Edinburgh Waverley: An evening Edinburgh - Glasgow push-pull service awaits its departure time at Waverley in October 1972 with 5411 leading.

Edinburgh Waverley: Waverley at night in October 1972. Nightshifts are at work in Waverley East signal box and New Street bus depot, while the old elevated walkway, linking Jeffrey Street and Calton Road, can be clearly seen.

Farington Junction: White tyres, white buffers and a shiny new paint job. Newly named 86254 William Webb Ellis speeds a passenger service north past the loco exchange sidings at Farington Junction. The bridge is still a popular vantage point for local enthusiasts. 86254 continued in service for a further 22 years being withdrawn in 2002 and cut up at Booths, Rotherham two years later.

Abergavenny: It was all show for ex GWR 4-6-0 No 6000 'King George V' as it started its runpast at Abergavenny while heading the 'Welsh Marches Pullman' on 10 October 1981. The rest of the northbound climb to Llanvihangel was less spectacular and was completed at little more than walking pace due to the effects of a light drizzle on the rails.

Crewe: Crewe on 10 October 1981 and Bo-Bo No 81007 has just arrived with the 'Welsh Marches Pullman'. Tucked behind the Class 81 is 85024, which brought the Pullman from Carlisle to Warrington, where it then expired. Two Thunderbirds (a Class 25 and the Class 81) were available in the bay platform, with the 81 being the obvious choice to take the train forward. The Pullman continued to Shrewsbury behind one of the surviving EE Type 4s, 40019..

Craven Arms: GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No 4930 'Hagley Hall' blackens the countryside as it passes through Craven Arms while doing a run past with the 'Welsh Marches Pullman', en route from Shrewsbury to Hereford on 10 October 1981. King Class No 6000 'King George V' took over for the final lap to Newport.

Porthmadog Harbour [FR]: Blanche leaving the Ffestiniog Railway's Porthmadog station on 10 October 1982.

Porthmadog [FR]: Looking out onto The Cob from Porthmadog station on 10 October 1982, with Former Penrhyn Quarry Hunslet 2-4-0ST+T Blanche (589/1893) about to cross on its way to Boston Lodge.

Oban: Scene at Oban in October 1984, with 37027 Loch Eil about to depart with a train for Glasgow Queen Street.

Oban: Looking back along the platforms at Oban Station in 1984, showing the abandoned train shed awaiting demolition. Train services by this time used the external platforms 3 and 4.

Tarras Viaduct: View over the partially demolished Tarras Viaduct south of Langholm in October 1987. The old viaduct was earmarked for demolition after being declared unsafe.... so unsafe it took two attempts to bring it down using explosives.

Glasgow Central: 303023 prepares for a night departure from Glasgow Central's platform 11 in 1987. Recently arrived 318270 is in the neighbouring platform 10.

Manchester Victoria: Manchester Victoria gets a new hole in the wall - for trams - October 1990.

Cameron Bridge [1st]: 20198+20211 shunting CO2 tanks in the sidings at Cameron Bridge on 10 October 1990.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: 60009 about to leave for Edinburgh in modern times.

Edinburgh Waverley: Blue Peter gets ready to depart from Waverley with train for Springburn.

Dumfries: In October 1997 a Newcastle To Glasgow service pulls into Dumfries on 10 October 1997. The daily orange train would a have been a more unusual sight south of the border.

Stranraer: Passengers load their wheel-less (sigh) luggage onto a Stena Line trolley at Stranraer in October 1997. Stranraer is no longer a ferry port but, perhaps surprisingly, station usage is higher than it was before ferries moved to Cairnryan.

Haughhead Junction: View looking east at Haughhead Junction as the junction panel is delivered to the site.

Markinch: Here it is...just about! The new station building and bus circle at Markinch Interchange on 10 July.

River Dulnain Viaduct: Photograph showing the the gap between the abutments over the River Dulnain to be spanned by the former Merry Street bridge following its relocation. [Photo with kind permission of the Strathspey Railway.]

River Dulnain Viaduct: Drivers eye view of the approach to the site of Dulnain Bridge on 10 October 2008. [With kind permission of the Strathspey Railway.]

Montrose: Intermodal freight heads north through Montrose in October 2008. Semaphore signals still in command here although coloured light hardware installed.

Boat of Garten: Part of the decking of the bridge for crossing the River Dulnain on a bogie bolster wagon in the yard at Boat of Garten on 10 October. [With kind permission of the Strathspey Railway.]

Boat of Garten: Like parts of a giant Meccano set, the numbered sections of bridge decking are stored at Boat of Garten until needed for spanning the River Dulnain. [With kind permission of the Strathspey Railway.]

Woodacre Crossing: Plenty of steam from 6233 Duchess of Sutherland as she heads north on a sunny but cool morning at Woodacre, near Scorton, on the Crewe to Carlisle leg of the Royal Scot steam excursion. This view taken from the footbridge that replaced the original level crossing when the line was upgraded for 125mph running. This was one of the last main line runs for the Duchess before its ticket expired but she was subsequently granted an extension and, repainted from maroon to black, continued on the main line during 2010 See image [[29245]].

Preston: 156480 is parked up for the night on Platform 4c at the south end of Preston station on 10 October 2009.

