This day in history 13 September

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Houston [1st]: Extract from a map included in the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1885, personal collection) showing the area of the Clyde west of Glasgow. As befits the period it is railways that are prominent in red. Note Clydebank (extreme right) got its station before the town got going. Houston station on the Greenock line was later to become Georgetown.

Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway
David Panton 1885


Innellan Pier: MV Maid of Argyll photographed at Innellan in September 1955.

Piers on the Firth of Clyde
A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 1955


Galashiels [1st]: CR 123 leaving Galashiels for Edinburgh on 13 September 1958. The train is a special organised by the Edinburgh & Lothian Miniature Railway Club which had arrived via the Peebles loop, returning north along the Waverley Route.
See query 2128

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
D Welsh Collection [Courtesy Bruce McCartney] 1958


Kennishead: The 4.13pm Glasgow St Enoch - Kilmarnock passing Kennishead Road bridge in September 1960 behind Corkerhill class 2P 4-4-0 no 40613.

Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway
David Stewart 1960


Giffnock: Fowler 4F 0-6-0 44193 approaching Giffnock from the Clarkston direction on 13 September 1960 running tender first with the afternoon goods.

Busby Railway
David Stewart 1960


Buchanan Street: Standard Caprotti Class 5 73146 loses its footing as it leaves Glasgow Buchanan St with the 4.25pm to Inverness on 13th September 1963.

Buchanan Street Extension (Caledonian Railway)
Robin McGregor 1963


Giffnock: 80051 leaving Giffnock for East Kilbride in September 1963 with the 17.08 from St Enoch.

Busby Railway
John Robin 1963


Kennishead: 46249 City of Sheffield at Kennishead road bridge on 13 September 1963 with a train for Carlisle.

Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway
John Robin 1963


Document: A poignant cutting from the Scotsman newspaper of September 1968. A piece by David Steel MP. 'We need our lifeline! The Borders are a Development Area - Don't axe our only rail link.' 'This is not just our fight - it is Scotland's fight. Please give your support.'

Scotsman
Bruce McCartney Collection 1968


Aviemore: The BR (ScR) Scottish Grand Tour No. 9 of 13 September 1969 was worked from Edinburgh to Inverness by D5071 (64B) and D5342 (60A) - the locomotives are seen here at Aviemore where an unscheduled ten minute stop was made.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Bill Jamieson 1969


Garve: Scottish Grand Tour No. 9 was booked to pass the 11:10 from Kyle of Lochalsh at Garve, giving the opportunity to photograph the tablet exchange as the latter train, headed by D5130, entered the station. The leading locomotive on the rail tour is D5120 which along with D5117 had replaced D5071 and D5342 at Rose Street Junction in Inverness.

Dingwall and Skye Railway
Bill Jamieson 1969


Achanalt Viaduct: D5117 and D5120 cross the River Bran between Loch Achanalt and Loch a' Chuilinn on 13 September 1969 with the returning Scottish Grand Tour No. 9. The pair worked the special as far as Inverness where D5342 and D5071 took over for the final leg of the journey back to Edinburgh.

Dingwall and Skye Railway
Bill Jamieson 1969


Kyle Shed: By the time Scottish Grand Tour No. 9 reached Kyle of Lochalsh on the mid-afternoon of 13 September 1969 the skies had cleared and D5117 and D5120 are seen running round their train at the terminus in glorious late summer sunshine.

Kyle of Lochalsh Extension (Highland Railway)
Bill Jamieson 1969


Zagreb: A splendidly turned-out steam locomotive shunts electric locos in the sidings alongside Zagreb station on 13th September 1972.

Hrvatske zeljeznice (HZ)
David Spaven 1972


Ottbergen: Less than nine months away from the end of steam at Ottbergen shed near Hameln (of pied-piper fame), but heavy 2-10-0 No. 044 599 is still in sparkling condition as it heads a short Saturday afternoon freight towards Altenbeken / Paderborn, seen here to the west of Ottbergen in September 1975.

Deutsche Bahn
Bill Jamieson 1975


Ottbergen: Although it's a Saturday afternoon, freight activity has not quite ceased at Ottbergen for the rest of the weekend and 044 599 is being prepared to take a westbound freight out of the yard.

Deutsche Bahn
Bill Jamieson 1975


Ottbergen: Servicing having been completed, 044 204 retires into the small roundhouse at Ottbergen on 13 September 1975. Being a Saturday afternoon, it is unlikely it will have to exert itself again before Monday morning.

Deutsche Bahn
Bill Jamieson 1975


Ottbergen: DB class 44 No. 044 204 is serviced at Ottbergen shed on 13 September 1975, having recently brought a freight into the marshalling yard from the east.

Deutsche Bahn
Bill Jamieson 1975


Achnasheen: Kyle line services cross at Achnasheen in 1977. Viewed from a BRC&W Class 26 hauled westbound service, a classmate heading for Inverness is seen. Alongside the loco is the now demolished goods shed with the station hotel (later burnt down) behind.

