Mintlaw: Last day of passenger services at Mintlaw on 1st May 1965, and a good complement of passengers for a westbound service, headed by an NBL Type 2.

St Combs: The 2.15 pm from Fraserburgh to St Combs has just arrived at the light railway's terminus on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of operation. The photographer's father-in-law and son (who would rather be at a football match) watch proceedings on the right.

Maud: NBL Type 2 D6152 shortly after arrival at Maud with a train from Peterhead on 1st May 1965, the final day of passenger services between the two stations.

Strichen: The driver of NBL Type 2 D6149, heading the 3.15pm Fraserburgh-Aberdeen train on 1st May 1965, exchanges single line tokens with the signalman at Strichen.

Maud: NBL D6152 at Maud, on 1st May 1965. This was the final day of passenger services from Peterhead.

Maud: Looking back from the 3.15pm Fraserburgh - Aberdeen following its arrival at Maud Junction on 1 May 1965. The train is now pulling out of the south end of the station prior to reversing back in order to attach a portion of the 3.20pm ex-Peterhead on the right. The locomotive and remaining vehicles off the Peterhead train are now standing on the east side of the island platform. See image [[34889]]

Cairnbulg: The distinctive links landscape of the St Combs branch, seen looking back towards Cairnbulg from the rear of the 2.15pm DMU from Fraserburgh on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of service.

Cairnbulg: The track disappears away to infinity (well actually St Combs), as seen from the rear of the 2.40 pm train to Fraserburgh at Cairnbulg on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of service. To the left of the open crossing is Inverallochy primary school with what appears to be a member of staff keeping an eye on proceedings.

Cairnbulg: View from the rear of a DMU leaving Cairnbulg station for Fraserburgh on the former St Combs Light Railway on 1 May 1965, the last day of scheduled passenger services on the branch.

Newmachar: Black fumes from an NBL Type 2 blot an otherwise perfect sky as the 12.25pm Aberdeen-Fraserburgh train powers away from Newmachar on Saturday 1st May 1965.

Fraserburgh: The south end of the Fraserburgh station / yard complex seen from the rear of the 2.15 pm DMU to St Combs on Saturday 1st May 1965, the last day of branch services.

Fraserburgh: Fish to the fore - lots of 'door to door' wooden containers provide evidence of BR's important role in the movement of fish. Seen from the passenger station platform at Fraserburgh on Saturday 1st May 1965.

Longside: NBL Type 2 D6152 pauses at Longside with a westbound service. The picture was taken on the final day of passenger services between Peterhead and Maud.

Maud: The NBL Type 2s were, for a few years following dieselisation, the staple locomotive on Buchan line trains. In this photograph, having attached a portion off the 3.20pm ex-Peterhead see image [[37410]], the 3.15pm train from Fraserburgh (from which the photograph is taken) is pulling away from Maud Junction to continue its journey south to Aberdeen. Meantime, the driver of the Peterhead train is about to rejoin his locomotive in order to carry out some shunting operations.

Arkleston Junction: A lot was happening at Arkleston junction on 1 May 1966, as the four line section to Shields Road was being converted to two by removing the fast lines. In this view looking east, a Plassermatic tamper is consolidating the new westbound line. This date marked the end of the races between the Glasgow Central and Glasgow St Enoch trains, which could be quite exciting in steam days.

Gourock: The Scottish Region's first day without steam was 1 May 1967, and on that day EE Type 1 D8026 was ready to leave with a Glasgow train from Gourock. Life would never be the same again!

Finsbury Park: This was taken at Finsbury Park in May 1968. It was a special event that involved a Deltic and 4472 leaving Kings Cross simultaneously.

Strawfrank Junction: EE Type 4 No. 343 heads south between Carstairs station and Strawfrank Junction with the 08.25 Larbert to Wallerscote Sidings (Northwich) soda ash empties in 1971. The train was booked as a class 7 working but this clearly depended on whether or not it had to convey unbraked wagons.

Carstairs: Saturday 1st May 1971 was the last day when signalmen at Carstairs No. 2 box (situated just north of the station) would see normal daytime traffic pass their windows. From the following Monday the WCML in Scotland would only be open for the heavy night-time traffic, with trains diverted via the G&SW during the day in order for electrification works to proceed unhindered.

Strawfrank Junction: Brush Type 4 No. 1684 on a Carlisle Yard to Millerhill partially fitted mixed freight cautiously approaching Strawfrank Junction, Carstairs, in May 1971. The train is about to take the tightly curved chord towards Edinburgh. This is just the sort of traffic which would have used the Waverley Route only a few years previously.

