Glasgow Central: Class 303 unit no 042 departs from Glasgow Central with a Cathcart Outer circle service on 22 March 1974 as a Metro-Cammell DMU heads for Lanark.

Glasgow Central: A Class 45 arriving at Glasgow Central in March 1974 with train 1S49, the 1025 service from Leeds. The train has travelled via the Settle & Carlisle and Glasgow & South Western routes.

Carrbridge: 40065 calls at Carrbridge with a southbound train from Inverness on a snowy 22 March 1980.

Aviemore: 40157 about to depart northbound from a snow covered Aviemore on 22 March 1980.

Clatchard Craig Quarry: This shot taken from near Clatchard showing 27042 approaching Newburgh on 22nd March 1980 with an Edinburgh - Perth working.

Bures: The country halt atmosphere at Bures on the Suffolk/Essex border is completed by the obligatory lady with a shopping bag. She has just alighted from the Cravens DMU on the departing service to Sudbury on 22nd March 1980, having probably spent the Saturday morning exploring the stores in Colchester. In 2017, the station became a 'request stop'.

Eridge: The local branch train for Tunbridge Wells West stands in the bay at Eridge, as a through service arrives at the platform to the left. Photographed from the signal box in March 1985, just 4 months before closure of the branch line. Much of the former branch is now in the hands of the Spa Valley Railway who plan to re-establish services over its whole length in the near future.

Eridge: The branch train for Tunbridge Wells West leaves the bay platform at Eridge in March 1985. The branch closed later that year and is currently in the hands of the Spa Valley Railway who plan to reintroduce a regular service over its full length in the longer term.

Andover: A steamy departure from Andover in March 1986 with one of several shuttle services to Ludgershall during Rail Event 86 operated by ex GWR 4-6-0 no.4930 Hagley Hall.

Eastriggs: EE Type 4 no D200 (40122) pilots Black 5 no 44767 George Stephenson near Dornock on 22 March 1986 with a Carlisle - Kilmarnock special. The steam locomotive and stock were gradually making their way north to Fort William for a season of West Highland excursions, while the Type 4 had hauled the train from Carlisle in compliance with the BR ban on steam working under OHL at that time.

Annan: The Carlisle - Kilmarnock special working of 22 March 1986 stands at Annan see image [[29266]]. D200 is about to come off the train here, having provided the power for the section 'under the wires' between Carlisle and Gretna, leaving 44767 to take the train north.

Ludgershall: Class 33 no 33060 heads a lineup of locomotives at an open day at MoD Ludgershall on 22 March 1986.

Newbie Junction: The final photograph in the trilogy featuring the Carlisle - Killmarnock special working of 22 March 1986 see image [[29280]]. Having detached pilot diesel locomotive no D200 at Annan, Black 5 no 44767 is seen with the special a short time later heading west towards Cummertrees alongside the B7024.

Dunblane: Scene at Dunblane in March 1988, with a Glasgow Queen Street - Aberdeen push-pull set thundering non-stop through the station. The signal gantry will not survive much longer and 158 units will take over the service two years later.

Skelmanthorpe: Looking over the site of Skelmanthorpe Station towards Clayton West in March 1988 after standard gauge track had been lifted. This is now part of the route of the 15 inch gauge Kirklees Light Railway.

Skipton: 31319 leads 31202 eastbound through Skipton station in March 1988 with a loaded Tilcon working from Swinden Quarry. 08707 stands in the siding in the centre background.

Bolton Abbey: A century on... remains of the original 1888 Midland Railway station at Bolton Abbey in a derelict state on 22 March 1988, some 23 years after closure to passenger traffic. The old station has since been demolished, and a replica building built and opened by the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

Cononley: Reopening works taking place at Cononley Station, near Skipton, in 1988 as a first generation DMU heads towards Leeds. Note the crossing cabin at the end of the platform to the left of the DMU. Originally opened in 1847, Cononley station closed to passengers in 1965 but was reopened on 20 April 1988, less than a month after this photograph was taken.

Skipton: A brace of Brush type 2's 31319+31202 accelerating south from Skipton towards Leeds on a loaded Tilcon stone working in March 1988. The pair had run round after coming off the Grassington branch and are seen passing recently delivered hot bitumen tank wagons in the still busy goods yard

Methil East Junction: 37692 departs Methil with empty wagons for Killoch via Thornton Junction in 1995. Ex-scrap carrying wagons were used to carry coal slurry. This will be the site of the new Levenmouth station.

