Saughton Junction: J37 0-6-0 no 64572 photographed at Saughton Junction on an eastbound freight in September 1959.

Balornock Shed: Standard Class 3MT 77007 brings Motherwell's Caley 0-6-0 57278 into the yard at Balornock depot in September 1963. Sadly the 76-year old Jumbo had been withdrawn and was destined for scrapping at Arnott Young, Old Kilpatrick.

Balornock Shed: Not a very sharp image, but it is only recently that I've realised the special significance of the locomotive, Perth's Black 5 44997. Here she was passing Balornock shed in 1963, just getting under way again with a lengthy train of empty stock after a signal check. 44997 achieved fame in March 1967 after an epic run double-heading A4 'Union of South Africa' on the 18-coach 'Grand Scottish Tour No 1', averaging over 60 mph from Perth to Aberdeen (see image [[22971]]). But less well known is that, although she was not quite the last steam loco on BR Scottish Region's official withdrawal list, she subsequently did a post-withdrawal spell of steam heating at Craigentinny. That was as late as July 1967 and involved regular trips back and forth to St Margaret's for coal and water. My archive of Railway Society of Scotland newsletters reveals the Society's observation that she could 'thus be considered the last BR Scottish Region steam engine in operation.'

North Queensferry: A Glasgow bound Metro Cammell DMU emerges from the tunnel and enters North Queensferry on 28 September 1964. Note the excellent condition of the station.

Law Junction: 72005 Clan MacGregor approaching Law Junction from the south on 28 September 1964 with a Crewe - Perth train. Castlehill Colliery stands in the background.

Law Junction: 44972 climbs slowly through Law Junction in 1964 with a heavy up freight.

St Margarets Shed: Destined to be one of the last A3s, 60052 'Prince Palatine', complete with yellow diagonal cab stripe forbidding travel under the wires, gets ready to depart from its home shed of St Margaret's on 28 September 1964.

St Margarets Shed: 28 September 1964 at St Margaret's shed, and A4 No 60024 'Kingfisher' stands out from the crowd, looking immaculate beside the other, rather weathered, inhabitants. Steam cocks open, it is about to exit the depot, doubtless heading for Edinburgh Waverley.

Law Junction: Jubilee 45742 Connaught approaching Law Junction on 28 September 1964 with a Blackpool - Aberdeen special.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: It is Glasgow September Monday holiday at Queen Street station on 28 September 1964, and Eastfield's Standard 5MT 4-6-0 No 73105 is the motive power for a special train to Edinburgh. The train was banked to Cowlairs by NBL D6111. The footplate crew seemed happy to be photographed.

St Albans Abbey: New vandal proof lighting being installed at St Albans Abbey station on Sunday 28th September 1975. Class 122 'Bubble Car' M55009 forms what BR intended would be the last Sunday service. The users of the line refused to take the hint, however, overloading the 'Bubble Car' on weekdays and forcing the Sunday service to be reinstated only 2 months later. As a result, the branch is still with us, now electrified, as is M55009, under the protection of the Mid Norfolk Railway.

Watford Junction: A Class 122 Gloucester RCW Bubble car approaches the isolated St Albans Abbey branch platform at Watford Junction on 28th September 1975. Just visible in the background is a former LMS inspection saloon. Happily, this branch service, later electrified, survived well into the next century despite attracting frequent attention from cost-cutters and promoters of guided busways.

Dalmally: Looking west at Dalmally on 28 September 1985.

Dalmally: Dalmally in 1985. Still with semaphores and something soon to arrive. The box was of a style used latterly on the line, another example being at Tyndrum.

Dalmally: Dalmally, still with semaphores, in 1985. Something westbound is due. This wonderful building still had a ticket office at this date. Fortunately it still stands, now in other uses.

Oban: The trackless interior of Oban train shed on 28 September 1985. 37191 waits outside with a train for Glasgow.

Wemyss Bay: Outside of covered walkway between Wemyss Bay station and pier.

Wemyss Bay: Inside of covered walkway between Wemyss Bay station and pier

Wemyss Bay: Derelict pierhead at Wemyss Bay, with Wemyss Bay station behind.

Wemyss Bay: Wemyss Bay station and pier with a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry at the pier.

Fairlie Admiralty Siding: The site of Fairlie Pier station was being cleared and turned into parkland in 1987. The pier line ran off to the left, the disused line to the right was Fairlie Admiralty Siding. The Largs line is off to the right. View through chainlink fence.

Methil Power Station: The SRPS's Barclay 0-4-0ST Clydesmill No3 making a guest appearance at Methil Power Station open day on 28 September 1991. See image [[33865]] [Ref query 3766]

Cameron Bridge [1st]: 60021 passes through the platforms at Cameron Bridge, returning from an Open Day at Methil Power Station on 28 September 1991. On the right the resident 0-6-0 diesel shunter fusses around with CO2 tankers.

Methil Power Station: The unloading sidings at Methil Power Station, with gantry crane above, seen during a public open day on 28 September 1991. The rake of wagons appear to be heavy duty iron ore tipplers with roller bearings, rather than the more usual standard 16 tonners used for power station coal.

Methil Power Station: No.2 turbine at Methil Power Station, seen during a public open day on 28 September 1991. The station was retired in 2000 and demolished in 2011.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: 60021 passes through a very overgrown Cameron Bridge on its way to Methil Power Station Open Day on 28 September 1991.

Glen Falloch Viaduct: Train in landscape; a northbound freight crosses the Glen Falloch Viaduct in 1991. The view looks south with the head of Loch Lomond in the far distance.

Millerhill Yard Down Secondary Sorting Sidings: A September evening at [[Millerhill Yard]] in 1995. View is south over the abandoned down yard which by this time was completely overgrown. Over on the left a freight can just be made out heading south through the gloom, while in the right background stand the towers of [[Monktonhall Colliery]]. The last of the towers was demolished in February 1998, a year after the colliery had been abandoned.

Perth: 46201 enters from Carlisle with Fair Maid Railtour.

