Balornock Shed: McIntosh ex-Caledonian 0-6-0T 'Dock Tank' no 56169 stands outside Balornock Shed in April 1961, a few days after its official withdrawal by BR.

Gorgie East: With an N15 'big Gorgie pilot' evidently in hot pursuit, 'wee Gorgie pilot' J88 No. 68335 draws into Gorgie East yard on 3rd April 1961. View is north with the bridge over Gorgie Road between the locomotives.

Parkhead Shed: Stanier 2-6-4T no 42578 photographed in April 1961 on 65C Parkhead shed.

Parkhead Shed: Photograph taken in the shed yard at 65C Parkhead on 3 April 1961. Locomotives present include Gresley V3 2-6-2T 67611, stabled alongside classmate 67623.

Stirling: Black 5 no 45389 on a southbound train at Stirling on 3 April 1961.

Gorgie East: A WD Austerity 2-10-0 working hard on a through freight from Grangemouth, passing Gorgie East on the Edinburgh 'sub' in April 1961.

Arbroath: Class B1 61262 heading north near Abroath with Kerr's Miniature Railway in the foreground.

Stirling Shed [CR]: Ferryhill's A2 Pacific no 60531 Bahram photographed from alongside Stirling South shed in April 1961 taking a Glasgow - Aberdeen train towards the station.

Arbroath West Links: Kerr's Miniature Railway seen on 03/04/1961. This line is to the south of the main line railway just west of Arbroath station.

Parkhead Shed: Stanier 2-6-4T 42578 in the yard at at 65C Parkhead shed in April 1961. View is west with the Parkhead Forge and associated works of William Beardmore & Sons forming the backdrop. The North Clyde line is just off picture to the right.

Polmadie Shed: Locomotives on Polmadie shed in April 1961. Centre stage is Stanier Pacific 46241 City of Edinburgh.

Parkhead Shed: Gresley V3s in the sidings at Parkhead shed (65C) on 3 April 1961. Nearest the camera is 67623 with 67611 behind.

Parkhead Shed: Ex-North British J36 0-6-0 no 65295, a veteran of 1897, stabled alongside Parkhead shed in April 1961, the same month as its withdrawal by BR.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Section from Murray's ABC Timetable for Glasgow and the West of Scotland from April 1961.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Cover of Murray's ABC Timetable for Glasgow and the West of Scotland covering the period 3rd - 30th April 1961, price 8d.

Gorgie East: J88 0-6-0 no 68335 trundles over a level crossing in Gorgie East yard on 3rd April 1961. The station is off picture to the right and the front door of the Station Bar can be seen opposite the yard entrance on the north side of Gorgie Road in the right background.

Buchanan Street: Perth Black 5 44799 rolls smoothly into Buchanan St with the 2pm Dundee to Glasgow express on 3rd April 1963. An exemplary run was being completed – my notes record that the train drew to a halt all of 8 seconds early.

Buchanan Street: The entrance to Glasgow's Buchanan Street terminus seen in 1963. Not many important terminii are built in wood.

Kennishead: An EE Type 4 with a trainload of Hillman Imp cars from the Rootes plant at Linwood runs south through Kennishead on 3 April 1965.

Pollokshaws Viaduct: Corkerhill's BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 no 73121 runs north over Pollokshaws Viaduct in April 1965 with a train from Carlisle.

Kennishead: Standard class 4 2-6-0 76093 passes under Kennishead road with a Kilmarnock train in April 1965.

Normanton: The 11.51 Leeds to Sheffield via Barnsley stopping train recedes from the camera and makes for its next stop at Wakefield Kirkgate in April 1976, having just passed Lockes Sidings signal box see image [[37445]]. Notable features on the horizon are Emley Moor TV transmitter just to the left of the train and the spire of Wakefield Cathedral near the right hand edge of the picture.

Normanton: 47129 passes behind Lockes Siding signal box (the wooden steps on the extreme right gave access to it) in April 1976 as it approaches Goosehill Junction, Normanton, on the ex-MR main line with what is thought to be the 07.30 Birmingham - Newcastle. See image [[37457]]

Normanton: The 10.41 Leeds to Sheffield via Barnsley service passes Lockes Sidings box shortly after pulling away from the Normanton stop in 1976. The normal fare on this sevice at the time was a single Lincoln-based class 114 dmu set but strengthening was obviously implemented on Saturdays.

Normanton: Lockes Sidings box on the right controlled the access off the ex-L&Y Calder Valley line into St John's colliery sidings at Normanton. Pre-nationalisation the mine had been owned by Locke & Co (Newland) Ltd, hence the signalbox name. Goose Hill Junction, where the L&Y met the MR, can be seen in the distance.

Normanton: 46002 with the 10.12 Newcastle - Cardiff on the former MR main line just south of Goose Hill Junction, Normanton, on 3 April 1976. It is about to pass Lockes Sidings signal-box, located on the adjacent ex L&Y main line to Wakefield and Manchester. See image [[38058]]

Normanton: A northbound express, possibly the 08.00 St Pancras - Glasgow, approaching Normanton from the Cudworth direction in April 1976 with 45 057 in charge, still sporting the split headcode panels fitted to earlier members of the class. The chimney and cooling towers visible above the loco belonged to Wakefield power station in whose shadow stood Wakefield shed see image [[21784]], still in use at the time as a wagon repair shop.