Stainmore Summit: The downhill run from Stainmore on the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway heading west towards Barras, photographed on 10 October 2009. This section must have provided some welcome relief for the fireman, unlike eastbound workings where there was still a bit to do at this point in order to reach the summit, as the smoke stains on the right hand side of the bridge still testify some 47 years after closure of the line.

Saughton: Saughton is now better known for its junction, though in fact it hasn't been a physical junction for about 40 years see image [[1251]] and is instead simply a divergance of the Glasgow and Fife lines. Until 1920 it had a station. It was a rural location right up to closure, though soon after that the area became suburbanised, mainly with public housing.  On 10 October 2009 however, if you try and ignore everything made of metal, there's still a country lane look around the former goods entrance. Note the bollards to prevent cartwheels demolising the wall.

Carlisle: A rare NXEC visitor diverted from Newcastle approaching platform 3 at Carlisle on 10 October 2009. An interesting period for enthusiasts, with 6233 Duchess of Sutherland arriving earlier, 67005 The Queens Messenger having just left platform 1 on the West Cumbria route and 60163 Tornado expected shortly with a special.

Murrayfield: The foot of the stairway that led to the Leith-bound platform of Murrayfield station on Roseburn Terrace, Edinburgh, photographed on 10 October 2009. Note the fading ScR blue paint.

Bo'ness: Ex-EWS 37403 (former D6607) photographed on 10 October 2009 in the workshops at Bo'ness, stripped and ready for a rebuild.

Carlisle: A1 Pacific no 60163 Tornado at Carlisle on 10 October, welcomed by hundreds of well-wishers. It just rolled into the station like poetry in motion... a real work of art.

Hayes Knoll: D9521 borrowed from the Dean Forest for a diesel gala on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway on 10 October 2009.

Dentdale: A1 Pacific no 60163 Tornado photographed passing through Dentdale on 10 October 2009 with the Pathfinder 'Cumbrian Mountain Tornado' railtour.

Preston: A northbound Pendolino pauses on a deserted Platform 3 at Preston on the evening of 10 October 2009. All the activity was over on Platform 6 (to the right) where A1 Pacific 'Tornado' had arrived with a railtour from Carlisle.

Haymarket: Perhaps taking advantage of the fact that the Haymarket area is a building site (and has been for what seems like decades) the 1842 Haymarket station building is having another facelift.  Open scaffolding now seems increasingly to be a thing of the past with today's sites looking as if they are hermetically sealed.  This surely improves the workers' conditions and has the bonus of relegating unseemly sexist behaviour to another age. Photographed on 10 October 2009.

Airolo: SBB preserved Ae4/7 locomotive number 10997, photographed on an outing to Airolo on 10th October 2009.

Barras: View west over the remains of Barras station towards the Lake District on 10 October, just as the rain started to fall. Opened by the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway in 1861, this exposed part of the line, descending west from Stainmore Summit, became infamous due to the number of blockages in winter caused by major snowdrifts.

Bo'ness: Ex-Caledonian tank 55189 undergoing major surgery at Bo'ness on 10 October 2009.

Hayes Knoll: D3668 awaiting main generator repairs at Hayes Knoll on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway on 10 October 2009.

Haymarket Tunnels: This air vent serving Haymarket tunnel comes to the surface at Dewar Street Lane, behind Torpichen Street. In this relatively quiet spot Turbostars (usually) can clearly be heard running between Haymarket station and Princes Street Gardens without any danger of being seen.

Stainmore Summit: Old bridge over the South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway at Stainmore in the high Pennines, photographed on 10 October 2009. View is south west towards Barras, with the summit just over a mile to the left. The Stainmore line saw its last train in 1962 and the cast iron summit signs have since been removed and preserved see image [[24103]].

Preston: A1 Pacific no 60163 'Tornado' waits for the signal at the south end of Platform 6 at Preston on 10 October 2009. The locomotive with it's support coach have just uncoupled from The Cumbrian Mountain Tornado railtour which was heading from Carlisle to Worcester.

Saughton: Originally opened as 'Corstorphine' but renamed 'Saughton' when Corstorphine acquired its own branch with a station in the village, as opposed to fields away. Even when Saughton closed in 1921 it must have been quite rural, serving nearby farms like Saughton Mains, Stenhouse and Broomhouse, yet to become public housing estates on the fringes of Edinburgh. In the fork of Saughton Junction the bricked-up arch of the former station entrance from Saughton Road is clearly discernable on 10 October 2009.

Stainmore Summit: The bleak Pennine descent from Stainmore summit towards Barras and Kirkby Stephen, looking along the trackbed of the former South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway on 10 October 2009, with some threatening-looking rain clouds moving in from the west.

Leith Central: Leith Central opened in 1902, rather late for a terminus. Lasting only 50 years as a passenger station, this white elephant then became a diesel depot until 1972, after which it loomed threateningly over the area until demolished in the late 1980s to make way for a supermarket, swimming pool, and (mostly) their car park. On 10 October 2009 the pointless-seeming incline on the left shows the level of the carriage drive up to platform level see image [[18426]].

Barras: Station remains at Barras on the South Durham and Lancashire Union Railway, looking west along the descent towards Kirkby Stephen in October 2009. The former station masters house is now a large well maintained private residence. Stainmore Summit lies approximately two and a half miles behind the camera see image [[24103]].

Leith Walk West Goods: CR Leith goods line approaching the former bridge over Leith Walk. Photographed on 10 October 2009.

Andermatt: Eastbound (towards Chur/St Moritz) 'Glacier Express' at Andermatt on 10th October 2009.

