Reading (ex-GWR): Castle class 4-6-0 no 5076 'Gladiator' stands in the yard outside Reading ex-GWR Shed on 6 October 1961.

Swindon: Ex-GWR 2-8-0 2886 with a down goods through Swindon Station on 6 October 1961.

Reading (ex-GWR): Churchward 43XX 2-6-0 no 7332 on Reading GW shed in October 1961

Swindon: Collett 2-6-2T no 6139 simmering at Swindon in October 1961.

Swindon: Collett 2-8-2T no 7228 passing through Swindon station with a down freight in October 1961.

Didcot Shed: Ex-GWR Collett 2-6-2T 6152 in the shed yard at Didcot in October 1961. The locomotive was withdrawn from here at the end of January 1962 and cut up at Swindon works 3 months later.

Heaton: Resident A3 Pacific 60091 Captain Cuttle at Heaton on 6 October 1962. [Ref query 6547]

Gateshead Shed: Gresley V2 2-6-2 no 60910 stands amongst the newcomers on Gateshead shed in October 1962.

King Edward Bridge South Junction: A4 Pacific no 60028 Walter K Whigham comes off the King Edward Bridge shortly after leaving Newcastle Central on 6 October 1962. The train is the 9.30am Glasgow Queen Street - London Kings Cross.

King Edward Bridge South Junction: A1 Pacific no 60146 Peregrine on manoeuvres at King Edward Bridge South Junction in October 1962.

Gateshead: With EE Type 4 diesels dominating the background, WD Austerity 2-8-0 no 90396 takes a freight south west past Gateshead shed on 6 October 1962 between Greensfield and King Edward Bridge Junction. The Wakefield (56A) locomotive has a distinctly ex-works look about it.

Gateshead Shed: Stranger in the camp. A smart looking Saturday visitor to Gateshead on 6 October 1962 is Leeds Holbeck Royal Scot no 46109 Royal Engineer. The 'Scot' had only two more months of operational service remaining before withdrawal from 55A at the end of December.

Gateshead Shed: J72 0-6-0T no 69005 in the shed yard at Gateshead in October 1962.

Gateshead: B1 4-6-0 no 61241 with a westbound freight running between Greensfield and King Edward Bridge Junction in October 1962 passing Gateshead shed. Pacifics on shed include A4 no 60016 Silver King and A1 60145 Saint Mungo. In the right background is the original 1862 shed at Chaytor's Bank which, following closure, was used as a paint shop by Gateshead Works.

Gateshead Shed: Saturday 6 October 1962 on Gateshead shed, with Holbeck Royal Scot no 46109 Royal Engineer a visitor.

Heaton: Part of a lineup at Heaton shed on 6 October 1962 includes Peppercorn A2 Pacific no 60531 Bahram, a visitor from Aberdeen Ferryhill.

Gateshead Shed: Class J72 0-6-0T no 68736, a regular station pilot at Newcastle Central, relaxing on Gateshead shed in October 1962. One of the depot's growing allocation of EE Type 4 diesels stands in the background.

Newcastle Central: Heaton A3 no 60051 Blink Bonny stands at Newcastle Central on 6 October 1962. The Pacific is about to take out the 10am York - Edinburgh Waverley.

Gateshead Shed: A4 no 60028 Walter K Whigham beginning to sense the winds of change at Gateshead shed in October 1962.

Penmanshiel Tunnel: The 1400 Edinburgh - Kings Cross hauled by 9001 St Paddy shortly after leaving Penmanshiel Tunnel on 6 October 1969. The east portal of the tunnel can be seen in the background and the bridge carrying the old A1 crosses the line.

Maxton: Demolition train on the Kelso branch on the section between Rutherford and Maxton in October 1969. The locomotive is Class 10 D3638, withdrawn by BR and subsequently leased to the contractor for use in connection with tracklifting operations on the branch. See image [[30192]]

Dumfries: A southbound train arriving at Dumfries in October 1976 behind a 'Peak' type 4 diesel locomotive. This was the year that saw the use of headcodes phased out by BR.

Slateford: An unidentified type 2 with a westbound parcels train passing through the old Slateford station in October 1980, prior to demolition of the platform buildings.

Swindon: 37187 at the west end of Swindon station on the 6th of October 1982 with part of the GWR Works in the background. The locomotive was later renumbered 37683 and ended its days with Direct Rail Services before being scrapped as late as 2013.

Tickets and labels: Souvenir ticket commemorating the opening of Livingston South station on Saturday, 6 October, 1984, in the then-fashionable pink and pale grey.

Fort William: I've always believed Fort William to be the wettest town in Britain, but it's hard to verify this, though it certainly rains a lot. In October 1997 stock for the London sleeper awaits its loco - in the rain.