Normanton: The Saturday 06.55 Gloucester - Leeds on the former Midland mainline half a mile south of Goose Hill Junction in April 1976. 45071 was the first the of the class to run without a headcode panel (following accident repairs carried out in 1975) in anticipation of reporting numbers no longer being displayed, a policy implemented from early in 1976.

Tay Bridge: A Class 40 comes off the north end of the Tay Bridge and is about to run through the former Esplanade station with a rake of 20T mineral wagons in April 1979.

Forres [2nd]: The enamel run-in board and bench facing the trackless platform at Forres in April 1980.

Cadder Yard: Cadder signalbox at the east end of Cadder Yard in 1991, one year after the track approaching the sidings was lifted from behind the box and re-aligned further west.

Chatelherault: Chatelherault station construction continues.

Kilmarnock Workshops: Hunslet Barclay works seen over the CCE sidings and Troon line at Kilmarnock. The view looks southeast.

Caledonia Works: A now closed part of Hunslet Barclay works in Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnock Junction: Kilmarnock station and the junction between the Troon (right)and Barrhead (centre) lines seen from the north. The line to Dalry occupied the overgrown ground on the right and is still partly intact. On the left a siding leads to a distillery.

Kilmarnock: The station building and tower at Kilmarnock. The station was rebuilt some time after the line was extended south to Carlisle.

Kilmarnock: A Voyager sits in Kilmarnock station awaiting departure for Glasgow.

Kilmarnock Workshops: Some interesting spelling in the CCE sidings at Kilmarnock.

Larkhall Central: Track has reached the north end of Larkhall station.

Merryton: Traffic jam at Merryton. Drainage and embankments have been a problem at Merryton. Track leads to Merryton from both sides but is not laid there while drainage work is completed.

Chatelherault: The new bridge at Ferniegair. Chatelherault station in foreground to left. Work continues to complete the bridge.

Larkhall Central: Track in the Hamilton Road Swing Park. Only Larkhall station and Merryton are now bereft of track.

Forth Bridge: An up coal train climbs towards the Forth Bridge from North Queensferry late in the afternoon of 3 April 2005. View from the station footbridge, with the Pentland Hills forming the horizon to the south.

Dduallt: Prince and Blanche climb round the spiral curve at Dduallt in April 2007 to take the deviation line with the first train of the day for Blaenau.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway MP post at NS425827.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway near Auchencarroch, looking NE towards Caldarvan Station.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway near Auchencarroch, looking NE.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway near Auchencarroch, bridge over Caldarvan Burn.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway near Auchencarroch, looking towards Auchencarroch quarry siding.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway, Auchencarroch quarry siding. Sandstone walling to left was bottom end of quarry tramway.

Auchencarroch Siding: Forth and Clyde Junction Railway, looking NE at Auchencarroch.

Blaenau Ffestiniog [FR]: Blanche runs round at Blaenau Ffestiniog after arriving along with Prince on the first train of the day from Porthmadog on 3 April 2007.

Porthmadog Harbour [FR]: Prince and Blanche at the head of the first train of the day to Blaenau at Porthmadog station on 3 April 2007.

Kildale: Difficult to believe this was once double track. View looks east at Kildale.

Glasgow Central: 185137 departing Glasgow Central on 3rd April with the 0840 service to Manchester Airport

Kildale: Kildale has two bridges over the line just to the west of the station.

Battersby: Side view of the water column and platform at Battersby from a popular dog walking route. Battersby is much diminished with one platform in use now.

Battersby: Service from Middlesbrough arrives at Battersby to reverse for Whitby. The original alignment of the line is clear here with the train coming off what was a later addition.

Sleights: View south from the disused platform at Sleights on the Whitby branch 3 April 2008 showing the attractively renovated former station building.

Sleights: An afternoon Northern Rail service from Middlesbrough to Whitby runs into Sleights on 3 April 2008. The main station buildings on the retained down platform, including the station masters house, are now part of a substantial private residence, while the former wooden waiting shed and store from the abandoned up platform, having been rescued by the NYMR, now adorn platform 3/4 at Grosmont station - see [[50060]]. The old brick signal box on the left beyond the foot crossing (leading to a footbridge over the River Esk off to the left) is gradually returning to nature.

Grosmont Shed: J15 0-6-0 no 65462 stands on road 5 at Grosmont shed in April 2008 see image [[34274]].

Lealholm: A Whitby - Middlesbrough service draws to a stop at Lealholm in March 2008. View looks west.

Lealholm: Lealholm looking to Battersby. Paddy Waddells partly finished railway joined the line some distance behind the camera having crossed the high ground to the right.

Scarborough: Another of the great seaside excursion stations, in the days before foreign package holidays took over, was Scarborough. The impressive station frontage and clock tower is seen looking southwest early on the morning of 3 April 2008 facing onto Westborough Road.

