Torrance: Torrance. Restored N.B.R. 4.4.0 256 Glen Douglas.

Shettleston Yard: Preserved ex-North British 4-4-0 no 256 Glen Douglas approaching Shettleston on 30 April 1960 with the SLS Scottish Area 'Glasgow City and District Railtour'.

Shettleston Yard: V1 67665 approaching Shettleston on 30 April 1960 with an Airdrie - Partickhill train. [Ref query 2312]

Hyndland [1st]: V1 2-6-2T no 67665 brings a train from Airdrie into the terminus at Hyndland on 30 April 1960. On the right is one of the new class AM3 (later TOPS class 303) electric Blue Trains, standing alongside the recently opened Hyndland depot.

Ratho: Not a sight you could see nowadays, even on a Sunday! The photographer's sons and friends are shown some detail of the trackwork at Ratho by the local PW Inspector on Sunday 30th April 1961.

Crewe: Stanier 'Coronation' Pacific no 46247 City of Liverpool stands alongside platform 6 at Crewe Station in April 1962 with a southbound service thought to be off the North Wales coast route.

Granton Road: Shortly before the 30th April 1962 withdrawal of the Leith North-Princes Street passenger service, the photographer records a final scene at his local station, Granton Road, featuring his two sons and the Stationmaster. The solum of the line here now forms a walkway and cycle path see image [[1088]].

Marylebone Goods: Clayton D8616 entered service at Barrow Hill at the end of April 1965. On 30th April and 1st May in 1965 it was displayed in Marylebone Goods Yard at a BR/LAMA Exhibition where I managed to photograph it. Marylebone Goods was used for several railway exhibitions [[48347]]. I don't think many Claytons ever went to London. The batch D8589 to D8616 were built under licence by Beyer Peacock, and although more were planned the problems with these locos meant that D8616 was the last built and Type 1 production reverted to EE locomotives. It transferred to Haymarket in 1966 but was withdrawn in 1971.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: BR Standard class 5 4-6-0 no 73144 stands in a crowded shed yard at Carlisle Kingmoor in April 1966.

Armathwaite Tunnel: If I were you I would close that window...! Scene on the Settle & Carlisle on 30 April 1966, with Britannia Pacific no 70035 Rudyard Kipling about to plunge into Armathwaite Tunnel with the returning South Yorkshireman No 5 railtour from Carlisle.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: A relaxed looking 44857 in the shed yard at Kingmoor on the last day of April 1966. The Black 5 was a Saturday visitor from Leeds Holbeck.

Armathwaite: The Jubilee Railway Society South Yorkshireman No 5 railtour of 30 April 1966 on the return leg from Carlisle to Bradford via the Settle and Carlisle line. The train is approaching Armathwaite Tunnel behind 70035 Rudyard Kipling. The Britannia was deputising for Jubilee 45593, Kolhapur which had failed at Carlisle. See image [[21052]]

Stratford Shed: More condemned diesel locomotives - Stratford, April 1969. See image [[37440]]

Stratford Shed: Drewry class 04 no D2215 stands in a line of diesel locomotives awaiting disposal in the yard at Stratford in April 1969. The 204hp shunter, originally numbered 11121, had been allocated to 30A from new in July 1955. Official withdrawal by BR took place a month before the photograph was taken. D2215 was eventually cut up at Birds, Long Marston, in March 1970.

Stratford Shed: Locomotives in the shed yard at Stratford in April 1969 including (left to right) D6748, D1795, D8030 and D5639.

Stratford: One of Stratford shed's 'silverback' Brush Type 4s D1528 takes a Liverpool Street - Norwich express through Stratford High Level in April 1969.

Niddrie West Junction: Scene at Niddrie West Junction in 1971 as 5068 passes Niddrie Yard with a freight for Millerhill. In the centre is the direct freight link through to the ECML at Monktonhall Junction via Wanton Walls, while on the right is the sub. Beyond the sub is the trackbed of the line that once climbed to meet the Lothian Lines route to Leith Docks at the high level Niddrie North Junction. Niddrie West box is in the centre background. Niddrie West junction has seen many changes over the years since this photograph was taken see image [[50652]]

Wortley Junction: Preserved Black 5 No. 5305 sets off from Leeds on 30 April 1977 and takes the Harrogate line at Wortley Junction on the loco's first public outing after restoration to main-line running order by the Humberside Locomotive Preservation Group. The 4-6-0 worked the railtour (organised by the HLPG) through to Scarborough and is thought to have brought it back to Leeds, although it had only been advertised to do so as far as York (with thanks to Vic Smith).

Wadebridge: The Royal Duchy railtour stands at Wadebridge on 30 April 1977.

Apperley Bridge Junction: An A4 Locomotive Society railtour from Newcastle approaching Apperley Bridge Junction, east of Shipley, on 30 April 1977 behind 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley See image [[38421]]

Apperley Bridge Junction: 4498 Sir Nigel Gresley approaching Apperley Bridge Junction, east of Shipley en route to Carnforth on 30 April 1977. The train is an A4 Locomotive Society circular railtour from Newcastle.

Kelvedon Low Level: The Kelvedon and Tollesbury line in Essex was very lightly built and basic, such that there was little infrastructure left to survive after closure to passengers in 1951 and complete closure in 1962. This is the view of what remained at the Kelvedon Low Level terminus in March 1977. To the left was the steep descending connection from the GE main line, seen heading north east towards Colchester. The branch itself curved round to the right in the distance to cross the former A12. In the left foreground are the railings of the walkway to the upper station.

Wortley Junction: A morning Harrogate - Kings Cross express, hauled by 47521, rounds the tight curve on the approach to Wortley Junction, Leeds, on 30 April 1977. The trackwork in the area has obviously been severely rationalised but recently enough that the usual birch forest has not had time to establish.

