the LCGB East Riding Ltd railtour from Kings Cross. The Pacific is in the process of taking on water from the road tanker on the right of the picture.

Hull, Draper's Scrapyard: An unidentified Stanier 8F awaits its fate in Draper's yard, Hull, in September 1968.

Louth: The LCGB East Riding Ltd railtour from Kings Cross stands at Louth, Lincolnshire, on 21 September 1968 behind 4472 Flying Scotsman.

Chinley: Peak No. 36, an early example with a split centre head-code box, pulls away from the Chinley stop on 21 September 1971 with the 08:35 St. Pancras to Manchester Piccadilly. The time is just after 12:30, signifying a protracted journey from London, but for anyone who was determined to depart from St Pancras rather than Euston, the journey could be cut by half an hour by using the down Thames-Clyde Express and changing at either Leicester or Chesterfield.

Edinburgh Waverley: BRCW Type 2s 5338+5340 at Waverley in September 1971 with a train from Inverness.

Chinley: You can almost hear the crackle of the Sulzer exhaust as BR Type 2 No. 5274 toils up to Chinley station with empty ICI hoppers from Winnington (Northwich) bound for the limestone workings at Tunstead in 1971. This loco was one of the original batch sent new to Trafford Park shed (9E) in the summer of 1964 specifically for these duties.

Beighton Junction: Green liveried Brush Type 2 No. 5843 with double arrow logo is in charge of an LMR bound partially fitted freight as it passes through an industrial landscape just north of Beighton Junction to the south-east of Sheffield in 1971. The area on the right, then occupied by Brookhouse Colliery, now forms part of the Rother Valley Country Park.

Edinburgh Waverley: Platform view looking west at Waverley on 21 September 1971 as 5340 and 5338 prepare to leave with a train for Inverness.

Chinley: Although Chinley station had lost much of its importance by the early 1970s, a handful of London St. Pancras to Manchester Piccadilly through services still graced its platforms. Here Peak No. 119 pulls away from the station in September 1971 on the 06.50 from St. Pancras, which was booked to depart at 10.27.

Buxworth: The Harwich to Manchester Piccadilly boat train snakes through the site of Buxworth station, Derbyshire, on 21 September 1971 behind EE Type 3 No. 6712. The duty represented a definite improvement in the loco's fortunes following its transfer from Gateshead to Stratford the previous autumn see image [[32737]].

Edinburgh Waverley: An Inverness train about to leave Edinburgh Waverley behind 5340+5338 in September 1971.

Buxworth: There's no rest for the wicked and No. 6712 heads back for Harwich after only a 40 minute turn-round at Manchester Piccadilly on 21 September 1971 see image [[41271]]. Scheduled arrival time on the in-bound train was 14.00, departing again at 14.40 to connect with the overnight sailing to Hook of Holland. The third vehicle in the set is a Gresley buffet car.

Shipley: 25 264 takes the north side of the triangle at Shipley in September 1974 with an eastbound parcels working.

Carnforth: Preserved Black 5 (though actually a 'Green 5' at the time) No. 44932 passes Carnforth East Junction box heading towards Leeds at just after 6pm on 21 September 1974. The train is the 'White Rose' railtour on its way back to Leicester. The Carnforth - Leeds leg of this tour was booked for No. 4771 Green Arrow, which had taken the 'Red Rose' tour from Leeds to Ravenglass earlier that day, but the V2 had failed after arrival light engine back at Carnforth.

Shipley: An Ilkley to Bradford Forster Square train approaches Shipley station on the east side of the triangle in September 1974. As can be seen clearly here there were no platforms on the northern side of the triangle at that time. See image [[40729]]

Silverdale: On 21st September 1974 there were two railtours plying Furness Railway metals with steam power between Carnforth and Ravenglass. 'The White Rose' had originated in Leicester and was powered by A3 No. 4472 Flying Scotsman and Black 5 No. 44932 double heading tender to tender in the outward direction. The train was returned to Carnforth by Class 40 No. 40013 (formerly Andania), seen here just north of Silverdale station [with thanks to Vic Smith].

Shipley: 40 181 with a Tinsley - Carlisle freight passing Shipley (Bingley Junction) on a September Saturday morning in 1974. It's not clear why coke was being taken northwards as potential major users such as Moss Bay and Ravenscraig steelworks possessed their own coking facilities. Perhaps one of these was decommissioned for maintenance work at this particular time.

Shipley: Bingley Junction signal box controlled the north western apex of the triangular junction at Shipley and still possessed an attractive collection of semaphore signals in 1974.

