Swaffham: The Wymondham to Kings Lynn line was not earmarked for closure in the Beeching report, but was a casualty of the 1960s none the less. Once the Dereham - Wells and Swaffham - Thetford branches had been pruned from it in 1964 and “rationalization” applied, it faded away. This photo is of the intermediate Swaffham station (former junction for Thetford) on 23rd October 1976, some 8 years after final closure. The view is eastward. [Ref query 1663]

Liverpool Street: Afternoon arrival at Liverpool Street in October 1976.

Liverpool Street: Looking over the concourse and passenger information board located between platforms 15 and 16 at Liverpool Street station in October 1976.

Norwich City: After final closure on 3rd February 1969, the ruins of Norwich City station disappeared in stages. First to go were the street facing structures, removed in the early 1970s when a new roundabout for the Norwich inner ring road encroached on the site. This view, taken in October 1976, is of the four truncated and excavated platforms looking towards the roundabout. It seems probable that the platform infill was used to shape the roundabout dome.

Liverpool Street: Multilingual announcements echo around Liverpool Street station as the Hook Continental boards on Sunday 23rd October 1977. This train ran non-stop to Harwich Parkeston Quay to connect with the evening ferry sailing to the Hook of Holland. Station tannoys down the line would soon be blaring urgent warnings to 'stand clear of the platforms as a fast through train is approaching'. Driven flat out on a top priority passenger express, Class 37s became transformed into something quite frightening... even for seasoned observers.

Wakefield Kirkgate: 40046 at Wakefield Kirkgate on a mixed freight in October 1980. One went here to see the Healey Mills 40s at work. Some of them were to me rare birds.

Mirfield: Non-boiler Brush Type 4 No. 47364 on the up slow line opposite the former shed yard at Mirfield with a short westbound container train in October 1982. The presence of another photographer indicates that something special was afoot, with 'Duchess' No. 46229 due to pass on its way from York to Chester to work the Welsh Marches Pullman later that day see image [[33861]].

Mirfield: Preserved Duchess Pacific no 46229 'Duchess of Hamilton' steams westwards through Mirfield on 23 October 1982. The former Mirfield shed yard is in the left background and the trackbed of the old Midland branch to Newtown Goods Yard in Huddersfield in the foreground. The locomotive is en route from York to Chester to work the 'Welsh Marches Pullman'. [With thanks to Vic Smith and Eric Imrie]

Villablino: A visit to the Ponferrada - Villablino coal line in October 1987 was not a great success - not only was the weather poor but the amount of steam work, already long reduced to trips and shunting, was at a desultory level. Engerth type 2-6+4T No. 19 simmers in the station at Villablino awaiting its next call of duty which probably would't come until late in the afternoon and certainly not in sunshine!

Edinburgh Waverley: A 125 waits at platform 1, east end of Waverley station. The old platforms for Peebles, the Penicuik lines etc were busy with mail traffic. Since 1987 this end of the station has seen quite a bit of alteration. Then again, so has the other end!

Barry Links: A venerable sign (and some fine ironwork) at Barry Links station in October 1997.

Broughty Ferry: Looking south through Broughty Ferry station in October 1997. Photograph taken from the level crossing through the arch of the unique signal box / footbridge. See image [[2916]]

Inverness: A 4-car Class 158 boards at Inverness's Platform 3 in October 1997. Note the trees between Platforms 1 and 2; for a number of reasons arboriculture has never been a feature of stations and one wonders what they were thinking. The trees are certainly not there now.

Millerhill Marshalling Yard [North]: EWS 66049, still in its first year of operational service, emerges from the fog at the north end of Millerhill Yard on 23 October 1999. The coal empties have come off the ECML at Monktonhall Junction and are heading for Niddrie West and the westbound 'sub' on their way back to Hunterston import terminal.

Alloa Loop: Alloa East looking west. The trackbed runs from left to bottom centre and the new bypass road is under construction.

