Edinburgh Waverley: First TransPennine 185 128 stands at the west end on 27 November.

Windermere: The former trainshed at Windermere has been successfully incorporated into a Booths supermarket with the buffers now located just outside the building. 185110 is standing in the replacement 1986 station shortly after arrival from Oxenholme on 27 November 2008.

Windermere: The old station at Windermere has been converted into a supermarket with the original 1847 building, including this covered entrance, happily surviving the metamorphosis. The line has been cut back only a very short distance and the bus is just leaving the second station on a service for Lancaster.

Windermere: Proof that the Windermere branch is 10 1/4 miles long with this milepost by the buffers. The 1986 replacement station building was substantially improved recently and now boasts a proper waiting room.

Windermere: A very wet Windermere station sees 185110 ready to depart for Manchester Airport. There is basically an hourly service on the branch although the through trains only call at Kendal station and not Staveley or Burneside.

Colinton [Tram]: A public toilet block on Colinton Road, Edinburgh, photographed on 27 November 2009. The building, recently saved from demolition (notice the new housing currently under construction on the right), was originally a tram ticket office standing alongside the Colinton terminus of the no 9 and no 10 tram routes. The ticket/enquiry counter was behind the double doors. The building is thought to be the last of its type and is now listed as being of historical importance see image [[65697]].

Farington Curve Junction: Framed by a gantry used to carry cables over the line, a York to Blackpool Sprinter joins the WCML at Farington Curve Junction as a DRS container train runs south on the fast line. In the centre foreground is the line to Ormskirk.

Edinburgh Park: A Glasgow - Edinburgh shuttle running east under the recently erected wires through Edinburgh Park station on 27 November 2009. The train has just passed below the partially constructed bridge that will eventually carry Edinburgh's trams over the E&G main line on their way to Edinburgh Airport.

Forrestfield: View from the road bridge at the former Forrestfield station on 27 November 2009, looking east along the trackbed towards Bathgate. Some signs of dampness here. Demolition of the old platform and lamp room is underway see image [[9671]].

Caldercruix: Progress at Caldercruix on 27 November looking west towards Airdrie. Construction of the new station is underway along with modifications to Main Street road bridge, which is currently closed to all traffic.

Caldercruix: Looking west along the trackbed from Forrestfield towards Caldercruix on 27 November 2009. Work is in progress here on reinforcing trackbed support along the south shore of Hillend reservoir.

Livingston North: Having restarted from Livingston North and passed below Deans Road North bridge, the 1054 Bathgate - Waverley service heads east through the metalwork towards its next stop at Uphall on 27 November 2009.

Armadale: View east towards Bathgate on 27 November 2009. Taken from the recently reopened B8084 Station Road bridge at Armadale. The works here seem to stretch almost as far as the eye can see.

Forrestfield: The Airdrie - Bathgate trackbed at Forrestfield looking west on 27 November 2009 with the buildings here now abandoned. Hillend reservoir can be seen in the right background with Caldercruix lying just beyond.

Livingston North: The 1054 ex-Bathgate, formed by Alphaline liveried 158871, runs into the eastbound platform at Livingston North on 27 November 2009 with an Edinburgh service. Work on the station appears almost complete with improvements also noticeable in areas such as general access and car parking. Electrification masts are now in place but no wiring as yet.

Armadale [1st]: Difficult conditions at Armadale on 27 November 2009. View west over the trackbed from Station Road bridge, with more water to contend with. The original station was located near the shed in the centre background. See image [[35761]]

Camps Junction: A Waverley - Glasgow Central service heads west towards Kirknewton station on 27 November 2009. The DMU is passing the site of Camps Junction see image [[25874]]. Nothing remains of the foot crossing or signal box that stood here, other than perhaps some charred wooden remains alongside the line on the right.

Camps Junction [CR]: First ScotRail 156462 approaching the Kirknewton stop on 27 November 2009 with the 1328 Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Central. The train is about to run past the site of Camps Junction, immediately behind the camera.

Bathgate Yard: With Bathgate shed now disposed of see image [[25412]], the whole of the northern area of the former yard has become one large building site with work progressing on access roads, car parking and other infrastructure associated with the new Bathgate station. Part of the site is seen here on an overcast 27 November looking south east from the main road as the 1124 service for Waverley, having just commenced its journey, passes through what looks like (thanks to the recent rain) a mini series of lochs and canals.