Meledor Mill: The Royal Duchy railtour at the china clay sidings at Meledor Mill in April 1977. The tour from Paddington, organised by the Lea Valley Railway Club, visited various branches in Devon and Cornwall.

Wortley Junction: Black 5 No. 5305 accelerates the HLPG special away from Wortley Junction in the direction of Harrogate on 30 April 1977. Although reporting numbers were no longer displayed on locomotives by 1977, 1G01 appears in the leading window of the first coach - no doubt still useful for identifying the correct rake of vehicles in the carriage sidings although it seems unlikely that there would be many other specials arriving at Scarborough on the same day so early in the season.

Meledor Mill: The Lea Valley Railway Club 'Royal Duchy' railtour visiting the china clay sidings at Meledor Mill, Cornwall, on 30 April 1977. The DMU is preparing to leave on the next leg of the tour to Newquay via St Dennis Junction.

Burnham-on-Crouch: A pre-electrification view of Burnham-on-Crouch station on 30th April 1978, looking towards Southminster.

Wennington: Oh move please. The 'Cumbrian Mountain Pullman' was graced by S&D 2-8-0 No 13809 on 30 April 1983. With steam cocks wide open, it made a noisy start to its run past the Wennington Junction signal box, immediately off the end of the station platform. The box has since been demolished. 34092 'City of Wells' took over the CMP at Hellifield that day.

Garsdale: 30 April 1983 and West Country Pacific 34092 'City of Wells' has arrived at Garsdale after an exhilarating climb of the 'Long Drag' from Settle Junction with the Cumbrian Mountain Pullman. Its nickname of 'The Volcano' was well earned, with a vast trail of smoke and steam left in its wake during the ascent! Different rules about passengers leaving the platform in those days.

Coventry: View over Coventry station in April 1983.

Tomonie Signal Box: 37402 at Banavie on a wet 30 April 1986 with the 1005 Fort William - Mallaig.

RNAD Crombie: What is obviously a very important van heading along the Crombie branch towards Elbowend Junction on 30 April 1990. 26010 (destined for the Whitrope project) and 20211 provide the power.

Corrour: 37403 with an inspection coach at Corrour in 1990. Who thought a flat roofed building was a good idea in the Highlands? The former station cottage was replaced with a restaurant building.

Dumbarton Central: An eastbound sprinter at Dumbarton Central with work on the fast westbound track.

Dumbarton Central: Dumbarton Central looking east at the maintenance sidings. The slow eastbound platform still existed (see points extreme left). A growing 37 is approaching ...

Preston: Class 101 DMU waits at platform 5 as a Class 31 arrives from Manchester at platform 6 at Preston in April 1990.

Bugle: Old clay chutes near Bugle, photographed from a window of The Royal Duchy DMU Railtour in April 1997, during a visit to some of the remote clay branches in Cornwall. See image [[36516]]

Dunblane: Fans of classic diesel haulage in Scotland found the 1990s increasingly disappointing as a new generation of DMUs took over most loco-hauled passenger duties, and freight services became scarce. Then, in Spring 1999, shortly after EWS took charge of UK freight services, there was a minor miracle. Parts of the Scottish system suddenly took on the character of a busy heritage railway as Classes 37 (often paired), 47 and 56 started to appear frequently on freight duties. There was a 1970s feel too, in that many of the locos were in poor external condition and still bearing obsolete liveries. This photo shows a typical working heading south through Dunblane Laighills during the afternoon of 30th April 1999. Lead loco is 37 678 and the second is 37 682 “Hartlepool Pipe Mill”. As seen here, short formations were common, so it was no surprise when this diesel “swansong” soon faded away, presumably as consolidation of services and routes took place. EWS purchased new Class 66 locos to replace most of the veterans. The two locos recorded here have not survived.

Dalmeny: A Dundee train approaching Dalmeny from the Edinburgh direction on 30 April 2005. This train is running non-stop between Haymarket and Inverkeithing. Note the loops and various sidings to the south of the station. The Network Rail engineer's yard on the left is used to hold plant and materials required for maintenance of the Forth Bridge.

Forth Bridge: A northbound train passing over the 'Hawes Inn' on the southern approach to the Forth Bridge on 30 April 2005.

Forth Bridge: A coal train from Hunterston approaching the Forth Bridge in April 2005 after passing through Dalmeny Station with coal for Longannet.

Dalmeny: Looking south along platform 2 at Dalmeny in April 2005 with a northbound service about to restart.

Dalmeny: An Edinburgh bound train entering Dalmeny Station in April 2005.

Dalmeny: A Fife circle train restarts from Dalmeny on 30 April 2005 and heads out onto the Forth Bridge.

Forth Bridge: More scaffolding than bridge! Serious maintenance work on the Forth Bridge in April 2005. See image [[40857]]

Dalmeny: Notice board at the end of the down platform at Dalmeny Station in April 2005.

Edinburgh Waverley: Trains held on New Street bridge on the eastern approach to Waverley on Sunday morning 30 April 2006. Under construction on the left is the new Edinburgh Council HQ, part of the Waverley Valley development, while on the right is the top floor of the former New Street bus depot, currently undergoing demolition as part of the same project.

Edinburgh Waverley: Ongoing Waverley developments - east end of platform 1 on 30 April 2006.

Edinburgh Waverley: Ongoing Waverley developments - platforms 1 & 19 crossover - 30 April 2006.

Haymarket MPD: Construction work continues on the additional servicing facilities at Haymarket depot, viewed looking west across Russell Road on 30 April 2006.

Whistlefield: West Highland line, Whistlefield Shunting notice. Photo with permission of Reid Robertson.

Whistlefield: West Highland line, Whistlefield Station. Photo with permission of Reid Robertson.

Craigendoran Pier: Remains of Craigendoran Pier.

Craigendoran Pier: Remains of Craigendoran Pier.

Craigendoran Pier: Skeleton of Craigendoran Pier.

Craigendoran Pier: Remains of Craigendoran Pier.

