Workington Shed: Fowler 4F no 44390 is one of a number of locomotives standing in the shed yard at Workington on Saturday 22 September 1962.

Carlisle: Fowler 2-6-4T no 42357 stands on the centre road at Carlisle with Royal Mail stock on 22 September 1962.

Workington Shed: 43006 and 44439 are amongst the locomotives on 12D Workington shed in September 1962. Closed to steam in 1968 the 12-road shed was later used as a diesel depot (WK) and finally as a wagon repair shop, before being abandoned in 1995. In 2006 the old shed was purchased by the Great Central Railway, Loughborough, to where it was later moved in sections.

Workington: Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 no 45083 arrives at Workington in September 1962 with the 3.25pm Carlisle - Whitehaven train.

Workington Shed: LMS Jinty 0-6-0T 47593 stands amongst the weekend guests on Workington shed on Saturday 22 September 1962. A long term resident of 12D, the locomotive was officially withdrawn by BR that same month.

Workington Shed: A siding containing withdrawn steam locomotives alongside Workington shed in September 1962. Fowler 3F 0-6-0s 47290 and 47593 are amongst the former residents awaiting disposal.

Workington Shed: Fowler 3F 0-6-0s 47290 and 47593 stand together out of use in the shed yard at Workington in September 1962.

Carlisle: BR Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73100 has arrived at Carlisle platform 4 with the 8.40am from Glasgow St Enoch on 22 September 1962. Built at Doncaster works in 1955, the locomotive seems to have spent its relatively short life allocated to 67A Corkerhill shed, from where it was eventually withdrawn by BR in January 1967.

Bournemouth: 34015 'Exmouth' has just arrived on the turntable at Bournemouth Shed on 22 September 1966, having brought in a train from the Weymouth direction. There was plenty of activity in the shed, even though the end of Southern Region steam was less than a year away.

Eastleigh: Eastleigh station on 22 September 1966 and Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T No 41299 is heading the 5.20pm train to Portsmouth & Southsea. This was one of the very few steam hauled local trains at this time (most were formed by 'Thumper' DEMUs), and Eastleigh shed produced whatever was available on the day for the turn e.g, Standard 4MT 2-6-4 tanks as well as the smaller Ivatts. See image [[81141]] for a present day view from the same location.

Stratford Shed: Early diesel casualties from the BR Modernisation Plan. Condemned BTH and NBL 800 bhp type 1 locomotives, with D8243 at the head of the line. Photographed looking along one of the numerous sidings between some of the many outbuildings making up part of the massive sprawl that was Stratford in 1968.

Stratford Shed: Locomotive fuelling point at Stratford shed in September 1968. EE Type 3 no D6967 is centre stage with Brush Type 2 no D5632 bringing up the rear. Brush Type 4 no D1530 is ambling past in the background.

Stratford Shed: D1555+D6748 standing in the shed yard at Stratford in September 1968.

Kirkcudbright: Looking north east across Bridge Street, Kirkcudbright, on 22 September 1970. By this time the former terminus had been closed for over 5 years, although the station 'Gents' on the right remained in public service. In the distance are the abandoned locomotive shed and signal box, while the wall of the old goods shed stands on the left. Not long afterwards much of the area was cleared to make way for a housing development, although the station buildings themselves survive in other guises... even the Gents! See image [[25445]]

Bilston Glen Colliery: The west side of Bilston Glen colliery in September 1971, with coal for Cockenzie power station being loaded in the background. The duty shunting locomotive is Barclay Class 06 0-4-0 DM D2416 of Leith Central depot. See image [[5709]]

Bilston Glen Colliery: D2416 of 64H, Leith Central, positioning a coal train destined for Cockenzie power station in the loading area at Bilston Glen Colliery, Loanhead, in September 1971.

Stainforth Junction: 1557 approaches Stainforth Junction off the Doncaster line with a down coal train in September 1971. In the background a class 37 is held at signals on the line from Skellow Junction awaiting its turn.

Portobello East Junction: View west in 1972 over the area once occupied by a section of the extensive Portobello yard. A class 37 is approaching with a Granton - Grangemouth oil train on the main line while a type 2 is waiting for container loading to be completed in the Freightliner terminal. Part of the area to the left and rear of the camera is also in use as a PW depot.

Barrow Hill Shed: Scene inside the roundhouse at Barrow Hill during an open day on 22 September 1974.

Barrow Hill Shed: 4472 Flying Scotsman on display at a Barrow Hill open day on 22 September 1974.

St Albans Abbey: The Watford Junction - St Albans Abbey line was about as basic as a line could get in the late 1970s. Shown is the St Albans terminus where the passenger facilities were really no more than a decaying brick wind break illuminated by a single light bulb. This photo was taken in September 1979 in the full expectation that the line could not survive much longer. Happily though, the Abbey Flyer still runs, thanks to a determined local support group.

Dundee: Scene at Dundee in September 1980 as a class 47 arrives with a Glasgow - Aberdeen train past Dundee West signal box.

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: Lady Victoria - clearance work in 1983.