Alloa: Looking east over the site of the Alloa Brewery and siding. The locomotive shed was to the left, brewery to the right. This is to be the site of the new Alloa station.

Alloa [1st]: Looking west over the former Alloa station site.

Cambus: Looking west at Cambus Junction. The track has been lifted and will be replaced. The route straight ahead is for Stirling and that to the right for Menstrie and formerly Alva.

Cambus: Looking west over the remains of Cambus station. The track is in the process of being lifted. Most is already lifted.

Larkhall Central: Looking north over Larkhall station in a nearly complete state.

Crook of Devon: Looking out from the former goods yard at Crook of Devon in October 2007 with construction work underway off to the left. View is west towards Alloa. See image [[16996]]

Loch Leven: The building on the up platform at the former Loch Leven station, undergoing refurbishment in October 2007. Opened in 1860 as Kinross, this was the third station to carry that name before the change to Loch Leven in 1871. Closure to passengers took place in September 1921, at which time train services were centred on Kinross Junction, a mile to the north west, just beyond the meeting point with the Devon Valley line from Alloa (see image [[20700]]). Off to the left across the overgrown trackbed a similar building (also undergoing refurbishment) stands on the down platform (see [[17064]]). The line closed completely in 1970.

Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: Five car DMU heading north over Jamestown Viaduct. The town of Inverkeithing is seen through the piers.

Balado: Please stand well back from the edge of the platform ...otherwise it may collapse! Looking over the wooden platform remains at Balado in October 2007. View east towards Kinross.

Balado: Remains of the wooden platform at Balado station on 23 October 2007 looking west along the trackbed towards the site of the level crossing and the route towards Crook of Devon. Note the surviving crossing gate post in the right background.

Rumbling Bridge [2nd]: Landscaping work in progress on the remains of the up platform at Rumbling Bridge on the Devon Valley line in 2007. The rest of the former station (closed 1964) and goods yard had been cleared to make way for a new housing development by this time, but this notable memento survived alongside what became an access road. View is from the south end of the platform looking north east towards Crook of Devon.

Crook of Devon: Road entrance to the former goods yard at Crook of Devon in October 2007 with a surviving gatepost on the right. The station and level crossing stood off to the left behind the new construction currently underway on the site. The trackbed follows the line of the fence in the background west towards Rumbling Bridge and Alloa.

Crook of Devon: Site of Crook of Devon station on 23 October 2007 looking east over the former level crossing and on towards Kinross. The platform and station building stood on the left (north side of the line) and behind that was the goods yard, currently a building site.

Rumbling Bridge [2nd]: View over the site of Rumbling Bridge station towards Crook of Devon in October 2007. The goods yard, station building, down platform etc have given way to a housing estate off to the left, with the trackbed now part of a link road into the estate from the A823. The up platform and retaining wall have been incorporated into an attractive landscaped area alongside the road. (The bridge carrying the A823 over the former Devon Valley line is obscured by the trees in the background.)

Loch Leven Pier: The wall mounted sign points the way to the main entrance to the Boathouse Bistro, located alongside Loch Leven Pier and seen here in October 2007. The rustic old building could not provide more of a contrast with its modern annex, in fact the date engraved on the keystone above the window on the left is 1866. This is the year of opening of [[Kelty]] station, located 5 miles to the south, where the building originally formed part of the goods facilities. Kelty station closed to passengers in 1930 although the line north to Kinross remained in use for goods traffic until 1970.

Loch Leven Pier: Looking back from the pier at Kinross towards the Boathouse cafe/Bistro on 23 October 2007. The interesting looking building in the centre (1866), which is now part of the complex, was relocated here from the former [[Kelty]] station 7 miles to the south.

Loch Leven: The old station at Loch Leven, seen here on 23 October 2007, is now surrounded by new housing developments with the platform building on the up side (currently minus chimneys, doors etc) undergoing refurbishment.