Craigendoran: Craigendoran Station 323304 Helensburgh bound

Craigendoran Upper: Pedestrian access to Craigendoran Station under WH line.

Whistlefield: West Highland Line, Whistlefield Station site looking N.

Whistlefield: West Highland Line, Whistlefield Station site looking S.

Whistlefield: West Highland Line, access to Whistlefield Station site.

Whistlefield: Whistlefield - West Highland Line bridge over the A814 Loch Long road.

Faslane Junction: West Highland Line, bridge over stream at Glen Fruin.

Faslane Junction: West Highland Line, bridge over Glen Fruin road.

High Balernock Level Crossing: West Highland Line, High Balernock level crossing looking S.

High Balernock Level Crossing: West Highland Line, High Balernock level crossing looking N.

Rhu: West Highland Line, Site of Rhu (formerly Row) Station.

Rhu: West Highland Line, Rhu at Station Road looking N.

Rhu: West Highland Line, Rhu at Station Road looking S.

Helensburgh Upper: West Highland Line, Helensburgh Upper Station 156447 Glasgow bound.

Helensburgh Upper: West Highland Line, Helensburgh Upper Station looking north.

Helensburgh Upper: West Highland Line, Helensburgh Upper Station looking E

Helensburgh Upper: West Highland Line, Helensburgh Upper Station looking East.

Craigendoran Junction: Craigendoran Junction looking W Helensburgh to left WHL to right.

Bangkok: BTS Sky Train. 35 x 3 car trains on 55km of elevated track. Thanks to my daughter Lynda for the photograph.

Chatburn: Chatburn has been closed since 1962 but the main station building survives in connection with a caravan storage park and is seen here from the approach road.

Hessay: View from the old platform at Hessay (with permission) looking west towards Marston Moor, the distant for which is on the same post as the Hessay home signal.

Edinburgh Park: An eastbound HST in the colours of National Express East Coast approaching Edinburgh Park in the spring of 2009. The 0755 Inverness - Kings Cross 'Highland Chieftain' is passing between the piers which will eventually support the new tram flyover. The ECML franchise ended earlier than planned in November that year due to contractual and financial difficulties, following which services were taken over by the DoT operating as East Coast Trains. As for the tram project, it too experienced contractual and financial difficulties, as a result of which it would be more than 5 years before Edinburgh saw its first trams carrying fare-paying passengers.

Edinburgh Park: The 0755 National Express East Coast Inverness - London Kings Cross 'Highland Chieftain' runs east through Edinburgh Park on 30 April, two minutes ahead of its scheduled arrival time of 1108 at Haymarket. The train has just passed between the under - construction bridge supports that will eventually carry the tram route to Edinburgh Airport over the line.

Edinburgh Park: View east at Edinburgh Park on 30 April 2009 showing electrification masts now in place. Trains for Bathgate and Waverley stand at the platforms.

Stoke Bruerne: Stoke Bruerne may be best known for its canal museum, but some way out of the village, there is (to the best of my knowledge) the only S&MJR station still standing - especially ironic as it was always freight only. Seen here in April 2010, it is now an elegant and peacefully located home.

Inverkeithing: An outer circle train takes the Dunfermline line at Inverkeithing Central Junction on 30 April shortly after leaving Inverkeithing station.

Inverkeithing: 158707 carrying the nameplate Far North Line 125th anniversary on a Perth to Edinburgh service arriving at Inverkeithing on 30 April 2010.

Inverkeithing: An East Coast HST, led by 43313 with 43300 at the rear, forming the 1451 Aberdeen to London Kings Cross service. Photographed arriving at Inverkeithing on 30 April 2010.

Farington Curve Junction: A class 142 unit comes out of the sun as it drops down off the East Lancs line towards Farington Curve Junction and the WCML. The train is an afternoon Colne - Blackpool South service on 30 April 2011.

Preston: Looking towards Preston on 30 April as a northbound Voyager approaches the city having just passed Farington Curve Junction.

Longridge (Lancashire): A Then and Now comparison with a David Hindle Collection photo of Longridge goods yard in 1966 see image [[34582]]. In this April 2011 view the camera has been moved slightly left onto the old running line trackbed looking towards the station. The blue car is at the point where the level crossing was situated with the restored platform canopy beyond. The former goods yard is now covered by houses.

Abington: Northbound Carlisle Yard to Mossend Yard freight approaches Abington. (Plus lots of sheep with very cute lambs!)

Woodacre Crossing: Probably just a coincidence... but on the day the cost of a First Class stamp rose by 30% the evening Up WCML Postal ran as a four car set (as opposed to the usual eight or twelve). EPU 325008 heads south at Woodacre near Garstang. It has just been reported that long out of use sister unit 325010 has gone to Ron Hull's at Rotherham for scrapping.

Newport Pagnell: Not something you see every day - a London Underground coach heading north up the M1 in April 2012 - possibly on its way to refurbishment and test at Old Dalby. Notice the red coach up ahead - which presumably carries the letters F-J on its connectors.

Grosmont: After many years of inactivity, the NYMR's Lambton 0-6-2 tank no 29 is seen banking a long diesel hauled service train out of Grosmont and up the bank to Goathland, presumably running-in, on 30th April 2013. Overnight its lining, lettering and numbering would be applied before duty on the May 1st 40 year Anniversary train.

Reedsmouth: On the southern approach to Reedsmouth Junction the base of two former signalposts can be seen. The view is looking north and the trackbed was to the right.

Bonnyrigg: Approaching Bonnyrigg station from the south west on 30 April 2013. The platforms here have been landscaped and the trackbed now forms part of a walkway /cycleway. View is through the old station towards the site of the level crossing over the B704, beyond which stood the goods yard (now housing). Bonnyrigg closed to passengers in 1962, with the line from Hardengreen Junction closing completely in 1967.