Edinburgh Waverley: About to board a southbound InterCity 125 HST at Waverley on a particularly foggy day in September 1986. Between the power car and the loaded Royal Mail 'BRUTES' (BR Universal Trolley Equipment) on the platform, the outline of a class 47 can just be made out approaching through the fog from the Calton Tunnel.

Portimao: Algarve branch goods being unloaded at Portimao, Portugal on 22 September 1989. Loco is 1211.

Dingwall: An unidentified class 37 passes a class 156 DMU at Dingwall on 22 September 1993.

Knottingley: Class 56 No. 56078 runs light engine westwards through Knottingley, heading from the depot that lies immediately to the east of the station. In the background a Pacer that had arrived on a terminating service from Leeds via Castleford waits to drop back into the platform for the return trip. 56078 was taken out of service in May 2007 but after a long period of storage was returned to the main line with Colas in 2014 hauling Chirk bound log trains.

Knottingley: A young Class 60, 60009 Carnedd Dafydd, runs light engine through Knottingley station from the west. This particular 60 is presently (Jan 2011) in store at Toton but is one of those that has been in and out of store during the last two years and may well run again.

Bewdley: Ex-GWR Castle class 4-6-0 no 5029 Nunney Castle, stands in the sunshine at Bewdley in September 1997.

Highley: 7819 Hinton Manor, looking in need of some TLC, lurks behind the signal box at Highley in September 1997.

Glencorse: In 1877 the EL&R was extended 2 miles beyond Roslin to reach a new passenger terminus at Glencorse (Glencross for the first 5 months) with lines running beyond to serve local coal mining and a gasworks. The station closed in 1930 and the line back to Roslin in 1959. Few signs of the railway remain, with most of the site, including the goods yard, subsequently landscaped, while the north end is now occupied by this secure MoD car park serving the adjacent Glencorse Barracks. A short section of platform survives beyond the verge on the left ([[32792]]) while the old goods crane pivot still stands to the south ([[32804]]).

Kinleith Mill: Part of the closed Kinleith paper mill (1792-1966) seen from the trackbed of the Balerno branch in September 2002. Following closure some of the redundant buildings were taken over by small businesses but latterly the site has been redeveloped for housing. See [[55077]]. [Ref query 2311]

Glencorse: Immediately after leaving Glencorse station the line entered a tunnel under the A701 road before emerging onto the approach to the now demolished Glencorse Viaduct. The north portal of the old tunnel is seen here in September 2002 looking south, with the local primary school playground beyond the wire fence and the A701 running beyond the bridge parapet on the right. See image [[33007]]

Broomhill: Ivatt 2MT no 46512 south of Broomhill on the Strathspey Railway on 22 September 2002.

Kinleith Mill: Some of the surviving buildings that once formed part of the rail served Kinleith paper mill (closed 1966) standing alongside the Water of Leith near Currie on the Balerno branch in September 2002. The location had by this time become known as 'Kinleith Industrial Estate'. See image [[55024]]

Lambley Viaduct: Looking up at Lambley viaduct on the former Alston branch in September 2003. Seen from the footbridge over the South Tyne.

Alston: Looking north west over Alston station from the A686 Station Road in September 2003.

Alston: The terminus at Alston in September 2003 photographed from the level crossing.

Coanwood: Platform remains at Coanwood in September 2003 looking south towards Lambley Viaduct. Opened in 1851 as Shaft Hill, the station closed along with the branch in 1976. The former station master's house still stands off to the right see image [[47662]].

Haydon Bridge: Coal empties heading east towards Newcastle about to run over the level crossing at Haydon Bridge in fading light on a September evening in 2003.

Haydon Bridge: The level crossing at Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, in September 2003. At this time the crossing gates were still manually operated using a wheel within the signal box. [The gates have since been replaced by modern lifting barriers.]

Lambley: Looking south towards Lambley station on the Alston branch from Lambley viaduct in September 2003. The trackbed running off to the right once carried a mineral line to Brampton, serving various coal mines along the way, originally part of the Earl of Carlisle's Wagonway.

Lambley Viaduct: Lambley Viaduct from the banks of the South Tyne in September 2003. View is south east in the general direction of Alston.

Coanwood: Middle of nowhere - surviving buffer stops in the woods near Coanwood on the Alston branch in September 2003, thought to have been associated with the long closed rail connection from the nearby Coanwood Colliery.

Mallaig: Class K1 62005 prepares to take The Jacobite out of Mallaig in September 2004 following arrival of a service from Glasgow Queen Street.

Currie [2nd]: The old goods yard at Currie, looking south from the station site in September 2004. The station had closed to passengers in 1943 with the Balerno line closing completely in 1967. The large surviving goods shed had been refurbished and put to use as a storage facility by the local council.

Dumfries: Glasgow - Carlisle train at Dumfries in September 2006.

Dock Street Tunnel: A southbound HST approaching Dundee station in September 2006 is about to descend the incline into Dock Street Tunnel.

Dock Street Tunnel: Northbound 170 climbs the incline from the Dock Street Tunnel.