Loch Leven: Looking northwest along the overgrown trackbed between the platforms at Loch Leven on 23 October 2007. Both of the white clapboard-fronted platform buildings are being refurbished as residential accommodation. The station closed to passenger traffic in 1921. View is towards the former Kinross Junction.

Loch Leven: Looking into the old Loch Leven station from the northwest corner of the site on 23 October 2007. The station house is on the right with the up and down platform buildings beyond. See image [[3967]]

Loch Leven: Surviving building standing on the site of the up platform of the former Loch Leven station, seen here in October 2007 in use by a local plumbing business. The station closed to passengers in 1921, although the line itself survived until 1970.

Burdale Tunnel: Looking at the northern portal of the Burdale Tunnel on 23 October 2009. This end of the tunnel is about a mile from Wharram station and a short distance from the abandoned medieval village of Wharram Percy. When the railway was authorised in 1846 it was planned to be a double track trunk route from the north-east to humberside. Construction did not start immediately but when it did the south end of the tunnel was one of the first work sites. Financial problems stopped construction and it was not until 1850 that it was restarted but it was now only to be single track line. The southern portal was already built for double track but the northern portal, 1774 yards away, when finished was only single track width. It is also interesting just how shallow the tunnel appears to be at the north end compared to the south. Refer to view from above the southern portal see image [[25911]].

Fiskerton: The halt at Fiskerton also serves nearby Southwell and there is a small car park. In this view towards Newark the nearby station of Rolleston can also just be seen as they are very close to each other.

Peak Forest: A view south towards Great Rocks along the former main line to Derby at Peak Forest, showing the signal box and associated sidings. The former station building, closed in 1967, has been extended and is now an area office for DBS. 66041 is shunting empty hoppers into the Peak Forest quarry sidings.

Great Rocks Junction: The view south from the overbridge by Great Rocks signalbox along the former Midland main line to London. Great Rocks Junction marks the start of the double track section towards Chinley but south from here the lines are, left to right, the Down and Up Goods (to Buxton and Hindlow), the Down and Up Tunstead siding and the entrance to Tunstead Works. The full semaphore on the left controls the access from the Buxton line to the double track section, while the shunting semaphores control the Tunstead exits.

Great Rocks Junction: Heavy Haul 66605 drops down the gradient from Peak Forest towards Great Rocks Jcn with empty hoppers for the Tunstead quarry complex. The train is just coming off the double line section and crossing to the old Up line that now forms the main Tunstead siding. Peak Forest is just visible at the top of the hill behind the train.

Great Rocks Junction: Two industrial shunters stand in the Tunstead Quarry complex with a third, possibly Harry Townley See image [[26162]], hiding behind the trees. In the foreground is the former Midland mainline, now the freight only route to Buxton and Hindlow through the imposing Derbyshire Dales landscape.

Millers Dale: Although formerly a four track mainline station Millers Dale has been closed since 1967. It was a junction and a fifth platform was used by the Buxton push-pull set and its railbus replacement. The station is now a Peak District national park facility. This view towards Buxton and Peak Forest.

Great Rocks Junction: Freightliner Heavy Haul 66605 draws up at Great Rocks Junction signal box, where the driver had a conversation before taking his train of empty hoppers into the Tunstead quarry complex. The box has been substantially rebuilt but still operates traditional semaphores and point mechanisms.

Rolleston: Just to the east of Rolleston station, on the Nottingham - Newark line, is Staythorpe level crossing which is controlled by this fine looking traditional signal box. The box also operates the associated semaphore signals for the crossing and block section and supervises the manually operated crossing at Rolleston station. It used to control access to coal and oil sidings for a nearby power station that have since closed.

Marishes Road: Marishes Road station between Pickering and the junction with the York & North Midland Railway at Rillington on 23 October 2009. This view looks south over the unclassified road between Thornton Dale and High Marishes with the platforms still present and the northbound platform shelter still in place. The building on the left could be the station house as it is at ground level and set back from the southbound platform.

