Plates, signs, notices etc: Plate from condemned wagon.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Metal plate on timber cross-beam of buffer inside Dalmuir Shipyard between Beardmore St and Agamemnon St, Dalmuir inscribed Supplied by Thos W Ward, Albion Works, Sheffield.

Bedlay Colliery: Steam at Bedlay Colliery around 1980.

Bedlay Colliery: Steam at Bedlay Colliery around 1980.

Orbliston: 27108 Eastbound Orbliston Station 1137 hours. Orbliston, at that time, still retained its original construction.

Stirling: The SRPS 'Strathearn Express' ran from Falkirk Grahamston to Perth and return on 15 October 1983. Here, NBR 0-6-0 673 'Maude' pauses at Stirling with the train.

Falkirk Grahamston: The SRPS 'Strathearn Express' ran from Falkirk Grahamston to Perth and return behind NBR 673 'Maude' on 15 October 1983. This is the train at Falkirk Grahamston on arrival from SRPS Springfield Yard depot. The train would reverse to Grangemouth Junction to access the correct platform.

Perth: The SRPS 'Strathearn Express' from Falkirk Grahamston to Perth and return on 15 October 1983. 673 'Maude' is seen waiting departure from the bay platforms at Perth.

Falkirk Grahamston: The SRPS 'Strathearn Express' from Falkirk Grahamston to Perth and return on 15 October 1983. 'Maude' is seen here approaching Falkirk Grahamston, passing the junction for Springfield Yard, and about to pass a Met-Camm Class 101 DMU.

Carlisle: 47722 The Queen Mother stands under the footbridge on one of the centre roads at Carlisle in October 1998.

Millerhill Yard Junction: Dalzell - Lackenby flats running south through Millerhill yard late one afternoon in the autumn of 1996 behind a BR 'Metals Sector' liveried class 60 locomotive.

Easter Road: Remains at Easter Road station looking southeast in October 1997. The newish looking sign on the northbound platform reads Easter Road Junction.

Easter Road Park Halt: The one time approach to Leith Central passing behind Easter Road stadium in October 1997. View is towards the site of the former Easter Road Park Halt football platform.

Easter Road: Looking west over the remains of Easter Road station 1n 1997. The line now terminates at the Powderhall refuse depot. The trackbed on the left came in from Abbeyhill Junction.

Boston South: Amtrak diesel locomotive no 241 stands in one of the bay platforms at Boston South station on the morning of 15 October 1999.

Niddrie North Junction: A Newcraighall - Dunblane train approaching Brunstane in October 2002 past the site of Niddrie North Junction and the remains of the bridge which once carried the high level Lothian Lines on their way to Leith docks. The single line 'sub' turns off to the right heading for Niddrie West. See image [[36752]]

Niddrie North Junction: South of Brunstane heading for Newcraighall in October 2002 passing the site of Niddrie North Junction.

Niddrie North Junction: Having just left Brunstane station, a train from Bathgate heads for its ultimate destination at Newcraighall on 15 October 2002.

Brunstane: Knocking off time. Brunstane, October 2002.

Brunstane: A morning service from Newcraighall has just left Brunstane on 15 October 2002. ScotRail 158717 is about to pass below Milton Road before joining the ECML for the run to Waverley.

Livingston South: A Railhead treatment train approaches MidCalder Jct with Livingston south station in the background in October 2005

Haltwhistle: Service for Carlisle stops at the staggered westbound platform at Haltwhistle on 15 October 2006.

Steele Road: Waverley trackbed looking south over the road bridge towards Steele Road station on 15 October 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: A Sunday morning service to Newcastle waits to leave Waverley on 15 October 2006, courtesy First Bus.

Edinburgh Waverley: Waverley southside works. Looking west along platform 11 on 15 October 2006. Preparations for the new through platform are underway alongside the south wall.

Madderty: The sign says it all. Closed to passengers in 1951, line closed in 1967.

Abercairney: Abercairney platform and house. The line closed to passengers in 1951. The noted 'Abercairney Highlanders', a volunteer army which fought in the Boer War, embarked from here.

Edinburgh Waverley: Stabling facilities reinstated at the east end of Waverley on 15 October 2006, with the newly extended bay (platform 3 under the renumbering) occupied alongside the North Berwick platform (which will become no 4).

Eskbank: A Sunday morning stroll along the old Waverley Route at Hardengreen on 15 October 2006. View is north east, with the Tesco Superstore in the background. The lady and her dog are passing the site of the planned Eskbank station, albeit some 30 feet above it. See image [[47159]]

Leith South Yard: A ramp vehicle, used to load cars onto double-deck Cartics rusting away in the southwest corner of Leith South yard in October 2006. The former Leith South goods depot stands in the background.

Edinburgh Waverley: Installation of stairs between the cross-station walkway and the new through platform on the north side on 15 October 2006. A London - Aberdeen HST is standing at platform 19.

Glasgow Central: 87002 'Royal Sovereign' on the blocks at Glasgow Central having arrived with 'The Electric Scot' railtour from Birmingham International on 15 October 2008. See image [[16478]]

Glasgow Central: Triple stacked on platform 10 at Glasgow Central on 15 October 2008 with 314208 the front unit. A second 314 was behind it and a 318 was on the buffers. Another 318 is seen at the buffers on platform 11.