Dingwall and Skye Railway
Mark Bartlett 1977


Carstairs: A combined Glasgow/Edinburgh - Birmingham train about to depart from Carstairs in September 1981 behind a class 86 electric locomotive.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 1981


Carstairs: An up WCML express passing the busy Moss Road PW sidings at the north end of Carstairs station on 13 September 1981. The train is hauled by 87021 Robert the Bruce.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 1981


Carstairs: View south at Carstairs in 1981 with a Glasgow Central - London Euston service passing through. Note the old locomotive shed has been demolished see image [[1189]]. Note also the APT speed limit sign bottom right.

Caledonian Railway
John Furnevel 1981


Umberleigh: A BR class 33 with a Waterloo - Barnstaple train passing Umberleigh, North Devon, on 13 September 1985. The leading vehicle is a newspaper van.

North Devon Railway and Dock
Ian Dinmore 1985


Glenburnie Junction: Photographed from the former loading bank on 13.9.86, 37260 is seen heading a Perth - Edinburgh ecs working.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Graeme Blair 1986


Crianlarich: A class 37 prepares to take a train south from Crianlarich in September 1987.

West Highland Railway
Ian Dinmore 1987


Dumfries Goods: Still in use - the large former goods shed at Dumfries South in September 2003, taken over by a supermarket chain.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Dumfries Goods: The south end of Dumfries on a Saturday afternoon in September 2003 looking back towards Annan Road bridge. A DMU heading for Carlisle is passing First Engineering DR 7380 4 James Watt stabled in the sidings.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Dumfries Goods: A Carlisle shuttle approaching Dumfries on 13 September 2003 runs past the south sidings.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Dumfries Goods: First Engineering tamper DR 7380 4 James Watt stabled in Dumfries south sidings over the weekend in September 2003.

Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle Railway
John Furnevel 2003


Shieling Station: Railcars about to pass on the scenic Cairngorm Mountain Funicular Railway on a crisp and pleasant day in the Autumn of 2004.

Cairngorm Mountain Railway
John Furnevel 2004


Aviemore: A pair of class 37s with a ballast train heading north away from Aviemore in September 2004.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
John Furnevel 2004


St Annes-on-the-Sea: Part of the ornate road bridge carrying the B5233 at the south end of St Anne's station. View is towards Preston on 13 September 2013.

Blackpool and Lytham Railway
Veronica Clibbery 2004


East Usk Yard: A loaded coal train enters East Usk Yard from the east. Coal for South Wales, not something I'd expected to see.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Margam Abbey Works East Junction: A 66 stands at Abbey Junction where the exit from BSC Abbey yard once came in from the left.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Margam Knuckle Yard: 66 and steel related traffic in Margam Knuckle Yard looking south from the level crossing with the Margam Abbey Iron and Steel Works ('Port Talbot steelworks') behind the camera in 2006. The South Wales main line is to the left.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Abbey South Sidings: View north from the wilderness between Margam Yard and Abbey South Sidings of the Margam Abbey Iron and Steel works by Port Talbot (often called the Port Talbot Steel Works). Margam Knuckle Yard and the South Wales main line are to the right.

Steel Company of Wales
Ewan Crawford 2006


Lydney: Lydney Crossing GF close by Lydney station.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Tynewdd: Coal in the valleys; as it grows dark a loaded coal train runs downhill through Tynewdd from Onllwyn.

Neath and Brecon Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Madeley Junction: Empties from Ironbridge Powerstation are held at Madeley Junction. The Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton line is being partly resignalled. View looks west.

Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Shotton: Over the top: southbound single-car sprinter crosses over Shotton LL station on the approach to Shotton HL station. View looks east.

Hawarden Loop (Wrexham, Mold and Connah^s Quay Railway)
Ewan Crawford 2006


East Usk Branch Junction: Loaded coal train approaches East Usk from the east. The line to the right runs to the Uskmouth power station.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Lydney: East of Lydney a Sprinter heads for Gloucester alongside the River Severn. The site of the large bridge which once crossed the river is behind the camera.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Margam Sorting Sidings South Box: 66709 leaves Margam running shed in 2006 and heads to Margam Abbey Works East Junction. The track to the immediate right was the engine release siding from the running shed and the track to the right gave access to the remaining Margam Marshalling Yard sidings and repair shed yard. The disused Margam Sorting Sidings South Box is to the right.
Since the photograph was taken the running shed and repair yard have been closed and demolished and the box also demolished. Only the track on the right remains today giving access to a few sidings remaining on the east side of the Margam Marshalling Yard and some of the repair yard sidings.
The photograph is from the former alignment which linked the Ogmore Valleys Extension (Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company) to the Steel Company of Wales' Abbey South Sidings.

Margam Marshalling Yard (British Railways)
Ewan Crawford 2006


Ashchurch for Tewkesbury: Ashchurch aint what it used to be. A closed route to the left led to Malvern, the main line to Birmingham remains and the Evesham route to the right is cut back to an MOD base.

Birmingham and Gloucester Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Bridgend: Bridgend viewed from the overbridge at the east end of the station

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Margam Moors Junction: A 60 passes the time of day at Margam Moors Junction in September 2006 with some strip coil from Port Talbot Steelworks.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Lydney: View east from Lydney station of the loops and (to the left) the connection to the Dean Forest Railway heritage line.

South Wales Railway
Ewan Crawford 2006


Fouldubs Junction Yard: An oil train from the Grangemouth refinery draws to a halt at the signals on the approach to Fouldubs Junction in September 2007.

