Aberfeldy: D5125 stands at Aberfeldy terminus with the 1610 train to Ballinluig in February 1964, the year before the line closed.

Loch Tay Shed: Breathe in... BR standard class 4 no 80126 stands in the cramped wooden shed at Loch Tay following a spell of duty on the Killin branch on 1 February 1964.

Callander (Dreadnought): Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 no 45423 of Stirling South shed about to leave Callander and head for home on the first day of February 1964 with the 1.30pm to Glasgow Buchanan Street.

Carlisle: On a wet February day in 1964, rebuilt Patriot no 45545 Planet is photographed in the M&C bay at the south end of Carlisle station. The 4-6-0 spent her last 2 operational years at Upperby shed, from where she was withdrawn by BR in the summer of 1964.

Carlisle: A cold February morning in 1964 sees V2 60913 pulling away from Carlisle platform 3 with the 9.25am Crewe - Perth.

Kingsknowe: Crowds celebrate the first day of re-opening at Kingsknowe station on 1 Feb 1971. The station, opened in 1848 (originally as King's Knowes), had been closed by BR in July 1964. The red notice in the cab window of the Waverley bound DMU reads 'Kingsknowe station reopens today'.

Newcastle Central: The uncompromisingly determined looking face of a Deltic shows up well in this cross platform view at Newcastle Central in 1972. Train 1S16 is the 0800 Kings Cross - Edinburgh Waverley and the locomotive is 9010 King's Own Scottish Borderer. Following a crew change the outgoing team is about to exit stage right.

Darlington [Bank Top]: Platform view looking back towards the south end of Darlington Bank Top station on 1 February 1972. A DMU for Saltburn is waiting in the bay, while a Newcastle - Bristol service is standing at the main up through platform.

Darlington [Bank Top]: A Newcastle - Bristol train restarting from Darlington in February 1972 behind 'Peak' locomotive D115. Note the surviving water column on the right.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Wagon plate from Chas. Roberts wagon at Arnott Young, Dalmuir for breaking.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Caledonian Railways track ID sign, now believed to be milepost sign.

Plates, signs, notices etc: GWR 10T wagon plate no. 30823.

Plates, signs, notices etc: LMS 21T wagon plate from wagon 726398 at Arnott Young, Dalmuir for breaking.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Wagon plate B560675 Pickering 16T 1956 Lot No 2917 from wagon at Arnott Young breakers.

Plates, signs, notices etc: LNER 17T Darlington wagon plate 229088 1938, from wagon at Arnott Young breakers, re-painted.

Wath: The locomotive facilities serving the massive coal concentration yard at Wath (BR shed code 41C), between Barnsley and Doncaster, in February 1981. The yard opened in 1907 and, at its peak, served no less than 45 collieries operating within a 10 mile radius of the site. As well as diesel locomotives, several EM1 electrics built to haul the heavy coal trains west over the Pennines via Woodhead Tunnel can be seen. The Woodhead route closed less than 6 months after this picture was taken, with the last train running over the line on 17 July 1981. Wath shed was eventually closed in 1983 and the yard itself in 1988, along with the last of the local collieries.

Woodhead: Looking west under the wires from Woodhead in February 1981.

Rawtenstall: Class 40 D335 runs round its train at Rawtenstall on 1st February 1992. Rawtenstall station had been reopened the previous April. The EE Type 4 had been purchased by the CFPS in 1988 and repainted into this green livery in summer 1991. The steam heating boiler had been reinstalled in November 1991 and for a long time afterwards D335 became the regular winter diesel power on the ELR.

Irwell Vale: GWR 'Manor' 7828 Odney Manor slows for the Irwell Vale stop with an ELR train for Rawtenstall on 1st February 1992. At this time the 4-6-0 was a regular performer on the line but in 1995 it moved away to the West Somerset where it is still based.

Rannoch Viaduct: An unidentified class 37 in Transrail Freight livery takes the Euston to Fort William sleeper over the viaduct just north of Rannoch station on a crystal clear but bitingly cold February morning in 1996. The photographer had just alighted from the train and was grateful for the freezing conditions which made progress easy over the normally boggy terrain hereabouts.

Keith Town: The bridge over the Isla just north of Keith Town in February 1997, looking south. The signal beyond the far end of the bridge is the distant for Keith Junction.

Advie: View along the single platform of the second (1868) Advie station, looking south west towards Boat of Garten in 1997.