Fort William: ScotRail DMU 156493 waits in platform 2 at Fort William station in September 2005 with a train for Mallaig.

Kelvindale: 1030 service from Queen Street leaves Kelvindale and is about to pass under the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Kelvindale: Service for Queen Street leaves Kelvindale. The fencing contractor did well at this station.

Knightswood South Junction: Queen Street bound train about to pass under the Forth and Clyde Canal (rear view).

Knightswood South Junction: A train returns from Anniesland to Queen Street on the newly opened line. The new line already has an old Microwave Oven dumped on its embankment. [Image is overexposed].

Banavie: The signalling centre at Banavie, looking west along the platform in September 2005.

Spean Bridge: Platform view east at Spean Bridge in September 2005.

Spean Bridge: The out of use signal box on the up platform at Spean Bridge in September 2005.

Spean Bridge: View west over Spean Bridge station in September 2005.

Fort William: Duty sleeper locomotive EWS 37406 standing in the service siding at Fort William station with sleeper stock in September 2005.

Gairlochy: Site of the former Gairlochy station looking south east towards Spean Bridge on a grey and wet September day in 2005. The railway line has given way to the roadway on the right. The area is now part of Gairlochy Holiday Park.

Banavie Swing Bridge: A train for Mallaig crossing the swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal at Banavie in September 2005.

Banavie Pier: The former Banavie Pier station, seen from the canal bank in September 2005, with Ben Nevis forming the backdrop.

Gairlochy: View south east along the trackbed of the Fort Augustus branch approaching Gairlochy in 2009, looking towards the surviving abutment of the former road bridge that once carried the B8004 over the line. The station site beyond is now a large caravan park. The old goods platform survives on the east side of the site

Paisley Gilmour Street: 66139 passing through Paisley Gilmour Street with coal empties heading for Hunterston

Paisley Gilmour Street: 66402 passing through Paisley Gilmour Street with the WH Malcolm freight service from Elderslie heading for Grangemouth

Craigentinny Depot: DR 98958 stands at the entrance to the wheel lathe shed at Craigentinny on 28 September 2007, awaiting the next fall of leaves. Photographed from a passing train.

Neidpath Tunnel: Is that the light at the end of the Tunnel???

Neidpath Tunnel: The last thing you expect when taking a Boys Brigade Company weekend away through a disused tunnel is the lights of a ........ CAR What the heck?? These lines were lifted decades ago!!

Sydney: A tram for Lilyfield (33537) comes off the street approach ramp and enters the portico of Sydney Central Station in September 2008.

Scarborough: Weekend stabling in the external platforms 1 and 2 at Scarborough on Sunday morning 28 September 2008, seen from the car park off Westborough Road.

Neidpath Tunnel: Its always great to be able to give a new and exiciting experience to todays upcoming citizens.... So what better than taking my BB company Section through a disused tunnel!!!

Scarborough Londesborough Road: Entrance to the former Londesborough Road station in the Autumn of 2008. Built to help cope with high volume of rail excursion traffic descending on the town in the early 1900s, the station was opened as Scarborough Excursion in 1908, in a location just south of the main Scarborough station (which was renamed Scarborough Central). Following the continued reduction in UK seaside rail excursion traffic throughout the late 50s and early 60s Londesborough Road (the name was changed in 1933) eventually closed in July 1966, having handled its last excursion train 3 years previously. Scarborough Central reverted to plain Scarborough in May 1969.

Chorley Halt: A Pendolino being dragged south on 28 September 2008 past the site of the former Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, Lancs (also known as ROF Chorley). The large factory stood to the left of the tracks with office and administrative facilities to the right. The location boasted its own station, opened in 1938 as Chorley ROF Platform and renamed Chorley Halt by 1942. The station was closed by 1963 and subsequently demolished after the majority of the site had been redeveloped for housing and commercial use. Island platform remains can be seen to the right of the tracks on the weed covered mound.

Beverley: The impressive station building at Beverley seen from the south in September 2008.

Sydney: The Sydney Monorail phoptographed at Darling Harbour in September 2008.

Filey: Looking south east from Station Avenue level crossing through Filey station on 28 September 2008.

Atherton: Northern 142011 calls at Atherton, with a service from Manchester to Southport, on 30th September 2008. The semaphores here were to last another five years.

Jesmond [1st]: A restaurant car at Jesmond (old) station on 28 September 2008. The former Blyth & Tyne station, once part of the North Tyneside loop, was closed in 1978 and subsequently replaced by a new station on the Tyne & Wear Metro system which runs to the west of here. The old station now stands on a service spur from Manors, retained for empty stock movements to and from South Gosforth depot.� The restaurant car is GNR 1st open no 397, built in 1912, while the adjacent signal box is a modern replica, built as part of the Indian restaurant now occupying the site.

Farington: View north towards Preston over the site of Farington station on 28 September with a pair of Voyagers heading for Birmingham. The bridge in the background carries the route from Farington Curve Junction to Lostock Hall and the East Lancs lines.

Scarborough Londesborough Road: Standing in Westover Road, Scarborough on a Sunday morning in September 2008 looking south west towards the junction with Londesborough Road. The latter was the name eventually adopted by the station built here in 1908 (originally as Scarborough Excursion) and whose blank wall panels stand on the left, with the former station entrance beyond. The station closed to all traffic in 1966 and the premises were subsequently taken over by a motor vehicle servicing company.

Scarborough: View north from Belgrave Terrace road bridge into Scarborough station on Sunday 28 September 2008. On the left is the lengthy former excursion platform 1 with its own passenger buildings, central canopy, station exit and record-breaking 456 feet long public bench. Platforms 1 and 2 are being used for stabling of Northern and First TransPennine stock, while platforms 3-5 are currently unoccupied. Platforms 6-9 were demolished in the 1980s and the land given over to coach parking and retail outlets, although the original station roof is still in place.

Jesmond Junction: A tamper heads north from Jesmond Junction on 28 September. The Metro line to Newcastle city centre bears right with the Manors spur, used for empty stock movements, running straight ahead.