Camperdown Junction: Preparations are apparently being made for track renewal at the Camperdown LC.

Sighthill West Junction: A Glasgow QS - Cumbernauld service approaches Sighthill West Junction over the Cowlairs Chord. The Cowlairs Carriage Sidings (beyond) building is to be demolished for the new Maintenance site and the Turkey sidings site (lifted, in V of junction) will become the Glasgow Central Signalling Centre.

Cadder Yard: View looking east at Cadder Yard. Is that a new DRS depot to the right?

Carmuirs West Junction: Poor timing ... but here is the new Tesco train running east to Grangemouth.

Larbert Junction: Larbert Junction alterations going ahead. The new trackwork is laid out in the field to the east of the junction. View looks south east.

Larbert Junction: Larbert Junction alterations going ahead. The new trackwork is laid out in the field to the east of the junction. View looks north east.

Bishopbriggs Oil Depot: An eastbound train passes the former Bishopbriggs oil terminal (right) and is about to enter Cadder Yard.

Lamington: Weak autumn sunshine illuminates the Clyde Valley at Lamington in September 2006 as EWS 66219 approaches the viaduct southbound with a coal train from Ravenstruther.

Dumfries: A Scotrail Class 156 arrives at Dumfries whilst on a Glasgow to Carlisle service on 22 September 2006.

Dumfries: Dumfries SB - September 2006.

Lamington: The 12.37 special Glasgow Central - London Euston Virgin Pendolino during its record breaking non-stop run of 3 hours 55 minutes on 22 September 2006. The special is seen here approaching Lamington Viaduct.

Lamington Viaduct: View west along the River Clyde at Lamington on a September morning in 2006 as an EWS class 66 crosses the viaduct southbound at the head of a coal train. The train, which originated from Ravenstruther coal loading terminal, approximately 9 miles north west of here, is destined for Fiddlers Ferry power station on the outskirts of Warrington.

Dumfries: Merseyrail class 142 on its way home heads south through Dumfries in September 2006 after a works visit.

Windermere: 175113 waits to depart from Windermere on 22 September 2006 with a service to Oxenholme.

Beauly: The old Beauly station buildings seen from a train on 22 September. Looking towards Inverness.

Inverness: 170404 has just arrived with a service from Aberdeen.

Weatherhill Incline: View looking south down the Weatherhill Incline. Some stone sleepers remain here.

Elgin: Dr Fred Landery, SRPS Train Manager, with Ian Gilbert, a seasoned life member, talking along the right lines on the return leg of the autumn railtour to Inverness during a scheduled stop at Elgin. Scottish Railway Preservation Sociery (SRPS)

Inverness: Refurbished 158701 arrives at Inverness Platform 6 with an Invernet service.

Alness: Interior of smartly refurbished DMU 158701.

Inverness: A class 40 has finally reached Inverness station after many years (although this loco passed through the city on the Rose Street Curve earlier in June 2007). 40145 East Lancashire Railway powers off. The 22 September SRPS railtour 9 carriage train with supporting 47787 has arrived in the Highland Capital 25 minutes early.

Inverness: 40145 East Lancashire Railway sits in Platform 1 at Inverness, with the former Lochgorm Locomotive Works of the Highland Railway on the right.

Ladybank: 1Z40 The SRPS Autumn Circular railtour from Linlithgow and back via Inverness and Aberdeen reaches Ladybank on the outward leg hauled by 40145 on 22.09.07. This was the only time that I had been aboard a passenger train that did not stop as it passed through Perth station!

Inverness: SRPS tour 22nd September, 2007. Locomotive 40145 has run round 1Z40 at Millburn Yard and is ready to depart platform 1 at Inverness for the return to Aberdeen & Linlithgow as 1Z42. This movement was complicated because the rear engine 47.787 had to be similarly dealt with.

River Stour Viaduct: This photograph shows the remains of the East Kent Light Railway's viaduct over the SER and River Stour en route to Richborough Port. The East Kent Light Railway arrived just at the end of WW1 as the port lost its significance, so it was little used.

Winsford: First ScotRail liveried 90024 stands at signals south of Winsford Station

Plates, signs, notices etc: Fares chart issued by the Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway in April 1846.

Brymbo: Infilled former route of Mold to Wrexham line which curved round to centre right heading into Brymbo, viewed from B5102 Minera Road over-bridge to west of Brymbo. A deep, heavily overgrown, cutting still exists on Mold side of bridge.

Steventon: A westbound HST approaches the site of Steventon station on 22 September 2011. In the background is the bridge carrying the A34 road over the railway and one of the cooling towers at Didcot Power station. While the former is still very much present the same can not be said for the cooling tower. Another feature that has changed in the last 10 years is the electrification of the GWML and this view is now a forest of F+F OHL infrastructure.

Oxford: 165101 heading south from Oxford on 22 September 2011. The station is immediately behind the camera.