Farington Curve Junction: Me next. As 153378 leaves the Ormskirk line at Farington Curve Junction, a Class 158 Sprinter on a service from York waits on the curve for its turn to join the main line to run into Preston.

Bathgate LMD: Another good vantage point bites the dust... The 1048 ex-Waverley running under the recently installed electrification supports on the approach to Bathgate on 27 November 2009.

Edinburgh Park: North entrance to Edinburgh Park station on 27 November 2009, with a Bathgate - Edinburgh Waverley service about to leave platform 1.

Glasgow Central Low Level: The former ticket office on level 2 of Glasgow Central Low Level photographed on 27 November.  This window (behind the mirror) has been out of use for some years with all tickets now sold in a bigger office a level up. The passageway leads to the stairs and lifts to platform level.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: View over platforms 2 to 7 at Queen Street shortly after dawn on 27 November 2010.

Langside: 314 204 approaches Langside with a Cathcart Outer Circle service on 27 November 2010. Mary Queen of Scots' forces were defeated at Langside in 1568 in a family quarrel over her infant son. Not a lot went right for that woman

Charing Cross [GC and DR]: The ticket hall at Glasgow's Charing Cross station in November 2010.

Dalgety Bay: 158732 runs into a chilly Dalgety Bay station with a morning Haymarket (SO) - Glenrothes with Thornton service on 27 November 2010.

Mount Florida: On its way to Neilston on 27 November 314 212 leaves Mount Florida station behind.  Mount Florida is the station for Hampden Park and on some match days at least sees non-stopping football specials from Glasgow Central: not a tremendous distance.  For a Scottish name Mount Florida is quite comprehensible, showing that it is not ancient, going back no further than the early 1800s.

Woodacre Crossing: It seems that Statesman Rail have got the formula right for the Fellsman specials and the Christmas Fellsman has been fully booked for weeks. A clear crisp morning on 27 November meant there was just enough light to capture 5690 Leander on the first leg at Woodacre, heading for Preston with the fireman obviously working hard.

Anniesland: When I stood on this bridge earlier this year above the milling bowlers see image [[28693]] I reported a season malfunction.  Now it's November, and isn't it a little early for substantial snow?  Still, no-one is to say when the seasons start and finish and I suppose winter is as winter does.  Stirring up the lying snow 334 010 pulls into Anniesland with a service for the Argyle Line on 27 November.

Clitheroe: Clitheroe station, as seen from the ramparts of the Norman keep. The original building, now an art gallery, is in the centre of the picture and the replacement booking office can just be seen to its right. For the view from the station up to the castle See image [[30769]]

Alexandra Parade: 320 312 pulls into a snowy Alexandra Parade station on 27 November with a Springburn to Dalmuir service. 

Bellgrove Junction: 320 320 comes off the Springburn branch at Bellgrove Junction with a Dalmuir service on 27 November.  This is the site if the collision in 1989 see image [[20555]] in which two people died.  The tracks going off to the right are for Airdrie (and now Edinburgh).

Ashfield: All 4 compass points are used by Cowlairs junction names and 3 are plainly in the wrong order.  Here, Cowlairs North should by rights be Cowlairs West, but that's the one that points due south.  On the approach to Ashfield station 158720 passes the crossover which allows trains from Cowlairs East (to the north) to access the Down Maryhill and so West Highland Lines; the Fort William Sleeper is the only passenger service to use it.  Photographed on 27 November with my gloves on.

Cowcaddens [Subway]: The bigger stations on the Glasgow Subway have platform walls in the same neutral colour and pale yellow signage strip.  However no two single-island stations are in the same colour.  Some are almost garish, but Cowcaddens, seen here on 27 November, has gone for a restrained mint green with an olive dado.

Clitheroe: From the ramparts of Clitheroe Castle, situated in the town park, there is a good view of the railway line, particularly when the trees have lost their leaves. A Pair of Class 150 Sprinters are heading for Blackburn and Manchester and just about to pass the level crossing.