Preston: DBS 66152 has taken over from A1 Pacific 60163 'Tornado' on the return leg of The Cumbrian Mountain Tornado railtour from Carlisle to Worcester at Preston on 10 October 2009.

Leith Walk [CR]: The Caledonian Railway had to go a long way round to get access to the eastern half of Leith docks, so they perhaps hoped that a passenger service would recoup some costs. However they got no further than building platforms at three locations, including Leith Walk. Though tantalisingly out of sight they are presumably still there, on the other side of the former bridge over The Walk, seen here on 10 October 2009 looking east. (I wonder which door was going to be the street-level entrance?)

Burntisland: The covered walkway at Burntisland station photographed on 10 October. This ramp links the Up platform with Harbour Place.  Rather like the ticket office see image [[25717]] this all wooden construction, complete with zero-carbon air conditioning, has an air of the past about it.

Loughborough Central: D49 no 246 Morayshire in company with a 'combat' DMU and D5830 at Loughborough on 10 October 2010.

Quorn and Woodhouse: 71000 Duke of Gloucester at Quorn on 10 October with the Gresley 'Beavertail' observation coach.

Brock: Almost home. A WCRC ecs movement from Leicester to Carnforth (5Z70) with 47500 in charge, photographed north of Brock on 10 October 2010. 37685 was travelling on the rear of the train.

Brock: Southbound 4 car Voyager no 221143 enters the sunshine near Brock as sister unit, 5 car 221142, disappears behind the left hand OHLE mast on a northbound service, late in the afternoon of 10 October 2010.

Brock: Deltic 55022 Royal Scots Grey on the back of the BLS 'Ribble Lune Railtour' on 10 October 2010. The train is heading north from the foot crossing at the site of the former Brock station.

Leicester North: 71000 Duke of Gloucester running round its train outside Leicester North on 10 October 2010. The sealed entrance on the bridge once gave access to the GCR Belgrave and Birstall station that stood on this site until closure in March 1963.

Preston: The Ribble Lune Railtour with Deltic 55022 leading is seen having left the Preston Docks system and crossed Strand Road LC, back on Network Rail tracks on the 1 in 30 climb back up to the mainline just south of Preston station on 10 October 2010. 55022 is about to enter Fishergate Hill tunnel on this curving and steep section. 66066 on the rear was required to assist after the train came to a stand and 55022 was unable to get it moving again.

Loughborough Central: Peak D123 stands nose to nose with Deltic D9009 at Lougborough on 10 October.

Preston Dock: The Branch Line Society Ribble Lune Railtour of 10 October 2010 runs aongside Preston Docks, with the docks to the left of 66066 and the River Ribble on the right. On the rear of the train at this stage was Deltic 55022.

Cupar: Work on the new disabled access to the up platform at Cupar nears completion on 10 October 2010.

Loughborough Central: GNR 0-6-2T no 1744 at Loughbrough on 10 October 2010.   

Daylesford: Scene on the 5'3” gauge Daylesford Spa Country Railway at Daylesford, Victoria, on 10 October 2010, with a railcar unit, comprising a central motor coach and 2 driving trailers, ready to depart for Musk. The power and control units for the cars came from Walker Brothers of Wigan, with the bodies built locally by Martin and King in Malvern. Assembly was carried out at the Victorian Railways works in Newport. All 13 units were withdrawn by VR by 1980.

Langholm: Skipper's Bridge on the A7 just south of Langholm - featured in the 1962 photograph showing the Langholm - Carlisle train. It's obvious that the bridge has been built up on this side, but it looks as if the old checkering remains. The large tree that obscured the second carriage in the earlier photograph was felled around 2007. See image [[30956]]

Echuca: The original terminus at Echuca, Victoria, a location in the news in early 2011 due to flooding, seen here in October 2010. The old station is now preserved and bypassed by a through line. The goods shed was for trans-shipment with Murray River paddle steamers via the wharf to the right. [Echuca - Aboriginal for 'meeting of the waters'.]

Quorn and Woodhouse: Gresley ex-LNER K4 2-6-0 no 61994 The Great Marquess arriving at Quorn on the Great Central Railway with a freight on 10 October 2010.

Burntisland: Renovation of the 1847 terminus building at Burntisland is complete. It has been sympathetically restored and converted into office suites. Behind the scenes however things look a little less formal. The roof of the 1847 building can be seen to the right. At an angle on the left is the 1890 platform building, still in use and staffed. The walkway behind the fence gives access to the Up platform when the ticket office is closed, and the covered ramp lead down to Harbour Place. It's obvious that a structure which was attached to it has recently been removed.

Nice Ville: SCNF service arriving at Nice Ville station from the Monte Carlo direction on 10 October 2011.

Kilmarnock: DBS 66120 leaves Kilmarnock long lyes on 7 October with 4S62 Milford to New Cumnock empty hoppers.

Camps Viaduct: Looking up at Camps Viaduct on 10 October 2011. View is south east from the footpath on the west side of the River Almond.

Hest Bank: In need of a bit of TLC - but unlikely to get it. Hest Bank signal box overlooks the foreshore, and has always taken a battering from the weather, and is looking particularly shabby at the moment. However, it is now identified for closure with control of the crossing passing to Preston Power Box and so unlikely to be refurbished again.