Preston: 153332 leads a Class 156 unit out of Preston with a service to Carlisle on 15 October 2008, while over on the left 92039 Johann Strauss waits for a path north with a tank train. Both are heading for Carlisle and although the passenger has set off first the freight will arrive before it, given it will take the direct route over Shap, with the DMU travelling via Barrow in Furness and the Cumbrian Coast.

Glasgow Central: 156442 on its way out of Glasgow Central with a train to Paisley Canal on 15 October 2008.

Glasgow Central: Class 314s arrive and depart from Glasgow Central on 15 October 2008. On the left unit 205 is arriving with a service via Queens Park while on the right unit 208 heads to Gourock.

Glasgow Central: Don't be fooled by the destination panel, 314209 is arriving at platform 11a at Glasgow Central on 15 Oct 2008. Presumably the train crew is aiming for a fast turnaround.

Preston: 57304 Gordon Tracy in the bay at the north end of Preston station awaiting its next duty on 15 October 2008. Hopefully some of the planned improvements at Preston may tidy up this part of the station.

Grantown-on-Spey West: Beneath this fine display of weeds lies the trackbed leading to Broomhill. The A95 which has to be crossed is on the right. Farm structures prevent a direct line-of-sight photo of the Grantown end of the trackbed.

Grantown-on-Spey West: This bridge marks the end of the existing trackbed south of Grantown-on-Spey West. Some major work will be involved before the Strathspey Railway can cross the A95 and reinstate the railway to Grantown.

Greenock West: 334 016 arrives at Greenock West on 15 October with a service for Glasgow Central.

Glasgow Central: The rear locomotive of the Electric Scot railtour, West Coast Railway Co 57601, at Glasgow Central on 15 October, with an NXEC service waiting to leave from platform 1 in the background.

Glasgow Central: 87002 stands at platform 11 at Glasgow Central on 15 October having brought in the Electric Scot railtour from Birmingham International.

Inverkip: Installation of CCTV at Inverkip station on 15 October 2008. View towards Glasgow. (The existing cameras are for the assistance of drivers).

East Kilbride: 156 445 standing at East Kilbride terminus on 15 October, soon to start the journey back to Glasgow Central.

Port Glasgow: A Gourock - Glasgow Central service pulls into Port Glasgow on 15 October 2008 formed by 314 210.

Fort Matilda: 334 016 leaves Fort Matilda on 15 October 2008 on the final leg of its journey from Glasgow Central to Gourock.

Fairlie: Emerging from Fairlie tunnel and pulling into the station on 15 October is 334 004 on a Largs - Glasgow Central service.

Glasgow Central: A class 334 has just arrived at Glasgow Central platform 12 with a train from Gourock on 15 October. The car parking area on the right is destined to become an extended version of platform 11a (currently terminating outwith the station arch) following which it will handle trains on the planned Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

Glasgow Central: 314209 has just arrived at Glasgow Central's short platform 11a on 15 October 2008 with a Cathcart Circle train. Two years later this platform ceased to exist when the newly created platforms 12 and 13 were commissioned on the site of the former station car parking area, with rail access via the arch in the background see image [[29298]].

Glengarnock: 318 270 with the 1611 to Largs at Glengarnock on 15 October 2008.

Glasgow Central: SPT liveried 334005 and out of sight 334031, approach Glasgow Central and are routed into platform 12 with a service from Gourock on 15 October 2008.

Carlisle: 87002 stands at platform 3 at Carlisle on 15th October 2008 with the northbound Electric Scot railtour destined for Glasgow Central.

Langbank: 334 015 draws into Langbank on 15 October with an all stations Glasgow-Gourock service.

Paisley Canal: A class 156 unit stands at the terminus at Paisley Canal between turns on 15 October 2008 prior to returning to Glasgow Central.

Sunbury [Victoria]: Looking towards Melbourne as a VLocity DMU departs from Sunbury, Victoria on 15 October 2008 see image [[41757]]. It is about to pass over the level crossing on the main road into Sunbury - a cause of significant delay to road traffic.

Glasgow Central: Heading into the sun from Glasgow Central on 15 October, a Class 322 for North Berwick starts its afternoon run to the other side of the country via Carstairs.

Saltcoats: A Glasgow Central - Largs service formed by 334 025 runs into Saltcoats on 15 October 2008.

Ruabon: 67013 'Dyfrbont Pontcysyilte' on the 14.10 southbound Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone departure to London stands at Ruabon Station on 15 October.

Glasgow Central: Scene at Glasgow Central on 15 October 2008, with a Class 156 being prepared for departure on a service to East Kilbride as a Class 314 EMU leaves for Gourock.

Greenock West: Gourock bound 334 012 leaving Greenock West on 15 October and about to enter Newton Street Tunnel, Scotlands longest, running to Fort Matilda.

Inverkip: 334 025 on a Wemyss Bay - Glasgow Central service at Inverkip on 15 October 2008.

Port Glasgow: 334 017 for Gourock arrives at Port Glasgow on 15 October.