Maryhill Park Junction: A touch of the Doctor Zhivagos as 158 868, last seen in the comfort of Waverley 3 days earlier see image [[31651]] emerges from the Siberian birch forest of Dawsholm Park on 27 November.� As the sign clearly says this is Maryhill Park Junction where the Anniesland branch joins the Maryhill Line, and 868 is heading for Glasgow Queen Street.

Charing Cross [GC and DR]: Charing Cross station is in a business district, so consequently relatively quiet on Saturday as here on 27 November.  334 019 calls with a Springburn to Dalmuir service, its front end in the open air.  I normally avoid rear end shots (as it were) but it's difficult to photograph a facing train in the eastern tunnel end of this station as all trains halt right at the end on the platform.  Now there's a challenge.

Langside: New Customer Information Screen at Langside seen on 27 November.  Unlike previous installations of CIS at island stations the latest wave has a single screen for both platforms.  Arrows are programmed in to make it clearer which platform is being referred to even if it gives the impression the numbers might swap over at any time!  Note 'Burnside Sclyde': this is the name according to the National Ticketing System even though there is only one Burnside so spelled and Strathclyde was abolished 15 years ago.  The NTS name of Newton is Newton (Lanark); this should really be 'Lanarks' but anyway the suffix is not displayed, presumably as it could suggest that the train was actually going to Lanark.

Paisley Gilmour Street: A close up of the venerable bench on the central platforms at Gilmour Street, photographed on 27 November 2010.  Generations of people have waited for their trains on it, surely including larking young men in uniform who would never live to sit there in civvies.  Makes you think, doesn't it?

Mount Florida: 314 211 approaches Mount Florida station heading for Glasgow Central on 27 November.  High retaining walls are a feature of this part of the Cathcart Circle, giving a hemmed-in feel.

Paisley Gilmour Street: This poster board and bench on the central platforms at Gilmour Street look is if they are of the same, considerable vintage and it's pleasing that they have been allowed to survive.  What posters that board must have seen.  What... um... people the bench must have seen. The windows in the background always intrigue me: sash windows in what is essentially the open air.  I am reminded of whoever it was who took a car door as his luxury on Desert Island Discs so that if it got too hot he could wind the window down.  Photographed on 27 November 2010.

Possilpark and Parkhouse: The euphonious, alliterative and plurally plosive Possilpark & Parkhouse on the Maryhill line. A snow-capped 158 872 calls on its way to Anniesland on 27 November.

Pollokshields West: 314 207 runs into Pollokshields West with an Inner Circle service on 27 November.  This is a station-rich part of Glasgow with Pollokshields East, Queen's Park, Crossmyloof and Maxwell Park all around a half-mile away.

St Enoch [Subway]: Platform view of St Enoch Subway station on 27 November 2010.  Only two platforms, but as wide as it's long.  Well, almost.  Note the hump in the platform - this feature of all Subway station aids acceleration and deceleration. 

Anniesland: I've just alighted with my fellow travellers from the Maryhill Line service arrived at Platform 3 on 27 November.  It was a 158 so it was a relief to get out into the comparative warmth of the open air.  On Platform 2 (yes, the numbers are in the wrong order) 318 258 pulls in with a Dalmuir service.

St Enoch [Subway]: Passengers waiting on the Inner Circle platform of St Enoch subway station on 27 November 2010.

Argyle Street: The top of the escalators in the ticket hall at Argyle Street.  Gateway to adventure.  Well, Motherwell anyway.  Photographed on 27 November 2010.

St Georges Cross [Subway]: Scene outside St Georges Cross Subway station on 27 November 2010, featuring a bicycle with a particularly uninviting seat.

St Georges Cross [Subway]: The 'tower' of St Georges Cross Subway station with the shadow of leafless trees in low sunshine on 27 November.  This feature appears to be only decorative or to draw attention to the station.  There are no lifts on the Subway and it seems a little big for the water tank for the staff WC! 

Bellgrove: 320 313 pulls into Bellgrove station in the east end of Glasgow with a westbound service while in the opposite direction another 320 retreats. Photographed on 27 November from Bellgrove Street: I don't know which was named first, the station or the street, but Bellgrove is not really the name of a location as such.  The name has therefore something in common with Singer, another station name that's not a place.

