Viaduct Goods: Class 40 bringing a train from the north into Carlisle in September 1971 with some clearance work still to be completed on the former Viaduct Yard.

London Road Junction [Carlisle]: A Brush Type 4 with a down WCML express is about to run into Carlisle station in September 1971, having just passed over a freight heading for London Road Junction on the Carlisle goods lines. Meantime, an EE Type 4 with a parcels train from Newcastle is held at signals on the climb up to the station awaiting passage of the express. The substantial bridge supports that once carried the lines into Crown Street goods depot (closed in 1966) stand in the centre of the picture. See image [[24608]]

Bushey: Morning rush hour at Bushey station on 17th September 1975. The train arriving is a Watford Junction to Euston stopping service, formed from Class 501 units that were then 20 years in to their 30 years of service. It is about to rejoin the main line after taking the loop out to Watford High Street station.

Haymarket East Junction: A westbound commuter service restarting from Haymarket in September 1979. The DMU is about to pass Haymarket coal depot after leaving a blue haze over Haymarket East Junction.

Waterloo: A Class 421 (4-CIG) emu waiting to leave Waterloo in 1981 with other commuter stock stabled in the west sidings in the background. [This section of the station would change beyond recognition just over 10 years later when the International terminus for the new Eurostar services was built here. These would be handled at Waterloo from 1994 until finally being moved to the transformed St Pancras station in 2007.]

Regua: Regular steam working from Regua along the Linha do Corgo to Chaves had ceased around 1978, but in the early eighties there were still plenty of the CP's unique 2-4-6-0T metre gauge Mallets dumped around the depot yard. In typical condition was No E212, whose final resting place was a short road off the dual gauge turntable.

Aviemore: A northbound mail train gets underway on the afternoon of 17 September 2004, following a stop at Aviemore station. The locomotive is EWS 67008.

Aviemore Shed: Having recently brought in the last scheduled train of the day from Broomhill, Standard class 4 2-6-4T no 80105 stands on the Strathspey Railway's Aviemore shed in September 2004.

Aviemore: EWS 67008 with a northbound mail train photographed during a stop at Aviemore station on 17 September 2004.

Grantown-on-Spey East: The abandoned former station at Grantown-on-Spey East. View north east along the trackbed towards Craigellachie in September 2004.

Hope Cement Works: For once, the sign is right: there's a steam engine crossing see image [[58266]]. Scene at Hope Blue Circle cement work on 17 September 2005. [Ref query 23 September 2017]

Hope Cement Works: I think they've got enough axles there. From the left, side tank steamer no. 1704, a Sentinel diesel shunter, 5927 Hogwarts Express see image [[47572]], and 20.905 at a Works Open Day in 2005.

Hope Cement Works: 48151 hauling an Open Day special from the main line sidings into Hope cement works on 17 September 2005. [Ref query 827]

Hope Cement Works: A Sentinel diesel shunter see image [[24631]] at Hope, seen during a 2005 Open Day.

Hope Cement Works: 20905 see image [[38046]] looking very smart, ex-works even, at a Blue Circle cement works Open Day at Hope in September 2005. Contrary to appearances, it is not about to pole vault over the internal level crossing.

Hope Cement Works: Look back in bemusement: the driver of 48151 checks on, er, something during the Blue Circle cement works Open Day. See image [[58266]]

Hope Cement Works: 48151 see image [[42014]] stands alongside an aesthetically challenged diesel shunter at a Works Open Day in 2005

Hope Cement Works: All right, 48151, I'm going to give you a damn good thrashing. Basil Fawlty appears to be at the controls as the demonstration steam train passes under the road bridge approaching Hope Cement works in September 2005. see image [[59063]]

Ardrossan Harbour Junction: Looking toward Adrossan Town from Ardrossan Harbour Jct LC.... Notice the cant.

Edinburgh Waverley: Rewiring taking place at the east end on 17 September 2006 in connection with construction of the new Balmoral platform. Note the fog which prevented any external shots.

Edinburgh Waverley: Waverley update - 17 September 2006. Southside (Klondyke) through platform works looking west. All getting a bit congested.

Edinburgh Waverley: Progress at Waverley on 17 September 2006. Work is now underway at the east end, including reinstatement of the old platform 5.

Edinburgh Waverley: Platforms 20 & 21 seen through the early Sunday morning fog under the North Bridge, with only a Coke machine and the coned-off outline of a previous nights murder victim for company. View east from the car park on 17 September 2006.

