Maud: View north on 15 May 1959 as BR Standard Tank 80113 pulls away from Maud with a freight from Peterhead following a water stop alongside Maud signal box.

Arnage: Leaving. 80005 at Arnage on up Buchan passenger train.

Auchnagatt: 40604 approaching Auchnagatt station on 15 May 1955 with a freight for Fraserburgh.

Auchnagatt: BR Standard 2-6-4T 80111 runs south through Auchnagatt on 15 May 1959 with a Peterhead - Aberdeen freight.

Maud: BR Standard tank 80113 with a freight taking on water alongside Maud signal box in May 1959.

Arnage: BR Standard class 4 2-6-0 76108 brings a down passenger train into Arnage station on 15 May 1959.

Maud: BR standard 2-6-4 tank 80005 photographed at Maud in the spring of 1959 in the process of dividing the Fraserburgh and Peterhead portions of a recent arrival from Aberdeen.

Maud: Standard class 4 2-6-0 76108 approaching Maud on 15 May 1959 with an up train.

Esslemont: The 1861 station at Esslemont in May 1959 looking north towards Ellon. The station closed to passengers in 1952. [Ref query 9807]

Pitmedden: Pitmedden signal box and level crossing in May 1960.

Kinaldie: The view west over Kinaldie station in 1960. The platforms remain, but the line has been singled, station closed and the fine building has gone.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Black 5 no 44669 in the yard at Carlisle Kingmoor shed on 15 May 1964.

Larkhall Central: Motherwell shed's Black 5 no 45029 passing through Larkhall Central on 15 May 1964 with a trainload of pigeons for release at Alton Heights. (After taking this photograph I was able to cycle south to Blackwood to obtain another shot - plus a bonus footplate trip - with the bike consigned to the tender!)

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Royal Scot 46132 'The King's Regiment Liverpool' photographed on its home shed at Kingmoor in May 1964. The locomotive is recorded as being officially withdrawn three months earlier and was eventually cut up at Arnott Young, Troon, the following April.

Carlisle: Ivatt 4F 2-6-0 no 43027 arrives at Carlisle platform 4 on 15 May 1964 with the 6.22pm train from Langholm.

Carlisle Kingmoor Shed: Class 3F 0-6-0T 47236 sandwiched between a snow plough and Stanier Pacific 46244 King George VI in the shed yard at Kingmoor on 15 May 1964.

Lesmahagow [2nd]: The friendly crew of 45029 with driver J Archibald, posing for the camera alongside the pigeon special at Lesmahagow on its return from Alton Heights on 15 May 1964 see image [[47427]]. A print finally found its way to them at Motherwell MPD.

Stonehouse [Lanarkshire]: Motherwell Black 5 no 45029 at Stonehouse station on 15 May 1964 on its way back from Alton Heights with a pigeon special see image [[46637]].

Blackwood Junction: Looking south from Blackwood signal box in May 1964, as 45029 with a pigeon special waits for a DMU from Coalburn to clear the section to Alton Heights. The original (1866) Blackwood terminus lay straight ahead, with the 1905 replacement through station (closed 1965) round the curve to the left see image [[9162]].

Alton Heights Junction: 45029 takes water at Alton Heights on 15 May 1964 after arriving with a pigeon special see image [[46637]]. This had once been a 4-way junction with lines from Brocketsbrae and Lesmahagow to the north meeting those from Coalburn and Poneil Junction to the south. By this time however it was merely a loop.

Paisley St James: Fairburn 2-6-4T no 42259 approaching Paisley St James on 16 May 1964 with a Glasgow - Wemyss Bay service. The [[Underwood Coal Depot]] is to the left, which had a long siding to the [[Abercorn Oil Works]].

Stonehouse Viaduct: Black 5 45029 crossing Stonehouse Viaduct on its way back to Motherwell on 15 May 1964 with an empty pigeon special, having delivered the contents to Alton Heights see image [[46637]].

Wemyss Bay: DEPV 'Talisman' at Wemyss Bay on 15th May 1965, dressed overall to mark the centenary of the opening of the original station and pier.

Wemyss Bay: DEPV 'Talisman' at Wemyss Bay on 15th May 1965, dressed overall in honour of the centenary of the opening of the station and pier. The photograph was taken from the departing paddle steamer 'Caledonia', from which traces of wash can be seen in the foreground.

Stranraer Harbour: Stranraer Harbour, viewed from PS 'Caledonia' as she arrived on a Clyde Coast charter on 15th May 1965. The 'Caledonian Princess' is berthed on the far side of the pier, shortly to make her regular crossing to Larne.

Largs Pier: MV 'Maid of Cumbrae', photographed from PS 'Caledonia' off Largs in 1965. The Maid was dressed overall to mark the centenary of Wemyss Bay pier. The 'Caledonia' was similarly adorned, though not quite overall (see [[82936]]), and had called at Wemyss Bay in the course of a charter sailing down the Ayrshire coast to Stranraer. One recalls that the 'Maids' were regarded at the time as somewhat second rate in comparison with the paddle steamers and turbines plying the Clyde. But it has to be admitted that, on a day like this, they did look rather racy!

Stranraer Harbour: At Stranraer Harbour, in May 1965, a rather more elegant vessel in the shape of PS 'Caledonia' has nipped into the berth more usually occupied by the 'Caledonian Princess', the latter having not long left for Larne. The Clyde steamer, on a charter sailing, was an unusual visitor to Stranraer. Earlier in the day, she had marked the centenary of the opening of Wemyss Bay by calling there before heading south down the Ayrshire coast.