Mill Hill East: Mill Hill East, with a train of LU 1938 stock on a Northern Line service, in May 1973. (See my photo, image no. 79713, for a view from the same point nearly half a century later in 2019 with a digital destination indicator and Orwellian cc tv camera, renewed roundel running-in board, replacement of the original wooden platform and a new fence too!)

Wennington Junction: On May 1st 1976, Hardwicke and Flying Scotsman spent much of the day on display at Settle before working a second S&C centenary special. This one had originated at Blackburn and enjoyed steam power on the Hellifield to Carnforth leg of its return journey from Carlisle, seen here passing Wennington. As can be seen from the glistening rails, the weather was far from ideal for such an occasion. See image [[38631]]

Wennington Junction: Hardwicke piloting Flying Scotsman on a train of preserved saloons running between Carnforth and Carlisle in May 1976 as part of the Settle and Carlisle centenary celebrations. The train had been booked to be worked as far as Hellifield by the Midland Compound and Black 5 No 44871, but neither proved fit on the day, resulting in this stopgap pairing, seen approaching Wennington. The trackbed of the closed ex-MR line to Lancaster Green Ayre is prominent on the left.

Lavenham: The passenger service through Lavenham ended in 1961 and the last train departed in 1965, but by 1977, when this photo was taken, the building was surviving in good repair. Built in the same style as the stations on the nearby Stour Valley route, the choice of brick colour gave it a particularly pleasing appearance. Unfortunately, notwithstanding its good condition, it stood in the way of someone's ambition and was demolished the following year.

Paisley Hamilton Street: The cold storage facility at the old Abercorn goods station, Paisley, being demolished in 1977. This was located to the west of Paisley Abercorn station and served by the sidings which ran into the former Hamilton Street station.

Euxton Junction: Euxton Junction, May 1980, and 40112 is on the Down Slow with a mixed freight just about to pass under the M6 Motorway. It will take the East Lancashire line at Farington Junction and then join the Settle & Carlisle via the Blackburn to Hellifield line. The leading wagons are wooden bodied China Clays, some with roller bearings and the train is believed to be 7M86 from St. Blazey to Kingmoor. The china clay wagons would go forward from Carlisle to either Cadder or Corpach. [My thanks to Richard Adamthwaite for additional information about this working].

Mosstowie: 27003+27007 with a westbound train at Mosstowie on 1 May 1980.

St Erth: Green liveried 50007 Sir Edward Elgar (formerly Hercules) at St Erth on an up TPO on 1 May 1984.

St Erth: 50007 Sir Edward Elgar with an up TPO at St Erth in May 1984. The class 50 had received its new nameplates a week earlier (having previously carried the name Hercules).

Leith Walk West Goods: Sign fronting Leith Walk in May 1986, approximately 18 years after closure of the goods depot at Leith Walk West.

Crigglestone Junction: 37350 with the Power to the Tower special, returning from Blackpool North past Crigglestone Junction signal box on 1 May 1989. The train is about to cross to the up line after leaving the branch from Horbury Bridge on its way back to Sheffield. See image [[34183]]

Corrour Summit: Corrour Summit, looking back to Corrour where an engineers inspection train is paused (for nearly an hour). The footbridge had been removed not long before. This was the day a Shackleton crashed in the Outer Hebrides.

Milnwood Junction: View over Milnwood / Mossend South Junction with lines diverging to Holytown, Coatbridge Central and Bellshill. In the background is British Steel Tubes division's Clydesdale Mill. A further line in the 'V' of the junction served Mossend Yard's down yard.

Inverness: An Edinburgh train prepares to leave Inverness in May 2002.

Liskeard: A Virgin CrossCountry HST runs west through Liskeard station on the afternoon of 1 June 2002 on its way to Penzance.

Inverness: Lever frame - Inverness station - May 2002.

Inverness: EWS 67027 stands at Inverness in May 2002 having worked in on the Sleeper.

Inverness: Looking back towards the concourse at Inverness in May 2002, with the London sleeper docked on the left and trains to Edinburgh (centre) and the far north line in the station.

Inverness: Looking out along platform 2 at Inverness station in May 2002.

Dawsholm Gasworks: Before work started to re-instate the Maryhill-Anniesland line it was still possible to look through the gate down the old tunnel between Dawsholm and Temple Gasworks. This low tunnel carried a private railway and passed under the Forth and Clyde Canal. Surprisingly the track was still in place at the Dawsholm end.