Grangemouth Railway (Forth and Clyde Canal)
John Furnevel 2007


Alloa: Work on the station at Alloa continues with a new sculpture now standing alongside the station steps, seen here on 13 September 2007. The 4.5 metre high work by Glasgow based artist Andy Scott shows a man looking up at a child and represents 'looking to the future'.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Cambus: A roadrail vehicle takes a ballast truck east over Cambus level crossing on 13 September 2007.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Dunkeld and Birnam: WCRC 47826 waits to leave Dunkeld for Perth with The Royal Scotsman.

Perth and Dunkeld Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Dunkeld and Birnam: Passengers from The Royal Scotsman standing in Dunkeld station transfer from train to bus for a visit to Glamis Castle.

Perth and Dunkeld Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Dunkeld and Birnam: The Royal Scotman arriving at Dunkeld on 13 September.

Perth and Dunkeld Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Dunkeld and Birnam: 170428 heading north after stopping at Dunkeld with an Inverness service.

Perth and Dunkeld Railway
Brian Forbes 2007


Aviemore: 47 826 provides the motive power for The Royal Scotsman.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
John Gray 2007


Cambus: A roadrail machine with ballast truck at Cambus in September 2007, during works in connection with the Stiring - Alloa reopening. The combination has just passed eastbound over the level crossing and is heading for the works site at Alloa West.

Stirling and Dunfermline Railway
John Furnevel 2007


Glasgow Central: 220017 at Glasgow Central waiting to form a service to Bristol Temple Meads

Glasgow Central Station (Caledonian Railway)
Graham Morgan 2008


Chichester (Midhurst Junction): Lit up by the setting sun, on the Portsmouth to Brighton line, 377463 has just passed the former junction for the long closed Midhurst line and is now approaching Chichester station.

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Fishbourne: Opened in 1908, some sixty years after the line itself, Fishbourne (Halt) lies between Chichester and Bosham on the busy Portsmouth line. View eastwards over the level crossing.

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Kirkcaldy: 37401 and 37417 heading empty stock north from SRPS Boness to Aberdeen, passing through Kirkcaldy on 13 September 2008. The train was being moved in readiness for an Aberdeen - Kyle of Lochalsh charter scheduled to take place the following day.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Bill Roberton 2008


Fishbourne: Just to the west of Fishbourne (Halt) is a second level crossing. 377426 leaves the station travelling towards Portsmouth and these days, although the line is busy, there is little variety of traction. Contrary to appearances this picture was taken legally.

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Methil Dock No 1: Hopelessly out of date road sign still standing at Methil on 13 September 2008. Not only has the track long gone, but resurfacing has removed any trace of a bump in the road.

Leven Extension Railway (Wemyss and Buckhaven Railway)
David Panton 2008


Chichester: The splendid signal box at Chichester, seen in September 2008. This was built by the LB&SCR and is a Grade II listed structure.
See query 2263

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Bosham: Bosham sees 377422 call on an evening, westbound south coast service. View from the footbridge, which is adjacent to a level crossing, towards Chichester.

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Bosham: Bosham forecourt and original station building. Locals assure me the name is pronounced Bozzam. The station lies east of Chichester on the line to Portsmouth and Southampton and enjoys a healthy level of train services.

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Chichester (Midhurst Junction): Chichester to Midhurst closed to passengers in 1935 but a freight stub to Lavant continued until 1991. However nothing remains of that line now, as can be seen in this view of the former junction looking west towards Fishbourne on the Portsmouth line.

Brighton and Chichester Railway (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2008


Les Rousses: My local contact assured me that this building was formerly an engine shed; but as this railway (see image [[25796]] for the surviving Swiss side) was electrified from its opening in 1921, this seems unlikely - perhaps a station? The French part of this railway had a short life, being closed from 1940 to 1948 due to war, and closed totally in 1958. A 1999 proposal to re-open from Lacure to Les Rousses was rejected on cost-benefit grounds.

Chemin de Fer Nyon-St. Cergue-Morez
Ken Strachan 2009


Burghclere: We went looking for bits of this railway which hadn't had the A34 built over them. This road sign to Burghclere station - still pointing the way some 43 years after closure - was a big clue.

Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Junction Railway
Ken Strachan 2009


Burghclere: Burghclere station - local pronunciation Burke-lee, as in University of California - is in remarkably good condition, serving as a private house. When we visited, the atmosphere was improved by a procession of vintage motorbikes on the adjacent lane. The gate and cobbled yard are nice touches.

Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Junction Railway
Ken Strachan 2009


Nyon: From a high point of 1208m near Lacure see image [[25796]], which probably gets rather cold, the metre gauge electric railway to Nyon terminates at a warm and dry underground station at a mere 395m, adjacent to the SBB line to Geneva - a 913m fall over 23km, or an average gradient of around 1 in 25.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Ken Strachan 2009


Burghclere: The trackbed of the DNS can be walked for some 1.5 miles South from these railway cottages, South of Burghclere station. We met two ladies of a certain age who had grown up in these cottages, before they had mains electricity, gas, or water. They couldn't remember the day or date when the last train passed through, but they remembered that it was a steam train, and that it passed their homes at 3.30 in the morning. Their mothers woke them to see the train, and the driver gave them sweets.

Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Junction Railway
Ken Strachan 2009


Le Sagy Bas: Between Les Rousses see image [[41781]] and Morez, there was a mountainous area with a very twisty section of railway and an adjacent narrow road. After closure of the railway in 1958, the road was widened and became part of national route N5. It was clearly easier for the road builders to blast away rock on the outside of the mountain than to widen and maintain a number of short railway tunnels. This 2009 view looks towards Switzerland.

Chemins de Fer Nyon - St. Cergue - Morez
Ken Strachan 2009


Hollinwood: A Northern arrival at Hollinwood on the Oldham Loop in September 2009. The station closed the following month and reopened in June 2012 as Hollinwood Metrolink station. [With thanks to Messrs McIntyre, Strachan, Leiper, Prescott & Kent]

Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Ian Dinmore 2009


Nyon: Room for a little one - one of the two diesel engines kept on the Nyon-Lacure line's Les Plantaz depot for track and OHL maintenance. Notice the English language advertising on the coach on the left.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Ken Strachan 2009


St. Cergue: A fellow passenger charts our downhill progress from Lacure see image [[25876]] to Nyon on this Swiss metre gauge line in September 2009. Trains always stop at St. Cergue, and at the termini; there are also 14 request stops.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Ken Strachan 2009


Lacure, Switzerland: We got a lift to Lacure, bought our tickets, and chatted to the locals; but things seemed very quiet. We needn't have worried. At 3.07 precisely, the two-car unit quietly rolled in, the bored-looking crew changed ends; and 8 minutes later, we set off on a helter-skelter downhill ride to Nyon {near Geneva}. This metre-gauge Swiss branch is highly recommended - like a cross between the Ffestiniog and Sheffield trams, with touches of Carter Bar (a road on the English-Scottish border).

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
Ken Strachan 2009


Cockfield: The trackbed of the Bishop Auckland - Barnard Castle line in a cutting on the western edge of Cockfield Fell, looking south west in September 2010. The general formation and cutting sides still look fairly neat, given the photograph was taken 58 years after closure.

Stockton and Darlington Railway
Brian Taylor 2010


Carnforth: Three hours after leaving Maryport at 0600, Northern 153359 calls right time at Carnforth before its short sprint to Lancaster.The unit will shortly return on a Lancaster to Carlisle service via Barrow and Workington. Behind the platform on the right the WCML runs through the old, cut back, main line platforms

Lancaster and Carlisle Railway
Mark Bartlett 2010


Farington Curve Junction: Dropping down from the curve towards the junction, after crossing the WCML, is 158908 on a York to Blackpool service. This view looks north from Flag Lane towards Preston and for a similar view nearly 30 years earlier see image [[19763]].

North Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2010


Butterknowle Goods: Goods shed still standing in September 2010 at Butterknowle, Co Durham, at the end of the Stockton & Darlington's Haggerleases Branch. The branch closed in 1963.

Haggerleases Branch (Stockton and Darlington Railway)
Brian Taylor 2010


Lands Viaduct: Two of the piers of the former Lands Viaduct lie in the valley of the River Gaunless near Cockfield, Co Durham, having been felled using dynamite in 1966. The circular brick columns, seen here in September 2010, remain a testament to the masons craftsmanship. See image [[36804]]

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
Brian Taylor 2010


Lands Viaduct: The remains of Lands Viaduct on the S&D 1863 route between Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle. The 160 feet high, 640 feet long viaduct, designed by Bouch, carried the line over the valley of the River Gaunless, including the Haggerleases branch. The line closed in 1962 with the metal decking removed for scrap shortly thereafter. Left to right are the Western abutment, remaining standing concentric brick piers and eastern abutment. Rubble from previously felled piers is just discernible in the centre of the photograph. See image [[36762]]

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
Brian Taylor 2010


Lands Viaduct: Detail showing western abutment and felled pier of Lands Viaduct, photographed on 13 September 2010 see image [[36747]].

South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway
Brian Taylor 2010


Stourbridge Town: The Stourbridge branch was in the news in early 2021 as it was temporarily closed to be relaid and a Class 56 ventured down to Stourbridge Town with an autoballaster train. These bullhead rails seen in front of the usual Parry People Mover in 2011 are therefore no more but it is good to see investment in this shortest of short lines.

Stourbridge Branch (Great Western Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2011


Exeter St Davids: A defective 143617 heads out of Exeter TMD onto the up line to move across the depot site on 13 September, while 153305 waits at platform 6a to form the 16.25 to Plymouth. 143617 subsequently failed and blocked the up line for some 20 minutes, due to a brake release fault, and delayed 153305's departure before it could be got back onto the depot.

Bristol and Exeter Railway
David Pesterfield 2012


Elgin: DBS 66097 brings a train of empty whisky tanks and containers into Elgin Up Loop on 13th September 2013, prior to propelling back into Elgin Yard. The movement was in connection with the next day's inaugural loaded train to Grangemouth as part of the EU-funded Lifting the Spirit project.

Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway
David Spaven 2013


Ladybank: Scotrail 158728 calls at the recently upgraded Ladybank station with a Perth service on 13 September. The photograph was taken from the new ramp from the car park.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2013


Elgin East: 66097 runs round its train of empty whisky tanks and containers at Elgin Yard on 13th September. The platform side of the former GNoSR passenger station has seen better days, but the main building is still in splendid condition. Condemned OTA timber wagons are returning to nature on the background.