Peak Forest: Mainline Blue 37379 attached to a rake of Tiphook bogie hopper wagons in the loading sidings at the RMC quarry at Peak Forest on 6 October 1998.

Redcastle: Sign in the museum at Boat of Garten in October 1999. See image [[40605]]

Aviemore: Looking south along the Strathspey platform at Aviemore on 6 October 1999, with ex-Caledonian 0-6-0 no 828 awaiting departure time with a train for Boat of Garten. 

Boat of Garten: Caley 0-6-0 no 828 gets ready to take a train for Aviemore out of Boat of Garten on 6 October 1999.

Rosebank Goods: The south wall of the Caledonian Railway's former Rosebank Goods station looking north west across Bonnington Toll in 2002. The crossroads was spanned diagonally by a substantial lattice girder bridge, complete with castellated abutments, carrying the Caledonian's Leith New Lines directly over the camera position. On the left of the picture is the boundary wall of Rosebank Cemetery, location of the Royal Scots memorial and roll of honour commemorating the Quintinshill disaster see image [[4099]].

Rosebank Goods: The site of Rosebank goods yard looking south east towards Bonnington Toll on a Sunday morning in October 2002, with the area occupied by retail units and a car park (although plans were already in course to replace these with a large block of flats). The goods depot occupied the area to the left, while the Caledonian line continued on its high level route towards Leith East via the bridge over Bonnington Toll, the surviving abutment of which still stands in the background see image [[57249]].

Rosebank Goods: View north west across Bonnington Toll in 2002, with Newhaven Road on the right and Bonnington Road left. The combined wall and bridge abutment opposite is all that survives of the Caledonian Railway's Rosebank Goods depot, in use as a small retail park at that time..

Craiglockhart: Sunshine and showers on the sub on an October morning in 2003. A ballast train from Millerhill South Sidings is rounding the curve in the deep cutting between Morningside and Craiglockhart on its way to Inverkeithing.

Craiglockhart: An EWS class 66 with a coal train on the sub in October 2003. The train is climbing past the remains of Craiglockhart station having just emerged from the tunnel under the Union Canal.

Craiglockhart: A pair of class 66 locomotives with a ballast train on the Edinburgh sub on a bright Sunday morning in October 2003. The train is about to pass north through the abandoned platforms of the former Craiglockhart station with EWS 66050 leading.

Millerhill Yard: Coal train entering Millerhill Yard from the north in October 2004.

Millerhill Yard Up Arrival Sidings: The ballast siding at Millerhill in October 2004 see image [[3447]].

Carstairs South Junction: A Pendolino cuts through the rain on the southern approach to Carstairs in October 2006.

Carstairs: Stobart Rail 66411 Eddie the engine brings the Tesco containers north through Carstairs on 6 October 2006.

Carstairs South Junction: On a wet 6 October 2006 a Virgin Voyager service from Edinburgh Waverley, having left the Edinburgh line at Carstairs East junction, joins the up WCML at Carstairs South (formerly Strawfrank) Junction.

Carstairs South Junction: The Virgin Trains 0840 Glasgow Central - London Euston Pendolino photographed passing through Carstairs South Junction on 6 October 2006.

Barassie Junction: Southbound Ayr service takes the line to Troon (New). Straight ahead is orignal route and in the left foreground is the re-alignment of the original Kilmarnock and Troon Railway.

Workington Bridge: Looking east at Workington Bridge. The station was behind the camera.

Auchenmade: Auchenmade looking north towards Giffen.

Enterkine Viaduct: An EWS class 66 locomotive with a loaded coal train from Killoch washery ventures out onto Enterkine Viaduct in October 2006.

Annbank Junction: Coal from Killoch Washery takes the route to Ayr at Annbank.

Scottish Industrial Railway Centre [1st]: Tool van QQV ADB 975241 at the original Scottish Industrial Railway Centre site, Minnivey. It can now be found at Dunaskin, minus the 'Strathclyde Regional Council - Dalmellington Training Workshop' sign.

Boig Road Level Crossing: Foiled by locked gates! Train waits for someone to come and unlock the gates while Andy Kirkham takes a shot of it.

Scottish Industrial Railway Centre [1st]: ARPG built locomotive shed at the original site of the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre at Minnivey. The site had previously been the Minnivey pits nos 4 and 5 and the Burnton Washer. The Joseph Booth crane, no 5893, now lives at the Dunaskin site.

Grosmont: A nervous instructee drivers first view of the controls of BR Standard class 4MT no 75029 at Grosmont MPD on 6 October 2006. Don't bother looking for the Multi Media Interface or the BOSE sound system! See image [[37539]]

Carstairs: What was that name again....? Passing Carstairs - 6 October 2006.

