Carlisle: Scene at the south end of a rain soaked Carlisle station on 28 December 1963. From left to right are D323 with a Glasgow - Liverpool train, 46240 City of Coventry, the tender of 46225 Duchess of Gloucester and 47326, the station pilot.

Carlisle: Gresley V2 no 60816 gets ready to take a northbound train out of Carlisle in December 1963. The train in this case being the 0925 Crewe - Perth.

Carlisle: Stanier Pacifics 46225 Duchess of Gloucester and 46240 City of Coventry let off steam on the centre roads at Carlisle on 28 December 1963, while D323 stands at platform 3 with a Glasgow Central - Liverpool train.

Carlisle: Smart looking St Margarets V2 2-6-2 no 60816 about to to take the 0825 Crewe - Perth train north out of Carlisle on 28 December 1963.

Elderslie: With snow on the ground and more to come, Black 5 4-6-0 No 45116 is leaving Elderslie and heading for Paisley Gilmour Street with a train of parcel vans on 28 December 1964. Elderslie No 1 signal box is prominent in the photo.

Newcastleton: Platform scene at the north end of Newcastleton on a murky Saturday 28 December 1968 during the final days of through operations over the Waverley route. The train is the 0850 St Pancras - Edinburgh Waverley, hauled by Brush Type 4 no 1536.

Shankend: Platform scene at Shankend on 28 December 1968, with little more than a week to go before the last scheduled operations over the Waverley route. The train is the 9.30am Edinburgh - Carlisle (carrying through coaches for St Pancras) and the locomotive in charge is Brush Type 4 no 1536. [The same train was photographed by Kenneth Gray less than 20 minutes earlier as it entered Hawick station, some 7 miles to the north.] see image [[32092]].

Stainton Junction: Brush Type 4 no 1536 photographed in fading winter light at Stainton crossing on 28 Deccember 1968 with the 8.50am from St Pancras (3.58pm ex-Carlisle). The same train was photographed a short time later that afternoon by Robin Barbour as it called at Newcastleton see image [[32122]].

Hawick [2nd]: Platform scene at Hawick station on 28 December 1968, with only a few days to go before final closure.

Carlisle: A gloomy north end at Carlisle station in late December 1968. The lineup consists of D5337 with the 1pm Carlisle - Edinburgh Waverley via Hawick, D190 with the 10.25am Leeds City - Glasgow Central via Dumfries and D8527, the north end station pilot that day.

Carlisle: A slight haze seems to hang over Carlisle station in the early afternoon of Saturday 28 December 1968. At platform 7 the 1.00pm service for Edinburgh Waverley via Hawick is about to depart behind D5337.

Hawick [2nd]: Brush type 4 no 1536 with the 9.30am Edinburgh Waverley - Carlisle (with through coaches for St Pancras) arriving at Hawick station on Saturday 28 December 1968. [Editors note: The 1L24 being displayed by the locomotive appears to have been taken from the Fred Karno book of headcodes.] See image [[34359]]

Newcastleton: Brush Type 4 no 1536 takes the 8.50am St Pancras - Edinburgh Waverley away from Newcastleton on a chilly 28 December 1968 during the final days of operations over the line. [Editor's note: I came across this strangely evocative photograph in the RB file and did some digging! The 3 individuals on the platform, as well as the photographer, had all arrived separately at Newcastleton station that day to witness the passage of the train. Of note in the centre of the group is a cash-strapped student named McCartney.]

Newcastleton: The 8.50am St Pancras - Edinburgh Waverley train (3.58pm ex-Carlisle) calls at Newcastleton on 28 December 1968. The locomotive in charge is Brush Type 4 no 1536 and the headcode should read 1S65. See image [[26129]]

Driffield: Preserved Black 5 no 5305 in LMS livery leaving Driffield for Scarborough on a snowy 28 December 1981.

Gatehead: Gatehead from the west on a bitterly cold 28 December, 1985. Left to right: 'Up' (to Kilmarnock) platform, level crossing, 'Down' platform (just visible), signalbox, goods yard (scrapyard recently departed) and goods shed.

Wakefield Kirkgate: 37716 British Steel Corby leads 37711 & 37719 onto the Pontefract line at Wakefield Kirkgate station on 28 December 1986. The locomotives, all sporting BR Metals Sector livery, are heading back to Knottingley depot after refuelling at Healey Mills.

Loch nan Uamh Viaduct: The west side of Loch nan Uamh Viaduct seen in a view looking north in 1987. Note how the line plunges into the tunnel directly at the north end of the viaduct.

Achnasheen: Achnasheen station viewed from the east. The hotel building still stands.

Achnasheen: Achnasheen station and hotel seen on a particularly wet night in late 1994. A westbound Sprinter pauses briefly at the station. 'Field of rain' - never a place better named. The hotel was to burn down in 1995 and today it is difficult to believe it was ever there or that there was enough space for it.

Almond Valley Viaduct: A Sprinter crossing Almond Valley Viaduct viewed from the south west in 2003. The dirt road is the trackbed of the mineral line to the Newliston Shale Mines.

St David's Harbour: St David's Harbour, at the southern end of the Fordell Railway, in a view looking south west towards the Forth Bridge in 2003. Much of the tidal harbour has been infilled but the end of the south pier can be seen. The tip of the northern breakwater also remains.