Berwick-upon-Tweed: A GNER Edinburgh - Kings Cross train runs into platform 1 at Berwick on 22 March 1998 under a weak morning sun.

Berwick-upon-Tweed: Commemorative plaque at Berwick station 1998.

Kirkhill: 303 016 emerges from the long bridge under Greenlees Road into Kirkhill station in March 1998, its first stop on a Newton to Glasgow Central via Maxwell Park service.

Berney Arms: Not a good place to forget your umbrella - exit from Berney Arms, Norfolk, in March 2004, with storm clouds gathering.

Powderhall: The original (and slightly spooky) refuse disposal works building seen looking west along Broughton Road, Powderhall, in March 2004. The building was originally dubbed The Destructor. Part of the modern waste processing and disposal facilities can just be seen to the rear. The bricked-up gateway in the wall on the right once led down to the platforms of Powderhall station, an area now used as a loading apron and siding by the Binliner. See image [[11948]]

Newcraighall Turnback Siding: Scene at the north end of Millerhill yard on 22 March 2005. A train of coal empties is heading for Niddrie West Junction and the 'sub' after a signal check. The cause of the delay, a recently arrived Bathgate - Newcraighall DMU, has just run into the turnback siding. The 4-car train will form the next service to Dunblane.

Millerhill Yard: A cold March day in 2005 sees EWS 66206 held at signals at the north end of Millerhill yard with a train of coal empties for Ravenstruther. The delay is due to a 158 service from Bathgate about to arrive at Newcraighall station behind the camera. The empty passenger train will shortly run into the turnback siding on the right see image [[2874]].

Carstairs: A GNER Kings Cross - Glasgow Central service about to cross the up West Coast Main Line as it runs into Carstairs from the Edinburgh direction on 22 March 2006.

Shieldmuir: The Network Rail monitoring and measurement train speeds south through Shieldmuir station in March 2006.

Shieldmuir: A northbound train from Lanark heading for Glasgow about to call at Shieldmuir station on 22 March 2006. The huge Shieldmuir Royal Mail depot now occupies the area in the right background.

Shieldmuir: A Lanark - Dalmuir train, formed by unit 318266, pulls into Shieldmuir station on 22 March 2006.

South Leith Junction: A class 322 EMU from North Berwick bound for Waverley speeds through Portobello on the ECML in March 2007, just as an EWS class 66 hauling imported Russian coal climbs the gradient from the South Leith branch up towards the main line. Trains from Leith on the old Lothian Lines route to Niddrie North would veer left here to skirt Portobello Yard on a path now followed by the main road. (For a map see image [[1404]]).

Rugby: On the southern approach to Rugby, a Pendolino slows for the stop at the station on 22 March 2007.

Gartmore: Route of Strathendrick and Aberfoyle Railway, now walkway, from Gartmore looking toward Aberfoyle.

Drymen Viaduct: Forth & Clyde Junction Railway, viaduct over River Endrick now carrying footpath and Central Scotland Water Scheme pipe, looking toward Croftamie.

Auchencarroch Quarry: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway, route of tramway (gravity?) for red sandstone from Auchencarroch Quarry to reach railway siding.

Cattermuir Crossing: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway from access to Girl Guide campsite looking toward Croftamie. (The level crossing was a little to the west.)

Hilton Junction: 1612 Glasgow - Inverness train near Hilton Jn with the bow string viaduct over the River Earn on the ENR seen behind.

Drymen Viaduct: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway, road bridge next to Gairdrew farm.

Drymen Viaduct: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway, from bridge next to Gairdrew farm looking toward Croftamie.

Drymen Viaduct: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway, road bridge next to Gairdrew farm.

Portobello: EWS 66083 lifts a loaded coal train from Leith Docks up the bank to join the ECML at Portobello Junction in March 2007. The yard in the foreground is part of the VAE Baileyfield Switch & Crossing works. In days gone by Lothian Lines traffic would have been about to diverge north here before skirting Portobello Yard on a curving embankment.

Larbert: All together now, ...ah-one... ah-two... JCB synchronisation consultant in action during major renewal work at Larbert on 22 March 2008.

Larbert: 60062 and 66040 on track renewal duty at Larbert on 22 March 2008.

Longannet Mine: The closed colliery at Longannet on 22 March 2008 - see news article.

