Queens Dock: Puffers 'Cuban' and 'Slav' in Queens Dock, Glasgow in September 1958. Photo by G H Robin

Kingston Dock: Puffer 'S S Glenaray' berthed in Kingston Dock in 1958, alongside the swing bridge that carried a road across the entrance. This boat was built by R. Dunston at Thorne in 1944 as 'VIC 89'. She was sold by the Ministry to Hamilton & McPhail in 1947 becoming the 'Glenaray'. In 1956 she laid the inshore cable of the first Trans-Atlantic voice cable in the Sound of Kerrera as the main cable laying ship was too large for those waters. She was scrapped in 1964. The quaysides of the Kingston Dock were not rail served, except for a short portion by this crane reached by one of the General Terminus sidings. Photo by G H Robin.

Stobcross Goods Low Level: The former goods depot at Stobcross low level, alongside Queen's Dock, looking east towards Glasgow city centre in September 1958. Locomotives in the yard are N15 0-6-2T 69176 (nearest) and J88 0-6-0T 68344, both of 65D Dawsholm shed. The site is now part of the Clydeside Expressway with the supporting wall on the left the only surviving link see image [[8590]] (which was taken at the west end, this is the east end). [Ref query 6206]. The lines in the foreground are about to cross Pointhouse Road (to the right) to reach the dockside lines. The high level Stobcross Goods can be seen to the left above.

Connel Ferry: Black 5 no 45084 of Stirling shed prepares to leave Connel Ferry in September 1960 on the last leg of its journey to Oban. The board on the right reminds passengers to alight here for the connecting service to Ballachulish see image [[29723]]. The train is thought to be the 6.50am ex-Princes Street / 7.55am ex-Buchanan Street.

Ballachulish Shed: Branch locomotive of the time epitomised. Ex-CR 0-4-4T no 55173 looking relaxed on shed at Ballachulish in September 1960. The line between Connel Ferry and Ballachulish was closed completely in 1966. The shed survives [caption written in 2010 - the shed was demolished in 2013] see image [[23931]] as does the former station building (now the local health centre).

Ballachulish (Glencoe): The afternoon branch train awaits its departure time from Ballachulish terminus on 9 September 1960. The locomotive is ex-CR 0-4-4T no 55173.

Connel Ferry: McIntosh 0-4-4T no 55173 approaching the platform at Connel Ferry from the east with the stock of the Ballachulish branch train, most probably the early afternoon service. The date is 9 September 1960.

Connel Ferry: Manoeuvres in progress at Connel Ferry station on 9 September 1960, with no 55173 photographed in bright sunshine running round a Ballachulish - Oban train.

Haymarket Shed [2nd]: A2 Pacific no 60530 Sayajirao storms past Haymarket shed with the 12.10 Edinburgh - Glasgow train on Saturday 9th September 1961. This 1948-built, Haymarket-based engine was transferred to St Margaret's the following year, and was eventually withdrawn from service at Dundee Tay Bridge in 1966. See image [[24984]]

Balquhidder [2nd]: A Black 5 stands at the head of a freight in the former Crieff branch platform at Balquhidder in 1961.

Haymarket Shed [2nd]: The photographer's last sighting of J36 No.65243 Maude before withdrawal by BR - this is Saturday 9th September 1961, and the World War 1 veteran is returning past Haymarket shed with the 'Ferry goods' from South Queensferry and Kirkliston.

Connel Ferry: 55260 with the Ballachulish branch train at Connel Ferry in September 1961.

Kittybrewster [2nd]: Class B1 61308 at Kittybrewster on 3.55pm Inverness-Aberdeen during the last week of steam, September 1961.

Connel Ferry: Busy period at Connel Ferry in September 1961.

Benderloch: View south towards Connel Ferry through Benderloch station in September 1961. The Ballachulish branch closed completely 5 years later.

Ballachulish (Glencoe): 55260 ready to leave Ballachulish with the branch train for Connel Ferry in September 1961.

Ballachulish (Glencoe): View north over Ballachulish station on 9 September 1961. 55260 is at the platform awaiting its departure time with the next branch train to Connel Ferry.

Connel Ferry: A pair of Black 5s with a Glasgow bound train entering Connel Ferry station in September 1961.

Creagan: McIntosh ex-Caledonian 2P 0-4-4-T no 55260 takes on water at the north end of Creagan station on Saturday 9 September 1961 during a stop on its journey from Balachullish to Connel Ferry. See image [[5485]]

Haymarket Shed [2nd]: The photographer's last sight of J88 No.68335 in steam, returning from Gorgie East to Haymarket shed on Saturday 9th September 1961. See image [[32639]]

Connel Ferry Bridge: 55260 runs south onto Connel Ferry bridge in September 1961 with a train from Ballachulish.

Ardsley: Robinson O4 2-8-0 no 63724 standing in the shadow of the coal stack at Ardsley shed on 8 September 1962, a month after its official withdrawal by BR. The locomotive was cut up at Gorton Works in October that year.

Bridgnorth: Although I was familiar with the WD 2-10-0s based at Grangemouth, I never managed to photograph one, and this shot of Longmoor Military Railway No. 600 in the yard at Bridgnorth is the only one I have of the type. Gordon arrived on the Severn Valley Railway in 1971 but last ran in 1999 and now seems to be a permanent fixture in The Engine House at Highley. 9th September 1972.