Cumbernauld: 156 430 on the crossover from the reversing siding to the up line at Cumbernauld on 17 September 2008 ready to form the next service to Motherwell.

Bargeddie: 156 505 with a Whifflet - Glasgow Central service calls at Bargeddie on 17 September 2008.

Bargeddie: 156 510 on a Whifflet train at Bargeddie on 17 September 2008.

Eglinton Street: Looking over the north end of the station site at Eglinton Street towards Glasgow Central on 17 September. Note the spelling.

Carfin: A Glasgow Central - Edinburgh Waverley service, formed by 156 478 calls at Carfin on 17 September 2008.

Gartcosh: Not the usual type of unit used on this route, 158 734 is seen at Gartcosh on 17 September with a Glasgow Queen Street to Cumbernauld service

West Street [Subway]: A fairly typical scene at West Street on 17 September, least used of the Glasgow Subway stations.

Holytown: A 4-car 156 with an Edinburgh - Glasgow Central service, picks up passengers on 17 September at Holytown.

Motherwell: Temporary footbridge to platform 4 at Motherwell seen on 17 September with 318 252 recently arrived with a service for Lanark via Holytown. The group at the end of platform 3 standing beneath the now closed original structure were engaged in discussions regarding its replacement.

Cambuslang: 156 478 on a Glasgow Central - Edinburgh Waverley service calls at Cambuslang on 17 September 2008.

Hamilton Central: 334 029 at Hamilton Central on 17 September with a Milngavie service.

Hamilton Central: Arrival at Hamilton Central on 17 September 2008 in the form of 318 256 with a service for Motherwell.

Cumbernauld: 156 430 arrives at Cumbernauld on 17 September with the shuttle service from Motherwell.

Builth Road Low Level: The old Low Level station, now a pub, and the former trackbed seen from the end of the platform at Builth Road High Level looking south to Builth Wells. There used to be a lift at this point, allowing passengers and their luggage to transfer between the Central Wales line and that from Newtown to Brecon, which passed under the bridge here but closed in 1962.

Millburn Junction: DR 77001-Plasser & Theurer AFM 2000 Track finishing machine at Inverness on 17 September 2009

Builth Road Low Level: Builth Road Low Level opened as Lechryd but was renamed in 1889 and became an interchange with the Central Wales Extension line. Since closure in 1962 the Low Level station building has become a pub as seen here in this view north towards Llanidloes. ATW 153312 is crossing the old formation and running into the High Level station on a Swansea to Shrewsbury service.

Newtown: The Down side waiting shelter at Newtown is a large affair, as seen in this view looking towards Welshpool. All movements on this line operate on the Radio Electronic Token Block system.

Newtown: Newtown is a passing loop on the line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and retains its substantial main building on the Up side, as seen in this picture looking towards Machynlleth in September 2009.

Erwood: The old weighbridge at Erwood is a significant relic from the past that has survived to become a feature at the craft centre. The trackbed from here towards Brecon has been turned into a public road as far as Llanstephan, complete with original bridges, and is an interesting alternative to the 'A' road.

Whittington Low Level: Whittington Low Level station, on the Chester to Shrewsbury route, closed in 1960. Despite a number of vigorous local campaigns it has never reopened but the station building survives as a private residence. The High Level station was on the Cambrian route to Oswestry that crossed this line at right angles. This view is south towards Shrewsbury from the level crossing.

Dunlop: 156 462 arrives at Dunlop via the new line on 17 September 2009 with the 1604 to Glasgow Central. The older platform here is currently being refurbished.

Builth Road: Builth Road High Level must once have been a bustling interchange station but all is peaceful now with only four Central Wales Line trains each way a day and 'request halt' status. The former station buildings are now private residences and this view looks south to the bridge over the Brecon line, where the lift to the Low Level station See image [[25482]] was situated until that line closed in 1962.

Erwood: Erwood, on the line from Builth Wells to Brecon, closed with the line in 1962. The station has been rebuilt as a craft centre and cafe with two elderly coaches incorporated into the facilities. The fencing on the right surrounds an elderly Fowler diesel shunter that is being cosmetically restored. Perhaps I should have turned that station sign round.

Stewarton: 156 436 enters the new platform at Stewarton with the 16.22 to Kilmaurs on 17 September 2009.

Dunlop: 156 462 leaving Dunlop with 16.04 to Glasgow Central on 17 September passing a pair of track machines just beyond the station.

