Kilpatrick: View west through Kilpatrick station on 12 April 1958. The view is from a now removed bridge where today the Erskine Bridge crosses the line.

Old Kilpatrick: Platform view at Old Kilpatrick in April 1958, looking west towards Dumbarton.

Clydebank Central: An eastbound stopping train approaching the platform at Clydebank Central in April 1958 behind V1 2-6-2T 67602. The clock tower of the [[Singer Works]] stands in the right background. [Ref query 15 December 2017]

Kilpatrick: Gresley V3 2-6-0 67611 approaching Kilpatrick goods yard on 12 April 1958 with an up train from Helensburgh.

Dunglass Junction: Stanier 2-6-2T 40188 with a Rutherglen to Balloch train passing Dunglass in April 1958.

Dumbuck: A Rutherglen - Balloch train on the L&D route crossing the NB line at Dumbuck on 12 April 1958. The locomotive is Dawsholm shed's Stanier 3P 2-6-2T no 40186, recently returned from St Margarets following an extended 'loan' see image [[37195]].

Clydebank East Junction: An interesting looking freight heading towards Glagow past Clydebank East Junction on 12 April 1958. Locomotive is Gresley K4 2-6-0 no 61996 Lord of the Isles. See image [[50724]]

Dumbarton East: BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 no 76100 on a Balloch to Carmyle train in April 1958. Caley 'Jumbo' 57314 is standing in the Gasworks siding with mineral wagons.

Bowling Swing Bridge: Ex-LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T 42200 crossing Bowling swing bridge with a Balloch - Rutherglen train in April 1958. See image [[35889]]

Hawick Shed: Scott class 4-4-0 no 62422 Caleb Balderstone in the yard at Hawick on 12 April 1958. The locomotive was withdrawn from Hawick shed at the end of that year.

Dumbuck: An up West Highland train passing through Dumbuck on Saturday 12 April 1958 with Black 5 44787 piloting K2 61786. The train has just passed below the lattice girder bridge carrying the L&D line between Bowling and Dumbarton. See image [[52480]]

Singer Signal Box: Gresley V3 2-6-2T no 67627 at the head of a Springburn - Balloch train approaching Singer on a dull and murky Saturday 12 April 1958. In the foreground is the course of the original route, the train is on the deviation through Singer station.

Dumbarton East Junction: A down West Highland train coasts through Dumbarton East Junction on 12 April 1958. Locomotives are Black 5 44973 and K2 61787 Loch Quoich.

Dumbuck: A Balloch - Rutherglen train passing Dumbuck on 12 April 1958 behind Stanier 2--6-2T 40189.

Bowling Swing Bridge: A general view of Bowling Swing Bridge from the south east on 12 April 1958, showing the approach arches and gantry mounted signal box. The lines in the foreground served Bowling Basin, off to the left, and crossed the canal to meet the NB sidings at Bowling Harbour.

Clydebank Central: One of Parkhead shed's Gresley V3 2-6-2Ts, no 67619, passing through Clydebank Central with an up Helensburgh express on Saturday 12 April 1958.

Singer: Scene alongside Singer signal box on 12 April 1958 with class J37 0-6-0 64638 in attendance. The original alignment was to the left and the view looks west. [Ref query 7234]

Dumbarton Central: Looking east towards Dumbarton Central in the spring of 1958. V1 2-6-2T 67613 is leaving with a Bridgeton - Helensburgh train.

Dumbarton East: Stanier 3P 2-6-2T 40186 approaching Dumbarton East on 12 April 1958 with a Balloch - Rutherglen train. [Ref query 10872]

Singer: V3 2-6-2T 67613 photographed shortly after leaving Singer on 12 April 1958 with a Helensburgh Central - Bridgeton Central train. [Ref query 14175]

Singer Workers Platforms: Trains at the Singer Workers Platforms on 12 April 1958, looking west back towards the factory. The locomotives are Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 43136 and Gresley V3 2-6-2T 67604.

Dumbuck Signal Box: V3 67632 passing Dumbuck on 12 April 1958 with an up Helensburgh train.

Dumbarton East: View west at Dumbarton East station and Dumbarton Goods Junction signalbox in April 1958. The distant building on the left beyond the box is Dumbarton shed, a subshed to Dawsholm, to the left of which was the approach to Dumbarton East Goods, the shed being reached by reversal from the goods yard.

Bowling: A Bridgeton - Helensburgh train at Bowling on 12 April 1958. In charge is Parkhead V3 67628.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: 46226 Duchess of Norfolk standing in the yard at Kingmoor shed in April 1963. The Pacific spent her last years here being finally withdrawn by BR in September 1964.

Carlisle: Stanier Pacific 46240 City of Coventry stands on the centre road at Carlisle on 12 April 1963, having just come off the 10.5am Glasgow Central - Birmingham New Street. The train is at platform 4, now in the hands of BR Britannia Pacific no 70044 'Earl Haig', waiting to restart its journey south. See image [[35550]]

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Stanier Coronation Pacific 46244 King George VI outside Kingmoor shed in April 1963.

Carlisle: Rebuilt Patriot 4-6-0 no 45545 Planet stands with what is thought to be the 9.43am Liverpool - Glasgow Central train at the north end of Carlisle station in April 1963. The locomotive was transferred from Crewe North to Upperby 12 months earlier and stayed until finally withdrawn by BR in 1964. Disposal was via Connels of Coatbridge in September of that year.

Crianlarich Shed: CR123 on the turntable at Crianlarich shed during heavy snow on 12 April 1963. The locomotive was being turned prior to taking the SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler No 2 back to Glasgow Central following an earlier visit to the Killin branch.

Carlisle: BR Britannia Pacific no 70044 'Earl Haig' is about to take the 10.5am Glasgow Central - Birmingham train away from Carlisle on 12 April 1963.

Doune: The fireman of Caledonian 123 collects the tablet from the Doune signalman on 12 April 1963. The train is Scottish Rambler No 2 on its way from Glasgow Central to Killin Junction.

Craig-na-Cailleach Platform: CR 123 about to run into a snowstorm near Craig-na-Cailleach platform on the shores of Loch Lubnaig between Callander and Strathyre. The date is 12 April 1963 and the train is the SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler No 2 on its way to Killin Junction. Note the trip wire signals.

Loch Tay Shed: The locomotive shed at Loch Tay, photographed on the snowy afternoon of 12 April 1963, the occasion of the visit to the branch by the SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler no 2. Loch Tay station is behind the camera. See image [[6553]]

Killin [2nd]: BR Standard tank 80093 makes a photostop at Killin on 12 April 1963 with Scottish Rambler No 2 during a welcome break in the wintry weather. The train would shortly continue on its journey to Loch Tay. Note the Camping Coach in the siding to the left.

Possil: Caledonian 123 during a photostop at Possil station on 12 April 1963 with the SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler no 2 Joint Easter Rail Tour. The special had arrived from Glasgow Central via Rutherglen, Partick and Maryhill. It would pass through again a second time that day on return from from the C&O to Crianlarich and back by the WHL. The coaches were taken down to Killin and Loch Tay by another locomotive.