Zwettl: One of the last steam strongholds in Austria was Schwarzenau, a sub-shed of Gmünd in the north east of the country, which employed lightweight 2-8-2Ts of class 93.13 on branches off the Vienna to Prague main line. Here No. 93.1414 is seen soon after departing from Zwettl, some 22km south of Schwarzenau, on 9 September 1975 with the early afternoon train to Martinsberg-Gutenbrunn.

Bernschlag: Not yet 7am on a September morning in 1975 as OeBB 2-8-2T No. 93 1418, hotly pursued by a track workers' trolley, steams through the woods at Bernschlag in north-east Austria with the 06:49 short working from Schwarzenau to Zwettl, on the long, straggling branch southwards to Martinsberg-Gutenbrunn. Schwarzenau was once an important junction station on the Franz-Josefs-Bahn from Vienna to Eger (now Cheb), a main line whose importance was diminished following the dissolution of the Austrian Empire, and particularly after WW2 with the Iron Curtain running through the town of Gmuend, which then effectively became the terminus, barring a meagre cross border service.

Schwarzenau: Any efficiency gains from the fitting of a Giesl ejector are not obvious as lightweight 2-8-2T No. 93.1322 makes a smoky start out of Schwarzenau along the single track line from Vienna with the 14.10 departure to Gmünd in September 1975.

Ryburgh: The view south through Ryburgh station, Norfolk on 9th September 1979. Located on the Wymondham-Wells branch, it was then still open for grain traffic from the granary and sidings on the right. The view from the same spot today would be pitch black - you'd be standing in the middle of a silo that has since been built across the trackbed!

Haverthwaite: Fairburn 4MT 2-6-4T 42085, under the unrealistic guise of Caledonian Railway 2085, sitting dormant at Haverthwaite in 1982. In recent years it has operated in a more accurate BR Black livery.

Skipton: 40004 on 1E23 for Leeds at Skipton on 9th September 1983.

Petřín Funicular: The Petřín Funicular runs from Malá Strana up to he top of Petřín Hill in Prague with an intermediate stop at Nebozízek which has a restaurant. This shot was taken a few years after the funicular railway re-opened; it had been closed for 20 years due to landslides. Two funicular cars pass near the top station. The view is to the east and in the background the River Vltava is visible above the poplar trees with the Old Town beyond.

Cumbernauld: A Cumbernauld to Glasgow Queen Street service re-enters the station from the turnback siding in September 1997. The signal box was then still in use.

Lairg: A train for Inverness southbound from Lairg in September 2001, seen from the footbridge steps.

Rogart: Looking north over the level crossing at Rogart in September 2001.

Lairg: The morning train from Wick and Thurso runs over the A836 level crossing and into Lairg station during its journey south to Inverness in the autumn of 2001.

Burntisland Aluminium Works: A class 150 sprinter passes as the British Aluminium Co. (later Alcan) works, once a major railway user, is demolished.

Livingston South: A Glasgow bound Class 156 pulls out of Livingston South with an evening service from Edinburgh in 2004

Perth Princes Street: a 170 for Dundee slowly enters the single track metal viaduct accross the River Tay. To the left is the Fergusson Art Gallery.

Dalreoch: An Airdrie bound service comes off the Helensburgh line and into Dalreoch station on 9 September 2007.

Dalreoch: A Helensburgh Central service calls at Dalreoch station on 9 September 2007. Dalreoch Junction and the line turning north towards Balloch lie just beyond the end of the platform.

Alexandria: View northeast across the car park at Alexandria on 9 September 2007, with a train for Balloch standing at the platform.

Glasgow Central: Looking east along Gordon Street on 9 September under the canopy at the main entrance to Glasgow Central station.

Dalreoch Junction: The 10.39 from Balloch about to run through Dalreoch junction on 9 September 2007 with a Sunday morning service to Motherwell.

Glasgow Central: Start of a new day. Early one September morning in 2007. Photograph taken from the bottom of Hope Street looking east along Argyle Street.

College Goods: Parsonage Square, Glasgow, G4, now covers much of the area once occupied by the huge College Goods Station. Following final closure in 1968 the 6-storey goods warehouse that fronted Bell Street on the southern perimeter of the site was subsequently converted to flats. The rear of the refurbished 19th century structure is seen here looking west towards High Street on 9 September 2007. The remainder of the former railway site is now occupied by housing and car parking. For the front view along Bell Street see image [[14962]].

Dalreoch Junction: SPT liveried EMU 334033 slowly approaching Dalreoch Junction on the morning of 8 September 2007 with a train about to come off the Balloch branch.

Dalreoch: Men on a mission. View west along platform 1 at Dalreoch early one Sunday morning in September 2007. Taking the left fork at the junction is a service for Helensburgh Central, while marching unwaveringly towards the station exit are the two passengers who alighted from the train.

Dalreoch: An eastbound train pulls away from Dalreoch station on 9 September 2007.

Dalreoch Junction: A 6-car 320 combination approaching Dalreoch Junction off the Helensburgh line on 9 September 2007 with a morning service to Airdrie. View west from platform 2 of Dalreoch station.

Uphall: Standing on the single platform at Uphall station in September 2007 looking east towards Edinburgh. Advance works in preparation for the construction of a second platform have recently got underway here in connection with the Airdrie - Bathgate reopening project

Dalreoch: Having just crossed the bridge over the River Leven on the short section from Dumbarton Central, First ScotRail 320305 runs into Dalreoch station on 8 September 2007 with a westbound service destined for Helensburgh Central.