Hest Bank: Freightliner's 66507 powers north alongside Morecambe Bay with empty coal hoppers bound for Scotland. It was interesting to see, from the high footbridge, the insides of the tall wagons and just how battered the internal vanes are that separate the hoppers. The shiny, well used main line rails here contrast with the lightly used link to Bare Lane on the right.

Glenfinnan: Restoration work is ongoing at Glennfinnan Station, including the signal box. Although the box is no longer used in conjunction with regular train movements, its levers and frames are intact. The upper level is to be fitted out as an audio-visual centre.

Camps Viaduct: View along the River Almond in West Lothian, showing part of the elegant Camps Viaduct. The 9 span structure carried a single line branch approximately 75 feet above the river to reach quarries, limekilns, brickworks etc in the surrounding area. Camps Viaduct closed to rail traffic in 1959 and is now part of a public walkway.

North Berwick: Katie King (right) unveils the plaque in memory of James King at North Berwick on 10 October along with Christine Knights, former Passenger Focus Board member.

Nice: A tram bound for Las Planas on the Nice tramway system on 10 October 2011. The line was opened in November 2007.

Camps Viaduct: Standing on Camps Viaduct looking Looking south east over the River Almond on 10 October 2011. The mineral line was part of a network serving quarries, works and other related activities. This section of the line was closed in 1959 and today it carries a public walkway through what is now part of a country park.

North Berwick: Unveiling of the James King plaque at North Berwick on 10 October. Left to right are Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, Christine Knights, Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's Managing Director and Katie King.

Camps Viaduct: Looking up at Camps Viaduct on 10 October 2011 from the footpath on the west side of the River Almond. View is north east.

Euston: Having brought the ecs for the Highland Sleeper into platform 15 at Euston, 90028 now waits for the train to depart before going onto the front of the Lowland Sleeper.

Preston (Ribble Branch): Back to the Day Job. After a weekend at the Ribble Steam Railway 2012 Diesel Gala, when it hauled passenger trains for the first time, Ribble Rail 4wDM Sentinel Progress was back on the bitumen trains. The tanks arrive from Lindsey in a rake of fourteen wagons that is split into two for tripping along the dock branch to the unloading point.

Milton of Crathes: Station building under re-construction at Milton of Crathes on 10th October 2012. In a previous life this was the GNSR Station building at Oldmeldrum. Taken down and transported to Deeside - true re-cycling see image [[12433]].

Milton of Crathes: Former British Railways track maintenance and inspection vehicle no A34W on display at Milton of Crathes on 10 October 2012.

Aberystwyth: 158827 awaits departure for Machynlleth, where it will couple with a similar unit from Pwllheli before carrying on to Birmingham International.

Glenfinnan Viaduct: Black 5 No. 45407 leaves an attractive smoke trail as it crosses Glenfinnan Viaduct on 10 October 2012 with The Jacobite steam service to Mallaig.

Machynlleth: View of the area office and maintenance base with the ERTMS signalling centre in the mid distance. The former steam shed can just be seen beyond. Machynlleth station was a warmer place than Dovey Junction to wait while changing trains for Aberystwyth on a misty October day in 2012.

Wakefield Kirkgate: The present less than glamourous entrance to Wakefield Kirkgate is via the opening seen to the right of view. The original station entrance was into a large ticket hall, with doors at each end, located in the extended section with a canopy. The canopy has been stripped back during the station building major refurbishment being carried out from autumn 2013.

Market Rasen: The view south towards Lincoln of the platforms and station buildings at Market Rasen in October 2013.

Donington-on-Bain: Donington-on-Bain station building, on the line between Louth and Bardney, which closed to passengers in 1951 and to freight seven years later. The station building, with some minor alterations, is in use as a private house and in 2013 had a rather good vegetable patch. The goods yard now has a large agricultural building belonging to the local estate.

Market Rasen: 66506 heads for an east Midlands power station with imported coal from Immingham on 10 October 2013. The train is approaching Market Rasen, with the minature lights in the foreground for the public foot crossing between platforms. [Ref query 3838]

Cardross: The 'Leaf Train' has returned for another year!

Troon [2nd]: Some bushes seem to have been chopped since my last visit to the old Troon station, allowing this full length, although not totally unobstructed, view of the up [Glasgow] buildings in October 2013.

Louth: The impressive station frontage at Louth on 10 October 2013. Unfortunately no railway now runs past the other side of the building. After being derelict for a number of years it has now been converted into apartments. See image [[29248]]

Fotherby Halt: There may be rails in the road, gates across the tracks and a road sign warning of the level crossing, but no trains have passed here in over 30 years. Looking north at Fotherby Halt, Lincs, on 10 October 2013, the station was behind the camera, while the signal box, which stood off picture to the right, was moved to Chappel and Wakes Colne see image [[44971]]. [With thanks to Messrs Bartlett, Leiper and Cope]

Montrose: View south from the footbridge at Montrose station on a late afternoon in October 2013. The gradient over the South Esk viaduct is clearly apparent in the background. Montrose Basin is on the right.

North Thoresby: North Thoresby, on the former line from Grimsby to Boston via Louth, seen on 10 October 2013. The line closed in 1970 but the Linconshire Wolds Railway relaid track from Ludborough and reopened the original up platform in 2009. The down platform was on the north side of the level crossing.

Ludborough: Looking south across the level crossing at Ludborough station, on the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, in October 2013.