Sydney: Tram loading at Sydney Central Station on 28 September 2008. The trams run round a single track loop at this terminus, up one station ramp from street running and back down the other. View to rear of tram.

Filey: Sunday morning scene outside the 1846 York and North Midland Railway station at Filey on the Yorkshire Coast, photographed looking south on 28 September 2008.

Tay Bridge South Junction: A 170/158 five car train for Dundee and Aberdeen heads north onto the Tay Bridge from Wormit on 28 September.

Scarborough: Towards the south end of the former excursion platform 1 at Scarborough stands Falsgrave signal box, seen here looking north west on 28 September 2008. The length of this platform can be appreciated by looking back beyond Belgrave Terrace Road Bridge towards the dome standing above the station in the right background and the FTP 185 unit that can just be seen stabled in platform 2 (whose buffer stops stand alongside those of platform 1).

Filey: A Northern Trains 158 pulls away from Filey in September 2008 and is about to traverse the level crossing over the A1039 with a service for Scarborough.

Scarborough Londesborough Road: The station frontage and main entrance to the former Scarborough, Londesborough Road, excursion station, photographed on Sunday 28 September 2008 looking north towards the junction of Westover Road and Londesborough Road. As can be seen from the sign covering the doors of the former station entrance, the site is currently the headquarters of Londesborough Motor Services.

Scarborough Londesborough Road: By the beginning of the 20th century Scarborough was having difficulty coping with the volume of excursion trains. With no room to expand at the main station, the NER built a second just to the south. Scarborough Excursion station opened in 1908, consisting of a 250 yard bay and a 300 yard through platform, with most excursion traffic using the latter, thence running through Falsgrave tunnel to the carriage sidings at Northstead. The station was renamed Scarborough, Londesborough Road, in 1933. This view south from opposite Falsgrave box on 28 September 2008 shows the long through platform at Londesborough Road with surviving buildings to the right. The station handled its last train in 1963.

Scarborough: Falsgrave signal box in September 2008, looking west across the running lines with Scarborough station off to the right. Behind the box is the sealed entrance to Falsgrave Tunnel, which, prior to 1965, brought the line from Whitby into Scarborough , as well as providing a route through to Gallows Close yard and the carriage sidings at Northstead. This proved particularly useful from 1908 in dealing with the large number of excursion trains using the new Londesborough Road station, located off to the left see image [[21963]].

Scarborough: The 1907 NER Falsgrave signal box, standing at the south end of platform 1 at Scarborough station, photographed on 28 September 2008. The grade 2 listed structure was the recent recipient of the Westinghouse Signalling Award as part of the National Heritage scheme. This followed a centenary 5-month, restoration project, carried out by Construction Marine Ltd in consultation with Network Rail and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which took it back to how it would have looked when new. According to signalman Mick Hewitt this is one of the largest surviving boxes in the country which still has its mechanical workings. In the box there are 120 levers connected by Victorian engineered interlock systems, around 60% of which are still operational with 40% in regular use. Notwithstanding the restoration project, Network Rail plans to close Falsgrave by 2010. Campaigners are hoping it can then be turned into a tourist attraction.

Filey: A Sunday morning Hull - Scarborough service pulls away from the platform at Filey on 28 September 2008. View south from Muston Road level crossing.

Euxton Junction: A pair of Voyagers emerging from under the wires of the WCML at Euxton Junction on 28 September and joining the route to Manchester via Chorley and Bolton. The service would normally have continued south down the WCML but was diverted via Manchester and Crewe due to engineering works. Euxton Junction had been singled some years ago but in 2006 double track running onto the Chorley line was restored.

Buckshaw Parkway: Virgin Trains 57301 'Scott Tracy' drags a southbound Pendolino off the wires on the approach to what became Buckshaw Parkway station just after midday on 28 September 2008. 57301 is currently on hire from DRS to ROG and named 'Goliath' and the line has been electrified so that the Pendolinos can run south via Manchester with the pan up.

Leuchars: A blue HST set with silver power cars leaves Leuchars for Dundee on 28 September.

West Jesmond: Metro service for St James at West Jesmond on 28 September.

Achnashellach: In torrential rain a train for Kyle slows at Achnashellach but does not stop as there were no passengers waiting. Achnashellach is a request halt.

Grosmont: BR Sulzer Type 2 no D5032 in the long siding at Grosmont MPD in September 2009.

Cromarty Pier: The MV Cromarty Rose on the Cromarty-Nigg ferry crossing, a journey of about 15 minutes, not long after leaving Cromarty and photographed from Nigg. This small vessel operated the service between 1987 and 2009.

Grosmont Shed: Schools Class 4-4-0 no 30926 Repton being coaled at Grosmont shed on 28 September 2009.

Alness: Platform view south at Alness station in September 2009. See image [[29586]]

Strathcarron: Wet day at Strathcarron on 28 September 2009 as the 1101 ex-Inverness pulls away from the platform and crosses the A890 with approximately 20 miles to go to reach its final destination at Kyle of Lochalsh.

Halifax: A DMU for Manchester Piccadilly about to leave Halifax on 28 September 2009, shortly after completion of the extensive repainting and reglazing work carried out at the station.

Castlefield Viaduct: A train crosses Manchester's Castlefield Viaduct in September 2009. In the background stands the 47-storey Beetham Tower, the tallest building in the UK outside London.

Grosmont: Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75029 stands cold on shed at Grosmont on 28 September 2009.

Plockton: The station at Plockton is undergoing very sympathetic conversion into a self catering cottage. The owner kindly allowed me to take some interior photographs including this one of the old ticket window (staff side).

Deansgate: Looking over Deansgate station, Manchester, in September 2009.

Castlefield Viaduct: A First TransPennine train crosses Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester, on 28 September 2009.

Plockton: Plockton has a bunkhouse in the style of a signalbox opposite the station platform. Twinned with Newtonmore? See image [[7632]]

Strathcarron: A morning train for Kyle of Lochalsh arrives at Strathcarron on 28 September 2009.

Bradford Interchange: The colourful Bradford Interchange station on 28 September 2009.