Charing Cross [GC and DR]: A thoughtful touch at Charing Cross on 27 November: a sign for the benefit of people who are horizontal through either slipping on the ice or overindulgence in the nearby bar.

Arkleston Junction: A sight to warm your heart, four tracks running east from the site of Arkleston Junction towards Glasgow on 27 November 2011. The reduction to three tracks can just about be made out in the distance. Glasgow and the tower of the University of Glasgow can be seen on the horizon. See image [[16537]] for the two track layout.

Cardonald Junction: View looking west over a tamper working at Cardonald Junction. The new third line runs up the centre and the Deanside Branch turnout is in the background. See image [[29544]] for a view of the same location in 2010.

Greenlaw Junction: View west towards Paisley with the Town Hall's tower on the left. This view looks along the former trackbed of the line to Renfrew with Greenlaw Goods on the right of the picture, currently in use as a site for the remodelling works see image [[19863]].

Arkleston Junction: Looking west towards Paisley at Arkleston Junction. The remodelling of the lines between Arkleston Junction and Wallneuk Junction continues. The Gallowhill sidings were located to the left and had the triangular junction with the Barrhead line been laid in this also would have been to the left.

Arkleston Junction: The last of the Gallowhill Sidings remains in the foreground with the lines between Wallneuk Junction and Arkleston Junction being remodelled to the right. The view looks west.

Arkleston Junction: How many tracks is that? Looks like six. The line has been transformed between Wallneuk Junction and Arkleston Junction. The view looks east.

Hillington East: View west from Hillington East. The platforms of Hillington West can be seen in the distance.

Hillington East: View looking east from Hillington East. Not much traffic due to a line possession. The tamper is by Cardonald Junction. See image [[19023]] for the 2008 version of this view.

Cardonald Junction: View east at Cardonald Junction showing the cross-over from the centre track to the eastbound track for access to the Deanside Branch.

Shields West Junction: View east at the remodelled Shields West Junction showing the three running lines. See image [[17695]] for the line as it was in 2007.

Hillington West: An eastbound Sprinter approaches Hillington West. The new third line is to its left.

Bishopton: 380 013 draws to a stop at Bishopton with a Glasgow bound service on 27 November.

ROF Bishopton Yard: A view looking west in November 2011 showing the relatively recently lifted line at Bishopton which curved round the north side of the works. Taken from the level crossing.

Bishopton: Re-signalling at Bishopton from P55 to GP62. These signals are located at the western end of the station. The replacement does not appear, at first sight, to support the disused former branch line and yard here. The disused line to the yard can be seen to the left behind the signals.

Mountblow Oil Terminal: View looking east at Dalnottar Oil Depot showing the former level crossing at the entry point of the siding into the works. The trackbed of the former mainline is in the trees to the left, now very much overgrown. See image [[36640 for the view in the eighties.]]

Farington Junction: Freightliner 66557 stands on the up fast just south of Farington Junction on 27 November 2011 with switch and crossing carriers, some in the 'transit' position and some at the rear which are still horizontal awaiting the Kirow cranes to come and collect the panels. The activity was associated with the relaying of Farington Junction. To the left of the railway is the Lancashire Enterprises Business Park, part of which was engulfed in flames on 21 December 2011, resulting in closure of the WCML.

Blackpool North: A York to Blackpool North service, formed by Northern 158754, is on the last few yards of its 3 hour journey. It is passing the entrance to Blackpool maintenance depot sidings, and Blackpool No.2 signal box, as it approaches the platforms that are just out of picture to the left.

Knitsley: Looking across Knitsley embankment in the direction of Lanchester in November 2012. This huge colliery spoil and spent ballast construction replaced a 700' long wooden trestle viaduct around the time of WWI. The Consett to Durham line finally closed completely around 1964 and is now one of a number of County Durham cycleways that follow old railway lines.

Witton Gilbert: Witton Gilbert, on the Consett to Durham line, closed along with Knitsley, Lanchester and Bear Park in 1939. Goods traffic continued to pass through until 1966. Like Knitsley and Lanchester it is now a private residence and has been tastefully extended as seen here from the old station approach.

Knitsley: The 1862 former North Eastern Railway station at Knitsley, between Lanchester and Consett, seen here in November 2012. [With thanks to Messrs Taylor, Roberts and Barry]. The station closed to passengers in 1939 but freight continued to pass through until the 1960s.