Sunbury [Victoria]: A Bendigo - Melbourne VLocity DMU runs into Sunbury, Victoria, on 15 October 2008. The electrified suburban system was extended to here in November 2012.

Southport: Looking west over the approach to Southport station on 15 October 2009. The Merseyrail platforms (1 to 3) are on the left and the Northern Rail platforms (4 to 6) are on the right. Merseyrail Class 507 and 508 units sit in Platform 1 and 2 and on the far left a pair of units sit in the Wallside siding. Northern Class 142s wait their next duties eastbound on platforms 5 & 6.

Wigan Wallgate: 142013 calls at Wigan Wallgate platform 1 on route to Kirkby from Manchester in the early evening of 15 October 2009.

Southport: Merseyrail Electrics unit 507008, in Liverpool - European Capital of Culture 2008 livery, waits in platform 2 at Southport for its next run to Liverpool on 15 October 2009.

Wigan North Western: Late afternoon Glasgow bound Pendolino calls at Wigan North Western on 15 October 2009. The Super Sprinter on the right will later set off southwards before swinging west towards Liverpool.

Burscough Bridge: 142004 calls at Burscough Bridge on 15 October 2009 whilst on it's way to the seaside at Southport. The substantial station building on the Wigan platform is currently up for sale. Behind the bus shelter on the right is the excellent Burscough Bridge Interchange building for both bus and rail services.

Wigan North Western: A Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central calls at Wigan North Western on the afternoon of 15 October 2009. The view looks northwards.

Wigan North Western: DBS 66069 runs south through Wigan North Western with an infrastucture train on 15 October 2009. The station boasts 6 platforms, 1 the up passenger loop on the far right, 2 & 3 are south facing bays, 4 is the Up Main and 5 the Down Main with 6 as the Down Passenger Loop. Platforms 1 to 3 have access to the lines to Manchester via Bolton or Swinton.

Wigan North Western: Looking south at Wigan North Western on 15 October 2009 as a Carlisle to Chirk logs train heads up the WCML which curves to the right. To the left (in front of the loco) a Class 156 unit passes on a Manchester to Southport via Wigan Wallgate service.

Honor Oak Park: 378 136 working third rail, with a London Overground service to Crystal Palace, arriving at Honor Oak Park in south London, also served by Southern services, on 15th October 2011. This station is not to be confused with the former Honor Oak station, now demolished, on the Crystal Palace High Level branch from Nunhead, that paralleled this line about half a mile away to the west and which closed in 1954. Coincidentally, the same year that the Alexandra Palace branch in north London closed, after almost becoming part of the London Underground Northern Line.

Bow Church: Docklands Light Railway unit 148, from Stratford to Canary Wharf, arriving at Bow Church on the former NLR Poplar branch, on 15th October 2011. This station opened with the first two stages of the DLR in 1987 and is on a brand new site south of Bow Road. The North London Railway's original Bow station, much bigger and grander, was on the north side of the bridge and remained for many years after its 1944 wartime closure until demolished during the 1970s. DLR trains rise and fall through the site of the old station as they ascend or descend to run alongside the ex-GER main line to and from Stratford.

Kirkby Lonsdale: Kirkby Lonsdale station closed to passengers in 1954, although the Low Gill to Clapham line continued to see freight, diversions and specials into the 1960s. The town is the second largest on the line, after Sedbergh, but the station is 1.5 miles away just off the A65, which wouldn't have helped patronage. In 2010 it was converted into a tea room and pottery but has since reverted to purely residential use See image [[36246]]. Map reference SD629774.

Brockley Lane: These derelict steps are all that remain of the entrance to the former LC&DR Brockley Lane station, seen here on 15th October 2011. This was on the Greenwich Park branch that opened from Nunhead to Blackheath Hill in 1871 but was not completed to Greenwich Park, one stop further, until 1888. Brockley Lane was added in 1872. The entire line was closed as a WWI economy on 1st January 1917 but in 1929 the western section from Nunhead to a point just east of the former Lewisham Road station was reopened and electrified together with a new spur into the main Lewisham station. For many years, this was served only by peak hour passenger trains to and from London Victoria but now is open full-time. Although Brockley Lane and Lewisham Road stations were on the reopened section, they both remained closed while the rest of the Greenwich Park branch was abandoned and is now completely built over. Latter day plans to reopen Brockley Lane to interchange with nearby Brockley station have not come to fruition.

Honor Oak Park: Exterior of Honor Oak Park, south-east London, on 15th October 2011. The line here was opened by the London & Croydon Railway in 1839 but this station was not added until 1st April 1886 by the LB&SCR to serve new suburban development. It is now owned by Transport for London and served by London Overground as well as National Rail Southern services. Not to be confused with the former and now demolished Honor Oak station on the LCDR's Crystal Palace High Level branch, opened in 1865 and closed in 1954 and which paralleled the Croydon line about a mile or so to the west. (Coincidentally, 1954 was also the year the GNR Alexandra Palace branch in north London closed after almost becoming part of the London Underground Northern Line.)

Preston: Half past midnight at Preston station on 15 October 2011 and 4 sets of DMUs are coupled together preparing for an ecs run to Blackpool carriage sidings. This particular mix has 142s at either end, with 150 and 156 units sandwiched in between. This was the second of three similar ecs movements over a period of 20 minutes.