Lochaber Aluminium Smelter Ground Frame: Before running on to Fort William Junction a freight from Glasgow reverses into the Lochaber Aluminium Smelter with bauxite. The oil tanks are just going along for the trip. And boy was it chucking it down.

Lumphinnans Central Junction: Outer Fife Circle service formed by SPT-liveried 170 unit, heading east between former Cowdenbeath North and Lumphinnans Central Junctions on 28 September.

Manchester Victoria: A Rochdale via Oldham service waits to leave Manchester Victoria on 28 September 2009

Poulton-le-Fylde: View north towards Fleetwood from the end of the double track section 600 yards north of Poulton-le-Fylde Junction See image [[19029]]. The line is classed as 'not in regular use' - an understatement in view of the pallisade fence that crosses the trackbed below the bridge from which the photograph was taken. That said, signals and trackside cabinets are still in place, but vegetation is now taking hold.

Oldham Mumps: A service for Rochdale about to leave Oldham Mumps on 28 September 2009.

Manchester Central: View over Manchester Central from the Beetham Tower on 28 September 2009. Closed to rail traffic in 1969 the old CLC station was subsequently refurbished and relaunched as the G-Mex Conference and Exhibition Centre in 1986 before regaining its original identity in 2008. The Midland Hotel stands opposite the far end of the building and a Metrolink tram can be seen running past on the right.

Strathcarron: Bound for Kyle Lochalsh. A 158 pulls away from Strathcarron over the open level crossing on a wet 28 September, with the weather not looking much better further west.

Glossop: A class 323 arrives at Glossop in September 2009 with a service for Manchester.

Oldham Mumps: The overgrown central bay platform at Oldham Mumps station on 28 September 2009. The station was closed completely the following month due to the conversion of the line to Metrolink. It had been demolished by May 2010. The station canopy was bought by the East Lancashire Railway who hope to erect it at Bury Bolton Street station.

Castlefield Viaduct: A Northern Rail class 150 passes over Castlefield Basin, Manchester, in September 2009.

Grosmont: 76079 at rest in Grosmont station after bringing in a train from Whitby on 28 September 2009.

Halifax: A service for Rochdale passes over Beacon Hill Viaduct, just to the north of Halifax station, on 28 September 2009.

Inverness Airport [Station]: A 2009 view east at the location which was planned to become Inverness Airport station. The station is presently (late 2022) under construction. The airport is to the left in this view. The old bridge seen here has been removed as part of the station construction. The location is about half a mile east of the former Dalcross station.

Deansgate: View from the top of The Hilton Hotel Beetham Tower Looking down on Deansgate, Manchester, on 28 September 2009.

Grosmont: Type 2 no D7628 on a NYMR Pickering-bound train in the Esk Valley shortly after leaving Grosmont on 28 September 2009. The diesel was deputising for an ex-GWR 0-6-2T which had developed a problem earlier.

Corpach: The Jacobite crosses the level crossing by Corpach station on its return to Fort William.

Lech-a-vuie Platform: How to get sopping wet in under a minute. (1) take up an interest in railway photography (2) slip-slide uphill through a bog to photograph the Jacobite from above the short length between the two Leachabhuidh tunnels, west of Glenfinnan, in typical West Highland weather with a gale blowing huge droplets over the lens faster than I could remove them. And after all that the shot of the train going away is probably the better one. Still, it gets you out of the house eh?

Strathcarron: The 1203 ex-Kyle of Lochalsh meets the 1101 ex-Inverness at Strathcarron on 28 September 2009.

Pickering: A glimpse of the annual NYMR wrestling championships, Pickering station, September 2010.

Pickering: Class S15 4-6-0 no 825, looking half naked without its smoke deflectors, is in the process of running round at Pickering on 28 September 2010, having just brought in an afternoon train from Whitby. Photographed from the fenced off area behind the buffer stops. See image [[33191]]

Pickering: Ex-SR class S15 4-6-0 No 825 arriving at Pickering on 28 September with a through service from Whitby. Plans are now in place to construct an overall roof here by the middle of next year See image [[34769]].

Pickering: Class S15 4-6-0 no 825 with its smoke deflectors removed, has just brought a train from Whitby into the platform at Pickering on 28 September 2010. See image [[25833]]

Edinburgh Waverley: 91101 in East Coast colours at Waverley on 28 September 2010.

Pickering: Standing in the shadows. Ex-BR class 04 DM D2207 at the rear of the yard at Pickering C&W on 28 September 2010. View south towards the station.

Edinburgh Waverley: 158870 in Saltire livery at Edinburgh Waverley on 28 September.

Pickering: Scene on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Pickering on 28 September 2010 with a recent arrival from Whitby disembarking at platform 1. The locomotive is class S15 4-6-0 No 825 (minus smoke deflectors), built at Eastleigh Works in 1927 and withdrawn from Salisbury shed (as BR 30825) in January 1964.

Scarborough: Smart looking 8F no 48151 arriving at Scarborough with a special on 28 September 2011 see image [[35853]].

Scarborough: Falsgrave signal box on 28 September 2011. The Scarborough track layout has been simplified and no operational semaphores remain. The redundant box now has a protective coating over the windows.

Bridge No 95: A young lady and her dog stroll across the bridge over the Gala Water on the morning of 28 September 2011, having just passed the site of Kilnknowe Junction at the northern end of the bridge. This is the first of many bridges to be crossed by trains leaving Galashiels for Edinburgh when the line reopens in 2014. Photographed from the road overbridge carrying Plumtreehall Brae.

Sancerre: Sancerre is not only a place for fine white wines but also an interesting hill-top town. Below the ramparts is this impressive viaduct, in use as a road. The river in the top right corner is the Loire.

Preston: Substitute on the Tesco Express. Running around one hour late through Preston with the 4S43 Rugby to Mossend on 280911, DBS 66134 was presumably covering for a defective Class 92 electric.

Scarborough: The 12.45 to Liverpool Lime Street waits to leave Scarborough platform 5 on 28 September, while platform 4 hosts a recent class 158 arrival off the Yorshire Coast line.