Carlisle Canal Shed: Locomotives in the shed yard at Carlisle Canal on 12 April 1963. Centre stage is Gresley J39 0-6-0 no 64899, a resident here throughout the BR period. The locomotive had been officially withdrawn 6 months earlier and was awaiting transfer to Cowlairs, where it was cut up the following month. [Ref query 6567]

Loch Tay: Platform scene at Loch Tay during the visit of the SLS/BLS 'Scottish Rambler no 2' special on 12 April 1963. 80093 has just completed the run round manoeuvre and is about to take the train back to Killin Junction. See image [[36775]]

Callander (Dreadnought): Standard Class 4 2-6-4T no 80063 about to take a train out of Callander on 12 April 1963 bound for Stirling. Standing on the trackbed below the bridge in the light jacket preparing to take his shot see image [[6538]] is John Robin.

Carlisle: The north end of Carlisle station on 12 April 1963 sees Jubilee 45560 'Prince Edward Island' preparing to leave platform 3 and head north with the 9.15am Manchester - Glasgow Central.

Carlisle: Black 5 44790 leaves Carlisle on 12 April 1963 and heads for the S&C route with the 12.50pm to Leeds.

Carlisle Canal Shed: B1 4-6-0 no 61076 stands outside Carlisle Canal shed on 12 April 1963. This locomotive was eventually withdrawn from St Margarets in September 1965 and cut up at Shipbreaking Industries, Faslane, two months later.

Carlisle: Britannia Pacific no 70044 Earl Haig takes the 12.05 Glasgow Central - Birmingham New Street out of Carlisle in April 1963.

Killin Junction: The SLS/BLS Joint Easter Railtour, running as Scottish Rambler No 2, photographed during heavy snow at Killin Junction on 12 April 1963. CR123 had brought in the train from Glasgow Central via the C&O and was about to hand over to Perth shed's Standard class 4 no 80093 for a trip to Killin and Loch Tay. The branch locomotive can just be made out waiting over on the left. For the scene before the snow storm see image [[6536]].

Stirling: SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler No 2 stands at Stirling on 12 April 1963 behind CR123.

Bridge of Allan [1st]: View from the guards van over the tender of CR123 on 12 April 1963, as Scottish Rambler No 2 climbs Bridge of Allan bank towards Dunblane.

Killin Junction: CR123 between snow showers at Killin Junction on 12 April 1963 following arrival with 'Scottish Rambler No 2'. Over on the left is 80093 waiting to take the special on a trip to Loch Tay.

Killin Junction: CR123 meets wintry weather.

Callander (Dreadnought): 80063 leaves Callander with a train for Stirling on 12 April 1963 see image [[36482]].

Callander (Dreadnought): The view west from Callander station on 12 April 1963. See image [[18065]]

Loch Tay: 80093 runs round at Loch Tay on 12 April 1963 prior to returning to Killin with 'Scottish Rambler No 2'.

Langholm: The branch train for Riddings Junction heads south out of Langholm station on 12th April 1964, just a couple of months before withdrawal of passenger services.

Tarras Viaduct: An unidentified Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 with the branch train from Langholm crossing Tarras Viaduct on 12th April 1964. The train is on its way back to Carlisle.

Forfar [2nd]: Black 5 44925 leaving Forfar on the 5.30pm service from Aberdeen to Perth on 12th April 1965.

Cove: V2 60844 climbs past Nigg Bay as it leaves Aberdeen with a haul of mineral empties in April 1965.

Cove Bay: V2 2-6-2 60844 is seen passing Nigg Bay, on its way away from Aberdeen, with a haul of mineral empties. The locomotive sounded overdue for attention from the fitter at its home shed (Dundee Tay Bridge), with a very uneven 3-cylinder exhaust. Visual evidence can be seen from the smoke pattern.

Eastwood: A Standard 2-6-4 tank climbs past Eastwood signal box on the East Kilbride branch in April 1966 during the last week of steam haulage. The box served the Argus Foundry on the right, built by Weirs of Cathcart in 1920 and closed circa 1959.

Skin Works Siding: Deltic D9012 Crepello with the 0815 ex-Hawick photographed north of Galashiels on a misty morning in April 1968. The working is logged as a training run for air brakes.

Niddrie West Junction: On 15 April 1970 No. 1992 is in charge of the 14.48 Glasgow FLT to Edinburgh FLT Freightliner service, seen here at Niddrie West Junction as it takes the spur to Niddrie North.

Saltash: The view from the rear of the 1A69 0835 Penzance to Paddington service crossing the Royal Albert Bridge from Cornwall into Devon behind 1061 'Western Envoy' on 12 April 1974. Plymouth Signal Plan was ongoing with re-signalling work taking place so the Paddington trains were running through with no attaching or detaching of coaches at Plymouth which was normal practice at this time and most of the 1970s until HST were introduced.

Schoolhill: A diverted service heads towards Inverness, passing the closed Schoolhill station in Aberdeen in April 1975.The remains of the former Great North loco sidings are to the right of the fence. [Ref query 31 December 2017]

Wythall: A DMU heading south from Birmingham for Stratford-Upon-Avon in April 1981 makes a stop at Wythall, North Worcestershire.

Aberystwyth: Resplendent in its newly applied LB&SCR-style yellow livery of the original Vale of Rheidol Railway 2-6-2Ts, No. 9 Prince of Wales should have been the star attraction over the Easter weekend in 1982, but apart from an official unveiling ceremony on Saturday 10th April, it had to be sidelined in the shed at Aberystwyth thanks to a crack in the regulator casting. Still considered at that time to be a GWR rebuild of the original VoRR No. 2 (Davies & Metcalfe 1902), it has since been established that what emerged from Swindon Works in 1924 was actually a completely new locomotive.

Achnasheen: 26032 and 26044 cross at Achnasheen. View looks west.

Rosyth Halt: The suffix 'Halt' has officially dropped in Scotland from the May 1983 timetable. This ticket was legitimately named in the dying weeks of the old designation, though the 'Halt' was still shown on the Solari at Waverley until its replacement in the late 1990s. IBM station was frequently referred to as IBM Halt right up to closure in 2018.

Walsall: A class 310 EMU stands at Walsall station in 1984 on a Birmingham - Rugeley service.

Cromdale: View north over Cromdale in April 1984, almost 16 years after complete closure of the line. If you look very closely behind the station buildings you can just make out the profile of the cutting to the Balmenach Distillery. (Railscot note: Much restoration work has taken place at the former Cromdale station since this photograph was taken see image [[1141]]).

Hillmorton Junctions: InterCity liveried Class 86 loco 86234 is seen passing Hillmorton, south of Rugby, at speed on a matching liveried WCML express from London Euston. The Northampton loop line can be seen on the embankment beyond as it diverges away from the main line heading south. The view is taken from the area of land that until a few years before contained Hillmorton sidings, and was fully accessible, via the track passing the former railway cottages, and was ungated and unfenced from the main line.

Hillmorton Junctions: Inter-City liveried Class 87 87019 'Sir Winston Churchill' runs south along the elevated Northampton loop line at Hillmorton, just south of Rugby, with a rake of empty flat wagons in tow. The WCML is at a lower level nearer to camera. The view is taken from the area of land that until a few years earlier contained Hillmorton sidings, and was fully accessible, via the track passing the former railway cottages, and was ungated and unfenced from the main line.

Hillmorton: A Network South East liveried class 317 EMU approaching Rugby on the Northampton loop at Hillmorton in 1988, with the direct West Coast main line in the foreground.

Hillmorton Junctions: Class 86 loco 86206 is seen passing Hillmorton, south of Rugby, at speed on a WCML express heading towards London Euston in April 1988. The Northampton loop line can be seen on the embankment beyond as it diverges away from the main line heading south. The view is taken from the area of land that until a few years earlier contained Hillmorton sidings, and was fully accessible, via the track passing the former railway cottages, and was ungated and unfenced from the main line.