Knitsley: This long embankment, spanning a valley half way between Knitsley and Lanchester, is made of colliery slag and spent ballast. From the time of WWI this material was tipped here to replace a 700' wooden trestle viaduct. Since final closure in 1966 the Consett to Durham trackbed has been made a cycleway, here carried 70' above the Knitsley Burn below.

Hunwick: The former two platform station at Hunwick, on the Bishop Auckland to Durham line, closed in 1964. A coal mine and brick works once stood close by but all are long gone. The old station building has had a first storey extension added since it was converted into a private residence. View towards Willington on 27 November 2012.

NRM Shildon: A4 60010 Dominion of Canada arrived back at Shildon for the anniversary reunion in as withdrawn condition. See image [[40640]] However, restoration work has now started and the loco is seen here, separated from its corridor tender, in the Locomotion display hall.

Bishop Auckland: The view back towards Shildon from the platform end at Bishop Auckland. Heaton based Pacer 142022 is newly arrived from Saltburn and on a quick turn round for departure back there at 1325hrs. The points that form the start of the Weardale line are just beyond the bridge.

NRM Shildon: Two exhibits for the price of one. This narrow gauge locomotive from Sierra Leone was displayed on a standard gauge Weltrol wagon in the NRM Shildon when seen in November 2012.

NRM Shildon: Having been transferred from York the previous week behind Deltic 55002 See image [[41111]] 6229 Duchess of Hamilton and its LMS coach are given a thorough clean by a group of Friends at Locomotion, Shildon. The connecting rods, removed for the rail transfer, had not been refitted at this time but the loco still looked magnificent.

Lanchester: The former Lanchester station in November 2012. Closed to passengers in 1939 but still a private residence. The Consett to Durham line finally closed to freight in 1964. This view looks towards Knitsley and Consett along the cycleway that was later built on the trackbed.

Deerness Valley Junction: An East Coast HST, led by 43272, powers away from Durham heading south. The train is passing the site of Deerness Valley Junction where lines to Consett and Bishop Auckland left the ECML. After these lines closed the main line was realigned to ease an even sharper curve.

Shildon: A Saltburn to Bishop Auckland service pulls in to Shildon station. 142022 has just passed two sets of steps, used by the Shildon signaller for collecting/handing over the single line token. However, this is only required for the Weardale freight trains that continue beyond Bishop Auckland and not the DMUs that terminate there.

NRM Shildon: NER J21 0-6-0 65033 has been moved by the Locomotive Conservation and Learning Trust to the Stainmore Railway at Kirkby Stephen East in 2021. This former NER station is a fitting location and also contains many other historic NER railway vehicles. The loco is seen as a static exhibit at Shildon in 2012 but restoration to working order is planned.

Temple Sowerby: Temple Sowerby, between Penrith and Appleby, closed to passengers in 1953, nine years before the Stainmore line itself. This view shows the station house, now a private residence. The Disused Stations website also shows the station itself which is joined on to this building but not visible from the public road. (Map Reference NY613259). Nearby Kirby Thore station, closed on the same date, has not been so fortunate and disappeared completely when the A66 trunk road was realigned.

NRM Shildon: Sole surviving Southern 2-BIL EMU 2090, seen in the exhibition hall at NRM Shildon. These pre-war units were designated TOPS Class 401 but the last of the 152 sets was withdrawn in 1971.

Brandon Colliery: Appearances can be deceptive at the site of Brandon Colliery station in County Durham. The line from Durham to Bishop Auckland closed in 1964 and whilst there is a trackbed cyclepath this was not a level crossing. The railway and station were in a (now filled in) deep cutting and this was the site of an overbridge with a street level booking office and steps down to the platforms. View south west towards Bishop Auckland in November 2012. The Disused Stations website has a good photo of the station before closure.

Deerness Valley Junction: GBRf 66739, formerly Freightliner 66579, heads a long train of coal hoppers north at Deeerness Valley Junction, just south of Durham station. This picture was taken from a viewpoint that has been created on the pier of the old stone bridge that spanned the tracks at this point but was demolished after replacement by a steel one. Even a bench is provided!