Kawakawa, New Zealand: A friendly guard on The Bay of Islands Vintage Steam Railway, reversing on the train's return from Taumarere at Kawakawa, New Zealand, in March 2008. The track here runs along the middle of the road, hence the waving of the flag. Kawakawa is known locally as the train town

Avon Riverside: End of the line at Riverside Terminus on the Avon Valley Railway, looking towards Bath in March 2009. The path adjacent to the line is part of a cycle track from Bristol to Bath utilising old railway lines, predominantly the ex-Midland routes via Mangotsfield and Warmley.

Avon Riverside: Chunky Polish industrial 0-6-0T locomotive Karel being coupled up at the Riverside terminus of the Avon Valley Railway in March 2009. [Paint courtesy Trotter's Independent Traders]

Blacksboat: The old goods shed at Blacksboat. It is still in very good external condition.

Blacksboat: Blacksboat Station now looks to be a private dwelling. It has a new front entrance and a lot of renovation work has been done on the roof. The trackbed is part of the Speyside Way.

Aberdour: The 0948 Aberdeen-Kings Cross NXEC service nears Aberdour on 22 March with 43367 leading.

Blacksboat : Blacksboat looking south from the road overbridge.

Knockando: The former Knockando station, renamed Tamdhu by the distillery that now owns it. Serving for a while as a shop for the local produce, it has lain empty now for several years and has been offered to the local community. It is still in good condition and hopefully some use can be found for it.

Knockando: Interior of Knockando signal box looking north. It appears to be windproof and watertight after being out of use for forty-odd years. The levers are still there and even the heating stove is present.

Avon Riverside: Polish industrial 0-6-0T Karel at the Riverside terminus of the Avon Valley Railway on 22 March 2009.

Oban: Welcome to Oban is the gaelic greeting for disembarking ferry passengers as they make their way from the quayside to Oban station. This more unusual view of Oban station, and the late afternoon train to Glasgow (Sprinter 156493), was taken from the top deck of Calmac's DSMV Isle of Mull, about to set sail for Craignure.

Scarborough: The closed St Nicholas Cliff Lift at Scarborough, standing at the opposite (south) end of The Grand Hotel from the Central Tramway on Foreshore Road and seen here in March 2010. Originally opened in 1929 by the Medway Safety Lift Company, closure of the St Nicholas Lift was announced by Scarborough Council in 2006 as part of a cost cutting exercise. A preservation group has since been formed and there are long term plans to restore operations here.

Sanquhar: Removing the old roof timbers at Sanquhar station on 22 March 2010. Won't need to buy firewood for a couple of years!

Alnwick: Passenger entrance to the former Alnwick Station, now Barter Books bookshop, in March 2010..

Alnwick: Old Alnwick Station.

Alnwick: 1920 OS map of Alnwick.

Scarborough South Cliff Lift: The South Cliff Lift at Scarborough, seen looking up from the base station to the top station on Esplanade in March 2010. The lift is closed and the cars are 'stabled' at this time, given the summer season is not yet underway. For the view from the top station see image [[28794]].

Weldon [non railway site]: Restaurant coach at Anglers Arms Pub, Weldon. [Railscot note: not a former station, but there were lines nearby, e.g. to the Whittle Colliery.]

Rothbury: Plans of Rothbury Station, end of the Northumberland Central Railway from Rothbury to Scotsgap.

Cambo: Trackbed of the Northumberland Central Railway from Rothbury to Scotsgap North of Cambo. The view is north towards Rothbury in March 2010.

Weldon [non railway site]: LNER sign at the Anglers Arms Pub, Weldon, Northumberland.

Scarborough: Of the 5 funiculars that once served the town of Scarborough only 2 remained operational in 2010. The most popular of these is the Central Tramway, a 71m long, standard gauge, 1 in 2 funicular, opened in 1881 by the Central Tramway Company and originally driven by steam (the system was converted to electrical operation in 1910). The lower station on Foreshore Road is seen here on 22 March 2010. For the upper station see image [[26862]].

Scarborough: The second of Scarborough's still-operational funiculars, the South Cliff Lift, looking east over the top station on 22 March 2010. This was just a few days before 'the season' started, with that strange feeling of 'calm before the storm' that still pervades seaside resorts at this time of year. Opened in 1875 by the Scarborough South Cliff Tramway Company Limited, the South Cliff Lift is claimed to be the UK's first funicular. Originally built on the counterweight principle using sea water see image [[26874]] it is now electrically operated and was further modified in 1997 to make it completely automatic.