Deepdale Junction: A rather depressing Then and Now comparison picture of the level crossing at Deepdale Junction, in September 2011, looking towards Longridge along what is still officially a mothballed rather than closed railway but one most unlikely to see further use. See image [[20964]] for the same location in happier times some thirty years previously.

Deepdale Junction: Deepdale Mill Street level crossing, disused since the last coal train ran in 1994, looking north east towards Deepdale Junction and Longridge. Behind the camera is the site of the Preston Coal Concentration Depot, which was in the original Preston and Longridge Railway Deepdale Street terminus. The right hand track is in place all the way to the junction but the all pervading high security fencing was installed after the line closed.

Deepdale Junction: Nearly twenty years after the final coal train, one of the rails on the surviving track at Deepdale Junction can be seen in this September 2011 view from the Skeffington Road level crossing looking towards Preston. Just ahead the line splits going either side of the building in the centre of the picture. The left hand line ran over Deepdale Mill Street level crossing and into the old Preston and Longridge terminus, later the Coal Concentration Depot, while the line to the right ran through Deepdale Station, the Miley Tunnel and joined the WCML to the north of Preston station. See image [[35771]]

Deepdale Junction: The now disused level crossing at Deepdale Mill Street in Preston looking north west. The lines in the foreground originally went to the terminus of the Preston and Longridge Railway that later became a goods yard and then the Coal Concentration Depot. Just beyond the bend in the road a bridge can be seen. This crosses the mothballed link line that runs from Deepdale Junction to the WCML just north of Preston station.

Causeway Level Crossing [GWR]: The gate box at Causeway LC on the GWML near Steventon between Didcot and Swindon in September 2011. I gather that the box also oversaw Stocks Lane LC some 300 yards to the east (right).

Oxford: Freightliner 66558 heads south through Oxford station with a container train for Southampton on 22 September 2011.

Oxford: A northbound CrossCountry Voyager calls at Oxford on 22 September 2011, just as First Great Western 166205 sets off in the opposite direction with a service for Paddington.

Steventon: A First Great Western HST heads for Paddington at speed on 22 September. The train is pssing the site of Steventon station (closed 1964) to the west of Didcot.

Plockton: Plockton Station in September 2011. The station building is now used as a holiday home.

Oxford: Busy period at Oxford on 22 September 2011. On the left is an Arriva Cross Country service heading for Manchester and on the right the driver of a First Great Western HST looks back along his train which will shortly depart for Paddington. In the middle is DBS 66001 waiting to follow in the path of the HST towards Didcot.

Plockton: What looks like the former Plockton signal box, is in fact a bunkhouse. Seen here on 22 September looking south across the line from Station Road.

Arley: This colourful scene is just how we like to imagine steam-era railways. View at Arley station looking north towards Bridgnorth in September 2012.

Dalgety Bay: DRS 47828 approaching Dalgety Bay on 22 September 2012 with the 'Northern Belle' empty stock working from Dundee to Edinburgh.

Broomhill: Saturday, September 22nd 2012, turned out to be a bright Autumn day and the sun is shining on Caledonian Railway 0-6-0 No. 828 as it heads from Broomhill towards Boat of Garten with the afternoon train for Aviemore. The engine is spotless and the paintwork gleaming, a credit to all the volunteers who work the Strathspey Railway. In the background the River Spey meanders its way to the Moray Coast.

Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: 47790 leads the 'Northern Belle' excursion from Birmingham New Street to Leuchars over Jamestown Viaduct on 22 September 2012, with no 47828 bringing up the rear.

Arley: That classic over-the-bridge view beloved of small boys - so long as they can see over the parapet! Steam-hauled trains crossing at Arley during the Severn Valley Gala - which attracted passengers of all ages and both sexes in a rather pleasant party atmosphere.

Bridgnorth: A view of Bridgnorth shed from the footbridge during an Autumn Steam Gala in 2012.

Kittling Hill Quary: The trackbed of Brand's railway, Bamburgh, in September 2012. The 3 ft gauge railway ran from Kittling Hill whinstone quarry to Budle Pier. View south east with the track bed curling around to Kittling Hill. The fairway for the par 5 third hole is 10m to the right. Club house in the left distance with Bamburgh Castle seated on the massive whinstone outcrop on the right. The railway, which utilised steam locomotive haulage, closed during WW1.

Kidderminster: London Midland unit 172340 operates the 17.58 service to Worcester Shrub Hill at Kidderminster on 22nd September 2012. More pasengers than usual due to the Severn Valley Railway Steam Gala next door. This year, the SVR offered excellent value Evening Rover tickets at £9.50 a head.

Ardmore Level Crossing: A Helensburgh Central - Edinburgh Waverley service approaches Ardmore East level crossing in the afternoon sunshine on 22 September 2012.