Bonnyrigg: Nice touch. Part of the themed metal barrier separating Bonnyrigg station and the B704. View south west over the station towards Rosewell on 30 April 2013.

Lasswade Viaduct: Soon after clearing Broomieknowe Tunnel see image [[50510]] the next obstacle faced by trains on the Polton branch was the valley of the North Esk. This was crossed on an elegant sandstone viaduct, designed by Thomas Bouch and completed in 1867. There is no public access to the B Listed viaduct, which is fenced off at the end of what is now Westmill Road. Part of the structure is seen here on 30 April looking north west across the Esk valley from Polton Road.

Tarset Viaduct: The railway viaduct at Tarset on the Border Counties line, photographed looking west on 30 April 2013. Looks like it has had a fair bit of attention over the years.

Bellingham (North Tyne): These carriages provide somewhere to eat at Bellingham (North Tyne). The museum is behind the camera and the view looks to Reedsmouth.

Goathland: Two former residents of Philadelphia prepare to drop down the bank towards Grosmont on 30th April 2013. The lining and lettering brush awaits No. 29. Both 29 and 'Sir Nigel Gresley' were running in after extensive work.

Charlton [BCR]: This short lived station was located between Bellingham and Tarset. The station, consisting of a small timber platform and shelter, was located just south of Charlton and north of [[Hesleyside Hall]]. It remained marked on OS maps for some time after closure in 1862. This view looks west over the site in April 2013, from what would have been the platform end.

Countess Park: Looking west towards the site of Countess Park station, the temporary terminus of the Border Counties Railway from 1860 to 1861. Located just over a mile south of the village of Redesmouth, Countess Park consisted of a run-round loop and temporary platform. It closed when the line was extended north in February 1861.

Broomieknowe: The 1867 station at Bonnyrigg on the [[Esk Valley Railway]] was renamed Broomieknowe a year after opening, in deference to its larger and busier neighbour on the Peebles Loop (previously Bonnyrigg Road). No trace remains of the Esk Valley station, which closed in 1951, since when the area has been cleared, the cutting infilled and a large health centre built on the site. The only significant remnant of the Esk Valley route is this 40ft bridge parapet on the west side of Bonnyrigg High Street, beyond which lies an area of dense undergrowth occupying the short distance between the road and the sealed east portal of Broomieknowe Tunnel - see image [[50510]]. View west across Bonnyrigg High Street in April 2013.

Charlton [BCR]: This spindly footbridge is an unusual survivor east of the site of the temporary Charlton terminus.

Thorneyburn: Thorneyburn level crossing seen in a view looking north in 2013, showing the crossing keeper's cottage. The station platform was off to the right on this side of the former railway.

Lancaster (Carriage and Wagon Works): Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon produced rolling stock and trams from 1863 to 1908 when work was transferred to Ashburys in Derbyshire, later part of Metropolitan-Cammell. The Grade II listed building went on to produce armamaments during WWI and is still in business use alongside Caton Rd in Lancaster. The old Midland line from Lancaster Green Ayre to Wennington ran behind the complex. I understand the open veranda style coaches of the Knott End Railway, later used on the Wanlockhead branch, were built in this works.

Saughton: WCRC 47237 hauls 26038 and 20020 west of Saughton, en route from Grosmont NYMR to Bo'ness on 30 April.

Bethnal Green: 315838 to Liverpool Street departing from its penultimate stop at Bethnal Green on 30th April 2013. The platforms on the main line (on right) were closed in 1946 and are now demolished along with the original Victorian buildings on the surviving platforms. This station is tucked away around back streets and completely separate to the LUL Central Line station that is in the centre of this inner London suburb.

New Cumnock: 156509 leaving New Cumnock with a train for Carlisle in April 2013. The line on the far right is the access to Crowbandsgate Coal Loading Point which can be seen in the background.

Broomieknowe: The original 1868 Bonnyrigg station was renamed Broomieknowe a year after opening. The station site is now occupied by a modern health centre. The only surviving local railway clue is a bridge parapet on the west side of Bonnyrigg High Street, seen here on 30 April 2013. Beyond the bridge parapet is the totally overgrown cutting leading to the blocked eastern portal of Broomieknowe Tunnel see image [[50510]].

Polton: Steel reinforced driveway. Little remains of the Esk Valley Railway terminus at Polton, Midlothian, where 3 paper mills once stood. The station closed to passengers in 1951, with the line closing completely in 1964. The station site has long been built over, although a short stretch of embedded track remains to the north of the goods yard, part of the siding that once ran to Polton Mill. View south towards the station site on 30 April 2013. See image [[7418]]

Saughton: Parallel lines. 170 410 west of Saughton past the nearly complete section of Edinburgh Tram route on 30 April.

Balshaw Lane Junction: Empty coal wagons are hauled back to Scotland in April 2014 by Freightliner 66513 to be reloaded to fuel one of the north-west England power stations. This traffic has nearly all been lost in recent years with the demise of many coal fired power stations. #COP26

Mound Tunnels: The Grange over Sands - Edinburgh leg of the Great Britain VII railtour approaching Waverley's platform 1 on 30 April 2014 behind 46115 Scots Guardsman.

Stranraer: The once busy Stranraer Signal Box on 30 April 2014. The box is now open only for special train workings.

Glenwhilly: After a stop at Glenwhilly on 30 April, Black Fives 44871 and 45407 set off for Stranraer with the Great Britain VII.

Stranraer: A general view of Stranraer Station looking inland in April 2014, also visible is part of the once busy ferry terminal, now closed and completely fenced off.

Glenluce Viaduct: A panorama photograph showing the Glenluce Viaduct, formerly part of the Dumfries to Stranraer Port Road, until closure in 1965. View is south on 30 April 2014.

Barrhill: On a cold, dull and misty afternoon, Black Fives 44871 and 45407 are on the way to Stranraer with the Great Britain VII, pictured here on the long gradient south of Barhill.