Ruswarp: The picturesque station at Ruswarp, North Yorkshire, photographed looking north across the single line in March 2010. Off to the left is the level crossing at the foot of High Street with the bridge over the Esk just beyond. Opened in 1835 by the Whitby and Pickering Railway, Ruswarp is the penultimate stop on what is now the 30 mile long Esk Valley Line between Middlesbrough and Whitby, with the latter terminus just over a mile away to the right. Nowadays this section of the route is also used by trains of the North York Moors Railway running east beyond Grosmont.

Oban: Rusty sidings in the oil terminal at Oban, previously the harbourside goods yard that is alongside the passenger station, as seen from the vehicle ferry queueing lanes. It is unfortunate that the many ferries operating out of Oban no longer have their fuel supplied by rail or indeed that no freight now arrives in Oban by rail.

Mearns Street Junction: Looking east from Ann Street tunnel towards Lynedoch station in March 2011. Mearns Street signal box was built into the recess in the supporting wall on the right and controlled access to Lynedoch goods depot. The route into the depot diverged to the left just beyond the bridge. See image [[7199]] for the scene in 1963.

Mearns Street Junction: Looking west along Ann Street Tunnel at Mearns Street SB in 2011. Black and white is used as the light at this point was very poor.

Lynedoch Street Tunnel South: A little to the west of Lynedoch Station in March 2011. This view shows the trackbed (the track IS under the grass, honestly!) looking back towards the station. Running down to the the left away from the main line, on a falling gradient, is the access to Lynedoch goods depot.

Mearns Street Junction: Looking west towards Ann Street tunnel with the recess that once contained Mearns Street signal box on the left. The box, which controlled access to the goods yard adjacent to Lynedoch Station, was accessed from Mearns Street (on the bridge above the camera) by a very steep set of steps. The burnt out car is a more recent addition.

Greenock (Lynedoch): Looking west over the former Lynedoch station on the Princes Pier line in March 2011. The extensive goods station was in the distant right and at a much lower level and is now the site of Lynedoch Industrial Estate (where the buildings with the white roofs now stand). To the left was a large goods yard for the Westburn Sugar Refinery. Time hasn't been kind to the area, with a lot of the rail having vanished, probably to the scrap yard. For the situation 23 years earlier see image [[8455]].

Lynedoch Street Tunnel North: The tunnel giving access to the former goods depot adjacent to Greenock Lynedoch station. The goods yard is behind the camera. From here the goods line climbed to Ann Street Tunnel camera where it joined the main line. The former goods depot site is now occupied by the Lynedoch Industrial Estate. See image [[33483]]

Lynedoch Street Tunnel North: Inside the access to the large goods station that was adjacent to Greenock Lynedoch. From here the line went up the hill to join the main line at Mearns Street Tunnel. The trackbed beyond the tunnel is inaccessible due to it being overgrown and flooded.

Greenock (Lynedoch): On the trackbed at Lynedoch Station, looking west in March 2011. The trackbed from here through to the Container Terminal was cleared a few years ago to allow maintenance teams to access the line to work on the tunnels on the route.

Perth: EWS 66125 runs slowly through Perth on 22 March with the return Stobart empty container train bound for Mossend.

Greenock (Lynedoch): Looking east back towards the site of Greenock Lynedoch station over the trackbed of the Princes Pier line in March 2011. Off to the left stood the large Lynedoch goods depot, while on the right was the yard serving the Westburn Sugar Refinery. See image [[33483]]

Euxton Junction: Northern DMU 150147 crosses from the Down line to the Up line as it heads towards Manchester Victoria on the Chorley line at Euxton Jct. The unit has travelled south from Preston on the Up Slow. When it crosses the 'ladder' at Euxton Jct to get to the Chorley line, it has to travel to this crossover using the Down Bolton line for around a quarter of a mile.

Euxton Junction: A First TPE service to Manchester Airport leaves the WCML at Euxton Junction on 22 March and takes the route via Chorley and Bolton.

Farington Curve Junction: Bright spring sunshine as DRS 66423 takes a long container train along the Up Fast line at Farington Curve Junction in March 2012.

Swindon: A Westbury - Mount Sorrel ballast train heads east through Swindon on 22 March behind Freightliner 66602.

Swindon: HST and DMU front ends at Swindon station on 22 March 2012.