Bowling: Mossend - Fort William Junction freight heads west through Bowling.

Grosmont: The nervous instructee driver waits to join 75029 at Grosmont for his first attempt at the 1 in 48 bank to Goathland - under the watchful eye of an NYMR Inspector. See image [[37511]]

Carstairs: 13.55 Dalzell - Lackenby steel flats approaching Carstairs in October 2006 behind 60097.

Montrose: An Aberdeen bound service approaching Montrose from the south on a bright October day in 2007.

St Leonards Bridge Junction: Deltic 55022 heading the 2007 Autumn Highlander negotiates the points as it reaches Perth platform 4.

Alloa: Up on the roof; contractors and a collection of large absorbent kitchen towels. (Insulation/cladding surely? Ed.)

Inverurie Works: Inverurie locomotive works in derelict condition. The remaining buildings are being gutted, much of the northlight roof has been removed. The works relocated here from Kittybrewster early in the 20th century. Access by kind permission of contractor.

South Esk Viaduct: Under the South Esk Viaduct, looking south in 2007.

Edinburgh Road Bridge Junction: No train! A Deltic with a northbound special is obscured by a City Link coach on Edinburgh Road Bridge, Perth on 6 October. Does the sportsfield on the hillside belong to a High School? So much for preparation. Still the trackwork is interseting.

Williamstown [Australia]: Platform scene at Williamstown, Victoria, on 6 October 2008, with a Connex emu standing in the sunshine at the terminus of the line from Melbourne. The extension that once continued on from here to Williamstown Pier has been lifted. See image [[44865]]

Fisherman's Walk [Tram]: When current plans come to fruition Fleetwood will be served by new articulated light rail vehicles on all regular services. Blackpool's historic trams, such as restored 717 seen here entering Lord Street, will usually be confined to the central part of the system in Blackpool itself. The former Woolworths store, now empty, fronts onto the street at this point.

Overton on Dee: View in torrential rain of A539 road bridge over trackbed of former Wrexham to Ellesmere line, by former Overton on Dee Station, looking towards Wrexham. Large warehouse on station proper to right and timber yard to left possibly in old goods yard

St Pancras: Eurostar at the north end of St Pancras International on 6 October. Shortly after departure the train will veer sharp east to head towards Stratford and the Channel Tunnel.

Fisherman's Walk [Tram]: Blackpool Balloon Car No. 717 has been restored to original condition (apart from the pantograph replacing the trolley pole) and makes a fine sight entering the street running section in Fleetwood. Most of the remaining 1930s double deck tram cars have been either completely rebuilt or at least heavily modified see image [[23650]].

Cabin [Tram]: OMO (One man operated) Centenary tram 647 is about to use the crossover in the foreground to reverse at the Cabin and go back to the Pleasure Beach on a very overcast day. The Cabin Lift in the background takes pedestrians down over forty feet to the lower promenade. 647 worked until the very last day of traditional trams in service, in November 2011.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: Blackpool Balloon Car No. 719 runs down Pharos Street (I wonder where that name came from) in Fleetwood at the start of its run to Blackpool. This is part of the turning circle at Fleetwood Ferry and the tram is about to join the double track section along Fleetwood's main street.

Fleetwood [3rd]: The site of Fleetwood station (closed 1966) in 2009, with all railway traces long demolished to create space for the port facilities. The Stena Leader is at the loading point on a Larne sailing. The last ship to use Fleetwood was the Stena Seafarer on 24th December 2010 following which sailings were diverted to Heysham and Fleetwood was closed.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: Stop that tram! A Lancashire Constabulary patrol, leaving the nearby police station, overtakes Blackpool No. 707 outside Fleetwood's North Euston hotel. The hotel name betrays its LNWR origins and the building overlooks the ferry and tram terminals, close to the site of the long demolished railway station. This location, previously just for setting down, has become the Fleetwood Ferry raised tram stop for the new flexity tram services. See image [[76259]]

Paisley St James: A Transport Scotland sign standing alongside the playing fields near Paisley St James in October 2009. This would have seen a new viaduct constructed as part of the now scrapped Glasgow Airport Rail Link project.

Salsta: Upptåget 2 car Class X52 running at 200kph south-bound towards the camera. This is the local stopping service north from Uppsala Central with 11 local stations over 106km to Gävle. The service is provided until 2021 by DSB Uppland a subsidiary of the Danish national train operator on behalf of Upplands Lokaltrafik (UL) the public transport agency of local authourities in Uppsala County. Notice anything familiar about train running compared to GB practice? Note the catenary tensioning system and the auxiliary power supply 20kVA with three cables above the traction power supply 15 kVA 16.7 Hz on shared stanchions. In the left background is a signal controlling the facing crossover.