Rawtenstall: Deltic 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier departs from Rawtenstall on the East Lancashire Railway on 15 October 2011 during the 'Deltic weekend' which saw 5 members of the class in operation.

Preston: Not many trains pass through Preston non-stop these days but 6201 Princess Elizabeth did so on 15th October with the Royal Scot tour from Crewe to Carlisle. With County Hall in the background the driver of the LMS Pacific opens the regulator and accelerates through Platform 4 heading for the Lancaster lines.

Grange-over-Sands: With the Carnforth to Barrow line closed while Arnside viaduct was being refurbished in 2011, the opportunity was taken to reinstate the promenade access footbridge at Grange-over-Sands. It was removed several years ago as unsafe and a new structure has finally been put in place. Striking if not exactly beautiful the new bridge is seen here as a pair of Northern 153 single units pass on a stopping service heading west.

Galgate: 185149 heads north at Galgate with a Manchester Airport to Edinburgh service late in the afternoon of 15 October 2011. The former Galgate station (closed in 1939) was located in the background.

Preston: The RHTT from Carlisle Kingmoor to Carlisle Kingmoor via the S&C and WCML waits in platform 5 at Preston station on 15 October 2011 with DRS 57009 on the tail and 57008 in the distance at the front. The train is waiting for a path north following the departure of the Highland Sleeper for Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness via Edinburgh a few minutes earlier.

Rawtenstall: Deltic 55002 The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry approaches Townsend Fold level crossing with a Rawtenstall - Heywood service on 15 October 2011.

Euxton: 47790 leads the Glasgow Central to Chester Northern Belle charter south through Euxton on the Up Fast on 15 October with 47832 bringing up the rear. In the distance beyond the signal at danger is Euxton Junction with the line from Chorley, Bolton and Manchester coming in from the right.

Stepney Green: LUL D78 stock, on westbound District Line service at Stepney Green, on 15th October 2011. These trains were withdrawn in 2017 with some converted into Vivarail diesel units for use elsewhere. This sub-surface station is also served by the Hammersmith & City Line which, with the Edgware Road to Wimbledon section of the Distirct Line, was the last bastion of the LUL sub-surface C stock trains until their withdrawal in 2014. Both lines are now operated with S7 stock trains. Stepney Green, along with Mile End and Bow Road, was opened on 2nd June 1902 by the Whitechapel & Bow Railway that extended the District Line east from Whitechapel to a connection with the London, Tilbury & Southend Railway at Campbell Road Junction, west of Bromley station (now Bromley-by-Bow). This enabled District trains to be extended to East Ham and to Barking in 1905, eventually reaching Upminster in 1932. Until 1939, there were through District trains from Ealing Broadway to Southend Central, changing from LPTB electric locomotives to LTSR steam ones at Barking. The service was not resumed after 1945. Mile End station became an interchange with the LUL Central Line in 1946.

Townsend Fold Level Crossing: 'Double Deltics'. 55002 and 55022 approach Townsend Fold Signal Box & Level Crossing whilst on a service to Rawtenstall on the East Lancashire Railway on 15 October 2011.

Stepney Green: A grubby LUL C stock train at Stepney Green, departing with a Hammersmith & City Line short working from Baker Street to Barking, on 15th October 2011. These trains were withdrawn in 2014, removing the London Undergrounds final link in terms of train operation with the 1960s.

Devons Road: DLR unit no. 64 from Stratford to Canary Wharf, arriving at Devons Road, on 15th October 2011. The line was originally part of the North London Railway's Poplar branch, which closed to passengers due to heavy war damage in 1944. This station was opened with the initial stages of the DLR in 1987 and is on a brand new site, there never having previously been a station here prior to 1944. Just to the south of this station, on the right, was situated the NLR's works, now demolished and replaced by an industrial estate.

Braemar: A surprise find in, of all places, Braemar on 15 October 2012. This was the GNoSR office in the town and presumably where the connecting bus left for Ballater railway station. It appears to have been recently refurbished although a second smaller building behind the main office has now been demolished.

Bristol Parkway: Network Rail 2-car class 150 DMU based Measurement Unit 950001 runs west through Bristol Parkway on 15 October.

Cambus o' May: The single platform at Cambus o' May looking south-east along the trackbed on 15 October 2012. The River Dee is immediately to the right and beyond the platform there was at one time a siding and loading bank. Next to the loading bank the frames of an old wagon were lying on the ground slowly disappearing into the undergrowth.

Ballater: The recreated royal carriage, alongside the platform at Ballater in October 2012.

Dufftown: Ivatt 2-6-0 46512 awaits departure with the 11:00 from Dufftown station on 15 October as part of the Keith and Dufftown Railway's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Ballater: Looking east along the platform at Ballater on 15 October 2012 with the replica Royal coach in a 'conservatory' on the only piece of track at the station. This was before the dreadful fire that ravaged the station but happily the building has been recreated.

Wakefield Westgate: The road entrance to the new Wakefield Westgate main station building under construction on 15 October 2013.