Battersby: Scene at Battersby, North Yorkshire, looking north east from the buffer stops in April 2008. The junction of the Middlesbrough and Whitby routes is in the right middle distance, with the North York Moors running across the horizon beyond.

Grosmont: The cleaners at Grosmont shed have done a superb job in turning out immaculate looking B1 61264, seen with a southbound train on 3 April 2008. Next - the real challenge - that gentleman's coat! See image [[27223]]

Saltburn: A train for Bishop Auckland via Darlington stands at platform 1 at Saltburn station on 3 April 2008. The former Stockton & Darlington station building can be seen beyond the end of the current platforms. See image [[17868]]

Saltburn: Inside the original station/platform area at Saltburn on 3 April 2008 looking south towards the main entrance. Todays train services use the bay platforms located a short distance to the right while the former Zetland Hotel is off to the left.

Saltburn: South entrance to the 1862 Stockton & Darlington station at Saltburn (originally Saltburn-by-Sea) in April 2008. After many years of dereliction the entrance to this once busy seaside resort station has been completely refurbished and the large area once occupied by the six platforms and various sidings now accommodates a mix of shops, offices and housing, with todays train services using a basic 2 platform terminus at the west end of the site. Off to the right of the picture, looking out to sea, stands the former Zetland Hotel, also built by the Stockton & Darlington (and originally served by a private platform running beyond the station see image [[29478]]). The Zetland has now also been successfully refurbished (and converted into luxury flats).

Grosmont Shed: B1 61264 running tender first with a train from Pickering on 3 April passing the coaling plant at Grosmont shed and about to enter the tunnel.

Battersby: Scene at Battersby in April 2008. The overgrown bay platform on the right has long been out of use as the crew of a Middlesbrough - Whitby train changes ends and maintenance staff check out relay cabinets alongside the platform. No passenger activity took place.

Glasgow Central: 221134 of Cross Country passing Bridge Street on the approach to Glasgow Central on 3rd April

Grosmont Shed: The coaling plant in the shed yard at Grosmont in use on 3 April 2008, with the tender of Class J15 no 65462 being replenished.

Grosmont: The gates of Front Street level crossing at Grosmont looking north towards the station on 3 April 2008. Standing at the platforms on this occasion are A4 Pacific no 60009 Union of South Africa awaiting its departure time with a train for Pickering, with EE Type 3 no D6700 stabled just beyond the signal box.

Saltburn: View east along Dundas Street, Saltburn, in April 2008, showing the former entrance to the 1861 Stockton and Darlington Railway station. The former station site and main entrance building now form part of a shopping mall, with a modern-day 2-platform train terminus located off to the left.

Scarborough: Northern Trains 158845 runs into Scarborough station on 3 April 2008 with an early morning service from Hull.

Danby: Looking to Whitby at Danby. This station has a fine wooden shelter on the other side of the station building see image [[18800]].

Sleights: A Northern class 156 DMU arriving at Sleights with a Middlesbrough - Whitby service on the afternoon of 2 October 2008. Sleights station lies approximately 3 miles south west from Whitby on the Esk Valley route.

Grosmont Shed: A smart looking 08850 operating as shed pilot in the yard at Grosmont on 3rd April 2008. The 08 is in the process of pushing back J15 0-6-0 no 65462, following a visit to the coaling stage - see [[20188]].

Danby: Waiting shelter at Danby.

Saltburn: An afternoon service from Bishop Auckland runs into the terminus at Saltburn on 3 April 2008. The former station building, now part of a shopping mall, is off picture to the right. See image [[34553]]

Grosmont: 60009 Union of South Africa casts a dark cloud over Grosmont station on 3 April waiting for the level crossing gates. Meantime 61264 stands at the head of a train for Pickering boarding at the adjacent platform.

Saltburn: View east from near the centre of the original Saltburn station in April 2008 See image [[29467]]. Behind the camera stands the refurbished station entrance, now accessing retail/office developments, together with the 2 current operational platforms. Straight ahead beyond the landscaped area stands the Zetland Hotel, now successfully refurbished and converted into luxury flats. The new housing on the right faces onto Dundas Street.

Grosmont: B1 61264 crossing the bridge over the Esk at Grosmont on 3 April 2008 on its way to the NYMR shed.

Grosmont: Union of South Africa about to couple up to a special for Pickering at Grosmont station on 3 April 2008.

Saltburn: One of the world's earliest purpose-built railway hotels, complete with private platform, the former S&D Zetland Hotel (now converted to flats) stands above the cliffs on Marine Parade, in April 2008. Saltburn station is behind the building. The hotel, as well as the station see image [[19902]] and much of the rest of the town is built using the distinctive white firebrick produced at the nearby works of Henry Pease, son of the founder of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Pease was the man whose vision resulted in the extension of the railway from Redcar in 1861 together with the formation of the Saltburn Improvement Co to promote the development of the 'new town' to make it, at the time, one of the most modern resorts on the north east coast.

Saltburn: The old private platform of the Zetland Hotel, Saltburn, now incorporated into the landscaped and redeveloped area that once formed part of the station. View east from the end of the main public platform see image [[17867]] in 2008 showing the canopy over the rear entrance to the hotel once used by guests arriving or departing by train.

