Carlisle Upperby Shed: Withdrawn Stanier Pacific 46244 standing in Upperby yard on a grey October day in 1964 devoid of nameplates that once proclaimed its Royal identity as King George VI. The former LMS streamliner was broken up by Arnott Young in Troon during December that year. See image [[48141]]

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Lineup at Kingmoor shed on 17 October 1964, with Jubilee 4-6-0 no 45689 Ajax centre stage.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: BR Standard Pacific no 72007 Clan Mackintosh photographed in the shed yard at Kingmoor in October 1964. The locomotive was eventually withdrawn from here in December of the following year.

Gateshead Shed: Gresley A3 Pacific no 60092 Fairway standing in the sidings alongside Gateshead shed on 17 October 1964, a week after its withdrawal by BR.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: The shed yard at Kingmoor in October 1964. Nearest the camera is St Margarets A3 Pacific no 60052 Prince Palatine.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Britannia no 70001 Lord Hurcomb stands at Kingmoor in October 1964.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: A3 Pacific no 60041 Salmon Trout stands in Kingmoor shed yard on 17 October 1964.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Lineup in the shed yard at Carlisle Kingmoor in October 1964 with Black 5 no 45364 the featured locomotive, sandwiched between a Jubilee and EE Type 4 no D294.

Carlisle Upperby Shed: Stanier Pacific no 46255 City of Hereford stands at the back of Upperby shed yard in October 1964, the month of its withdrawal from neighbouring Kingmoor. The locomotive was cut up at Arnott Young, Troon, by the end of the year.

Beattock: HR 'Jones Goods' no 103 stands at Beattock station on 17 October 1965 with the BLS railtour on its way back to Glasgow after a circular tour via Dumfries and Lockerbie. See image [[21410]]

Neilston [1st]: Highland Railway 'Jones Goods' 4-6-0 103, seen climbing Neilston bank with a Branch Line Society special of 17th October 1965. The railtour was the final outing for the locomotive before retirement to the then Glasgow Transport Museum. The train has passed Barshagra and is close to the site of the 1855 Crofthead terminus of the first extension of the Barrhead line. It was renamed Neilston and replaced on extension of the line to Kilmarnock.

Beattock: Bankers at Beattock. Standard class 4 2-6-4Ts 80005 and 80117 stand outside Beattock shed in October 1965.

Kilmarnock: HR 'Jones Goods' no 103 takes water at the south end of Kilmarnock station on 17 October 1965 with a BLS special heading for Dumfries. The special returned north from Dumfries via Lochmaben, Lockerbie and the WCML see image [[21410]].

Kennishead: HR 103 south of Kennishead on 17 October 1965 heading for Kilmarnock, Dumfries and Lockerbie with a BLS railtour.

Dumfries: The ex-Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0 at Dumfries on a Branch Line Society tour from Glasgow in October 1965. From here the train took the DLLR route to Lockerbie before returning to Glasgow via the West Coast Main Line.

Carstairs: HR 103 taking on water at Carstairs on 17 October 1965 with a BLS railtour from Glasgow Central.

Lockerbie: HR 103 at Lockerbie on 17 October 1965 with a BLS Railtour from Glasgow Central. The special is about to return north via the WCML.

Dumfries: The preserved ex-Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0 no 103 stands at the up platform at Dumfries with a BLS railtour from Glasgow on 17 October 1965. See image [[21342]]

Carstairs: HR 103 standing at Carstairs with a BLS railtour on 17 October 1965. The train was returning north to its original starting point at Glasgow Central.

Beattock: The Jones Goods at Beattock on 17 October 1965. No 103 is about to leave for Glasgow Central with a BLS railtour returning from visits to Dumfries and Lockerbie.

Barshagra Signal Box: Highland Railway 'Jones Goods' 4-6-0 No.103, on the ascent of Neilston bank, with a Branch Line Society special of 17th October 1965. The railtour was the last outing for the locomotive before retirement to museum life. The train is mid way between Barshagra Signal Box and the site of Neilston Low.

Lochmaben: HR 103 stops at Lochmaben with a BLS railtour on 17 October 1965 running tender first from Dumfries to Lockerbie. The bridge carried the B7020 road over the station. Protruding above the first coach beyond the bridge are the chimneys of the old station house and offices, out of use by this time, while the upper part of the Railway Inn is visible on the far left of the picture. A bungalow was subsequently built across the trackbed in the background (see image [[35752]])..