Stranraer: No ferries call at Stranraer Harbour anymore. The docking facilities are all fenced off and there is an air of decay about the place now, with everything rusting away.

Manchester Piccadilly: 323232, on an Alderley Edge stopper, departing from Manchester Piccadilly on 30th April 2016. This station was known as Manchester London Road until 1962.

Manchester Piccadilly: 87002 just arrived at Manchester Piccadilly with the first stage of a UK Railtours excursion from London Euston on 30th April 2016. The train reversed here and then went back south to Bournemouth, behind 66 747. Alongside is Pendolino 390002.

Milton of Crathes: View west from Milton of Crathes station.

Tetbury: The cattle dock at Tetbury is now restored - or perhaps 're-imagined' would be more appropriate see image [[53903]]. Still, let's not bifurcate rabbits...

Ballater: Hoardings protect ongoing work on the badly fire damaged Ballater station building

Uddingston: A rather full train from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts is about to get even fuller at its last calling point, Uddingston, on 30/04/2016.

Humshaugh: View north alongside the Border Counties Railway track bed, just south of Humshaugh station. This view looks north with the Chollerford bridge over the North Tyne visible on the left. The footpath leads to the Chesters Bridge Abutment, a nearby Hadrian's Wall antiquity. [Ref query 51674]

Milngavie: Familiar stock in unfamiliar livery can look quite striking: 320 411 stabled at Milngavie on 30/04/2016.

Manchester Piccadilly: 323227 on a Northern service to Crewe at Manchester Piccadilly on 30th April 2016.

Arbroath: On the platform at Arbroath is a Dundee and Angus College barrel-train.

Manchester Piccadilly: 150132 to Buxton (left) and 323227 to Crewe (right) at Manchester Piccadilly station on 30th April 2016.

Dumbarton Central: Recent timetable changes have beefed up Dumbarton's service, with trains extended from Dalmuir and using the normally quiet Platform 3. 320 313 waits with a Cumbernauld service on 30/04/2016.

Macclesfield: UK Railtours excursion that originated at London Euston behind 87002, now behind 66747 on its way from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth. Seen arriving at Macclesfield station where a signal stop only was made on 30th April 2016.

Bellgrove: Diesels on the North Clyde lines? A common sight until August when Glasgow Queen Street High Level reopens. An Edinburgh Waverley service from Low Level passes through Bellgrove on 30/04/2016. It's about to take the Springburn line at Bellgrove Junction and join the EGML at Cowlairs.

Milngavie: SPT carmine and cream lingers on. The driver prepares 318 250 heading a Cumbernauld service on 30/04/2016. With Platform 2 being used for stabling turnaround times are not long, with the driver having just enough time to walk six coaches.

Milton of Crathes: Scene at Milton of Crathes looking to Aberdeen.

Springburn: Am Alloa to Glasgow Queen Street Low Level service makes an apparently unscheduled stop at Springburn (luckily for me) on 30/04/2016.

Cheadle Hulme: Second stage of UK Railtours' excursion from Euston, now on its way from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth, passing Cheadle Hulme station on 30th April 2016.

Stockport: UK Railtours excursion from London Euston, on the second stage of the tour to Bournemouth and now behind 66747, passing Stockport station on 30th April 2016. Until the closure of Stockport Tiviot Dale station in 1967, this station was known as Stockport Edgeley.

Malmesbury Tunnel: The 96 yard tunnel in the background may now be a dead end, but it is lit; and has been used for parties, dramatic productions, and filming. It is currently for sale, along with the house above it. It was built by an apprentice to Brunel, and is said to be the first tunnel West of Paddington on the GWR. The water in the foreground is the Tetbury branch of the River Avon.

Kidsgrove: A look back at Kidsgrove station, Staffordshire, from UK Railtours' excursion originating at London Euston, now on its second stage from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth, on 30th April 2016.

Manchester Piccadilly: 142004, heading a service to Manchester Airport, departing from Manchester Piccadilly on 30th April 2016.

Tetbury: The Tet inoffensive: when I was not in 'nam, I walked from the Tetbury goods shed see image [[53815]] towards Preston Park and Kemble. We had to haste back, because the car park is locked at 8pm. View looks towards Tetbury.

Bloxwich: View from a UK Railtours' excursion originating at London Euston on 30th April 2016. The train is passing through Bloxwich on the second stage of the tour from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth, on the reopened line between Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall. [Ref query 8 January 2019]

Gleneagles: Black 5 No 44871 hauling The Great Britain IX north to Inverness. Pictured approaching Gleneagles.

Bradford-on-Avon: Up to the 1980's at least, secondhand railway van bodies were all over the countryside, mostly in use as store sheds for farmers. I was quoted £250 to buy such a body in 1984. But there are a lot less old vans around these days; sometimes through arson, other times through roof failure leading to rot and structural collapse. This pig farmer has a good idea to keep his van neat: a custom-made corrugated iron roof. see image [[47668]]

Druimuachdar Summit: Black 5 No.44871 midway through Druimuachdar Pass with The Great Britain IX on the way to Inverness.

Dalwhinnie: On the way from Edinburgh to Inverness,Black 5 No.44871 passes through the bleak landscape north of Dalwhinnie with The Great Britain IX.

Bradford-on-Avon: Ye olde platform 1. Old architecture, alongside modern signage and facilities co-exist happily at Bradford (as the locals call it), seen here in April 2016.

Slochd Summit: Black 5 No.44871 starts the climb to Slochd Summit with The Great Britain IX .Once over the summit it's almost all downhill to Inverness.

Freshford: This photograph almost defines the country railway. A class 150 approaches the farmers' crossing North of Freshford station on a beautiful spring Saturday in 2016. [Ref query 6631]

Birmingham New Street: Birmingham New Street station seen from UK Railtours' excursion originating from London Euston, now on its second stage from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth, arriving and where a signal stop only ensued, on 30th April 2016.