Galashiels [1st]: The bridge carrying Station Brae over the Bordrs Railway at Galashiels, looking north on 28 September 2011. The building on the far side of the bridge (beyond which is the site of the proposed new Galashiels station) has now been vacated pending demolition.

Hartwood: A Glasgow Central - Edinburgh Waverley service pauses at Hartwood on the evening of 28th September 2011.

Preston: The extension to island Platform 5/6 at Preston is virtually complete and seen here on 28 September as 390014 departs on a service for Euston. The small extension will allow the operation of 11 coach Pendolinos from this part of the station.

Pickering: Q6 no 63395 brings the 16.30 from Grosmont into Pickering on 28 September 2011. The driver is in the cab on this occasion see image [[35903]].

Scarborough: 'Triton' running round after coming off the turntable at Scarborough's North Bay Railway in September 2011.

Paisley Canal: Passengers leaving Paisley Canal station on 28 September shortly after the arrival of the 14.03 service from Glasgow Central. Works in connection with the forthcoming electrification are apparent here - as at other locations along the branch.

Paisley Canal: View east from the stairway linking Causeyside St and Paisley Canal station in 2012. The DMU will depart shortly on its 18 minute journey to Glasgow Central. Work was taking place at the time in connection with the electrification of the branch. (The section. between Shields Jct and Corkerhill Depot - around one third of the branch - had been electrified in 1984 to enable EMU access to the depot.) Electric passenger services between Glasgow Central and Paisley Canal commenced some seven weeks later.

Paisley Canal [1st]: Looking west from the bridge on Causeyside Street, Paisley, over the original 1885 G&SW Paisley Canal station in September 2012. Closed by BR in January 1983, a replacement was opened on the east side of the bridge just over 7 years later. The original site became a bar, restaurant, beer garden and car park.

Corkerhill: Platform view at Corkerhill station on the Paisley Canal branch looking west towards Mosspark in September 2012. By this time the headshunt had been extended (see image [[15833]]) to buffer stops beyond the road bridge (the boards behind the buffer stops include a blue band across the top stating 'Class 380'). Note also what appear to be old blast deflectors attached to the face of the bridge.

Corkerhill: Corkerhill station is bathed in Autumn sunshine as the 13.05 Paisley Canal - Glasgow Central pulls away from the platform on 28 September 2012. Work on the electrification of the branch is due for completion by the end of this year.

Glasgow Central: The Glasgow Airport Rail Link, approved by the Scottish Parliament in November 2006, included the provision of 2 new dedicated platforms at Glasgow Central utilising land occupied by a car park (see image [[18812]]) with the platform lines entering through the station arch. Although the planned airport link was shelved in 2009, the new platforms 12 & 13 were completed and brought into use the following year. The photograph shows a DMU for Paisley Canal at platform 13 in 2012 with the opened up station arch in the background.

Paisley Canal: Arrival of the 14.03 service from Glasgow Central at Paisley Canal terminus on 28 September 2012. Activity in the background is in connection with branch electrification works.

Corkerhill: The 13.05 Paisley Canal - Glasgow Central calls at Corkerhill station on 28 September 2012. The majority of the large number of passengers waiting to board this service are students from the nearby Cardonald College. The electrified line on the right is the headshunt from Corkerhill depot located just beyond the curve in the background.

Paisley Canal: 156437 forming the 12.08 ex-Glasgow Central stands at Paisley Canal shortly after arrival on 28 September 2012. The last scheduled DMU service ran some 7 weeks later when branch electrification was completed see image [[41078]].

Glasgow Central: Platform edge renewal work in progress along platform 15 at Glasgow Central on 28 September. Note the high security access to the spiral staircase leading up to the station roof.

Hawkhead: 'This train is for Paisley Canal only.' ScotRail DMU 156512 pulls away from Hawkhead on the last leg of its journey from Glasgow Central to Paisley Canal on 28 Sepember 2012. The widening work being carried out on the trackbed at this time was to accommodate the masts required for the forthcoming electrification of the branch. (See image [[46593]]).

Hawkhead Oil Siding: The 14.08 Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal service passing through the site of the original G&SWR Hawkhead station (1894-1966) see image [[20008]] to reach the 1991 version located on the the other side of the bridge carrying Hawkhead Road. On the right are the out of use oil sidings previously used to supply aviation fuel via pipeline to Glasgow Airport. Taken on 28 September 2012 with preparatory work now underway for the forthcoming electrification of the branch.

Hawkhead: ScotRail 156437 arrives at Hawkhead on 28 September 2012, a day it spent shuttling back and forth on the 18 minute end-to-end journey between Glasgow Central and Paisley Canal. The widening work is to accommodate masts as part of the forthcoming electrification of the branch see image [[45489]].

Glasgow Central: The 11.40 Virgin Pendolino for London Euston prepares to leave Glasgow Central on 28 September 2012. The future of the WCML franchise, recently awarded to First Group, is currently the subject of a legal challenge mounted by Virgin Trains. [See recent news items]

Glasgow Central: Trains occupying platforms 12 and 13 at Glasgow Central on 28 September 2012. Prior to 2010 the area occupied by these platforms formed part of the station car park. They were originally created to serve the abandoned Glasgow Airport Rail Link, with the new platform lines routed through the arch in the background. For the old arrangement see [[18812]].

Hawkhead: The 14.08 Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal service recently arrived at Hawkhead station on 28 Septmber 2012. Work on the electrification of the branch is now underway, with signs of preliminary activity evident here and at a number of other locations along the route.

Glasgow Central: Grand entrance. The 10.36 ex-Gourock runs through the arch into Glasgow Central platform 13 on 28 September 2012. The two platforms accessed via the arch were created in 2010, displacing the former station car park. They were originally intended to cater for trains on the now shelved Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

Corkerhill: The 12.38 Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal DMU restarts from the Corkerhill stop on 28 September 2012. The electrified line on the left is the headshunt from Corkerhill depot which terminates just beyond the bridge carrying Corkerhill Road. Work on extending electrification to Canal terminus is currently underway.