Market Rasen: East Midlands 153321 arrives at Market Rasen station from the south on 10 October 2013 heading for Grimsby. This is the only station still open between Lincoln and Barnetby.

Louth: Looking north across Keddington Road in Louth at the former level crossing and signalbox in October 2013.

Market Rasen: 153321 departs north from Market Rasen in October 2013, with an EMT service to Grimsby Town.

Hardengreen Junction: 'I think it could be a Banksy...'
Local art experts contemplating a mysterious looking lineside composition which appeared near the site of Hardengreen Junction on 10 October 2014. The walkway and crossing point here were closed for good soon afterwards, with pedestrian traffic now routed via the footbridge built at the south end of the new Eskbank station behind the camera (see [[51542]]).

Talsarnau: View from Portmeirion village across the Dwyryd estuary as the 1613 service to Machynlleth leaves Talsarnau on 10th October 2014.

Buckhurst Hill: Buckhurst Hill station, Essex, LUL Central Line, looking towards central London on 10th October 2014. This line was opened by the Eastern Counties Railway from Stratford to Loughton on 22nd August 1856, becoming part of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862. The GER extended from Loughton to Ongar on 24th April 1865 and in 1892 opened the present station, just north of the original which was closed. The 1856 building can be seen in the far background and it has a short piece of low platform in front of it. Between the two was Queens Road level crossing, which was abolished when LU electrification was extended from Woodford to Loughton on 21st November 1948. Growing up in Loughton and still living at home with my parents, for the first few years after leaving school I travelled through this station every weekday on the LU 1962 stock trains when commuting to and from Holborn for work.

Tebay Services: An early call at Tebay services on 10 October finds a very short FGW train in the up loop off the M6. Westmorland Ltd.

Eskbank: View south through the new Eskbank station in bright sunshine on 10 October 2014.

Rawtenstall: Waiting to run round at Rawtenstall on 10 October 2014 is ex LMS Crab no. 13065, having just arrived with the East Lancashire Railway's Red Rose Diner.

Buckhurst Hill: Buckhurst Hill station in Essex, opened by the GER in 1892, replacing the earlier Eastern Counties station of 1856 and seen here looking towards Epping on 10th October 2014. Central Line tube trains began running through here when they were extended from Woodford to Loughton on 21st November 1948. Growing up in Loughton, I would pass through this station on my daily commute to Holborn and back and joining the train at Loughton station was always guaranteed a seat, not so easy for the homeward journey. In those days, the Central Line was in the hands of 1962 stock with their bay seating. These were much preferable to the 1992 stock now running on the line which, like other present day LUL trains, demonstrates TfL's whole-hearted mania for all longitudinal seating which I dislike intensely.

Bury Bolton Street: Ex LMS Crab no. 13065 at the head of the East Lancashire Railway's Red Rose Diner at Bury Bolton Street on the evening of 10 October, featuring intending passengers, as well as those visiting the hostelry on the platform.

Bathampton Junction: Having waited patiently for an up HST to pass, DBS liveried 59201 snakes out of the loop to turn right towards the coast. The load was ballast; I believe this was a 13.20 Westerleigh to Westbury working. The ramshackle hut see image [[42584]] has been flattened as part of the renewal of the junction.

Chippenham: An HST service for Bristol accelerates out of Chippenham station see image [[49442]] over the Western Arches. The arches were built in 1841 and widened in 1848; there is a pub named after the designer (IKB, no less) just beyond the big arch on the left.

Box: This sturdy new footbridge has just been completed at Shockerwick (near Box) between Bath (right) and Chippenham (left). The tall walls will doubtless deter vandalism, but will make photography see image [[42041]] more difficult.

Bath Spa: Sydney Gardens, Bath has long been a classic location to watch and photograph trains. This is the High Level viewing gallery see image [[52886]]. A father and son enjoy the spectacle as an up HST powers away from Bath Spa through the gardens.

Bathampton Junction: A HST for London, headed by power car 43012, passes a rather nice pub at Bathampton Junction on 10th October 2015.

Shockerwick: A small mystery in industrial archaeology: the bridge rails which were thoughtfully recycled as fence supports see image [[53148]] carry the legend **TES STEELWORKS, the symbols ** being illegible. Any suggestions?

Chippenham: An HST heading for Bristol on 10 October waits under the new footbridge under construction at Chippenham. For the original footbridge, which is still in use see image [[33278]].

Melksham: As Melksham is the fifth largest town in Wiltshire, it was unfortunate that the town station was closed and largely demolished in 1966. However, it was reopened in 1985, using about a third of one original platform. Services were increased from two per weekday to eight from December 2013. With its load lightened by some twenty passengers, the 18.02 to Swindon (originating at Westbury, and comprising single unit 153.370) sets out towards Chippenham on 10th October. See image [[48597]]

Chippenham: Someone obviously made a cast iron case to keep these old gateposts, which seem to be made from two bridge rails each see image [[35411]]. View looks East across the forecourt.

Bathampton Junction: A Bristol-bound HST passes Bathampton Junction on its way to Bath Spa on 10th October 2015. The ballast looks very clean, as the junction was recently relaid.

Bath Spa: Sydney Gardens were laid out in 1795 by the architect Harcourt Masters; they are the oldest park in Bath. A canal and a railway line are of particular interest to transport enthusiasts. This down HST is heading for Bath Spa on recently lowered track.