West Calder: EWS 66225 brings a coal train through West Calder station on a May morning in 2005 heading in the Edinburgh direction.

Markinch Viaduct: A GNER HST crossing the A911 road on Markinch Viaduct in May 2005 - photographed looking east.

West Calder: Looking over the 1869 station at West Calder from the A71 road bridge in May 2005, with the main building now in use as a restaurant. In the background is the United Free Church of Scotland on Limefield Road and, to the right, part of the old goods shed can just be seen see image [[15545]].

Markinch: Markinch station looking north in May 2005 showing the remains of the yard and parcels shed. The goods shed used to store 60009 Union of South Africa stood in front of this until demolished following fire damage. See image [[24902]]

Leslie Viaduct: Looking towards the site of Leslie Station from the viaduct - May 2005.

Markinch Viaduct: A GNER Aberdeen bound HST heads north over Markinch Viaduct on 1 May 2005. The station is off picture to the left. View is east along the A911 road towards the Fife coast.

Leslie Viaduct: Leslie Viaduct from the south in May 2005 with the chimney of one of the last of the Leven Valley mills bisecting the central arch.

Leslie: View of the former Leslie east yard in May 2005. The Fettykill Paper Mill branch came in from the right. The site of the long demolished Leslie station (closed to passengers in 1932) is off to the left. See image [[23083]]

Brundall: Eric Sadler opening the gates at Brundall on 1 May 2006. Wonder what he's looking forward to at the end of his shift...

Perth: An Inverness to Edinburgh service calls at Perth Platform 4 on 1 May 2007 This is by some way Scotland's longest singly-numbered platform, being able to accommodate 24 coaches, although the combined platforms 6N & 6S at Aberdeen can handle 25.

Ladybank: Annsmuir level crossing. Maintainance worker in fine form.

Ladybank Works: Abandoned building that was once part of the former Edinburgh, Perth & Dundee works, situated Northwest of Ladybank station alongside the Perth line.

Perth: A Perth - Inverness service waits to leave platform 7 on 1 May 2007.

Perth: Platform 2 at Perth on 1 May 2007, with 170 426 about to depart with a Glasgow Queen Street - Aberdeen service.

Kingussie: The signal box at Kingussie has been given an upgrade and has acquired an extension.

Plates, signs, notices etc: Excerpt from the First ScotRail timetable supplementary leaflet issued in May 2009, giving information on planned timetable changes/enhancements.

Galgate: On 1st May 1939, four of the six stations between Preston and Lancaster closed. 70 years later to the day, 185116 speeds through Galgate on its way to Manchester Airport. The station itself was situated some 200yds north of this point but is inaccessible for pictures and in any case all trace has been swept away. View from the A6 main road immediately north of the M6 Junction 33 roundabout.

Scorton [Lancashire] [2nd]: On the 70th anniversary of closure (1.5.39) a Voyager speeds north past the site of Scorton station. The station comprised wooden platforms elevated on the embankment immediately south of this small bridge over Station Lane See image [[23874]]. All trace of the station was swept away many years ago.

Barton and Broughton: Of the four Lancaster and Preston stations that closed in 1939 only Barton and Broughton survived for a long period, with the station buildings used as private residences. A 4-car Voyager speeds south towards Preston on the 70th anniversary of the station's closure. Sadly the building was demolished in 2013.

Glasgow Central: Looking along Argyle Street towards Glasgow Central on the 1st May 2009

Brock: The only artefact of Brock station that still existed after electrification was this elderly lamp standard by the foot crossing (and a decapitated one on the far side). The crossing was remodelled for 125mph trains and for some time was the only one between Preston and Lancaster. In 2014 however, like all the others before it, the Brock crossing was replaced by a footbridge.

Brock: Brock station was a small wooden affair that lay between the point from which this picture was taken and the River Brock bridge, visible by the second coach of the northbound Voyager. Situated by the A6 main road, it succumbed to bus competition on 1.5.39 and little remains in this view taken on the 70th anniversary of its closure.

Glasgow Central: The Railway Heritage Award plaque near the Argyle Street entrance of Glasgow Central. This was awarded in 1999 for work on the Hielanman's Umbrella in Argyle Street

Euxton Balshaw Lane: On a gloomy afternoon 150143, heading from Liverpool to Blackpool North, has just joined the slow lines at the start of the four track section to Preston and rolls into Euxton Balshaw Lane. The signal in the background protects the junction at the start of the two track section to Wigan North Western.