Shipley: Preserved V2 2-6-2 No. 4771 Green Arrow with the Red Rose railtour of 21st September 1974 at Shipley (Bingley Junction). It had taken over at Leeds from a diesel which had brought the special from London St. Pancras, and worked the train through to Ravenglass. [With thanks to Vic Smith]

Sudbury [2nd]: Scene at the terminus at Sudbury in rural Suffolk in September 1985, where mail has just arrived off the 1605 DMU from Colchester St Botolphs and is being transferred to a Royal Mail van. The old 1865 GE Sudbury station, the south end of which is seen here, was replaced by something more up to date in October 1990. See image [[41998]]

Crianlarich: A southbound freight restarts from a wet Crianlarich station on 21 September 1990 behind a pair of class 37 locomotives, having been held to cross a northbound DMU recently arrived on the right.

Helmsdale: View north at Helmsdale on 21 September 1993.

Helmsdale: Platform view at Helmsdale station in September 1993 looking south.

Edinburgh Waverley: Morning rush-hour at a pre-barrier Waverley on Friday 21 September 1996 and a sole passenger is visible in this shot. The station handled fewer passengers 14 years ago, but not that many fewer. Bygones include left-luggage lockers, early privatisation ScotRail redcoats, and of course the Solari. Departures were not displayed in chronological order which now seems almost crazy. Arrivals however were, and as each one dropped off the top, the rest moved up, flipping through the repertoire, one panel at a time.

Penmanshiel Tunnel: This bridge used to cross the ECML at the east end of Penmanshiel Tunnel which passed through the hillside to the right. Catenary can be seen above the diverted route to the left. View west in September 2003.

Haltwhistle: View west towards Carlisle from the footbridge at Haltwhistle on 21 September 2003, with the former Alston branch platform on the left. See image [[37496]]

Haltwhistle: A Hexham - Middlesbrough service departs from the staggered eastbound platform at Haltwhistle in September 2003.

Kielder Viaduct: Looking north over Kielder Viaduct in the autumn of 2003.

Kielder Viaduct: Built in 1862 to carry the Border Counties Railway over the Deadwater Burn and surrounding marshland, Kielder Viaduct is considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of Victorian engineering using the skew-arch method of construction. The viaduct is seen here looking south towards Kielder Reservoir in September 2003. Attached to the viaduct directly ahead is a plaque commemorating the work of Peter Nicholson of Newcastle, a pioneer geometrician involved in perfecting the technique.

Kielder Viaduct: Kielder Viaduct - northern exit - September 2003.

Kielder Viaduct: Magnificent Kielder Viaduct, September 2003.

Haltwhistle: Rear view of the converted NER water tower adjacent to the car park on the north side of Haltwhistle station in September 2003. The former goods yard is off to the right and the main station entrance is in the left background. Since conversion, the 1861 structure has seen use as a shop, a cafe and a youth centre. See image [[28223]]

Haltwhistle: Looking east through the station footbridge at Haltwhistle towards the staggered Newcastle bound platform on 21 September 2003 where a train is about to leave for Middlesbrough.

Usan Signal Box: 170402 approaches Usan 'box in 2004.

Polmont: The ever-so-slightly exotic (even in the rain) east end of Polmont station with an Edinburgh service pulling away in September 2006.

Polmont: Buildings on the Edinburgh bound platform at Polmont in September 2006, looking north.

Causewayhead: Looking west at the old Cambuskenneth Level Crossing. Track is down on the S-A-K line!

Causewayhead: Looking east at the old Cambuskenneth Level Crossing. The track has not yet been fully ballasted or bedded down.

Blackgrange: Blackgrange LC looking east to Cambus. This is the limit of the rails being attached to the sleepers.

Blackgrange: Blackgrange LC looking west to Manor Powis. This is the limit of the rails being attached to the sleepers.

Cambus: Cambus LC looking west. Cambus is the limit of ballast laying. It seems likely a loop will be laid in here.

Alloa: Alloa (New) station begins to come into existence. The base of the platform has been laid. At last!

Alloa Loop: The new bridge to carry the replacement road to Hilton Road is nearing completion.

Kincardine: The yard at Kincardine is still disconnected from the railway network but has rail mounted vehicles ...

Manor Powis: Looking south-west over the newly laid line west of Manor Powis.

West Ferry: ScotRail DMU on the way to Dundee, having passed through Broughty Ferry at speed!

West Ferry: 57601 hauls the Royal Scotsman along the line from Dundee towards Aberdeen.

Johnstone: 334001 departing Johnstone for Largs.

Johnstone: 66081 of EWS races through Johnstone with empty coal hoppers heading for Hunterston.

Fouldubs Junction: Names to conjure with ...scene at the WHM depot, Grangemouth, on 21 September 2006.

Fouldubs Junction: DRS 66408 moves a container train away from the W H Malcolm depot at Grangemounth in September 2006.

Falkirk Grahamston: The GNER 07.55 Inverness - London Kings Cross Highland Chieftain HST service pulls away from its Falkirk Grahamston stop on 21 September 2006. This train is scheduled to arrive at Kings Cross at 15.59.