Woodend [Victoria]: A VLocity DMU leaving Woodend northbound in the rain on its way from Melbourne to Bendigo. Photographed in October 2010, with the train about to disappear over a ski-jump.

Cardross: It's back! Autumn is here and my favourite train, the 'Leaf Train' (official name MPV) is back in operation. Here it is on its way back to Glasgow from Helensburgh. Notice the spray coming from the middle section of the train (RHS of photo), presumably to remove fallen leaves from the track (please correct me if anyone knows better!)

Rothley: West Country Pacific no 34007 Wadebridge photographed on 6 October at Rothley during the first day of the Great Central Railway Autumn Gala.

Loughborough Central: Standard class 2 no 78019 photographed on 6 October 2011 in the GCR shed yard at Loughborough.

Leicester North: Bulleid West Country Pacific no 34007 Wadebridge at Leicester North on the Great Central Railway on 6 October.

Loughborough Central: Robinson class O4 2-8-0 no 63601 photographed on 6 October 2011 at the Great Central Railway's Loughborough Depot.

Quorn and Woodhouse: Some final touches being put to the new turntable at Quorn on the Great Central Railway on 6 October 2011, in preparation for its formal commissioning two days later.

Loughborough Central: First day of the GCR Autumn Gala on 6 October 2011. No 88 stands with a train at Loughborough Central.

Preston (Ribble Branch): Although shunter Classes 03 and 05 share the same Gardner 204hp engine Hunslet used their own 4-speed gearbox on the 05 and the cab layout, as seen here on D2595 with the prominent gear selector, looks completely different to Ribble Steam Railway stablemate 03 D2148 See image [[37280]]. Maximum speed for the Hunslet is 20mph, compared to 28mph for the 5-speed Class 03.

Madgescroft Signal Box: Ex-LMS Pacific no 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' with the PMR Tours Caledonian, roars past Madgiscroft near Cumbernauld on 6 October on its way to Stirling. (Historically the spelling was Madgescroft.)

Preston (Ribble Branch): D2148 is evidently working hard with the first train of the weekend at the Ribble Steam Railway diesel gala on 6 October. The Class 03 is seen here hauling three MkI coaches alongside the river and down to Strand Rd from where Sentinel 4wDM Progress would lead the return trip.

Greenlaw: Looking west across the A6105 at Greenlaw on 6 October 2012 to the long abandoned bridge that once carried the road over the Berwickshire Railway. The chimneys of the former station, now a private residence, can be seen rising above the embankment. Greenlaw station closed in 1948 along with the route east towards Duns, although the line west to Ravenswood Junction remained open until 1965 see image [[34992]].

Ribble Steam Railway Museum: The Made in Preston exhibition at the Ribble Steam museum features a number of lcomotives that were built at the Dick Kerr/English Electric workshops. Pride of place goes to the prototype Deltic, now on extended loan to the RSR from the NRM see image [[17219]]. It is seen here alongside a Dick Kerr electric shunter and Netherlands Railway 0-6-0DE NS601, which were also constructed in the city.

Stirling: Staking out a spot a good hour before scheduled departure time is no guarantee that someone won't spoil the shot at the last minute - I just hope the photographer getting a close-up of Duchess of Sutherland's tender at Stirling on 6 October isn't a Railscot contributor! See image [[40685]]

Greenlaw: The former station at Greenlaw (closed to passengers in 1948), seen platform side from the redundant road bridge see image [[40779]]. View is west towards Ravenswood Junction and St Boswells.

Stirling Middle Junction: 46233 Duchess of Sutherland drifts majestically into platform 6 at Stirling with 'The Caledonian' charter from Wolverhampton on 6 October 2012. The Pacific had taken over the train at Carlisle from class 86 electric locomotive no 86259.

Madgescroft Signal Box: DRS class 66 no 66428 leading classmate 66425 past Madgiscroft near Cumbernauld on 6 October 2012 with Intermodal working 4M16. (Historically the spelling was Madgiscroft.)

Carlisle: 86259 Les Ross on the centre road at Carlisle on 6 October 2012.

Greenlaw: The trackbed of the Berwickshire Railway heading east from Greenlaw towards Duns on 6 October 2012. Note the remains of the wooden supports forming a low retaining wall along the north side of the cutting at this point. View from the realigned A6105 road see image [[40779]].

Stirling Middle Junction: 46233 Duchess of Sutherland leaves Stirling station on 6 October 2012 at the head of 'The Caledonian' railtour returning to Wolverhampton. See image [[40787]]

Preston (Ribble Branch): Hunslet Class 05 0-6-0DM D2595 in action at the Ribble Steam 2012 Diesel Gala. In December 2012, sister loco D2587 at Barrow Hill is being advertised for sale, in fully restored and operational condition, by Harry Needle on the End of the Line website along with several other shunters and main line locos.