Dalmeny South Junction: A view south at Dalmeny South Junction in 2003 with the trackbed of the closed line to Ratho going off to the right. The open line is to Saughton Junction. The embankment of the oil depot is on the left.

Dalmeny [1st]: View north from the site of Dalmeny's first station. This became a goods yard on the opening of the Forth Bridge, the line to which is seen to the left. The view looks north to Dalmeny Junction.

Edinburgh Waverley: West end of Waverley on 28 December 2004 with a Queen Street shuttle at the platform. In the background preparations are underway in Market Street for the Hogmanay celebrations.

Inverkeithing North Junction: 170453 comes north round the curve at Inverkeithing North Junction in 2004. The single track of the curve round to Inverkeithing East Junction can be seen coming off the southbound line on the left.

Edinburgh Waverley: A Glasgow Central - Kings Cross GNER service pulls up at Waverley's platform 19 on 28 December 2004.

Brunstane: An empty GNER HST passing Brunstane on the sub on 28 December 2006 after being sent the long way round from Waverley to Craigentinny depot.

Edinburgh Waverley: Reopening of the Waverley cross-station walkway. Scene looking south from above the new platform 20 towards Market Street on 28 December 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking west over platforms 10 and 11 on 28 December with a Glasgow Central via Shotts train and a Glasgow - Kings Cross service present.

Edinburgh Waverley: Passenger stairway between the cross-station walkway and Waverley's new platform 10 on 28 December 2006, with the associated lift behind the camera on the west side of the walkway. The south wall of the station is behind the sheet on the left. See image [[12861]]

Edinburgh Waverley: A 158 runs east into platform 20 on 28 December 2006.

Ropley: Standard class 5 no 73096 at Ropley shed on the Mid Hants Railway shortly after Christmas 2006.

Ropley: 73096 and 92212 resting at Ropley shed on the Mid Hants Railway, after their Christmas exertions. I was told by an elderly, bearded gentleman that the pallet-like attachment on the chimney of the 9F was part of an experiment being undertaken on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive aimed at the prevention of erroneous incursions by Santa at this time of year.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking east along the new platform 20 on 28 December 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: First ScotRail empty stock using the northside crossover between platform 20 and platform 2 on 28 December 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: The old sub platforms are now numbered 8 and 9. On 28 December 2006 the 13.05 Virgin CrossCountry service to Bournemouth boards at platform 8.

Edinburgh Waverley: Westerrn concourse on 28 December, with the link to the cross-station walkway (and platforms 1 & 20) operational. With the Waverley Steps work still ongoing the route to Princes Street is still via the temporary bridge and Princes Mall.

Craigentinny Depot: Wabtec shunter 08615 stands outside Craigentinny depot on 28 December. Grab shot from a passing train.

Edinburgh Waverley: Link between the new platform 10 (right) and the walkway via another hole in the station's south wall. See image [[13170]]

Edinburgh Waverley: Side of First ScotRail North Berwick line unit no 322481 preparing to leave Edinburgh Waverley station for the east coast on 28 December 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: View west along platform 19 on 28 December 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: Westbound service prepares to depart from platform 10 on 28 December. Note the new blue station name signs which have appeared on the south wall.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking west from the end of the new 'Balmoral' through platform at Waverley on 28 December 2007. Much of the north side had been cleaned up and re-ballasted on the run up to Christmas, with the majority of platform 'furnishings and fittings' also installed. In the background work continues on electrification of the remaining west end platforms as well as the central and south Mound tunnels. The train emerging from the north tunnel and heading this way is First ScotRail 158740 forming the 1225 Bathgate - Newcraighall.

Edinburgh Waverley: Locomotives on sleeper duty awaiting their next turns in the bays at the east end of Waverley. Photographed looking out from below the station canopy during a short, sharp shower of rain on a December afternoon in 2007. On the left is EWS 90034, with sister locomotive 90036 alongside still carrying BR Railfreight 3-tone grey livery.

Edinburgh Waverley: View over the west end through the rain on 28 December with platforms 14 - 17 in the hands of the engineers, along with the central Mound tunnel, where electrification work is taking place.

Edinburgh Waverley: Electrification work underway on The Mound central tunnel and west end platforms on 28 December 2007 seen from Waverley Bridge. A Glasgow shuttle is arriving at platform 13, with platforms 14 - 17 cordoned off out of use.

Edinburgh Waverley: One of the class 322 EMU sets used on North Berwick line services photographed at Waverley on 28 December 2007. First ScotRail unit 322484 is stabled alongside the south wall in the dead end siding created by the building of platform 10, the east end of which is visible in the background.

Princes Street Gardens Cutting: Looking at first glance like the aftermath of a derailment, the 1150 NXEC Glasgow Central - London Kings Cross meanders slowly past engineering works in Princes Street Gardens to enter The Mound north tunnel, directly below the camera, on 28 December 2007. The works are in connection with the electrification of the central tunnel as well as the remaining Waverley west end platforms.

Edinburgh Waverley: Following construction of the new platform 10 alongside the south wall at Waverley, the former station bypass line on the south side became a dead end siding entered from the east and terminating opposite the crossover. A North Berwick line 322 is stabled in this siding on 28 December 2007 while a westbound service waits to depart from platform 10.

Forrestfield: Loading bank about 1/4 mile east of Forrestfield. A short branch ran south from here. View looks west.