Belasis Lane: View east from Belasis Avenue overbridge along the line to Port Clarence on 15 October 2014. The operational Belasis Lane signal box controls the end of the twin track section from the junction with the main line south of Billingham station and access to the disused sidings to the right, serving the Haverton Hill chemical complex. [Security staff then arrived to question me as to what I was photographing, as it is seemingly forbidden to take views of the chemical plant.]

Port Clarence: 'Greenergy' bogie tank wagons in the loading facility at the Port Clarence terminal on 15 October. In the foreground is the disused branch running north towards the Seal Sands chemical complex.

Port Clarence: Looking east across the disused and non operational Huntsman Drive level crossing at Port Clarence on 15 October. The crossing is on the section of line running north to the Seal Sands chemical complex from the spur into the 'Greenergy' fuel terminal loading sidings.

Belasis Lane: Home and upper and lower shunting signals side by side on north side of Belasis Avenue over-bridge some 200m north of Belasis Lane signal box. See image [[49069]]

Glenfinnan: The motion and wheels of 45407 reflect a nice glint as the Black 5 climbs away from Glenfinnan towards the summit between Lochs Eil and Eilt with the westbound Jacobite on 15 October 2014. Photographed across the Abhainn Shlatach about a mile west of Glenfinnan station.

Glenfinnan: A clear morning on 15 October 2014 sees Black 5 45407 lifting the Mallaig bound Jacobite away from Glenfinnan.

Criccieth: A passenger waiting for the 1352 at Criccieth station on 15 October 2014.

Penzance: FGW HST power car 43016 has just arrived at Penzance with a train from Paddington in October 2015.

Penzance: Looking west towards the buffer stops at Penzance in October 2015. The HST in platform 1 has just arrived from Paddington.

Culloden Viaduct: The return working of the empty ballast hoppers from Forsinard to Carlisle, pictured crossing Culloden Viaduct, double headed by 66106 and 37259.

Swanage: An open day at the Swanage Railway sees N Class 2-6-0 31806 and King Arthur 4-6-0 777 Sir Lamiel departing from the branch terminus with the 15.15 service.

Penzance: A view eastwards from above Penzance station looking towards Long Rock in October 2015. The signalbox is below to the left of the track.

Penzance: An external view of Penzance station on 15 October 2015.

Dufftown: At Dufftown, the BR brake van was fully stocked with firewood for the stove inside, a rather pleasant place to be on a cold wet day.

Andover: A visit to Andover station to see the Stanier 4-6-2, LMSR 6201 Princess Elizabeth, pass through. It was arrived six minutes early and running with what appeared to be no effort at all.

Arnside: EE Type 3 37402, propelling a train from Carlisle towards the Kent Viaduct, is photographed by another enthusiast watching from the end of the stone pier at Arnside. This is the (SO) afternoon working that terminates at Lancaster, seen on 15th October 2016.

Dufftown: A view of the new shed 61D at Dufftown. (So, that would be a sub-shed of Aberdeen then.)

Arnside: A Sprinter Bubble Car leaves Arnside and trundles over the Kent Viaduct approach causeway with a Lancaster to Barrow-in-Furness service on 15th October 2016. The Northern single units now mainly operate in pairs on this line.

Andover: LMSR 6201 Princess Elizabeth: a visit to Andover station to see the Stanier Pacific pass though on 15 October. It arrived six minutes early, running with what appeared to be no effort at all.

Kilmarnock: Some fine imitation British Railways era platform enamels at Kilmarnock seen on 15/10/2016. They are in fact in the wrong colour, being Eastern Region dark blue instead of Scottish light blue, but only a carping pedant of the worst sort would point out that out.

Preston: Ex LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee no. 45690 'Leander' arrives at Preston on the evening of 15 October 2016. The loco is working the return leg of the CME railtour and the loco is about to be changed for 86259 'Peter Pan/Les Ross' for the rest of the trip to Euston.

Glasgow Central: Even if a train is the only one on the platform here at Glasgow Central it is now announced as 'rear train'. This still applies if it is an 11-car Anglo-Scottish service where there simply isn't room for a train in front! There are fixed signs at the buffers too as seen in this view of a Barrhead service at Platform 13 on 15/10/2016.

Arnside: Large logo DRS 37402 propels the 1136 (SO) Carlisle to Lancaster across the Kent Estuary at Arnside on a sunny 15th October 2016.

Barrhead: A Kilmarnock to Glasgow service departs its last stop, Barrhead, on 15/10/2016 while a stopper waits in the bay. The person who invents the Gaelic name on the signs seems to have boobed here as Cnoc a' Bharra translates as Barrhill, which is somewhere else. If anything shouldn't it be Ard na Bharra?

Preston: Ex LMS Jubilee no.45690 'Leander' with support coach sets off south from Preston in order to turn around before heading back to Carnforth. To achieve this the loco headed south on the WCML to Farington Jct before reversing to Lostock Hall Jct. I then set off forwards to Farington Curve Jct and back to Preston now facing in the correct direction for a run back to base.

Aberdeen: This sculpture is of 4472, approx 2ft long and for sale in a gallery in Aberdeen for only £1200! I hope the real Flying Scotsman never gets to look like this, no amount of lottery money will be enough to restore. The sculpture 'Understanding The Structure Of Sound - Flying Scotsman' is by Darrell Evanes.