North Grimston: Looking along part of the platform at North Grimston from where the level crossing had been towards Malton on 23 October 2009. The station house and remains of the coal drops are behind the camera. See image [[34633]]

Rolleston: As the Leicester train leaves the end of Rolleston's platform it passes the distant signal for Fiskerton, controlled from the Midland box there See image [[25987]]. The crossing here at Rolleston is operated by a crossing keeper working out of a lineside hut under the supervision of Staythorpe Crossing box. Fiskerton and Rolleston stations are very close together and 158777 had barely got under way before it was shutting off for the next halt.

Rolleston: A junction for the Southwell push pull service until 1959, and goods trains for Mansfield until 1965, Rolleston is now a quiet country halt on the Newark - Nottingham line. 158777 calls on a Lincoln to Leicester service on 23 October. View towards Newark.

Marishes Road: On the rear of the northbound platform shelter at Marishes Road station is an interesting mural of LNER A4 'Mallard' in garter blue with a headboard for the Scarborough Spa Express. Although the engine has hauled this train in Preservation, I doubt that it has at anytime in its life passed through Marishes Road which closed to passengers in 1965.

Rolvenden: GWR 0-6-0PT no 1638 is seen having just left Rolvenden station on 23 October 2010 with the last train of the day. It will soon tackle the climb up the bank to Tenterden Town, the eastern terminus of the present day Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Settle: An early afternoon train from Leeds to Carlisle, formed by 3-car set 158755, calls at Settle at the start of the Long Drag climb to Ais Gill summit. With 1050hp on tap for the three coaches however the gradient isn't the challenge it once was.

Wennington: Quiet (very) period at Wennington. In fact the station saw no trains from 16th to 24th October inclusive as the line was closed for repairs to a bridge over the River Wenning, part way between here and Bentham.

Clapham: The old route from Low Gill to Clapham is visible for much of its length, despite being finally closed in 1966. Here though a section of trackbed near Clapham disappears briefly into the fields. Behind the camera an overbridge carrying the B6480 from Bentham has been removed and the cutting beyond is occupied by a small campsite. View southeast from point SD 721693 towards Clapham station and the surviving Settle Junction to Carnforth line. See image [[21813]]

Rolvenden: Looking south along the platform at Rolvenden on the K&ESR as ex GWR 0-6-0PT no 1638 approaches the station with a service to Tenterden Town on 23 October 2010. Like a lot of rural railways the station is about 2 miles from the village of the same name, in fact it is closer to Tenterden!

Settle: The original Midland Railway station buildings at Settle are seen to good effect as 158907 calls at on its way from Carlisle to Leeds. The real fire in the waiting room must be a welcome sight for passengers on chilly days like this. View northwards towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Rolvenden: GWR Pannier Tank no.1638 had just left Rolvenden and was about to tackle Tenterden bank on 23 October 2010.

Settle: The view from the north end of Settle's Up platform as 158755, more usually to be found on Blackpool York services, sets off for Carlisle, next stop Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Note the LOCO STOP notice, an unusual feature nowadays, situated part way across the bridge to assist in getting coaches to fit into the short Settle platforms.

Wye: A Southeastern service from Ramsgate to London arrives at Wye between Canterbury and Ashford on 23 October 2010. The Signalbox is no longer in use although the level crossing at the south end of the platform is now worked from the station building.

Chilham: Chilham station, between Canterbury West and Ashford in rural East Kent, looking south-west during a quiet spell on 23 October 2010.

Wye: Working the gates at Wye in Kent was still a manual job when I visited on 23 October 2010.

Wye: A Southeastern Class 395 Javelin set heads away from the camera towards Wye station and on to Canterbury West on 23 October 2010. Photo taken from a footpath next to the railway.

Settle: Looking towards Skipton from the Settle footbridge as 158907 leaves on a Carlisle to Leeds train. Unit 158907, displaying an unusual livery on its skirting, is passing the preserved signal box.