Swindon: 4464 Bittern passing through Swindon on 22 March on its way to a Severn Valley Railway gala. (The blue looked very nice in chocolate and cream territory!)

Euxton Junction: Looking north-west over Euxton Junction in 2012 as a Virgin Voyager heads south on the Up Fast. In the foreground are the lines towards Manchester via Chorley and Bolton.

Swindon: Southwest Trains DMU 158887 about to set off with a Swindon - Cheltenham service on 22 March.

Swindon: Freightliner 66564 takes containers through Swindon on 22 March 2012.

Swindon: Freightliner 66594 with eastbound containers through Swindon station on 22 March 2012.

Ladybank: The bufferstop of the former Kinross bay platform is now clearly visible as work proceeds on the creation of a biodiversity garden with pond at Ladybank station.

Dublin: Construction of on an extension to Dublins Luas Green Line to Broombridge in the north west of the city. The route will bisect the Red Line and run northwards along O'Connell Street and southwards along parallel Marlborough Street crossing the Liffey on a new bridge, seen here on 22 March 2014 with track in place. [Ref query 6451]

Dublin Connolly [Tram]: Tram 4006 leaves Dublin Connelly for Saggart on 22 March, seen from the station forecourt.

Dublin Connolly: Irish Rail 201 class 233 River Clare propels the 08.00 'Enterprise' from Belfast into Dublin Connolly on 22 March 2014.

St Stephens Green: Dublin tram 5010 at the present southern terminus at St Stephens Green on 22 March.

New York 96th Street: Platform scene at New York Subway's 96th Street station on 22 March 2014.

Busaras [Tram]: Luas trams 4006 and 4002 pass at the Busaras (Bus Station) stop on 22 March 2014.

Croke Park: The south (Davin) stand at the Gaelic Athletic Association's Croke Park stadium, Dublin, on 22 March 2014. Underneath, through the Ali Tunnel, runs the Midland Great Western Newcomen Junction - Glasnevin Junction freight only line, while the Royal Canal runs alongside.

Dublin Heuston: GM 229 River Maine at Dublin Heuston on 22 March with the 12.00 to Cork.

Moulin Level Crossing: The 0940 VTEC service from Inverness to London Kings Cross nears Pitlochry on 22 March 2015.

Colinton Tunnel: The north portal of Colinton Tunnel on the Balerno branch on 22 March 2015. The branch lost its passenger service in 1943 and closed completely in 1967. See image [[20499]]

Arbroath Signal Box: Sporting its new Virgin stripe, 43313 passes under Arbroath signal box on 22 March 2015, bringing up the rear of a Virgin Trains East Coast Aberdeen-Kings Cross train.

Woodacre Crossing: Scotrail liveried DRS 68006 Daring is a long way from the Fife Circle as it heads south at Woodacre working light engine from Kingmoor to Crewe Gresty Bridge on 22nd March 2016.

Glasgow Central: The 1015 to Aberdeen at Glasgow Central.

Bellgrove: An Alloa - Glasgow service passes through Bellgrove on its way to Queen Street low level in the first week of the diversions due to work on the Cowlairs tunnel.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: At 17:20 staff are reporting smaller queues and fewer people taken unawares.

Shrewsbury: A pair of Arriva Trains Wales Class 158s departs Shrewsbury on the afternoon of 22 March 2017 heading towards Telford. The view is from the castle ramparts looking at Severn Bridge Jct and the large mechanical signalbox of the same name.

Shrewsbury: An ATW service from Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly calls at Shrewsbury on 22 March 2017.

Shrewsbury: Ex LMS 4-6-0 no 46115 'Scots Guardsman' and support coach are seen from the ramparts of Shrewsbury Castle as it enters the station during a turning move, having worked a railtour in from the north on 22 March 2017.

Pitlochry: 66302 entering Pitlochry from the north. See image [[[[48763]]]] same loco!

Ladhope Tunnel: Approaching Galashiels station on 22 March 2018, an Edinburgh - Tweedbank service is about to pass through Ladhope Tunnel under the A7.

Paterson's No 2 Siding: The late running ScotRail 0824 Edinburgh - Tweedbank about to clear Low Buckholmside footbridge on the northern approach to Galashiels station on a grey 22 March 2018. The train is a 5-car 158/170 combination led by 158728 with 170454 bringing up the rear.