Renton: Looking south along the single line towards Dalreoch Junction on Sunday 9 September 2007 from the platform at Renton.

Renton: The station building at Renton on 9 September 2007, looking west along Station Street.

Balloch Pier: [[PS Maid of the Loch]] berthed at Balloch Pier in September 2007 alongside the remains of the former station platform.

Glasgow Central: Almost deserted.... Gladgow Central early on a Sunday morning in September 2007. View east along Argyle Street.

Alexandria: A Sunday morning service from Balloch runs into Alexandria station on 9 September 2007.

Glasgow Central: The station arch at Glasgow Central in September 2007, looking back along the short platform 11a. This platform is to be abolished following removal of the buildings in the centre of the picture. Two new platforms (numbered 12 and 13) are to be created utilising the area beyond the arch, which is currently occupied by the station car park. The new platforms will be accessed by tracks routed through the arch itself and will handle the new Glasgow Airport Rail Link services. Responsibility for the GARL project was recently handed over from SPT to Transport Scotland. (Addendum: GARL project subsequently abandoned)

Glasgow Central: Looking out along platforms 12 at Glasgow Central on 9 September 2007. The short platform 11a can be seen in the centre background beyond the station arch.

Leven Viaduct [Dumbarton]: An Airdrie bound train crosses the River Leven viaduct on 9 September shortly after restarting from Dalreoch.

Glasgow Central: Scene at Glasgow Central in September 2007, looking out along the car parking area soon to be occupied by new platforms 12 & 13. (Platform 11 on the left will remain, the edges of the new 12 and 13 will roughly follow the white lines, with the current 12 on the right becoming 14). Based on proposals agreed earlier in the year the new platform lines will enter the station via the arch in the background. (Addendum: Plans for Glasgow Airport Rail Link shelved in September 2009 - refer later entries).

Thornton-Cleveleys: The view across Station Rd Crossing towards Poulton-le-Fylde from the end of Thornton Up platform on the former double track Fleetwood branch, closed to passengers in 1970 with the last freight running in the 1990s. There are now early plans for reopening but a lot of work to do. Map Ref SD 344421

Thornton-Cleveleys: For a long time after closure in 1970 Thornton still had its long platform canopies but then became derelict after freight traffic ceased. Now in the care of a preservation group the station is looking much better although the modern building is encroaching the down platform. View towards Fleetwood. Can anyone confirm whether the canopy components from here were used in the station at Blackpool Pleasure Beach? See image [[19426]]

Burn Naze: Closed station on a mothballed railway. Burn Naze lies entirely inside a secure industrial estate. It opened late, in 1908, closing with the line in 1970 and the two platforms are now very overgrown. View towards Fleetwood taken with permission of Hillhouse Estates staff. Map Ref SD340439

Singleton: Situated a long way from the village it was supposed to serve, Singleton station closed in 1932. Until the 1990s a small signal cabin remained as an intermediate block post here but now only the approach road survives to identify the location and that is clarty to say the least as can be seen in this image of a 156 heading for Blackpool North. View towards Poulton-le-Fylde at Map Reference SD368369.

Thornton-Cleveleys: Hillylaid Crossing lies to the north of Thornton-Cleveleys station. The notice announces that the line from here to the station is under the care of the Poulton & Wyre Railway Society and their efforts can be appreciated here. In 2008 the line north of the crossing was completely overgrown but the working parties have since tackled that too. View south at map ref SD 343427

Scout Green: Mail train carrying the cheque and postal order south from Scout Green.

Broc Fabrique: Scene at Broc Fabrique, Switzerland, on 9 September 2008.

Balgreen [Tram]: Looking east from the site of Balgreen station on the former Corstorphine branch in September 2009 with a westbound train passing on the E&G main line. Balgreen tram stop will be constructed here, with the tram route ahead utilising the old branch trackbed for a further 200 yards. The crossing of Balgreen Road beyond the palisade fence will require a new raised bridge resulting in a pronounced hump on the tram route (see image [[48061]]).

Gregson Lane: At shortly before nine minutes and nine seconds past nine on 09 September 2009, LMS Jubilee no 5690 'Leander' again heads for the hills with the penultimate running for 2009 of 'The Fellsman' railtour from Lancaster to Carlisle, via Preston, Blackburn and Hellifield. The engine is seen working hard in the morning sunshine at Gregson Lane between Bamber Bridge and Hoghton.

St Rochelle: A pair of SNCF DMUs standing alongside St Rochelle station in September 2009.

Saughton: Scene at Saughton on 9 September 2009 as a 158 heads west under the recently erected masts with a Bathgate service. The ironwork in the bottom left of the picture is in connection with the new flyover that will eventually carry Edinburgh's trams over the line at this point.

East Benhar Mine: The freight only branch running west and then north from Fauldhouse and Crofthead station until the 1950s served a number of industrial sites along the way. Near the end of the line on Fauldhouse Moor stood the mining village of East Benhar. The village, the railway line and the pits were all abandoned long ago, although some of the remains can still be seen alongside the road running across the moor between Fauldhouse and Harthill. View west on 9 September 2009.

Balgreen Halt: Recently installed electrification masts stretching back towards central Edinburgh in September 2009 as DMU no 158786 runs east past the site of Balgreen Halt (closed 1967), at the former junction with the Corstorphine branch.

La Rochelle: A TGV set repositioning for a later departure from La Rochelle on 9 September 2009.