Glasgow Central: 156512 is one of the 2-car sets operating on the Paisley Canal branch on 28 September 2012. The unit stands ready at Glasgow Central platform 13 as the time approaches 11.38, which will signal the commencement of its next 18 minute journey to Canal.

Corkerhill: This padlocked gate on the south side of a bridge on Glasgows Corkerhill Road once gave access to the westbound platform of Corkerhill station below. The original station was closed in 1983 only to reopen 7 years later as a single platform stop on the reinstated Paisley Canal branch. The old westbound platform survives, as does the line through it, although no longer in passenger use - see image [[40661]].

Stirling Middle Junction: A last look at the semaphore signals at the south end of Stirling station on 28th September 2013. After the last train on the following Friday, they were taken out of use and removed. The class 66 is waiting to proceed past Stirling Middle box in association with the intensive track renewal and extension work taking place that weekend.

Blaenau Ffestiniog: Little and Large at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 28 September 2013, with an Arriva DVT standing alongside 0-4-0ST quarry tank Hugh Napier [Hunslet 855 of 1904].

Blaenau Ffestiniog: Little & Large at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 28 September 2013 - take #2. See image [[58982]]

Seafield Colliery: 158724 and friend forming the 10.36 from Edinburgh to Perth on 28 September. Photographed nearing the former Seafield Colliery connection south of Kirkcaldy.

Culloden Viaduct: 66103 leaves Culloden Viaduct on its way south with a train of withdrawn timber wagons on 28 September. The wagons were being taken to Doncaster for scrapping.

Bo'ness: 27001 is adding the LNER teak set to the service train at Boness on 28 September 2013 to accommodate a wedding party.

Haymarket: A dull Sunday morning on the west side of Edinburgh looking back towards the city centre on 28 September 2014. The 10.15 Edinburgh Waverley - Glenrothes with Thornton is about to overtake an airport bound tram shortly after leaving Haymarket.

Cressbrook Tunnel: Approaching Cressbrook Tunnel on the Monsal Trail heading west on 28 September 2014.

Ribblehead: The limited stop Sunday 15.20 Carlisle to Leeds 158 service runs south after crossing Ribblehead viaduct on 28 September. The train is about to pass behind The Station Inn, located opposite the access road to Ribblehead station, where this train does not stop.

Dunaskin Platform: The final day of the 2014 season for steam-worked brakevan-trips at Dunaskin on 28 September.

Oskova: Czech built 0-6-0T No. 25-30 is manually coaled at Oskova Yard following the afternoon shift change on Sunday 28th September 2014 - operations here go on seven days a week such is the demand for coal from the power station at Tuzla.

Millers Dale: Looking across the viaducts at Millers Dale on 28 September 2014. See image [[44309]].

Brockholes: View north along the A616 approaching Brockholes showing the skew bridge that carried the Holmfirth branch over the road. The branch, which left the Huddersfield - Penistone line just south of Brockholes station closed completely in 1965.

Russell Road Bridge [Tram]: A city bound tram crossing Russell Road between Murrayfield and Haymarket on 28 September 2014. The 'Y' shape of the bridge is due to the provision for a junction at its east end see image [[48857]].

Oskova: CKD-bullt 760mm gauge 0-6-0T No. 25-30 returns light engine from the washery at Oskova to pick up another rake of loaded wagons from the yard in the Autumn of 2014. The wagons on the right comprise a rake which has just been unloaded and are probably already on the move behind a class 740 diesel, bound for the loading point at Turija.

Banovici: Amazingly a 760mm gauge steam loco emerged from a general overhaul in mid 2014 to re-enter service for the Bosnian coal industry - such was the case with ex-Jugoslavian Railways 0-8-2 No. 83-158 which, in addition to a thorough overhaul in the works of the Banovici coal company, was restored to something very close to its former JZ black livery (instead of the usual industrial green), including a new front numberplate. I had made the long train journey to Bosnia in the expectation of seeing it at work, but instead it spent the whole of my visit standing in reserve in a secluded corner of Banovici Works. At least late on the afternoon of 28th September 2014 the front of the loco was perfectly illuminated by the lowering sun.

Brockholes: Close up of the skew bridge on the former Holmfirth branch that crosses the A616 Sheffield to Huddersfield Road on the southern outskirts of Brockholes. View north in September 2014, showing the harshness of the curves facing road traffic. See image [[48869]]

Carlisle: Super Voyager DMUs pose at platform 3 at Carlisle on 28th September 2015.

Carlisle: 'Pacer' DMU 142015 arriving from Newcastle has just bounced its way over the approach pointwork and into bay platform 5 at Carlisle on 28th September 2015.

Carlisle: Beautifully designed locomotive? - I should Co-Co! Colas 70805 waits at Carlisle between duties on 28th September 2015.

Aberdeen: The set at Platform 7N (left) was destined for Inverurie but late running caused by a track circuit failure at Carmont meant it was terminated here. Turfed-off passengers (including me) make their way to the Inverness service at 6N.

Inverurie: The 1990s restoration of the ticket hall has now matured to the extent of that it almost looks original. The ticket office is beyond the doors.

Aberdeen: Shopping malls have their knockers but surely few would disagree that Union Square in Aberdeen is an improvement on the rather bleak station approach of the past. Looking towards the former facade of the station on 28/09/2016. The station can still be entered from here, but the main entrance is outside.

Aberdeen: A keek ('peep' to English visitors) through a locked gate to the former Platform 2 at Aberdeen, now used for stabling. There's a foreshortened ex-Platform 1 to the left. Other southern bays 3, 4 and 5 survive and are in regular use. The northern bays once mirrored this profusion but are long gone, with through platforms 6 and 7 doing for Inverness line services. With only a single track as far as Dyce (for now?) this is all it needs.

Hunterston Junction: A pair of DRS 37s with flasks at Hunterston Junction heading south.

Dundee: The skeleton of the building which will contain the new entrance and booking hall to Dundee station is now in place. Let's hope this will prove not to date quite so quickly as the last incarnation.