Dufftown: Looking north east over Dufftown station yard showing the prototype Sprinter and a shunter in the sidings.

Plaidy: Looking south at the former Plaidy station in 1997. The platform was on the right in the middle distance and goods yard beyond. The site is now a house.

Aberlour: The station building at Aberlour in 1997 seen from the north. This was before the building was greatly extended at its south end, almost doubling its size. The extension was built to the right of the building seen here. After 1910 this had been a two platform station, but the Keith bound platform has been landscaped.

Cairnie Junction: Last remnant of Cairnie Junction. A surviving trackside box near the station site, photographed on 1 February 1997.

Blacksboat: A low winter sun illuminates the former station at Blacksboat. The view is to the south on 1st Febrary 1997.

Keith: Under the canopy at Keith in 1997. This portion of the canopy was to survive the demolition of the station building for some years and was linked to the modern replacement building.

Huntly: The down platform building at Huntly in 1997. This building has since been replaced by a modern structure.

Craigellachie Bridge: North of Craigellachie station the line crossed the Spey to reach Dandaleith. The bridge was removed after closure. The closed trackbed can be seen to the right leading to the piers of the removed bridge.

Strathisla Mills Platform: View north towards Keith Junction showing the warehousing of the Strathisla Mills Distillery - with the distillery itself beyond. The distillery was served by a platform in the 1980s and 90s.

Perth: Electro-mechanical repeater at Perth Platform 2 in February 1999. As far as I know it's still there, as is the pleasingly dated colour scheme of the ironwork which waves of corporate colour schemes have passed completely by. Also to be seen are the red and yellow symbols of the old Travellers' Fare, a brand which didn't even make it to the end of BR.

Perth: 47584 is stabled at a temporarily shortened Platform 5 at Perth in February 1999. It's in a 'creative' livery. Nowadays there is no opportunity for lingering at Platform 5 as it's used for the hourly Edinburgh shuttle and the turnaround is tight, thanks to the long single track section between Hilton and Ladybank.

Victoria Lodge: Still not amused... the entrance hall at Victoria Lodge - February 2006.

Victoria Lodge: Facilities - trustees - for the use of. Adjoining the entrance hall at Victoria Lodge - February 2006. Doubtless a welcome sight after the train journey and the climb up the steps from the platform.

Victoria Lodge: Original gate at the entrance to the railhead at Victoria Lodge in February 2006, looking north along the trackbed. The wooden railings to the left have replaced the former metal pedestrian gate although the original gatepost remains.

Victoria Lodge: The platform at the railhead at Victoria Lodge on the former branch south from Broughton in February 2006. The trackbed of the line which originally climbed to the top of the dam sets off to the left. Victoria Lodge itself stands atop the hill, with the former EDWT Boardroom still looking out across Talla reservoir see image [[6645]].

Victoria Lodge: Southern end of the platform at Victoria Lodge in February 2006, with the branch to the top of the dam continuing its climb along the line of the wall centre left.

Victoria Lodge: View from the front of the water authority Measuring House looking towards Victoria Lodge in February 2006.

Victoria Lodge: The stairway from the platform to Victoria Lodge itself in February 2006. Around the halfway mark the path crosses the trackbed of the line that once climbed from Victoria Lodge platform to the top of the dam see image [[6635]].

Victoria Lodge: Victoria Lodge in February 2006 - below the light on the right of the picture, alongside the main entrance, is the commemorative stone laid on 29th September 1897 by Lord Provost Sir Andrew McDonald.

Victoria Lodge: Fireplace alcove off boardroom at Victoria Lodge. February 2006.

Victoria Lodge: Rear wall of boardroom at Victoria Lodge with the seals of the corporations of Leith (left) and Edinburgh above the doors. February 2006.

Victoria Lodge: Plaque above the main door to the boardroom at Victoria Lodge. February 2006.

Victoria Lodge: The view from the former boardroom of the Edinburgh and Leith Water Trustees at Victoria Lodge looking towards Talla dam and reservoir in February 2006. [With thanks to Rosemary Bannister]

Talla Reservoir: Talla - looking south over the reservoir in 2006. The trustees had a view over Talla from the boardroom at the Lodge - which, with the help of a glass or two of claret, no doubt took their minds off the climb up from the platform see image [[6639]].

Victoria Lodge: Lines around Victoria Lodge 1904/5.