Kirknewton: 158 710 calls at Kirknewton on a Glasgow to Edinburgh service on 22 March. On this line 158s seem to be favoured for the stopping services leaving 156s for the semi-fasts. This is perhaps counter-intuitive and I wonder what the reason is. Maybe the 158s have better acceleration for the frequent stops.

Fountainhall: ScotRail 170454 passing between the abandoned former station house and the Network Rail compound at Fountainhall on an overcast 22 March 2018 with the 0930 Tweedbank - Edinburgh. Part of Fountainhall village stands in the background.

Pitlochry: DRS 66302 passing through Pitlochry southbound. (See image [[[[48763]]]] with the same loco.)

Ladhope Tunnel: ScotRail 170454 brings up the rear of the 0824 Edinburgh - Tweedbank as leading unit 158728 enters Ladhope Tunnel, some 300m short of Galashiels station, on 22 March 2018. The 158 will be detached at Tweedbank with the 170 returning north as the 0930 to Waverley see image [[63481]].

Kirknewton: A riot of colour - at least I assume that's the intention come summer. This sort of thing was once quite common, though if this station ever had one in the past it would have read MIDCALDER, the name until 1982. This was despite the fact that the town is spelled Mid Calder, it's over 2 miles away and you've got to go through the larger East Calder to get there.

Bristol Parkway: Freightliner 66621, 66585 and another classmate stabled at Bristol Parkway on 22nd March 2019.

Widnes: An afternoon Manchester to Liverpool via Warrington Central stopping service arrives at Widnes on 22 March 2019.

West Allerton: TfW 150245, on a route learning run, heads back to Chester from Liverpool Lime Street passing through West Allerton on 22 March 2019.

Edge Hill East Junction: 60002 'Tempest' still in Colas colours but working for GBRF on the Biomass trains to Drax, waits in the sidings at Edge Hill East Jct on 22 March 2019.

Mossley Hill: A Liverpool to Norwich service operated by EMT passes Mossley Hill, early in the journey on 22 March 2019.

Liverpool Lime Street: Northern 150128 waits on platform 6 at Liverpool Lime Street on 22 March 2019 with a service that was going to head back to Manchester via Warrington Central.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The new Facade skeleton at Queen Street, seen on 22nd March 2019 during a Balfour Beatty open day site tour.

Liverpool Lime Street: Northern 319377 waits at Liverpool Lime Street on 22nd March 2019 to work the 1537hrs to Blackpool North.

Bristol Parkway: 60015, held in Platform 2 at Bristol Parkway, with the Theale Murco to Robeston Sidings empty tanks on 22nd March 2019, a shot only possible of course from an opening HST window.
See query 2233

Huyton: Northern 323229 is displaying the destination as Liverpool Lime Street. However this train at Huyton was heading east on 22 March 2019.

Mossley Hill: A Manchester to Liverpool Northern service calls at Mossley Hill, Liverpool on 22 March 2019. This is another station with a significant height difference between train and platform.

West Allerton: A TPE training run from Crewe to Wavertree Jct with 68019 'Brutus' is seen passing West Allerton on the return trip during the afternoon of 22 March 2019.

Paddington: Paddington on 22nd March 2019, and not a HST in sight.

Liverpool South Parkway: Transport for Wales 150245 passes Liverpool South Parkway whilst on a training run from Frodsham Jct to Liverpool Lime Street. The destination board suggested however that the unit was a little lost as it was displaying Pantyffynnon on the leading carriage and Mountain Ash on the rear. At least any potential passengers are likely to give it a wide berth.

Swindon: A short trip to London on 22nd March 2019 had an eventful return journey. The 1345hrs from Paddington was cancelled at Swindon due to an ill passenger and everybody was put on the 1445hrs HST set. It was rammed and I had to stand from Swindon although my wife managed to find a seat in first class! Eventually we reached Bridgend an hour and a half late and the cancelled set was right behind our HST! A Bristol Temple Meads bound service pulls into Platform 3 at Swindon while the cancelled Swansea service sits on Platform 4 waiting for an ambulance.

Huyton: 60021 still showing signs of its time with Colas, passes Huyton with a GBRf operated Liverpool to Drax loaded biomass working on 22 March 2019. The 60s now seem to be the preferred traction for these workings over the Pennines.

Grafton East Junction: Looking along the overgrown trackbed of the long lost east to south curve at Grafton in March 2020. This linked the Berks and Hants with the MSWJR but closed in 1957.

