I wondered why my northbound Pendolino was diverted into Platform 4 at Lancaster and was pleasantly surprised that this was the reason. 35018 British India Line had just brought the first 2018 Santa Special back from Carlisle on 2nd December. The headlamp has already been switched to red for the short diesel drag to Carnforth.

G W Robin [02/12/2018]

The 5Q01 0005 hrs Preston to Manchester Piccadilly ecs move on 13 December 2018 may at first glance seem nothing special, however the Pendolino is passing Buckshaw Parkway under its own power. This was the first electric traction to travel on the Euxton Jct to Windsor Bridge Jct (via Bolton) and was the first of 2 scheduled return trips in the early hours of Thursday morning.

John McIntyre [13/12/2018]

An Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street service calls at Cumbernauld on 10 December, the first day of operation of these services. I could well have been the first passenger to travel direct from Edinburgh to Cumbernauld!

David Panton [10/12/2018]

BR pacific no.70000 Britannia at speed with the ^Pennine Moors Festive Explorer^ from Crewe to Burnley on 08 December 2018, seen at Euxton on the slight climb from Balshaw Lane to Euxton Jct. However a few seconds later the brakes went on as the double yellow aspect of signal PN 17 was sighted as a result of the approach control for the diverging route that was to be taken at Farington Jct.

John McIntyre [08/12/2018]

The Ayr station hotel on 8th December 2018 - honestly! A scaffolding framework is being erected over the roof and the hotel façade is completely obscured by this.

Colin Miller [08/12/2018]

View east from the station footbridge at Waverley showing progress on the new platforms 5 and 6. Taken on Saturday morning 8 December 2018.

Andy Furnevel [08/12/2018]

The first steelwork for the new south face of Queen Street Station rises out the depths of the large cavern left by the demolition of Consort House. In the background are (left) the 1807-1818 North British (now Millennium) Hotel and (right) the 1874 Merchants House, both fine buildings of rather more traditional styles. Will this new building prove to be be a worthy neighbour? 4th December 2018.

Colin McDonald [04/12/2018]