Andover: A Matissa track machine heading east through Platform one of Andover station.

Preston: E3137/86259 'Les Ross/Peter Pan' waits at the head of the return CME railtour at Preston on 15 October 2016 having just taken over from 45690 'Leander'

Kilmarnock: The 1800 to Stranraer leaves Killie on 15/10/2016.

Andover: A Matissa track machine parked in some out of the way sidings. These sidings, the last time I visited (1986) were being used for army freight, with Ludgersall just up the road. I also think, these are some of the last remaining M&SWJct Rly. lines.

Kilmarnock: The evening service to Newcastle at Kilmarnock on 15/10/2016. Behind the trees there is a smart new college building in the place of the Johnnie Walker plant which once dominated this scene.

Andover: A rear view of 159008 on an eastbound passenger at Andover station.

Glenormiston Halt: I had a pleasant stroll along the Tweed Valley Railway Path from Cardrona to Innerleithen. The local authority provides information boards which advise that at Howford Crossing was a lengthman's cottage, currently being extended, next to which was a Glenormiston Halt, provided for the owner of Glenormiston House, publisher William Chambers. The original Glenormiston House was demolished in 1956.

Niddrie West Junction: GBRf 66717 takes the right fork at Niddrie West Junction with a freight on 15 October 2017. The train is the 6K25 0730 Cambuslang - Millerhill SS ballast.

Niddrie South Junction: An early Sunday morning PW train returning to Millerhill South Sidings in October 2017 carrying residual spoil and spent ballast. The train is approaching the bridge carrying the A1 over the sub between Niddrie West and Niddrie South Junctions, with the signal protecting the latter visible just beyond.

Innerleithen: The old WW2 food store at Innerleithen, and its loading platform, a little to the west of Innerleithen Station. This is alongside the Tweed Valley Way on 15th October 2017.

Innerleithen: A Tweed Valley Way information board at Innerleithen, this one providing a wealth of detail about the WW2 food store that is still alongside the old line. 15th October 2017.

Innerleithen: Innerleithen Station with surviving canopy. 15 October 2017. Seeing the expansion of every settlement in the valley and the growth in commuting, would the Peebles Loop be viable today as a 'basic' passenger railway with automated level crossings? To far gone for a revival today, I'm afraid ...

Slateford Viaduct: View north along Edinburghs Inglis Green Road on a Sunday morning in October 2017. The Voyager passing over Slateford Viaduct is a CrossCountry Trains Craigentinny - Glasgow Central empty stock working. The 14-arch Caledonian Railway viaduct was opened in 1842 and electrified in 1988. Nearer the camera is Slateford Aqueduct, opened 20 years earlier to carry the Union Canal. Both structures also span the Water of Leith (off picture to the right).

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking west towards the platform 12 extension works at Waverley on 15th October 2017. The BTP office has gone and the escalator has been extracted.

Niddrie West Junction: A Sunday morning ballast train returning from Cambuslang to Millerhill South Sidings on a bright and sunny autumn morning in October 2017. GBRf 66717 is seen here on the section between Niddrie West and Niddrie South Junctions.

Edinburgh Waverley: The tracks to platforms 5 and 6 at Waverley have been disconnected and lifted. 158729 waits at platform 3 with the 17.12 to Tweedbank on 15th October 2017.

Edinburgh Waverley: 170395 at platform 13 Waverley on 15th October 2017 with the 17.16 to Glenrothes with Thornton as work continues on the platform 12 extension.

Curriehill: A Glasgow Central to Waverley stopper calls at Curriehill on 15 October 2018. Unusually it is formed of four coaches.

Dundee: The 0907 Aberdeen to Edinburgh, the first Inter7City service, creates a stir arriving at Dundee on 15th October 2018.

Caerwys: The approach to Caerwys station from the east in October 2018. The railway, which ran on the right bank of the river, passed through the bridge in the centre distance and on to the station a short distance beyond. The buildings on the left are part of the Afonwen Mill, now a Craft and Visitor centre.

Cardrona: Cardrona Station has changed identities a few times since closure. Today it is a coffee shop. Note the small signal box. 15th October 2018.

Donibristle Platform: 70803 climbs Donibristle bank with the 6A65 Oxwellmains - Aberdeen Craiginches cement train on 15th October 2018. This was diverted through Fife because of the blockade at Stirling. All PCA tanks, presumably to reduce the axle loading for the Forth and Tay bridges.

Curriehill: A TPE service for Manchester Airport passes through Curriehill at speed on 15 October 2018. Its a class 350; I had to look that up as it seems rather shy about it.

Neidpath Viaduct: Neidpath Viaduct was commissioned by the Symington, Biggar and Broughton Railway company but, by the time it was built in 1864, the said company had been absorbed by the Caledonian Railway. Said to be one of the finest examples of skew-arch construction in Scotland, the viaduct no longer carries a railway over the River Tweed as the line from Symington to Peebles closed to passengers in 1950 and completely by 1966. It now forms part of a footpath.

Rosyth: LNER 43367 leads the 07.55 Inverness - Kings Cross towards Rosyth, diverted through Fife because of the Stirling blockade on 15th October 2018.