Kirbymoorside: The former Kirbymoorside station, on the southern edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, looking east along the 1875 NER route to Pickering in April 2008. Scheduled passenger services ceased here in 1953, although excursion traffic and freight continued to be handled until 1964, with an agricultural supplies company latterly occupying the former yard and railway buildings. Demolition and site clearance took place here in 2010 and the area is now occupied by housing.

Saltburn: A Northern Sprinter preparing to leave platform 1 at a sunny Saltburn with a mid afternoon service for Bishop Auckland in April 2008. The original 1862 Stockton and Darlington Railway building in the right background is now part of a shopping centre, which includes the large supermarket partially visible on the left.

Sleights: The 1416 Middlesbrough - Whitby service leaves Sleights on 3 April 2008.

Scarborough: Inside the train shed at Scarborough in April 2008, with a TransPennine class 185 awaiting its departure time at platform 4 with a service to Liverpool Lime Street.

Grosmont: Running tender first, B1 61264 brings a morning train from Pickering past Grosmont shed on 3 April 2008. Receiving attention on the left is A4 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

Great Ayton: Abandoned coal drops in the old yard on the south side of the line at Great Ayton, North Yorkshire. Photographed on 3 April 2008 with the northern edge of the Moors forming the horizon.

Battersby: An April afternoon at Battersby station in 2008, looking out along the platforms towards the junction of the lines to Middlesbrough and Whitby. The edge of the North Yorkshire Moors is just visible top left. [Ref query 3 April 2018]

Great Ayton: View over Great Ayton station on the Whitby branch on 3 April 2008 looking towards Battersby and the North York Moors. Sailor, explorer and navigator Captain James Cook was born here and attended the local school.

Grosmont: The north end of NYMR platform 2 at Grosmont station on 3 April 2008, with Gresley A4 Pacific no 60009 Union of South Africa preparing to run round its train. The line diverging westward to reach platform 1 off to the left is part of the Middlesbrough - Whitby Esk Valley route.

Scarborough: A morning Northern Rail service from Hull, formed by 158845, about to run past the camera towards the main platforms (3-5) accomodated within the trainshed at Scarborough station on 3 April 2008. This photograph, looking south away from the main station, shows part of the long and noteworthy platform 1 at Scarborough, a platform that has handled many an excursion train in its day. The platform has its own buildings in addition to those surrounding the main part of the station, as well as an impressive canopy standing over the central section of the platform with its own entrance/exit onto Westborough Road. Beyond the canopy, attached to the station wall, is what is claimed to be the longest railway station passenger bench in Europe. At 456 feet in length, this continuous bench has been known to accommodate a total of 228 average size bu.... err passengers...but not for some time.

Grosmont: A4 60009 Union of South Africa reverses over the crossing into Grosmont station on 3 April 2008.

Glasgow Central: Probably not as close as it looks..? 314207 and 314211 outside Glasgow Central on 3rd April

Pickering: View south beyond the buffer stops at Pickering station towards Bridge Street on 3 April 2008. EE Type 3 D6700 has just arrived at platform 2 with 'teak' empty stock. See image [[43356]]

Scarborough: The 0618 First TransPennine service from Liverpool Lime Street stands at the platform 4 buffer stops at Scarborough on 3 April 2008.

Grosmont Shed: The SR Schools class locomotives were the most powerful 4-4-0s ever built. Preserved example 30926 Repton, is receiving attention at Grosmont shed on 3 April 2008.

Scarborough: Looking along platform 3 at Scarborough on 3 April 2008, with a Northern 158 forming the 10.00 service to Hull.

Scarborough: Looking back from a short distance along platform 1 towards the buffer stops at Scarborough on 3 April 2008. The clock tower stands above the main station buildings on Westborough Road in the left background, with trainsheds past and present running off to the right. Nowadays the external bay platforms 1 and 2, nearest the camera, supplement the stations main operational platforms 3, 4 and 5 contained within the remaining trainshed. Standing at platform 4 within the trainshed on this particular morning is a First TransPennine 185 DMU service ready to depart for York, Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.

Scarborough: The 0947 First TransPennine service to Liverpool Lime Street boarding at Scarborough station platform 4 on the morning of 3 April 2008.

Pickering: Platform scene at Pickering on 3 April 2008 looking south, with a train for Grosmont boarding at platform 1 and D6700 having just arrived at platform 2 with empty stock.

Glaisdale: Inside the old shelter on the eastbound platform at Glaisdale.

Glaisdale: The disused signalbox at Glaisdale. Despite the closure the loop here remains open.

Glaisdale: Glaisdale looking to Whitby in April 2008, with the closed signalbox to the left. This is the only passing place on the line between Battersby Junction and Whitby.

Pickering: D6700 brings the empty stock for the first train of the day into Pickering station on 3 April 2008.

Egton: Egton looking to Battersby Junction

Grosmont Tunnels: Thompson B1 4-6-0 no 61264 about to enter the north portal of Grosmont tunnel on 3 April 2008 with a train for Pickering.