Skipton: Northern EMU 333008 has just arrived at Skipton on 21 September 2006 with a service from Leeds. After a few minutes it will set off again back along the Aire Valley to Leeds.

Falkirk Grahamston: A train for Dunblane leaving Falkirk Grahamston on 21 September 2006.

Thornbridge Halt: Containers bound for Aberdeen seen shortly after leaving WHM Grangemouth in September 2006 near the site of Thornbridge Halt (1899 - 1938). The train will join the main line at Grangemouth Junction, just east of Falkirk Grahamston station. See image [[35008]]

Camelon: Train from Glasgow Queen Street via Cumbernauld calls at Camelon, its last stop before Falkirk Grahamston.

Thornbridge Halt: Here we go, here we go, here we go.... A container train, having just left WHM, Grangemouth, passes Falkirk football stadium heading west towards Grahamston in September 2006.

Fouldubs Junction: A container train accelerates south west away from Grangemouth towards Falkirk in September 2006. The locomotive is DRS 66408 and the working is the the 0954 Grangemouth WHM - Aberdeen Guild Street see image [[12394]].

Nelson: The fine canopy over the island platform at Nelson in 2007. Only one face of the island is currently in use. This view looks to Colne.

Ribblehead: Northbound freight passes southbound passenger in a heavy downpour at Ribblehead in 2007.

Shackerstone: Lineup at Shackerstone on the Battlefield Railway on 21 September 2008 with 04110, 03170 and 37227 in attendance.

Loughborough Central: A1 Pacific no 60163 Tornado, built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, seen leaving Loughborough Central on 21 September 2008.

Sittingbourne: One of the last trains before the current suspension of services at this unique industrial survivor. I believe the pipes have gone now; let's hope the trains return.

Shackerstone: Scene at Shackerstone on the Battlefield Line on 21 September.

Spean Viaduct [IFA]: This is the southern abutment of the I&FA's bridge over the River Spean. It is roughly half way between the present road bridge over the Spean, at Spean Bridge, and Wade's High Bridge. After closure of the route the stub of the line from near here to the station was retained for some years as a long siding.

Kirkcaldy: Reversal at Kirkcaldy without using the siding. This short working, due to Sunday engineering work, runs back for the return to Edinburgh on 21 September 2008.

Spean Viaduct [IFA]: On the the central piers of the I&FA's bridge over the River Spean.

Shackerstone: BR Class 33 no 33019 stands at Shackerstone, Leicestershire on The Battlefield Line Railway on Sunday 21 September. The line runs from Shackerstone to Shenton via Market Bosworth, a total of four and a half miles. Shenton is near Bosworth Field, (the location of the final battle of the Wars of the Roses immortalised in Shakespeare's Richard III), giving the railway its name.

Fort Augustus Pier: The Fort Augustus Pier station and pier viewed across Loch Ness from the slopes of the Borlum Hill. This station closed in 1906. It rejoiced in a sign saying simply Pier.

Loughborough Central: A1 Pacific 60163 Tornado, built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust at Darlington, seen on the Great Central Railway, Loughborough on 21 September 2008. Impressive enough in Grey, it will look magnificent in BR green.

Loughborough Central: Conversation piece, Great Central Railway, Loughborough, 21 September 2008.

Loughborough Central: Standard class 2 2-6-0 no 78019 at the platform at Loughborough on 21 September.

Loughborough Central: Newly built Pacific 60163 Tornado fresh from Darlington Works (the former Hopetown Carriage Works) is put through its paces on the Great Central line near Loughborough on 10 September 2008.

Deepdale: Deepdale Station, closed in 1930, has lost the battle against the forces of nature. Although the track is still there it has not been used since 1994 and has completely disappeared, as have the platforms. See image [[18403]] to see the change in just 18 months. View towards Longridge from the old station entrance on Deepdale Road, Preston in September 2009. I wonder if Network Rail will ever try to recover the track now?

Livingston, Montana: BNSF Dash 9-44CW units 4441 and 1004 (with the assistance of four other locomotives unseen in this picture) get to grips with the eastern slope of the 5,800 foot Bozeman Pass between Livingston and Bozeman, Montana in September 2009.

Helensburgh Central: Arriving at platform 2 of Helensburgh Central on 21 September 2009 is 320 305 with a service from the far east (Drumgelloch).

Livingston, Montana: A trio of Montana Rail Link (MRL) EMD SD70ACe's nos 4314, 4312 and 4315 follows an eastbound BNSF freight through the yard at Livingston, Montana in September 2009.  The trio has just helped a freight up the western slope of the Bozeman Pass and provided braking assistance on the eastern descent.  The locomotives will take up position at the eastern end of the yard to await the arrival of the next westbound freight.  When this train arrives it will be split in two and the three MRL loco's will be inserted in the middle and the train reassembled ready to tackle the climb to the 5,800 feet high summit.