Morayshire Railway
David Spaven 2013


Ladybank: New car park on the east side of Ladybank Station on 13 September 2013. The photograph is taken from the new pathway leading to Number one platform.

Edinburgh and Northern Railway
Brian Forbes 2013


Nuneaton: Freightliner 66540 brings a container train south through Nuneaton platform 7 on 13th September 2013. The site to the right is now being developed as a fast food outlet see image [[42229]]; shame they didn't develop it as a rear entrance to the station.

Trent Valley Railway (London and North Western Railway)
Ken Strachan 2013


Derby Etches Park Depot: 41001, a prototype HST power car, on display at the first ever Open Day to be held at Etches Park depot on 13 September 2014. Notice the cunning rearrangement of the road vehicle crash barrier to allow cab access. See image [[34909]]

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: Looking West through the maintenance shed at Etches Park depot on its Open Day. Meridian set 222015 on the right certainly looks more modern than 50044, to the left.

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Little Eaton: The Midland Railway branch to Ripley crossed Duffield Road, Little Eaton, at an oblique angle until the end of the coal trains to Denby see image [[26040]] in 1999. The whole area is now built over, but this bridge remains, along with the distinctly pink station building, to the right. View looks north east towards Denby.

Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Blaenavon High Level: Barclay 0-4-0STs Rosyth No 1 + United Steel Companies awaiting their departure time with a train at Blaenavon High Level Station on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: This is how I remember the 1980's: faded blue, and rather careworn. 31106 stabled adjacent to the wheel lathe at the first ever Etches Park Open Day on 13 September 2014. See image [[49239]]

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Little Eaton: Looking along the B6179 Alfreton Road towards Derby, you may notice that the pavement is broad, and a long way from the road. It is built on the trackbed of a tramroad, which carried coal from Kilburn and Denby collieries before the MR Ripley branch took over that traffic. It opened in 1795 at 3 foot 6 inch gauge, and closed in 1908 after regauging to 4 foot. The trackbed curved away from the road towards the Derby canal approximately where the estate agent's sign can be seen to the right.

Little Eaton Gangway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: Well, there's yellow and there's yellow... The Network Rail DVT seems to have an all-over warning panel, while 97303 (formerly known as 37178) is in a lighter shade of yellow. Both were stabled just outside the depot during the Etches Park Open Day.

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby: You know when you've been Tangoed: Harry Needle's bright orange 20314 see image [[36456 for a previous livery]] poses next to GBRf 20901 behind Derby station on 13 September, the day of the Etches Park Open Day.

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby: A proper look at 20901 in GBRf livery at Derby on 13 September see image [[48833]] during the Etches Park open day. Part of Derby Works can be seen on the left.

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby: As at least some of the goods lines parallel to Derby station are about to be removed, it is nice to remember a time when they were full - if only for the Etches Park Open Day in September 2014.

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: 20.189 and a classmate resplendent in Balfour Beatty colours at the Etches Park depot Open Day on 13th September 2014. See image [[49574]]

Balfour Beatty
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: ...and as we all know, they ended up like this see image [[48798]]. HST power car 43082 on display at the Etches Park Open Day on 13 September.

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: 08899 resplendent in crimson lake livery at the Etches Park Open Day on 13 September. Far be it from me to niggle, but there seems to be more brown than red in the paint mix!

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: English Electric inside: and who are these Intel upstarts? 31.271 takes a break after crashing into a coach for a TV detective programme.

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby: This long, thin shed is adjacent to the A52 dual carriageway, alongside the remains of Chaddesden yard. It is now a fireplace showroom, but was formerly a wagon repair shop. Two pairs of rails can be seen in the gravel at the far end from this shot. Apparently, hump shunting in 'Chaddo' was subject to heavy impacts - as was a nearby junction on the ring road!

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Derby Works: There may not be much left of the Midland Railway works in Derby, but the Roundhouse is in good condition. Seen from the rear entrance to the station.

Derby Works (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Crich Tramway Museum: No. 510, Sheffield's Last Tram, or so it seemed when the system closed in 1960 when nobody could have foreseen their return under the name South Yorkshire Supertram, seen here at Crich Tramway Village on 13th September 2014.

Crich Tramway Museum
David Bosher 2014


Furnace Sidings: J94 71515 Mech. Navvies Ltd. [RSH 7169 of 1944] banking a train out of Furnace Sidings on the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Blaenavon High Level: Barclay 0-4-0STs Rosyth No 1 and United Steel Companies at Blaenavon High Level station in the process of running round their train on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: She scrubs up nicely - 47843 VULCAN certainly looks to be in ex-works condition at the Etches Park Open Day on 13 September 2014.

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Forth Bridge: THE Forth Bridge looks on as that pesky youngster alongside celebrates her 50th birthday on 13 September 2014.

Forth Bridge Railway
Bill Roberton 2014


Blaenavon High Level: J94 71515 (RSH 7169 of 1944) running downhill to Blaenavon High Level station on 13 September.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: Classic traction at Etches Park on 13 September 2014 in the form of preserved and restored 31271. The locomotive is decked out in BR two-tone grey Railfreight Construction Sector livery - complete with snowploughs. The name carried is 'Stratford 1840-2001' (30A being the depot to which the original D5801 was delivered new from Brush Traction in June 1961). Don't you just love celebrating one hundred and sixty-first anniversaries?