Bradford-on-Avon: Capital connections: for a small town in Wiltshire, Bradford is remarkably well connected by rail. The train on the left is heading for Cardiff, that on the right is heading for London Waterloo.

Humshaugh: Humshaugh (pronounced Humshoff I'm assured) station closed in 1956 with the withdrawal of passenger services between Hexham and Riccarton Junction and is now a private residence. The old station is seen here, sixty years after the last passenger train left, from across the North Tyne river at Chollerford in April 2016. See image [[43325]]

Malmesbury: The railway in context: Malmesbury engine shed is overlooked by the Abbey, standing on the hill in the background. see image [[55276]]

Manchester Piccadilly: EMT 158854, working to Norwich, departing from Manchester Piccadilly on 30th April 2016.

Bloxwich North: UK Railtours' excursion originating at London Euston, now on its second stage from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth passing Bloxwich North station, on the reopened Chase Line between Rugeley Trent Valley and Walsall, on 30th April 2016.

Freshford: A Great Western HST northbound through Freshford on 30 April 2016, thought to have been diverted from the main Bath - Chippenham line due to electrification/engineering work. [Ref query 9285]

Nuneaton: 87002, with a UK Railtours excursion from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, then to Bournemouth, taken during a photo stop at Nuneaton station on 30th April 2016.

Manchester Piccadilly: UK Railtours' excursion from London Euston, behind 87002, arriving at Manchester Piccadilly station on 30th April 2016. The train then traveled south to Bournemouth behind 66 747 before returning to London.

Malmesbury: Another view of the tunnel see image [[55276]] and its verdant surroundings. Local knowledge was very useful in finding this viewpoint!

Bradford-on-Avon: Pretty as a picture - Bradford looking good, just as a Cardiff bound service approaches from the South Coast. See image [[55377]]

Manchester Piccadilly: GBRf 66747 at Manchester Piccadilly, now at the head of the second stage of a UK Railtours excursion to Bournemouth, the first stage of which was hauled from London Euston to Manchester behind 87002, on 30th April 2016.

Watherston Bridge: Northbound at Galabank on 30 April 2017. The train is the 0959 Tweedbank - Edinburgh.

Galabank Bridge: ScotRail 170432 forming the Sunday morning 0911 Edinburgh - Tweedbank about to cross the Gala Water southbound through Galabank on 30 April 2017.

Tom-na-Faire Depot: 45407 receiving a little attention on shed at Tom-na-Faire Depot, Fort William, on 30th April 2017.

Toddington: Toddington Narrow Gauge Rly. Hunslet built 1940 0-4-0T; No 6 'Chaka's Kraal'.

Toddington: GWR 2-8-0 4270 arriving at Toddington.

Inverkeithing East Junction: 45212 climbs away from Inverkeithing East Junction with the Great Britain X from Edinburgh to Inverness on 30 April.

Galabank Bridge: A morning service on the Borders Line heading south through Galabank on 30 April 2017. The DMU will shortly cross the Gala Water before running onto the final double track section covering the three and a quarter miles to Bowland. The train is the ScotRail 0911 Edinburgh - Tweedbank.

Toddington: GWR Hall 7903 'Foremarke Hall' at Toddington on 30 April.

Toddington: BR 'Peak' 45149, the former D135, stabled in the shed yard at Toddington on 30 April 2017.

Inverkeithing: Inverkeithing 30 April 2017.

Edinburgh Waverley: Edinburgh Waverley 40 April 2017. Hon Johnny Jellicoe, Moya McDonald and Captain Chris Smith RN.

Inverkeithing Central Junction: 66148 passes Inverkeithing Central Junction with an Elgin - Millerhill engineers working, with 66050 on the rear.

Wyre Viaduct: DRS 68017 Hornet crosses the Wyre Viaduct at Scorton with 2C47, Preston to Barrow-in-Furness, on 30th April 2018. This was during the brief period when Class 68s made this return trip to Preston on alternate days before the May 2018 timetable change restricted them to the Carlisle to Barrow line.

Leamington Spa: A pair of Royal 67's leading the empty stock from a football excursion (11 Mark 3's with Chelsea Football Club window stickers) all the way from Wembley to Burton-on-Trent for storage during the match. View looks South.

Leamington Spa: Colas 37116 rumbles North through Leamington with a Network Rail measurement train on 30th April 2018. These trains do not appear on Real Time Trains, so you have to stay alert to photograph them.

Kenilworth: The 11.08 to Coventry slows to pick up at Kenilworth on its opening day. An orange sign in the windscreen said 'Welcome back Kenilworth'.

Leamington Spa: Apparently the driver of the Voyager had a conversation with his train; which asked him why Jaguar was advertising electric cars, when he was only a diesel. The driver told him that an ePace was a diesel, only the iPace was electric. I'm not sure the Voyager was convinced.

Kenilworth: Open at last - Kenilworth station on 30th April 2018, with customers from about 18 months to 'over 50' visible. Quite a few were nostalging about the closure of the original station in 1965. Notice the clerestory above the café - presumably to avoid tossed pancake retrieval crises.

Vattholma: The Valborg (Valpurgis) fire is well alight as the 20.34 Upptåget to Uppsala has just left the local station and passes close to the crowds gathered to watch. This celebration is similar to the Beltane fire in welcoming in the new season. The height of the bonfire has been reduced this year.

Leamington Spa: The NR measurement train see image [[64075]] appears to be set up for reversible working. Here it pauses near the junction for the Coventry line.

Edinburgh Park Station [Tram]: This was about the third nice day of the year, and now it's May! Trams pass at Edinburgh Park on the 30th of April.

Stirling South Signal Box: Working hard to replace the demolished bridge south of Stirling Station.

Dunbar: A Cross Country service for Penzance pulls out of Dunbar on a sunny 1 May. Dunbar is to get its second platform back, but it will be on the Down Main: see Network Rail. The shed on the right will be a casualty as the space is needed for the Up platform lift tower.