Willington [Y and NR]: Hardly a trace of the Bishop Auckland to Durham railway remains in Willington. This view in November 2012 would have been taken from between the station platforms looking towards Durham. Nine miles of the old railway can be followed on the Brandon to Bishop Auckland path, just visible here beyond the Co-op car park.

Brancepeth: The station building at Brancepeth on the former Durham - Bishop Auckland route, seen here in November 2012. The station itself closed in 1964 although freight and diversions continued to pass through until full closure of the line in 1968.

Bearpark: The site of Bearpark station, on the Consett to Durham line which closed to passengers in 1939. Freight trains, including those serving nearby Bearpark Colliery, continued until the 1960s when the tracks were lifted. A trackbed cyclepath now passes the site but all trace of the small station has gone. View south east towards Durham on a wet and gloomy November morning in 2012.

Brancepeth: Brancepeth station, on the old Durham to Bishop Auckland line, as seen from the trackbed cycle path looking north east towards the next station at Brandon Colliery. On the A690 road that passes through the village the old cast iron sign still stands at the crossroads.

NRM Shildon: A view not often seen. This is the crew access corridor in the tender of 60010 'Dominion of Canada', separated from the A4 during the refurbishment at Shildon that took place when the loco was temporarily repatriated for the A4 'Great Gathering' in 2012. It has since returned to Canada, display restored in Garter Blue livery as LNER 4489.

Witton Gilbert: Witton Gilbert station was over a mile from the village of that name and actually almost in Langley Park. The station, and the Lanchester Valley line from Consett to Durham, closed to passengers in 1939 but goods trains passed through for a further twenty seven years before full closure. This view looks along the old line in the direction of Durham from the site of the level crossing. Originally built as a single line, when it was doubled the goods yard was opposite the station and the second platform had to be sited on the opposite side of the level crossing. The station is now a private house, seen here in November 2012.

NRM Shildon: Among the many glamorous exhibits in the NRM at Shildon this narrow gauge mine locomotive, still in workaday condition, is perhaps passed unnoticed by many visitors but is a representative of thousands of similar machines that were such an essential part of the UK coal industry. Many probably still lie deep underground in the closed off workings. Reference to the Locomotion website shows it to be a product of Hudswell Clarke (a common supplier to the NCB) with buck eye couplers and 3ft gauge which was unusual - most were between 2'0' and 2'6' but this loco worked at Ellington (and has therefore worked over six miles out under the North Sea). Although Ellington used modern locomotives, including some Bo-Bo designs, it was also the last mine in the country to use ponies, which lasted until the pit's first closure in 1994. My thanks to Malcolm Chattwood for additional NCB information.

Strand Road Exchange Sidings: The bitumen tanks for Preston Dock are presently routed via Manchester Victoria and Parkside due to the Copy Pit route being closed until March 2014. Refurbished DBS 60017 arrives in the exchange sidings on 27 November with the loaded tanks, running alongside the empties waiting to be returned.

Strand Road Exchange Sidings: Morning handover. DBS 60017 has just arrived at Preston Dock with loaded bitumen tanks from Lindsey and meets RSR Sentinel Enterprise which will trip them to the terminal. The Class 60 will run round on the line in the foreground before picking up the empties from the centre road.

Corrour: Repairs under way to the former signalbox, later Morgan's Den bunkhouse, at Corrour station on 27 November 2014. This is now a listed building.

Rugby: Rugby is now confirmed as the only station where it is safe to put your head into a gap in a Pendolino. Seriously, I have never thought of Rugby as a tourist destination; but far better to promote local heritage than for everything everywhere to be bland and anonymous see image [[33426]].

Northampton: The new station at Northampton see image [[52330]] on a soaking wet Friday night. The previous station building (plan view still shown on the National Rail website) was in the area now used for road vehicle access. View looks South, adjacent to platform 1.

Northampton: Given all the trouble they have taken with the new Northampton station see image [[52348]], it's a pity the town street plan is 405 years out of date.

Northampton: You know it's wet when you get a double reflection of the train information, on the bodyside and then the platform. The 350 is about to leave Northampton for Euston; I was going to a pub.

Whitrope Siding: 26040 newly arrived at Whitrope on the 10th of March 2016.