Larbert: 46233 Duchess of Sutherland enters Larbert with the 1Z46 Wolverhampton to Stirling excursion on 6 October.

Grosmont Shed: Lambton Tank no 29 stands alongside Grosmont shed on 6 October 2013.

Peterborough (Nene Valley): The Nene Valley Railway Diesel Gala weekend on 6 October included preserved 47401, now named North Eastern. This locomotive was the first of the Brush Type 4s, (later Class 47s) and entered traffic on 28th September 1962 as D1500 at Finsbury Park depot in North London. A total of 512 of these locomotives were built for BR between 1962 and 1968.

Moy: 66023 heading south approaching Moy on 6 October with the Rail Head Treatment Train in operation.

Peterborough (Nene Valley): An arrival at Peterborough Nene Valley on 6 October 2013 during the NVR's diesel gala weekend. The locomotive is mainline registered class 56 no 56301, which was used to deliver other locomotives involved in the event. The NVR Woodstone Wharf signal box in the background was relocated from Welland Bridge, Spalding, on the former Spalding - March line (closed 1982).

Gainsborough Lea Road: Looking north at Gainsborough Lea Road station from the Lincoln (up) platform on 6 October 2013. Around the curve the line joins that from Barnetby at Trent Junction. It then crosses the river and splits, with routes to Retford and Doncaster.

Peterborough (Nene Valley): Former Danish State Railways (DSB) E Class Pacific locomotive no. 996, undergoing restoration on the Nene Valley Railway in October 2013.

Rosedale: The 11 mile freight-only Rosedale Branch, opened in 1861, ran from Battersby Junction across the heights of the North York Moors to reach iron ore deposits in the Rosedale valley. Part of the trackbed in the vicinity of the kilns is seen here in October 2013, some 84 years after the line closed.

Gainsborough Central: I arrived at Gainsborough Central on a Sunday to find it all locked up, no trains today.  There wasn't much to lock up really, just a basic shelter on each platform and a footbridge linking the two. I managed to capture the scene by standing at the padlocked palisade gate (matching the palisade fencing that surrounds the site) and holding the camera over the top.

Rosedale: Scene high on the North Yorkshire moors at Rosedale in October 2013 showing the trackbed and kilns associated with the iron ore workings that once dominated the area. The freight only route from Battersby closed in 1929.

Gainsborough Central: Gainsborough Central signalbox in October 2013 in need of some TLC.

Rosedale: Derelict kilns associated with the iron ore workings that once dominated the area around Rosedale, high on the North Yorkshire Moors. Photographed in October 2013, some 85 years after closure of the freight line from Battersby.

Fremantle: Two DC Class locos head a very long northbound container train along the south bank of the Swan River on the single mixed gauge track. Aurizon is actually QR National Limited (formerly part of Queensland Rail) and is the largest rail-freight company in Australia. The narrow gauge lines in the foreground are Transperth Fremantle to Perth tracks and Fremantle passenger station is just off scene to the left.

Newcraighall South Junction: The first track-laying train on the Borders Railway - just before 10.00 on a dreich Monday 6th October, the Dutch track-laying train begins inching its way south from Newcraighall, propelled by a GB Railfreight Class 66. Track laying up to this point (with 60 ft rails) had been by means of cranes and other mobile equipment. Work on the new Edinburgh and Midlothian food waste recycling plant is underway on the far side of the line with Millerhill loco stabling point in the background.

Newcraighall North Junction: A Dunbar - Fort William tamper approaching the junction with the Borders Railway at the north end of Millerhill Yard on 6 October. In the right background are GBRf 66726 and 66736 with the Borders Railway tracklaying train.

Bellgrove Junction: The 11:10 service to Cumbernauld passes the SPAD signal see image [[33386]] on 6 October approaching the single lead Bellgrove Junction. It is about to pass under the Reidvale Street pedestrian overbridge with its wire netting cover.

Newcraighall South Junction: The Dutch track-laying train inches steadily southwards from Newcraighall on 6 October 2014 see image [[48935]] propelled by a GB Railfreight Class 66 .... just 30 miles to go!

Linlithgow: The New Measurement Train heading west towards Linlithgow at Park Farm on 6 October.

Linlithgow: MPV DR 98912 nears Linlithgow on 6 October heading east on rail head cleaning duties.

Perth City: On 6 October 2014 the Australind loads for Bunbury, 167 km south of Perth. Two services per day, operated by Transwa and their only 3'6' gauge train, all others being standard gauge.