Forth Viaduct [Gartmore]: This replacement footbridge crosses over the young River Forth south of the former Gartmore station. This view looks north.

Horsbrugh Viaduct: Horsbrugh Viaduct at Cardrona. Cardrona was on the Peebles Loop of the North British Railway's line from Eskbank to Galashiels. Opened 1864 and closed in 1962. The viaduct is now an access road for the golf course and a footpath/cycleway. In the picture the former station building can be seen in the top right-hand corner. The construction site is for a new block of flats. 15th October 2018.

Buchlyvie Junction: The Strathendrick and Aberfoyle crossed Flanders Moss from Buchlyvie to approach Gartmore. The trackbed is now a forestry road frequented by cyclists and walkers. It must have been a good view from the train with Beinn Bhreac to the left, Ben Venue straight ahead (seen here) and Ben Ledi to the right.

Bo'ness: Mk3 sleeper 10580 recently arrived from Polmadie in full working order. It is to become part of a sleeping car display in due course in the Museum of Scottish Railways.

Kintore: First trains at Kintore on its day of re-opening. 43003 calls at the station.

Kintore: The new Kintore station on its opening day.

Kintore: Electric vehicle charging points at the new Kintore station.

Aberdeen: Return to Kintore. A return ticket on the day of opening seen at Aberdeen. The 1342 is an HST.

Pitmedden: On the way to a new destination, as displayed on the Passenger Information Screen.

Kintore: A traditional station sign under the new Kintore footbridge in October 2020.

Troon: Virtually empty car park at Troon station on 15th October 2020. Mid-afternoon on a normal Thursday you would be lucky to find a space.

Troon: 156442, forming the 15.15 for Stranraer, calls at Troon on a sunny 15th October 2020..

Kintore: Restored benches outside the new Kintore station, opened in October 2020.

Wigan Wallgate: A Northern service to Southport with 156452 departs from Wigan Wallgate on 15 October 2021.

Didcot Parkway: Busy Didcot. EWS liveried DB 66144 and 66053 arriving with a well loaded ballast train, necessitating two 66s, on 15th October 2021. No one quite knew where this ballast was heading for, the train was diverted into the local sidings. It could be Hinksey, the HS2 or the Oxford-Cambridge new line but there was a lot of it.

Leyland: Working from Polmadie to Longsight, TPE Mk5 set TPE03 is propelled by 68029 at Leyland on 15 October 2021. Earlier in the day the loco had taken set TPE01 from Longsight to Polmadie and this was the return working.

Wigan North Western: At Wigan North Western platform 2 has been sacrificed so that platform 3 could be extended to accommodate longer units which turnback to Manchester and the east. Although there are still rails in platform 2, they have been disconnected. Over on the left 319366 calls at platform 5 with a Liverpool to Blackpool service.

Donibristle Siding: Azuma 800105 passes Donibristle Siding with the 14.52 from Aberdeen to Kings Cross. It had lost 24 minutes between Markinch and Kirkcaldy and the shadows were moving in! 15 October 2021.

Donibristle Siding: 170450 passes Donibristle Siding with the 16.35 from Edinburgh to Perth on 15 0ctober 2021. Most of the surrounding trees will be cut back or felled in the next few weeks.

Didcot Parkway: Modern Railfreight. 66135 heading a waste train from Southall T.C. to Severnside Sita through Didcot on 15th October 2021. The containers will have started their journey on the Brentford branch and their final destination is accessed from the Severn Beach branch. #COP26

Wigan North Western: With electric haulage out of favour with some FOCs at the moment due to the high charges for electricity, DRS 66430 and 66432 are seen passing Wigan North Western with the 4S44 Daventry to Mossend service.

Didcot Parkway: DBC (EWS liveried) 66144 and 66053 with a well loaded ballast train, at Didcot on 15th October 2021.

Leyland: 68029 propels TPE Mk5 set TPE03 southwards at Leyland on 15 October 2021 on a Polmadie to Longsight ecs move.

Didcot Parkway: GWR Bi-mode 769930, on driver training, passing Didcot and heading up to Oxford on 15th October 2021.

Girvan: 156501, forming the 13.00 to Ayr, departs northwards from Girvan on 15th October 2021. This unit arrives at 12.53, the crew changes ends and it shuttles back. Stranraer trains are still restricted so the crossings at Girvan seem gone.

Didcot Parkway: DB 66035 passing through Didcot with a stone train from Westbury to Cricklewood on 15th October 2021, a surprisingly busy day for freight at this location.

Didcot Parkway: DB 60019, after a refuel at the Didcot depot, left light engine for Theale, where it collected an oil tank train to Robeston, South Wales via the Berks and Hants line.

Axminster: Axminster station from the car park side; with a collection of annexes and outbuildings. The bar on the left looked tempting; but as I had a long way to drive home, I abstained.

Moy: After heavy rain for most of the morning it was surprising how quickly the clouds dispersed enabling this shot of Belmont liveried 66746 with 'The Royal Scotsman' at Moy, heading for Boat of Garten from Kyle of Lochalsh on 15th October 2022.

Lyme Regis: Although this picture effectively contrasts country scenery with town (the houses on the left), it is deceptive - the edge of the town runs left-right in the distance. This South-facing view is less than half a mile from the branch terminus, which unfortunately had to be built some 250 feet above sea level; less than convenient when returning from the seaside.