Stranraer Harbour: A rare visitor to Stranraer, the Clyde paddle steamer 'Caledonia', has arrived on a special charter, having sailed down the Ayrshire coast from Wemyss Bay. The date was 15th May 1965, the centenary of Wemyss Bay's opening. From the position of the bow rope, it looks as though the 'Caledonia' has begun canting round the end of the pier, so as to berth at the other side (see [[82617]]) before heading back to the Clyde.

Glasgow St Enoch: View of the remaining lines on the curve into a much diminished St Enoch terminus almost a year after closure. Photographed in May 1967, from a passing railtour.

Stalham: The former Midland & Great Northern Joint station at Stalham on May 15th 1976. Closed in 1959, it was in use as a council depot at the time of this photo. After the depot closed, the building was salvaged by the North Norfolk railway and re-erected at its Holt terminus.

Reepham (Norfolk): Following withdrawal of County School to Wroxham passenger trains in 1952, Reepham (GER) became a freight only terminus until lifted track was relaid to a new connection with the Norwich to Melton Constable line (M&GN) at Themelthorpe in 1960. Shown here are the (then) still open, but seldom used, sidings at Reepham in May 1977, looking east towards the station. In 2010, the station had become a pleasant café, the goods shed a craft centre, and the trackbed a footpath/cycleway.

Corpusty and Saxthorpe: As if set down on someone's lawn, the former Midland and Great Northern station that used to serve Corpusty and Saxthorpe was being well cared for (by a local scout group) on 15th May 1977. Retained for community service after closure in 1959, the high standard of upkeep continued for decades through various uses. In 2017, it housed a cafe for the summer season. [Ref query 5 August 2018]

Boat of Garten: 46464 stored in the station sidings at Boat of Garten, the engine is now under repair at the Caledonian Railway, Brechin. 15 May 1981. An image scanned from an old 120 Kodacolour negative.

Aviemore Speyside: The Strathspey Railway's Austerity No 60 with their LMS inspection saloon alongside the Aviemore 'Speyside' platform on 15 May 1981. The train is conveying Railway Officers and Railway Inspectorate Staff.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: A type 2 leaves Queen Street tunnel and enters the station on 15 May 1981.

Aviemore Speyside: Strathspey Railway's No 60 running into Aviemore Speyside on 15 May 1982.

Exeter St Davids: The single car diesel unit for Barnstaple waits at Exeter St Davids in May 1985. Note the BRUTEs and mail bags on the platform alongside.

Altofts: Scene at Altofts station, West Yorkshire, on 15 May 1990, the day after the station was officially closed to passengers.

Harrogate: A train for Leeds awaits its departure time from Harrogate on 15 May 1990.

Knaresborough: A York - Leeds DMU arrives at Knaresborough on 15 May 1990.

Altofts: Entrance to Altofts station near Normanton West Yorkshire, complete with WYPTE Metro sign. Photographed on 15 May 1990 - the day after the station was officially closed, see image [[41676]].

Blindwells Opencast Disposal Site: 26006 at Blindwells opencast disposal site with a loaded coal train for Cockenzie Power Station in 1991.

Kinglassie Colliery: 37692 on Longannet to Westfield empties near Kinglassie in 1991.

Dundee: Driver stress, Dundee, 1993. Dundee Tay Bridge had been officially renamed Dundee in 1966, the year after the closure of Dundee West station.

Longannet West Arrival: 56104 takes the west spur into Longannet Power Station with the first working of opencast coal, loaded at the former Kincardine Power Station, into Longannet Power Station on 15 May 1994.

Cottingham: A previous generation of ticket machine, seen here at Cottingham, between Hull and Beverley, in May 1994. Turn the dial for your destination - so long as it's on the same line. Payment was by coin only.

Blaenant Mine: 37896 passing the site of the once Blaenant loading point, where there was also a block post and loading siding, in May 1996. Blaenant mine shut in 1989. 37896 is en route with the Cawood containers to Swansea Dock having been loaded at Onllwyn with coal for Northern Ireland. These containers were a regular sight for a while and loaded at many different locations.

Nethy Bridge: View north at Nethy Bridge in May 2002.

Nethy Bridge: Looking north along the trackbed at Nethy Bridge towards Grantown-on-Spey in May 2002. The station, which had closed to passengers in 1965, was in use as a hostel.

Nethy Bridge: The old station at Nethy Bridge in May 2002 looking south along the Strathspey route towards Aviemore. By this time the building had been converted for use as a bunkhouse.

Taff's Well: A valleys line train about to cross the river Taff just north of Taff's Well in May 2004. Two other lines, the Cardiff Railway and the Barry Railway once shared this part of the valley.

Milngavie: Train leaving Milngavie heading to Glasgow. Dumgoyne and Mugdock bank are seen in the background.

Polmont Junction: A Glasgow - Edinburgh train passing the recently modified layout at Polmont Junction in May 2006.

Burntisland Junction: Work proceeding on £3m renewal of C(S) listed Lammerlaws road bridge to Burntisland beach and swimming pool. Temporary footbridge near camera.

Burntisland East Junction: Sea Wall, collie and church at Burntisland.

Burntisland East Junction: GNER 125 curves northbound alongside the recreation area at Burntisland.

Burntisland: Historical plaque on Burntisland down waiting room wall.

Burntisland East Junction: Pettycur Heights are background to a 170 as it slows for the Burntisland stop.