Grosmont Shed: The only survivor of the 289 examples of GER class J15 (the most numerous of all GER classes), Stratford built 65462 simmers in the shed yard at Grosmont on 3 April 2008 with A4 Pacific 60019 Bittern standing in the background just inside the shed. See image [[52887]]

Grosmont Shed: GER Class Y14 (LNER Class J15) 65462 gets a push back from the coaling plant at Grosmont shed on 3 April. These locomotives, introduced in 1883, were amongst the most versatile and successful of their day with a total of 289 built. In December of 1891, at the GERs Stratford works, a member of the class was fully assembled and in steam in 9 hours 47 minutes, a world record.

Battersby: Looking to the buffer stop (in the distance) at Battersby. The line once ran from Picton to Grosmont near Whitby. The high ground in the distance was was climbed by the Ingleby incline of the Rosedale Branch

Seamer: Looking south from the road bridge over Seamer station on 3 April. In the distance is Seamer West Junction and the split of the lines for Hull and York.

Grosmont Shed: God... I could murder a pint... clocking off the early shift at Grosmont shed in April 2008, with ex-LNER J15 no 65462 standing under the coaling plant.

Seamer: Entrance to Seamer station on 3 April 2008. The truncated road once continued across the tracks as a level crossing. Note the absence of a footbridge, with passenger access to the island platform via the footway on the left across the down line.

Castleton Moor: Modern accommodation and old style building at Castleton Moor. View looks to Whitby.

Pickering: View northeast from the buffer stops at Pickering in April 2008 with D6700 having just arrived with empty stock, while alongside the first train of the day prepares to leave platform 1 for Grosmont.

Commondale: Which stations in Britain have no road access? Corrour, yes although it has a private dirt road, Dovey Junction and heres another, with no road at all. Commondale. What a nice little station, view from the occupation crossing.

Wirksworth: Derby Lightweight DBSO M79900 stands at Wirksworth station on 3 April 2009.

Burscough Bridge: 150223 heads west towards Southport on a service from Manchester Victoria on 3 April 2009. The train has just left Burscough Bridge station which can be seen in the distance.

Burscough Bridge: 156421 on a Southport to Manchester Victoria service approaching Burscough Bridge on 3 April 2009.

Rufford: 153332 leads an Ormskirk - Preston service between Burscough Junction and Rufford on 3 April 2009. This former double track main line from Liverpool Exchange to the WCML at Farington Curve Junction now normally operates using a one train shuttle following severance at Ormskirk in the 1970s. On the left of the tracks is the base for the tank that supplied the former Rufford water troughs here during steam days.

Burscough Bridge: Present day shot at Burscough Bridge taken on 3 April 2009, to compare with previous K A Gray former mystery image 23005 taken from similar position 41 years earlier.

Bathgate Upper: View west at Bathgate on 3 April with signalling equipment now installed.

Bathgate: View east at Bathgate on 3 April 2010 with the station progressing and the First ScotRail depot on the right.

Lethenty: The halt at Lethenty is remarkably well preserved almost 80 years after passenger services were withdrawn and 45 years after complete closure. This is the view in April 2011 facing north towards Oldmeldrum. See image [[33489]]

Kingskettle: A 5-car 158+170 combination heading north past Kingskettle on Sunday afternoon 3 April 2011.

Boat of Garten: Recently restored Ivatt Class 2MT no 46512 is pictured at Boat of Garten station on the Strathspey Railway on Sunday 3 April 2011. The locomotive has just brought in the last service of the day, the 16:25 from Aviemore, and is seen preparing to return to the shed there.

Lethenty: The bridge number (347) is still visible on the abutment below the platform at Lethenty see image [[33479]]. Also visible on the steel beam is the date 23.2.56 - an inspection date perhaps?

Culloden Viaduct: Nine days after the hottest March day in Scotland since records began see image [[38119]] came heavy overnight snow with showers continuing through into the following day. DRS 66303 comes off Culloden Viaduct on 3 April 2012 heading south with the Tesco container train.

Malton: The single bi-directional platform serving Malton station, seen from a passing Scarborough to York service on 3 April 2013.

York: A southbound CrossCountry Voyager calls at York on 3 April 2013.

Scarborough: TransPennine 185120 waits in the shade on platform 3 at Scarborough station on 3 April 2013 with a mid afternoon service to Liverpool Lime Street.

Lanark: A service for Milngavie awaiting its departure time at Lanark on 3 April 2013.

York: DRS locos stabled in the sidings at the south end of York in April 2013. 47853 and 20312 are both visible in front of the York ROC, then under construction.

York: Waiting the next job. A pair of DRS Class 20s and a solo DRS Class 47 stabled in the sidings on the west side of York station on the evening of 3 April 2013.

Scarborough: West Coast's ex LMS 8F no 48151 stands in the excursion platform at Scarborough having just arrived on 3 April 2013 with a charter from Crewe via Carnforth and Skipton.

York: An evening view south over platform 7 at York on 3 April 2013 from the footbridge. At the platform is Northern 158752 waiting to head to Leeds at 2123 hrs.