Pen-y-Bont: The first Central Wales line station north of the passing loop at Llandrindod Wells is Penybont, which also had a loop at one time. Now served by four trains each way daily the basic facilities suffice and the station is a request stop halt.

Moniaive: The station building at Moniaive really looks as though the next gust of wind will reduce it to rubble and matchwood. Having last seen a train over 60 years ago its a remarkable survivor but surely cannot be around for too much longer.

Welton: This former WCML station is just behind Watford Gap services on the M1. The modern, fast, large, and well maintained Pendo contrasts first with the small and slow track inspection carts, and secondly with the old-fashioned and distinctly under-maintained goods shed. With gaps in the roof and a tree growing out one window, it just doesn't look loved.

Carrbridge: Nearly 9 months after the derailment at Carrbridge see image [[27143]], work is still ongoing to replace the cables that were damaged in January. The temporary ones are currently being replaced with fully ducted cables around the station passing loop. Also, the resident's garage that was flattened in the incident has this week been replaced with a brand new one.

Welton: Rarely have I seen a brick building survive so well with the roof, awning, doors, and windows in such a state. But it reminds us of this former WCML station just behind Watford Gap services on the M1. Photographed in September 2010.

Berkhamsted: Call that a train ... tee, hee ... 350242 at Berkhamsted on 17 September 2010.

Waterside: The Dalmellington line, as seen looking northwards from the overbridge that provides access to the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre. The track looks well used and in excellent condition.

Loch nan Uamh Viaduct: With the regulator full open for the climb up to Beasdale, Black 5 no 45231 Sherwood Forester races across the viaduct at the head of Loch nan Uamh on 17 September with The Jacobite.

Waterside: Looking towards Dalmellington at Waterside in a view from the overbridge leading to the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre. Some of the centre's buildings can be seen here, high above the line itself.

Long Buckby: Daytime freight on the WCML tends to run through Northampton to keep the 'main line' clear for Pendos and Voyagers. This is GBRf 66.725 rumbling North on Friday afternoon, 17 September. I saw five freights pass through in a 50 minute extended lunch stop - pretty good free entertainment!

Long Buckby: By shooting slightly earlier then my view of 66.725 see image [[30740]], one can see the milepost (yellow metal post by the station sign) in the platform fence on the down line, and the spare rail on the up line - conscientiously sandbagged in place.

Princes Street [Tram]: Aaarrgghhhhhh... they're back! Engineers using Lego on the re-activated tram works on Princes Street on 17 September in an attempt to reduce costs and speed up the project!

Abbeyhill Junction: The ECML closed for engineering work at Abbeyhill Junction on 17 September, with local services replaced by buses and long distance trains diverted.

Totnes (Littlehempston): A CrossCountry Plymouth - Berwick-upon-Tweed service leaves Totnes and passes Totnes (Littlehempston) on the Buckfastleigh portion of the South Devon Railway (the pre-grouping Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway).

Bridge of Orchy: The West Highland Railway line through Glen Orchy, seen in September 2011. The West Highland Way runs parallel with the railway here, lower down the hillside.

Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll: The Arriva Trains Wales 11.21 ex-Cardiff Central calls at Llanfairpwll on 17 September on its journey to Holyhead.

Base Station: Way to go. Looking out from the base station of the Cairngorm Mountain Railway in September 2012.

Base Station: On the way up. Cairngorm Mountain Railway, September 2012. See image [[40432]]

Wigton: 156484 leaves Wigton with the 08.01 Northern Rail service to Whitehaven on 17 September 2012. Semaphore signals are still alive and well here. The permanent way stabling line runs off to the left.

Boat of Garten: Water, water everywhere... the two water towers at Boat of Garten, September 2012.

Chatham Dockyard: Rochester Castle a 4wDM shunter built in 1955 by F.C. Hibberd of London photographed in Chatham Dockyard on 17 September 2013.

Chatham Dockyard: RSH 0-4-0ST Ajax of 1941, one of the working engines at Chatham, seen here on 17 September 2013.

Edinburgh Waverley: Sleeper locomotives stabled at the east end of Waverley on 17 September.

St Andrew Square [Tram]: The tram stop in St Andrew Square on 17 September 2013. View is north towards the Firth of Forth with the hills of Fife visible in the background.

Chatham Dockyard: Sydenham, is a 2-2-0TG Tramway Geared Locomotive built by Aveling & Porter at their Rochester Works in 1895 (AP3567). Photographed at Chatham Dockyard on 17 September 2013.