Combpyne: I could not see any nail clippings, but this is undoubtedly a manicured trackbed to the south of Combpyne station (see image [[83246]]). This segment was private ground, accessed with owner's permission on a Railway Ramblers event.

Combpyne: Combpyne was the only intermediate station between Axminster and Lyme Regis. It was an economical structure, not least because the station and station master's house were combined in one building. Photographed from private land with owner's permission; view looks South in October2022.

Bingley Five Rise Locks: A close up of one of the lock chambers at Bingley Five Rise. The scale of construction of the stonework and large gates is so impressive. A newly opened tearoom in an old canal building by the top lock adds to the attraction of this as a place well worth a visit.

Morden South: Morden South, on the Wimbledon & Sutton line, looking south from a Thameslink service from and back to St. Albans City, running anti-clockwise along what is a vast loop, returning via Mitcham Junction, on the afternoon of Saturday, 15th October 2022. This station opened on 5th January 1930 with the extension to Sutton from South Merton that had been reached from Wimbledon on 7th July 1929 and including an intermediate station at Wimbledon Chase. Out of view on the left at a lower level is the LU Northern Line depot but complete separation prevails. Plans for a connection to allow tube trains to run to Sutton never came to fruition.

Kentish Town: 700021 is on the last leg of its circular, anti-clockwise, Thameslink service back to St. Albans City, departing from Kentish Town on the evening of Saturday, 15th October 2022.

Boat of Garten: Strathspey Railway's Black 5 No.5025, running over twenty minutes late, passing Drumuillie on the way to Broomhill with the last train of the day on 15th October 2022.

Axminster: I am becoming seriously concerned about the passenger capacity of rail replacement road vehicles.

Cannington Viaduct: The A&LRLR was built as a light railway, so the foundations of the elegant, curved Cannington Viaduct near Uplyme could only be ten feet deep. This wasn't enough, as can be seen from the reinforcements at the Axminster end. Notice the early use of concrete. (This structure is now Grade 2 listed)

Bingley Five Rise Locks: There is a pedestrian swing bridge at the top of Bingley Five Rise Locks affording access from the north bank to the towpath. Next to this is the spillway and the lock keeper's office, which has a Red Wheel plaque denoting the historic nature of the staircase locks, first used in 1774.

Streatham: View from a Thameslink service from and back to St. Albans City, now heading back north, on the approach to Streatham station, crossing the bridge over the quadrupled Brighton main line, looking south-east on 15th October 2022. Just visible above the parapet in the background is Streatham Common station. The two lines are linked by a spur that diverges south of Streatham and descends to make a trailing connection with the Brighton line slow tracks towards Streatham Common.

Morden South: Morden South, on the Wimbledon & Sutton Line, was opened by the Southern Railway on 5th January 1930 with the extension from South Merton and is seen here on 15th October 2022. The station is less well known than the LU Northern Line terminus even though the tube depot, in a deep cutting, is visible from its south end. It has always suffered from its close proximity to the tube and for many years the station was closed on Sundays but is now open full-time again.

St Helier: St. Helier, Wimbledon & Sutton line, looking back towards Wimbledon from an anti-clockwise Thameslink service from and back to to St. Albans City, on the afternoon of Saturday, 15th October 2022. This station opened on 5th January 1930, with the extension of the line from South Merton to Sutton, and is the only one on the line to have lost all its original buildings. For some years now, there has been talk of an extension of the Croydon trams system to St. Helier to serve the large hospital here but, as usual, nothing has happened.

Kings Cross: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' on display at Kings Cross, on the afternoon of Saturday, 15th October 2022 and throughout the entire weekend. This display marked the start of the events celebrating the A3's centenary and also the 170th anniversary of the opening of Kings Cross as the London terminus of the Great Northern Railway, designed by Lewis Cubitt. I asked an official why the centenary is being celebrated now when this world-famous locomotive did not enter service until February 1923. I was told that this event is just 'a chance to show the locomotive off in its famous London terminus' and that the 'real events' will kick off in February 2023.

Combpyne: A little way south of Combpyne station (see image [[83246]]) and a section of filled in cutting, there is a severe contrast in gradient profile between the solum of the Lyme Regis branch (left) and a local back road (right). A gaggle of Railway Ramblers considers its next move in the middle distance.

Bingley Five Rise Locks: One of the wonders of our canal system. These are Bingley Five Rise Locks, a staircase whereby the bottom gates of one lock are the top gates of the next, with no 'pound' in between. The five locks raise boats by 55' and are still fully operational ahead of celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2024. Hopefully the Canal and River Trust will be round with some white paint before then as the gates are looking a little shabby compared to how I remember them.

Axminster: The good folk of Axminster were pleased to have 6-coach trains heading to London once an hour. They were less pleased to be unable to travel the other way, due to the solum of clay soil drying out in the 2022 heatwave. The former platform for Lyme Regis was on the right in this view.

Bingley Five Rise Locks: The view down the very steep banking, alongside Bingley Five Rise staircase locks, in October 2022. The difference in height of the canal on either side of the staircase is around 55'.