Ravenstonedale: The disused trackbed from Kirkby Stephen East peters out at Ravenstonedale station and for the rest of the way to Tebay lies under the A685 road, which can be seen on the left of this picture. The station opened in 1861 as Newbiggin but changed in 1877. It closed in 1952 although freight and excursions passed through for another ten years. The station, now a home, retains many railway features.

Barras: The highest mainline station in England from 1861 until Dent opened in 1877. This is Barras, midway between the site of the Belah viaduct and Stainmore summit, with magnificent views down to the Eden Valley. It closed in 1962 with the line and the main station building has been removed to Kirkby Stephen East for safekeeping. The platform remains are still visible though along with a small shelter and the station house is still a home.

Gaisgill: The former station building at Gaisgill is a completely different design to Ravenstonedale and not immediately recognisable to drivers on the A685 unless you know it is there. It is however largely unchanged since closure in 1952, apart of course from a fast link road to the M6 at Tebay running where the tracks used to be. View east towards Ravenstonedale and Kirkby Stephen.

Peterborough: Passing glimpse through a train window of the other Eastfield - this box still stands in the extensive yards at New England, north of Peterborough.

Inverkeithing East Junction: Cold? Perish the.. th.. th.. thought! 170 396 coasts downhill towards Inverkeithing station on 28 December 2009 heading for Waverley with the 16.18 ex-Glenrothes with Thornton

Bridgeton [1st]: After removal of the bridge, progress had now seen the removal of the arches which carried the railway toward Baltic Street. This is in preparation for the East End Regeneration Route

Bridgeton [1st]: Looking along Dalmarnock Road on a cold December afternoon. The mound on the right is all that remains of the arches that carried the Switchback line.

London Road Junction [Glasgow]: Very little remains of Bridge No.5 at Baltic Street. The arches have been completly removed. The view is toward Baltic Street on 28 December 2009.

London Road Junction [Glasgow]: View up Mordaunt Street on 28 December. The railway ran up the right hand side. The arches have been completly removed. Part of Celtic Park can be seen in the left background. The Switchback ran round the Stadium. Baltic Street Bridge No 5 (Dalmarnock).

Glasgow Central: The former Platform 11a/12 at Glasgow Central on 28th December 2009. Work is now progressing on demolition of the platform to allow the rails to be laid through to the new Platform's 12 & 13 which are currently under construction.

Johnstone: 318270 at Johnstone on a bitterly cold morning on 28th December 2009. The unit had rolled to a halt after an almighty bang and what looked like an explosion from under the pantograph, which I can only assume was caused by severe arcing. Out came a rather worried driver thinking he had lost all power, but 5 minutes later things were back to normal and the train was on it's way with a service to Ayr. The gentlemen on the right are about to take the train south for a day on the golf course. Rather them than me!

Luton Hoo: Looking out under the bridge carrying the Midland main line to London, towards the GNR from Dunstable (R) to Hatfield (L), near the former Luton Hoo (GNR) and Chiltern Green (MR) stations.

Kilwinning: 318259 (GW) north of Kilwinning with the 0945 Glasgow Central - Largs.

Huntingdon: The 4-lane A14 road bridge over the ECML at Huntingdon has a triumphal air - despite the massive steel girder reinforcements beneath - especially as it is built over another road bridge. The water tower just visible to the left/South of the A14 may be converted into office accommodation - if it survives the proposal to widen the A14 to TEN lanes (6 through lanes, 4 local).

Kilwinning: 318253/256 (Both GW) north of Kilwinning with the 1013 Ayr-Glasgow Central service.

Grantham: Driving van trailer 82.203 heads the 13.01 to King's Cross past the North bay at Grantham

Luton Hoo: Parallel lines: above, the Midland main line to London; below, the GNR from Dunstable to Hatfield; and a mile or so South of here, to th eright, the site of Luton Hoo station. see image [[44161]]

Radstock: A master class in brickwork on 5 Arches viaduct near Radstock (S&D above, GW below). The flitch panel looks like it was done to ensure clearance, but there is no doubt about the smooth run out of the skew arch below.

Pointhouse Tram Depot: The Rothesay Tramways depot in Port Bannatyne used to house twenty electric tramcars, and is still in use as a bus depot. The trams ceased operating in 1936 but Rothesay buses were labelled Rothesay Tramways until the 1950s. This is a view of the depot looking north on the road from Rothesay to the Colintraive ferry and the trams ran along this road past the depot before accessing a dedicated route across the island to Ettrick Bay. See image [[32657]].

Greenwood Crossing [Tram]: Discover Bute Tramway information board at the start of the trackbed path to Ettrick Bay. It details points of interest on the 1.6 mile route but unfortunately has no information about the old tramway itself.

Radstock: The Great Western Railway's former Frome to Bristol line seen running towards Hallatrow. Viewed from the Five Arches S&D viaduct near Radstock on a hazy 28 December 2010. Notice the old signal post to the right of the trackbed.

St Colmac [Tram]: The old tramway from Port Bannatyne parralels the road for most of its length on what was a reserved trackbed. Ettrick Bay, on the west coast of Bute, can be seen in the distance here as the line curves with the road. At Ettrick Smiddy however, the white building ahead, the old tramway runs around the back of the house before rejoining the roadside again.

Bath Green Park: Everyone knows the lovely building and roof at Bath Green Park, but it took me several visits to spot these socking big wooden gates into the goods side, seen here in December 2010. They appear to have replacement timbers to the original design - what do you expect after 150 years?