Rugby: 87034 William Shakespeare passing Hillmorton goods yard, south of Rugby, at speed with a down express passenger service on 12 April 1988. A southbound intermodal freight service can also be seen on the adjacent Northampton lines.

Mexborough: A class 150 DMU stands at Mexborough in April 1990. Platform view east towards Doncaster.

Dortmund Hauptbahnhof: A 3 car electric hauled push-pull set departs from Dortmund Hauptbahnhof on a local service in April 1990

Youghal: The former station at Youghal, Co Cork, in April 1994. The station lost its passenger service in 1963.

Kirkcaldy: Unlike street lighting, most platform lighting can be serviced at ground level. A hydraulic jack is wheeled up to the gearbox and lifts the hinged post clear then tilts it on its side. Here it is demonstrated at Kirkcaldy in April 1995.

St Pancras: Scene at St Pancras in April 1995.

Carlisle: 86207 City of Lichfield backs onto DVT 82138 at the head of a southbound InterCity WCML service at Carlisle platform 4 in the spring of 1996 - reason unknown!

Gaur Viaduct: A southbound Sprinter crosses the Gaur Viaduct, just south of Rannoch station, in 1997.

Peebles CR and NBR Junction: Looking east over the North British Railway's link line between the Caledonian Railways Peebles (West) station and North British's Peebles station.

Peebles [CR]: Looking west over Peebles (West) station.

Rannoch: Class 37 hauled sleeper train heading south at Rannoch station.

York: A southbound HST heading for Kings Cross pauses at York with 43122 at its head in April 1997.

Peebles [2nd]: Site of Peebles (New) station viewed from the east.

Peebles Goods: Peebles goods yard weighbridge building.

Cockenzie Power Station: A coal train recently arrived at Cockenzie sidings in April 2002. The Firth of Forth is in the background.

Blackford Hill: EWS 66148 runs light engine through the site of Blackford Hill station on the Edinburgh sub in April 2002. The station had closed to passengers in September 1962. [Ref query 1091]

Grange-over-Sands: Some fine ironwork on the down side platform canopy at Grange-over-Sands in April 2002.

Cockenzie Power Station: An EWS class 66 has turned north off the ECML just east of Prestonpans with a loaded coal train in the summer of 2002 and is heading through the yard towards the power station discharge shed in the top left of the picture.

Grange-over-Sands: 156 423 makes the Grange over Sands stop with a Lancaster to Millom train in April 2002. On this occasion there was only one passenger to pick up but there seems to be a goodly crowd waiting for a southbound train - however appearances can be deceptive as it was actually an Association of Community Rail Partnerships party touring the station.

Cockenzie Power Station: A coal train heads towards the discharge shed at Cockenzie power station in April 2002.

Newhaven: Looking north east across Craighall Road, Edinburgh, in April 2002. The old Newhaven station building is on the market after housing a joiners business for a number of years.

Prestonpans Loop: A coal train has just turned off the ECML after passing through Prestonpans station in April 2002 and is currently standing in the loop awaiting the road into Cockenzie power station (the up platform at Prestonpans can be seen in the left background). The train is currently held at signals awaiting clearance to enter the yard.

Leith North: The former Caledonian terminus at Leith North looking west along Lindsay Road in April 2002. The building is currently being used by a marquee hire company.

Leith North: The former Leith North train shed in April 2002, looking east over the island platform with Lindsay Road off to the right. The old passenger terminus, which closed in 1962, is now used by a marquee hire company. See image [[3211]]

Cockenzie Power Station: Pilot boarding a loaded coal train at the entrance to Cockenzie PS sidings in April 2002

Leith North: The former Caledonian Railway Leith North terminus in April 2002. View is north east along Lindsay Road, with construction work on the major new 'Ocean Terminal' development in progress in the background.

North Berwick: A recently arrived train from Waverley at North Berwick on a surprisingly hot April day in 2003.

North Berwick: The next service to Edinburgh Waverley awaits its departure time from North Berwick on 12 April 2003. The train is formed by ScotRail EMU 322484.

Glasgow Central: Platform access to the disused pedestrian subway at Glasgow Central in April 2004. Referred to locally as 'The 'Football Tunnel' the subway was often used to segregate large crowds of opposing fans heading for Hampden Park on big match days.

Stranraer: A solitary passenger wondering when the doors might open on a service to Glasgow Central awaiting its departure time at Stranraer Harbour on a chilly March morning in 2004.

Tyndrum Lower: Scene at Tyndrum Lower Station on a pleasant April morning in 2005, looking south east towards Crianlarich.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Notice issued by the Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway dated 1 November 1836.

Edinburgh Princes Street: Rutland Street, Edinburgh, in 2006, looking east towards the Caledonian Hotel, with the junction of Princes Street and Lothian Road in the background. The former entrance to Princes Street station still stands on the right, although nowadays it provides access to a car park.

London Road Junction [Carlisle]: Looking east towards London Road Junction, Carlisle, on 12 April 2006. The line from Upperby still comes in from the right just before the road bridge, although the old London Road signal box has now gone. See image [[1331]]

Rome Street Junction: Looking south from the bridge over the site of Rome Street Junction on the former Carlisle goods lines in April 2006 with the old trackbed gradually disappearing. See image [[60246]]

Ardgay: 158725 calls at Ardgay in April 2007.

Ardgay: Stanier 8F 48151 coasts through Ardgay with The Great Britain railtour on 12 April.

Helmsdale: 48151 arriving at Helmsdale with The Great Britain.

Helmsdale: Helmsdale Station sees its biggest crowd in years as The Great Britain special rolls in behind 48151.

Helmsdale: 48151 at Helmsdale with The Great Britain awaits clearance to cross to the up platform for water.

Helmsdale: Dropping the bag - 21st century style.

Helmsdale: We have got the hose, now where is the tap?

Helmsdale: Having crossed over to the up platform the support crew gets ready to connect the hose while the slide bars get a drop of oil.

Blanefield: Aberfoyle Line at Blanefield looking NW.

Edinburgh Waverley: Platform 3 at the east end of Waverley in the spring of 2007. This was a period of significant change, with major works taking place at the station resulting in reduced platform availability and several route changes. The SPT liveried 170 DMU seen here is operating a shuttle service to and from Newcraighall.

Helmsdale: Motorised trolley and trailer for the permanent way staff. I hope it has a cab for winter use.

Helmsdale: Motorised permanent way workers trolley. It also has two sockets supplying 110V for power tools etc.

Helmsdale: A member of the support crew checks the water level. Helmsdale and the North Sea in the background. On the right a sprinter sneaks by on a regular working to Wick/Thurso.

Torosay Castle: Isle of Mull Railway diesel 'Frances' at Torosay on 12 April 2007. The railway closed in 2011 and was supposed to relocate to Balloch but that has not materialised.

Elderslie: W. H. Malcolm Elderslie Depot, new buildings in place. Here at the east end of the depot another entrance/exit is to be provided to improve access.

Elderslie: W. H. Malcolm Elderslie Depot, containers stacked and ready for transit.

Cart Junction: Trackbed looking east to Elderslie from Cart Junction, now part of the Cycle Network.

Cart Junction: Looking North, the bridge that was in the foreground was for the North Johnstone branch, whilst the rear bridge carried the line to Cart Junction,Kilbarchan Loop and Kilmacolm.

Ferguslie Goods: Looking east towards Paisley West, this is one reason why any reopened line to Kilmacolm will have to come from Elderslie. Housing estate built on the trackbed near Ferguslie Goods.