East Benhar Mine: One and a half miles north west of Fauldhouse in a once intensely mined area of West Lothian stood the small village of East Benhar and its associated pit. The pit closed in 1957 and the village was subsequently abandoned. The remains of the pit stand alongside Fauldhouse Moor, where they were photographed in 2009. The brick structure is the shell of a former sub-station, while the conical waste bing beyond still shows the route of the spoil tramway that once climbed its eastern slope.

Winsford: Freightliner 66570 held at signals south of Winsford Station on Intermodal working

Levenseat Branch Junction: The trackbed of the Wilsontown, Morningside & Coltness Railway looking east from Fauldhouse in September 2009 in the general direction of Bathgate. The rooftops of Croftfoot Drive can be seen on the left, with the bridge up ahead marking the midway point between the long closed stations of Fauldhouse & Crofthead (behind camera) and Longridge. Standing alongside the trackbed is a memorial to local 10 year Joseph Townsley, who sadly died here as a result of a quad bike accident in 2003.

Elderslie: Work in progress to extend the loop at Elderslie, with new catenary masts appearing. This is being done as part of the enhancements between Shields and Paisley to provide extra capacity, as the up loop at Arkleston will be incorporated into the upgraded route.

La Rochelle: 167442 arriving with a train at La Rochelle on 9 September 2009.

Levenseat Branch Junction: View north east along the trackbed near the former Fauldhouse and Crofthead station, taken in September 2009. The location is east of the site of the junction for the mineral line to Levenseat Quarry. In the background are the houses of Croftfoot Drive and the bridge over the trackbed. see image [[35804]] for a view of the Levenseat Quarry junction.

La Rochelle: The impressive station at La Rochelle. September 2009.

Elderslie: Work in progress to extend the loop at Elderslie, with new catenary masts appearing. This is being done as part of the enhancements between Shields and Paisley to provide extra capacity, as the up loop at Arkleston will be incorporated into the upgraded route.

Gregson Lane: LMS Jubilee no. 5690 'Leander' heads east towards Blackburn at Gregson Lane on 9 September 2009 with Statesman's 'Fellsman' railtour to Carlisle. So succesful were these weekly tours during 2009 that Statesman had arranged the 2010 season before the last train had run.

Saughton: A Waverley bound service passes the site of the new tram flyover at Saughton on 9 September 2009. No work was taking place at the time due to the long running tram dispute, which would result in a reduced system eventually being delivered late and significantly over budget. In June 2014 a public inquiry into the project was announced by First Minister Alex Salmond. Currently (June 2020) the inquiry continues and has now taken longer than the building of the original network [see news item].

Saughton: A Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh Waverley service runs past Saughton on 9 September 2009. The train is passing the site of the bridge that will eventually carry the Edinburgh Tram lines over the railway.

Saughton Junction: A westbound 158 about to run past the site of Saughton Junction on its way to Bathgate in September 2009. At this point in time electrification masts are in place with wiring work scheduled to be carried out over the next few weeks.

Preston: 57302 'Virgil Tracy' stabled at Preston waiting it's next call to duty on 9th September 2010

Blackpool North: Blackpool North No.1 Signal Box as seen from a train departing for Manchester Victoria on 9th September 2010. The SB was switched out on 30 April 2007, and recently had it's crossover and yard access pointwork removed. The box will abolished in March 2011 and demolished with a slight reworking of the approach signalling (With thanks to Darren Hunt for supplying the information).

Kruger National Park: The bridge over the Sabie River in Kruger park on the abandoned line to Komatipoort. Note the crocodile on the sandbank!

Blackpool North: 185122 at Platform 7 of Blackpool North waiting it's next turn of duty on 9th September 2010

Perth: 57601 ready to propel The Royal Scotsman out of platform 5 at Perth on 9 September. After reversing past St.Leonards Jn.the train will then take the Dundee line.

Brock: Badger Bridge was a well known WCML spotting location in steam days as it overlooked Brock water troughs. The badger is the emblem of the Fitzherbert-Brockholes family from nearby Claughton Hall. Less well known is this low bridge carrying the main line over Stubbins Lane, a little further north, but which also has four badger emblems on each side.

Blackpool North: 156468 arriving at Blackpool North amongst a fine display of semaphores on 9 September 2010

Perth: 66112 enters Perth with the Inverness small pipes train on 9 September. Note the repairs underway on platform 4.

Kirkham North Junction: Kirkham North Junction Signal Box, looking North, on 9th September 2010. It is at this point that the line from Preston splits, the route to Blackpool North heads West and the route to Blackpool South goes off to the South West

Preston: 180103 standing at Preston waiting to depart on a service to Manchester Victoria having arrived from Blackpool North. Whilst I was on the train the air conditioning was blasting out and it was so cold that there was condensation on my breath! It's the first time I can actually say that I got OFF a train to heat up rather than the other way round!!

Nuneaton: Freightliner 66537 heads north past the little known Nuneaton Tower, overlooking platform 1. It's not as tall as Blackpool Tower, but a lot closer to the trains.

Balbriggan: Commuter 29106, awaits its departure time from Balbriggan early on the afternoon of 9th September 2011 with a service to Dublin (Pearse).

North Wylam: Route of the Wylam Waggonway in September 2011. Opened around 1748 with wooden track: iron rails arrived in 1808; the waggonway closed in 1867. Much of the line became the Scotswood, Newburn and Wylam Railway in 1875; the line closed finally in 1968. After the track was removed in 1975, the route became part of the Hadrian's Wall Walk/Cycleway.