Loth: Loth Station was on the section of the Duke of Sutherland's Railway that was opened on 1st November 1870 as far as Helmsdale. The station closed to passengers on the 13th of June 1960. The original station is the stone building on the left,this is now a private residence. The wooden extension was added in 1930 and is now a shop selling antiques and collectables including old railway items. Many of the original fittings are still in place.

Loth: 158710 powers up the gradient approaching Loth Station on 17 September on the 2H57 1400 Inverness to Wick service.

Davos Platz: A mixed (very) train leaves Davos Platz for Landquart with RhB metre gauge No.628 S Chanf sandwiched in the middle. The electric loco is propelling Driving Trailer 3-car set No.1755 but is also pulling two passenger coaches, a bogie baggage car and a four wheel goods van, the latter a regular addition to trains between these two locations.

Loth: A southbound nuclear flask special crossing the bridge over the Loth Burn around five miles north of Brora on 17 September. DRS liveried 37611 leads with 37603 on rear.

Edinburgh Waverley: The 08.20 ex-Birmingham New Street Virgin Voyager runs into Waverley from the west on 17 September.

Kilmarnock: MPV DR98911 awaits the right away at Kilmarnock on 17 September during a test run, as 156439 arrives with a Glasgow Central - Newcastle Central service.

Bamber Bridge: Heading east at Bamber Bridge on 17 September, DBS 60019 returns the empty tar tank wagons from Preston Docks to Lindsey Oil Refinery.

Stanmore: End of the line. The Jubilee Line terminus at Stanmore on 17 September 2015 with LU services to and from Stratford at the platforms. See image [[5144]]

Wigan Wallgate: Entrance canopy at Wigan Wallgate station. The running lines are below street level here.

Wigan Wallgate: The west end of Wigan Wallgate is crossed by the West Coast Main Line, on which a passing train can be seen in the distance. View looks west.

Preston: View of the Fishergate entrance to Preston station from the north. Two of the five 1879-80 built longitudinal pitched roofs can be seen on either side.

Blackpool North: A Northern Rail Pacer at Blackpool North.

Preston: Loading a bicycle onto a service to Manchester Airport at Preston.

Blackpool North: A view of the large circulating area at Blackpool North

Galabank Junction: 67026 Diamond Jubilee leads the Borders Line Steam Special returning to Edinburgh, with 60009 Union of South Africa trailing. The train is approaching Galabank Junction, which would be more appropriately called Killochyett Junction, the name for the northern end of Stow.

Wigan North Western: The Wallgate entrance to Wigan North Western viewed from the north.

Wigan North Western: A recently introduced Class 319 is seen at Wigan North Western. It will have worked in from Lime St via St Helens.

Blackpool (North Pier): Bolton No.66, a regular on Heritage services in Blackpool, is seen with Blackpool North Pier in the background. The trolley pole isn’t normally reversed here – heritage services usually continue to Bispham.

Wigan North Western: Northern 319365 waits in Platform 5 at Wigan North Western. These 4-car EMUs have replaced Sprinters and Pacers on the newly electrified line to Lime St via St. Helens.

Wigan Wallgate: Northern Sprinter 150275 calls at Wigan Wallgate on a service heading for Manchester. There was originally an additional line through the cutting here but it was lifted a long time ago.

Wigan Wallgate: Looking back along the Southport/Kirkby platform at Wigan Wallgate towards the street level booking hall. See image [[18588]]

Girona: A RENFE Class 447 EMU heads south from Girona and crosses the River Onyar with a stopping train for Barcelona. This bridge is just by the Basilica church on the edge of the old town area of the city.

Lea Line: 'Lyn' see image [[56579]] isn't the only new vehicle being built at Lea Line. Here are two new axles for a new build coach for Volk's Electric Railway at Brighton. The roof was also on show, but wasn't as photogenic.

Llangower: Llangower station, mid way along the Bala Lake Railway, was re-opened on a slightly different site to the standard gauge halt that closed with the line in 1965. The BLR re-opened the four mile stretch of line in 1972 so it was only fully closed for seven years and their narrow gauge trains have operated ever since. View towards Llanuwchllyn on 17th September 2016.

Llanuwchllyn: Llanuwchllyn, looking towards Dolgellau in September 2016.The still operational signal box now overlooks the narrow gauge Bala Lake tracks but much of this former GWR station looks as it did before closure in 1965.