Kilmarnock: The ex-Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0 no 103 at Kilmarnock en route to Dumfries with a BLS railtour on 17 October 1965.

Dumfries: A BLS railtour from Glasgow at Dumfries on 17 October 1965 behind preserved ex-Highland Railway Jones Goods 4-6-0 no 103.

Gourock: Standard tank 80120 ready to leave Gourock with the 17.03 service to Glasgow Central.

Gourock: Infrastructure for the following year’s electrification is already well established at Gourock as Standard 5 73059 reverses out of the station after bringing in an afternoon train from Glasgow. On the left, 2-6-4T 80120 will shortly depart in the opposite direction.

Gourock: The smokebox number- and shed-plates are missing, but this is Polmadie's Standard 2-6-4T 80120 ready to leave Gourock with the 5.03 pm service to Glasgow Central in October 1966.

Glasgow Central: Standard Class 5 73059 ready to leave Glasgow Central with the 15.57 to Gourock in October 1966.

Bathgate Lower: A Railway Society of Scotland railtour at Bathgate Lower in 1970. The view is from the footbridge and looks towards the Upper station. The line closed in 1973 with the closure of Easton Colliery.

Maldon East: The gaunt shell of the derelict Maldon East signal box is seen at dusk on 17th October 1976. The former station is behind the camera and the view is from the old level crossing looking towards Witham. Only the ghost of trains past remained to drift silently across the road....

Bowling [CR]: Gradient board of pitch pine with cast metal letters/numerals, located approximately 92 Yds east of platform end of the former Bowling Station, on south side of track. Caledonian Railway Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire line.

Eastleigh Shed: Deltic 55015 Tulyar being questioned by a representative of Hampshire constabulary in Eastleigh depot on 17 October 1981.

Portsmouth Harbour: Arrivals at Portsmouth Harbour terminus, October 1981 see image [[45034]].

Eastleigh Shed: Deltic 55015 Tulyar in strange company at Eastleigh shed in October 1981.

Crianlarich: Black Five 5305 drifts down Glen Falloch, south of Crianlarich, with the SRPS 'The Jacobite' on 17 October 1987. The rubble to the left is due to road construction work.

Dundee: There is a haze of exhaust as an HST in InterCity livery pulls out of Dundee for the south on 17 October 1997.

Dundee: A London Kings Cross service calls at Dundee in GNER days. Looking it up I see that 'GNER days' covers nearly 12 years, though it is hard to believe it was anything like that. Surely this doesn't mean I'm getting old?

Newton Stewart: The locomotive shed at Newton Stewart, looking to the former junction

Eastfield TMD: Eastfield nearing completion.

Glasgow Central: A piper welcomes First ScotRail's inaugural service - a train for Gourock about to leave Glasgow Central on 17 October 2004.

Haughhead Junction: View looking east at Haughhead Junction as the new track is laid in.

Larkhall Central: View looking south over Larkhall Central. Machine taking core sections?

Cairnryan: Track still on the old pier. Looking south at Cainryan.

Cairnryan: The island platform at Cairnryan. Looking north in October 2004.

Cairnryan: From platform to clothes dryer: the old platform at Cairnryan.

Newton Stewart: Newton Stewart goods shed, looking east.

Newton Stewart: The junction at Newton Stewart, looking west.

Brunstane: ScotRail 158739 approaching the platform at Brunstane from the south on 17 October 2005 with a mid-morning service to Dunblane ex-Newcraighall. The train is passing the site of Niddrie North Junction and the remains of the former Lothian Lines bridge.

Edinburgh Waverley: Crew change for a GNER Aberdeen - Kings Cross HST on 17 October 2005 at Waverley platform 19.

Edinburgh Waverley: A North Berwick train awaits its departure time at Waverley platform 7 in October 2005. On the trackless platform alongside stands the Waverley Ops Depot.

Newcastle Central: Looking west towards the main station at Newcastle Central on 17 October 2006. A GNER (remember them?) Edinburgh - London service stands at the platform.

Drei Annen Hohne: Metre gauge 2-10-2T 99 7241 blasts up the five mile long climb between Steinerne Renne and Drei Annen Hohne with the 09:25 Wernigerode - Brocken service in October 2006. The location is towards the end of a long stretch of 1 in 30 gradient which eases to 1 in 50 for the final half mile or so into Drei Annen Hohne.