Ferguslie: Looking South from the location of Ferguslie station where the PBDR ran under the Paisley Canal Line. All traces of the railway here are now gone, now replaced by housing estates.

Paisley West: Looking South at Paisley West showing the remains of the station. The bridge across the site sits where the signal box was, just in front of the telegraph pole at the top of the shot.

Paisley Canal [1st]: Looking west to Paisley West, a road bridge once stood at this location. To the centre right is the trackbed and to the left the Cycle Track which runs along much of it, though obviously not at this point.

Paisley Canal [1st]: Looking west to Paisley West, this is another reason why any re-opened line to Kilmacolm will come from Elderslie, a housing estate on the trackbed at Paisley Canal.

Paisley Canal: 156436 at the new Paisley Canal station.

Gorebridge: Plan showing the proposed new station at Gorebridge. The old station building is marked with an X.

Gorebridge: View north along the Waverley trackbed from Gorebridge station in April 2007 with the bridge carrying Station Road in the background. Unfortunately, more property will have to go in order to make way for the new Borders Railway, in this case Harvieston Villas. See image [[39135]]

Gorebridge: Looking south along the Waverley trackbed at Gorebridge on 12 April 2007 showing the old station building.

Par: Signal box and semaphores at Par station, looking west in the summer of 2007, with the Newquay branch curving away to the right..

Par: The Paddington bound Cornish Riviera Express HST aproaching Par in 2007

Shoreditch High Street: Foundation works underway at New Inn Yard, Shoreditch for a new bridge on the ELL extension.

Ystrad Mynach: Coal train takes the link to the Taff Vale Extension at Ystrad Mynach. After several years of disuse the line reopened to Cwm Bargoed for coal loading fairly recently.

Toddington: 27066 (formerly D5386) photographed in April 2008 on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

Cardiff Central: An old water tower still stands at the western end of Cardiff Central station with platform 0 in front of it. A corner of the Millennium Stadium is in the background on the right. 12 April 2008.

Broomloan Depot [Subway]: A 3-car Subway train in SPT livery standing at the depot in Govan in April 2008.

Morecambe Promenade: Midland Railway architecture at Morecambe Promenade which opened in 1907 and saw its last train in 1994. The station has been taken over by Lancaster City Council and is now a Tourist Information Office and Entertainment Centre known as The Platform. It is in an excellent state of repair and the concerts take place inside the old booking hall concourse. See image [[34324]]

Cardiff Central: Looking east along platform 2 at Cardiff Central on 12 April 2008. An Arriva Class 175 is waiting at the platform, while over on no 3 a FGW 125 service is about to head west to Swansea.

Kingham: A 125 prepares to call at Kingham. This station once had four platforms, a locomotive shed and three junctions connecting to the Cheltenham to Banbury line. It now has two platforms.

Drem: 71000 Duke of Gloucester makes an impressive exit from the down loop at Drem after being looped to allow a XC express to pass on 12 April 2008 while hauling the York - Edinburgh leg of The North Briton railtour.

Glasgow Central: 185116 waiting to depart Glasgow Central with the 0840 Saturday morning service to Carlisle

Cardiff Central: EWS class 37s 401 and 417 bring the ecs of a Compass Tours excursion into Cardiff Central during a sunny afternoon on Saturday 12 April 2008 in preparation for the return leg to Preston.

Drem: The full length of The North Briton seen stretching out behind 71000 Duke of Gloucester simmering in the down loop at Drem on 12 April 2008.

Great Elm Tunnel: Entrance to Great Elm Tunnel on the branch to Whatley Quarries from the Frome-Radstock line, photographed in April 2008. The other two tunnels on this short branch are called 'Bedlam' and 'Murdercombe'! This tunnel replaced an earlier alignment.

Cardiff Central: 43126 is the rear power car on a FGW HST departing Cardiff Central westbound on 12 April 2008.

Farington Curve Junction: The entire replacement of the switches and crossings at Farington Curve Jct just south of Preston took place over the Easter weekend of 2009. This view over the worksite is looking north with the East Lancs and Ormskirk lines in the left foreground and WCML slow and fast lines to the right. The Freightliner Cl 66 is sat waiting with several flat wagons on the Preston side of Bee Lane bridge.

Lancaster: Access to Lancaster station from the western side of the line on 12 April 2009

Arbroath: The Great Britain II railtour leaves Arbroath southbound on Sunday 12 April running alongside Kerr's Miniature railway hauled by 45407 and 45231.

Millburn Junction: Three engines in steam at Inverness on 12 April. 61994 to the left, 45407 and 45231 to the right.

Millburn Junction: 61994 with its support coach leaves Inverness for Thornton on 12 April having undertaken GB2 duties the previous day.

Millburn Junction: 45407 and 45231 reverse the ECS of Great Britain II into Inverness Station. 45407 has a floral wreath on the smokebox, presumably for Easter Sunday. 67011 can't compete and sits in the huff in the background.

Ladybank: 45407 Lancashire Fusilier (with additional adornment) passing through Ladybank on 12 April with the returning Great Britain II.

Craiginches Yard: Black 5 45407 pilots stablemate 45231 climbing hard on the cliffs above the North Sea at Doonies, just south of Craiginches and Aberdeen, with the Great Britain II on a glorious Easter Sunday 12 April 2009.

North Queensferry: An old BR poster, dating from 1985, photographed through a gap in the door of the former booking office at North Queensferry, presumably left there when the office was finally closed. [Editor's note: A special thanks to DP for sharing this particular image - I know how much the pun makes him cringe!]

Johnstone: 47804 passing Johnstone with The Scottish Chieftain railtour on 12th April on its leg from Paisley to Stranraer

Johnstone: The Scottish Chieftain rail tour passing through Johnstone on 12th April on its leg from Paisley to Stranraer with 37676 Loch Rannoch bringing up the rear.

Craiginches Yard: Stanier Black 5 no 45407 Lancashire Fusilier, high on the cliffs south of Aberdeen on 12 April 2009 at the head of the Great Britain II railtour.

Leith Walk: Looking north west under Leith Walk in April 2009, showing the fixed distant for Powderhall.

Lancaster: Looking north from the road bridge at Lancaster station on 12 April 2009. The covered walkway between the eastern and western parts of the station can be seen in this photograph. Platform 3 for northbound services is on the left and Platform 4 for souhbound services on the right. Platforms 1 & 2 are the north facing bays beyond the building on the left and platform 5 is a loop beyond the building on the right.

Naval Base Junction: Naval Base North groundframe, controlling access to the north end of loop on the line from Inverkeithing South Junction to Rosyth Dockyard. Photographed in April 2009.

South Gyle: A couple of new stations which appear to have slipped under the RailScot radar - or an ambiguous sign?

Ladybank: Black Five 45231 and support coach passing Ladybank on the 12th April heading for Thornton Yard. This movement preceded the Great Britain II from Dundee.

Stretford Bridge Halt: View north over the remains of Stretfordbridge Junction. The remaining line runs north to Shrewsbury, the closed line to the left ran to Lydham Heath and Bishops Castle. The independent Bishops Castle Railway opened in 1866 but spent most of its life in receivership and closed in 1935.

Craven Arms: View south from by Stretfordbridge Junction to Craven Arms showing the down goods loop.

Beeston Castle and Tarporley: The signal box at Beeston Castle and Tarporley on the Crewe-Chester line seen in 2010. The station itself closed in 1966 but the signal box still provides a reminder of its existence over half a century later.