St Colmac [Tram]: A south easterly view along the former double track electric tramway that ran across the middle of the Island of Bute from Ettrick Bay to Rothesay but closed in 1936. The woodland at the top of the gradient marks the start of the 1.6 mile public route at Greenwood Crossing. See image [[32229]]

Greenwood Crossing [Tram]: Although a long section of the old Rothesay Tramway, down to Ettrick Bay, has been turned into a foot/cycle path other parts of the trackbed have not been designated but still see unofficial use. This section lies just outside Port Bannatyne alongside the main road. View northwards from near Greenwood Crossing. See image [[32229]]

Midsomer Norton South: A couple of years ago, my wife and I struggled through rampant vegetation to reach this spot, just North of the old station. Since then, Sustrans have been out with their flamethrowers and weedkiller. Good for them! The trackbed, seen here in December 2010, is now walkable all the way to Radstock and beyond.

Bath Green Park [2nd]: Blue cars only please. The train shed for the MR/S&D station at Bath Green Park in December 2010, now a car park for the local Sainsbury's.

Pointhouse Tram Depot: The old tram depot on the Isle of Bute, now I believe a listed building, housed 20 electric tramcars before the tramway closed in 1936 and is still used to this day to garage the island's buses. The depot is presently operated by West Coast Motors Ltd, some of whose fleet can be seen in this picture taken from the depot entrance alongside the main road to Rothesay on 28 December 2010. See image [[32285]]

Ettrick Bay [Tram]: The Rothesay to Port Bannatyne horse tramway was regauged (4' to 3'6'), electrified and extended to Ettrick Bay in 1906 where the tramway company developed some holiday attractions. This car park was the site of the terminus. The tramway closed in 1936 but the trackbed can be walked for much of its length.

Greenwood Crossing [Tram]: The start of the public footpath section of the old tramway to Ettrick Bay photographed in December 2010. This electrified extension of the former Rothesay to Port Bannatyne horse tramway opened in 1905. In 1931 ownership transferred to Scottish Motor Traction, who immediately cancelled winter services. The double track line closed completely five years later.

Midsomer Norton: There is currently about a mile of relaid track heading south from the former S&D station at Midsomer Norton. Tours of the station area are now available each Sunday.

Bath Spa: What colour would Sir like his barley sugar? Original cast iron and cobblestones at Bath Spa, photographed just after Christmas 2010.

Eccles (Metrolink): Metrolink tram 3014 waits briefly on a wet day at Eccles before returning to Piccadilly via the Salford Docks estate. Eccles tram terminus is only a short walk from the main line railway station. Pity about the litter at this town centre interchange.

Central Park: Striking architecture at the new Central Park Metrolink station, which is in Newton Heath and serves a business park and the new Greater Manchester Police HQ. The relaid lines are on the old Cheetham Hill line from Thorpes Bridge Junction to Manchester Victoria with the trams using a re-opened chord at Irk Valley Junction to join the Metrolink Bury line into Victoria.

Rose Hill Marple: The branch terminus at Rose Hill Marple sees 150132 ready to make the short run down to Marple Wharf Junction on a service to Manchester Piccadilly. The cut back former Bollington and Macclesfield line is now less than one mile long, and entirely in a cutting. The station itself still has a staffed ticket office and the 30 minute interval service is well used by commuters and shoppers.

St Helens Central: An afternoon stopping service from Liverpool Lime St to Wigan North Western pauses outside the new station building at St Helens Central (formerly Shaw St). The elderly Pacers are still intensively used around Manchester and Liverpool but will be the first DMUs to go when these lines are electrified.

Newton Heath MPD: The south side of Newton Heath MPD, as seen from the platform of Newton Heath & Moston Metrolink stop, formerly Dean Lane station. The sidings now occupied by Northern Sprinters once accommodated main line diesel locomotives See image [[29691]]. This view looks towards Thorpes Bridge Junction and shows the freight line to Dean Lane waste transfer station with the original bullhead rail, and the new Metrolink electrified tram line becoming double track just beyond the bridge.

Hebden Bridge: First light at atmospheric Hebden Bridge on a gloomy December morning and the replica gas lamps are still lit on the eastbound platform, as seen from the staggered Manchester platform. View towards Sowerby Bridge.

Piccadilly Gardens: 3000 Series tram 3012 pulls away from Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre with a service for Bury. The tram will swing right behind the camera to initially head through the streets to Victoria station. New developments continue apace on Metrolink and in January 2013 it was announced that the extension from Piccadilly to Droylsden in the east will open in February 2013.

St Helens Central: At the south end of St. Helen's platforms is the junction with what was formerly the line to Sutton Oak, St Helens Junction and Widnes. Latterly this was cut back to a chemical plant within the town and has since been closed completely, although the track and signals remain in situ. Photographed in December 2012, with the now obligatory palisade fence erected across the disused tracks.

Broadbottom: The 1847 station building at Broadbottom is in near original external condition, despite a pub having been incorporated into part of the building. The station, and nearby Broadbottom viaduct, are listed on the Transport Heritage Trust website as being of special interest. There is a half hourly service in each direction on the Manchester - Glossop/Hadfield route. This view is towards Manchester from the station footbridge.

Eccles (Metrolink): There are several parts of the Manchester Metrolink system that take advantage of climbing abilities of modern trams compared with heavy rail traction. Immediately after leaving the Eccles terminus the tracks dive under a large roundabout and climb back for street level running on the other side. 3014 enters the underpass on 28 December 2012 while operating an Eccles to Piccadilly service.