Kittling Hill Quary: Taken from the embankment of the old 3ft gauge railway from Kittling Hill whinstone quarry to Budle pier, Bamburgh. Trackbed in foreground, with the remains of Budle pier in the middle distance. A zig - zag existed between the embankment level and pier level to allow locomotives and trucks access. The zig - zag is now largely obscured by dunes and vegetation. Small coasting steamers would enter Budle bay to load stone at the pier. See image [[40434]]

Hampton Loade: A welcome in the Valley - this roaring fire greeted visitors to Hampton Loade booking office during the SVR Autumn Gala on 22nd September. The effect was slightly diluted by the door being open. The display of posters on the walls is very nice, but there were probably quite a few less in BR days!

Craigendoran Junction: During the early evening of 22 September 2012, a train bound for Helensburgh Central slows for the stop at Craigendoran, shortly after passing the junction with the West Highland Line.

Arley: Drummond Greyhound 4-4-0 30120 together with Collett 0-6-0PT 3650 ready to leave Arley for Bridgnorth during the SVR 2012 Autumn Gala. Notice the still conditions, evidenced by the vertically rising smoke.

Hampton Loade: These are the traffic levels Beeching warned us about... a solitary passenger awaits developments on the Kidderminster-bound platform at the SVR Autumn Gala in September 2012.

Ardmore Level Crossing: 334036 skirts the Clyde at Ardmore as it heads east towards Glasgow on 22 September 2012. Although the photo features the north bank of the river in the foreground, the hills in the background are on the south shore above Langbank.

Ardmore Level Crossing: Looking west from Ardmore East level crossing on 22 September 2012 as 334016 heads towards Craigendoran and ultimately Helensburgh Central.

Hampton Loade: About to leave Hampton Loade at dusk on 22 September, a double-headed service for Bridgnorth further darkens the sky.

Kidderminster: Looking South at Kidderminster on a Saturday evening in September 2012. The class 172, the station footbridge and the colour light signals are all quite new. The chap on the right still doesn't seem too impressed.

Lumphinnans Central Junction: 170470 passes the former Lumphinnans Central Junction with the 13.30 Glenrothes with Thornton- Edinburgh service on 22 September.

Rannoch Viaduct: After a stop at Rannoch Station on 22 September, K4 No.61994 The Great Marquess hauls the heavily laden West Highlander Railtour over the viaduct north of the station. The rails are wet and the engine's sanders are working as it blasts its way up the gradient.

Rannoch Viaduct: The rails are wet and the sanders are working as K4 No.61994 The Great Marquess gets to grips with the gradient north of Rannoch Station hauling the heavily laden West Highlander Railtour on 22 September. In the background is Loch Eigheach or Gaur Reservoir and in the far distance on the extreme left is the summit of Schiehallion.

Forton: Day 4 of 4 and The Great Marquess is taking the 2014 West Highlander back to Preston after its Scottish tour. 61994 is seen passing under Cleveley Bank Lane bridge at Forton with the seven coach special.

Oxheys: Almost the end of the tour on the fourth and final day of The West Highlander, as 61994 The Great Marquess brings the train past Oxheys Loop about 2 miles north of Preston station on 22 September 2014. This part of the tour had taken the less direct route from Glasgow by travelling via Paisley, Ayr and Dumfries.

Brock: 61994 The Great Marquess being towed back to Carnforth from Preston along with the ecs from The West Highlander tour in fading light on 22 September 2014. At the front were Class 37s 518 and 668 as the train passes just north of Brock.

Falkland Yard: Class K4 2-6-0 The Great Marquess takes on water in Falkland Yard, Ayr, on 22 September 2014 during a pause on The West Highlander charter tour.

Rosyth: West Coast 37516 Loch Laidon and 37685 Loch Arkaig with The Royal Scotsman from Edinburgh to Ardgay, passing through Rosyth station on 22 September.

Mount Florida: Something exotic at Mount Florida. The station has been adopted by Urban Roots.

Easter Road: I was approaching the bus stop, as was my bus, when I heard a rumble from the Powderhall branch below. I managed to catch both, in a manner of speaking. 67 010 retuns with the empties in mid-afternoon. Though the platforms of Easter Road in the foreground are still there they are completely overgrown.

Colera: A RENFE Class 447 EMU runs through Costa Bravan countryside as it approaches the penultimate station of Colera with a stopping train to the border town of Portbou.

Newtongrange: The zig-zag path from the station to National Mining Museum is dotted with information boards about the history of mining in the area. This one though celebrates the predecessor to the shiny new station. It once had standard canopied buildings on both platforms, but lost them some time before that became fashionable, remaining staffed as a halt in all but name. See image [[24342]]

Colera: Catalonian coastal scenery at Colera, a little way south of Port Bou and the French border, as seen in September 2015. The platforms of the little halt can just be seen and then the line curves left to cross the impressive viaduct, seen in image [[52970]].

Portbou: Although Portbou only has a population of arond 1300 it is the change of gauge border point where the SNCF meets the RENFE and the station buildings are huge. A Class 447 EMU, waiting to return towards Barcelona, is dwarfed by the trainshed. The busy freight yards can be seen beyond the platforms.

Cerbere [France]: Preserved Spanish fruit wagon standing on a short length of mixed gauge track underneath the viaduct at Cerbere. Unfortunately, despite being accompanied by a statue of an orange seller and two information plaques the wagon itself is in a seriously deteriorating condition and in need of a bit of tlc.