Haydon Bridge: 156487 departs from Haydon Bridge with a service to Carlisle on 17 October 2006.

Luthrie: Bridge remains near Luthrie, where the Newburgh and North Fife line crossed the A92.

Kincardine Power Station: Bit dark, but here is the prepared trackbed at Kincardine Powerstation.

Alloa [1st]: It is all go on the site of the old Alloa station. And to think this was all flooded recently ...

Alloa: More preparation of the new platform for the passenger siding at Alloa.

Cambus: Scene east of Cambus on 17 October 2006. The sleepers are now laid here, including those for a new loop to the east of the former station.

Larbert Junction: Larbert Junction looking south. Note two things; the box is still open with its semaphore signals and note the new track layout.

Larbert Junction: A 125 from Edinburgh runs north through Larbert Junctions new layout.

Cadder Yard: Little sign of development at Cadder where DRS may or may not be considering a depot.

Cowlairs Carriage Sidings: Equipment being unloaded at the former carriage sidings at Cowlairs. Note some site clearance has taken place.

Sighthill West Junction: Some site clearance has taken place at Cowlairs (distant on right).

Alloa: View west along the new platform at Alloa on 17 October 2007 from the buffer stops.

Perpignan Dali: Perpignan Dali Station with the new TGV station being constructed alongside.

Perpignan Dali: Perpignan Dali Station. A new TGV station is being constructed alongside.

Perpignan Dali: Salvador DaliPerpignan Dali Station is not remarkable from the outside. Inside it is quite unusual as the Daliesque ceiling shows. Dali is said to have stood outside the station and declared it to be the centre of the world.

Perpignan Dali: SNCF 9329 at Perpignan Dali Station.

Perpignan Dali: SNCF TGV 259 at Perpignan Dali Station, running with TGV 289.

Perpignan Dali: SNCF TGV 289 at Perpignan Dali Station, running with TGV 259.

Perpignan Dali: SNCF TGV 289 at Perpignan Dali Station, running with TGV 259.

Cambus: During reinstatement of the Srirling - Alloa - Kincardine line a PW materials delivery and distribution hub was established on vacant land at Cambus, just west of the level crossing. This photograph, taken on 17 October 2007, shows a Hydrex road-rail vehicle on the crossing, with recently loaded flatbed trucks attached front and rear, setting off in the direction of Alloa.

Bathgate Yard: Two class 60 locos wait with their PW trains in Bathgate yard in October 2007

Ardrossan Town: Level crossing sign on removed line at Ardrossan from the days of steam.

Old Trafford: Test Match Special listeners of a certain age will know this station better as Warwick Road, which it was called until the trams came. 1002 arrives on an Altrincham service. The trams only used a small section of the original long platforms and since this picture was taken the Manchester platform has been moved to the other side of a newly installed foot crossing. See image [[29964]]

Old Trafford: The strange looking building alongside the line at Old Trafford is actually the scoreboard, which illustrates how close the cricket ground is to the station. View south towards Altrincham. This line has had three different overhead electrification schemes. 1500v DC to 1971 followed by 25kv AC until converted to the Metrolink tramway at 750v DC. See image [[29619]] to see how this location has since been altered with new staggered platforms.

Manchester United Football Club Halt: As well as the real Old Trafford ground See image [[21085]] there is this bit of a football club nearby with its own station. The halt is electrified and used on match days by services that would normally terminate at Deansgate being extended. At the far end of the platform the line through the halt is also connected to the lines into the Trafford Park container base that lies just beyond the far bridge.

Dalmeny Junction: Dalmeny Junction during diversions of Edinburgh - Glasgow sevices on 17 October 2009 as a 6-car 170 from Glasgow approaches the loops to reverse for the Edinburgh line.

Dalmeny: 170 540 at Dalmeny Junction on a diverted Glasgow to Edinburgh service on 17 October, rejoins the main line after reversing in the Up Loop.

Dalmeny: Leaf-blaster DR98906 joins the main line to Edinburgh after reversing in the Up Loop at Dalmeny during EGML diversions on 17 October 2009

Dalmeny: The Forth Bridge lines are carrying at least 7 passenger services an hour each way, so when the loops at Dalmeny are used for reversing trains during occasional diversions of Edinburgh - Glasgow services things can get busy, even with the interloper service reduced to half-hourly.  Four abreast here on 17 October are, left to right:  in the Down Loop a service from Edinburgh waiting for access to the Winchburgh Junction line for Glasgow; an unidentified train bound for the Forth Bridge; a local which has just left Dalmeny station (in background); in the Up Loop a service from Glasgow during a long wait to access the Edinburgh line.