Settle: Another steam age survivor lurks at the back of the goods yard, opposite the main entrance to Settle station. This imposing water tower, on a substantial stone base, has probably not seen railway use for many years but is still an impressive structure. Railscot Update 2013: The water tower was subsequently renovated as a home. See image [[42204]] for the completed restoration.

Wye: A Southeastern service from Ramsgate to London departs from Wye station in Kent on 23 October 2010.

Blackford: East Coast 43307 leads the diverted 09.48 Aberdeen - Kings Cross through Blackford, Perthshire, on 23 October 2011. 43208 brought up the rear.

Croston: Scene at Croston station on 23 October 2011, where work continues on the old Preston bound platform see image [[34589]] courtesy of the 'Friends of Croston Station'. The original platform blockwork is to a large extent intact but there have been several mature trees growing through it in places.

Becconsall: Scene at Becconsall on the West Lancashire Light Railway on 23 October 2011, where Kerr Stuart 0-6-0 WT+T Joffre, with boiler in place and tanks filled with water, was being checked for problems before the next stage of restoration. The photograph shows the locomotive being propelled back into the shed road by a Planet 4w DM shunter following the first test run. See image [[23187]]

Newcastle Airport: Metro unit 4027 in North Eastern Railway livery at Newcastle Airport on 23 October.

Cardenden: A winding wheel and hutch form a memorial to Bowhill Colliery, Cardenden, Fife. 

Newcastle Airport: Detail of Tyne & Wear Metro car 4027 on 23 October see image [[45085]].

Hayes and Harlington: Grab shot from a passing train on 23 October showing EWS liveried 66179 on a rake of Construction Sector aggregate hopper wagons being unloaded at Tarmac's Hayes and Harlington coating plant on the up side of the Great Western main line.

Inverkeithing East Junction: A Royal Scotsman private charter en route from Dundee to Edinburgh passes Inverkeithing East Junction on 23 October 2014 behind West Coast Railways 57313.

Salisbury: Looking West across the station frontage at Salisbury in October 2014. The approach road, from behind the camera to the right, comes from Fisherton St.

Gleneagles: 170452 speeds south through Gleneagles on 23 October.

Gleneagles: DRS 68002 nears Gleneagles with the Mossend - Aberdeen intermodal on 23 October.

Gleneagles: The 12.41 Glasgow Queen Street - Aberdeen calls at Gleneagles on 23 October.

Whitby: View from the entrance to the revamped Whitby station on 23 October 2015. Note the extended platform and new trackwork which provide extra capacity, allowing NYMR services from Pickering and the Esk Valley line to run into Whitby. See image [[21258]]

Whitby: Looking across the location of the former goods yard by Whitby station to a North Yorkshire Moors Railway through working standing at the new extended and dedicated south side platform, with BR Sulzer Type 2 Bo-Bo diesel D7628 seen at the head of the rake of Mk 1 coaches on a service ready to leave for Pickering. The restored former Whitby engine shed stands alongside the line beyond the loco. For a near similar view in 1993 see image [[26268]]

Whitby: Looking along South End Gardens towards Stakesby Vale thro the extant penultimate overbridge crossed by services running from Scarborough on the approach to Whitby West Cliff station. The next bridge crossing Spring Vale was removed some 20 years ago. The trackbed south from here is now identified as The Cinder Track Scarborough-Whitby by a BR NE Region style totem mounted above the arch with the legend Where Will It Take You curving around the arch.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: Come along now, don't be shy. 66424 is lurking in the Sainsbury's sidings at DIRFT on 23 October see image [[53055]]. View north across the A428 road bridge.

Whitby: The new dedicated NYMR platform at Whitby, showing the pointwork from the loco release headshunt onto the run round loop, with the Northern Rail Esk Valley line on the right. See image [[21258]]

Arisaig: On the penultimate day of the 2015 Jacobite steam service, K1 2-6-0 62005 makes a spirited start away from Arisaig heading for Mallaig. Arisaig is the westernmost station on the UK rail network.