Portbou: French locomotive on Spanish soil. SNCF Electric 7404 has just arrived in Portbou using the standard gauge tracks from Cerbere that terminate on the seaward side of the station building. Arriving passengers will transfer to a RENFE train to continue south. See image [[52285]] With TGV services now running through to major Spanish cities these regional services are less well used. As can be seen on the right there is a notable police presence at this border town station.

Cerbere [France]: View south from the long platforms at Cerbere towards the 1km tunnels that lead to Portbou in Spain. The RENFE shunter 311.131 will have worked a transfer freight through. The white building near the top of the hill is the old Franco-Spanish border post, now disused, on the 7km zig-zag road between the two towns.

Colera: Two RENFE Class 269 electric locos double head a freight along the coast at Colera in Catalonia. This southbound freight was an unexpected bonus as I had just photographed a northbound passenger service see image [[52692]] when it rumbled into view. The landscape of this part of the Costa Brava has some definite similarities to the west coast of Scotland.

George: The Oouteniqua Power Car Powers its way uphill on the Garden Route from George in the Western Cape, South Africa. See the map at www.sa-transport.co.za

Tickets and labels: A 3rd class Elham Valley Military Railway ticket from Canterbury south (Elham Valley Military Railway) to Canterbury West (Southern Railway) and back.

Garsdale: Welcome to Garsdale Station. Trains to Settle and Beyond.

Drei Annen Hohne: Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB) locomotive 99 7239-9, built in the mid 1950's, running around its train at Drei Annen Hohne station prior to hauling the seven carriage set back up the 1000 mm track to the Brocken Summit (1140 m above sea level). All the services on the Brocken section of the HSB are steam-hauled, mainly by the 99 72xx series locomotives.

Cowley Bridge Junction: 133 Peak on a stone train at Cowley Bridge Junction.

Wrexham Central: Guard's Way Bill, issued by the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway on August 29th 1893. The document covers the transfer of Horse-Box CLC415 (and presumably the horse) from Wrexham Central to Altrincham at a cost of 14/- (or 70p in today's currency).

Dalgety Bay: 68007 pauses at Dalgety Bay with the 06.37 from Edinburgh to Glenrothes with Thornton, which will return to the capital laden with commuters.

Plymouth: BLP Plaque at Plymouth. The Plymouth, Bere Alston and Gunnislake Railway, known as 'The Tamar Valley Line' is twinned with the Norwich to Cromer and Sheringham Railway, known as 'The Bittern Line' in Norfolk. Plaque dated September 2008.

Cupar: Cupar Heritage railway display. The museum created in 2012 by Cupar Heritage in the former stationmaster's house at Cupar Station is open at weekends and on Wednesday afternoons.

Sleaford East Junction: Sleaford East block bells.

Dunbar: SB Rail Tamper 73904 ‘Thomas Telford’’ seen from a passing VT East Coast service.

Newcastle Central: Interior of the VTEC 1st class lounge at Newcastle - Captain Kirk and and his officers from the USS Enterprise would doubtless approve of the design should they choose to beam down to these coordinates.

Carnforth: Framed by the old shed access footbridge, WCRC 57601 slowly propels a rake of MkII stock towards the Carnforth Down Goods Loops prior to departing for Norwich with an ECS working on 22nd September 2017. The signal box is Carnforth Station Junction and the lines in the immediate foreground are for Settle Junction via Wennington.

Motherwell: 1st class Coach L of a refurbished VTEC Intercity 225 set, complete with purple LED lighting. The unadvertised feature of some seats failing to recline on demand seems to have been retained.

Hunts Cross: Two Merseyrail EMUs leave Hunts Cross heading for Southport on 22nd September 2018. The link between the 3rd rail line from Liverpool Central and the Warrington Central to Lime St lines can be seen. This allows EMUs to run into Platform 2 in an emergency but normal timetabled services all use bay platform 3.

Hunts Cross: The old station building at Hunts Cross, seen from the platforms below in September 2018. The replacement building can be seen alongside. A cafe now occupies the street level part of the old building.

Cardross: 73141 on the rear of GBRF's tour returning from Fort William.

Widnes: I searched in vain for the blue plaques at Widnes station that commemorated Paul Simon being inspired to write the lyrics of 'Homeward Bound' here. Apparently they have been stolen more than once and the (brass) replacement is now inside the booking hall, but that is closed and locked on a Saturday afternoon. The Cheshire Lines station building is Grade II listed. 22nd September 2018.

Widnes: From opening in 1873 through to 1959, the present Widnes station was known as Farnworth (Widnes) after the village, which is now a suburb of the town. It then became Widnes North for ten years and then just plain Widnes in 1969 when Widnes Central closed. This running in board, embedded in the banking of the forecourt turning circle, is a reminder of those early days.

Coatbridge Central: 67006 Royal Sovereign runs through Coatbridge Central on a Mossend to Bo'ness Jct Exchange Sidings light engine movement.