Carstairs: Freightliner 66953 heads wrong line through Carstairs with a Ravenstruther - Drax coal train on 21 September.

Helensburgh Central: The booking office at Helensburgh Central presents a fine, solid face to East Princes Street. The gable end of the overall roof looks pretty good too, but it's hard to get a decent view from any angle.  This roof extends no further than the length of the stone building, but the platforms are generously covered by glass canopies.  Photographed on 21 September 2009.

Livingston, Montana: BNSF Dash 9-44CW's no 4441 and 1004 pause in the yard at Livingston, Montana with a westbound freight on 21 September 2009. Prior to the assault on the 5,800 feet high Bozeman Pass the train was split into two parts and three Montana Rail Link locomotives were inserted in the middle (to provide motive power and relieve strain on the couplings). A third BNSF locomotive was also located at the rear of the train.

Dumbarton Central: Platform view at Dumbarton Central on 21 September as 320 313 arrives with an eastbound service 21 Sep 2009

Prestwick Town: The 1043 Ayr - Glasgow Central arriving at Prestwick Town on 21 September 2009.

Helensburgh Central: Although already on the Platform 1 departure screen there's 80 minutes to go before 320 317 heads off with the 1640 for Drumgelloch, during which time 2 trains will come and go from Platform 2.  One platform suffices for most of the day's half-hourly service, with the arriving set forming the next departure.  Presumably, though, all three are needed on Sunday morning when three trains depart before the first arrival. Photographed on 21 September 2009.

Carnforth: Interesting pointwork at Crag Bank, Carnforth. Contrary to appearances this double slip crossing is still in full use. Despite the rails having been removed from the shunting neck all the blades are still operational because it acts as a catch point for the two loops. 153359 passes on the 0600 Maryport to Lancaster service.

Evesham: Looking west at Evesham station in September 2011 when the line was being redoubled between stations. Rationalisation at the far end of the station resulted in the remaining sidings being disconnected from the mainline.

Kyle of Lochalsh: 158722 at the platform at Kyle of Lochalsh on 21 September 2011 awaiting its departure time with the next service to Inverness.

Preston: The driver of 60163 Tornado looks back along his train while he waits at Preston on 21 September 2011 for the signal from the guard.

Leyland: The Caledonian Tornado hauled by A1 no 60163 arrives at Leyland on the morning of 21 September 2011 during a railtour from Crewe to Glasgow Central. Although several diesel hauled railtours have picked up at Leyland in recent years (and many steam hauled tours pass the station) this is the first steam locomotive for some time that has stopped to pick up and it resulted in quite a lot of local interest.

Preston: 60163 Tornado waits patiently at Preston station's platform 6 on 21 September 2011 with 'The Caledonian Tornado' railtour on its way from Crewe to Glasgow Central.

Bay Horse: A DRS Class 66 heads a down WCML container through the Lancashire countryside on 21 September. The train has just passed through the closed station at Bay Horse between Lancaster and Preston.

Moreton-in-Marsh: First Great Western DMU 165137 departs from Moreton in Marsh heading towards Worcester on the evening of 21 September 2011.

Dreel Viaduct: The Dreel Viaduct on the Leven to St. Andrews line, looking west in September 2011. To the left was the original Anstruther terminus which became the goods station when the Anstruther and St Andrews Railway joined at an end-on junction and Anstruther (New) station was built just off picture to the right. Nothing now remains of either station, one site being occupied by housing and the other by industrial buildings.

Moreton-in-Marsh: A First Great Western service to Paddington departs south from Moreton-in-Marsh on 21 September 2011. Evidence of the rationalisation of the trackwork is evident with the remnants of the down sidings on the right of the photo.

Evesham: Evesham station looking east on a dull 21 September 2011. The track has been redoubled to both Worcester in the west and Moreton-in-Marsh to the east. The station is in excellent condition and the up platform waiting room has a considerable collection of railway photos from the 50s and 60s of various locations in the area. Well worth a visit.

Kyle of Lochalsh: The station at Kyle of Lochalsh, the building redolent of WHR station design, with a DMU waiting to depart with a service to Inverness on 21 September.

Millerhill: View north from the B6415 bridge at Millerhill village on 21 September 2013. See image [[44673]]

Kirkby Stephen: Looking north from the car park at Kirkby Stephen (West) station on 21 September as a Leeds to Carlisle service arrives at the platform.

Leyland: D1015 Western Champion passes through Leyland on 21 September 2013 with a charter from Birmingham to Carlisle.

Dent: Cloud clings to the hillside and shrouds Dent station on 21 September as out of the mist comes a Milford West to Carlisle empty coal train hauled by DBS 66197.

Kirkby Stephen East: NER 2-4-0 locomotive No.910, built in 1875 and withdrawn in 1925. It is now part of the national collection, seen here on display inside Kirkby Stephen East station on 21 September 2013.