Lea Line: How quickly does the cutting edge become worthless. This narrow gauge rack locomotive was supplied new for Channel Tunnel construction work, was bought by Alan Keef, and is now in danger of being scrapped. So if you happen to have a garden rack railway, put an offer in! See also image [[57187]].

Lea Bailey: In the absence of a service pit, this is the best way to inspect the running gear. Informal portrait at Open Day. see image [[56586]]

Wylam: Wylam's signalbox and station viewed from a 125. ECML diversions via Carlisle today.

Newcastle Central: A pair of DB-liveried Class 67s at Newcastle. 'Keith Heller' on the left. Maybe awaiting dragging of 225s along the Tyne Valley.

Lea Bailey: It may be taller than it's wide, but at least it's the right way up see image [[57775]]

Ely North Junction: Wessex Electric in warm storage at Derek Potter, Ely.

Gloucester: Gran, it is a long way to the train. Will it come and pick us up? - imagined conversation looking from Platform 2 to Platform 1 at Gloucester.

Lea Line: New build replica 'Lyn' for the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway taking shape in Alan Keef's wonderful workshop on 17 September 2016. The annual Open Days here are well worth visiting.

Longhope: A masterclass in masonry on the North abutment (just below the site of Longhope station) of the A4136 overbridge, on the line linking Ross-on-Wye and Gloucester via Grange Court.

Dinas Mawddwy: The old branch terminus at Dinas Mawddwy, looking towards the buffer stops in September 2016. The station closed to passengers in 1931 and completely in 1951. For many years it served as a local shop See image [[38611]] but was converted to a fine private residence in 2005.

Lea Bailey: Down in the Forest of Dean something stirred, whirred, chugged, phutted, or made noises hard to describe. There is a variety of unusual motive power at this venue, which is not easy to find, but worth the effort. Entrance is free, and Open Days often correspond to those at Alan Keef Ltd. The mine adit is out of shot to the right beyond the shed.

Ross-on-Wye: My wife insisted there would be nothing to see at Ross, as the station closed 52 years ago. She went a bit quiet when we found the goods shed, complete with lifelike mural of steam engine and van. I first saw this mural over 20 years ago, so it must have been looked after. For the other end of the shed, see image [[55459]]

Cemmes Road: Cemmes Road station, on the Cambrian main line, in September 2016. The one time junction for the Dinas Mawddwy branch closed in 1965 but the station building is still used as a private house. View looking east from the public foot crossing.

Llanuwchllyn: Because the line was only completely closed for a few years the original buildings at Llanuwchllyn have survived and are still in use, including this waiting room (now a store) on the old Dolgellau platform. View towards Bala on 17th September 2016.

Lea Bailey: Looking South towards Drybrook from the mining museum site at Lea Bailey see image [[56586]]. This is a very peaceful walk, which I had wanted to do for some 21 years - procrastination is the thief of trackbed gricing.

Dinas Mawddwy: The old goods shed at Dinas Mawddyy, which survived for a long time as a workshop after the 1951 freight closure, has been demolished and a single storey replacement stands on the same spot. The old water crane is still in place however. See image [[38665]] for the same view in 1981.

Pentrepiod Halt: Dinorwic Hunslet Holy War runs through the tiny request halt at Pentrepiod without stopping on 17th September 2016. The train was heading from Llanuwchlynn to Bala alongside Bala Lake, which can be seen behind the train.

Pentrepiod Halt: Summer lakeside scene on the Bala Lake Railway in 2016 as a train disappears towards Bala passing through Pentrepiod Halt.

Lea Line: Unlike the rack locomotive see image [[57505]], this ex-Channel Tunnel works locomotive - RFS L106 of 1989, 900mm gauge - needs only minor work to run. Something for next Christmas, maybe?

Lea Line: RAILSCOT EXCLUSIVE: despite concerns regarding the costs of HS2 rolling stock, it will be better than this. This economically built wagon was actually seen at the Alan Keef Open Day in 2016.

Llanuwchllyn: The interior of the still operational GWR signal box at Llanuwchllyn in September 2016. These days the levers and block instruments control movements on the narrow gauge tracks of the Bala Lake Railway. The box is open to the public on the strict understanding that you 'Do not touch!'

Lea Line: Woto, a 1924 Bagnall 0-4-0ST, works number 2133, giving rides at the Alan Keef 2016 Open Day.

Starr Gate Depot: The modern Starr Gate Depot on the Blackpool Tram network.