Map: A map showing the route of the Talla Railway at the beginning of the 20th century running south from the junction with the Symington, Biggar and Broughton Railway to the terminus at Victoria Lodge.

Drivers: Eva Brodie, a driver from Ayr who has featured in the campaign by First ScotRail to increase the number of women drivers.

Alloa [1st]: Alloa update - 1 Feb 2007.

Edinburgh Waverley: General view over the west end platforms (or what's left of them) on 1 February 2007.

Workington: The Workington-Maryport shuttle awaits departure for Maryport on 1 February. Behind the camera the streets are busy with passengers descending on the station. The two centre roads here have been taken out of use, but the freight bypass line to the right remains operational.

Moss Bay Steelworks: A southbound Sprinter from Carlisle passes the site of the Moss Bay Steelworks which produced rails for over 125 years before production was transfered to Scunthorpe. The works closed in 2006 and have since been demolished.

Workington North: At 17.05 the Workington - Maryport shuttle pauses at Workington North (temporary) station. This station is to the south of the former Siddick Junction. On this occasion the train was top and tailed with 57012 and 37423 Spirit of the Lakes. View looks south-west.

Maryport: A busy train from Carlisle pauses at Maryport. Normally the single platform at Maryport wouldn't cause much of a problem but with the half-hourly shuttle trains to Workington running at the moment the shuttle had to wait to the south of the station until the Sprinter cleared the platform. Dare say the Maryport signalman has never been so busy!

Workington: Workington looking north. The Maryport shuttle waits for passengers to the left. Some indication of the imminent departure of this train is given by the driver starting to increase engine speed - last minute passengers crossing the footbridge breaking into a run.

Onibury: View south towards the level crossing and its signalbox at the old Onibury station. While the station was still open OS maps show it on the north side of the LC, but I suspect this had staggered platforms and certainly the goods yard was to the south.

Workington: The Workington-Maryport shuttle heads north over Derwent Viaduct, the only bridge in Workington to survive the floods intact. The nearest roadbridge is just west of Cockermouth.

Basford Hall Yard: Looking north over Basford Hall Yard from the embankment of the A500 bridge. The main line is further off to the right. The box seen here will probably be swept away in the planned resignalling of the area.

Workington North: 37423 enters Workington North (temporary station) with the up Maryport-Workington shuttle on 1 February 2010. This is a half hourly service. The Iggesund Paperboard works stands in the background.

Lonsdale Dock: This bridge is on the north to west curve of the triangle of lines in the docks area. Sadly whilst the mainline bridge has survived intact this one has taken a bit of a bashing and both line and footway are closed. I found myself thinking of the Solway Viaduct amongst others. See image [[11537]] for the bridge in happier times.

Workington North: What do you mean Heath Robinson? This footbridge is a masterpiece!

Moss Bay Steelworks: Desolation. This was the rail loading area by Moss Bay Steelworks. Here the private railway of the works and the public railway came together. See image [[11539 of this location in happier times.]]

Carnforth: Until the December 2012 timetable change several WCML trains from Euston terminated at Lancaster and then ran ECS to Carnforth before returning to London. Pendolino 390015 Virgin Crusader arrived at Lancaster at 1500 and is seen here rejoining the main line, after a brief layover in a Carnforth loop, running ECS to form the 1539 Lancaster to Euston. With the introductionof the hourly Euston - Glasgow services these Carnforth manoeuvres have now stopped.

Didcot Parkway: 66037 waiting with containers at Didcot on 1 February 2012, about to depart eastbound for Southampton.

Uphall: Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School. Poster 2 - see news item.

Uphall: Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School. Poster 1 - see news item.

Didcot Parkway: EWS 67025 runs through Didcot on 1 February with a northbound freight in the Oxford direction, thought to be heading for the MOD at Bicester.

Daventry International Railfreight Terminal: DIRFT on 1 February 2013 - now fully operational see image [[35428]]. Notice the rake of wagons on the left-hand track.

Carnforth: 45699 Galatea passing below Warton Crags north of Carnforth on 1 February as it gets to grips with the second leg of the Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express to Carlisle.

Carnforth: Not an everyday sight at Carnforth. Deltic 55002 The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry arrives on 1 February 2014, returning two coaches that had been borrowed for the move of Duchess of Hamilton from Shildon to York earlier in the week.

Carnforth: Freightliner 66620 departs from No2 Up & Down Goods loop at Carnforth with 6Y30 Crewe Basford Hall to Penrith engineers working on 1 February 2014.