Leamington Spa: A long freight comes off the Coventry line at Leamington, having just passed through Kenilworth station on its opening day see image [[63849]]. The building on the right appears to be occupied by a skeleton staff.

Haymarket [Tram]: Every tram carries a defibrillator.

Kenilworth: A small collection of footbridges at Kenilworth. That on the left is the new station footbridge; that on the right carries a footpath.

Wyre Viaduct: Two Class 90s, both in bright red DB livery, cross the River Wyre near Scorton with a Mossend to Daventry intermodal on 30th April 2018.

Leamington Spa: I wouldn't slide down that bannister if I was you. Old fashioned behaviour control at Leamington.

Leamington Spa: Tell you what - let's go to Kenilworth! The passengers at Leamington Spa are clearly in a rush, and the staff are very pleased to have a new destination on offer on Kenilworth's re-opening day, 30 April 2018.

Baileyfield Switch and Crossing Works: Business at the Switch & Crossing works (to give it its former, more meaningful name) would seem to be brisk judging by the number of new rail lengths waiting to be worked, here and all over the yard. Either that or someone has added an extra zero to the order by mistake.

Garstang and Catterall: Light engine movement Carlisle to Knottingley - probably just a Class 66 - should I bother? Well it's a nice evening, it is following the Sellafield flasks down, the dog needs a walk ..... and I'm glad I made the effort. 50008 'Thunderer' passing Garstang and Catterall on 30th April 2019.

Tarbrax Junction: 66194 passes Woolfords with the Mossend - Tees Dock intermodal.

Heriot: A southbound train runs through the site of Heriot station on the Borders line in April 2019. A pedestrian underpass was built here to replace the former level crossing in preparation for reopening of the line in 2015. At the same time a new road with rail overbridge, linking the village with the A7, was constructed half a mile to the south.

Garstang and Catterall: DRS 88002 is about to cross Brock Bridge with the Daventry to Mossend intermodal service on 30 April 2019.

Niddrie West Junction: Caledonian Sleeper 73968 nears Niddrie West Junction, running light engine from Craigentinny to Mossend, on 30th April 2019.

Newington [NBR]: GBRf 66738 at Newington with a North Blyth- Fort William light engine move on 30th April 2019. In the background is the site of the passenger station.

Duddingston: Caledonian Sleeper 73970 passes Peffermill playing fields running light from Polmadie to Craigentinny on 30th April 2019. On the skyline is the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill, the construction of which in the 1890s was aided by a branch line off the suburban loop.

Garstang and Catterall: A significant load of flasks for 88005 'Minerva' and 88006 'Juno' as they head from Sellafield to Crewe at Garstang and Catterall on 30th April 2019. This run will have been under diesel power as far as Carnforth and then 'pans up' for the remainder of the trip.

Morecambe South Junction: The Preston to Edinburgh leg of GB XII was double headed by 60009 and 44871, seen here approaching Morecambe South Junction on 30th April 2019.

Morecambe South Junction: A recent transfer from Scotrail to Northern, 158867 is still in Saltire livery and was on driver training duties between Preston and Carnforth on 30th April 2019. The unit is seen at Morecambe South Junction.

Garstang and Catterall: 50008 'Thunderer' is back on its old WCML stomping ground as it works light engine from Carlisle to Knottingley on 30th April 2019. It had worked north with some wagons over the S&C earlier in the day. The engine is just passing the 25kv feeder station in the old goods yard at Garstang and Catterall. See image [[19180]] taken at this location nearly fifty years earlier.

Tarbrax Junction: 60009 and 44871 pass Woolfords with the Preston - Edinburgh leg of the Railway Touring Company's 'Great Britain XII' tour.

Forsinard: The last of the Jellicoe Express plaque unveilings at Forsinard on 30 April 2019. From beginning to end, nineteen such events were brilliantly choreographed by Moya McDonald and starred Captain Chris Smith RN and Hon Johnny Jellicoe, with a variety of guests ranging from Lords Lieutenant and Jamie Stone MP to Geordie Adams, who had fired the train in the Second World War and did the honours at Helmsdale.

Morecambe South Junction: After a pause when a problem was identified with the couplings testing and driver training on new CAF units continued in April 2019. 195105 is approaching Morecambe South Junction running between Preston and Carnforth. The CAF trains, DMU and EMU, are noticeably quiet when passing compared to older units.

Morecambe South Junction: Pacers were used on Lancaster to Morecambe services from their introduction until the majority were withdrawn from Northern service. In its last year of operation, 142027 approaches the junction for the branch with a service from Lancaster. Following withdrawal this unit went to the Chasewater Railway but (in 2020) is reported to be a source of spares for their other two sets rather than preserved in its own right.

Findhorn Viaduct [Tomatin]: Findhorn viaduct at Tomatin, near Inverness, was lit-up blue to show solidarity with key workers and front-line NHS staff all across the country. The nine-span viaduct above the River Findhorn in the Scottish Highlands joined with other Network Rail stations and structures across the UK in lighting up in NHS colours to salute the continued dedication and efforts of healthcare workers in the battle against the coronavirus. The 405-metre-long structure stands on 44-metre high granite piers and is widely regarded as one of Britains finest railway viaducts. It was designed by renowned railway engineer John Fowler who famously designed the Forth Rail Bridge.

Leyland: LSLs 2+5 HST set in unbranded EMT colours was out for a run from Crewe to Carlisle and back via the WCML on 30 April 2021. It is seen passing Leyland on the return trip running very slowly due to a signalling check for a Manchester train crossing at Euxton Junction.