Broomhill: Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 46512 runs round at Broomhill loop before drawing the train into the station, which can just be seen in the background. 22nd September 2018.

Quainton Road: This crossing keeper's cottage, photographed in September 2018, is a little way North of Quainton Road Junction see image [[66132]]. The lean-to roof on the left was apparently added for privacy of the occupants from nosey rail passengers!

Verney Junction: The station master's house is visible behind the greenery and the island platform at Verney Junction in September 2018. The ticket office also survives as a house. [Ref query 30 September 2018]

Stirling: The installation of overhead wiring is sufficiently advanced at Stirling on 22nd September 2018 to suggest that the sight of a trio of Turbostars is likely to become much rarer in future. All three units on the Alloa and Dunblane services in this view are likely to be operated by EMUs in the next year.

Hunts Cross: Two Merseyrail Class 507s roll into Platform 3 at Hunts Cross with a service from Southport on 22nd September 2018. Like their Scottish Class 314 counterparts, these old units are now coming towards the end of their service.

Coatbridge Central: 56113 leading the GBRF Charity Tour through Coatbridge Central on the Fort William to Inverkeithing leg running 20 mins late.

Widnes: A pair of Class 158s working a Norwich to Lime St EMT service call at Widnes to pick up a sizeable number of passengers heading into Liverpool for a Saturday evening. On the opposite platform a train for Warrington and Manchester (and Norwich) is awaited. 22nd September 2018.

Holloway Road: Exterior of Holloway Road station, opened by the Great Northern, Piccadilly & Brompton Railway (now part of the much extended LUL Piccadilly Line), seen on 22nd September 2018. On the right can just be seen the GNR viaduct of 1850 into and out of King's Cross. This station opened with the line on 15th December 1906 and the initials GNPBR can be seen on the right side of the building. The only entrance to the station nowadays is that behind the bus stop. During the London Blitz of WWII my late mother, when a child, and grandparents sheltered from the bombs in this station although Mum was later evacuated to Darlington.

Verney Junction: An unusually frank admission from the construction company building East West Rail accompanied this map. The gist of the accompanying text was, we'd like to build on this land - does anyone know who owns it?

Quainton Road Junction: Looking South towards Quainton Road, the trackbed from Verney Junction can be seen trailing in on the left.

Calvert Junction: Looking North towards Finmere, the trackbed from Calvert looks very colourful. The photograph is at Twyford (Bucks) with Calvert Junction and the Buckinghamshire Railway behind. The trackbed is, more or less, the projected route of HS2.

Blackford Hill: Imaginative re-use of timber sleepers as steps. These allow an easier ascent of Blackford Hill; views of several lines are obtainable from here in the distance. The main access is opposite Overbridge 13 Oswald Road with close views of the South Sub.

Edinburgh Waverley: Work in progress rebuilding platforms 5 and 6 at Waverley. Concrete sleepers are laid next to the concrete crossing bearers (bottom right corner). There are eight timber sleepers probably as a transition section onto steel sleepers for the remainder of the platform length.

Cardross: A GBRF Charity Railtour returns south from Fort William. Colas 56113 leading, followed by GBRF 'Tracy' 73107 and with GBRF 'Charlotte' 73141 on the rear.

Winslow Road: As a multi-user kennel has been built between the platforms - the brick walls being visible behind a gaggle of Railway Ramblers in this view looking North - you might say that Winslow Road station has gone to the dogs.

Millerhill EGIP Depot: An empty stock movement from Millerhill depot about to join the 'main line' on 22 September 2019. Units 385006+385108 will then head for Waverley where they will form the 1100 service to Glasgow Queen Street. Newcraighall North Junction is visible bottom right.

Delph [West Lancashire Light]: WWI veteran 'Joffre' runs round its WLLR train at Delph on 22nd September 2019. The volunteers have done a superb job on its restoration.

Strand Road Exchange Sidings: 'Courageous' almost looks like it has been posed as it runs round its passenger train in the Exchange Sidings at Preston Docks on 22nd September 2019. She has been superbly restored in the guise of one of seven Bagnall 0-6-0STs that operated the 26 miles of dock tracks in the 1950s and 1960s. I think this is one of the best looking steam locos in the current RSR fleet and the Preston Dock accessories of spark arrestor and tank ladder add to its charms.

Newcraighall North Junction: An empty stock movement about to pass Newcraighall North Junction on 22 September 2019. The train is on its way from Millerhill EMU depot to Waverley where it will form the 1100 service to Glasgow Queen Street.

Newtongrange [Village]: View north east across the B6482, Suttieslea Road, Newtongrange, on 22 September 2019. The surviving bridge parapets stand above the filled in cutting once used by the Easthouses Tramway. The parallel mineral line used a level crossing less than 100 yards west of here (of which no trace remains). Behind the modern housing estate in the background is the site of Bryans Pit.

Peterborough: An Azuma at Peterborough. (Heard staff calling them Satsumas!)