Burntisland: Waiting room on the tightly curved northbound platform at Burntisland, masonry built.

Menstrie and Glenochil: Back to nature at Menstrie on 15 May 2007. View east from road bridge.

Burntisland: Tight curve on down platform at Burntisland.

Burntisland [1st]: Burntisland original station platform building (left) and present station building on the higher plane. When the Forth Bridge opened in 1890 the new (r) line opened.

Dalguise Viaduct: Dalguise Viaduct. A turbostar heads north past Craigvinean forest.

Blair Atholl: Southbound 170410 leaves Blair Atholl for Glasgow.

Blair Atholl: Buffer stops abandoned in Blair Atholl yard.

Killiecrankie: Remains of down platform at Killiecrankie

Killiecrankie: Killiecrankie former station.

Ballinluig: A 170 FSR heads north between Dalguise and Ballinluig

Blair Atholl: Glasgow train races through Blair Atholl.

Blair Atholl: North view of Blair Atholl station.

Alloa [1st]: 61994 with the second special of the day leaves Alloa on 15 May 2008.

Alloa Harbour Junction: Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey at the rear of one of the Alloa Reopening specials leaving Alloa for Stirling on 15 May 2008.

Alloa West Junction: 61994 leaving Alloa with the 1330 on 15 May.

Kilbagie: The Alloa-Stirling special empty stock at Kilbagie on 15 May.

Kilbagie: Empty stock for the special runs between Alloa and Stirling passing Kilbagie on 15 May.

Stirling: 55022 Royal Scots Grey with 61994 The Great Marquess at Stirling met by many well-wishers on 15/05/2008 the day the first passenger train ran on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line after re-opening. This was the 14.20 back to Alloa.

Blackgrange: 61994 The Great Marquess rattles past Blackgrange level crossing, Stirling bound, with the second of the four shuttles put on for the official reopening of the SAK line.

Manor Powis: The first passenger train on the new line between Alloa and Stirling passing the former loop and level crossing at Manor Powis. Steam engine K4 61994 leads, with deltic 22 tailed at rear. (15 May 2008) Photographed from the A81 Stirling bypass.

Ravenstruther: Freightliner 66509, accompanied by a large buzzard, runs slowly out along the reversing spur at Ravenstruther shortly after leaving the West Coast Main Line (above which the overhead mast in the foreground stands) on 15 May 2008. The locomotive will reverse its empties via the siding running across the centre of the picture to reach the loading hopper off to the right. The solitary vehicle on the left is in the crippled wagon siding.

Cleghorn: A Milngavie - Lanark service passing the site of Cleghorn station on 15 May 2008 prior to running over the level crossing. The train is approaching Lanark Junction, where it will turn south off the West Coast Main Line and onto the branch.

Stirling: 61994 arrives at Stirling with a special from Alloa.

Stirling: View from footplate of 61994 after arrival from Alloa showing Stirling semaphores. Access by kind permission of John Cameron.

Waterside Level Crossing: The Alloa opening, taken at Waterside Level Crossing (sometimes known as Cambuskenneth crossing) on 15th May.

Cambus: K4 61994 ran four special trips between Alloa and Stirling on 15th May 2008 to officially open the SAK. Here she is rounding the left hand curve between Cambus and Blackgrange on the 1330 service from Alloa.

Cleghorn: Just before the new Spring foliage makes it impossible, a photograph taken from the site of the down platform at Cleghorn on 15 May with the 1142 Milngavie - Lanark train running over the A706 level crossing as it slows ready to turn off the WCML at Lanark Junction. The former station house stands on the left.

Ravenstruther: End of the line. Looking east from the A70 towards the buffer stops at the end of the reversing siding at Ravenstruther in May 2008. Freightliner 66509 has recently arrived off the WCML with empties and the driver is awaiting clearance before reversing his train along the siding running across the centre of the photograph to reach the loading hopper.

Carstairs: A Virgin Pendolino about to pass below a much photographed road bridge spanning the WCML. The 0830 London Euston - Glasgow Central glides through Carstairs station on the down fast line on 15 May 2008.

Cleghorn: The 1150 Glasgow Central - London Euston Virgin Pendolino service at speed 15 May 2008. The train is about to pass the signal for Lanark Junction before running through the site of the former Cleghorn station.

Waterside Level Crossing: A photograph taken at Waterside Level Crossing, Causewayhead, on the re-opening of the Stirling - Alloa - Kincardine line. Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey. [Ref query 23 March 2018]

Fribourg: Although Fribourg station in on the SBB network, Bern S-Bahn services are operated by BLS. The empty stock for a Bern S-Bahn service on line S1 (Fribourg to Thun) arrives at Fribourg on 15 May.

Stirling: Steam to the front (and a Deltic to the rear) as one of the SRPS specials put on to celebrate the opening of the line from Kincardine and Alloa pulls into Stirling on 15th May 2008 behind K4 61994 The Great Marquess .

Polkemmet Junction: Progress at Bathgate viewed looking north towards the town from the Whitburn Road on 15 May 2010. See also earlier images [[23966]] and [[24515]].

Blunsdon: RSS Tamper 73315 stands at Blunsdon on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway on 15 May 2010 having been brought in to fettle ballast on the Mouldon Hill extension.