Leicester West Bridge [2nd]: This station opened in 1832 and closed in 1928. It seems the platform edging survived, and in recent times (anyone know the date?) a track panel and signal were placed here to give some idea of how things used to be. Unfortunately, it's become a bit overgrown. Maybe I should hire a chainsaw. See image [[40312 taken lass than a mile away towards Swannington]]

Kinghorn: Lynette Gray at Kinghorn.

Blea Moor Tunnel: A passing shot of 45305 after leaving Blea Moor tunnel on 9 September 2012 with 'The Waverley' special.

Dalmuir: A West Highland combination bound for Glasgow about to make its penultimate stop at Dalmuir station on Sunday 9 September 2012. The 10.10 ex-Mallaig had earlier merged with the 12.11 ex-Oban at Crianlarich. The combined 6-coach train led by 156450 will run non-stop from here to Queen Street where it is scheduled to arrive at 15.31.

Marylebone: The stuff of dreams. Back in the 1980's, when misguided folk wanted to turn Marylebone into a coach terminus, what odds would you have given on seeing a choice of loco-hauled trains there in 2012? Trains for Banbury (L) and Kidderminster (R) await departure on 9th September. I chose the latter train over staying in the City for a lecture on quality of patents - good call!

Leicester West Bridge [2nd]: Bad hair day? This apparently original Victorian era lamppost adjacent to the semi-restored West Bridge station see image [[40379]] appears to be fundamentally unbowed by modern vandals' efforts.

Leven Viaduct [Dumbarton]: The 13.58 Partick - Balloch crossing the River Leven between Dumbarton Central and Dalreoch on Sunday 9 September 2012 in light but persistent rain.

Leicester Central: How ironic that a railway intended to offer services to France should now be closely attended by some rather homesick-looking Renaults. View looks slightly East of South at Leicester Central in September 2012. Much of the GC in Leicester has been demolished - see it while you can!

Kinghorn: Looking across the platforms at Kinghorn station in September 2012.

Blea Moor Tunnel: 45305 with 'The Waverley' York - Carlisle charter at the northern portal of Blea Moor tunnel on 9 September 2012.

Dalmuir: Looking west along platform 3 at Dalmuir on 9 September 2012. The train standing at platform 4 is the Sunday 14.41 Balloch - Partick. The modern footbridge/lift combination here was commissioned in 2010 and serves all 5 platforms.

Pringle Wharf: A forgotten main line perhaps? Hardly. These robust piers carried sidings from the Leicester and Swannington Railway over the River Soar towards the Great Central (the white semi-circles in the right background are arches under Central station). The sidings actually passed under the GC, but stopped short of the Midland. This view in September 2012 seems to have been opened up by demolition - I remember a splendid Victorian building on the far side of the river, with external plumbing - a prototype for the Pompidou Centre in Paris, perhaps.

Waterside Viaduct: The bridge that carried the Clapham to Low Gill line over the River Rawthey to the south west of Sedbergh, Cumbria. The route was closed in 1966.

Kinghorn: Part of the car park at Kinghorn station.

Dalmuir: The Sunday 14.41 Balloch - Partick runs into platform 4 at Dalmuir station on 9 September 2012.

Whitby: Northern Rail 57438 and 52438 'Timothy Hackworth' have some time off on Sunday 9 September prior to going back into service on the first train of the day on Monday morning with a Whitby - Middlesbrough Esk Valley Line service.

Caux: After three days of low cloud, bright sunshine on the morning of 9 September made the Rochers-de-Naye rack railway very busy. A packed four-car train on the left is heading for the mountain while the descending 303 on the right is nearly empty as they pass at Caux station. Several passengers were enjoying the view from the rear cab of unit 301.

Etal: The scene at the Etal terminus and turntable of the 15 inch gauge Heatherslaw Light Railway, Northumberland, with Etal Castle behind. The roofed building houses a museum which was doing good business that day in connection with the 500th anniversary of Flodden, itself 4 miles away.

Haut-de-Caux: Driver's view as a train from Rochers-de-Naye negotiates the steep (around 1:5) descent to Montreux passing Haut-de-Caux, one of many wayside stations on the line. The angle between the short horizontal platform and the 800mm rack track is very noticeable.

Glion: 44 years separate these two rack railway units passing at Glion station. 1983 built 303 Villeneuve is descending from the Rochers de Naye summit to Montreux and has paused to connect with the Territet funicular. Immaculate single car 204, 74 years old, is on a short working to Caux.

Les Avants: The Sonloup Funicular is far from the longest or steepest in Switzerland but still worth the scenic trip. This view from a descending car at the half way loop looks down to Les Avants station and the tunnel on the MOB main line. See image [[46170]] The cars, both of which are attached to baggage/ski trailers, had just been readied for the winter season and had an overpowering smell of fresh varnish in the wooden interiors.

Territet Funicular: The Territet Funicular in Montreux was recently refurbished but one of the old cars has been preserved at the lower station alongside its modern (and much smaller) replacement. The outer wheels of the cars have double flanges to guide them whereas the inner wheels are flangeless allowing them to pass over the cables and points at the midway loop. See image [[44710]] for a view of the entire line.

Chillon: The railway runs along the full length of the north shore of Lake Geneva and at the eastern end is Chillon with its famous lakeside castle. An SBB EMU has passed the castle and its station and is heading for Lausanne, as seen from the top of the Territet Funicular at Glion. See image [[44710]] for the view from below.