Hayes Knoll: Fowler Diesel Mechanical locomotive no 4210137, heading a local freight during the Swindon and Cricklade Railway Gala Day on 1 May 2010.

Wemyss Bay: 'Beyond the end of the line' exhibition, Wemyss Bay. Nancy Cameron inviting Innes Nelson to declare the exhibition open, with creators Chris Hogg and Lynn Patrick standing alongside.

Dundee: A driver heads for his train in the north bay at Dundee on 1 May 2010.

Wemyss Bay: Wemyss Bay exhibition - 'Beyond the End of the Line'. The exhibition catalogue.

Hayes Knoll: BR class 03 no D2022 is yard shunter at Hayes Knoll during the Swindon and Cricklade Railway's Industrial Locomotive Gala day on 1 May.

Grosmont: Fine of line. Sir Nigel Gresley's eponymous 60007 rests between turns at Grosmont on a beautiful Mayday 2011. Surely still an inspiration to all engineers that form and beauty can sit well with function. Think Gresley A4, Supermarine Spitfire, Ferrari, Ducati ...

Elsecar: The Elsecar Heritage Railway is located at the southern end of the freight only branch that ran south west from Elsecar Junction on the Wath - Barnsley line. Peckett OQ class 0-6-0ST no 2150 of 1954 Mardy Monster - the most powerful steam locomotive built for industrial use in the UK - is seen at the centre's 'Rockingham Station' on 1 May 2011. [The station is located at the rear of Elsecar Heritage Centre.]

Kielder Forest: The north end of the former Kielder Forest station seen in 2012. A 'new' stone wall crosses the trackbed, separating the Kielder Stane Walk from a private garden, the former platform and trackbed area. [Ref query 5 November 2018]

Whitrope Siding: The buffet reaches the Golden Bridge at Whitrope Siding. This coach came north by low loader see image [[38431]]. The view looks north with the former signalbox and siding beyond the caravan to the right.

Thorlieshope Lime Works: This lime works was about half a mile to the north of Deadwater station and served by a siding. The view looks west to the disused lime kiln from the trackbed of the closed line.

Whitrope Siding: The large wooden board declares 'Whitrope' and the BR Totem 'Whitrope Siding'. I'm not sure, but that could be a future bay platform to the right. The view looks south towards Riccarton.

Frances Colliery: The east end of the Frances Colliery site on 1 May 2012 see image [[38687 for the view from the same position thirty eight years earlier]].

National Museum of Scotland: How to construct a lattice-post signal - National Musuem of Scotland, Edinburgh, May 2012.

Barassie: The inaugural run of Colas Railfreight on the Grangemouth to Prestwick aviation fuel tanks, having taken over the contract from DB Schenker. 66847 eases the train through Barassie at 09.03 on 1st May 2012.

Riccarton Junction: Running down the east side of the Border Counties Railway for the first third of a mile was a long siding served by two platforms or loading banks one after the other on the east side of the line (the use of which I don't know). This siding allowed reversal into the coaling area and sidings to the east side of the junction. This view shows the southern of these two platforms and the view looks to Hexham.

Whitrope Siding: View towards the tunnel at Whitrope Siding showing the new station. The further away locomotive under repair is from Hartlepool Power Station.

Whitrope Siding: The location formerly known as Whitrope Siding is gradually becoming a station. (That telephone box, could it be from Riccarton Junction? see image [[24900]]) The view is towards Riccarton and the railway cottage is beyond the line off to the left.

Riccarton Junction: Riccarton Junction viewed beside the former south signalbox. The Border Counties line was immediately to the left and the Border Union further to the left. The station site was distant centre. See image [[36030]] for a 1963 view. The line running on the ground from bottom left to the centre is the side of the former covered coaling area, the coal shed being off to the right.

Saughtree: Sixty years after H.C. Casserley took a well known photograph from a Hexham bound train this photograph was taken from a northbound service on the approach to Saughtree courtesy of today's owners of the station, [Geoff & Meg Mann]. The station was beautifully restored from a ruin as a house. It is preserved in a wonderfully understated manner.

Riccarton Junction: Scene at the north end of Riccarton Junction on 1st May 2012. The buffer stop timbers are still there amongst the undergrowth see image [[42515]].

Rufford: 37611 leading and 37603 on the rear of a Network Rail test train at Rufford on the evening of 1 May 2013.