Seafield Colliery: 170 393 passes the site of the junction for Seafield Colliery with a southbound service on 15 May 2010 see image [[29016]]

Boghead Junction: Ballasting underway between Bathgate and Armadale, 15 may 2010

Blunsdon: The tamper brought in to fettle the ballast on the southern Mouldon Hill Extension of the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, photographed at Blunsdon on 15 May 2010. After three passes, apparently the track can handle 70mph trains. We are now able to run over an extra 3/4 mile of new track.

Seafield Shunting Frame: Seafield pit, just to the south of Kirkcaldy, was planned in the late 1950s and it was said it would last for 150 years. Despite this 'kiss of death' in longevity terms it did, nonetheless, manage 23 years in full production, closing in 1988 and having its prominent towers blown up the following year. It had a seam reaching well out under the Firth of Forth, coincidentally towards Seafield in Edinburgh which is within sight. This is, as far as I can recall, where the signal box stood between the ECML (left) and access to the colliery. See image [[29023]]

Blunsdon: Barclay 0-6-0ST Swordfish (works no 2138 of 1942) photographed at Blunsdon on 15 May. Named after HMS Swordfish, the locomotive is not normally seen on a Saturday as the owners and restorers tend to keep it under wraps.

Wirksworth: Platform scene at Wirksworth, on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, on 15 May 2011.

Wirksworth: Scene at Wirksworth station on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway on 15 May 2011. Resident Barclay 0-4-0ST No 3 powers a shuttle service utilising a DMU coach.

Hest Bank: Colas Rail 56087 brings the Carlisle to Chirk log train through Hest Bank on 15 June 2013 in bright sunshine. Part of the closed Hest Bank level crossing box can just be seen left under the footbridge.

Breich: 156495 heads west through Breich on 15 May with an Edinburgh - Glasgow Central via Shotts service.

Breich: 156445 heads east through Breich on 15 May bound for Edinburgh .

Hobart: Main railway station building in Hobart, closed in 1978 when all passenger services in Tasmania ceased. Platforms were behind, and the whole site has been redeveloped for the ABC Broadcasting Complex.

Hobart: The only railway remnants in Hobart are a container yard and a general yard. Here, a trio of locos delivered in 2012 (the first new to Tasrail since 1973) depart after shunting the container yard. There is a grandstand just off camera for viewing yacht racing, with grass terraces for spectators. The unfenced rail line runs right through these terraces!

Hobart: The solitary track from the north splits into three beside the Grandstand see image [[43328]] with the one on the left falling away to quayside level for the container depot. The two to the right curve round to a general goods yard. These would have led into the passenger station were it not for the facts that there is a new road across the trackbed and the ABC TV buildings complex obliterating the site.

Newcastleton: Part of the old station house at Newcastleton on 15 May 2014.

Mount Florida: A northbound service calls at Mount Florida on 15 May 2014 on its way to Glasgow Central.

Mount Florida: A southbound train, heading for Neilston, calls at Mount Florida on 15 May 2014, with the tenements of McLennan Street standing in the background.

Inverkeithing East Junction: DRS 37419 passes Inverkeithing East Junction with an Inverness - Craigentinny test train on 15 May.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: K1 No. 62005 is pictured climbing the gradient up to Glenfinnan Viaduct with The Jacobite.

Bathgate [4th]: Back to nature. Scene at the former Bathgate single line terminus on 15 May 2015 see image [[20316]]. Opened in March 1986, the station closed in October 2010 on the opening of the current through station.

Forrestfield: After passing Forrestfield westbound on 15 May 2015 the 1048 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central is about to skirt the south shore of Hillend Reservoir before making its next stop at Caldercruix.

Bathgate: The 0938 Edinburgh - Milngavie arriving at Bathgate on 15 May 2015.

Larbert Viaduct: Shortly after leaving Larbert on 15 May 2015 the 1158 Dunblane - Edinburgh crosses the viaduct over the River Carron.

Larbert Viaduct: A ScotRail service from Edinburgh Waverley approaching the Larbert stop on 15 May 2015. The Dunblane bound train is about to cross Larbert Viaduct over the River Carron, less than half a mile from Larbert station.

Armadale: The 0957 Milngavie - Edinburgh eastbound through Armadale station on 15 May 2015. This train runs non-stop between Drumgelloch and Bathgate.

Armadale Junction: After rounding the sweeping curve from Bathgate, an Edinburgh Waverley - Helenburgh Central train slows for the Armadale stop. View east on 15 May 2015, with the platforms of Armadale station just off picture to the right.

Forrestfield: The 1048 Edinburgh Waverley - Helensburgh Central approaching Forrestfield, North Lanarkshire, on 15 May 2015.

Bathgate: A fine morning at Bathgate on 15 May 2015, with the 0857 Milngavie - Edinburgh about to come to a halt at platform 1.

Bathgate LMD: The light maintenance and stabling bays forming part of the ScotRail facilities on the south side of Bathgate station, photographed on 15 May 2015. As you might expect mid-morning on a Friday the bays stand empty.

Bathgate Upper: An Edinburgh - Milngavie train seen shortly after leaving Bathgate station in May 2015. The train is on the long curve west towards Armadale skirting the boundary fence of Bathgate Golf Club. [Ref query 20 September 2018]

Armadale Junction: The 1023 Edinburgh - Helensburgh service approaching the Armadale stop on 15 May 2015. The town of Bathgate occupies most of the background.

Newcraighall South Junction: A Borders line service bound for Tweedbank about to run through Newcraighall South Junction and onto the double track section on 15 May 2016. The 4-car DMU is on the Network Rail 2014 deviation which runs between Newcraighall and Kings Gate via Shawfair.