Fremantle: On the dual gauge [standard and 3'6'] track south through Fremantle, ARG (Australian Railroad Group - a subsidiary of Queensland Rail) Q4017 heads a container train on 6 October 2014.

Cark: 37402 arrives at Cark (and Cartmel) with the 1004 Preston to Barrow in Furness service on 6th October 2015. Station signs just say Cark but train announcements are for Cark and Cartmel.

Oskova (Bosnia): Last autumn, steam was still more or less in command of the shunting at Oskova washery, but since then seems to have given way to diesel power, possibly because of the low current oil price. 760mm gauge 0-8-2 No 83-158 was photographed having its ashpan cleaned late afternoon on 6th October 2015, shortly before the weather closed in for the remaining four days of my visit, so this may well turn out to be my last ever photograph taken at this location (RMUB - Banovici Coal Railway).

Murrayfield Stadium [Tram]: The cab end of an airport-bound tram at Murrayfield at dusk on 06/10/2015. An alighting passenger crosses the tracks in front of the tram. the first time I visited this elevated station I wondered where the subway could be! Notice the fuel tanks of Scotrail's Haymarket depot in the background. Haymarket is a bit of a misnomer, though the depot was originally further east.

Hassendean: The footbridge at Hassendenean station seen on the 6th of October 2016. I have completely restored/repaired the footbridge now. Just a couple of main newel post finials and intermediate newels to have their caps replaced. And the 'Cross the line by the bridge' signs to add. Otherwise it’s looking great and have had plenty of compliments.

Quorn and Woodhouse: My primary reason for visiting the excellent GCR 2017 Autumn Gala was to see the newly restored BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 73156. As part of the theme of 50th Anniversary - End of Southern Steam it ran as 73084 'TINTAGEL' and is seen here double heading at Quorn & Woodhouse with 9F 2-10-0 92214.

Loughborough Central: Battle of Britain 4-6-2 34081 92 Squadron, seen at Loughborough Central during the GCR End of Southern Steam 50th on Gala 6th October 2017.

Forres [2nd]: Last days of Forres's second station. The Perth route was to the left and the Aberdeen route to the right.

Loughborough Central: LMS Jinty 3F 0-6-0T 47406, seen on Loughborough Shed sidings with BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 78019 behind. 6th October 2017.

Quorn and Woodhouse: Gleaming Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 46521 departs Quorn & Woodhouse heading southwards on 6th October 2017.

Leicester North: 92214 standing in Leicester North station on 6th October 2017.

Stonehaven: Crew training run for a Scotrail HST at Stonehaven heading to Aberdeen on 6th October 2017. It was a shame I couldn't get on and I'm looking forward to proper trains On this occasion I had to wait for the Class 170.

Forres [2nd]: The track s-bends out of the station on its way to the former Forres West Junction. The route to Aviemore and the south was to the left of the platform and the new lines, laid on the original Inverness-Aberdeen route, can be seen in the distance.

Quorn and Woodhouse: 34046, running as 34053 Sir Keith Park, seen at Quorn and Woodhouse with a goods train during the GCR End of Southern Steam 50th Gala. 6th October 2017.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: View from Cathedral Street over the former car park in early October 2017. The cabins which will serve as temporary accommodation for Scotrail staff now continue clockwise round the corner from the east side of the station; the roofs of those most recently installed can be seen in the foreground. The site offices are in the centre.

Arniston Colliery Emily Pit: Looking east along Engine Road, Arniston, in 2017 showing the surviving refurbished colliery houses. Old maps identify these as 'Emily Bank', with 'Office Row' once running beyond. Opposite stood 'Engine Square' with the Old Engine Pit itself off picture to the left. The later Emily Pit stood behind the camera on the south side of Engine Road. Several lines crossed the Road near here, including one that followed the curve of the garden wall in the foreground. See image [[50556]]

Quorn and Woodhouse: Newly restored BR Standard 5MT 4-6-0 73156 had a difficult start to the GCR 2017 Autumn Gala. During Thursday, it had an altercation with the buffers at Leicester North station. The Driver's brake valve proved faulty but was serviced and it later did see service double heading with 9F 2-10-0 92214, but running as 73084 'TINTAGEL' for the weekend.

Arniston Colliery Emily Pit: The sealed south portal of the tramway tunnel through the original (north) bing at Arniston, enabling waste material to be transported via a cable tramway to the tipping point on the south bing. The eagle-eyed may notice the end of an old concrete covered tram rail in use as a lintel. For a map showing the route of the tramway see image [[61725]].

Kirkcaldy: A sign commemorating Sir Sandford Fleming at Kirkcaldy.