Glasgow Central: One of the attractive welcome mats now adorning the Gordon Street and Hope Street entrances to Glasgow Central Station incorporating the Caledonian Railway coat of arms.

Ashton Swing Bridge (Preston): Railbus E79960 looks quite at home as it trundles down the middle of the road over the Preston Dock swing bridge. This 55 year old vehicle has lots of character and will be running RSR services on school holiday Wednesdays in 2013.

Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal: I went looking for the terminal shunter, 37194; which I had previously seen on the North side of the A5 see image [[42686]], but on this occasion found it feeling rather shy, and burying its nose in the vegetation. So I just had to settle for a picture of 66305 heading North with containers. see image [[43151 for a similar train, much further North]]

Castle Howard: The former station building at Castle Howard between Malton and York, seen from a passing train on 3 April 2013. Opened in 1845 to serve the large country house of the same name, it closed to passengers in 1930. The connection with the estate of the Earl of Carlisle resulted in the ornate station building.

Aberdour: Turbostar 170460 about to call at Aberdour on 3 April 2013 in bright sunshine.

Princes Street [Tram]: Edinburgh tram 277 at the west end of Princes Street on 3 April during a test run.

St Andrew Square [Tram]: Tram 265 climbs up South St Andrew Street on 3 April having just turned off Princes Street. Edinburgh's Old Town forms the backdrop.

Crewe North Junction: Looking North from the signal box in Crewe Heritage Centre in April 2015 see image [[20362]] the meagre remains of the narrow gauge works railway can be seen. The class 40 cab is deceptive - it is fitted to a road vehicle trailer for exhibition at shows.

Crewe Heritage Centre: In keeping with the modern trend for signallers to be located remotely from the signals they control, Exeter West box is now located in Crewe. It also has the largest ground floor windows I have ever seen on a signal box, and looks much nicer than the concrete box on the same site see image [[20362]].

Crewe: Very much like a scaled-up model railway - a class 350 on Platform 1 at Crewe by a big brick wall - also a nice mix of ancient and modern. The train destination is Birmingham New Street on 3rd April 2015.

Crewe Heritage Centre: Peak 46035 poses for the camera at Crewe Heritage Centre on 3rd April 2015. The class 08 shunter behind it also looks good. It's a sign of the times that this photograph was taken from a Tesco car park.

Crewe Heritage Centre: It's not every day that you see steam and OHL together. The miniature ride-on train at the Crewe Heritage Centre emerges from the artificial tunnel next to the WCML.

Crewe North Junction: It takes more than one to play this piano. The early electric panel, now out of use, at Crewe Heritage Centre in April 2015. See image [[20362]]

Strensall: Looking south across Princess Road level crossing, the middle of three within the village of Strensall east of York. York Road level crossing is a short distance to the west, whilst that on Lords Moor Lane, by the former station site, is a greater distance east.

Partick Central: The final nail in the coffin - this edifice has now sprung up right across the trackbed. The bridge in the left background carries the lines from Central and Queen Street Low Level stations to the new Partick Interchange.

Strensall: View east towards Malton and Scarborough from York Road level crossing in Strensall on 3 April 2016. Princess Road level crossing can be seen in the middle distance, whilst beyond, by the former station site, is Lords Moor Lane level crossing and manual signal box.

Boroughbridge [2nd]: A view looking south towards Boroughbridge showing the dip in the road needed to allow the extension of the line beyond the original station, to Knaresborough, to cross the Dishforth Road on a bridge, of which the lower part of the abutment remains on the left, to reach the new station site. There is now a ramp upto track level, in place of the abutment and embankment, to access the yard of the removals company seen to the right. The retaining wall running to the Leeming Lane overbridge can be seen further to the right. See image [[58528]] for a view from the far end of the new station site.

Margam Halt: The line from Port Talbot Harbour to the main line as can be seen it has not been used a number of years, probably since steelmaking ceased at Llanwern in 2001. Curiously, when they built the new distributor road they had to build a temporary entrance to the work and they lifted a section of track and the embankment to allow vehicle access while that new over bridge was built. They then replaced the embankment and relaid the track but as far as I know there has never been a train down there. The relaid section is just the other side of the bridge just after the magnet.

Woodacre Crossing: After a week of light engine runs DRS 88002 Prometheus undertook a loaded test from Carlisle to Crewe on 3rd April 2017. The brand new electro diesel is seen at Woodacre with the heavy stone train, and 68025 Superb dead-in-train for insurance purposes.

Margam Halt: Nice day in Wales and couldn't resist another few shots of 5X20. 5X20 made up of 2 x IEP Class 800's the leading set in GWR livery passing the site of Margam Halt with a Bristol Parkway to Swansea Maliphant Csd train (3/4/17).

Margam Halt: Train 5X20 made up of 2 x IEP Class 800s, the leading set in GWR livery, passing the site of Margam Halt on 3 April 2017 with a Bristol Parkway to Swansea Maliphant Csd train.

Boroughbridge [1st]: Looking towards Brafferton along the tree lined route of the original Pilmoor to Boroughbridge section of the line that was then extended to Knaresborough, with buildings at the first Boroughbridge terminus station site visible through the trees to right of the view. As of late 2018 the field in the view is now part of a further large housing estate under construction in the Milby area north of the River Ure, with a second behind camera running fully alongside the second Boroughbridge station site through to Leeming Lane.