Glenesk Viaduct: Early morning view east along the valley of the North Esk towards Dalkeith on 1 February 2015 through the single arch of Glenesk Viaduct, now carrying the Borders Railway with its standard metal fencing. See image [[46403]]

Glenesk Viaduct: The deck of Glenesk Viaduct looking south into the sun towards Eskbank in February 2015 see image [[39780]].

Ais Gill Summit: One mile north of the famous Ais Gill Summit, this less well known viaduct crosses the actual Ais Gill beck. 158784, on a Northern service from Carlisle to Skipton, passes over the bridge on the last stages of the climb on 1st February 2016.

Kirkby Thore: Two views of the Kirkby Thore gypsum complex, both of which show the covered conveyor that runs from the mine to the works. The upper view shows the works itself, although the loading sidings are out of picture to the right of the chimneys. The lower view shows the conveyor looking south, just after it passes under the public road. Beyond the right angled turn it runs due east passing under the Settle & Carlisle line from which it is clearly visible.

Craiginches North Sidings: Seen in the Engineer's siding just to the south of the railway bridge over the River Dee taken from the car park of Tesco. The siding in a previous life served a wood yard. The number is DR7700 SB rail.

Aberlour: The Old Station Tearoom at Aberlour in February 2017. Once the main station entrance from Victoria Terrace. The station closed to passengers in October 1965. See image [[39095]]

Brock: 43062 John Armitt leads the Network Rail High Speed Measurement Train through Brock on a working from Craigentinny to Crewe on 1st February 2017.

Bay Horse: 37402 propels 2C32 Carlisle to Preston under Cleveley Bank Lane bridge at Forton near Bay Horse on 1st February 2018. Although loco hauled trains will continue on the Cumbrian Coast after the May 2018 timetable change it seems this weekday jaunt from Barrow to Preston and back will unfortunately cease.

Gore Glen Bridge: A cold grey Thursday morning in February 2018 sees ScotRail 158739 crossing the Gore Glen bridge on the Borders Railway with an Edinburgh bound train. (The rough roadway running off to the left in the foreground led to the main bridge construction site.)

Atherstone: Sadly, there is just one passenger awaiting the 11.00 to Crewe on 1st February 2018. I had arrived just in time to catch a freight off the Nuneaton North Chord, but a Pendolino got in the way - this photograph was my consolation prize.

Polesworth: They came out of the sun at me, Captain. A Euston to Manchester service makes a dramatic approach to Polesworth.

Polesworth: 70015 was working hard dragging 66956 (very low emissions with the engine off) and the rest of train 4921(ZZ) from Crewe to Southampton through Polesworth on 1st February 2018. [Ref query 27 February 2018]

Girvan: Yet another friendly driver on the 12.01 to Stranraer as he goes to collect the tablet on 1st February 2018. 11.59 to Kilmarnock is behind.

Gore Glen Bridge: The 1154 Edinburgh - Tweedbank crossing a deserted A7 as it approaches the Gorebridge stop on a grey and overcast first day of February 2018.

Birch Coppice Exchange Sidings: A useful guide for train spotters. I arrived outside these hours (about 9.15am on a Thursday), but the gates across the yard throat were still locked against pedestrians.

Polesworth: A Voyager service from Chester to London approaches a crudely modernised footbridge to the south of Polesworth in February 2018.

Ballydehob Viaduct: Schull & Skibbereen Railway. Ballydehob viaduct. This 12 arch viaduct mid way along the 3ft gauge line between Skibbereen and Schull at Ballydehob was the route's principal engineering feature. 1 February 2019.

Schull Pier: Schull & Skibbereen Railway (formally known as the West Carberry Tramways & Light Railways Co Ltd). Schull Pier extension. This was a 15 1/2 mile 3ft gauge railway running between Skibbereen on the broad gauge Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway and Schull on the Mizen Peninsula opened in 1886 and closed in 1947. The short extension to Schull Pier (just behind the camera), now a walkway, was opened in 1893. 1 February 2019.

Clifton-on-Trent: This GC trackbed between High Marnham and Lincoln has been a popular cyclepath for some years now. Fortunately, bridges such as this one at Skellingthorpe near Clifton-on-Trent have been made accessible for pedestrians and cyclists (active travel) despite needing considerable reinforcement. Highways England please note.