Box: They're a bit keen on bridge rails down Somerset way see image [[53123]]. These fine examples (there are at least four posts) hold up a fence near the new footbridge at Shockerwick.

Whifflet: 37 669 light engine Boness to Carnforth. What a lovely sound!!

Forres East Junction: Preparation work the for realignment of Forres Station continues apace, with the ground now cleared of vegetation.  Completion date is due for next October/November with a final possession of several days to complete it.  Thereafter Forres 'box will close with the loss of two full time roles.

Inverness: A late running Euston to Inverness sleeper service arrives behind 66732 and 73967.  The class 66 locos appear regularly on this service, with the role of the class 73 seemingly delegated to train heating duties.  ETHEL II perhaps?

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Its appearance much improved by the reflection of the station roof behind it, the 1970s Millenium Hotel extension awaits preparations for its demolition in the second phase of the EGIP improvements at Glasgow Queen Street. The work on the station is due to recommence in November 2016.

Whifflet: The 'Leaf Train' leaving the Whifflet Loop for the main line.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: There are stories from 50 years ago about stations being painted shortly before being closed. If there was any doubt about the future of the Millenium hotel extension and the vehicle drop off point underneath it, the 'WET PAINT' sign here would seem not to bode well for them.

Glasgow Queen Street High Level: View over the trainshed roof towards Consort House (centre right), the former headquarters of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which is also due for demolition in the second phase of the Glasgow Queen Street redevelopment. Work is due to resume in November 2016. To the left above the station can be seen the rather more pleasing building that is the 1877 Merchants House of Glasgow, fortunately not obscured from this angle by the Millenium Hotel extension which adjoins Consort House.

Whifflet [NB]: The 'leaf train' on the Whifflet Loop line, passing the site of the former NB station (closed 1930) see image [[10348]].

Inverkeithing East Junction: 45407 waits in Inverkeithing Up Loop with the second Dalgety Bay - Tweedbank trip of the day, being passed by 170430 on a Dundee - Edinburgh service. 10 October.

Whifflet: The Fort William to North Blyth Alcan hauled by 66740 passing south through Whifflet station.

Ayr: Almost an air of bustle at Ayr station concourse on 10th October 2017.

Moy: The Royal Scotsman going south at Moy on 10th October 2017. The train is heading for Boat of Garten on the Strathspey Railway, hauled by GBRf 66743.

Baillieston: View through the site fence south over the completed foundations for the temporary pedestrian and services bridge. The piling (centre left) marks the position where the north embankment raft will have a supporting tower on top. The road bridge will presently be closed for a few weeks to allow construction of the temporary bridge structure.

Maybole: An Ayr to Girvan service calls at Maybole, the only intermediate station, on 10th October 2017. An information screen is at last being installed. Note the long-abandoned second platform.

Carlisle: Two Class 50s on a railtour at Carlisle in October 2017.

Baillieston: Only now revealed from this angle during the preparatory works for its replacement, the Muirhead Road overbridge at Baillieston station seen in October 2017.

Glasgow Central: Class 50s at Glasgow Central on 10/10/2017.

Statfold Barn: Profile shot of LIASSIC, a Peckett 0-6-0ST Works No. 1632 of 1923, at Statfold Open Day. The locomotive originally worked at the Southam Cement Works near Rugby before preservation.

Carlisle: 'The Caledonian' double hauled by Class 50s at Carlisle in October 2017.

Elgin: Progress showing the extension of the loop west. The Wards has very bright light so it is easy to make out what is going on.

Ayr: A Class 156 about to head south for Girvan from Ayr on 10th October 2017.

Elgin: View east at Wards Road showing Elgin West Signal Box has gone. The Wards has very bright light for work at night so it is easy to make out what is going on.

Ayr: A delayed Stranraer service (right) changes crew at Ayr on 10 October. The train on Platform 3 (left) is not a northbound service but will form the next one southbound, to Girvan, in about 45 minutes.

Dundee: The first sentence is ungrammatical and untrue. As for the second ... Notice in the Platform 2/3 waiting room, Dundee.

Carlisle: Class 50s visiting Carlisle with a northbound railtour.

The Balmoral Hotel: A photograph of the perilous ascent of the West face of the North British - five minutes early of course.

Glasgow Central: One of the two class 50 on a railtour at Glasgow Central in October 2017.

The Balmoral Hotel: The perilous ascent of the West face of the North British - five minutes early of course.

Ayr Station Hotel: The Station Hotel in Ayr closed in 2013 but was not put up for sale until 2017. Here it is on 10 October 2017, awaiting developments (or development).

Edinburgh Waverley: 92 was stabled at Waverley.

Moy: The 10:45 Inverness to Edinburgh train near Moy on 10th October 2017. 158711 is leading this four coach train.

Maybole: The street aspect of the station building at Maybole looks a good deal more welcoming than the platform side. At the far end is the former ticket office with lights on inside making it look like it's still open. In fact it's a Network Rail office.

Moy: Freightliner liveried 66524 leads a train of loaded ballast wagons for Inverness at Moy on 10th October 2017. 66545 was bringing up the rear.

Dundee: The impressive new upper concourse at Dundee seen on 10 October 2018. Slightly disappointingly the white LED departure board only shows destinations and you have to go its amber predecessor downstairs to see the calling points.