Skipton: The east end of Sidings Business Park, sited between Engine Shed Lane and the operational line to Carlisle, east of the former Skipton steam shed. The units are on the site of stabling sidings, where 41241 was stored before being moved to the KWVR. The operational line OHC can be seen on the left through Carleton New Road over-bridge, but a further single line size arch exists on the right heading towards the rear of the Ilkley line platforms. No line is shown on old maps as ever connecting to that route, although a Map of 1894 only shows a line running through the arch to a number of dead end lines on what appears be a possible tip. However these lines were no longer shown on a Map of 1911. Was the arch built to possibly link the shed direct to the Ilkley line, but never used for that purpose?

Boroughbridge [2nd]: When the line from Pilmoor to Boroughbridge was extended west to Knaresborough it was necessary to install a bridge immediately after the original station to cross the road running to Dishforth. The lower section of the abutment on the east side of the road is still extant, with an industrial estate now occupying the original station and goods yard site, as seen above the abutment. There was also a need to create a new larger station, to rear of view, at a high level, and a bridge across Leeming Road at the west end of the new station site. See image [[58543]].

Interiors: Refurbished Pacer 144012, in the bay platforms at Lancaster on a Morecambe to Leeds service. Externally the unit is distinguished by the two blanked off windows where the disabled access toilet has been placed. The interior seating has also been upgraded. The 144s are still however scheduled to be the first of the Northern Pacers to go back to Porterbrook starting in 2018.

Margam Halt: Swansea to Cardiff service passing TATA Steel Margam Works General offices.

Lounge Car: The saloon of the Caledonian Sleeper.

Lounge Car: Dining, on the Caledonian Sleeper. Here's one of my haggis, 'Award winning Cockburn’s Haggis, Neeps and Tatties'.

Rhubodach: MV Red Baroness, a versatile landing-craft design operated by Troon Tug Co Ltd (a sort of modern day Clyde Puffer), makes its way through the Kyles of Bute with a cargo of fish farm supplies on a dreich 3rd April 2018. In the background MV Loch Dunvegan is at Rhubodach about to return to Colintraive.

Colintraive: On 3rd April 2018 the slipways on both sides of the Kyles of Bute crossing were part way through a comprehensive rebuild and MV Loch Dunvegan was operating from a temporary slipway, slightly to the south of the usual facility at Colintraive.

Dalgety Bay: Scotrail power cars 43127 and 43145 speed through Dalgety Bay on their way from Newcastle to Inverness on 3rd April 2018.

Yarmouth [IoW]: The replica signal box at Yarmouth is now complete. This is the structure in April 2018. See image [[48107]] from a few years earlier.

Kirkcudbright: There have been no trains to Kirkudbright for over 50 years, but the station goes from incarnation to incarnation. Beyond the Line is the most recent as seen on 3rd April 2018.

Haymarket [Tram]: There have been a number of accidents involving cyclists who get their wheels trapped in tram tracks. Here is advice to drivers at Haymarket.

Kirkcudbright: The latest refurbishment at Kirkdubright is seeing the old station turned into a studio and art gallery. This view is from the street through to the location of the platform on 3rd April 2018.

Sandown: The Newport to Sandown cyclepath is a recent addition to the Isle of Wight network. This view looks East from the A3056 in April 2018.

Freshwater: This crossing keeper's cottage is less than a mile from the Freshwater terminus. View looks north-East towards Newport in April 2018. Notice the Give Way sign for cyclists.

Freshwater: One of the platforms at the former Isle of Wight terminus at Freshwater displays plants at a garden centre in April 2018. The posts that once held the station name board still stand... clearly a true branch line! [Ref query 5 March 2019]

Blaenau Ffestiniog: A dusting of snow at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 3rd April 2019 as FR 0-4-4-0T No.10 'Merddin Emrys' runs round its train passing the first class observation coach.

Barmouth: Rear of a Network Rail MPV, being hauled by a Class 37 through Barmouth station, heading towards Pwllheli on 3rd April 2019.

Waterloo International: Ex-Eurostar platforms 21 and 22 reopened permanently without fuss in December 2018, and 23 will follow soon. According to a Network Rail person on the station information desk, platform 24 will only be used for ECS moves due to a tight reverse curve on the approach pointwork.

Blaenau Ffestiniog: Ffestiniog Railway Fairlie 0-4-4-0T No10 'Merddin Emrys' takes on water at Blaenau Ffestiniog on 3rd April 2019. This is the oldest Double Fairlie in the fleet dating from 1879.

Llangower: Llangower station and signal box overlooking Bala Lake on 3rd April 2019.

London Victoria: A scene at the west end of London Victoria on 3rd April 2019. Nearest at platform 1 is 700036 recently arrived (early) from Dover Priory and due to leave for Ramsgate. At platform 2 is 465045 which has come from Beckenham Junction on an empty carriage movement and is due to leave shortly for Victoria Grosvenor Shed.