Newcraighall North Junction: A 4-car 158 set coming off the Borders Line at Newcraighall North Junction on 17 September 2017. The 0945 Tweedebank - Edinburgh is about to pass below the road bridge carrying the A1 before its next stop at Newcraighall station.

Pleasure Beach [Tram]: A modern Flexity tram passing the Pleasure Beach - 17th Sept.

Edinburgh Princes Street: Edinburgh Princes Street Station, which closed in 1965, was wedged between Rutland Street/Square and Lothian Road. The site is now a financial district. The bridge I am standing on (looking north east) didn't exist at the time. Under me there were sidings 5 wide between the back gardens of Rutland Square (left) and the outside wall of the station was more or less where the building is on the extreme right. If the closure did nothing else it did provide a useful 'urban fastway', as it was called, on the trackbed of the approaches. Miraculously this is rarely congested even today. See image [[35223]].

Balshaw Lane Junction: Class 88s have re-appeared on the Mossend-Daventry 'Tescoliner' container trains after a brief absence. 88003 'Genesis' heads south at Balshaw Lane Jct in the early evening of 17 September 2017.

Wernigerode: HSB 99 236 with its seven carriages for the 10:25 train from Wernigerode to Brocken on 17 September 2017. One of the batch of 17 New Steam Engines built in the 1950s for use on the 1000 mm gauge system in the Harz Mountains, it has at times also been numbered 99 0236 9 (when converted to oil-burning in the 1970s) and 99 7236-5 (when restored to coal-burning in the 1980s).

Newcraighall: ScotRail 170477, forming the Sunday 1011 Edinburgh - Tweedbank service, about to arrive at the platform at Newcraighall on 17 September 2017. The freight line to Millerhill runs past on the right and the 'feathers' on the signal are for the Niddrie South - Niddrie West freight-only route.

Newcraighall: A Sunday morning Cambuslang - Millerhill ballast train runs south past Newcraighall station on 17 September 2017 behind GBRf 66741 'Swanage Railway'.

Appenzeller Bahnen: Here is the cycle-carrying vehicle of the train used on the Altstatten branch which ascends from this terminus using a section of Straub track to reach the junction station of Gais.

Starr Gate Depot: Tram access to the modern Starr Gate Depot in September 2017.

St Gallen: At St Gallen the Appenzell line is being rebuilt in tunnel so as to eliminate a Riggenbach rack section and enable adhesion tram-trains to run through from and to the Trogenerbahn roadside tramway.

Prestwick Town: Buses seen at Prestwick Town in September 2018. The 7-coach rush hour EMU trains stop and start at Prestwick Town with bus connections.

Ayr Station Hotel: Seen from the platform, Ayr's Station Hotel may be semi derelict but it is still at least partially furnished. Note the writing desk with lamps - 'Would madam care for some Quink for her fountain pen?' Time warp.

Blair Atholl: Blair Atholl Signal Box, pictured on 17th September 2018.

Ayr: Temporary bridge in use by contractors to cross the tracks at Ayr during the 'repairs' to the station hotel. The information display, seen here on 17th September 2018, is correct as trains to Kilmarnock are running again.

Ayr: Close up of the roof of the Station Hotel at Ayr on 17th September 2018. This was sometimes known as the 'Hanging Gardens' but the vegetation has been cleared now and it is apparent why the engineers are so concerned about public safety on the platforms below.

Blair Atholl: 170405 arrives in Blair Atholl from the south on 17th September 2018.

Milnthorpe: A Pendolino runs through the reverse curves between Hincaster Junction and Milnthorpe, Cumbria, on 17th September 2018 with an Edinburgh to Euston service. [Ref query 18 September 2018]

Ayr: Class 380 EMU at the temporary buffer stops in Platform 3 at Ayr on 17th September 2018.

Stuttgart Hbf: One of the new Bobardier Talent 2 EMU at Stuttgarts platform 3 on the RB17A/RB17C 11.47 service to Pforzheim and Bruchsal, the train will split at Pforzheim. Abellio have started to run some services around Baden Wurttemberg and have had a few complaints about some early teething problems.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Glasgow Queen Street High Level, during the throes of the massive transformation on 17 September 2019, with COLAS Class 56s 56049 'Robin of Templecombe' and 56087 are involved in removing the spoil from the renovations.

Llanbrynmair: A westbound service heading towards Machynlleth passes the closed station of Llanbrymair on 17 September 2019. On what would have been the westbound platform, a small dog runs around in excitement at the sound of the train.