Cheddleton: A new water tower under construction at Cheddleton on the North Staffordshire Railway, 15 May 2016.

Newcraighall South Junction: ScotRail 158710 leads the 4-car 0945 Tweedbank - Edinburgh Waverley on 15 May 2016. The train is passing the Biogen anaerobic digestion facility at Millerhill between the Shawfair and Newcraighall stops.

Stow: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' on its way to Tweedbank with the 'Cathedrals Express', passing Stow station on the Borders Line, on 15th May 2016.

Melrose: Surviving British Railways Scottish Region running-in board at the former Melrose station, on the as yet un-restored section of the former Waverley Route that was senselessly closed on 6th January 1969 despite widespread protests. Seen here slumbering quietly in the afternoon sunshine of Sunday, 15th May 2016.

Edinburgh Waverley: 47580 at rear of a 'Flying Scotsman' excursion, just arrived back at Edinburgh Waverley after a trip down the Borders Line to Tweedbank, on 15th May 2016.

Melrose: The one remaining platform at Melrose station on the Waverley Route, nonsensically closed on 6th January 1969, seen here looking south on 15th May 2016.

Borthwick Bank Signal Box: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' climbs Borthwick Bank with 'The Cathedrals Express' on the 15th of May 2016. A small group admire the locomotive from above to the right.

Stow: 170393, with a Borders Line service from Tweedbank to Edinburgh Waverley, heading away from the camera, having just departed from the reopened Stow station, on 15th May 2016.

Stow: Stow station, closed with the entire Waverley Route in 1969, reopened for the Borders Line in 2015, seen here on Sunday, 15th May 2016. Sadly, the building has not been revived for railway use. Rebuilding of the line at this location involved the demolition of a virtually brand new house that had been built on the track bed.

Stow: Former station building at Stow, closed with the entire Waverley Route in January 1969, seen here on Sunday, 15th May 2016. The station reopened as part of the Borders Line, on 30 miles of the trackbed south from Edinburgh, in September 2015 but the building has not been revived for railway use.

Edinburgh Waverley: 158739, with 158713 at rear, at Edinburgh Waverley waiting to depart on 15th May 2016 with a service to Tweedbank over the new Borders Line that had opened eight months earlier.

Tweedbank: A new generation of enthusiast enjoying the Flying Scotsman at Tweedbank.

Heriot: Flying Scotsman steaming sedately south between Heriot and Fountainhall on 15 May 2016.

Melrose: The sad remains of the once splendid Melrose station, closed with the entire Waverley Route from Carlisle to Edinburgh Waverley on 6th January 1969, to widespread local opposition and protests, seen here on 15th May 2016. A second platform once stood on the left but was demolished - it would be - to make way for the Melrose road bypass. Given that there is ample room to lay a single track at this remaining platform, I am at a loss to understand why the new Borders Line was not continued on to here, especially as Melrose is a delightful Borders town and, with its ruined Abbey, a tourist spot in its own right. Plus its just a short distance from Tweedbank too.

Manuel High Level: 60103 indulges in some complex shunting at Manuel to prepare for the Tweedbank and Fife excursions on 15 May. 47580 is in the background waiting to lead the train to Edinburgh. 47854 waits in the loop.

Manuel: 60103 propelling empty stock to Manuel on 15 May.

Linlithgow: 47580 'County of Essex' nears Linlithgow with the Bo'ness - Edinburgh empty stock with 60103 on the rear.

Borthwick Bank Signal Box: 60103 romping uphill between Borthwick Bank and Tynehead where the line skirts the top of Maggie Bowie’s Glen. The sun had just emerged from behind a cloud and the 10:45 from Tweedbank had only gone past about 30 seconds earlier, so it was a close run thing!

Paterson's No 2 Siding: On departure from Galashiels, 47580 leads the train with Flying Scotsman on the rear.

Paterson's No 2 Siding: Flying Scotsman going backwards on the rear of the trains returning from Tweedbank.

Forth Bridge: The unmistakable silhouette of 60103 heading north over the Forth Bridge on 15 May.

Newcraighall South Junction: A 4-car 158 set, seen shortly after restarting from Newcraighall station with a train for Tweedbank on 15 May 2016. The train is emerging from below Whitehill Road bridge and approaching the start of the double track section at Newcraighall South Junction. The road entrance gates at the north end of Millerhill Yard are visible top right.

Paddington: Class 166 DMU's approaching Paddington with the lead set in the new GWR colours.

Stow: Station Road at Stow on 15th May 2016. Anyone walking along here between January 1969 and September 2015, hoping to catch a train to Edinburgh or Carlisle (or maybe even Riccarton Junction), would have been confronted by a disused derelict station following the closure of the Waverley Route. Fortunately, this mistake was partially rectified when the first 30 miles south from Edinburgh to the new station at Tweedbank were reopened in 2015. Having brought trains back to Stow, and the important Borders town of Galashiels, the campaign to extend all the way back to Carlisle continues and bring trains back to Melrose and Hawick.

Paddington: An HST set in the new GWR colours waiting to depart with the 1237 to Swansea.

Stow: The 'Flying Scotsman' hauling an excursion to Tweedbank on the new Borders Railway, passing the reopened station at Stow, on a bright and sunny 15th May 2016.

Bristol Parkway: A grab shot passing the new facilities at Bristol Parkway.