Netherton Goods: The rural nature of the last few miles of the Neilston branch are obvious in the view. 314 206 is heading for Glasgow passing the site of Netherton Goods, which was on the left.

Aurs Burn Viaduct: Not easy to photograph in the summer! Other than the short length of viaduct in Barrhead itself, the Aurs Burn Viaduct is probably the most substantial reminder of the former line. It is a large viaduct which carried a twin track over its six arches. A short life, and barely used, it opened to traffic in 1903 which ceased the 1940s.

Gree Siding: Gree was on of several countryside goods stations on the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. The site of the yard itself has been infilled but the extraordinary half skew and half not skew bridge which carried the A736 over the track remains intact. This is the view looking to Glasgow.

Morecambe Junction: Another newly commissioned diesel, 68033, looks barely used as it leads a Sellafield to Heysham flask train into Morecambe on 28th September 2017. Once the driver has changed the points 68002 Intrepid will take the train down the branch to the power stations alongside Heysham Port.

Brownhill Junction: A view from the former southbound flyover line at Brownhill Junction. For a dissimilar view see image [[24136]] which was taken further north on the same line.

Kilbirnie [2nd]: View north alongside the island platform of the former Kilbirnie. See image [[8189]].

Kilbirnie (South): A view north from the site of the station throat at Kilbirnie, Caledonian. The passenger station was to the left and goods yard to the right - the buffer areas of both now being covered by Caledonian Court.

Kilmacolm: Kilmacolm looking to Greenock. The platform side is less convincing than the road side that it was ever a station.

Kilmacolm: View towards Paisley from the B786 overbridge at the former Kilmacolm station.

Morecambe South Junction: 37403 Isle of Mull propelling 2C32 Carlisle to Preston at Morecambe South Junction on 28th September 2017. This new vantage point near the lay-by on the Bay Gateway link road looks likely to be short lived judging by the tree planting on the embankment.

Brownhill Junction: Timing is everything ... tricky to catch the front of a fast moving train through this narrow opening. The bridge in the foreground is the former southbound line of the flying junction at Brownhill, just south of Glengarnock and north of Dalry.

Holytown: GBRf 66736 passes with the Fort William - North Blyth empties.

Baillieston: The new overbridge at Baillieston with its galvanised steel parapets glinting in the autumn sunshine. Underneath, the new steel and concrete deck rests on the masonry plllars which were retained from the previous structure on the site see image [[61149]].

Helensburgh Central: Work continues on station building on East Princes Street. The building to the left is the 'Helensburgh Municipal Buildings' built in 1878. The station building dates from the 1890 rebuild.

Paisley Gilmour Street: DRS 88004 and 88001 pass through Paisley Gilmour Street on 28th September 2018. with a Hunterston - Sellafield freight, which these electro-diesels will be able to haul through to destination.

Haymarket: Exterior of Haymarket station on 28th September 2018. It was quite a feat to get this shot at that time of the morning without loads of people walking in front of me as if I was The Invisible Man!

Paisley Canal: 314210 nears the end of the line with a Glasgow Central - Paisley Canal service. 28 September.

Holytown: 68007 passes with empty stock from Motherwell to Edinburgh to form the evening Cardenden commuter service.

Ilkeston: 66129 heads the Scunthorpe to Eastleigh service through the new station at Ilkeston.

Holytown: 156 511 speeds through with a Glasgow Central - Edinburgh semi-fast. 28 September.

Arrochar and Tarbet: On 28th September 2018 Ben Lomond provides an impressive backdrop as 66736 digs into the climb to Glen Douglas after leaving Arrochar and Tarbert with the empty Alcan tanks destined for North Blyth.

Preston Riverside: Hunslet 0-6-0ST 'Brookes No.1', from the Middleton Railway, has been touring the UK in 2019. See image [[70401]] at Blaenavon. She was the guest loco at the Ribble Steam autumn gala and is seen here newly arrived at the museum while Grant Ritchie 0-4-0ST 272/1894 draws forward to couple on.

Wigan North Western: Heading back to London Euston with the Cumbrian Coast Express on 28 September 2019. 86259 isn't hanging around as it hauls the railtour non-stop through Wigan North Western as the light starts to fail making photographing a tad challenging.

Highworth: Even on the most enjoyable walks, there comes a time when you must go back. It was getting dark and wet, our fellow walkers had gone back to their car - so the ropes used as handrails by a missing bridge were a welcome sign that we had reached the end of the trail. They are just visible here through the trees - view looks towards Highworth in September 2019.

Highworth: It took some finding, and was a mite slippery underfoot; but the beautiful trees and pleasant company made walking along this part of the branch towards Highworth a pleasure see image [[70786]]

Highworth: Peter Todd's 2009 picture at Highworth see image [[22079]] fired my imagination; despite the painted KEEP OUT message on the left hand side of the gate, it looked like a pretty footpath. Only ten years later, I managed to find the location. This view looks South through barely penetrable vegetation; but there is a well maintained path heading North from here.

Preston Riverside: Tablet exchange at Preston Riverside. The normal mode of operation at the Ribble Steam Railway is one loco, or two running top and tail. On gala days four or more can be in operation and those not on the train have to be 'locked in' to sidings and spurs to protect the main line. Visiting loco 'Brookes No.1' returns to the museum station on 28th September 2019 and the tablet and keys are handed to the driver of the Grant Ritchie 0-4-0ST so it can be released from the siding on the left. The knotted handkerchief, once common headgear for steam loco firemen, was a nice touch.

Wigan North Western: With the end of the franchise getting close, an unbranded Virgin West Coast Pendolino departs south from Wigan North Western on the evening of 28 September 2019. In plain white does that make it an Albinolino?

Kirkham and Wesham: 331001, first of the Northern 3-car CAF EMUs, calls at Kirkham while working from Lime Street to Blackpool North on 28th September 2019. Whilst these new trains accelerate more rapidly than the Class 319s they don't have that classic whine from the traction motors - and the guard doesn't signal the driver with a good old fashioned bell!