Scout Green: A northbound service passes the access point at Scout Green on its way north.

Erbusaig Bridge: K4 61994 The Great Marquess rounds the curve at Erbusaig near Kyle of Lochalsh with The Great Britain III on 12 April.

Strathcarron: Approaching Strathcarron from the west is this unusual and eyecatching information sign. The engine depicted is definitely not a Skye Bogie and could be of Churchward origin.

Leek Brook South Junction: Hm ... although to be fair we all know what this says (and there is another sign at the level crossing)! Sign on the approach to the level crossing at Leek Brook South Junction. View looks west towards the level crossing on what is now the preserved Churnet Valley Railway.

Leek Brook Halt: Looking to Leek Brook Halt from the level crossing to the south. The signalbox was Leekbrook Junction. Behind the camera the line runs to Oakamoor (the Churnet Valley Railway), off to the left (behind the fence) the line runs to Stoke-on-Trent, ahead the line ran to North Rode and a triangular junction to the right ran to Caldon Low. Stoke-on-Trent to Caldon Low is currently out of use although it is the intention of Moorlands and City Railways Ltd to re-open the route. Behind the camera and to the left a branch ran to the nearby hospital.

Uttoxeter: A single coach train heads towards Stoke from Uttoxeter. The west to north curve to Rocester was to the right and behind the camera and beyond the station an east to north curve completed a triangle of lines.

Creswell Ford Level Crossing: Creswell Ford level Crossing looking to Blythe Bridge (Caverswall Road).

Millers Dale: This is the view everybody takes on arrival at Millers Dale! The view looks towards Buxton and Peak Forest. Millers Dale still sports two platforms, two viaducts and a station building. The platforms to the left now only have humps and the canopies which once covered four platforms are long gone. The goods yard is now a sizeable carpark and the trackbed over the southern viaduct is a footpath.

Grand Central Terminal: The chandeliers in the side hall of New York's Grand Central in April 2010.

Freemans Level Crossing: 66105 with a freight meets Deltic no D9000/55022 Royal Scots Grey, currently on hire to GBRf, just west of Freemans Crossing, North Blyth, on 12 April 2011. See image [[33624]]

Millerhill Yard: The northern approach to Millerhill yard on 12 April 2011, with work in connection with the new Borders Railway route to Tweedbank now underway in the background.

North Blyth Alcan Terminal: Privately preserved Deltic D9000/55022 Royal Scots Grey, currently on hire to GBRf, stands at the Alcan bauxite terminal at North Blyth on 12 April 2011. [See recent news item].

Bo'ness: NCB no 1, fresh from a memorable performance at Birkhill see image [[33620]] returning home to Boness on 12 April 2011 - with just a little help from 27001. (see www.blastpipe@srps.org.uk/summer2011/)

Millerhill Yard: Looking south along the Newcraighall turnback siding towards Millerhill yard on 12 April 2011 with works in connection with the Borders Railway now underway on the right. On the left 67021 is held at signals waiting to head north, with 67024 about to enter the yard with a train of empty stock. For the view forty years earlier see image [[10108]].

Newcraighall Junction: 67024 arriving at Millerhill with empty stock on the morning of 12 April 2011 has just passed the 10.05 service to Waverley standing at the platform at Newcraighall station in the background. The turnback siding on the left, normally used by trains terminating at Newcraighall, was out of use due to work taking place in connection with the new Borders Railway route to Tweedbank see image [[33608]].

North Blyth Alcan Terminal: Smart looking Deltic D9000/55022 Royal Scots Grey, currently on hire to GBRf, at North Blyth on 12 April 2011. View north with the Alcan bauxite terminal directly behind the camera.

Freemans Level Crossing: Privately preserved Deltic no D9000/55022 Royal Scots Grey, about to traverse Freemans Crossing, North Blyth, on 12 April 2011 while on hire to GBRf.

Muir of Ord: Class 31 locomotives 31602 'Driver Dave Green' and 31233 top and tail track inspection coach DB999508 at Muir of Ord on 12 April 2011 on their way north.

Birkhill: NCB no 1 getting excited at Birkhill on 12 April before heading to Manuel see image [[33635]].

Cilmeri: Cilmeri Station on the Heart of Wales line seen from a rarely used occupation crossing to the road on the left. The village is some half mile to the right

Avoncliff: 70000 Britannia with the 'Cathedrals Express' from London to Bristol via Salisbury and Westbury on 12 April 2012. The locomotive is running very well up a slight gradient near Avoncliff - with a very active chime whistle.

Avoncliff: View over Avoncliff station on 12 April 2012 with 150106 about to leave for Great Malvern.

Moy: 67016 with the Inverness portion of the Caledonian Sleeper north of Moy on the morning of 12 April. The Moy Burn runs past in the foreground.

Pleasington: Heading west and with the evening sun illuminating the smokebox, ex Southern Railway Bulleid 'Battle of Britain' class pacific No. 34067 Tangmere makes a fine sight passing through Pleasington station at speed on 12 April 2012 on the return leg of the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'.

Errol: 170 452 passes the closed station at Errol on 12 April 2012 with the 12.42 Aberdeen - Glasgow Queen Street.

Gleneagles: View south along the down platform at Gleneagles on 12 April.

Avoncliff: A South West Trains Class 159 DMU photographed near Avoncliff on 12 April 2012 heading for Westbury.

Farington Junction: Having just drawn forward from the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express', 34067 Tangmere waits in the exchange siding at Farington Junction on 12 April 2012. The railtour was taken over by 86259 Les Ross (standing round the curve to the right) for the return trip to Euston. After the train had set off south, 34067 reversed back to Lostock Hall Junction before heading for Carnforth via Preston.

Gleneagles: DRS 66430 coasts downhill to the south of Gleneagles on 12 April with the 4D47 Inverness - Mossend intermodal, composed entirely of Tesco containers.

Horsted Keynes: BR 9F 2-10-0 no 92240 at Horsted Keynes on the Bluebell Railway in April 2012.

Horsted Keynes: Preserved Class E4 0-6-2T no 473 Birch Grove with a train at Horsted Keynes on 12 April 2012 (see [[42468]]).

Grange-over-Sands: The down platform at Grange-over-Sands in April 2012. Not only possessing some fine ironwork, but also commanding a good view out across Morecambe Bay.

Avoncliff: 150124 with the 11.10 from Weymouth to Bristol Temple Meads stands in the sunshine at Avoncliff on 12 April 2012.

Garth (Powys): Looking north east at Garth station, on the Heart of Wales line south of Llandindrod Wells, in April 2012. The former down platform is still mainly extant, with cable troughing now running along the solum of the down line.

Crossgates: The 17.08 Edinburgh - Fife Circle commuter train hauled by 67025 nears the site of Crossgates station on 12 April.

Horsted Keynes: Class 08 no 13236 (latterly BR 08168) on the Bluebell Line at Horsted Keynes on 12 April 2012.

Gleneagles: Framed by the latticework of Gleneagles station footbridge, 170426 speeds through on 12 April 2012 with the 15.10 Glasgow Queen Street - Inverness.

Llangammarch Wells: 153312 picks up at Llangammarch Wells on the 15.08 Heart of Wales Line service to Shrewsbury on 12 April.

Sheffield Park: Preserved BR 9F 2-10-0 no 92212 stands at Sheffield Park on 12 April with a train on the Bluebell Railway.