Moy: DRS class 37s nos 37259 and 37608 top and tail the nuclear flask train across the moors at Moy on the way north to Georgemas Junction on 1 May 2013.

Newtondale Halt: Lambton 0-6-2 Tank, No. 29 pilots K1 2-6-0 No. 62005 into Newtondale on 1 May with the NYMR 40th Anniversary train, 14.00 ex Whitby. The pair had made light work of the 3 miles of 1 in 49 between Grosmont and Goathland. No. 29 was on the official re-opening train, 40 years to the day earlier and has aged much better than the photographer, as archive photos taken of both on Grosmont Station platform on 1st May 1973 prove!

Levisham: No. 29, resplendent in 12 hour old lining and lettering and No. 62005, immaculate in BR black, held at Levisham with the NYMR 40 year Anniversary Special on 1st May 2013. The combination of 29's Philadelphia chime whistle and 62005's North Eastern shrieker, echoing from the valley sides and across the moors was enough to raise the (few remaining) hairs... and no doubt the ghosts of 40 years NYMR running.

Granada: A Renfe Class 599 dmu at Granada on 1 May 2013. The train is awaiting its 10.04 departure time for Almeria under the bright Andalucian sky.

Granada: Granada station frontage on a fine spring May Day. Services operate from here to Almeria in the east; Sevilla in the west; and Madrid in the north. By rail to Madrid takes 4.5 hours and costs around 75 Euros. The bus takes around 5 hours and costs about 20 Euros. Hmmm.....

Granada: Stabled in the sidings adjacent to the platforms at Granada on 1 May is a RENFE class 334 Bo-Bo diesel electric locomotive. The snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains form the backdrop.

Seville: Look - no wires! Tram 304 running in battery mode along interlaced tracks in Archivo de Indias on a non-catenary section of Seville's 2.2 km city route T1 in May 2013. The Urbos 3 vehicles, built by CAF, feature an Energy Accumulation System enabling them to operate wirelessly over certain sections of the network. See image [[47207]]

Seville: Tram 304 pauses at Seville's Archivo de Indias stop on 1 May 2013. It has just left the battery operated section of track from Plaza Nueva see image [[47190]] and raised its pantograph for the catenary section for the remainder of the route to the San Bernardo terminus. A service travelling in the opposite direction approaches in the distance.

Carron Water Bridge [East Croft of Carmont]: A4 60009 Union of South Africa passes over the Carron Water on 1 May 2014 during the climb out of Stonehaven with the Great Britain VII.

Winchburgh: Looking east over the main line at Winchburgh on 1 May 2014, with the ruins of Niddry Castle beyond the trees. The brick bridge (now in the middle of a golf course) once carried a siding from the main line into the Niddry Castle shale oil refinery.

Winchburgh: K1 2-6-0 no 62005 heads for Winchburgh tunnel on 1 May 2014 with the Edinburgh Waverley - Fort William (train B) portion of the Great Britain VII railtour.

Inverkeithing East Junction: 67022 passes Inverkeithing East Junction with the returning evening Fife commuter service, now formed of ex-Virgin stock, on 1 May.

Crewe: Colas Rail 56094 seen during a quick driver change at Crewe station whilst returning from Rolls-Royce at Sinfin, Derby, to the Ineos refinery at Grangemouth, with empty aviation fuel bogie tanks.

Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus: Mumbai's Chatrapathi Shivaji (formerly Victoria) Terminus in May 2014. Opened in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria (God bless her), the station is India's busiest, serving long distance trains as well as commuter services of the Mumbai Suburban Railway. The change of name took place in 1996.

Crewe: Brand new Colas class 70 locomotives 70806 and 70807 running into Crewe station on 1 May on their post import journey from Liverpool Docks to Bescot Yard, before entering service.

Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus: Concourse view at Mumbai's Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus on 1 May 2014 see image [[47178]].

Stockport: Virgin Pendolino 390001 leaves Stockport on the 10.17 departure to Manchester Piccadilly, having just passed the 183 mile post located in the centre of the station.

Boat o' Brig Viaduct: A4 Pacific No. 60009 Union of South Africa has just crossed the River Spey at Boat o' Brig, between Keith and Elgin, on 1 May 2014 with the Great Britain VII (train A) on its way to Inverness.

Carmont: 60009 Union of South Africa runs north through Carmont on 1 May 2014 bound for Aberdeen with the Great Britain VII.

Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus: Part of Mumbai's Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus in May 2014. See image [[47187]]

Wakefield Westgate: View south through Wakefield Westgate after removal of the south end footbridge, following opening of the new upside station building and new DDR footbridge at the north end of the station.

Huntly: A4 60009 Union of South Africa south of Huntly on 1 May 2014 heading for Aberdeen with the Great Britain VII.

Glenesk Viaduct: Crossing Glenesk Viaduct on foot, May 2015. View is north towards Sheriffhall. Part of the diverted walkway/cycleway that once crossed the viaduct is just visible in the bottom right corner of the picture turning towards Dalkeith.

Eskbank and Dalkeith: A QTS vegetation management squad in action at the old Eskbank station site on 1 May 2015.

Oykel Viaduct: 66111 heads south over the Oykel Viaduct on 1 May 2015 with the empty tank wagons from Lairg. After a long period of absence this is the second tank train in just over a week.

Alness: DRS 37218 and 37605 top and tail the nuclear flask train southwards between Invergordon and Alness on 1 May 2015. In the background the Cromarty Firth, with a couple of drilling platforms awaiting a recall to the North Sea.

Coventry Arena: View north towards Nuneaton on 1 May 2015 over the well-advanced construction of Coventry Arena station. Completion is scheduled for June 2015.

Hardengreen Viaduct: ScotRail 158701, forming the 0845 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley, crossing Hardengreen Viaduct on Sunday morning 1 May 2016. The train is less than half a mile from its next scheduled stop at Eskbank.

Portrack Viaduct: Unfortunately 'Ruston' reads like a very accurate description ...

Displayed in the Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack House, Dumfriesshire.

Newtongrange: A Sunday morning service on the Borders line calls at Newtongrange on May Day 2016. The builings, headgear and boiler house chimney of Lady Victoria Colliery (now the Scottish Mining Museum) stand in the background. The tree covered hill immediately beyond the car park is the remains of the colliery waste bing. Like its neighbour a mile and a half to the south, the bing suffered intermittently from smouldering fires producing noxious fumes see image [[54902]] which led to action being taken during the late 1980s/early 1990s to remedy the problem permanently (including removal of much of the spoil).

Portrack Viaduct: The annual open day at the Charles Jencks 'Garden of Cosmic Speculation' at Portrack House, north of Dumfries, on 1 May 2016. The GSWR main line can just be made out through the fence, immediately south of the bridge over the Nith. See image [[2579]] [Ref query 15556]

Newcraighall North Junction: A ScotRail 158 heading for Tweedbank appears below Whitehill Road bridge shortly after restarting from Newcraighall on 1 May 2016. The Millerhill freight lines are in the foreground.

Newtongrange: The 1018 to Edinburgh Waverley (0945 ex-Tweedbank) boarding at Newtongrange on 1 May 2016.

Kirkland Yard: Kirkland Yard, the base of The Fife Railway Preservation Group.

Newtongrange: A Tweedbank - Edinburgh train about to restart from the platform at Newtongrange on 1 May 2016 before passing below the refurbished bridge with raised parapet carrying the A7.

Hardengreen Viaduct: The 0911 Edinburgh - Tweedbank crossing Hardengreen Viaduct on 1 May 2016.

Loth: North of Brora, The Far North Line runs along the east coast until it reaches Helmsdale then turns inland to follow the Strath of Kildonan. Black 5 No. 44871 is pictured near Loth, between Brora and Helmsdale, with The Great Britain IX.

Kildonan: Black 5 No.44871 leads The Great Britain IX through the Strath of Kildonan and begins to accelerate away from the bridge over the River Helmsdale up the gradient to Kinbrace. Class 47 No.47760 is giving a wee shove at the rear.

Portrack Viaduct: 'Portrack Scottish Garden of Rails 2004' and GSWR main line bridge over the Nith, Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack House, Dumfriesshire.

Portrack Viaduct: 'Portrack Scottish Garden of Rails 2004' and GSWR main line bridge over the Nith, Charles Jencks Garden of Cosmic Speculation, Portrack Ho, Dumfriesshire.

Malvern Link: Scene at Malvern Link station, Worcestershire, on 1 May 2017, looking south towards the A449 road bridge. A London Midland Hereford - Birmingham New Street service is at the northbound plaform. [Ref query 1067] Notice the British Rail flag hanging somewhat limply (not Limpley) from the station master's house.

Colwall: The rather rough road shown here is Brockhill Road; but between about 1910 and 1931, it was a railway of gauge approximately three feet linking Colwall Park Quarry with Colwall station (more or less). Amidst all this uncertainty, I can report with complete confidence that the rather spiffing gentleman's speedy roadster on the left is a 1937 Lagonda.