Stonehaven: Serious excitement at Stonehaven on 10th October 2018. This, I believe, was the 14:27 out of Inverness which terminates at Stonehaven before heading south to get past the points and then returns empty to Aberdeen. It looks like the front carriage took the correct road and the back two stayed on the up line. An NR employee told me the track has been shifted 6 inches so it was going to be a rather long closure.

Pitlochry: Surfaces being installed on the new platform extensions at Pitlochry on 10th October 2018.

Dundee: The week before the HST 'Inter7City' sets enter service between Edinburgh and Aberdeen there was a press launch. The train was briefly announced here at Dundee as the 1300 non-stop to Edinburgh, but nobody (including me) seemed tempted to get on the shiny 'new' thing. Just as well as in a fine British tradition the train later failed.

Huntly: The 0900 Inverness - Aberdeen service seen arriving at Huntly on 10 October 2018.

Camperdown Junction: The morning Leeds to Aberdeen service has run for many years and gone through a variety of operators. This LNER one has just passed Camperdown Junction heading north on 10 October 2018.

Markinch: A 4-car 158 calls at Markinch on 10 October 2018 with a Perth to Edinburgh service. The signage announcing this as the stop for Glenrothes went when Glenrothes with Thornton station opened. Markinch is however nearer the centre of the town and has better bus links, particularly since the transport hub opened.

Leuchars: A Dundee to Edinburgh service calls at Leuchars on 10 October 2018. Occupying the site of the south bay buffers is a new lounge for Caledonian Sleeper customers. It looks comfy and inviting but is only open at night. Daytime customers have to make do with a more spartan waiting room with some 1960s features.

Hest Bank: Testing of and training on the new Class 195 DMUs continues and two-car 195001 passes Hest Bank on 10th October 2018 heading for Carnforth. At least three people are visible in the cab.

Huntly: View west at Huntly on 10 October 2018. The main station building is straight ahead, with the former goods shed on the left. The sign reads 'Huntly Freight Yard - No Unauthorised Entry - EWS Network'. [Ref query 10 October 2018]

Hest Bank: GBRf 66716 approaches the level crossing at Hest Bank with the china clay tanks from Dollands Moor to Irvine on 10th October 2018.

Hapton: 156455 pulls away from the Hapton request stop while working from Colne to Preston on 10th October 2019.

Padiham: The bridge at Dryden Street in Padiham saw its last trains in 1993 but it is in good order as it now carries a Lancashire County Council cycleway and footpath. However, I'm not sure that Network Rail would be particularly interested in responding to a bridge strike here, despite the notice still affixed to the abutment.

Padiham: After final closure in 1993, thirty years after the last passenger train, the tracks of the line to Padiham Power Station lay undisturbed for many years but more recently have been lifted to create an urban greenway. This view looks up the 1:40 gradient toward Rose Grove at Dryden Street bridge. I tend to associate trackbed cycle-paths with long closed lines but the last coal trains on the Padiham line were hauled by Class 60s, which is very modern era.

Hapton: 150104 pulls away from Hapton heading for the next stop at Rose Grove with a Preston to Colne service on 10th October 2019. The M65 motorway is conveniently hidden by the trees on the left as it runs adjacent to the line through this area and there is a constant traffic roar at the otherwise quiet station.

Padiham: Looking down the bank towards Padiham station from Dryden Street bridge on 10th October 2019. Although the line from Rose Grove was on a 1:40 gradient there appears to have been some embankment removal below this point when the greenway was created making it even steeper.

Padiham: This bridge, between Simonstone and Padiham, crosses a cycleway on the old Padiham Loop trackbed. The trees conceal a business park built on the site of Padiham Power Station, which received trainloads of coal until closure in 1993.
See query 2176

RNAD Crombie: The setting sun catches the bridge over the Lyne Burn in October 2020. The gates of RNAD Crombie are immediately to the left of the bridge and Braeside Junction is off to the right.

Fleetwood Ferry [Tram]: Flexity tram 016, in advertising vinyls, pulls away from the tram stop outside Fleetwood library heading for Blackpool on 10th October 2020.

Cowdenbeath: With a friendly 'toot' from the driver, 43135 climbs away from Cowdenbeath with the 13.28 to Edinburgh on 10 October 2020. One Saturdays Only diagram is operated by an HST to provide improved social distancing. West Lomond is in the background right.

Rossall Square [Tram]: Flexity 001, in a very colourful livery promoting various Blackpool attractions, slows for the level crossing at Rossall Square tram stop on 10th October 2020.

Hoghton: The southbound Cumbrian Mountain Express, with 45699 'Galatea' running as 45562 'Alberta', passing under the A675 road bridge and approaching Hoghton Level Crossing on the early evening of 10 October 2020.

Lartington: View east in Oct 2021 along the vehicular access road to the former Lartington station site, with the former goods shed seen to the left and the large station house to the far right. Coal drops were off view to left of the goods shed, with the old weighbridge office still extant at a lower level, alongside the retaining wall close to the road entrance to the drops.

Lartington: Looking at the entrance to the Kirkby Stephen bound platform at the former Lartington station, on the line from Barnard Castle, in October 2021. The access path can be seen running down by the large tree to its left.

Lartington: Looking west in October 2021 along the B6277 Lartington Lane across the road bridge over the trackbed from the former Barnard Castle to Kirkby Stephen line, close to Lartington station. The NER boundary marker See image [[11841]] is still in situ nearly sixty years after closure of the line in 1962, as seen to lower right, with the metal fencing used as the bridge 'parapet' seen by the roadside at top centre.