Garsdale: The 1426 Carlisle - Leeds, formed by a pair of 2-car Class 158 units, calls at Garsdale on 21 September 2013. On the northbound platform repair and refurbishment work is taking place. Not one of the better days to visit this station as not only was the cloud low but it was also raining.

Garsdale: Ruswarp keeping an eye on the signalbox at Garsdale, which at the time of the photograph on 21 September 2013, was undergoing some refurbishment.

Woodacre Crossing: Eleven miles into the journey on day 1 of The West Highlander railtour on a damp and misty 21 September 2013. K4 no.61994 is making good progress passing Woodacre on its way to Glasgow Central sporting a slightly misleading headboard...

Arnside: A late running Barrow-in-Furness to Preston service calls at Arnside during the evening of 21 September 2013.

Kirkby Stephen East: Looking west from the platform end at Kirkby Stephen East on 21 September 2013 with an assortment of rolling stock stabled in the sidings.

Kirkby Stephen East: Looking east inside the train shed along the former up platform at Kirkby Stephen East station on 21 September 2013. Nearest the camera is a Planet 4w DM shunter and behind it Peckett 0-4-0ST F.C. Tingey (2084/1948).

Kirkby Stephen East: The recent pictures of 92219 by David Pesterfield See image [[70740]] reminded me of the last time I saw this loco when it was residing at Kirkby Stephen East in 2013. Amongst the many parts which appear to be missing (hopefully some are in secure storage) one of the larger items not present was a BR1G tender.

Kirkby Stephen East: A platelayers motorised trolley, nicely preserved at Kirkby Stephen East on 21st September 2013. At the time the trolley was stood on the east end of the eastbound platform. The wall to the right is a post railway era feature so that the station could become a workshop prior to the building returning to railway use.

Millerhill: View south from the B6415 bridge at Millerhill village over the course of the Waverley Route and the Glencorse branch (latterly serving Bilston Glen Colliery). Cutting across the trackbed is a new access route to a Borders Railway construction site.  The signal seems a bit redundant...  Taken at dusk on 21 September 2013. See image [[37199]]

Balshaw Lane Junction: DRS 47790 in Northern Belle livery leads on the ecs move from Preston to Crewe heading south at Balshaw Lane Junction after having completed a circular tour on 21 September 2014.

Rivesaltes: A Caravelle unit operated by Train du Pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes (TPCF) enters Rivesaltes Station in Roussillon, France. The “Trains Touristique” operate over the 60 km line between Rivesalte and Axat which is also used by freight. In summer the Caravelle unit is scheduled to operate to either Caudiès or St Paul where passengers transfer to a train of open and covered carriages hauled by a diesel locomotive to Axat to take full advantage of the splendid scenery of the Aude valley.

Caudies: Ex SNCF Picasso unit No 3944 (built 1955) is under restoration at Caudies de Fenouilledes station on the Train du Pays Cathare et du Fenouilledes (TPCF). The unusual arrangements of driving cab and engine position are shown to advantage. The wagons in the adjacent sidings are associated with the Imerys mineral processing plant and would access the national network at Rivesaltes.

Farington Junction: The Northern Belle railtour on the second circuit of a tour from Manchester via Bolton, Preston and Crewe passing Farington Junction on 21 September 2014. The leading locomotive is 57302 with 47790 on the rear.

Rivesaltes: 40 years of multiple unit development is illustrated at Rivesaltes station in September 2014. A 27500 class EMU built by Bombardier in 2005 departs with a Montpellier to Cerbère train whilst Caravelle DMU No 4545 of 1965 vintage waits to leave with the 10:00 TPCF service to St Paul de Fenouillet where passengers will continue their journey in locomotive hauled stock to Axat.

Trentham: The beautifully preserved station at Trentham, Victoria, in the spring sunshine on 21st September 2014.

King's Gate Junction: Sleepers being laid under the Edinburgh City Bypass at Sheriffhall on 21 September 2014.

St Paul de Fenouillet: Adjacent to the Train du Pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes (TPCF) at St Paul de Fenouillet is this working narrow gauge line which appears to be a simple double track oval in a garden setting. The photograph shows two trains of four wheeled open passenger coaches each hauled by what appears to be a pair of home built locomotives. It is possible that the train engines were in fact dummies whilst haulage was provided by the pilot locomotives. The impression was gained that the train was positioned to provide a run-past when the TPCF train passed by on the adjacent standard gauge track. Note how the breeze block wall has been painted to given the impression of the train running along a viaduct!

Newcraighall South Junction: Progress on the new bridge which will carry the link from Whitehill Road over the Borders Railway and into the new recycling plant being built on the west side of Millerhill yard. View is south west towards the site of the new Shawfair station on 21 September 2014.