Kirbymoorside: A view east from the road bridge at Kirbymoorside station in October 2009. At this time the station buildings were still standing but the goods yard had been redeveloped and had some industrial buildings over much of the area. Today all this has been swept away with a vets between the station site and the A170 road. Most of the area where the factory had been is now housing.

Dalmeny: During weekend diversion of Edinburgh - Glasgow services on 17 October a 6-car Class 170 accelerates towards Edinburgh following a lengthy wait in the Up Loop at Dalmeny where it reversed. To the right is the trackbed of the Ratho to South Queensferry branch, rather overshadowed (in both senses) by the Forth Bridge when it opened in 1890. Though 'goods only' for decades it survived long enough to need to be crossed by this bridge carrying the A90 Forth Road Bridge approach which opened in 1964. In fact I believe the branch was used to transport materials for the bridge construction. 

Foxfield: Steam age infrastructure survives today at Foxfield, including the water tower seen here in October 2010. The signalbox once controlled the junction for the Coniston branch but now just a section on the line from Barrow to Millom. The green building next to the crossing is the Lamp oil Store for the semaphore signals. The station survives as a request halt on the edge of the Duddon estuary.

Coniston: A 3/4 mile stretch of the old Coniston branch is now a permissive footpath running south along the hillside from the site of the old terminus (now a business park). This view looks over an old underbridge and north along the trackbed towards Coniston, which closed to passengers in 1958.

Foxfield: Looking north from Foxfield's island platform the sharp curve where the line turns west to cross the Duddon estuary can be seen. It then heads south to Millom before turning north again towards Whitehaven. When this station was a junction for Coniston the platform was covered by an overall roof, now long gone. The white building in the distance stands on the Coniston branch formation. The line enjoys a reasonable Monday to Saturday service but no trains on Sundays.

Glasgow Central: Virgin and CrossCountry train services stand side by side at Glasgow Central on 17 October 2011 awaiting their respective departure times for London and Penzance.

Glasgow Central: CrossCountry 220008 waits to leave Glasgow Central on 17 October with a service for Penzance.

Huyton: The 4-aspect colour light signals at Huyton are controlled from the mechanical lever frame in the LNWR signal box. New infrastructure is appearing however, as seen here, and the box will not survive the forthcomng electrification. 142025 is on the rear of a four-car Pacer set leaving for Liverpool Lime St.

Spooner Row: The neat, small box at Spooner Row station on the Ely to Norwich Line. Looking towards Norwich on 17 October 2012.

Taunton: A former GWR water tower is still extant on the down side just north of Taunton Station, as seen from the window of a passing Cross Country HST set in October 2012. The legend 'British Railways Taunton Freight Concentration Depot' is still clearly visible on the tank side.

Barry: Transmart Trains Electro Diesel 73133 idles on No 1 road after being brought out of Cambrian Transport's Barry Shed The loco is seen on 17 October 2012 shortly after return from Selhurst Depot where it had been based for some time. As of Oct 2021 it is currently based at Eastleigh Works. From late April 2023 the ED is now based at the Bluebell Railway, and has reverted to its as new BR Blue paint finish and number E6040. The name 'The Bluebell Railway', first given to it in September 1990, as also been re-applied.

Huyton: A Liverpool to Huddersfield stopping service, formed by Northern 156483, calls at Huyton. On the opposite platform the original Liverpool and Manchester Railway station building, probably dating from soon after 1832 when Huyton opened, is still in use and staffed. Just beyond the train the signal controls the junction with the St Helens Central line but this service will go straight on for Manchester.

Broad Green: Broad Green must be one of the oldest railway stations in the world still served by passenger trains as it opened with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830. Sadly, little remains of the early station as the platforms are concrete and the buildings are dilapdated 1960s/70s affairs. 156455 calls on a Liverpool to Wigan North Western service.

Milton of Crathes: On a very dull and extremely wet 17 October 2012, looking west across the tracks at Milton of Crathes from beside the A93 road. The station building from Oldmeldrum is being re-assembled here to serve the Royal Deeside Railway.

Carlisle: A London Midland class 350 EMU on hire to TransPennine Express for driver training departs the middle road at Carlisle on 17 October 2013 on its way back to Preston.