Dalwhinnie: A welcome return of steam on the Highland Main Line ,Black 5 No.45212 and K1 No.62005 are pictured north of Dalwhinnie with The Great Britain X . There is no headboard on the lead locomotive.

Moy: Not far to go now. Black 5 No.45212 and K1 No.62005 are a few minutes early as they haul The Great Britain X across the moor at Moy near Inverness.

Moy: Following The Great Britain X West Coast Railways Class 37, No.37685 Loch Arkaig and a support coach cross the moor at Moy on the final leg of the journey to Inverness, escorted by a duck.

Colwall: How do you hold a gate open on the 21st century digital railway? Try a rock. Colwall in May 2017.

Colwall: DMU 170509 leaves Colwall on its way to Hereford on 1st May 2017 with a service from Birmingham New Street. The rugged hills are typical of the Malvern area in the background. [Ref query 1053]

Colwall: This is what happens if you don't give steam engines enough coal and water - they starve to death. Lakeshore Railroad's new build Sapphire rests on 9.5-inch metals on the light railway in the grounds of the Downs School.

Malvern Link: The recently built, and traditionally styled, buildings at Malvern Link are a vast improvement on the previous, sadly run down facilities.

Coxwold: A view looking north west across the eastern most level crossing of two that crossed Colley Broach Road, in the Newburgh Priory Estate east of Coxwold Station, in close proximity to each other. The trackbed is intact between both crossing points, the other being located at the end of the line of roadside hedge running across the upper left of view. The view is taken from the top of an infilled former short section of cutting on the east side of the crossing.

Coxwold: Colley Broach Road was until recent years a rutted single width track serving farms on the Newburgh Estate just east of Coxwold Station, but like similar ones in the area has been reconstructed with a hard metalled surface. This has taken away the post closure character of the two level crossings that existed in close proximity to each other towards the Ampleforth Station end of the lane, as shown in this view looking south east standing by the old trackbed at the slightly more west of the two crossing location. The track ran from upper right to lower left of view with the nearest post for the barrier to right being sited almost mid track.

Inverness: Inverness 1 May 2017.

Kingussie: After a water stop at Kingussie, Black 5 No.45212 and K1 No.62005 power up the gradient towards Kincraig with The Great Britain X.

Hadley Wood: 313123, on a local service to Welwyn Garden City, about to depart from Hadley Wood on 1st May 2017. The final Great Northern 313s ran in 2019 but in 2022 these elderly EMUs are still in service with the Southern TOC on Coastway routes.

Hadley Wood: Now withdrawn 313050, from Welwyn Garden City to Moorgate, arriving at Hadley Wood station, on 1st May 2017. This is the most northerly station in the London travelcard zones and was originally added to the line, opened in 1850, on 1st May 1885 so this view is 132 years to the day since it first appeared in the timetables. The station was completely reconstructed in 1959 from two to four platforms (the central island is no longer in use) in connection with the widening of the line and opening of the new Hadley Wood North Tunnel, alongside the original tunnel, to remove what had become a serious bottleneck. There is still a bottleneck north of Welwyn Garden City where the line narrows down to two tracks to cross the lofty Digswell Viaduct and passing Welwyn North station and through Welwyn North Tunnel before widening out to four tracks again south of Knebworth.

National Museum of Scotland: Dilly-Dollys: Wylam Dilly, the second oldest surviving locomotive in the world, and Dolly the Sheep on display at the National Museum of Scotland.

Culloden Viaduct: Colas Rail Freight liveried 60096 leaves Culloden Viaduct with the southbound cement empties. One cargo wagon and ten Tarmac cement tankers.

Haymarket MPD: HST power-car at Haymarket Depot, showing the new livery.

Linlithgow: Edinburgh bound. A still, I videoed this to get the sound of a DMU as it will soon (?) be history.

Larbert: Great poster at Larbert. 'Stirling's Better by Bike'. The advertises the Stirling Cycle Hub which is based in Stirling station.

Addiewell: Sprinter 156435 approaching Addiewell, on the 14.06 service to Glasgow Central from Edinburgh Waverley, on 1st May 2019.

Newtonhill: The 'Great Britain XII' has the appearance of a ghost train as it runs through an east coast Haar at Newtonhill on its way to Aberdeen hauled by A4 Pacific No.60009 'Union of South Africa'.