Aylesbury: Chiltern Railways green class 121 railcar 121 034 or DX2011B, prepares to operate an additional service at 1639 hrs from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough on Monday 15th May 2017 in the final week of operation of these units. It will follow the train in front which is the 1629 Aylesbury to Marylebone via High Wycombe. Chiltern Railways Retirement of Class 121 Bubble Car

Leith Tram Depot: I wonder how many times I have walked past this bit of old tram rail on Leith Walk without noticing it? Leith Tram depot building near the foot of the Walk is soon to find a use as a community hub, whatever that is. This was the depot of Leith Tramways and is not to be confused with the Edinburgh Corporation depot at Shrubhill, further up Leith Walk. Sorry about the fag ends but I didn't have a sweeping brush on me.

Aylesbury: The start of the final week of Chiltern Railways Bubble Car operation shows both units, the last 1st generation DMUs in main line service, parked up at Aylesbury earlier on the Monday afternoon (150517). One will later operate the peak evening services between here and Princes Risborough.

Plates, signs, notices etc: A new street name in Leith; Quintinshill Place. A reference to the Territorial soldiers who were raised locally for the 1/7th (Leith) Battalion, the Royal Scots and who were injured and died in the crash at Quintinshill in 1915. The troops had been heading for Gallipoli.

Bishophouse Junction: GBRf 66738 Huddersfield Town runs south on the ECML towards Raskelf Bridge on a Tyne Coal Terminal to Drax Power Station working on 15 May 2018. It is passing the former Bishophouse Junction to the right, that connected onto the Raskelf Curve running from SunBeck Junction on the Malton & Pickering line.

Powderhall Loop: The disused line heading east from Powderhall.

Kirkham and Wesham: The first Pendolino (and possibly the first of any type of electric traction) to reach Blackpool under its own power is seen on the return test run back to Preston at half past midnight on 15 May 2018. A second return trip was made later in the night. Hopefully all was well and electric services are now clear to commence operating from next Monday.

Carnoustie: A Glasgow to Aberdeen HST passes Carnoustie on 15 May 2019. The level-crossing barriers were recently replaced, but the renewal of signalling promised for the same time doesn't seem to have happened - unless it has been very subtle.

Barry Links: An Arbroath to Edinburgh service hurries through Barry Links on 15 May 2019. Note the recently installed information screens; the service here was about to double (to two a day each way) so perhaps that justifies the expense. The road signs all refer to this as just Barry Station, but I suppose the risk of confusing it with the real Barry station in South Wales is not great.

Galashiels: The Borders Explorer ticket allows customers to travel to the beautiful and historic borders towns and villages from Edinburgh by train or bus on one ticket. The all-in-one ticket includes ScotRail travel to / from Edinburgh Waverley and any Borders Bus from Galashiels Transport Interchange to towns and villages throughout the region, including, Hawick, Jedburgh, Peebles, Kelso and Coldstream. Customers can only leave or board the train at either Galashiels or Tweedbank to board the connecting Borders Bus service.

Corrour Summit: 73971 begins the descent from Corrour Summit, towards Loch Treig, with the Caledonian Sleeper for Fort William on 15th May 2019.

Inverness: HST + 4 at Inverness on 15th May 2019. Only the front loco was in the new Inter7City livery. The rest were in de-logoed First Great Western.

Corrour Summit: B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig' top and tail the southbound Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer over the Alt Luib Ruairidh on the climb to Corrour. 15th May 2019.

Craigendoran Junction: On the first leg of Day 7 of the Highlands and Islands Railtour from Fort William to Penrith 61306 Mayflower draws its train into the West Highland Loop at Craigendoran Junction. The train was top and tailed by the B1 and 37669 with the latter providing most of the power when the train was observed passing Ardmore Crossing around 40 minutes later.

Corrour: The most remote and highest station on the UK rail network is Corrour, seen here on 15th May 2019. In the picture is the station, the Station House Restaurant, Loch Coir' a' Bhric Beag and Loch Ossian.

Corrour Summit: B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower' and 37685 'Loch Arkaig' top and tail the southbound 'Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer', nearing Corrour Summit. Corrour Station is in the distance. 15th May 2019.

Golf Street: 'I'm not stopping'. Just as well really as the train is three times longer than the platform. An LNER service for Aberdeen passes Golf Street on 15 May 2019. Note the newly-installed information screens to cope with the doubling of services - to two a day - from 20 May. The white LED is almost disturbing when you are so used to amber. Balmossie and Barry Links are similarly equipped

Balshaw Lane Junction: DC Rail Freight Class 56s numbers 56103 and 56091 head north at Balshaw Lane Jct while working from Boston to Carlisle (6Z57) with empty stone bogie wagons, late in the evening of 15 May 2019.

Dundee: A Glasgow to Aberdeen HST approaches Dundee on 15 May 2019. The odd coach out is still in the (very) dark green of GWR.

Dundee: The latest wheeze to clutter up information screens is to tell you where your train currently is. As you are told when it is expected I can't see how knowing where it is now adds anything, especially if you don't know how far away Carnoustie (in this case) is. Anway, 'a' LNER service? An mistake, surely. 15th May 2019

Corrour Summit: The last day of the Steam Dreams railtour. B1 No.61306 Mayflower and 37685 Loch Arkaig, climb the long gradient up to Corrour, with the southbound Steam Dreams - Highlands and Islands Explorer.

Barry Links: A Glasgow to Aberdeen service passes over the level crossing and through Barry Links at speed on 15 May 2019. It temporarily drowns out the sound of gunfire from the nearby MOD range which seems to be pretty constant. It is true that real gunfire doesn't sound real.