Carlisle: DBS 92002 moves 4S43 Daventry to Mossend Tesco Containers through platform 1 at Carlisle on 17 October.

Carlisle: Colas Rail Freight 56105 prepares to restart the 6M65 Grangemouth - Sinfin fuel tanks from Carlisle in the early hours of 17 October 2013

Machynlleth: The former Machynlleth signal box, now redundant after being superceded by the ERTMS movement control system, sits moribund alongside the up line east of the station on 17 October 2013. See image [[29390]]

Carlisle: DBS 90029 takes the Highland Sleeper north out of Carlisle platform 4 in the early hours of 17 October 2013.

Crewe Junction: Crewe Junction signal box in October 2013, sited just beyond the end of Shrewsbury Station's platform 3. View across the tracks from the entrance to the former Howard Street goods depot, now the station car park.

Shrewsbury: Un-rebuilt 60049 runs into Shrewsbury platform 4 from the north with a lengthy steel working from Dee Marsh to Port Talbot mid morning on 17 October

Grange-over-Sands: The morning Crewe to Sellafield flasks rumble through Grange-over-Sands station behind DRS EE Type 3s 37608 and 37682 on 17 October 2013.

Carlisle: DRS 57309 arrives at Carlisle platform 5 on 17 October 2013 on a driver training run.

Machynlleth: Looking through the former 89C Machynlleth steam shed on 17 October 2013. View is west with the new ERTMS signalling centre building framed by the entrance openings. Beyond that is the roof of the main station building. The steam shed pits are used for deep cleaning of engines and bogies, with a lightweight bridge structure outside the west end for roof cleaning.

Grange-over-Sands: The DRS Crewe to Sellafield flask train runs through a sunny Grange-over-Sands on 17 October. Two EE Type 3s were in charge of the two wagons on this occasion, locomotives 37608 and 37682.

Machynlleth: Arriva Trains Wales 158824 undergoing maintenance in the modern servicing facility at Machynlleth on the afternoon of 17 October.

Shrewsbury: A grab shot from a Cambrian Coast bound Arriva service looking back at Freightliner 70004 standing forward of the class 97 servicing shed on Network Rail's Coton Hill depot. The loco was attached to a coal wagon which was having its rear bogie checked out.

Machynlleth: A view east down the 'cliff' side of the former 89C Machynlleth steam shed showing the many thousands of small random pieces of local stone used in the construction of the shed by the Cambrian Railway.

Newtongrange: Tracklaying about to restart after a short break alongside the National Mining Museum at Newtongrange on 17 October 2014. Part of the under-construction station platform is visible bottom left. Propelling the train south towards the Gore Glen is GBRf 66736.

Newtongrange: The Borders Railway tracklaying team in action mid morning on 17 October 2014 just south of Newtongrange station. The train is being propelled by GBRf 66736.

Newtongrange: View south at Newtongrange on 14 October 2014 during tracklaying operations, showing the short distance between the Lady Victoria Colliery site, home of the Scottish Mining Museum (top left) and the under construction platform. The new station will have a direct footpath link with the museum.

Pont Briwet: The welcome sight of a train running again from Pwllheli to Birmingham International. A class 158 DMU crosses the new concrete Pont Briwet on 17th October 2014, while in the foreground the old wooden trestle bridge standeth still. Difficulties in rerouting water pipes and BT cables have delayed demolition of this listed structure.

Kemble: A quiet moment at Kemble, looking towards Swindon from the footbridge in October 2014. Double track to the south had recently been reinstated. The remaining stub of the Cirencester branch joins the mainline from the left at the end of the platform.

Llandecwyn: The 1412 service to Birmingham International stops at the rebuilt (but unfinished) Llandecwyn station on 17 October 2014. Local schoolchildren can now use the station again to commute to Porthmadog and are saved the lengthy detour by the bus replacement service which was in operation from December 2013 to October 2014. See image [[48042]]

Kemble: A view towards Stroud from the southern end of the Swindon bound platform at Kemble station late in the afternoon of 17 October 2014. To the right is the remains of the platform for the GWR branch to Cirencester. [Ref query 6775]

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: The Borders Railway tracklaying train making steady progress through the cutting alongside the former Lady Victoria Colliery on a damp morning in October 2014. Long lens view looking south from the A7 road bridge alongside the under construction Newtongrange station.

Maliphant Sidings: A 2015 progress shot of the Maliphant Sidings, the new facilities being built at Swansea on the old carriage sidings.