Niddrie [3rd]: The three early and short-lived Niddrie stations were close to each other though not to Niddrie itself; they would today be deemed to be in Newcraighall which wasn't really around then. Here are the street-level remains of the third station, hiding behind an advertising hoarding on Whitehill Road. There is nothing to see from Borders trains passing above.

Caersws: An afternoon westbound service calls at Caersws on 17 September 2019. Although the station is open the station building did not appear to be in railway use.

York: The view over the rebuilt Ouse bridge, from the end of the Scarborough platform at York on 17th September 2019.

Caersws: Looking east along the almost deserted platform at Caersws on 17 September 2019.

York: 185120 rolls in to the Scarborough platform at York with a TPE service for Liverpool on 17th September 2019.

Scarborough: 185142 and some autumn sunshine at Scarborough in September 2019.

Kintore: Works at Kintore on 17th September 2019.

York: Two TPE locomotives, 68028 'Lord President' and 68032 'Destroyer', seen in the Scarborough bay platform under the overall roof at York on 17th September 2019.

Cemmes Road: A TfW Class 158 DMU on an eastbound service approaches the site of the former Cemmes Road station on 17 September 2019.

Cemmes Road: 158841 heads east at Cemmes Road on 17 September 2019. The station building is on the right and this used to be the junction for the Mawddwy Railway which formed a west facing junction on the left. Also noted is the short length of track at the rear left of the unit which at one time would have been used to park the p-way gangers trolley.

Llanbrynmair: Llanbrynmair station between Newtown and Machynlleth is still in use, although as a private residence. In this view eastwards along the platform on 17 September 2019 I have not captured the variety of railway artefacts from signs, wagons and signals that exist around the site.

Aberdeen: Tracery at Aberdeen with an Inter7City set shunting in Platform 7 on 17th September 2019.

Carno: Unlike other closed stations between Newtown and Machynlleth, Carno although still standing is in need of some TLC and appeared unoccupied. On my visit on 17 September 2019 vegetation had taken hold around and on the building. The neighbouring property to the right, the former Laura Ashley factory and offices, were up for redevelopment so perhaps the station building may succumb at the same time?

Cemmes Road: A view eastwards at the site of Cemmes Road station in September 2019. The sizeable former station building is now a private residence. This had been the junction of the branch to Dinas Mawddwy, which curved to the left near the modern road bridge in the distance.

Scarborough: The rather splendid entrance to Scarborough station in September 2019.

West Bryans Siding: The ScotRail 1024 Edinburgh - Tweedbank photographed shortly after leaving Newbattle Viaduct as it approaches the Newtongrange stop on 17 September 2020. The fenced off area in the background was once occupied by the exchange sidings of the Newbattle Collieries Railway. These fell out of use in the early part of the 20th century following the development of new facilities by the Lothian Coal Company at the nearby Lady Victoria site.

Balshaw Lane Junction: LMS Black 5 no. 44871 passes Balshaw Lane Jct on 17 September 2020 whilst on a Southall to Carnforth move with support coach. After missing out a number of pathing stops, the train was 66 minutes early and after further pathing opportunities was over two hours early by the time it arrived at Carnforth.

Edinburgh Waverley: Looking south across the platforms at the west end of Waverley on 17 September 2021. At platform 15 is the terminated 1313 ex-Aberdeen waiting to depart empty stock for Haymarket Depot.

Lancaster: 31128 returns to Burton-on-Wetmore from Carnforth on 17th September 2021, following a trip out the day before on the Scarborough Spa Express. The loco is seen (creating smoke!) passing Lancaster with 47786 in tow.

Stoke Bruerne: I always like to find crossings of disused trackbeds. Left to right was the S&MJ - also known as the Slow, Mouldy and Jolting; whereas I was following the line of the Blisworth Tramroad over the Blisworth Tunnel on the Grand Union Canal (see image [[70159]]). The former closed in 1965; the latter a mere 160 years earlier. It is ironic that the S&MJ had to provide an overbridge.

Preston: 90s in trouble - the Mossend to Daventry container train with 90037 and 90024 had to be rescued from Eden Valley loop (south of Penrith) by 66069 on 17 September 2021. The train is seen over 250 minutes late passing the south end of Preston station with the former Park Hotel (one time railway owned) on the left.

St Fillans: Like the retaining wall of the station approach, the bridge abutments at St. Fillans have also been cleaned up compared with their appearance some years ago ([[13815]]). This was the view on 17th September 2021 with the right hand abutment curving round to the station entrance.