Guide Bridge: Although now reduced to two platforms Guide Bridge is still a busy spot with junctions at each end of the station. It sees frequent Trans Pennine services, Northern DMUs and EMUs and also freight traffic. 150271 pulls away on a service to Rose Hill via Hyde. The old platforms, off to the left of the picture see image [[20150]], are now filled in.

Rose Hill Marple: Rose Hill Marple, a country branch terminus, or at least it has been since 1970 when the line beyond to Bollington and Macclesfield was closed See image [[39173]]. The station enjoys a basic half hourly service and 150132 will shortly return to Manchester Piccadilly via Hyde. The buffers are just visible beyond the station.

Bath Green Park [2nd]: Nice warm dusk colours at Green Park just after Christmas 2012. Just needs a bit of steam and smoke...

Dean Lane: Dean Lane closed to rail services with the Oldham Loop in 2009. It reopened in 2012 as Newton Heath & Moston for Metrolink tram services. At this point trams are confined to a single line as the other line seen here is for container trains to and from the waste transfer facility just beyond the bridge. The old railway station platforms have been removed. Tram 3023 leaves for Oldham and Shaw, the then limit of operations until the Rochdale line reopened in 2013.

Thorpes Bridge Junction: Thorpes Bridge Junction was the point where two lines from Manchester Victoria (via Miles Platting and Cheetham Hill) met and also where the Rochdale and Oldham lines divided. Oldham Metrolink trams use the Cheetham Hill trackbed from Smedley Viaduct Jcn but at Thorpes Bridge Jcn a new bridge carries them over the Manchester Rochdale railway lines. 3013 negotiates the bridge approach as it descends towards the new tram station known as Central Park. Newton Heath TMD is on the other side of the bridge.

Bath Green Park [2nd]: One wonders what the directors of the S&D would have thought, had they known that the area by the buffer stops at Green Park would eventually be used as a roller skating rink. A good case for a stiff upper lip, I'd say. But it's a lovely view looking out at dusk; I congratulate the members of Bath Council who had the foresight to restore the station, instead of demolishing it.

Broadbottom: 323223 heads east from Broadbottom towards Dinting on a Glossop and Hadfield service. The EMU is just about to pass the old goods shed, now in commercial use, and just beyond that will cross the tall viaduct over the River Etherow.

Eccles: With electrification from Manchester to Newton-le-Willows scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013, masts are starting to appear all along the eastern half of the L&MR. On a gloomy afternoon in December 2012, Arriva Trains Wales 158835 passes a new mast at Eccles station as it hurries through on a train from North Wales to Manchester. Over on the Liverpool platform holes are being excavated for further installations.

Huyton: A landslip at Glazebrook just prior to Christmas continued to cause disruption after the two day break. Trans-Pennine services from Liverpool were diverted away from their usual Warrington Central route to the Newton-le-Willows line and TPE 185104 is seen here running through Huyton on 28 December heading for Manchester with a service for the North East.

Huyton: Diverted from its usual Warrington Central route by a landslip at Glazebrook, TPE 185104 speeds east through Huyton. The train has just cleared the signal that controls the junction for the St Helens and Wigan line and is heading towards Earlestown. Both these lines are to be electrified under the current programme.

St Helens Central: Until recently St Helens Central, or Shaw St as it was previously known, had some bland 1970s station buildings. The new station however is very impressive and makes full use of the glass the town is famous for. 156424 draws to a halt with a late afternoon service from Lime St to Blackpool. This line is due to be electrified by December 2014.

Ropley: BR Standard class 9F 2-10-0 no 92212 in action near Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway in December 2013.

Ropley: D6836 awaits departure from Ropley with a train on the Mid-Hants Railway on 28 December 2013.

Ropley: Stanier Black 5 45379 stands alongside Maunsell 'U' Class 2-6-0 31806 in Ropley shed yard on 28 December 2013.

Ropley: D6836 with a train near Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway on 28 December 2013.

Ropley: BR 9F 92212 with a train on the Mid Hants Railway near Ropley on 28 December 2013.

Ropley: BR Standard class 9F 2-10-0 no 92212 with a train at Ropley on 28 December 2013.

Greenan Siding: At the end of the trackbed path looking west. Ahead the infilled bridge under the Ayr - Dunure A719 - from the other side of the blockage, see image [[49868]]. To the left, the site of Greenan Siding.

Ribblehead Viaduct: The low winter sun illuminates the underside of Ribblehead's arches as Freightliner 66550 makes a light engine run from Carlisle to Leeds on 28th December.

Helwith Bridge: 158901, forming a Sunday Sheffield to Carlisle service, heads north on the S&C past Helwith Bridge on 28th December. The village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the next stop, can be seen in the distance.

Huyton: Electrification work in progress near Huyton, Merseyside, on 28 December 2014.

Tweedbank: Boxing day and 158.717, 158.715 and 158.731 enjoy a day off, relaxing at Tweedbank.

Banbury: A CrossCountry Voyager heading for the South Coast at Banbury on 28th December 2015. This could be the closest modern equivalent to former S&D holiday trains such as The Pines Express.

Brooks Crossing: A westbound 334.004 at Brooks Crossing in December 2015.