Newcraighall: A 7-car class 385 combination passes below the bridge carrying the A1 as it approaches Newcraighall station on 22 September 2019. The train is running empty stock on its way from Millerhill EMU Depot to Waverley.

Hesketh Bank: The eastern abutment of the old steel bridge still looks over the River Douglas at Hesketh Bank in 2019. It carried the Preston to Southport line until closure in 1964 following which it was dismantled. It was built as a swing bridge but traffic on the tidal river, which leads to the Leeds Liverpool canal at Tarleton, was light and it was welded in fixed position in 1912. There are several pictures of the bridge in use at the Disused Stations website Douglas Bridge link.
See query 2162

Newcraighall: ScotRail 385108 brings up the rear of an empty stock movement from Millerhill Depot passing Newcrighall on its way to Waverley to commence duty on the morning of 22 September 2019.

Dunbar: The staggered platforms at Dunbar are shown to good effect as an LNER Azuma races through with a Kings Cross to Edinburgh service on 22 September 2020.

Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont]: Track and bridge repairs seen at the derailment site near West Carmont. The heavy lift crane and quite a few of the portacabins are now off site.

Lealholm: Track renewal took place over much of the section between Danby and Lealholm stations on the single line to Whitby during late September 2020. After carrying out a ballast drop the first of two top & tailed hoppers was run close to Lealholm station to clear the work site and allow the second hoppers to complete the ballasting on the second newly re-laid section going west. The first section re-laid commenced around 75 metres east of bridge MBW2/68, Lealholm Bridge. Colas 70803 is seen stabled at the stop board beyond the Volker Fitzpatrick tamper which is waiting to get started once the ballast trains leave the work site.

Lealholm: Track renewal took place between Danby and Lealholm stations on the Whitby branch during late September 2020. Colas 70803, with 70811 at the rear, is slowly moving forward as a ballast drop takes place on the section of line relaid over the previous day and night. Milepost 23 1/2 can be seen to the right of the first hopper wagon. A further top and tailed rake of loaded hoppers with 70812 leading and 70805 at the rear would follow with a further ballast drop that was completed with two hoppers left full.

Lealholm: Track renewal took place over much of the section of line between Danby and Lealholm on the Whitby branch during late September 2020. The section running west from close to milepost 23 1/2, which is just off view to left, through to just short of Lawns Road overbridge MBW/63 by Houlsyke, has just been ballasted after being relaid over the previous day and night. The field boundary stock fencing and the post and rail fencing for the accommodation underpass have also been renewed as part of the project

Kirkland Yard: Looking west towards the former Kirkland Yard, with the Fife Heritage Railway's depot to the right, on 22nd September 2021. The trackbed has been cleared to double track width. Makes it easier to walk the dog...

Milton Keynes Central: Here is The Bluebell Railway in Milton Keynes. Before you reach for your Rail Atlas in high dudgeon, I declare that TBR is the name of 66739, which had stopped with its long train of containers, apparently to pose for its portrait to be taken. I was elated - at this time of day, I would normally be 55 miles away, working from home; or champing at the bit to leave my office 8 miles away.

Bury Castlecroft Goods: Part of the display of road vehicles in the ELR's Bury Transport Museum in September 2021. In 2022, some of the displays had to be removed to accommodate A4 60009 'Union of South Africa', which is now on static display in the museum.

Bury Bolton Street: GWR 0-6-2T 5643, a visitor to the East Lancashire Railway, reversing out of the tunnel into the platform at Bury Bolton Street on 22nd September 2021.

Rawtenstall: A view of the platform at Rawtenstall, on 22nd September 2021. The canopy is a recent addition to the station and was constructed from components recovered from the demolition of Oldham Mumps.

Bury Bolton Street: This model of Bury Bolton Street is displayed in the Transport Museum, which is in the old Castlecroft Goods Shed. The grand station entrance with its clock tower was destroyed by fire in 1947 and replaced by the current flat roofed brick structure. Just behind is the old East Lancashire Railway headquarters. This building lasted until demolition in 1974, six years before BR closed the station.

Bury Bolton Street: Bury Bolton Street station is large by heritage railway standards but is well maintained with a definite London Midland Region theme. This is the view towards Rawtenstall along Platform 3 on 22nd September 2021. The last BR DMU to Rawtenstall left from this spot forty nine years earlier but trains have been running in the preservation era for over thirty years now.

Bury Bolton Street: We would definitely recommend a visit to Bury Bolton Street station, a really delightful and well cared for site, as seen here on 22nd September 2021.

Bury Castlecroft Goods: A selection of road vehicles and other exhibits in the Bury Transport Museum in 2021. When the East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society first took up residence in 1972 the building had been used by contractors building the adjacent bypass and was a very gloomy (and empty) building but it has been transformed in the intervening years.

Rawtenstall: Rawtenstall is now a terminus but was once a through station on the line to Bacup. All the station buildings have been constructed during the preservation era.

Rawtenstall: Looking towards the buffers at the one time through station at Rawtenstall, East Lancashire Railway, in September 2021

Cardross: The 'Leaf Train' has returned for autumn 2022.