Cleethorpes: Full house at Cleethorpes as demonstrator refurbished “evolution” Pacer 144012 prepares to depart with the 11.14 SO to Sheffield via Gainsborough at platform 3, a 153 for Barton on Humber waits at platform 2 and a TPE 185 for Manchester Airport on platform 1.

Port Talbot Parkway: Progress at Port Talbot on 17 October 2015 with all main sections of the new footbridge now in place. Arriva Trains Wales 175104 is restarting the 0707 Milford Haven - Manchester Piccadilly over Oakwood Road level crossing.

Swansea: Grab shot from a passing train showing part of the new facilities being built at Swansea on the site of the old carriage sidings. Photographed on 17 October 2015 see image [[18589]].

Cleethorpes: Porterbrook’s demonstrator unit for its revamped Pacer proposition - thankfully doomed - sits at Cleethorpes on 17 October 2015 with one of the Saturdays only services via Gainsborough. Out of shot an engineer is furiously trying to get the doors to work properly.

Bedworth: While we are waiting for Coventry Arena and Bermuda Park stations to open, let us at least enjoy the lengthened platforms at Bedworth; seen here on 17 October fenced off in a somewhat half hearted fashion.

Quillan: Quillan, terminus of the branch from Carcassonne. The line used to continue through the mountains to Axat where services for freight and heritage trains continue to Rivesaltes. The surviving passenger service is under threat.

Motherwell: A new book 'Steam at Motherwell - Pictorial Record of Steam Trains During early 1960s' has been published by Jim and Alice Prentice. 32 pages 147 x 210 mm of Black and White photographs (see image). Published by the authors at 23 Ross Gardens, Motherwell, ML1 3BE. Price £7.60 including postage. Payment: Cheques payable to Jim Prentice. Enquiries: jprentice23@yahoo.co.uk

Elgin Centre Signal Box: Elgin East station and goods yard with not much track down on 17th October 2017.

Elgin Centre Signal Box: The new points in place at Elgin.

Porthmadog: I was in Porthmadog on Friday the 13th just after 1am, a wet and very windy night. The Welsh Highland Railway crosses the main road and joins the Ffestiniog Railway at the Harbour station which is just behind the camera. The first line across this bridge was the Tremadoc Tramway.

Dunkeld and Birnam: DRS 66423 passes through Dunkeld & Birnam with the Inverness - Mossend intermodal on 17th October 2017.

Lancaster: Bridge Road and Brunton Road in Lancaster, formerly crossed by an additional line leading to the old L&PJ station at Lancaster Greaves. The L&NWR built a two road engine shed and turntable in the fork between the two lines which was open from 1875 to 1934. In the trees on the left are traces of floor tiles and other remnants from the old depot. The grass bank near the surviving bridge is now a good vantage point for watching trains departing Lancaster See image [[35365]]. 17th October 2017. [Ref query 30 October 2017]

Larbert: A contrast of old (the signal box) and new (the Network Rail Training Centre) at Larbert. The view looks north just north of the station.

Porthmadog: The 1402 to Birmingham International draws into Porthmadog on an warm autumn day in 2017.

Northampton: Another handy historical document at Northampton station see image [[53594]]. This one shows the original Castle station (top - notice the decorously arranged curtains), St.Johns - bottom left - and Bridge Street (bottom right)

Elgin East: In the goods yard the loco is saying 'Whatever happened to my track?' There are two class 60s in the goods yard. Looks like the crane is being disconnected.

Elgin: A view of the work extending the loop with new track at The Wards, Elgin. Wards crossing almost done. Signals being toppled. Platform extensions not complete. The way the track machine (not pictured) had a smart Thomas Telford nameplate - possibly ex BR. (Does anyone know?)

Toddington: An image from a visit to the GWR at Toddington in October 2017. This is 20035, one of four Class 20s that worked a freight branch in France for several years for a company known as CFD (Compagnie des Chemins de Fer Departementaux). Now derelict and to be broken up for spares for D8137. I was part of a party on a conducted tour of the shed yard.

Toddington: Class 73 E6036, formerly 73129, taken while part of a party on a conducted tour of the shed yard. The GWR have now started daily shed visits for the public, all donations gratefully received as they say.

Toddington: Taken while on conducted tour of the Toddington shed and yard on 17th October 2017. D8137 & 47 376 on shed.