Didcot Parkway: DBS liveried 67018 Keith Heller is seen out of use in the station sidings at Didcot just before the Christmas shutdown of the network. Stabled alongside the Class 67 are two EWS liveried 66s, Nos. 66116 and 66126.

Banbury: A fleeting meeting at Banbury on 28 December 2015. The Voyager will travel to Southampton via Oxford and Reading; while the Clubman will go to London Marylebone along the GW/GC route. The bright brake discs make the Voyager wheels look especially small.

Alresford (Hampshire): English Electric Type 3 No. 37324 Clydebridge (the former D6799) on a passenger train for Alton alongside 0-6-0 No. 08377 (D3462) at Alresford on the Mid-Hants Railway.

London Marylebone: If only: Sam Fay would surely have been proud to see HST's heading for all points North from Marylebone. That on the left, sadly, had struggled in from Banbury on a single working power car. Paddington station was closed for two days (the 27th and 28th, due to Crossrail works), so services to and from Swansea were diverted, and reversed at Banbury, non-stop to London. Booking clerks were not well informed: we were met with a blank stare at Bath Spa, and advised to use Chiltern trains at Banbury. The train manager's announcement leaving Marylebone was apposite, including the classic comment: 'This train has been diverted. We're glad you all found us'. Trains from Devon and Cornwall were diverted to Waterloo. see image [[19063]] for a similar situation 50 years ago.

Ropley: Class 08 0-6-0 D3358 (08288), Network South-East liveried EE Type 4 50027 Lion and LMS Black 5 4-6-0 45379 stand in the shed yard at Ropley on 28th December 2015.

Cardross: Modern style bicycle shelter at Cardross on the westbound platform. What would the Victorians make of this?

Ropley: Considering how the Barry Spam-cans looked before restoration, WC 4-6-2 34007 Wadebridge makes a fine sight as it runs light engine into Ropley station on 28th December 2015.

Alresford (Hampshire): Unusually for December 2015, the weather was kind during a visit to the Mid-Hants Railway. 9F 2-10-0 92212 is on passenger duties at Alresford with 0-6-0 shunter 08377 (D3462) stabled in the loading dock siding.

Ropley: English Electric Type 3s meet at Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway. Split headcode 37324 'Clydebridge' on passenger train duties passes 37901 in the siding on 28th December 2015.

Banbury: A First Great Western Marylebone to Swansea HST service see image [[53774]] about to reverse at Banbury on 28 December 2015. Notice the track rationalization in progress to the right.

Banbury: I told you there'd be a big frieze this winter. Nigel Fletcher's 2001 work enlivens a big empty wall in the booking office, and presumably shows the original broad gauge Banbury station. Pity they couldn't do something to disguise the extractor fan.

London Marylebone: It's nice to see Marylebone looking busy see image [[53774]]; but also nice to see it looking peaceful.

Shrubhill Tram Depot: Remains of the old Edinburgh Corporation tram depot at Shrubhill on 28 December 2016 see image [[51274]]. View south east along the Powderhall branch with the start of the loop visible below. In the distance the platform remains of Leith Walk station can just be seen.

Grange-over-Sands: TPE 185130, on a Northern service from Lancaster to Barrow-in-Furness, heads towards the afternoon sun as it runs alongside the promenade at Grange-over-Sands on 28th December 2016.

Ropley: The sun shone today, so it was off to the MHR. The two working engines were 45379 and 76017, with the latter newly restored to active service. Here 45379 is seen departing Ropley in grand style.

Ropley: 76017 running into Ropley.

Alresford (Hampshire): 76017 departing Alresford.

Alresford (Hampshire): 76017 departing Arlesford.

Grange-over-Sands: DRS 37425 accelerates away from Grange-over-Sands station heading for Barrow-in-Furness with 2C47 from Preston on a very sunny 28th December 2016.

Ropley: An immaculate 33053 parked in the Ropley shed sidings.

Alresford (Hampshire): A signal lamp back plate with a LSWR casting. (LSWR is, of course, London and South Western Railway).

Ropley: 34007's nameplate seen at Ropley. 'Wadebridge' West Country Class.

Grange-over-Sands: 37425 slows for the Grange-over-Sands stop with a Preston to Barrow service on 28th December 2016. On this occasion the train was formed of only three coaches, which should have allowed some lively acceleration from the numerous stops. With the spread of the Spartina grass on the beach Grange is now becoming known as Grange-over-Grass.

Medstead and Four Marks: Ex Barry scrapyard BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 76017, tender first bound for Medstead and then Alton on 28th December 2017.

Medstead and Four Marks: Schools 4-4-0 No.925 'Cheltenham' on 28th December 2017, just having departed Medstead for Ropley. For those interested in seeing and hearing a steam engine at work it is advisable to find a good spot on the steep section from Ropley to Medstead. It can be worth getting out of bed for!

Medstead and Four Marks: The distinctive profile of BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 76017, on the return trip to Ropley, seen slightly to the west of Medstead on 28th December 2017.

Moreton-in-Marsh: Snow and solitude, in that quiet time between Christmas and New Year. The railways were much easier to use than many roads on this day.

Perth Carriage Sidings: HSTs seen in Perth's Up Carriage Sidings in December 2018.

Poulton-le-Fylde: A Class 319 EMU heads east at Poulton-le-Fylde in December 2018, seen from a train travelling towards Blackpool North.

Wigan North Western: A pair of Class 142s have just arrived with a terminating service at platform 1, Wigan North Western on the evening of 28 December 2018. At the same time DRS 88002 running as 0K27 from Carlisle to Crewe, runs non-stop through platform 4.