Whitemoss Level Crossing: Running 90 minutes late through the rain 60009 approaches Whitemoss Level Crossing with the Great Britain XII tour on 1st May 2019.

Addiewell: 'Out with the Old in with the New'!!!!!! New 3 car EMU 385025, straight out of the box, (no flies on me) on the 14.07 ex Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley passing the old sprinter 156435 on the 14.06 ex Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central at a quiet Addiewell Station on 1st May 2019. A lot of works ongoing here at the moment.

Ayr: General view of Ayr Station, Platforms 1, 2 and 3 from Platform 4 looking north on 1st May 2020. Photo ancillary to a permitted walk during the Corona virus emergency.

Woodacre Crossing: Network Rail's 'Little Yellow Train', Measurement Sprinter 950001, is extremely well travelled and on 1st May 2020 worked from Derby to Carlisle calling at various points including travelling through the Barton and Broughton loop. Photograph taken at Woodacre on a permitted daily exercise walk.

Ayr: A view at Ayr on 1st May 2020 showing recently cleared old bays on the east side of the station - reason unknown.

Kincardine: 68018 runs through the closed Kincardine station, with the diverted 4A13 Grangemouth to Aberdeen intermodal, on 1 May 2021. 66422 is out of sight on the rear.

Turnhouse: I think the driver of this Inverness service is waving to the driver of a passing 158 rather than me, alas. Remains of Turnhouse station are as scant as those of Gogar, its oppo on the E&G line, but the detached station house at Turnhouse survives. The hamlet of Turnhouse is about to be swamped by substantial housing development.

Moy: There was disruption on the Highland main line on Saturday 1st May 2021. The northbound Tesco container train hauled by 68017 'Hornet' had to be rescued by 37716 after the former failed at Killiecrankie. It arrived in Inverness four hours late. Thunderbrid 37716 is pictured at Moy with the late return working, roaring along in fine style. Unique, because I have never photographed a Class 37 on this service before. It was unfortunate that I missed out on getting a picture of the northbound train, but I did manage this shot of the return working.

Edinburgh Gateway: A six-car 158 calls at Edinburgh Gateway bound for Waverley. I didn't notice whether anybody got off, but if just one person did they would have doubled the number of customers in the station - I was the other one. Substantial development is under way west of the station which will increase its catchment population, so there is hope.

Rosslynlee: Part of the abandoned former station house at Rosslynlee in May 2022. Dating from 1855 (originally named Roslin) the station closed along with the Peebles Loop in 1962.

Gorebridge: Buds ready to burst forth at Gorebridge on the first day of May 2022 as a train leaves the station with a Sunday morning Borders Railway service bound for Edinburgh Waverley.

Grove Ferry & Upstreet: Looking east from Grove Ferry AHB LC towards Minster in May 2022. This is the site of the former Grove Ferry station from 1846, which became Grove Ferry and Upstreet in 1954. The station closed in 1966. Originally there was a ferry across the Great Stour river, a few yards to the right but this was replaced by a road bridge in the 1960s.

Kingsknowe: All that remains of the yard at Kingsknowe, looking towards the level crossing on 1st May 2022.

Edinburgh Waverley: 66743 pulling away from Waverley with Royal Scotsman stock on 1st May 2022..

Grove Ferry & Upstreet: Looking south over Grove Ferry AHB on 1 May 2022 with the 1960s bridge over the Great Stour a short distance away. Prior to that there had been a ferry here and hence the railway station. The station was to the left although today there is no trace. The Grove Ferry Inn which operated the ferry is still open today on the far bank of the river and the family had a hearty bank holiday dinner in the premises!

Gorebridge: The 0947 ex-Tweedbank climbs away from the Gorebridge stop on 1 May 2022 with a Sunday morning service to Edinburgh Waverley.

Garstang and Catterall: 151 years of history has come to an end. The Kenlis Arms opened in 1871 to serve passengers at the adjacent Garstang and Catterall Station, one and a half miles from Garstang itself, which had just become the junction for the Garstang and Knot End Railway. The hotel is closing and is pictured here on its last day, 1st May 2022. The station, to the left of this picture, closed in 1969.

Gore Glen Bridge: A pair of ScotRail 158s forming the 1011 (Sundays) Edinburgh Waverrley - Tweedbank about to run south through the Gore Glen between Newtongrange and Gorebridge on a fine May morning in 2022.

Keynsham: Pleasant floral posters brightened up a dull concrete wall behind platform 1 at Keynsham in May 2022.