Carnoustie: The 'See it, say it, sorted' set makes its first stop with an Arbroath to Edinburgh service on 15 May 2019. Note the semaphore peeking above it; we were led to believe this would have gone by now. In December 2018 Carnoustie lost its daytime express services to new hourly stopping trains, but it is probably a price worth paying. I'm bound to have just annoyed somebody

Uffington: GWR 800-004 westbound, with a Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads, passing Uffington on 15th May 2020.

Granton: Going by its orientation this fragment seems to have been part of the meandering connection between Pilton Junction West and Granton Harbour. This area was once quite industrial and threaded with railway tracks a few short sections of which survive in the tarmac. Photographed incidental to my daily exercise permitted under emergency coronavirus legislation.

Uffington: Having missed the previous day's Freightliners, I went back to Uffington for a second try on 15th May 2020. One eastbound did turn up, with 66568 running from Wentloog to Felixstowe (reporting number 4690ZZ), but the one scheduled from Ely did not.

City Thameslink: 700141 with Thameslink train to Horsham at City Thameslink, looking back north, on 15th May 2021. This station is built in the Snow Hill tunnel that closed to passengers in 1916 and to freight in 1971. It lay disused until 1988 when the tracks were relaid and it reopened for Thameslink services, introducing for the first time through Bedford to Brighton trains. Thameslink services from the ECML began in 2018. At first, trains ran through from Farringdon to Blackfriars but in 1990 this new station, at first called St. Paul's Thameslink, was built in the tunnel. It is more or less on the site of the old Holborn Viaduct Low Level station (known as Snow Hill until 1912) that closed in 1916. Back in 1969 I secured a seat on a London railtour that traversed the tunnel two years before it was abandoned.

Walworth Road: The site of Walworth Road, just south of Elephant & Castle, seen from a Thameslink service to Sutton, on 15th May 2021. This station opened as Camberwell Gate on 1st May 1863 and was renamed in 1865. It was closed as a WWI economy on 3rd April 1916, intended to be only temporary, but it never reopened after 1918.

Slateford: Anyone who hangs around stations with no train to catch needs to have a look at themselves. I however was lucky with a 'fast train approaching' warning as I passed through Slateford station on 15 May 2021. This TPE service was for Manchester Airport, which I only know because it says so on the front. So there.

Moorside: A platform scene at Moorside, looking back towards the street level ticket office, in May 2021. This was damaged in a malicious fire in 2020 and the station is now unstaffed. A plywood panelled corridor has been created through from the street to the stairs. In this view towards Manchester the single line bridge for the up track can be seen. The bridge to the right used to span three tracks until 1968 and is much wider.

Red Rock: When a railway runs from Boars Head Junction to Red Rock and White Bear you would be forgiven for thinking it was in North America rather than Lancashire. This is Red Rock station, closed in 1949, and the trackbed can be walked from here to White Bear in Adlington. Photographs from operational days show the station building here was very similar to that at White Bear [[76459]]) but at Red Rock it has been greatly extended as part of a home and is seen here in May 2021. A car park in the Red Rock goods yard assists visiting the old line, which once formed a direct route from Wigan to Blackburn.

Harringay: 387102 still has three miles to go to Kings Cross as it speeds past Harringay on the ECML in north London, on 15th May 2021.

Castle Douglas: Two railway buildings still stand at the site of Castle Douglas station in 2021. One is the stone built goods shed, in use as a hardware store (see image [[34786]]), the other is this heavily disguised British Railways standard prefabricated concrete Provender Shed in use as a fast food establishment. These buildings were once common in goods yards around the country. To see what they look like in their normal guise see photos of Newpark, [[57747]], Masham [[47340]] and Sedbergh [[49371]].

Harringay: Is this the world's longest-serving temporary ticket office? It was put up at Harringay after the original and grander Victorian entrance, dating from 1885, was destroyed by fire in the 1960s. Never intended to be permanent, it is still theoretically in use more than fifty years later, but usually closed and passengers use their Oyster cards on the machines instead. This station is now what could be termed an unstaffed halt, seen on 15th May 2021.

Camberwell: The remains of Camberwell station, seen from a Thameslink service to Sutton, on 15th May 2021. This was opened by the LC&DR in 1862, but passenger numbers fell when new electric trams started to serve this south London neighbourhood in the early 20th Century. WWI hastened its demise and it closed on 3rd April 1916 but, somewhat surprisingly, stayed open for goods traffic until 18th April 1964. In 1935, as part of the LPTB's 'New Works' programme, an extension of the Bakerloo Line from Elephant & Castle was mooted with a proposed terminus under Camberwell Green but after 1945 this was not proceeded with. Camberwell is one of the busiest suburbs in London without a station even though trains speed through its midst with passengers unable to board or alight from them and instead are entirely dependant on buses. The recent proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham (delayed due to covid) opted to go via Old Kent Road leaving Camberwell still in limbo although in July 2020 a new Thameslink station here was shortlisted for reopening as part of a third round of a New Stations Fund. We wait with bated breath.

Shoreditch High Street: View from a TfL bus on route 43 of the London Overground bridge across Shoreditch High Street on 15th May 2021. This bridge is on the link line that was built to connect the partially reopened NLR Broad Street branch with the former LUL East London Line and was rolled into position in 2008 in readiness to allow trains to run between north and south London and opened in April 2010. The new Shoreditch High Street station is to the right of the bridge. I was fortunate to travel on the first ever train between Dalston Junction and New Cross on the first day, my first ride along a section of the old Broad Street viaduct since it closed in 1986.