Granton Western Breakwater: There are clues here to a railway past. There was a shed at the end of the wharf and I am guessing it had communications with Breakwater Junction box which was a few hundred yards behind me. The middle of the breakwater may be private, but the far end is publicly accessible from elsewhere (see image [[73326]])

Farington: Colas 70810 crosses the WCML with the 6E32 Preston Docks to Lindsey Oil Refinery empty bitumen tank wagons on 30 April 2021. The train is travelling on the East Lancashire line heading towards Lostock Hall. Farington station was located on the WCML between the bridge the train is on and the photographer on Croston Road. The station closed in 1960 and all platforms and buildings have been removed.

Besses o' th' Barn [Tram]: 3050 and 3090 slow to call at Besses with a Bury to Altrincham service. They are on the girder bridge that was installed by the LMS when the island platform station was opened in 1933. The original stone arch bridge now just carries Bury bound trams. See image [[23378]] of this bridge from the platform.

Besses o' th' Barn [Tram]: High above the M60 motorway, and also crossing Bury Old Road, Metrolink 3077 brings up the rear of a double set heading for Manchester on 30th April 2021. The huge rail bridge was completed in 1969, three years before the (then) M62 motorway was constructed through this point. The eastbound entrance slip road at Junction 17 can be seen under the rail bridge deck.

Garrowhill: Garrowhill, opened as a halt in 1927, is now having its platforms rebuilt. The eastbound one has been done, and now it's the turn of the westbound.

Heap Bridge Goods: Heap Bridge was the terminus of a short branch from the Bury to Castleton line, now the East Lancashire Railway. It never saw passenger services but was kept busy with general goods traffic until 1967. The nearby Yates and Duxbury's paper mill received coal supplies by rail along the branch until 1973 and was steam worked until closure [[33206]]. The goods shed survives in 2021 as a tile and bathroom retail outlet.

Carstairs South Junction: A Trans Pennine Express Class 397 EMU, working the 12.04 from Glasgow Central to Liverpool Lime Street, passes Carstairs South Junction on 30th April 2021.

Garrowhill: Garrowhill opened as a halt in 1927, and in April 2021 is having its platforms rebuilt. The eastbound one has been done, and now it is the turn of the westbound.

Garrowhill: Notice displayed at the entrance to Garrowhill, while the station was having its platforms rebuilt during April 2021.

Carstairs: A Trans Pennine Express Class 397, working the 08.12 Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow Central service, passes through Carstairs on 30th April 2021.

Carstairs: Avanti West Coast 390124 runs through Carstairs with the 10.40 from Glasgow Central to Euston on 30th April 2021.

Highgate: As part of the LPTB 1935 New Works programme, Highgate was to become a two-level interchange for the Northern Line with trains extended from what is now Archway to the High Barnet line at East Finchley while the surface station was also to be served by tube trains, principally to and from Alexandra Palace. A brand new ticket hall was built immediately beneath the surface station with access between the two while a new escalator, seen here on 30th April 2022, descended for 210 ft. to the new deep-level platforms. The surface station was rebuilt too and although Northern Line trains reached High Barnet in 1940 and Mill Hill East in 1941, everything else was abandoned after 1945 although steam trains continued to run to Alexandra Palace until 1954, after which the stairways between the then closed High Level and deep-level Low Level sections at Highgate were sealed off.

Highgate: The lower concourse at Highgate station, LU Northern Line, deep beneath the abandoned surface station, on the afternoon of Saturday, 30th April 2022. Passageways lead left and right to the lengthy platforms. Built as part of the only partially completed LPTB 1935 New Works scheme for the Northern Line, trains were extended from what is now Archway station to a connection with the LNER at East Finchley on 3rd July 1939 but Highgate station was not ready on that date and had to wait until 17th January 1941 before receiving its first passengers. However, it had been been opened up for use as an air raid shelter from 3rd October 1940 as the London Blitz of World War Two intensified. Tube trains were extended over former steam tracks from East Finchley to High Barnet on 14th April 1940 and from Finchley Central (renamed from Finchley (Church End) to Mill Hill East on 18th May 1941 and that was all that was completed. The rebuilt surface station at Highgate, which would have seen tube trains between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace, still stands, crumbling away, although steam trains continued to run to Alexandra Palace until 1954.

Highgate: LU 1995 stock on a Northern Line short working to Moorgate (caused by the temporary closure of the line from there to Kennington for reconstruction of the platforms at Bank but which reopened on 16th May 2022), departing from Highgate, deep below the abandoned surface station, on 30th April 2022.

Bourton: 47802 was part of the Great Britain XIV set up and on 30th April was running close behind 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland'. The 4-6-2 was due to pass through Swindon at 1820 hours and Bourton at 1830. Alas for me it was running 45 minutes early. A stop in Swindon was cancelled, the Duchess sailed through at speed and I missed it altogether. However the consolation prize was 47802 heading east on the GWML at Bourton. I never thought I would say that about a 47.

Burntisland East Junction: 170401 nears the site of Burntisland East Junction with the 13.15 from Aberdeen to Edinburgh on 30 April 2022.

Cranley Gardens: This bridge parapet on the east side of Muswell Hill Road, seen from a passing 134 bus to Warren Street that I travelled on as far as Highgate, is where the former GNR Alexandra Palace branch passed underneath, seen on the beautiful afternoon of Saturday, 30th April 2022. From here, one can walk the old line towards Muswell Hill across the lofty Muswell Hill Viaduct. But for WWII, this would now be part of the Northern Line but the scheme was never completed after 1945, although steam trains continued to chug up the Northern Heights until 1954. Cranley Gardens station was on the west side of this road but quickly fell into an advanced state of dereliction after the end of the remaining freight service in 1957. The remains were swept away in the 1970s and a block of flats now stands on the site.

Woodacre Crossing: 'The Margam' runs from Hardendale to South Wales every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but it is only in the summer months it can be photographed. The train often runs early but on 29th April 2022 it waited in Oubeck Loop for forty minutes and passed Garstang 'right time' amid lengthening shadows. 66051 'Maritime Intermodal Four' in Marine blue livery was in charge on this occasion.