Millerhill Yard Up Arrival Sidings: Preparations in progress for the new ScotRail Millerhill servicing facility for EMUs. View east along Whitehill Road from the current yard entrance on 27 November 2016. The area in the background will be the access point for plant and materials being brought in by road transport.

Millerhill Yard Up Arrival Sidings: View north west from Whitehill Road bridge towards Newcraighall station on 27 November 2016, with work underway presumably in connection with the proposed EGIP electric train depot (?).

Cardross: A Helensburgh - Edinburgh service leaves Cardross.

Cardross: An Oban - Glasgow service approaches Cardross. To the left is Ardmore House. The object just to the right of the train is stacked timber at the Cardross Sawmill.

Edinburgh Waverley: Work continues on Waverley Platform 12.

Edinburgh Waverley: Lest we forget. A new memorial bench, provided by Carillion Rail, at Waverley.

Salford Central: The Salford skyline at night viewed from the west end of Salford Central station on 27 November 2017. Slightly left of centre of the photo, the new Ordsall bridge can be seen. Although the tracks on the lines to Ordsall Jct have been realigned through the disused platforms, work hasn't yet started to address the 'mountaineering' required to board and alight from trains on the platforms towards Salford Crescent.

Gilmerton: Although this walkway on the Glencorse branch through Gilmerton was opened months ago there was no access point here until it was completed on 26 November 2018, the day before this photo. The bridge in the background carries the A772 (old A7) and Gilmerton station was a little further on. It was rather insubstantial and no trace remains.

Edinburgh Waverley: View east over the platforms 5 and 6 extension at Waverley on 27th November 2018. 92033 lurks in the shadows.

Morecambe South Junction: Brand new 195110, on mileage accumulation runs, passes under the Bay Gateway road bridge near Morecambe South Junction on 27th November 2018.

Edinburgh Waverley: 68006 'Daring' waits to leave Waverley's platform 19 with the 17.08 Fife commuter train on 27 November 2018.

Kaim Points: The rather sad rump of the Glencorse (then Bilston Glen) line looking towards the junction a few hundred metres away in November 2018. This was Midlothian’s last railway until the Borders Line reopened. It lingered on into the 1990s before being cut back to this point where for a while I believe it acted as a headshunt for the Monktonhall Colliery loading siding. The shunting signal is on a post which carried the full signal when that was still required. The Borders Railway Sheriffhall deviation is behind me, at right angles.

Kaim Points: I am standing on the former Glencorse branch, a few hundred metres from the junction and looking towards Glencorse. All that is left of the branch is a moribund headshunt behind me. The rails were lifted here some years ago, but remained in place further west more recently (though they were stranded). A railway path was opened west from Shawfair hospital and through Gilmerton earlier this year, but this stretch obviously wasn't though worthy - yet? A road and the Borders line would have to be bridged to take it to Millerhill.

Bay Horse: Detail of the damaged Down Line catenary at Bay Horse as the sun begins to set on 27th November 2019. Around half a mile or so of wiring was brought down by a pantograph and it was the following morning before any services could resume and begin to get back to normal.

Cornton Level Crossing: A Dunblane to Edinburgh service rushes over Cornton Crossing on 27 November 2019. The houses are the first and last in Bridge of Allan, while Stirling starts behind me - in the shape of a prison.

Falkirk Grahamston: The 1210 Glasgow Queen Street stopper pulls into Grahamston on 27 November 2019, a full four minutes before it was due to depart. This must explain why it appeared on the departures summary before the 1207 to Edinburgh. Something funny is going on with dwell times.

Linlithgow: A Glasgow Queen Street express calls at Linlithgow on 27 November 2019. Something has gone wrong as it is made up of two 385/0s therefore has only 6 cars and no First Class. The rather odd platform lighting poles on the left are of 1960s vintage and were required by the narrow overhanging platform.

Stirling: A Dunblane to Edinburgh service calls at Stirling on 27 November 2019. A 385/1 means 4 cars and buckshee first class - with those coveted hard seats.

Lochmill Siding: The site of Lochmill Goods in Linlithgow Bridge seen on 27 November 2019 with the EGML in the background. Any resemblance to a car park is purely coincidental.