Toddington: 2 8F boilers under repair at Toddington in October 2017. One from 8274, the other I suspect from one of the Turkish imports.

Dunblane: Wiring up Dunblane for electric trains on 17th October 2018. As with the original railway navvies, historians of the future may well be curious about the food that fuelled the workforce during this major project. Fortunately, that elusive detail is recorded in the background of this photo. On the menu are such delicacies as Gourmet burger, Jumbo hot dog, chips'n curry and Bovril.

Ardrossan Harbour: The usual layover period at Ardrossan Harbour is over half an hour so this very short branch has a train in for most of the day. 385111 still has a while before it returns to Glasgow on 17 October 2018.

Barton and Broughton: A brand new Northern CAF Class 331 EMU made several test runs between Preston and Carnforth on 17th October 2018. 331001, one of the three car variants, is seen heading south at Barton and Broughton. The similarities with the Class 195 DMUs are apparent.

Oxheys: New CAF EMU 331001, seen through the catenary at Oxheys, heading for Preston whilst on test early on 17th October 2018. The pantograph is illuminated, presumably to allow video recording as part of the testing process

Porthmadog: 158820 in October 2018, minus its Arriva sticker (which I noticed) but still with the old Transport for Wales logo (which I didn't), seen a few days after the change of franchise for Wales took effect. (Thanks to the train driver for correcting the information I gave in the previous caption).

Porthmadog [WHR]: Hunslet Barclay Emma, formely involved in constructing the London Jubilee Line extension and London's new Olympic Stadium, waits in Porthmadog (WHR) station to take the next passenger tour to the WHR Engine sheds on 17th October 2018.

Johnstone: An Ayr service calls at Johnstone on 17 October 2018.

Porthmadog [WHR]: The Purple Moose Brewery tanker, with the Mŵs Piws (inset) itself on the end, basking in the autumn sunshine at the Welsh Highland Heritage railway's station at Porthmadog. The tanker is, in part at least, by way of a memorial to the late Bob Washington, one of the most faithful and active members of the WHHR who played a key role in the operation of the Miniature Railway at Gelert’s Farm. He was also a director of the Purple Moose brewery. The tanker is based on a Royal Navy Armament Depot flat wagon dating from the late 1930’s/early 1940’s, and the tank itself came via the Ffestiniog Railway. The two were securely united in August 2016 after the flat wagon had been refurbished for display. (Thanks to Richard Harrison of the WHHR for information).

Kilwinning: First stop for a Glasgow to Ayr service on 17 October 2018. Platform lighting is being replaced, but the longer term plan is to transform (ruin?) the station with a single bridge and modernised building.

Porthmadog: 158820, still with its old Transport for Wales logo see image [[66034]] calls at Porthmadog on its way to Pwllheli on a warm October day shortly after the change of franchise came into effect.

Ardrossan South Beach: A Glasgow service calls at South Beach on 17 October 2018. The Hunterston line (right) has little to do these days; a little work through here and West Kilbride would allow a half-hourly service to Largs. Just saying.

Porthmadog Harbour [WHR]: Ex South African Railways 1958 built NGG16 Class 2-6-2+2-6-2 Garratt, now FR number 138, completing its run around manoeuvre on the WHR platform at Porthmadog in October 2018. The loco has front and rear tenders.

Paisley Gilmour Street: No, not one from the archives but a shot of a Gourock to Glasgow service at Gilmour Street on 17 October 2018. Scrapping of Class 314s should surely have happened by now, but that depended on cascading in the Class 385 rollout. I travelled home that day on the EGML in a Class 170 and didn't see a single 385 so I think 314s are safe for the time being.

Saltcoats: A Glasgow service arrives at the one-time Saltcoats Central station on 17 October 2018. The station retains original buildings on both sides, though the Down building (out of shot) is not in rail use. It is a nice wee cafe, as it seems mandatory to say in these circumstances.

Porthmadog [WHR]: View west toward the WHR station building at Porthmadog on a warm and thirsty October day. My request for a cask ride on the Purple Moose Brewery tank waggon was declined. Fortunately the brewery shop is nearby.

Fairlie: A Largs to Glasgow service comes out of Fairlie tunnel and into the station on 17 October 2018. The station once went by the slightly silly name of Fairlie High. What were they thinking?

Mexborough: 66570 passing Mexborough with the 1050 Doncaster to Toton Infrastructure service on 17th October 2019.