Kidwelly: Looking east towards Kidwelly on 12 April along the relatively weed free moribund Gwendraeth Valley line seen from the A484 Kidwelly bypass. See image [[38440]]

Kidwelly: Looking west from the A484 Kidwelly bypass along the Gwendraeth Valley line before it disappears beneath undergrowth in the far distance. See image [[38432]]

Pen-y-Bont: Sprinter 150237 runs slowly through Penybont 'request stop' Station on the Heart of Wales line with the 10.31 service to Swansea.

North Inchmichael: The Dundee & Perth Railway undertook in 1849 to build two branch lines from its main route to villages bypassed, one to Inchture Village and the other to Inchmichael. The former carried passengers and goods until the end of 1916 while the latter, though largely completed, was abandoned without carrying any traffic. This northward view in 2012 shows the stone-lined cutting half way along the route from Errol.

Sheffield Park: A train at Sheffield Park on 12 April 2012. The locomotive is Class E4 0-6-2T no 473 Birch Grove.

Pen-y-Bont: A small display of historic views of the station adorn the rear wall of the wooden waiting shelter at Penybont on the Central Wales line, together with a batch of timetables. A plaque indicated that The Cooke Family adopted the station in February 2008.

Horsted Keynes: BR 9F 2-10-0 no 92240 (leading) and BR 4MT 4-6-0 no 75027 alongside the platform at Horsted Keynes 12 April 2012. See image [[39048]]

Llandrindod Wells: 153320 departs Llandrindod Wells on 12 April with the 11.40 Heart of Wales Line service to Shrewsbury.

Errol: DRS 66305 passes Errol signalbox with the 4A13 Grangemouth - Aberdeen intermodal service in April 2012.

Kingscote: No 473 running round at Kingscote in April 2012.

Pantyffynnon: Pantyffynon station passenger side from the adjacent level crossing looking south to Pantyffynon Junction signal box in April 2012. The Gwaun cae Gurwen freight line runs past the far side of the station beyond the lifted former valley platform line.

Builth Road: Looking south along the now single platform Builth Road (formerly High Level) station in April 2012. The disused second platform can still be seen as being extant, to right of view. The bridges ahead are now single line only, and sit above the trackbed for the Cambrian Railway line that ran through the former Low Level station (Image [[25482]]) sited to their left.

Tynehead: View south over the abandoned platforms of Tynehead station towards a misty Falahill on 12 April 2013. A considerable amount of vegetation has been cleared since my first visit here. See image [[14427]]

Gorebridge: View south over Gorebridge station site on 12 April 2013, with further clearance work having been carried out.

Fushiebridge [2nd]: The station site at Fushiebridge looking north towards Gorebridge on 12 April 2013 following clearance of vegetation. Little remains of the timber faced platforms of the station, which closed to passengers in 1943. In the centre is the derelict footbridge that spanned the cutting.

Newbattle Viaduct: The northern end of Newbattle Viaduct on the Waverley route, looking south towards Newtongrange on 12 April 2013. This is the point where the 23-arch structure spans the South Esk, running just beyond the wall in the foreground. See image [[33036]]

Tynehead: The view south at Tynehead on 12 April 2013 following tree clearance activity along this section of the trackbed. Note the remains of the steeply graded ramps that ran down from the road bridge and once gave access to the platforms here.

Newtongrange: Site of the planned Newtongrange station looking south on 12 April 2013. For the view north on the same day from the bridge in the distance see image [[42753]].

Carstairs: A chilly Carstairs station, seen from the Caledonian Sleeper just after midnight on 12th April 2013, following the coupling of the Edinburgh and Glasgow portions.

Jamestown Viaduct [Inverkeithing]: 67007 comes off Jamestown Viaduct with the evening Edinburgh - Fife commuter train on 12 April.

Fushiebridge [1st]: View south over Fushiebridge goods from the road bridge on 12 April 2013 see image [[42730]].

Newtongrange [1st]: An interesting scene during the Borders Railway excavation work around Newtongrange on the section to the north of the A7 bridge after the old platforms of the 1908 NB station were uncovered. The station had closed to passengers in 1969 but the line saw coal traffic from Lady Victoria continued for approximately 3 years. Scene in April 2013, with Station Road on the right and the familiar street pattern beyond formed by the houses of Dean Park.

Tynehead: A miserable Friday morning in April 2013 looking north from the site of Tynehead station towards Fushiebridge along what was then the trackbed of the Waverley route. The link between the main road and Halflawkiln Farm can just be made out in the background through the rain and mist. The deep ruts and sawdust piles are leftovers from a recent pass through by the vegetation control squad as part of the preliminary preparations for the Borders Railway. This eventually became part of the double track section running north from Tynehead Junction (see image [[83081]]).

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: What has surely become the most photographed derelict platelayer's hut in Britain. Scene just south of Lady Victoria Colliery on 12 April 2013. View along the Waverley trackbed towards Gorebridge from the B704 road.

Tynehead: The aftermath of tree clearance activity at Tynehead in April 2013, with approximately 18 months to go before new tracks were laid through here. View from the south side of the deep cutting looking across the trackbed towards the old station building. For the 'uncut' version see [[14427]].

Newtongrange [1st]: The platforms of the original (1908) Newtongrange station, partially uncovered during preparatory works on the new Borders Railway. View north from the A7 on 12 April 2013 with the site of the new station behind the camera.

Fushiebridge [1st]: View north at Fushiebridge goods on 12 April 2013 with the station site located beyond the road bridge. Considerable clearance work has been carried out here in recent weeks. Sidings once existed on both sides of the running lines here, including high level sidings beyond the retaining wall on the right.

Lady Victoria Pit Signal Box: The cleared Waverley trackbed looking north from Lady Victoria Colliery towards the site of Newtongrange station in the distance on 12 April 2013. View from the B704 road. See image [[6108]].

Forth Bridge: Crossing the Forth Bridge with the Deltic Aberdonian on 12 April 2014. Locomotive is Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.

Edinburgh Waverley: On her first mainline passenger run since 1981, Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry stands at Waverley on Saturday 12th April 2014 with 'The Deltic Aberdonian'.

Aberdeen: Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry basks in the sunshine at Aberdeen station on Saturday 12th April 2014 after bringing in 'The Deltic Aberdonian'.

Tay Bridge: Looking north across the Tay on 12 April 2014 with Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry about to take 'The Deltic Aberdonian' out onto the Tay Bridge.

Aberdeen: Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry preparing to leave Aberdeen on 12 April with 'The Deltic Aberdonian' returning to York.

North Queensferry: NRM-owned Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry enters North Queensferry on 12 April 2014 with The Deltic Aberdonian from York.

Quintinshill Loops: A West Coast class 47 brings the 06.47 ex-Cleethorpes 'Edinburgh - Settle & Carlisle' special out of Quintinshill down loop on 12 April 2014. The train was scheduled to return south from Edinburgh later in the day via the ECML.

Melbourne Flinders Street: View over Flinders Street station, Melbourne, seen from the 88th floor of the Eureka Building in April 2014.

Dalmeny: Deltic 55002 The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry enters Dalmeny with The Deltic Aberdonian on its return to York on 12 April.

Millerhill South Junction: View north towards Millerhill Yard from Old Craighall Road on 12 April 2015, with a STOP banner on the line between Millerhill Jct (behind camera) and Millerhill South Jct (off picture top right). The Millerhill South route indicator signal shows where a chord diverged north to reach the up yard, with the southern spur running via Millerhill East Jct towards the ECML. The access road on the left is thought to be in connection with the ScotRail EMU depot planned to be built on part of the up yard.