Arniston Colliery Emily Pit: Balcony in the woods. The fenced off northern abutment of the former tramway bridge at Arniston. View south across the access road latterly serving the Gore Pit, looking towards the site of the south bing. The tramway tunnel is just off picture to the left. The south abutment of the bridge has long been demolished and the south bing removed. The site is now a football pitch see image [[61804]].

Arniston Colliery Emily Pit: A length of tram rail incorporated as a lintel into the south portal of the tramway tunnel through the north bing at Arniston. See image [[61746]]

Quorn and Woodhouse: 46521 departing Quorn & Woodhouse tender first heading northwards on 6th October 2017.

Arniston Colliery Emily Pit: View south from the site of the Engine Pit, Arniston, in 2017 see image [[53535]] with Engine Road running across the picture just beyond the nearest line of trees. Centre stage stands the original (north) bing, now covered in vegetation.

Elgin: Elgin West signal box will be demolished tonight (6th-7th) after the last ballast train at 0030. One of the last exchanges at the box is shown as 158 711 heads west.

Forres East Junction: Forres signal box will be demolished next week to make way for a car park - S&T are taking the frame for re-use! 170 418 is seen heading west after an exchange.

Forres [2nd]: 158 714 pauses at mile zero in Forres station. Forres station will be demolished by the 17th of October.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Unusual view west from North Hanover Street over the former car park area showing some of the newly installed temporary Scotrail staff buildings. Part of the remains of the former warehouse wall can be seen on the right of the photo; just to the left of that it is just possible to see that the temporary buildings now continue round the corner backing on to Cathedral Street, but some distance below.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Consort House with its 'scaffold' almost complete in early October 2017. The plan is to remove it one floor at at time.

Forres [2nd]: It was planned that Forres station would be demolished by 17th October. Here is a record view of the building as it stood on the 6th of October.

Leicester North: Bulleid 4-6-2 34046 (running as 34053 Sir Keith Park) seen at Leicester North during the GCR's Autumn Gala. The theme was the 50th Anniversary of the demise of Southern Steam. It was a very busy day and, contrary to expectations, the timetable proved accurate

Inverurie: Detail of the cupola styled ventilator over the west end of Inverure's station building.

Kinaldie: Reuse of the former signal box's base at Kinaldie in a view looking to Aberdeen. The railway cottage, on the right is now in private ownership. The platform in the background left was a loading bank.

Kennethmont: Wonderful! The station building at the former Kennethmont station has been restored. 6th October 2018.

Kinaldie: A westbound train runs through the disused station at Kinaldie, passing the still intact steps to the eastbound platform. The station is north of the large Blackburn development for which it could eventually be re-opened to provide a parkway station. [Ref query 14 October 2018]

Sourden: Sourden station on the original route of the Morayshire Railway was a short lived station, lasting from 1858 to 1866, when the new line via Longmorn opened. The view looks west to Rothes in October 2018.

Bath Green Park [2nd]: It is hard to believe that the photographer is standing about three feet above the site of buffer stops on a riverside siding adjacent to the Stothert & Pitt crane works see image [[41493]]. The suspension bridge is nice, mind.

Elgin East: Hallway entrance to the former Elgin East station. The view looks to the car park with the former platforms behind, through more of the building.

Elgin East: Panorama of the covered platform area at the former Elgin East. Platforms to left and exit to right.

Keith Junction: Keith signal box is somewhat past its best and a little saggy. It presides over the only loop outwith a station on the Aberdeen-Inverness line. Alterations to the layout created the loop in 1970 when the line to Aberdeen was singled.

Dyce: Leaving Dyce for Aberdeen in 2018, passing the now demolished signal box.

Insch: A train on its way to Aberdeen just after leaving Insch.

Kennethmont: Telegraph wires cross the B9002 west of Kennethmont by means of two very high poles. The Aberdeen-Inverness route contains some of the last stretches of line in Britain to retain its telegraph poles in use. But not for much longer. [Ref query 4 March 2019]

Inverurie: Challenging. It's difficult to imagine that the view from Inverurie signal box is ideal with all this vegetation occupying the site of the lifted lines between the box and active railway.

Dyce: A southbound trains has left the loop south of Dyce station. The not joined up and not yet in use southbound line is to its left, south of the loop.

Midford: This is probably he closest I will ever get to an imitation of O. Winston Link. The majority of the illumination under the arch is courtesy of the Hope and Anchor pub (right), but I mischievously waited for a car driving towards Bath to fill in the gaps with its headlights. The S&D can still surprise and delight see image [[65572]]

Elgin: The view west to The Wards Level Crossing from Elgin station. Here we see a car stopped across the track due to the proximity of the LC to the Wards Road 'T' junction. A new bay platform is planned for the left hand side.