Pitlochry: The 09.41 Inverness-Edinburgh pauses at Pitlochry on 9th September while a ceremony to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Highland Main Line proceeds on the Up platform.

Glion: Not the most handsome of locomotives (but it has character). This is MTGN No.4, a diesel used for maintenance trains on the Rochers de Naye electric cog railway. Originally built by Brienz in 1973 it arrived on this line in 1996 but was rebuilt in their workshops in 2009, re-engined and fitted with a larger bonnet. It is seen stabled at Glion station, near the line's maintenance depot, alongside railcar 207, dating from 1949.

Rochers de Naye: Standing in the mist at the summit of the Rochers de Naye rack railway in September 2013 is ancient loco No.2 and a custom built engineering wagon equipped for a variety of tasks including fire fighting. See image [[44656]]. These vehicles are based at the line's Glion depot, part way up the hill from Montreux.

Les Avants: A colourful MOB metre gauge electric 6001 pauses at Les Avants with a northbound Goldenpass service from Montreux. On departure it will immediately enter a long tunnel. In the area between the cabs of these locos a sliding door gives access to a baggage/cycle holding area. The roof of the Sonloup Funicular lower station, accessible from the station platform, is just visible between the pantographs of 6001 See image [[45122]]

Jaman: Descending from the Rochers-de-Naye summit a rack railway train approaches the isolated station at Jaman, just visible through the right hand window. In between, on this exposed section of track, are two shelters that the train passes through. Jaman station, despite its remote location, has a cafe bar for travellers and hikers.

Chernex: MOB service train passing through Chernex on the steep descent to Montreux, which involves many twists and turns on this purely adhesion metre guage line. This is now marketed as the Golden Pass Line, hence the colourful livery on Ge 4/4 loco 8002 and the panoramic coaches.

Rochers de Naye: The cog railway summit station at Rochers de Naye (6463 ft) is just in the cloud as 303 Villeneuve waits to return to Montreux. Alongside the two-car unit is rack locomotive No. 2, dating from 1909 but rebodied old style in 1986. No. 2 heads an engineering vehicle that is also fitted with fire fighting equipment.

Caux: Driver's view of Montreux, far below but less than 20 minutes away, as the cog train from Rochers-de-Naye descends between Caux and Glion.

Caux: With Lake Geneva far below, units 305 and 301 propel two wagons for the Rochers de Naye summit hotel into the passing loop at Caux station. Although 305 appears identical to its 1983 sister units it was only built in 2010.

Camps Junction: The 08.43 Euston - Edinburgh Pendolino passes the former Camps Junction on 9 September.

Camps Junction: The TransPennine 14.16 from Edinburgh to Manchester Airport, formed by 350401, passing Camps Junction at speed on 9 September 2014.

Camps Junction: DBS 66100 with the Dalzell - Tees Yard steel empties passing the site of Camps Junction on 9 September.

New Halls: Looking east along the former South Queensferry branch from The Loan, South Queensferry, on 9 September. OS 1' maps of the 1930s and 40s show a closed station to the east of here, presumably New Halls, but large scale maps on the NLS site seem to miss it. Always been a mystery to me!

Santa Fe: An MP36PH-3C diesel-electric, No.105, awaiting departure from Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, with a New Mexico Rail Runner Express to Albuquerque, on 9th September 2015.

Tweedbank: Journey’s end. 60009 Union of South Africa at Tweedbank on 9th September with the Royal Train.

Watherston Bridge: View from a carriage window on 9 September as 60009 Union of South Africa heads south towards Tweedbank.

Torwoodlee North Viaduct: View of Union of South Africa heading towards Torwoodlee Tunnel on 9th September on the way to Tweedbank.

Tweedbank: What a crew! Driver Jim Smith & Co with the Royal Train at Tweedbank on 9 September.

Bowshank South Bridge: Looking back at the south portal of Bowshank Tunnel on 9th September.

Galashiels: A snapshot of some of the thousands of folk who lined the route of the Borders Railway on 9th September 2015 – this is Station Brae in Galashiels.

Tweedbank: Union of South Africa pulls into the Tweedbank terminus on 9th September, with the Eildon Hills as backcloth.

Starr Gate: Then, then, then and Now at Starr Gate. Flexity tram 014 is stabled on the old turning circle at the Blackpool Tramway southern terminus on 9th September 2016. See image [[36176]] from 2011, before the tramway reopened after refurbishment.

Carrbridge: A Carrbridge reflection.

Namur: Grab shot of SNCB Class AM80 EMU No.312 approaching Namur station on 9th September 2017. The AM80s were introduced in 1980 and, together with their sister units of AM82 and AM83, total 140 trains in service.

Spontin: Preserved, and main line registered, SNCB 52 Class Co-Co idling at Spontin between services on the Bocq preserved railway. These locomotives, built in Belgium under GM licence, originally had a Bulldog (or EE Type) nose but were rebuilt with comfort cabs whilst in service.

Spontin: An imposing Class 51 Co-Co diesel electric No. 5183 seen at Spontin station, on the preserved railway that runs through the Bocq Valley in Belgium on 9th September 2017. The railway, and this main line registered locomotive, are operated by the Belgian railway preservation group, Patrimoine Ferroviaire et Tourisme (PFT).

Loughborough: A dramatic difference see image [[56066]] from the empty space of the last 37 years. These two girders, in modern Rail Girder Green, were installed over the Midland Main Line in the early hours of Sunday 3rd September. The train passing underneath is the 17.58 to Nottingham.