Finsbury Park: 700141, with a Thameslink service to Horsham, arriving at Finsbury Park on 15th May 2021. This service began in 2018 with the belated opening of the Canal Tunnels linking the ECML to the MML north of Kings Cross. Its a pity that Finsbury Park is the only suburban station on the ECML that Thameslink services through the Canal Tunnels stop at. One would have thought some of the other more important stations on the ECML, e.g. Potters Bar and Welwyn Garden City, would have warranted a Thameslink service to ease congestion caused by changing at Finsbury Park. There is no Thameslink service round the Hertford North Loop neither.

Broad Street: North side abutment of former bridge over Great Eastern Street at Shoreditch, part of the North London Railway Broad Street branch, opened in 1865 and closed in 1986, seen from a TfL bus on route 43 from London Bridge to Friern Barnet on 15th May 2021. Just north of here, most of the old Broad Street viaduct was reopened in April 2010 for London Overground with the new link from the East London Line and new stations at Shoreditch High Street, Hoxton, Haggerston and a reopened Dalston Junction. If I had £1 for every time I travelled over this bridge into Broad Street (sadly now demolished) as a boy, I could have retired quite comfortably by the time I was 30.

Edinburgh Waverley: While at Waverley carrying out a secret mission for Ewan Crawford (whoops) I thought I may as well photograph a train, so here is a service for Glasgow Central via Carstairs pulling out of Platform 8. I must say that pigeon was acting rather furtively too.

Hoghton: 60103 'Flying Scotsman' approaching Hoghton on 15 May 2021 whilst out on the Carnforth-Hellifield-Blackburn test circuit. It had been thought that this was to have been a loaded test run before a possible outing next week, however it was only a support coach that joined the loco on its leg stretch around Lancashire and North Yorkshire.

Edinburgh General: This is the story of a remarkable survivor. The building in Edinburgh shown here - three windows wide and of dark coloured stone material - is located on the north east corner of the junction of Market Street and Waverley Bridge. Today it is a ticket office for sightseeing buses. The building was not here originally. It was the southern wing of the 1846 booking office, located by Waverley Bridge, of Edinburgh General station (also known as North Bridge and now Edinburgh Waverley). In 1873 the masonry Waverley Bridge was replaced by one built in metal and the cab rank, portico and centre section of the booking office, which had been located on a bridge over the through lines, were demolished. But the north and south wings survived as they did not stand on the bridge. In the 1877 the southern wing was removed during station remodelling and the replacement of the trainshed. However, it was rebuilt under the instructions of Robert Morham (the City Architect of Edinburgh) at this present location. It was reduced slightly in size and turned through 90 degrees. The northern elevation shows the window design of the booking office in the original form. And what of the northern wing? In the 1890s reconstruction the northern wing - the last remaining part of the booking office still on site - was demolished as contemporary photographs show. The building on the bridge today is a parcel office erected during the 1890s station reconstruction. It may incorporate some stone from the booking office but is of a different design (see image [[6394]]). The former south wing has had additional facades added on its south and west elevations but the north side, in the photograph, is unaltered. The suburban platform is off to the left and the photograph is taken from Waverley Bridge.

Red Rock: A short distance to the north east of the old Red Rock station the trackbed path passes under this superb aqueduct, carrying the Leeds Liverpool Canal over the old railway. A steep path connects to the tow path allowing circular walks. This view looks towards White Bear and Chorley on 15th May 2021.

Red Rock: Although this is a May 2021 view southwards along the Leeds Liverpool Canal, it is actually of the bridge that was constructed to allow the Lancashire Union Railway to pass underneath near Red Rock on the Boars Head to White Bear section of line. The very oblique angle of the railway means that the northerly parapet by the towpath is almost level with the southerly parapet on the opposite side.

Angel: Original 1901 entrance to Angel station, Northern Line, seen from a TfL bus on route 43 (London Bridge to Friern Barnet) on 15th May 2021. The entire station was rebuilt in 1992 which saw the closure of this entrance on City Road and a more spacious replacement opened round the corner on Islington High Street. The lifts were replaced by escalators and Angel now has the longest escalator on the Underground; previously this was at Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly Lines). Angel's narrow island platform was replaced at the same time but examples of this type of platform in a single tunnel can still be seen at Clapham North and Clapham Common, also on the Northern Line - in SOUTH London!

Moorside: 158753 passes through Moorside (formerly Moorside and Wardley) on a Wigan Wallgate to Leeds service on 15th May 2021. The old fast lines, removed in 1968, ran to the left of the surviving tracks in the area now occupied by trees. Several stations on the Atherton line retain their L&YR platform canopies [[21413]] but Moorside is not one of them.

Rossie Viaduct: 1T14. The 09:44 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street crossing the Rossie viaduct as it leaves Montrose on 15th May 2021.

Lathalmond Railway Museum: Looking from the Lathalmond passenger platform to the engine shed on 15 May 2022. Outside is Hunslet 0-4-0 D2650/MOD 250 alongside a banana van under restoration.

Lathalmond Railway Museum: Hunslet MOD 251 (formerly at Rosyth Dockyard) works the brake van shuttle at Lathalmond on 15 May 2022. In the background is NCB No.17 (Andrew Barclay 2296 of 1950) the last steam locomotive to work in the Scottish coalfields.