Bo'ness: Furness Railway 0-4-0 No 20, (Sharp, Stewart and Company, 1863) the oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive in the world, puffs around the shedyard at Bo'ness in anticipation of appearing in the 2015 BKR Steam Gala.

Invergarry: The Invergarry Station Project continues to make progress. Further site clearing has taken place and the foundations for the signal box are in place on the platform. Since my last visit the track has been extended and a Ruston 4W diesel shunter has appeared. See image [[48805]]

Clifton and Lowther: The Entente Cordiale, a private charter from Carnforth to Spean Bridge, runs through Clifton and Lowther on 23rd October 2015. The train comprised West Coast 57601, complete with headboard and Anglo-French bunting, and six gleaming Pullman coaches. Photographed from the bridge at Grid Reference NY541257. The old station, closed in 1938, lay just beyond the three arch bridge.

Clifton and Lowther: Euston bound 390121 speeds past the Eden Goods Loop at Clifton and Lowther on 23rd October 2015. The tracks are widening at this point because they pass under a twin arch bridge. (Grid Reference NY541257)

Whitby: Looking south from the end of the Larpool viaduct across the nearby Larpool Lane rail overbridge it is noticeable how the line turned left towards the coast on a fairly sharp curve immediately after exiting the bridge. The trackbed now acts as the Cinder Track, running between Whitby and Scarborough, providing a long distance walking, cycling or horse riding leisure facility.

Invergarry: A general view of the Invergarry station site with new platform edging waiting to be installed. The signal box foundations, mid way along the platform, are marked by barrier tape.

Whitby: Immediately after the south end of Larpool Viaduct, which crosses the Esk Valley line on the approach to Whitby (Town) Station is a low narrow bridge crossing Larpool Lane at a blind bend, as seen in this view looking west in October 2015

Kirknewton: DBS 66176 coasts through Kirknewton with a well-loaded intermodal service from Mossend to Tees Dock, a fairly new introduction.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: A 'just-in-time' picture. On the last Friday before the clocks went back, 66424 is leading the 18.39 departure from Daventry to Coatbridge FLT into the DIRFT yard on 23rd October 2015. This image was captured at 1734, giving the locomotive ample time to run around see image [[52864]]. The train has just crossed the recently built bridge over the A428.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: Only eight months ago see image [[50466]], this Eddie Stobart warehouse was just a steel frame. Now it is in use, ready to exchange freight with the line of Cargowaggons on the siding. The 350 is heading for London via Northampton.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: Here's one I prepared earlier see image [[53055]]. The DRS service for Sainsbury's is about 12 hours away from its scheduled arrival at Coatbridge FLT. The foreground is surprisingly pleasant as the environs of warehouses go; a small gap in the vegetation makes it hard to avoid getting a lamppost in front of the locomotive. This view will, however, be impossible in a few years' time, when those trees have grown up a bit.

Parkhill: View looking north. There is a tremendous amount of traffic going in to Aberdeen from Peterhead, Ellon etc by road, I would think it will be cheaper than the Borders railway to reinstate the line as it's fairly clear.

Dalgety Bay: DRS 66425 nears Dalgety Bay with a rail train from Dundee to Carlisle New Yard on 23 October.

Knightswood South Junction: View south over Knightswood South Junction.

Stockholm Central: On board the Stockholm-Malmö overnight train this shot shows the interior of a 3 berth 1960s built sleeper coach WL1 Sovvagn. These coaches were refurbished in the 1990s and a shower was installed at one end of each. They retain the original pine panelling. WiFi is awaited. (Courtesy K.Johansson)

Nitshill: Alan and John Meikle unveiling plaque to their uncle Sgt John Meikle VC with Phil Verster at Nitshill Station.