Millerhill South Junction: The south end of Millerhill yard on Sunday 21 September 2014 looking north. The blue signs affixed to the fence read 'Barhale', the specialist organisation contracted to handle the civil engineering aspects of the new anaerobic digestion plant (pardon me) a type of food waste recycling facility being built on behalf of Edinburgh and Midlothian Councils. Access to the new plant will eventually be from Whitehill Road at the north end via a new bridge over the Borders Railway. The road on the right gives access to the south east sector of the yard where other work is taking place in preparation for future developments.

Harbury Tunnel: An up DMU heads South-East through Harbury cutting, between Leamington Spa and Fenny Compton in September 2014. I'm afraid those apples on the left will go to waste.

Fremantle WA: Transperth A-series EMU for Perth awaits departure time. From Perth Central this narrow gauge (3'6') train will become a service to Midland, to the east of the city. These were the first electric trains in Western Australia.

St Miquel de Fluvia: A stopping train for Barcelona leaves the wayside station at St Miquel de Fluvia passing through the long sandstone cutting. This station is just south of Figueres on the main line that comes down the Catalan coast from the Franco-Spanish border.

Midland WA: At the east end of the Transperth electrified system, an A Series EMU runs in to the terminus at Midland on 21st September 2015.

Mata: Mata was an intermediate station on the 750mm gauge line to Banyoles. Although the whole railway totalled 63km the extension from Girona to Banyoles was only open from 1928 to 1956. Happily, the small station at Mata has survived and a restored coach sits on a short length of track protected from the weather by a modern canopy.

Midland WA: Alongside the Transperth terminus at Midland, the Interstate standard gauge line passes necessitating mixed gauge tracks. This is the AvonLink unit, running from East Perth Terminal via Midland and Toodyay to Northam, a distance of 120kms. These tracks are also used by the Indian Pacific from Perth to Sydney via Adelaide, and numerous freight trains.

Midland WA: CBH (Co-operative Bulk Handling) locos CBH 007 Nanson and 008 Tenindewa run east past Midland with grain wagons, probably bound for the CBH facility at Merredin 'with the largest grain storage bin in the southern hemisphere'. The train is on the mixed gauge - in fact it is on the 3'6' track. The locos were built in Boise, Idaho. Some of the class also run on standard gauge tracks.

Peralada: Passing through the closed station of Peralada on 210915 is a RENFE Class 447 heading for Portbou. Spanish trains run on the right so this one is heading towards the camera. Prior to seeing them I had thought these 3-car suburban EMUs might be like a Scotrail Class 314 but they are big trains that take full advantage of the generous Iberian loading gauge.

Vilajuiga: An international freight passes the wayside station at Vilajuiga heading for the border at Port Bou behind RENFE electric loco 253-067. The wagons will be re-gauged at the border to continue on SNCF metals but the loco will return with a southbound freight.

Stow: A quarter of an hour earlier on Sunday 21st September 2016, the sun had been shining just south of Stow, but predictably had disappeared by the time 46100 Royal Scot came drifting downhill on the afternoon trip to Tweedbank. At least there was a decent trail of steam issuing from the safety valves on this occasion - I was out at the same spot the following Sunday for the last working of the 2016 season but it was even duller and there was no steam to boot!

Book: We at Kessock Books are excited to announce the pending publication of 'Highland Survivor - The Story of the Far North Line' written by David Spaven. The content and wide selection of previously unpublished photographs will be of great interest to railway enthusiasts in general but also to a far-reaching audience interested in one of Britain's most remarkable rail survivors. The book will be officially launched on 21 September. More information - note if placing a pre-order use the code HS10 for a 10% reduction.

Brocken: Doesn't look like Non-smoking to me! Harzer Schmalspurbahnen 99 7232-4 (built in the mid-1950s) heading down from the Brocken summit (1140 m above sea level) with one of the regular passenger services on this part of the 1000 mm gauge network in the Harz Mountains.

Brocken: Harzer Schmalspubahnen (HSB) locomotive 99 5901, built in 1897, is the oldest locomotive still in service on the HSB. Although it is no longer used for scheduled services, it still hauls specials, such as this one up to the Brocken Summit (1140 m above sea level) on the 1000 mm gauge HSB system.

East Kilbride: Two fine new murals at East Kilbride station. The choice of train indicates a certain artistic licence! Kiwi Pre-School Playgroup worked with artist Frank Carty of Artisan Artworks to produce these murals, supported by ScotRail.

Rannoch Viaduct: North of Rannoch Viaduct is the proposed location of a new timber loading point. A loading pad, without siding, will be built along with a road crossing the moor from the forest. The forest, which is on the north side of Loch Laidon, is out of shot off to the left. Loading will not be at the nearby station goods yard.

Liverpool Lime Street: 185142 finds itself at Liverpool Lime Street.

Morecambe South Junction: 37403 Isle of Mull accelerates away from the Lancaster stop and is seen approaching Morecambe South Junction with 2C47, the Preston to Barrow-in-Furness service on 21st September 2017.