St Fillans: The long private drive to the former St. Fillans station in September 2021. The distinctive concrete construction was a feature of the line (See image [[23090]] at Lochearnhead) and this wall has been renovated in recent years. See image [[15279]] taken here in 2007.

Stoke Bruerne: I dont know whether this footbridge over the South end of a lock is original; but to coin a phrase, that's an impressive set of curves. View looks west and slightly south at Stoke Bruerne on the Grand Junction in September 2021.

Carnforth: 35018 British India Line and support coach reverse along the Down Furness Goods line at Carnforth to gain access to the WCRC site. The loco had earlier arrived from York NRM where it had been out based for the latter part of the 2021 Scarborough Spa Express season.

Bridge of Earn [2nd]: 158729 hurries through the site of Bridge of Earn station heading for Perth from Edinburgh on 17th September 2021. The widening bridge parapet on the left is the only real clue that the station was once here as houses now occupy the rest of the site. See image [[7685]] from the same bridge in 1990.

Blisworth Tunnel: When Blisworth canal tunnel was rebuilt in the 1980s, the opportunity was taken to try out the proposed construction of the Eurotunnel. One segment was left behind at the South portal of the canal tunnel. In the context of the Channel Tunnel, the white on black label reading Water Level is of some concern.

Lancaster: 86401 'Mons Meg' passes Lancaster during a test run on 17 September 2021. The 86 and 33029 were hauled south to Preston by 37706 which was on its way to Southall. The 86 then hauled the 33 back to Carnforth. The last time I saw the 86 was on 14 February 2020 when it passed Lancaster heading to Carnforth, see image [[72187]]

Lancaster: 70810 hauls the Mountsorrel to Carlisle NY stone train northwards at Lancaster on 17 September 2021. This is normally routed from Farington Jct via the S&C but on this day it ran direct via the WCML.

Leek Brook Junction: These sleepers will carry rails to the new Leek station, when it is rebuilt by the Churnet Valley Railway.(see image [[63090]])

Consall: This passenger shelter on the Southbound platform is cantilevered over the adjacent canal. This may explain the absence of windows on the side and rear walls. Peace of mind, you know.

Cheddleton: USATC 2-8-0 no. 5197 looks rather gruff as it hauls the evening dining train on the Churnet Valley Railway. We had no complaints - we were expecting a diesel, but the exhaust sound was better this way.

Farington Junction: National Mourning Specials WCRC 86401 and a blue/grey rake of Mark 2 stock from Riveria Trains Ltd. This was the 1Z86 Lancaster to Euston (the first) additional service on 17 September 2022. While LSL provided extra services from Manchester on behalf of Avanti West Coast, it is understood that Avanti were unable to support the extra services to be provided by WCRC. In the end an arrangement was made with Network Rail to run these extra trains to support the movement of people to/from London in the days before and on the day of the funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth.

Ashton Swing Bridge (Preston): L&YR 0-4-0ST No.19 was sold into industry in 1931 as LMS 11243 and never carried a BR number. It was a static exhibit at the Ribble Steam Railway for many years [[23456]], and in fact has never steamed since being preserved out of industrial service in 1967. However, the L&YR Trust funded a restoration at the East Lancashire Railway that led to a return to steam in 2022. The little 'Pug' has been back at the RSR operating trains in September 2022 and will run on both days of their October Steam Gala. It has featured in some period cameo photo shoots at the ELR (See image [[81467]]) but these are not as easy on the Preston Dock branch. However, it still made a fine sight, and sound, crossing the Swing Bridge working RSR services.

St Enoch [Subway]: Looking down the escalators at one of the two entrances to St. Enoch station, Glasgow Subway, that replaced the original one of 1896 which still stands in between the two, now a coffee bar (indeed it can be made out through the glass roof), and seen here on the morning of 6th September 2022 when we travelled the long way round (Outer Circle) from here to Hillhead.

Ipstones: Well this looks like a nice quiet spot for a blowdown. USATC 2-8-0 no. 5197 clears its orifi before taking diners, a couple, and some diehard gricers back to Kingsley and Froghall. (compare to image [[70044]])

Cheddleton: 33021 'Eastleigh' is far from home on the Churnet Valley Railway. My main memory of these locos is on the Welsh Marches line. I once travelled behind one from Newport to Abergavenny - I intended to detrain at Pontypool, but the train didn't stop there, despite the guard selling me a ticket!