Haymarket: Tesco train from Inverness diverted through Haymarket owing to engineering works.

Langbank: 380004 calls at Langbank with a Gourock train on 23rd October 2017.

Edinburgh Waverley: The big sign for the station, at unusual angle, seen from Waterloo Place.

Holy Loch: MV Eigg, now the oldest vessel in the Calmac fleet and the last of the landing craft type ferries, seen moored at the Holy Loch Marina in October 2017. Its last main use was on the Oban to Lismore route but since 2013 it has been a reserve vessel only.

Hunter's Quay: Western Ferries vessel Sound of Scarba at the Hunter's Quay terminal, seen from departing sister ship Sound of Shuna heading for McInroy's Point at Gourock on 23rd October 2017. The four ships in the fleet provide a frequent and efficient service across the Clyde from the Cowal peninsula.

Coatbridge Sunnyside: The Leaf Train on route to Airdrie passing a Milngavie service at Coatbridge Sunnyside.

Portavadie: MV Isle of Cumbrae loads at Portavadie before making another 25 minute crossing of Loch Fyne to Tarbert in October 2017. The second oldest vessel in the Calmac fleet has been the regular summer ferry on this route for many years See image [[43413]].

Hyndland: Hyndland Halloween. Spooky!

Edinburgh Waverley: Motor Neurone Disease advert at Waverley.
Here's the link for more information.

Edinburgh Waverley: An attractive Waverley hoarding at future Platforms 5 and 6.

Merryton: A Milngavie to Larkhall service makes its penultimate stop on 23 October 2018. I confess I had never heard of Merryton until the station opened: it is really just a northern 'suburb' - if you can call it that - of Larkhall.

Maryfield Tram Depot: The former Dundee Corporation Tramways depot at Maryfield, closed with the system in October 1956. There are hopes it can be adopted by Dundee Museum of Transport. 23 October 2018.

Shotts: An Edinburgh to Glasgow Central semi-fast calls at Shotts on 23 October 2018. It will be interesting to see what services come with electrification. There are rumours of expresses, and surely Breich station wasn't rebuilt just to continue with one train a day?

Kilwinning: An 'Access for All' display detailing the planned improvements at Kilwinning station in October 2018.

Ayr Station Hotel: Scaffolding going up on the town side of the Station Hotel at Ayr on 23rd October 2018.

Ayr: A clear area in front of the Ayr station war memorial, amidst the scaffolding, fencing and barriers. 23rd October 2018.

Linlithgow: A 385 comes to halt at Linlithgow with a Glasgow service on 23 October 2018. 385s have their own announcements, slightly different from those on other stock. For example trains '...will soon be calling at...' rather than '...are now approaching...' Makes sense, really.

Larkhall: Confusion for the few people on the platform as the 1133 to Milngavie is cancelled despite being neither late nor apparently sick. Perhaps it is a precaution against falling victim to the 'slippery rails' being announced across the area. I take it slippery rails are what used to be called (shh) LOTL before that was laughed to scorn.

Perth: Pity it isn't P155 rather than P153. Anyway the ostensible point of the picture is the name sign. For some reason (nostalgia?) much of Perth station eschews corporate ScotRail in its signage and retains the Helvetica typeface of the BR era. The strip along the bottom would be pasted over with each image change; remember ScotRail was a BR brand too. It was finally covered up here, when everywhere else got new signs in Officina font.

Avon Viaduct [Westfield]: Westfield Viaduct crosses the River Avon adjacent to the village that gives it its name. Built in the mid 1850s by the Monklands Railway, which was eventually absorbed by the North British. It is 60 feet high and 220 yards long and saw its last train at the end of December 1964.

Lancaster: Freightliner 66607 takes the Up Through line at Lancaster (Castle) heading from Hardendale to Tunstead on 23rd October 2019. In Platform 3 195125 calls on a Manchester Airport to Barrow service.