Parbold Quarry Siding: A Southport to Manchester Victoria service in September 2017, with 156427 and 142025, passes the site of Parbold Quarry Siding, to the right of the train. There was also a signalbox on the left towards the rear of the train. The quarry was to the right (north) uphill of the line and there were two inclines, one leading to the siding. The second crossed the bridge from where the photo was taken and terminated by the Leeds to Liverpool canal a hundred yards to the left.

Skegness: This is the last summer Saturday HST to Nottingham from Skegness this year; with 43.060 on the front, and 43.055 'The Sheffield Star 125 Years' on the rear. It left Skegness at 12.35, and avoided Grantham after reversing there on the way out; so it covered all three sides of the Allington triangle. EMT plan to keep their HST's until 2020, so there are a couple more seasons of summer fun to go.

Bingham Road: The site of Bingham Road station, to the left of the photographer, is covered in housing; but there is a footpath from the South side of Nottingham Road (number 72, for satnav') to the River Smite. The tarmac surface shown degenerates to ballast; encroaching nettles at handlebar height led me to regret my decision to cycle. The scenery is nice, though. This line started at Saxondale Junction and ran South to Melton Mowbray and Northampton.

Wiltz: Wiltz station, in the Ardennes, is the terminus of a branch from Kautenbach on the Luxembourg main line. Seen here, unfortunately between trains, on 9th September 2017. The upper view looks east towards the end of the branch line and the lower view in the opposite direction.

Inverkeithing East Junction: 66549 leads a Millerhill - Dyce ballast away from Inverkeithing East Junction, with 66956 on the rear.

Dalgety Bay: 66549 leads a Millerhill - Dyce ballast and 66956 brings up the rear on the approach to Dalgety Bay.

Nottingham: The recent refurbishment at Nottingham station is perhaps intended to be the East Midlands' answer to Chicago Union Station see image [[26780]]. Even the clock is similar to those in Chicago.

Spontin: SNCB Class 52 Co-Co No.5205 at Spontin on the Chemin-du-fer-du-Bocq preserved railway which runs through the scenic Ardennes countryside. This impressive 1700hp diesel-electric was built under licence from General Motors in 1955 but looks much more modern as it was rebuilt from a classic US profile to one with a comfort cab. 9th September 2017.

Oban: A shot of the 12 11 service to Glasgow Queen Street climbing out of Oban on Sunday 10th September 2017 on the way to Glencruiten. The Sprinter is passing Soroba and some pretty impressive rock netting.

Allington Junction: It's not every day you see an HST on a curve like this. A Nottingham to Skegness service see image [[60956]] for the return leg on the curve between Allington East and North Junctions after leaving Grantham on 9th September 2017. [Ref query 20 November 2017]

Curriehill: Eastbound through Curriehill station in light rain on 9 September 2018 is train 602U, the 0800 Eglinton Street Sidings - Millerhill South Sidings. At this stage Freightliner 66538 was running approximately 48 minutes ahead of schedule.

Blunsdon: GWR 0-6-2T 5619 operating services on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway in September 2018.

Curriehill: The 0900 (Sunday) departure for Livingston South (0811 ex-Waverley) leaves Curriehill on time on 9 September 2018. The 'luxury executive' coach replacement service looks a reasonable temporary alternative to a Class 158.

Volklingen Iron Works: Volklingen Iron Works in the Saarland region of southern Germany, near the French border, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The works closed in 1986 but is now a fascinating museum. Although this works is closed, there is still an iron works in Volklingen and the molten iron ore is transported in these torpedo wagons to the nearby steel works. The wagons stop under the outlet from the blast furnace and the molten iron runs directly in to each, as the furnace is tapped.

Donibristle Platform: A complete overhauled Scotrail HST powered by 43033 and 43183 climbs Donibristle bank on a Craigentinny - Dundee trip on 9th September 2018.

Newington [NBR]: DRS 66303 leaves the site of Newington Station with a short Millerhill - Tain ballast. The hoppers were only partially filled, presumably to keep the axle loading down. 9th September 2018.

Curriehill: The 0916 TransPennine Express Edinburgh - Preston passing through Curriehill station on 9 September 2018. The truncated service was a result of engineering works taking place in Lancashire, with a temporary coach link in operation between Preston and Manchester Airport.

Colinton [Tram]: The plate alongside the door reads '300E The Tram House'. The much modified building on Edinburgh's Colinton Road, seen here in September 2018. For the same view in 2009 see image [[26544]].

Curriehill: An empty stock movement from Craigentinny depot to Motherwell runs west through Curriehill on 9 September 2018. The stock will form the 1114 CrossCountry Motherwell - Doncaster, one of a number of services truncated or rerouted due to engineering works on that particular Sunday.

Donibristle Platform: Freightliner 66528 Madge Elliot MBE descends Donibristle bank on 9th September 2018 with a Huntly - Millerhill empty autoballaster. 66533 was on the rear.

Curriehill: 'I'll be back...' The Sunday morning 0914 ex-Craigentinny T&RSMD empty Voyager runs west through Curriehill on 9 September 2018 on its way to Motherwell. After spending 45 minutes in Braidhurst down loop the stock will then run back to Motherwell station to form the CrossCountry Trains 1114 Motherwell - Doncaster (via Edinburgh).