Stirling: Relocated signal post from Stirling on display at National Museum of Scotland.

Lenzie: 158786, on a Glasgow Queen St to Alloa stopping service, calls at Lenzie on 21st September 2018.

Blackford Hill: Green transport in a leafy suburb; the expected freightliner train in September 2018 turned out to be a double light engine movement to Millerhill. The train is approaching Overbridge 13 Oswald Road; this is located opposite the entrance to Blackford Pond. The view from the other side of the bridge was obstructed by overhanging vegetation and so is not to be recommended for observing/photographing trains moving towards Haymarket/Slateford or Millerhill/Waverley.

Lenzie: An Alloa to Glasgow Queen Street Class 170 DMU service at Lenzie in September 2018.

Pitlochry: 170455 passes platform extension work at Pitlochry with a Glasgow - Inverness service on 21st September 2018. See image [[17991]] from ten years earlier when the civil engineers siding was still in place here.

Perth South Shed: The central part of 63A, Perth shed, still survives. This view looks north with the Post Office sorting centre on the right. View along No 1 road and its inspection pit. Note the two sections of exposed concrete, which mark the positions of the rails. A gym now occupies the middle section with a motorcycle workshop occupying the former MIC / Ambulance room over my left shoulder.

National Museum of Scotland: Station name totems on display in the National Museum of Scotland.

Lenzie: 365525 passing through Lenzie at speed with an Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen St service on 21st September 2018.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Some of the last demolition work in progress at the former Dundas Street entrance on 21st September. See image [[65577]] for an earlier view from the north. The remains are of the building nearest the low level line. Everything south of this has already gone.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Work to remove the 1970s station buildings at Dundas Street nears completion in September 2018. The roof over the connecting passageway to Buchanan Street Underground station has also gone.

Lenzie: 385005, on a driver training run from Glasgow Queen St to Linlithgow, passing through Lenzie on 21st September 2018.

Cambridge: Greater Anglia Bimode No.417 at Cambridge on 21st September 2019.

Wrexham Central: Looking south-east from Bradley Road bridge at the single platform terminus of Wrexham Central on 21 September 2019. Once upon a time there was a larger station and goods yard beyond this point and services continued through to Ellesmere. Much of the old railway land is now covered by a retail park, some of which is visible beyond the replacement station.

Wrexham General: The station forecourt at Wrexham General on 21 September 2019.

Abington: The 12.40 from Glasgow Central to Euston passes DBC 66165, in the up loop at Abington, on a Grangemouth to Daventry intermodal service on 21st September 2019.

Abington: GBRf 66736 'Wolverhampton Wanderers' passes Abington loops with the North Blyth - Fort William Alcan tanks, diverted via Hexham because of engineering work in Northumberland on 21st September 2019.

Wrexham General: 150237 calls at Wrexham General whilst working a service from Bidston to Wrexham Central on 21 September 2019. The main Chester to Shrewsbury platforms are to the right.

Glengonnar: A passenger train at Glengonnar Halt, hauled by a 4wDM, on 21st September 2019.

Wrexham Central: 'it is a station building Jim but not as we know it' What looks like a rather unusual building that is more like a shop front, is actually the empty and not in use Wrexham Central. Perhaps it was built to blend in with the shopping centre around it but I can't work out if it has actually seen any use. The single line from Wrexham General terminates immediately behind the structure.

Penyffordd: A Wrexham Central to Bidston service departs from Penyffordd on 21 September 2019. Although the station facilities are basic, there is still a signalbox here, with Dee Marsh Jct SB to the north and Croes Newydd North Fork SB to the south.

Wrexham General: TfW 175112 departs from Wrexham General with the 1235 hrs service to Cardiff Central. This had started in Holyhead some 2 hours earlier and was scheduled to take around a further 2 hours 45 minutes to get to Cardiff.

Glengonnar: Heading for the hills, or at least Leadhills. Seen from above Glengonnar Halt a train heads away from the cutting on 21st September 2019.

Moniaive: Seventy years after the last (goods) train called, the station building at Moniaive continues to crumble away. There is now a fence to protect the public from the ruin, or vice versa.. . 21st September 2019.

Cardross: It's that time again - the 'Leaf Train' is back. Was it always so early in the year?

Penyffordd: A TfW Class 150/2 on a Bidston to Wrexham Central service approaches Penyffordd station on 21st September 2019.

Kirkham and Wesham: Black Jubilee 'Leander' hauled the 'Blackpool Pennine Express' from Carnforth on 21st September 2019, running via Hellifield, Clitheroe and Blackburn. 45690 is seen at Kirkham & Wesham on the last part of the steam leg. The train returned to Euston from Blackpool North behind 86259 'Les Ross'.

Kirkham and Wesham: Northern CAF EMU 331011 runs non-stop through the new platform 3 at Kirkham heading from Blackpool to Preston on driver training duties on 21st September 2019. The unit was hot on the heels of another 331 that had just called at Kirkham on a Lime Street service.