Bay Horse: Services on the WCML were seriously disrupted on 27th November 2019 by damage to the catenary at Bay Horse. Here is some of the damaged wiring by the 25kv feeder station at that location. Services were scheduled to re-open at 0500 the following day after a long period of chaos and replacement bus services.

Bay Horse: Engineers disentangling a Pendolino from damaged overhead wiring on 27th November 2019. The train has come to rest a little way north of Bay Horse with the catenary damaged all the way back to that location and its 25kv feeder station. Ironically this was the day that the new franchisee announced it would be known as Avanti West Coast and launched a new green livery for the fleet of Pendolinos but no trains ran north of Preston for the remainder of that day.

Granton High Goods: The scrap metal firm occupying the former Granton High goods shed is in fact older than the railway, though they only moved here when the line was in its last years. A siding once came through the building from the other end with buffers where the weighbridge is now situated.

Granton Gasworks: A fragment of the once extensive network of lines around the gas works complex. This was at the north-western extremity. This unlovely area is earmarked for greening in the long (and increasingly longer) term Waterfront Project.

Kittybrewster Junction: A resplendent looking COLAS 70807 at Kittybrewster, captured with a wide angle setting on its way to Irvine, with 6B38 on 27th November 2020. The loco had obviously had a fresh coat of paint and hopefully the rest of their fleet will get the same treatment.

Wallyford Colliery Pit No 3: This two dimensional loco is in Wallyford, on a footpath that follows the line of the colliery sidings. It looks a bit like a Barclay 0-4-0ST, but I am not sure about the short tank that doesn't cover the firebox. 27th November 2020.

Bradkirk Junction: 319368 rolls along the long straight to the west of Kirkham with a Liverpool to Blackpool North service on 27th November 2021. This view taken from the steps of the relatively new footbridge that carries a public footpath across the line. (Map Ref SD389335). Network Rail contractors use the old railway land here. There is an access point to the line and the adjacent catenary mast is protected from vehicle damage.

Kirkham and Wesham: Colourful Malcolm liveried 90024 headed an Illuminations excursion from Euston to Blackpool North on 27th November 2021. There are no run round facilities at Blackpool since electrification and 90036 was on the rear of the blue and grey rake of coaches, seen passing through Kirkham on the outward journey.

Bradkirk Junction: Part way between Bradkirk Junction and Weeton a public footpath crosses the line. This bridge, installed for electrification, replaced a foot crossing and what must have been a steep scramble up the cutting side. In the foreground of this view is the trackbed of the direct Marton Line to Blackpool Central. 195110 passes with a York to Blackpool North service on 27th November 2021.

Boat of Garten: Boat of Garten with Ivatt Class 2 No.46512 returning to Aviemore. Newly arrived Class 37 No.37674 in the yard.

Bradkirk Junction: For a number of years after the 1964 closure of the direct Marton Line to Blackpool Central a short section at the eastern end was used by engineers, mainly for tipping spent ballast. The sidings are now mostly lifted but a set of buffers survives in 2021, seen here from the nearby footbridge looking towards Kirkham. Engineers still use the location to access the surviving Blackpool line that runs alongside.

Broomhill Junction: Nearly an hour late, Strathspey Railway's Ivatt Class 2 No.46512 with the first Festive Special passing Lower Lackgie.

Kirkham and Wesham: DBC 90036, pan down, brings up the rear of a Euston to Blackpool Illuminations excursion, seen passing Kirkham on 27th November 2021. Train engine was 90024 but 90036 later took the empty stock to Preston for servicing and also hauled the evening return from Blackpool North to London.

Bradkirk Junction: This view, to the west of Bradkirk Junction, shows the diverging lines to Blackpool in November 2021. To the left the direct 'Marton' line to Blackpool Central. In the Beeching Report this was recommended for retention and that to the right would also have continued to Fleetwood but Blackpool North would have closed. However, Blackpool Council was desperate to get the Central site for car parking and pushed for Blackpool North to remain open, which of course is what transpired. The Marton line disappears completely beyond this visible section. A three arch overbridge and the deep cutting at Plumpton have completely gone. Further on the M55 and a link road follow the course of the line. The small protrusion on the horizon (see inset) is the top of Blackpool Tower, around five miles away.