Tottenham Hale: 317655 with 317657 (both since withdrawn and scrapped), calling at Tottenham Hale with a Greater Anglia service from Stratford to Bishop's Stortford, on 9th December 2019. An hour or so earlier, these units were working the new shuttle from Stratford to Meridian Water and return on that service's first day of operation.

Meridian Water: 317655 with 317657 in the new bay platform at Meridian Water station, having just arrived along the new bi-directional third track from Lea Bridge on the inaugural day of the shuttle service from Stratford, 9th September 2019.

Tottenham Hale: The first day of the new Stratford to Meridian Water shuttle service (that should have begun three months earlier) with 317655 at the head and 317657 at the rear, arriving on the new bi-directional track at Tottenham Hale's new third platform (ludicrously numbered platform 4) with a train for Meridian Water, on 9th September 2019.

Meridian Water: 317657, now with 317655 at the rear, as they wait in the rain at Meridian Water station's new bay platform before departing with the return service to Stratford, along the recently laid bi-directional line as far as Lea Bridge, on the first day of the new shuttle service, Monday, 9th September 2019.

Northumberland Park [London]: 317657 at rear with 317655 at head on bi-directional track, calling at Northumberland Park's new third platform with a train from Stratford to Meridian Water on the first day of the new shuttle service, Monday, 9th September 2019.

Tottenham Hale: The first day of the new Meridian Water to Stratford shuttle service with 317651 and 317667 arriving along the recently laid bi-directional track at Tottenham Hale's new third platform (ludicrously numbered platform 4) with a service to Stratford, on 9th September 2019.

Tottenham Hale: 317511 at rear with 317665 at head at Tottenham Hale station's new bi-directional platform with a shuttle from Meridian Water to Stratford on the first day of this new service, Monday, 9th September 2019.

Edinburgh Waverley: A small group of enthusiasts waits patiently to board the 1711 loco hauled Fife circle service ahead of the Fife commuters who will crowd on to their usual train home shortly before it departs. The locomotive on this occasion was 68006.

Lea Bridge: 317657 and 317665 calling at Lea Bridge station with a service from Meridian Water to Stratford on the first day of this new shuttle service, Monday, 9th December 2019. This station opened on 15th May 2016 on the site of the original 1840 station that had closed on 8th July 1985 when the then British Rail Eastern Region withdrew all passenger services between Tottenham Hale and Stratford. The line stayed open for freight and was reopened to passengers in December 2005, trains passing the derelict platforms of the old Lea Bridge station until the present station was opened.

Northumberland Park [London]: The rebuilt Northumberland Park station on the Lea Valley Line in the Tottenham district of north London, looking north, on 9th September 2019. On the right is the new bi-directional third platform (ludicrously numbered platform 4) for the new Stratford to Meridian Water shuttle service that began operations on this day.

Northumberland Park [London]: Looking north along the new bi-directional platform at Northumberland Park station for the Stratford to Meridian Water shuttle, with the main Lea Valley Line platforms on the left, on Monday, 9th September 2019. The new service referred to began operations on this day.

Meridian Water: 379026, with a service to London Liverpool Street, passing the new station at Meridian Water (opened on 3rd June 2019, replacing Angel Road station just to the north) on the Lea Valley Line at Edmonton in north London, on 9th September 2019. On the right, 317655 and 317657 have just arrived in the station's bay platform with a first day service from Stratford along the recently laid bi-directional third track from just north of Lea Bridge.

Meridian Water: 317655 with 317657 in the bay platform at Meridian Water station, just arrived with a first day service on the new shuttle from Stratford along the recently-laid third track from Lea Bridge on 9th September 2019.

Northumberland Park [London]: 317665 at head with 317511 at rear arriving along the new bi-directional track at Northumberland Park station's new third platform, with a shuttle from Meridian Water to Stratford on the first day of this service, Monday, 9th September 2019.

West Calder: A Glasgow to Edinburgh semi-fast pulls into West Calder on 9 September 2020 and picks up one passenger (me).

West Calder: There are two remaining original station buildings on the Shotts line: Shotts itself and here at West Calder. They are identical apart from the dormer windows. While Shotts is still staffed, West Calder has long been occupied by a rather inconspicuous Chinese restaurant which is some distance from the town's main street.

Livingston South: Livingston South, pictured from the southeast, on 9 September 2020. The station was completely rebuilt a couple of years ago and has come on a bit from the creosote-smelling wooden halt I visited on opening day. It still only gets about a quarter of the custom of Livingston North with its more populous catchment area and better service.

Book: Cover of 'A Quite Impossible Proposal: How not to Build a Railway' by Andrew Drummond, published by Birlinn on 24th September. (Image to accompany a book review by David Spaven.)

Livingston South: A Glasgow Central semi-fast photographed during a lengthy stop at Livingston South on 9 September 2020. A lot of extra time is built into this timetable for some reason.

Ardgay: It is 15.34 on 9 September 2021 and 158704 is in Platform 1 at Ardgay with the 15.30 to Inverness, the 12.54 from Wick. In Platform 2 is 158716 on the 15.29 to Wick, the 14.00 from Inverness. A brief bustle of activity, and then calm and quiet takes over again in the wonderful 'Far North'.

Fort William [1st]: Looking towards the site of the original Fort William station, closed and demolished in 1975 to make way for the A82 road to act as a diversion for the High Street, which was then pedestrianised. It was replaced by a new station 700 yards to the north which has no architectural merit whatsoever.

Haymarket: Haymarket station, 9th September 2022