Clifton-on-Trent: A closer view of the reinforced bridge at Clifton in February 2020. Surely a tube of corrugated steel is not beyond the design acumen of Highways England, nor the capabilities of their contractors? See image [[79165]]

Stroud Green: Stroud Green viaduct, seen through the front upstairs windows of a route W3 bus from Finsbury Park to Northumberland Park on Stapleton Hall Road, north London, on 1st February 2020. This once carried the ex-GNR 'Northern Heights' line to Alexandra Palace that almost became part of the LUL Northern Line but the scheme was cancelled after WWII, even though more than £1 million had been spent before 1939 on the aborted electrification project. Through the left hand arch is the surviving station house (with chimney pots and now a community centre) of Stroud Green station that closed with the line in 1954. The wooden platforms and buildings were on the embankment to the left but were burned down by vandals in 1967. Beneath the roadway here runs the London Overground GOBLIN Gospel Oak to Barking line to the east of Crouch Hill station, crossing obliquely under the roadway and then the viaduct in a short tunnel. A good view of the GOBLIN looking east, and the spur to the ECML, can be gained from the viaduct which now forms part of the Parkland Walk footpath.

Torksey: Located on the MS&L route midway between Lincoln and Retford, Torksey Viaduct over the River Trent is one of the earliest examples of box-girder construction. Designed by John Fowler and opened to traffic in 1850, the last train crossed in 1959. The listed structure was reopened to pedestrians in 2016. Cottam power station is about a mile off to the left.
See query 2242

Sinnington: View north towards the extensively extended Aislaby Carr Gatehouse, located on the single track Aislaby Lane, around mid way between Sinnington and Pickering stations, and giving access south of the former level crossing to tracks running to farm land. A footpath runs south west from the former crossing, and then heads west to reach Spa Lane where walkers will pass the former rail overbridge HMY30. See Image [[72002]]

Fledborough: Fledborough viaduct is probably the longest railway bridge you have never heard of - half a mile long, and containing six million bricks (I checked). It even spans a county boundary, between Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, in the middle of the River Trent. View looks towards Lincoln on the well maintained Dukeries Trail.

Sinnington: The now extensively extended Aislaby Carr Gatehouse, located on the single track Aislaby Lane around mid way between Sinnington and Pickering stations, by the former level crossing giving access to farm land south of the line. A footpath runs south west from the former crossing, and then heads west to reach Spa Lane where walkers will pass the former rail overbridge HMY30. See image [[72002]]

Doddington and Harby: Apparently, on the border between Nottinghamshire and Linclolnshire, there is some cross over between barbering and topiary. Which would explain why this hut at Doddington and Harby has been adorned with what looks rather like an outsized wig.

Torksey: Like a Rover K series engine, Torksey viaduct is held together by long vertical bolts. Unlike a K series, Torksey viaduct does not comprise a cantankerous cylinder head gasket. Notice the River Trent below.

Carron Water Bridge [East Croft of Carmont]: I made a return visit to Bridge 328 on 1st February to see how the repairs were progressing. I was half expecting to see the other parapet removed, since the line is now closed until mid February, but it is still in place. This looked like a challenging activity, especially in the winter weather.

Carron Water Bridge [East Croft of Carmont]: Freezing weather for the repair teams at the Carron Water bridge on 1st February 2021.

Carron Water Bridge [East Croft of Carmont]: Significant changes to the Carron Water Bridge worksite on my return visit on 1st February, and not just the weather. See image [[75584]] taken the previous week. The line will remain closed until at least mid-February 2021.

Stirling: Stirling station's glazed roofs seen from above.

Stirling: Stirling station's glazed roofs seen from above. View from the east.

Earlseat Loading Pad: The former Earlseat Loading Pad is being redeveloped as a works compound for rebuilding the Levenmouth line. This view looks east along the old Methil branch on 1 February 2022. New ballast was delivered the previous week. Another compound is being established at Cameron Bridge (2nd) site.

Floriston: Network Rail workers in Cumbria joined forces with a local farmer to keep passengers and freight trains moving on the West Coast main line. During Storm Corrie, which saw windspeeds of over 90mph across the north of the UK, a dangerous 100 feet tall tree was spotted leaning perilously close to the railway at Floriston in Cumbria. Had the tree been toppled by the wind, it could have landed directly onto the track, bringing down the overhead power lines and blocking the path of a train. With the help of a local farmer, the team were able to safely remove the tree and keep passengers on the move.