Sheriffhall City Bypass Overbridge: Looking south from a point alongside the A6106 towards the Edinburgh City Bypass at Sheriffhall on 12 April 2015. A photograph from here had been unobtainable for some time due to a lengthy road closure connected with the Borders Railway construction works... which have resulted in a notable change to the scene see image [[54000]].

Gisclard suspension bridge: The Gisclard suspension bridge in the Pyrenees, used by the 'Little Yellow Train', which runs from Villefranche de Conflent, 50 km from Perpignan, to Latour de Carol, near the Spanish town of Puigcerda.

Liddel Viaduct: An aerial view of Riddings Viaduct on the former Langholm branch (closed 1967), taken during the evening of 12 April 2015 from a drone. See image [[42976]]

Shawfair: The last of the many new bridges to be built over the Borders Railway [see recent news item]. View is north towards Shawfair station in light rain on 12 April 2015, with work well underway. Part of the platforms and station footbridge at Shawfair are visible just beyond the new structure. Harelaw is on the right, with Newton village off picture to the left. For a view from the completed bridge - see [[60333]].

Santa Barbara: Steel trestle carrying Southern Pacific Railroad, between Los Angeles and Oakland, around 25 miles north of Santa Barbara. Route of the Coastal Starlight and Pacific Surfliner. To the left, the Pacific Ocean, to the right one of the iconic 1930's reinforced concrete bridges of the original Highway 1, now abandoned. Sadly no SP Streamliner on the track, no Mustang on Highway 1.

Milton Keynes Central: Pendolino 390103 in WW1 Remembrance livery, London bound at Milton Keynes Central on 12 April 2015.

Millerhill: The bottom end of Millerhill Yard looking south past the former station on 12 April 2015. With the new recycling depot on the north west corner of the yard now accessible from the north, the temporary route for construction traffic has been closed and the landscape restored see image [[47809]].

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: The new alignment of platforms 1 & 2 is now clear with the track now laid further west as work continues on platforms 3 & 4 and 5 & 6.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Progress at Queen Street on 12th April 2016. On the left, platforms 1 and 2 now have track laid on a new alignment further west than previously. To the right, work is continuing on platforms 3 to 5.

Glasgow Central: 320411/2 on the 1650 to Lanark at GLC.

Newquay: A miniature HST driven by a lawnmower engine receives an extraordinary transmission examination before the start of the day's services at the Little Western Railway adjacent to Newquay Zoo. The main line into Newquay station see image [[49638]] can be seen in the background.

Crianlarich Junction: View from a non-too-clean Sprinter window of the Crianlarich chord diverging from the main West Highland line just north of Crianlarich station.

Hest Bank: With new DRS locos being delivered in 2017 the days of the Class 37 fleet are perhaps numbered. Almost looking like it is posing for its picture, EE Type 3 37069 brings up the rear of a Heysham to Sellafield flask train using the single track Bare Lane to Hest Bank chord on 12th April. Lead loco was classmate 37059.

Newquay: This gate closes the lower end of the incline which formerly carried the Harbour Tramway up from the harbour to street level see image [[47927]]. The upper end is concealed under a Sainsburys supermarket. Our Victorian forebears would probably have understood grocery more easily than surfing.

Wenford Dries: The derelict Wenford (clay) dries at the end of the Wenfordbridge branch in April 2017. The location is near the end of the Camel Trail. see image [[12904]] [Ref query 1011]

Craiginches Yard: 60002 today at Craiginches Sidings, shunting cement wagons with lots of squealing of flanges, with company of a PW crew and plant.

Crianlarich: 156476, just arrived from Mallaig, waits for the arrival of 156453 from Oban see image [[58995]]. The units will be coupled for the remainder of the journey to Glasgow Queen Street.

Wenfordbridge: Approaching the end of the Wenfordbridge branch see image [[12904]] on the Camel Trail, gateposts on the left indicate former industrial activity.

Craiginches Yard: Craiginches Siding, looking south. I have never seen this container gantry crane move, it's electrically powered but the cable has been removed from the spool. All container movements are done by a massive wheeled forklift.

Crianlarich: The 6 coach 0821 from Glasgow Queen Street prepares to divide with the front Class 156 DMU destined for Oban and the remaining 2 Class 156 DMUs continuing on the WHL to Fort William and Mallaig.

Dunmere Halt: The much photographed [see image 12904] level crossing on the Wenfordbridge line, now sadly closed - though the warning sign for road traffic survives on the right. This was an ungated crossing - you never know what's round the corner in Cornwall.

Crianlarich: A Class 156 DMU from Oban slowly approaches Crianlarich before coupling to the rear of a double 156 unit from Fort William which is already in the platform.

Bridge of Orchy: 66737 with a load of alumina powder wagons waits in the loop for the 0821 ex Glasgow Queen Street passenger service for Fort William and Mallaig to clear the points before moving off.

Rannoch: A double class 156 DMU approaches from the north. It will combine with a single unit from Oban at Crianlarich before continuing to Glasgow Queen Street.

Rannoch: View south from the footbridge at Rannoch.

Bonnyrigg: The frame of this lineside hut at Dalhousie Chesters is still looking good over 50 years since it last sheltered anyone in anger. It is located between Bonnyrigg and Rosewell & Hawthornden stations on the Peebles line.

Hest Bank: Portrait of a veteran. DRS 37059 leads three flasks from Heysham along the Bare Lane to Hest Bank chord on 12th April 2017. The former D6759 went new to Thornaby in October 1962 and so is approaching its 55th birthday, still in front line service. Sister 37069 is out of sight bringing up the rear.

Roche: A young passenger asks the 09.38 to Newquay to stop at Roche on 12th April.

Possilpark and Parkhouse: The netting season - a quick grab shot of the repairs to the embankment which collapsed in April 2017 taken from a passing Fort William train.

Hest Bank: 150223 trundles along the single track chord between Bare Lane and Hest Bank with the 1605 Lancaster to Leeds (via Morecambe) service on 12th April 2017. This is one of only two passenger trains to traverse this link on weekdays. The catenary masts of the WCML can just be seen behind the signal.

Craigendoran Junction: A trial run of the new sleeper coaches from Polmadie to Arrochar and Tarbet passes Craigendoran Junction. Unexpectedly this did not pause and was able to take a run at the climb to Helensburgh Upper with a friendly hoot as it passed. (I have wondered for years what the strange brackets are seen below the train, does anyone know?)

Blackpool North: Nearly there. New wires and signals in place at the Blackpool North station throat on 12th April 2018, prior to reopening (for diesel trains) four days later, although driver training runs started the following morning. See image [[32514]] for a similar view in 2011.

Blackpool North: Looking towards the buffers at Blackpool North on 12th April 2018, with final testing of newly installed equipment taking place prior to reopening of the station four days later. The station has been transformed during the November to April closure. See image [[41516]] for the same location prior to the changes.

Blackpool North: The Rail Replacement service for the Blackpool electrification closure, using a fleet of brand new buses, has been popular and efficient. At Blackpool North a temporary route into the station forecourt has been created and a bus from Preston is seen entering on 12th April 2018. The service has been running since November 2017 but will progressively be reduced after 15th April as trains are reintroduced.

Poulton-le-Fylde: All catenary in place at Poulton on 12th April 2018, just prior to reopening of the Blackpool North line the following Monday. The semaphore still guards the severed Fleetwood tracks but a only a pile of rubble marks the site of the box that controlled it.