Pitmedden: The substantial base of the demolished signal box at the former Pitmedden station. All along the stretch of line from Dyce to Kintore are access points set up for the redoubling of the line (note sign on left).

Raith's Farm Sidings: Track machine in Raith's Farm Sidings seen over the Aberdeen-Inverness line.

Newton Abbot: The impressive 1927 station frontage at Newton Abbot, on 6th October 2019.

Emerson Park: 710107 calling at Emerson Park (no longer a 'Halt') with an Upminster to Romford service on 6th October 2020. The line was opened by the LT&SR in 1893 but Emerson Park did not open until 1909. In the 1970s, this line was almost closed and converted into a busway but was saved and is now electrified. The Bombardier Aventra units recently entered service on this short single-track branch line which became an isolated part of the London Overground network on 31st May 2015, hence the orange-style version of the famous LT roundel.

Nuneaton: Agreed

Wanstead Park: Freightliner 66540, heading east through Wanstead Park, as Bombardier Aventra 710265 arrives with a London Overground GOBLIN service from Barking to Gospel Oak, on 6th October 2020.

Aberdeen Waterloo: Colas 70810 at Aberdeen Waterloo on 6th October 2020, ready to take a rake of tanks on a sightseeing trip round Scotland to Irvine. The train had travelled up the previous day as 6Z42.

Nuneaton: 70008 pauses at Nuneaton to change drivers, see image [[74731]]. The gentleman on the right surely deserves an award for Most Spacious Trousers. You could fit a whole family of ferrets up each high-vis leg.

Nuneaton: My expectations were doubly confounded by this work-in-progress to re-roof the footbridge at Nuneaton. First, how could the contractors start work without NR issuing a press release? Second, surely scaffolding and temporary roofing always create a gloomy atmosphere within? But in fact, the ramp to platforms 2 and 3 looks bright and airy - possibly temporarily, but I enjoyed it anyway. View looks North West - away from London.

Leyland: Jubilee 45596 Bahamas heads south with support coach, in the pouring rain at Leyland on 6 October 2020, whilst on a move from Keighley to Alton. The loco is billed to appear at the MHR Autumn Steam Gala over the weekend from 16 to 18 October.

Nuneaton: Covid lockdown has clearly left me out of practice. I heard 'Bahamas' was coming through Nuneaton, and decided to flex out from working at home. I knew which platform it was coming through, but my brain failed to work out which platform to stand on. Bruggle strothers.

Romford: 345038, with a TfL Rail service from Shenfield to Liverpool Street, arriving at Romford on 6th October 2020. This service should have been running to Reading via the Crossrail tunnels under central London since December 2018 and STILL there is no sign of just when the new line under London will open.

Nuneaton: Its not often you see freight in both platforms 1 and 2 in Nuneaton, but see image [[35693]]. The preceding train to Hams Hall, hauled by 66711 'Sence', was 23 down; so 66785 from London Gateway GBRf was doing well to be only 3 minutes late. By turning left North of the station, it blocked the path of 70008; which had just curved in from the Coventry line with a Southampton MCT to Trafford Park working, arriving 2 minutes early to change drivers. Notice the cladding on the footbridge, which is being re-roofed.

Upminster: Exterior of Upminster station, Essex, in pouring rain on 6th October 2020. As well as C2C trains from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Basildon and Southend Central via Ockendon, it is the eastern terminus of the District Line with the LU depot and sidings just to the east. It is also the terminus of the short single-track branch to Romford which, curiously, became an isolated part of the London Overground network on 31st May 2015.

Nuneaton: 66105 blots out the sunlight from platform 5 at Nuneaton as it proceeds from Ashburys to Mountsorrel sidings with empty stone wagons. Notice the rusty track on the right, I have never known this line to be used since platforms 6 and 7 were built. This photograph was my consolation prize for being too far away from 'Bahamas' - see image [[74461]].

Seven Kings: One of the new TfL Rail purple versions of the famous LT roundel at Seven Kings station, seen from a Shenfield to Liverpool Street train on 6th October 2020. In the background are the obsolete platforms on the fast tracks on this quadrupled section, now fenced off from the local platforms.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach: The guard checks the doors before rejoining Northern 156466 at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with a service to Blackpool South Shore (the next stop) on 6 October 2021.

Harringay: Class 717 unit (Not in Service) crossing the Harringay flyover north of the station, from one siding to another, seen through a zoom lens, on the bright but chilly morning of 6th October 2021.

Harold Wood: 345042, with a TfL Rail service from Shenfield to Liverpool Street, arriving at Harold Wood just after mid-day on 6th October 2021. This service will eventually run through to Reading via the Crossrail tunnels, due to start in December 2018 but nearly three years later still awaiting opening.