Barmouth: Network Rail Class 37 leads a MPV through the level crossing at Barmouth station working from Machynlleth Carriage Sidings to Pwllheli and returning to Shrewsbury Coleham Sidings on 3rd April 2019.

Blaenau Ffestiniog: Heading down the hill. Misty with a touch of snow as FR No.10 'Merddin Emrys' departs Blaenau Ffestiniog with the return journey to Porthmadog on 3rd April 2019.

Blaenau Ffestiniog: Blaenau Ffestiniog station, on a cold spring morning in April 2019. A replacement bus service was in operation on the Conwy Valley Line due to severe track damage caused by flooding in March.

Blaenau Ffestiniog: Ffesintiog Railway No10 'Merddin Emrys' brings the morning sevice from Porthmadoc into Blaenau on 3rd April 2019.

Waterloo: The former Eurostar check-in area underneath the refurbished platforms 20 - 24 is being converted to an extensive shopping mall. Platforms 20 - 22 above it have been reopened with 23 and 24 expected to come in to service shortly.

Baker Street: View down the interior of a Bombadier S8 train near Baker Street. A quiet times on straight sections of track it is possible to see down the whole length of the train from the end coaches.

Bala Junction: Bala Lake station with the afternoon service to LLanuwchllyn service waiting to depart on 3rd April 2019. The large footbridge dates from the days of the main line trains when this was the junction for Bala Town.

Llangower: An unusal signal post arrangement for the passing loop at Llangower station on the Bala Lake Railway, seen on 3rd April 2019.

Bala Junction: 1903 built Hunslet No 822 'Maid Marian' backs onto the afternoon Bala Lake to LLanuwchllyn service on 3rd April 2019. Bala Lake trains depart from the former Bala Junction platforms.

Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont]: The underside of Bridge 325 at Carmont, following post crash renovation, visited on 3rd April 2021. As is apparent here, there has been a fair bit of extra drainage put in as part of the rebuild.

Carron Water Bridge [East Croft of Carmont]: Having trekked out to the Carmont derailment site on 3rd April 2021, I could not resist a visit to Bridge 328 on the way back to see the repairs that have been carried out since the parapet collapsed in January. The local DMU shuttle is heading to Montrose and the strengthening done to the bridge and river channel is apparent. See image [[75503]] from three months earlier.

Capernwray Viaduct: Just to the north of where the Bentham Line crosses the River Keer and the Lancaster Canal lies Wegber Quarry. These days it houses a caravan park but early maps show a tramway running down from the workings to a loading point here on the canal. The track turned right in front of this old building to head back to the quarry. The point in the distance where the canal appears to stop is actually a junction where the short Capernwray Arm, another quarry loading point, branches right from the main canal route to Tewitfield (and at one time Kendal).

Capernwray Viaduct: During the Covid timetable trains on the Bentham line have been reduced. They also only shuttle between Lancaster/Morecambe and Skipton and do not run through to Leeds. 158907 was heading for Skipton on 3rd April 2021, seen here from the Lancaster Canal towpath crossing the River Keer on the picturesque Capernwray Viaduct.

Colinton Tunnel: Work on the murals in Colinton Tunnel was completed for Easter 2021. This particular one is quite spectacular.

Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont]: A distant view of Bridge 325 at Carmont in April 2021, scene of the fatal rail crash in 2020. A complete refurbishment includes the reprofiling of the river channel to prevent future flood damage to the structure.

Albert Road Level Crossing: The level crossing at Albert Road, at the entrance to Leith Docks, was once a busy spot, but it is a long time since these barriers moved. To emphasize how 'OOU' it is, the gate to the docks has a mesh fence in front of it. That's belt and braces.

Balerno Goods Junction: One of three surviving telegraph poles on the old Balrno branch in April 2021, This and one other are between Balerno and Currie, with the third between Currie and Kinleith.

Seafield Level Crossing: Those familiar with this spot but may notice something different; the disused footbridge has been taken away very recently along with surrounding vegetation (compare image [[73537]]). The footbridge was blocked off to pedestrians some years ago; perhaps this was for safety reasons but it was hardly needed anyway.

Farington Junction: DRS 88007 hauls the 4S44 Daventry to Mossend intermodal service on 3 April 2021. The train is seen to the north of Farington Junction, approaching the site of Farington station (behind the camera) which closed in March 1960. Over a hundred years before that there had been a north facing junction (to the left of the loco) providing a connection to the East Lancs line but this was closed after the East Lancs Railway built its own line into Preston via Todd Lane Junction.

Colinton Tunnel: Mural of Robert Louis Stevenson, one of many artworks on the walls of the now fully restored Colinton Tunnel.

Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont]: On a very nice April day, I took a walk (4.74 miles) out to Bridge 325, site of the fatal rail crash last year. The 14:52 out of Aberdeen, Azuma set number 800113, is passing the location, scene of so much rebuilding work.

Midsomer Norton South: D4095 (08881) snoozes at the S&D base at Midsomer Norton South in April 2022. It is sobering to think that the last time a diesel shunter was resident on the S&D, it was probably hauling demolition trains.