Carrbridge: Pathfinder Tours 'Autumn Highlander' at a very dreich Carrbridge on 28th September 2019. 37409 'Lord Hinton' and 37419 'Carl Haviland 1954 - 2012' were on the way from Aviemore to Kyle of Lochalsh with this double headed excursion.

Blarney [CandMLR]: The 3ft gauge line, from Cork Western Road station to the terminus at Blarney, opened in 1887. Additional branches to Coachford and Donoughmore opened in 1888 and 1893 respectively. A key purpose of the Blarney line was to exploit the tourist traffic to nearby Blarney Castle. However, having three branches no doubt contributed to the system's lack of economic viability, although it was also significantly damaged in the Civil War. The system closed on 29th December 1934. However, Blarney station survives in very good condition as a tourist souvenir shop adjacent to the entrance to the car park for the Castle and grounds. 28th September 2019.

Blarney [CandMLR]: The 3ft gauge C&MLR line was opened to a terminus at Blarney in 1887, and closed on 29 December 1934. I must confess to have been very surprised to find this turntable across the road from the old station on 28th September 2019. It looks more like a replica than a restored original but seems to be on the site of the original. No information was given at the site but it looks as though the reconstruction or restoration is ongoing. Perhaps others have further information on this?

Bath Green Park [2nd]: I told you I couldn't get enough of this station see image [[52678]]. Here it is on an autumn evening, looking into the train shed past the entrance to Sainsbury's supermarket; whose porch roof somehow complements the station roof.

Blarney [CandMLR]: Although a number of trains are advertised at Blarney, the last one departed on 29th December 1934 when the 3ft gauge system closed and only cars going to and from the Blarney Castle car park currently pass the station building. A new Blarney station is actually planned on the Cork - Dublin main line, although whether progress will be made with this given the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis remains to be seen. 28th September 2019.

Beauly: After disappointing weather photographing the 'Autumn Highlander' to the south of Inverness I headed north and found a dry spot at Beauly. Double headed by 37409 'Lord Hinton' and 37419 'Carl Haviland 1954 - 2012' the train speeds past Beauly on the way from Aviemore to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Cardross: Basking in sunshine, 62005, with a support coach, ambles south by the Clyde.

Dunbar: The pastoral landscape belies the fact that within seconds this LNER Azuma unit will pass through Dunbar heading towards Edinburgh and onwards to Inverness on 28 September 2020. Had this been a Great Western Class800 it would have been very difficult to see against the background of trees and in poor light.

Charlestown [1st]: Camsie House, the former Elgin Hotel. The 1834 passenger station was to the left in the trees behind the car and there was an incline down to the harbour from here.

Charlestown Incline: George Boyd's House. This is the end of what is now known as Shell Road, a footpath which follows the 1810 route of the Charlestown Railway over the Charlestown Viaduct and down to the harbour. The network of lines in this area and their sequencing was complex to say the least. The route of the 1799 branch into the village went left here and ran on the left hand side of what is now West Road. The path to the right leads across the bridge over the 1863 branch at the former Braeside Halt and on to Crombie Depot. Behind the camera is the road to Merryhill which also follows the route of the 1799 branch to Charlestown which diverged from the original waggonway to Limekilns at Meadowend. Whereas that line took an almost right angled bend left here towards the village, the later route to the 1834 station beside Camsie House also started from around this point and ran at around a 45 degree angle across what is now the cricket pitch to reach the station although that line was initially opened as a freight line with another incline to the harbour by around 1820. George Boyd's House stood on the right behind the camera and a relatively modern house stands roughly on the site of that much older house.

Southport: A view through a Class 777 carriage from the passenger door vestibule. It would perhaps be best to describe this as a view through the train since the wide gangway between carriages allows you to see through all 4 carriages. Access gained by kind invitation of the Test Team.

Southport: One of Merseyrails new Stadler Class 777s is seen in platform 1 at Southport whilst out on the afternoon test run from Sandhills on 28 September 2021. The units are 4 car however the inner two cars are shorter than the driving cars resulting in the Class 777 being only slightly longer than the Class 507s and 508s that they will replace. See image [[78431]] for the interior of these units.

McDonald Road [Tram]: Work in hand on the 'Harburn Hobbies Tramstop' (officially McDonald Road) on the Leith Walk extension on 28 September 2021.

Southport: Although expected to be introduced during 2022 there is no date yet for the first Class 777 services. This is view towards a driving cab in Southport station on 28 September 2021, after it had arrived on a test run from Sandhills. The driver's cab is behind the opaque glass on the left side of the carriage while the open door on the right (also with opaque glass) shows the view to the emergency door on the front of the unit. It is understood that it is possible to make the glass transparent by applying an electrical current however it is also believed that this is not likely to be the case when they enter service. Access by kind invitation of the Test Team.

Hungerford: I was advised that West Coast Rlys were running a Special from London Victoria to Exeter on 28th September 2021 but the motive power could be steam or a 47. In the end, I was blessed with LMS 45596 'Bahamas' leading LNER 61306 'Mayflower' through Hungerford. A pleasing sight and a delight to hear the Caley hooter again.

Southport: One of the design features of the Class 777s, which will be introduced on Merseyside, is the step and gap free access. Unfortunately the doors were closed here but the step can be seen in the extended position below the doors being level with the platform and filling the gap. The shape of the bodyside is also designed to help prevent someone falling between the train and platform edge.

Hungerford: 165114 westbound to Bedwyn on a stopping service on 28th September 2021.

Euxton Junction: GBRf 66747 is becoming quite a regular on the Hams Hall to Mossend container service. On 28 September 2022 it is seen heading north towards Euxton Jct with just five containers.

Euxton Junction: The round Britain tour of 2022 with the Royal Scotsman rake is seen south of Euxton Jct with 66746 leading and 66743 on the rear. This was Day 3 and the train was heading from Dundee to Chester.

Woodacre Crossing: Two TPE 802 sets were unusually out on the WCML on 28th September 2022 and I hoped to catch them crossing at Woodacre but it was not to be. As 802217 passes heading to Edinburgh, 802204 on test/training from Carlisle to Edge Hill can just be seen under the distant footbridge.