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Big Pit Mining Museum: Rosyth No 1 at the buffer stops at Blaenavon Big Pit station on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Blaenavon High Level: Steam in action on the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway on 13 September 2014 as Barclay 0-4-0STs Rosyth No 1 + United Steel Companies depart from Blaenavon High Level Station.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: Next time someone makes fun of your railway hobby, tell them how educational it is. Did you know that Jeremiah Dixon surveyed the Mason-Dixon line across the USA? Nor me. Nor did I know that he came from County Durham. Photographed at Etches Park, Derby, on 13 September 2014. See image [[29062]]

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Big Pit Mining Museum: Rosyth No 1 heading along the branch towards the Big Pit on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: When Iris eyes are smiling - the preserved Derby lightweight unit on show at the Etches Park Open Day on 13 September. Notice the primrose coloured locomotive on the right see image [[48826]].

Derby Etches Park Yard (Midland Railway)
Ken Strachan 2014


Little Eaton: The distinctly pink station building at Little Eaton alongside the surviving railway bridge, seen in September 2014. Thought to be the former station master's house. See image [[48811]]

Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Big Pit Mining Museum: J94 71515 returning from Big Pit to Furnace Sidings, still under full power, on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: The process to get derailed wagons back on the road usually takes place far from public scrutiny; but this was an Open Day at Etches Park in September 2014. In case you missed it, they use a bottle jack as shown to lift the wagon up; then a hydraulic ram to move it sideways. Notice the Peak on the left, and the class 20's on the right.

Network Rail
Ken Strachan 2014


Furnace Sidings: Rosyth No 1, Sir Thomas Royden and United Steel Companies standing together in Furnace Sidings station on 13 September 2014.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Derby Etches Park Depot: Just Champion - D1015 puts a bit of Western flavour into the East Midlands at the Etches Park Open Day on 13 September. See image [[18918]]

North Midland Railway
Ken Strachan 2014


Furnace Sidings: Scene at Furnace Sidings on the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway as United Steel Companies leads Sir Thomas Royden into the Station on 13 September.

Brynmawr and Blaenavon Railway
Peter Todd 2014


Pavillion Gardens: 0-6-0T steam outline loco Edward Milner hauls a train around Pavillion Gardens, Buxton watched by the ducks across the lake on 13 September 2015.

Tourist - Attractions
John McIntyre 2015


Tweedbank: 'Tornado' receives attention having arrived at Tweedbank. Poor 158, until recently its kind were the centre of attention here.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
John Yellowlees 2015


Fushiebridge [2nd]: 60163 'Tornado' charges up the gradient through Fushiebridge.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2015


Stow: 67026 'Diamond Jubilee' nears Stow (or Stoh according to the announcer) with the returning special from Tweedbank. 'Tornado' is at the rear.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2015


Brunstane: 'Tornado' passes Brunstane with the empty stock working from Waverley to Millerhill Yard.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2015


Stow: 158731 and 158722 pass the Gala water as they near Stow with a service to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2015


Edinburgh Waverley: 158789 at Platform 7 with the 09.11 to Tweedbank. Sleeper loco 92032 and Thunderbird 67003 re in the bays.

North British Railway
Bill Roberton 2015


Gorebridge: 158718 and 158786 enter Gorebridge with a southbound train.

Edinburgh and Hawick Railway (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2015


Fordell House: Bridge/tunnel which carried an estate road to Fordell House, demolished in 1963, over the Fordell Railway. View north from the tunnel towards the stone-lined cutting.

Fordell Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Fordell House: Bridge/tunnel which carried an estate road to Fordell House, demolished in 1963, over the Fordell Railway. Looking south.

Fordell Railway
Bill Roberton 2016


Dalgety Bay: The 08.20 Aberdeen - Penzance service speeds through Dalgety Bay on 13 September.

Aberdour Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2016


Dalgety Bay: 68018 leads a Network Rail test train towards Dalgety Bay with 68005 trailing.

Aberdour Line (North British Railway)
Bill Roberton 2016


Aviemore: Scene at Aviemore following a shower of rain on the morning of 13 September 2017. Approaching from the south is DRS 66422 with the 0504 Mossend - Inverness Tesco containers.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Andy Furnevel 2017


Aviemore: View north through a wet Aviemore station on 13 September 2017 as the ScotRail 0845 Inverness - Glasgow Queen Street calls on its way south.

Inverness and Perth Junction Railway
Andy Furnevel 2017


Kilwinning East Junction: Former road bridge over the Caledonian Railway Ardrossan line at Pennyburn, Kilwinning. Cutting now filled in.

Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway
Douglas Blades 2017


Tomatin: 70814 with the southbound cement empties from Inverness to Oxwellmains Lafarge Colas, pictured crossing the bridge over the Dalmagarry Burn near Tomatin.

Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
John Gray 2018


Beeston Castle and Tarporley: The small signalbox with the big name, Beeston Castle and Tarporley, a blockpost between Crewe and Chester viewed on 13 September 2019. The former station of the same name, closed in 1966, was a short distance to the east (right).
See query 2167

Chester and Crewe Railway
John McIntyre 2019


Euxton Balshaw Lane: 37667 (D6851), heading light engine from Crewe to Carlisle, was an unexpected bonus to an hour's observations at Euxton Balshaw Lane on 13th September 2021. The EE Type 3 is passing through the platforms, which are only on the slow lines.

North Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


New Lane: The treadle for the barriers at New Lane is just beyond the crossing so that they will rise even when a four coach train is standing in the platform. A Southport to Stalybridge service calls on 13th September 2021, viewed from the staggered down platform. The substantial stone railway house, similar to many others at stations and crossings on this line, is privately occupied with the door to the old ticket office, just beyond the bay window, blocked off.

Southport Branch (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and East Lancashire Railway Joint)
Mark Bartlett 2021


Euxton Balshaw Lane: Colas 70810, working a loaded ballast train from Mountsorrel to Carlisle New Yard, passing Euxton Balshaw Lane station on the Down Fast on 13th September 2021. The train will swing right at Farington Junction to take the East Lancashire and Settle & Carlisle route.

North Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Euxton Balshaw Lane: 319369, working from Blackpool North to Lime Street, calls at Euxton Balshaw Lane on 13th September 2021. The fast lines are behind the platform fencing but a short distance to the south of the station the line to Wigan North Western becomes a busy double track section [[55743]].

North Union Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Leyland: Stanier Jubilee 45690 'Leander' makes her way home with support coach from Bishops Lydeard to Carnforth on 13 September 2021 following a seventeen day holiday in the West Country.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2021


New Lane: I remember New Lane Swing Bridge as a wooden structure, opened by hand, but these days it is a motorised steel affair, with a much higher weight limit for road vehicles. The open bridge also now has traffic light protection, as seen here with a narrow boat passing through travelling towards Liverpool. The road to the left leads down to the station.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Mark Bartlett 2021


Crabtree Swing Bridge [LLC]: Looking towards Crabtree Swing Bridge, just to the west of Burscough, in September 2021. Like other swing bridges on this stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal it has been modernised, and motorised, and is seen here returning to the closed position after a narrow boat has passed through.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Mark Bartlett 2021


Burscough Junction: This former mill complex at Burscough has been converted into residential apartments, overlooking the Leeds Liverpool Canal. The cast iron bridge, manufactured in Leeds, carries the Preston to Ormskirk line. Actually there are two separate bridges but only one is needed now the line is singled. This view looks east as 156429 crosses the canal and slows to call at the station on 13th September 2021.

Liverpool, Ormskirk and Preston Railway (East Lancashire Railway)
Mark Bartlett 2021


Hoscar: Hoscar is presently the least used station in Lancashire, seeing around twenty five passengers per week, so it was a surprise to see two waiting to board as I alighted after the short trip from New Lane on 13th September 2021. 156466 waits to leave heading for Stalybridge. Two Lancashire stations ticked off and my return to New Lane was a pleasant towpath walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Manchester and Southport Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Aberdeen: I noticed this sticking out of the wall in Palmerston Road, Aberdeen, which I assume was a support for the long removed signal gantry. The track must have run very close to the wall at this location. Union Square car park is at the top of the street.

Aberdeen Joint (Caledonian Railway)
Duncan Ross 2021


New Lane: It is nearly fifty years since the Down platform at New Lane was relocated to allow the level crossing to be automated and the signal box closed. Hoscar and Bescar Lane were similarly treated about the same time. Any remains are buried in the undergrowth that 150119 is passing as it slows to call on its way to Southport on 13th September 2021.

Southport Branch (Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and East Lancashire Railway Joint)
Mark Bartlett 2021


Hoscar: Station House at Hoscar, now privately occupied, is a substantial stone building similar to other station and level crossing houses on the line between Wigan and Southport. Trains call roughly two hourly except on Sundays.

Manchester and Southport Railway
Mark Bartlett 2021


Leyland: ELR Gala movement 40145 passes Leyland on 13 September 2022 whilst working light engine from Carnforth Steamtown to the East Lancashire Railway. This was a positioning move to get the loco to the ELR Autumn Diesel Gala on 16 & 17 September.

North Union Railway
John McIntyre 2022


Events


Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
1852Londonderry and Enniskillen RailwayExtended from Newtownstewart to LandER_>Omagh LandER .
1869Solway Junction RailwayKirtlebridge to Annan (Shawhill) opened for goods.
1869Solway Junction RailwayShawhill_>Annan Shawhill to Brayton opened to minerals. Brayton Shed opened at Brayton with two roads, sidings and a turntable in the junction between the Solway Junction Railway and the Maryport and Carlisle Railway.
1886Callander and Oban RailwayFalkirk to Oban excursion train derails near the Succoth Viaduct.
1936Arbroath and Forfar RailwayLeysmill to Guthrie Junction singled.
1954Muirkirk and Lesmahagow Junction RailwayPoneil Junction (excluded) to Alton Heights Junction (excluded) closed to freight.
1958Stirling and Dunfermline RailwayBogside Fife and East Grange stations closed.

News


These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.