Blackpool North: A Class 319 EMU, now very common on this line with the advent of electrification, stands at the buffers of Platform 3 at Blackpool North on 28th December 2018.

Preston: A cascade of Scotrail 156s and 158s to Northern is continuing into 2019. 158782 came to ScotRail a decade ago on sub-lease from Northern, and left at the beginning of December 2018. Here it ison 28th December 2018 at Preston, still with Saltire livery, having arrived on a working from York.

Barton and Broughton: An unusual working on 28th December 2018. DB 66063 piloted 60103 'Flying Scotsman' from Carnforth to Toton Depot and the short convoy is seen from Lightfoot Lane bridge passing through the long cutting between Barton loop and Oxheys.

Perth Carriage Sidings: A Class 158 on the Fuel Road at Perth on 28th December 2018.

Bank Hall: Bank Hall station frontage from across the road with the tracks passing underneath either side of the building.

St Michael's: The station frontage at St Michaels on the Merseyrail network, with the building above and at right angles to the platforms, in December 2019. The station is on the Northern line to the south of the city between Brunswick and Aigburth and prior to Coronavirus saw over 1m passengers per year.

Sankey for Penketh: 150143 on a Manchester to Liverpool via Warrington Central service pass Sankey for Penketh station on 28 December 2019. With the opening of Warrington West a short distance to the east, there are now only one service in each direction in the morning and the same again in the evening.

Liverpool Central: Looking north along the Northern Lines island platform at Liverpool Central on 28 December 2019. Both units are starting their journeys with on the left the Ormskirk train which had been recessed in the turnback siding before coming back into the platform and on the right a Kirkby train which had just arrived.

Carberry Colliery Junction: The first junction on the Gifford branch, seen looking north towards Monktonhall Junction on 28 December 2019. The colliery branch fell sharply to the right. To the left is Whitecraig, a 1930s creation built round the miners' rows of Deantown which served Carberry pit. Why the new village didn't take the name Deantown isn't clear; Whitecraig is a house outside the village even now.

Sankey for Penketh: A Manchester to Liverpool service with 195105 passes Sankey for Penketh on 28 December 2019.

Moorfields: Moorfields has more the feel of a tube station than a mainline station but this is possibly because this platform on the Merseyrail Northern Line was constructed when Liverpool Exchange was closed in the 1970s and the lines to the north were connected to Liverpool Central. In this view on 28 December 2019, 507030 departs with a service to Kirkby.

St Michael's: 508108 arrives at St Michael's (or is it St Michaels; the nameboards around the station do not have the apostrophe) with a Merseyrail Northern Line service to Hunts Cross on 28 December 2019.

Waterloo [Merseyside]: 507011 calls at Waterloo on 28 December 2019 on a Southport to Hunts Cross service. The station is an island platform and the northbound services are out of view on the left.

Brunswick: Looking north along the Liverpool Central bound platform at Brunswick with 508108 departing on a Southport service on 28 December 2019.

Duddingston: A diverted CrossCountry Voyager on the Edinburgh sub on 28 December 2019 approaching Duddingston from the south west on its way to Waverley. The 0812 Aberdeen - Penzance is passing an old building on the left which once formed part of the former Drybrough's Brewery. This was one of no less than seven similar establishments operating in the Duddingston area during the 1930s, all attracted by the availability of good quality local spring water. For the full list of these former breweries see image [[14240]].

Bank Hall: 508111 in 'Beatles' livery departs from Bank Hall on 28 December 2019 while working a Southport to Hunts Cross service. Bank Hall MPD was a short distance away in the direction of the steps off the platform. To the right above the yellow grit bin can be seen the road bridge above the line to Kirkdale, Ormskirk and Kirkby.

Inverkeithing Central Junction: Having reversed in the yard, 170404 and 170432 snake across Inverkeithing Central Junction to form a shuttle service to Haymarket platform 0 on 28th December 2019.

Cameron Toll Signal Box: A diverted Voyager crossing the A7 at Cameron Toll during a circuit of the Edinburgh sub on 28 December 2019. The diversion was the result of a three day engineering occupation at Haymarket East Junction. (Note the evocative railway names on the nearby road sign.)

Duddingston: The 0708 Leeds - Aberdeen passing through Duddingston on 28 December 2019 having been diverted via the Edinburgh south suburban line due to engineering works at Haymarket East Junction.

Bootle New Strand: Looking north at Bootle New Strand as a Hunts Cross to Southport service departs on 28 December 2019. The one thing I associate with Bootle is the tax office and Triad Building, only a short distance to the east of the station.

Duddingston: A cold, grey winter morning on Edinburgh's south sub in December 2019. Engineering works at Haymarket West had resulted in numerous diversions over the Christmas period, including this CrossCountry Voyager on its way from Aberdeen to Penzance. The train has just passed below the bridge carrying Peffermill Road and will reach Waverley via Niddrie West and Portobello East Junctions. At 722 miles this is the UKs longest scheduled end-to-end train journey... although on this occasion it would have been slightly longer!

Niddrie West Junction: The 1031 Edinburgh Waverley - London Euston on the curve between Brunstane and Niddrie West Junction on 28 December 2019. The train was using the diversionary route due to major engineering works at Haymarket.