Lartington: Looking north in October 2021 from the B6277 Lartington Lane across to the upper section of the former Lartington station house on the closed Barnard Castle to Kirkby Stephen line. The platforms were on this side of the house.

Black Beck Level Crossing: Looking East South East along Town Pasture Lane in October 2021 with a very pronounced hump visible across the lane at the site of the Black Beck level crossing on the former Barnard Castle to Darlington line. Barnard Castle station was around one mile further along heading right.

Winston: Winston station site is now the base for a heavy haul road haulage company. Whilst the station building has been rebuilt, the goods shed, crossing keepers' cottages and the station house are still in use, as seen in October 2021. View is north west to the Station House that sat a short distance from the main station building that was to left of view. This house is a near mirror image of the Station House still in existence at the former Gainford Station a few miles on towards Darlington. See image [[78737]]

Gainford: All that is left of Gainford station is a short length of the single line platform and the Station House to its rear. The view is looking north westerly across North Lane to the Station House on 10 October 2021.

Black Beck Level Crossing: Looking north west from Town Pasture Lane on the eastern edge of Barnard Castle in October 2020, showing an extant curving section of the former Darlington to Barnard Castle line between Black Beck level crossing, to right of view [[79218]], and the A688 Bishop Auckland Road seen in the distance. A culvert for the Black Beck can be seen to left of the trees at extreme right of view.

Gainford: All that is left of Gainford station is a short length of the single line platform and the Station House to its rear. The view is looking north easterly towards North Lane on 10 October 2021 showing the truncated west end of the former platform. The flight of steps seen between the trees gives access from Station Court to a path running north alongside the Station House garden western boundary.

Winston: Winston station site is now base for a heavy haul road haulage company. Whilst the station building has been rebuilt, the goods shed, crossing keepers' cottages and the station house are still in use, as seen in October 2021. View is of the former crossing keepers' cottages that sit to the north east of the crossing.

Black Beck Level Crossing: Looking in a southerly direction along the A688 Bishop Auckland road, on the edge of Barnard Castle, to the section of road that rises to cross the skew overbridge across the former Barnard Castle to Darlington line. The iron railings on the left mark the location of the bridge with an overgrown cutting below, and beyond the short cutting the trackbed is extant for some 1/4 mile upto the site of Black Beck level crossing on the section running to Darlington. See image [[79250]]. The solum is obliterated on the Barnard Castle side of the bridge.

Black Beck Level Crossing: An October 2021 view westerly towards Barnard Castle, into bright sunshine, from Black Beck Level Crossing, looking along the extant section of trackbed running between the crossing and the road overbridge for the A688 trunk road to Bishop Auckland, seen at extreme centre right running towards the trees around the bridge. See image [[79334]]

Winston: Winston station site is now base for a heavy haul road haulage company. Whilst the station building has been rebuilt, the goods shed, crossing keepers cottages and the station house are still in use, as seen in October 2021. Looking from the goods yard entrance to the former goods shed, with 'redundant' coal hoppers seen to its left. To the right is the new office building that replaced the old station building, with the letters WIN seen. I had not realised at the time that these letters, which are part of WINSTON, were originally on the old building and replicate an historic feature. See image [[41158]].

Johnson's Hillock Locks [LLC]: Lock 61 of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, near Wheelton, is the fourth of seven in the Johnson's Hillock flight. This October 2022 view looks towards Blackburn at Bridge 81, which has an old canal toll house alongside.

Moss Bridge [LC]: This is Moss Bridge in Whittle-le-Woods, which carries Chorley Old Road over the Walton Summit Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, formerly part of the southern section of the Lancaster Canal. Commercial traffic dwindled away before ceasing in the 1930s, although the canal remained intact until construction of the M61 in the 1960s when it was formally closed and for the most part filled in. This 2022 view looks west. Just beyond the bridge there was a small basin and then the canal turned northwards towards Preston.

Lochrin Basin: Looking north east from Viewforth Bridge at the many canal boats moored west of the Leamington Lift Bridge (visible centre background). Some of these are probably houseboats and contrast both in style and content with the adjacent new flats. Lochrin Basin proper is beyond the Lift Bridge. The old Lochrin Basin itself has been filled in and built over.

Johnson's Hillock Locks [LLC]: The view towards Blackburn at the Top Lock (58), Johnson's Hillock flight, on 10th October 2022. Unfortunately, the adjacent Top Lock pub, which has been popular for many years, has now closed.

Johnson's Hillock Locks [LLC]: This is now the head of water on the old Walton Summit branch of the Lancaster Canal southern section, a mere 300 yards from the foot of the Johnson's Hillock locks on the Leeds and Liverpool [[82863]]. There was a bridge here by the same name but that is long gone. This stretch may be short, but it is not officially navigable and so a very peaceful length of waterway.

Johnson's Hillock Locks [LLC]: Looking north on the Leeds and Liverpool at the start of the flight of seven known as Johnson's Hillock Locks. This is the point where the southern section of the Lancaster Canal diverged left on what became the Walton Summit Branch but closed in the 1930s. There is now just a 300-yard backwater with the rest of the three-mile branch almost completely filled in. When it became clear that the central section of the Lancaster Canal crossing the Ribble could not be completed the Southern section, from Walton Summit to Wigan, was leased to the Leeds and Liverpool from 1864 onwards.