YearCompaniesDescription
2004First Sod cut at GartcoshNorth Lanarkshire councillors perform sodcutting for the new Gartcosh Station due for completion next April.
2007People & Jobs [Railway Strategies]On the move
2007Conferences & Exhibitions [Railway Strategies]This listing represents a selection of the events about which we have been notified. It is strongly recommended that direct contact should be made with the individual organiser responsible for each event before booking places or making travel and accommodation reservations. Cancellations and other last-minute alterations – such as those to venue or time or eligibility for attendance – are also liable to occur. We have checked the details provided as much as possible, but the editor and publishers of RAILWAY STRATEGIES cannot guarantee that all the listing details are correct and are not responsible for any loss or inconvenience suffered by readers in connection with this guide to events.
2007Pipe find holds up trams work [Scotsman]WORK on the first part of the city^s tram route to be dug up has been delayed by six weeks because contractors found some unidentified utility pipes.
2008Channel Tunnel Reopens [Sky News]Passenger trains are running through the Channel Tunnel again after it was closed by fire - but services will be limited for some time.
2009Britons want return to public owned railways [Sky News]There is overwhelming support among the public for Britain^s railways to be renationalised, a survey has revealed. Seven out of 10 supported the return of the rails to public ownership, while only 23% backed their continued privatisation.
2010Rail inspectors faked safety data watchdog told [Observer]The watchdog charged with investigating accidents on the UK^s railways is examining a dossier containing allegations that safety figures for some level crossings in the East Anglia region, scene of last month^s crash at Sudbury, have been falsified for up to three years.
2010Network Rail directors see progress at MK National Centre [Network Rail]Network Rail directors were in Milton Keynes today to see work progressing on the company’s new National Centre, which will be home to around 3,000 employees when it opens in 2012.
2011Commuters angry as cost of train tickets to rise 6% [The Herald]RAIL commuters in Scotland reacted with horror yesterday to the prospect of a major hike in fares in the new year.
2011Trains are a rich man^s toy, says transport secretary [BBC]British railways are a ^rich man^s toy^, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has told MPs.
2011Unions in threat over rail cuts [PA]Unions have threatened to co-ordinate action with train passengers and other groups opposed to cuts in rail services and jobs.
2013Japanese railway operator unveils super-luxury train [Straits Times]TOKYO (AFP) - A Japanese railway operator on Friday unveiled a new super-luxury train which it hopes will appeal to well-heeled travellers who don^t mind splashing out to have their every travelling need fulfilled.
2013Trains trial for Speyside whisky deliveries [BBC News]The whisky industry on Speyside is starting a two-month trial to improve the use of rail freight with the aim of reducing road traffic and emissions. Two weekly trains will replace 29 lorry trips to take whisky to Grangemouth. Casks and grain will be transported north in the same containers. Several producers are working on the Lifting the Spirit project, alongside Highlands and Island Enterprise, Moray Council, and the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership. The trains are running from Elgin, and HIE is investing £30,000 in the project.
2013Blackburn to Manchester link set to get massive improvements [Lancashire Telegraph]THE vital rail link between Blackburn, Clitheroe and Manchester looks set to be revolutionised ending a massive campaign which has gone on for years. The millions of pounds needed to finance the long-awaited upgrade will be confirmed next week. Campaigners were euphoric over the move which will see services increase from hourly to every 30 minutes. [From Mark Bartlett]
2015Railscot ChangesAfter a number of years in the Railscot editorial chair, John has decided to step back from this role to spend more time on other pursuits. He will continue to be involved with Railscot, although in a more background support role. He will also continue to contribute photographs and other material to the website from time to time.
2016Time called on old Arbroath station clocks [Courier]ScotRail has called time on an Angus rail station’s historic clocks. The timepieces have been decommissioned after decades spent hanging from the roof in Arbroath. The old station clocks hung above each of the platforms but were struggling to keep accurate time due to their age. They will remain in place as part of the 168-year-old Keptie Street station’s heritage with both hands turned to 12.
2018Buses to replace trains in East Lothian for four Saturdays in a row [East Lothian Courier]PASSENGERS using East Lothian^s rail networks on Saturdays can expect disruption across four weekends this month and next.
2018Peoples piano arrives at Dundee [ScotRail]Thanks to generous donations by ScotRail, local community and hundreds of people online, a new top-of-the-range peoples piano has been installed Dundee train station. The instrument arrived today, Thursday 13 September, after the first piano at the station - donated by Dave Patterson as a tribute to his late wife Jean “ had been vandalised last month. Local man Greg Joiner quickly set up an online crowdfunding page to replace the piano. Hundreds of people contributed to the online appeal, and a total of £4,702 was raised.
2018Plans for rail link between Aberdeen airport and new AECC hit by setback [Evening Express]Ambitious plans for a £70 million rail link between Aberdeen International Airport and the new AECC have hit a setback.
2019Parking attendants will be able to fine people who breach new restrictions at East Lothian train station car parks [Edinburgh Evening News]Parking attendants will be given powers to fine people who breach new restrictions at train station car parks in East Lothian. Negotiations are underway between ScotRail and East Lothian Council to let the local authority take over management of station car parks, currently overseen by the train company. Plans to introduce restrictions, including yellow lines, waiting restrictions and loading and unloading areas, were given the go ahead at a meeting of the councils cabinet this week.
2019ScotRail cancels seven Edinburgh trains after driver clocks on three hours early [Scotsman]Seven ScotRail trains on Edinburgh services had to be cancelled today because a driver started work three hours early.