Abington: An Azuma forms the 06.08 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh, diverted via Hexham because of engineering work in Northumberland. Seen passing Abington loops on 21st September 2019.

Wrexham Central: The end of the line, or at least it is now, at Wrexham Central. Once there was a through station with the track continuing south to Ellesmere. Today most of the former railway land is a retail park with just a short platform and a single track to Wrexham General. On 21 September 2019 150245 arrives at the replacement station with a service from Bidston.

Charlestown Buffer: The bufferstops at Charlestown looking the worse for wear, but not as a result of contact by a train! It was not clear if this was through vandalism or simply corrosion although it looks more like the former. Given the lack of any maintenance for decades and ongoing corrosion it is perhaps surprising they lasted intact for so long.

Balshaw Lane Junction: LSLs 90002 resplendent in Inter City Swallow livery, on the 5Z90 Crewe to Preston test run with DVT 82139 on the rear of four Mark 3 coaches, takes the Down Slow line at Balshaw Lane Jct on 21 September 2020.

Balshaw Lane Junction: On the rear of the 5Z90 from Crewe to Preston at Balshaw Lane Jct is DVT 82139 in Inter City Swallow livery. This was the outward test run with 90002 leading. The return trip was unfortunately not so successful with the DVT leading, ending up around an hour late back in Crewe.

Charlestown Limekilns: A view of the Charlestown Limekilns from across the harbour. The 1894 NBR line ran in front of the kilns where the grassy strip now is to the second Charlestown station (1894-1926) which was off to the right.

Balshaw Lane Junction: Its that time of year again. Network Rail MPV DR 98901, out on RHTT duties water jetting around the north west, approaches Balshaw Lane Junction on 21 September 2020.

Cockenzie Harbour: In the absence of the planned audience, National Transport Trust vice-president John Cameron unveiled the Red Wheel at Cockenzie on 21 September 2020. He is seen here with '1722 Waggonway Heritage Group' chair Ed Bethune in front of the new plaque and a replica wagon.

Portavadie: View of the wheelhouse of the venerable 'MV Isle of Cumbrae' (forty four years service and climbing) as it approaches Portavadie, after yet another crossing from Tarbert to the Cowal peninsula, on 21st September 2021.

Holy Loch: There are various piers and quays around the west coast where timber is loaded onto ships for transfer to Troon. This is Holy Loch where, alongside the marina on 21st September 2021, the vessel 'CEG Universe' was being loaded from this stack of cut timber. (See news item on 161021)

Blackpool North: Elevated view of Blackpool North, from the nearby car park, in September 2022. The vast majority of Northern services here are in the hands of CAF EMUs and DMUs now. Avanti also run four trains a day to Blackpool.

Ashton Basin [LC]: Looking towards Preston city centre along the Lancaster Canal at Ashton Basin, accessed under the towpath bridge seen here, in September 2022. The canal now finishes at the trees in the middle distance. Beyond that was the long-demolished embankment over Aqueduct St, which was removed in the 1960s after the final mile into the Preston wharves was drained. The lowest numbered bridge on the Lancaster Canal is now No.11

Farington Junction: 86101 leads the Inter City railtours 'The Ayr Liner' on the approach to Farington Junction, 21 September 2022. The 86 worked from Crewe to Carlisle where a pair of Class 20s were to take over for the run to Stranraer via Ayr.

Blackpool North: Most of Blackpool North station is out of shot to the right of this elevated view in September 2022. Of interest however, just visible behind the hoarding, is the under-construction underpass that will lead directly to the new tram terminus on the other side of the new building.

Blackpool North [Tram]: The new tram terminus for Blackpool North station is taking shape. An underpass beneath this building will directly link passengers to the railway station. Considering the work still going on it seems odd that the tracks have been completed, wired and tested at night with a Flexity tram. This was the scene, viewed from Talbot Road, on 21st September 2022.

Barton and Broughton: 66603 heads south at Barton and Broughton on 21st September 2022, hauling the daily empties from Hardendale. On this occasion the train was going to Tunstead. This former four track stretch of railway was reduced to two running lines prior to the 1972 electrification but the Down Passenger Loop can be seen here.

Ribble Steam Railway Workshops: Well it won't turn a Duchess, but the new turntable being installed by the Ribble Steam Railway should accommodate the Sentinels and saddle tanks in the fleet and even out any flange wear problems. Seen here in September 2022, awaiting connecting trackwork.

Blackpool North [Tram]: Talbot Road in Blackpool is now fully open to road traffic following completion of the tram works for the Blackpool North extension. Test trams have run along here at night but, until the terminus (just behind the camera) is completed, public transport on Talbot Road will remain with the local buses. There was an earlier tram line along here, running out to Layton, but that closed in the 1960s.