Poulton-le-Fylde: Everything appears to be in place at Poulton station on 12th April 2018 with just a little tidying to do ahead of reopening the following Monday. The character of this fine L&YR station is still evident after the electrification work. See image [[19049]] taken from the same spot ten years earlier.

Poulton-le-Fylde: A maintenance team was just adjusting the final few connectors at Poulton on 12th April 2018 but the line from Preston to Blackpool North is completely wired now and ready for reopening (initially to diesel trains) on the 16th. Electric services will start with the May 2018 timetable. See image [[19029]] for the view from this overbridge ten years earlier.

Kirkham and Wesham: Still some work to do at Kirkham station to complete the passenger lifts but all the overhead wiring was in place on 12th April 2018.

Kirkham and Wesham: All overhead catenary in place on the Blackpool North lines at Kirkham on 12th April 2018 as a service from Blackpool South to Preston passes. The Down Blackpool South line is not being wired but has been resignalled.

Perth: A new Scotrail HST Stop board, seen at Perth station on 12th April 2018.

Craigendoran Junction: It's easy to forget that the most southern passing loop on the West Highland is at Craigendoran. Here a Glasgow to Oban train passes an Oban to Glasgow service.

Dalwhinnie: Reflections on Scotland's highest shunting signals at Dalwhinnie.

Sessay: Whilst there is nothing remaining of the former station at Sessay, closed 1958, there is still a fair amount of infrastructure to be seen at the site of the station and goods yard. The station entrance was opposite the end of Blind Piece Lane at what is shown on maps as Dalton Moor, as in the view looking north north east, with the station house seen to the right and the wide goods entrance still with gate posts and main gates in situ. The East Coast main Line runs across the view behind the house, with the Network Rail access gate seen beyond the pedestrian entrance.

Lockerbie: 88010 Aurora powers north through Lockerbie with the Tesco containers on 12th April 2019.

Morningside Road: 6E45, the 08.07 Fort William-North Blyth alumina empties, glides through Morningside Road station on time - just before 16.30 - on 12th April. The train has just crested the Sub's summit a few hundred metres west of the station.

Aberystwyth: Outside a Wetherspoons inn, but inside very much a station, albeit with just one working platform and a run round loop. Generally only served by the hourly Birmingham International, Shrewsbury, Machynlleth, Pwllheli/Aberystwyth train.

Morningside Road: The rear of 6E45 fast disappearing under the former Morningside Road station booking office on 12th April. Passenger services were withdrawn in 1962, but the audio-visual information on the new (2-door) buses recently introduced by Lothian Buses on services 11 and 16 makes delightful reference to 'Morningside station'!

Pitlochry: This platform screen at Pitlochry caught my Lancastrian eye - first stop Preston! Not strictly true of course as there are several pick up only stations, a loco change and the combining of portions between the two points but still noteworthy.

Sessay: Whilst there is nothing remaining of the former station at Sessay, there is still a fair amount of infrastructure to be seen at the site of the station and goods yard. The station house is still extant in residential use, and with what appear to be new roof tiles installed in more recent time. To the left of the house can be seen a curved loading bank, that on some maps appears to have been double sided. The end nearest the entrance is ramped to ground level to possibly allow vehicles to run along it for loading and unloading operations.

Sessay: Whilst there is nothing remaining of the former station at Sessay, there is still a fair amount of infrastructure to be seen at the site of the station and goods yard. The gate posts for both the main goods entrance and also a pedestrian entrance are still in situ, as are gates on both goods entrance gate posts. This view in April 2019 shows the right hand goods entrance gate post and, possible replacement, gate, with the former station house beyond.

Sessay: Whilst there is nothing remaining of the former station at Sessay, there is still a fair amount of infrastructure to be seen at the site of the station and goods yard. The gate posts for both the main goods entrance and also a pedestrian entrance are still in situ, as are, possible replacement, gates on both goods entry gate posts. This view is showing the left hand goods entrance gate post and gate and the pedestrian entrance alongside.

Sessay: View looking east to the narrow steeply ramped road bridge crossing the East Coast Main Line at the south end of the former Sessay Station site.

Nateby: The Lancaster Canal celebrated the bi-centenary of its opening to Kendal in 2019 and there were a number of commemorative events, such as the reinstatement of the milestones that had gone missing over the years, including this one between Nateby and Winmarleigh. Rather like railway mileposts, canal milestones measure the distance you have travelled rather than 'to go' and so the side showing 'Garstang 2' is seen as you travel towards Lancaster and 'Lancaster 11' as you head south. The Lancaster Canal company actually bought out the Lancaster and Preston Junction Railway, but was in turn bought by the LNWR and operated by them, and then the LMSR, until 1947. Photographed on 12th April 2020, ancillary to a daily permitted exercise walk during the Covid-19 emergency.

Knightswood North Junction: A 334 comes up from Anniesland having passed under the Glasgow Dumbarton and Helensburgh, on the left, with which it will merge just east of Westerton station.

High Morlaggan Railway Cottage: 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' (leading) and 45212 seen from above as they head north by Loch Long on 12th April with the empty coaches of the 2021 Jacobite (and 57001 on the rear). Note the recent lineside works with vegetation (tree) removal and netting.

High Morlaggan Railway Cottage: 45212 and 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' head north by Loch Long on the 12th April, with the empty coaches of the 2021 Jacobite and 57001 on the rear. The Brack forms the backdrop on the other side of the loch.

Bowling: 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' (leading) and 45212 approach Bowling from the east with the 2021 season Jacobite stock from Carnforth.

Haymarket: The new development at Haymarket (which mercifully, has no made-up name) will change the character of this corner which has never had substantial buildings. It will rather dwarf Ryrie's, a successor to the Railway Inn which opened when the station was new. Early rail travel would have driven even a teetotaller to seek a nerve-restorative

Pitlochry: The daily Mossend to Inverness 'Tesco' often runs early, in the path of the less regular cement train, and passes straight through Pitlochry. However, if the Tesco follows its usual path for any reason it has to wait in Platform 2 for the Inverness to Perth service to clear the single line from Blair Atholl, as happened on 12th April 2022. 66428 is waiting at the signal as 158719 arrives.

Gretna Green: The path of true love may not be particularly straight if you leave Gretna Green from the Up platform. Dare I say, getting your wedding dress train off the train could be the least of your concerns.

Pitlochry: Scotrail services cross at Pitlochry in April 2022. 170406 heading for Inverness is in the now little used Platform 2 while 43133 leads a five-car HST towards Glasgow Queen Street

Hexham: If you know Hexham station, you might expect this to be a Carlisle train. However, it was about to leave the station, pass over a crossover, and reverse smartly into platform 1. Hence, it was a Newcastle train. I guess if you know the station, you would know that..

Pass of Killiecrankie: This Scotrail HST is mid-way between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie and is beginning the descent towards the latter. The concrete box carries the B8079 (the old A9) over the line and appears to have been constructed as part of the 1969 Garry Bridge, from which this picture was taken. This was an Edinburgh to Inverness service on 12th April 2022.

Carlisle: Its always worth walking over to platform 1 at Carlisle, to see what is in the sidings. In this case, it was Colas Rail 37175 with a track monitoring train, and DRS 57304 'Pride of Cheshire'. I had been hoping to travel to Lockerbie; but with the next two trains cancelled, I went to Gretna instead.

Gretna Green: Well its double track now (see image [[80994]]). The train was heading for Glasgow; which is where I would have had to go to retrieve my Railcard, which I had inadvertently left on board. Fortunately this was the only wet day in a weeks holiday, so I could get back on my bike thereafter.