Niddrie North Junction: Weak December sunshine illuminates the 0752 Aberdeen - Kings Cross as it comes off the curve from Niddrie West and approaches Brunstane on its way to Waverley. This was one of several long distance services diverted via the sub during the Christmas 2019 three day engineering occupation at Haymarket East Junction.

Cressington: The station building at Cressington viewed from the roadway. The platforms are below in a cutting.

Brunstane: A diverted LNER Azuma runs north through Brunstane on the morning of 28 December 2019. With the E&G route closed at Haymarket East Junction for 3 days due to engineering works various services were being rerouted via the 'sub' in order to access Waverley Station from the east end.

Liverpool South Parkway: A Hunts Cross to Southport service arrives at the Merseyrail platform at Liverpool South Parkway on 28 December 2019. The other 4 platforms on the lines to Edge Hill and Lime Street are out of view above to the left.

Warrington West: A view of Warrington West station from the top of the steps down to the eastbound platform on 28 December 2019.

Brunstane: Day 2 of the diversions caused by engineering works at Haymarket brought much improved weather conditions in and around the Edinburgh area. This scene at Brunstane on the morning of Saturday 28 December 2019 shows the LNER 0752 Aberdeen - Kings Cross taking the long way round to Waverley on the single line section of the sub, while the ScotRail 1025 Edinburgh - Tweedbank calls at the station.

Warrington West: EMR Regional 1L09 service from Liverpool to Norwich passes the recently opened Warrington West station with 158788 and 156473 on 28 December 2019.

Seaforth and Litherland: Looking north on the island platform at Seaforth and Litherland as 507011 prepares to depart with a Southport to Hunts Cross service on 28 December 2019.

Aigburth: The station building at Aigburth is sat at the top of the cutting, above the southbound platform.

Niddrie West Junction: One of the diverted services using the Edinburgh south suburban route on 28 December 2019 was the 1040 Edinburgh Waverley - London Euston. The train was formed by a 10-coach Voyager combination and is seen here about to run through Niddrie West Junction.

Bootle Oriel Road: 507029 calls at Bootle Oriel Road with a Southport to Hunts Cross service on 28 December 2019. The station is one of the newer designs on the Northern Line and unlike some of the others is at platform level rather than below or above at street level. Fortunately there were 'facilities' available at this station (and the station staff were kind enough to let me use them) as there are none on the trains!

Duddingston: The diverted 0708 Leeds - Aberdeen heads west along the Edinburgh South Suburban route through Duddingston on 28 December 2019, avoiding the engineering works at Haymarket East Junction.

Aigburth: Platform scene at Aigburth in south Liverpool, with a Hunts Cross to Southport train arriving on 28 December 2019.
See query 2222

Inverkeithing: With a toot and a friendly wave from the driver, power car 43312 (displaying 254 029 on its nose) leads the LNER HST Farewell staff special through Inverkeithing on 28th December 2019.

Bank Hall: 507011 arrives at Bank Hall on 28 December 2019 with a service to Southport. The view is taken from the top of the steps just outside the booking office.

Cressington: 2019 will be the last year of full 507/508 operations on Merseyrail as their replacements should begin to take over services. Two Class 508s meet at Cressington in south Liverpool on 28 December. On the left is a train to Southport and the one on the right is heading to Hunts Cross.

Cameron Toll Signal Box: Diversions around the Edinburgh Sub during the 2019 Christmas period see a westbound Voyager crossing the bridge at Cameron Toll on a wet 28 December. The 3-day temporary arrangement was the result of track replacement work being carried out at Haymarket East Junction.

Inverkeithing: Power car 43206, running as set No. 253 003, brings up The (very) End of the LNER HST Farewell staff special as it passes through Inverkeithing on 28th December 2019.

Sankey for Penketh: Sankey for Penketh, despite the former BR sign on the down platform building displaying plain Sankey. Seen from the rather quiet station car park on 28 December 2019.
See query 2234

St Michael's: 507007 prepares to depart from St Michaels on a Hunts Cross to Southport service on 28 December 2019. 2022 should at last see the introduction of new 777 EMUs into Merseyrail passenger service.

Huntingdon: The up platform at Huntingdon, seen from a train for Peterborough, seems to be relaxing in the unaccustomed luxury of not being overshadowed by the A14. (See image [[26994]]) Because of the difficulty of rebuilding the former bridge over the ECML, a long bypass has been built, and the bridge over the station removed.

Cambridge: The new Cambridge ticket office is at right angles to the previous one, which ran left to right in this picture. The barriers are cleverer than me - they detected that I was trying to use an off-peak ticket too early in the day, forcing me to take a longer route to my destination. Not all bad, then.

Hitchin: A Grand Central unit scurries South as the 1543 to Royston slows for the Hitchin stop on 28th December 2021.

Peterborough: A general view South from the Peterborough footbridge, shortly after dusk, on 28th December 2021. Plenty of passenger trains; but as usual between Christmas and New Year, not much freight. The gent on the platform certainly seems to have got the knack of social distancing.

Peterborough: Passengers approaching the 17.24 to Liverpool Lime Street in an orderly fashion at Peterborough. To me the 158s are starting to look a bit old as we go into 2022.

Cambridge: At the North end of the main platform at Cambridge station, there is a small Portakabin offering passenger information. This artificial owl is attached to the roof (apparently by a cable tie or two). I can't help thinking that this ought to be a rich source of puns, but nothing springs to mind. Good job really, they'd only make you owl.