Grafton East Junction: A GWR Hitachi 802-013 westbound five car unit running alongside the Kennet and Avon Canal at Crofton in March 2020.

Baltimore: Baltimore Station on the Cork, Bandon & South Coast Railway in March 2020. This was the southernmost railhead in Ireland. The station opened in 1893 and closed with the rest of the CB&SCR system on 1st April 1961. The station was used as the base for a sailing school from 1969 to 2013 but is sadly now derelict, although externally in good condition.

Grafton East Junction: In September 1905, the GWR took a double track line (just west of Crofton pumping Station) from the Berks & Hants line, the junction being called Grafton East Junction. The line curved round until it met the M&SWJR southbound line at Wolfhall Junction, sometimes known as Grafton South Junction. It was very useful in wartime but it closed in May 1957. These are the bridge abutments where it crossed the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Baltimore: Baltimore Station, on the former Cork, Bandon & South Coast Railway on 22nd March 2020. The surviving signal post is an interesting relic.

Grafton East Junction: A view from the Kennet and Avon towpath at the point where the long abandoned curve, linking the Berks and Hants and the MSWJR, crossed the canal. The substantial bridge abutment is prominent in this March 2020 view.

Baltimore: Baltimore Station on 22nd March 2020. The engine shed also survives as business premises. The main line back to Skibbereen and Cork ran to the right of the shed. The railway closed on 1st April 1961.

Dalgety Bay: Azuma 800103 nears Dalgety Bay with the 14.52 LNER service from Aberdeen to York on 22nd March 2021.

Dalgety Bay: ROG 57312 thunders through Dalgety Bay on 22 March 2021 with five barrier vehicles in tow, on its way from Derby to Dundee to collect stored Mk3 coaches, possibly these (see image [[74431]]). Confirmed that four coaches were taken to Booth's, Masboro, two days later.

Swindon: Freightliner 59203, in the new orange livery, eastbound from Whatley Quarry to Oxford, Banbury sidings (Reporting No 648Q) Behind the train are the access lines into the Keypoint Industrial Estate. Barely worn, installed over 20 years ago and to my knowledge never used. It stops short of the Honda Estate but Honda did not want it as they were a motor based company not rail orientated. See image [[20060]] from the same spot before electrification.

Swindon: Network Rail Track Machine DR769023, east bound working Swindon to Rugby on 22nd March 2021, passes the headshunt of the out of use Swindon railfreight terminal.

Haymarket: We are so used now to seeing near-deserted stations (or pictures of them) that one wonders whether they will ever be busy again. A Glenrothes service goes through the motions at Haymarket on 22 March 2021, photographed from outside the station.

Swindon: Freightliner 66957, eastbound through Swindon, with a Wentloog to Felixstowe intermodal service, reporting number 451E, on 22nd March 2021.

Brock Water Troughs: Colourful electrics on the WCML. 90024 in Malcolm livery, paired with 90037 'Christine' in glider themed DBC red, take a well loaded Mossend to Daventry intermodal south at the site of Brock troughs on 22nd March 2022.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: An encapsulated bridge over the Leven on the route of the Levenmouth line west of Cameron Bridge. With the proximity of the river and various streams which flow into it, one early and important task is the need to thoroughly inspect the bridges on the route to ensure they are in good condition and structurally sound to carry the new railway.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: Aerial view east over 'tented' bridge with Cameronbridge Distillery in background. Image provided to Network Rail by contractor Story.

Carleton Crossing: Same bodywork but different traction. CAF DMU 195133, working from York to Blackpool, passes Carleton Crossing at the same time as CAF EMU 331011, the lead of two units on a service from Blackpool to Hazel Grove on 22nd March 2022. See [[34784]] from this spot in 2011.

Anderston: Anderston station will re-open on 5 June 2022 as Network Rail's engineers complete critical work on the entrance, booking office, concourse and platforms. The city centre station has been closed since 13 March as part of the ongoing eight-week closure of the Argyle line to deliver a £32m investment in repairing and renewing tunnels, bridges and tracks between Rutherglen and Exhibition Centre. The work is designed to improve punctuality, reliability and the passenger experience on the line for years to come. When the Argyle line re-opens on May 8, normal services will resume, however, trains will not stop at Anderston until June 5.

Cameron Bridge: At first sight, little has changed at Cameron Bridge since August 2021 when the through line was lifted. This is now being used as a roadway. However, beyond the island platform the yard access points have been lifted and new ballast has been laid. 22 March 2022.