Preston: 195125 waits in Preston Platform 6 to go forward to Barrow-in-Furness on 23rd October 2019. This 100mph DMU was clearly on a leisurely diagram as it left Wigan right time but arrived in Preston (only fifteen miles away) eleven minutes early!

Dunkeld and Birnam: I don't know what is happening with Inter7City as most of the HSTs seem to be languishing in depots at the moment. The two-car 158 for Inverness (left) passing here at Dunkeld was woefully inadequate and even the 170 for Edinburgh was pretty full. Photographed on 23 October 2019.

Preston: After the briefest of stops in Platform 6 at Preston for a crew change on 23rd October 2019 a Mossend to Daventry intermodal was under way again. The incoming driver can be seen making his way along the platform as 90040 and 90029 get the containers rolling again.

Perth: An Inverness to Glasgow HST pulls out of Perth's Platform 4 on 23 October 2019. At some point in the past the roof glazing in the train shed was replaced with that fibreglass or plastic stuff which attracts mould. Consequently the interior of the station gets gloomier by the year, the atmosphere not helped by the flaking brown paint on the rusting ironwork. Let's demolish the overall roof and replace it with individual platform awnings. (Is he serious?)

Avon Viaduct: Trains passing on the impressive Avon Viaduct near Linlithgow on 23rd October 2019.

Seaton Carew: DRS 68006 leads sister 68001 north with a flask wagon in tow through Seaton Carew station, shortly after leaving the Seaton on Tees Power Station branch line at Seaton Snook Junction, with the return early afternoon working to Sellafield on 23 October 2020.

Seaton Carew: DRS 68006 leads sister 68001 north with a flask wagon in tow heading towards Seaton Carew station, shortly after leaving the Seaton on Tees Power Station branch line at Seaton Snook Junction, with the return early afternoon working to Sellafield on 23 October 2020. 68006 was previously a dedicated loco for Scotrail peak time commuter workings between Fife and Edinburgh.

Lancaster: Day 1 of the West Highland Pullman with LSLs Midland Pullman HST set as it passes Lancaster on 23 October 2021.The tour had started in Reading and was heading to Fort William. The following day the HST was the first of the class to reach Mallaig.

Bay Horse: Heading north at Forton after negotiating the reverse curves, the front end of 390119 is back in the upright position but the rear half is still tilting. This has been a reliable feature of the intensively used Pendolinos for twenty years, and the current refurbishment means the fleet will continue to tilt for many years to come. The train is 1S45, the 0830 Euston to Glasgow on 23rd October 2021.

Bay Horse: A Reading to Fort William 'Midland Pullman' excursion running through Forton cutting on 23rd October 2021. The Pullman was scheduled to make a Sunday morning trip out to Mallaig and back before returning to Reading on Monday 25th October. (Both power cars had the replacement yellow coupling covers - reportedly a temporary measure while issues with the headlights are resolved).

Leyland: 86401 'Mons Meg' leads the Liverpool to Carnforth leg of a Northern Belle charter to Carlisle passed Leyland on 23 October 2021. The tour had started in Manchester and run to Liverpool with 57316 which was by this time on the rear of the train. At Carnforth 86401 was replaced by A1 pacific 60163 'Tornado'.

Bay Horse: 86401 'Mons Meg' takes a Pullman excursion through Forton cutting towards Carnforth where it handed over to 60163 'Tornado' for Carlisle. The train had started at Manchester Piccadilly, hauled by 57316 to Liverpool Lime Street where the electric took over and ran via Newton-le-Willows. 23rd October 2021.

Jesenice: This is believed to be a view south-east at Jesenice in northern Yugoslavia, close to the border with Austria. In the distance on the right there is a steam tank engine (possibly Class 62) and closer is an electric loco. In the centre, approaching the station is 2 car DMU 813 002 while a group of people have a chat outside the building. The person in uniform doesnt appear to be smiling for the camera. Photo by A McIntyre.