Crewe: A Virgin Voyager is seen arriving from Chester on Platform 6, Crewe on a service that will head to Euston on 17 October 2019.

Stafford: Cross Country Voyagers call at Stafford on 17th October 2019. The one on the left is heading to Manchester while the other is heading south to Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.

Ely: 387126, with a Cambridge to King's Lynn service, calling at Ely seen from the rear on 17th October 2019. Passengers who had travelled on the ex-10.42 eight carriages service from King's Cross were expecting it to continue to King's Lynn but had to change at Cambridge onto this service of just four carriages and it was standing room only, at least as far as Ely.

Stafford: DRS 88004 passes Stafford while working the Mossend to Daventry intermodal service on 17 October 2019.

Crewe: Northern EMU 323235 arrives at Crewe (platform 1) on 17 October 2019 with a service from Manchester.

Kings Cross: Brand new Azuma unit at London King's Cross, on the morning of Thursday, 17th October 2019.

Ely: 158813, from Norwich to Manchester Piccadilly, departing from Ely where it reversed, on the evening of Thursday, 17th October 2019.

Hilton Junction: 70816 passes through Hilton Junction with a Workington to Aberdeen train.

Gleneagles: An Inverness to Mossend DRS train passing through Gleneagles station.

Blackford: The incomplete siding at Blackford seen from the new footbridge to the south west.

Blackford: Northbound on the approach to Blackford with a Grangemouth to Aberdeen service on 17th October 2019.

Dunblane Junction: 385121 returns south alongside Dunblane signal box in October 2019. The cathedral is in the background.

Blackford: A southbound HST passing Blackford on 17th October 2019.

Swinton: 66540 approaching Swinton station with the lunchtime Leeds to Southampton freightliner on 17th October 2019.

Blackford: An evening view of Blackford crossing in October 2019, with a southbound service passing the signal box.

Stafford: LSL's two tone green D1944 'Craftsman' runs through platform 6 at Stafford while heading back light engine to Crewe on 17 October 2019.

Mexborough: 66780 passing Mexborough with the morning Doncaster to Toton engineers service in October 2019.

Stafford: Approaching Stafford from Stafford Trent Valley Jct on 17 October 2019 is a Cross Country Voyager heading to Manchester Piccadilly.

Crewe: Pendolino, with the name 'Alison' on the front, comes off the Up fast onto the Up slow as it passes Crewe North Junction about to call at Crewe on 17 October 2019 with a London bound service. On the right are the lines to Manchester via Wilmslow; over on the left the driver of DBC 66124 had just changed ends before returning to the station to collect 90040 and dragging it off to Crewe Electric depot.

Kings Cross: 387129 at Kings Cross on 17th October 2019. This was waiting to leave with, ostensibly, the 10.42 Great Northern service to King's Lynn but no sooner had it departed than an announcement went up that the train would terminate at Cambridge and passengers for stations from there to King's Lynn would have to change. A friend and I were travelling to Ely; no explanation was given and no ticket checks were made.

Crewe: Virgin Voyager 221118 from Chester to Euston calls at Crewe on 17th October 2019. Across the tracks London Northwestern 350128 waits in one of the bay platforms before returning to Euston as well.

Crewe: A TfW service from Manchester to Cardiff with 175011 calls at Crewe in the afternoon of 17 October 2019.

Lea Road: A Truxor Amphibian, used by contractors to clear weeds and other obstructions from the waterways on behalf of the Canal and River Trust. Very impressive to see in operation, either floating in the water or emerging on tracks - I want one!

Lea Road Watertroughs: Construction of the new viaduct for the Preston Western Distributor Road continues and four rows of pillars and the abutments are now in place. A York to Blackpool CAF 195 passes the new structure on 17th October 2020. See image [[73625]] from three months earlier.

Salwick: Seen from the Lancaster Canal towpath, two CAF 331 EMUs pass the nuclear fuel plant at Salwick with a Hazel Grove to Blackpool North service on 17th October 2020. See map of this location and the old railway layout of the plant at [[73832]].

Donibristle Platform: The 13.56 from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, powered by 43136 and 43026, passes the site of Donibristle Platform on 17 October 2022.

Lostock Hall Junction: GBRf 66725 travels between Lostock Hall Junction and Farington Junction with a loaded stone train from Ribblehead Virtual Quarry to Tuebrook on 17 October 2022. This short section of track links the East Lancs line with the WCML and is locally known as 'The Back Line'.