This day in history 12 October
Images
Eastfield Shed: Thompson Q1 class 0.8.0T 69927 at Eastfield Sheds in 1951. Built by the GCR as a 0.8.0 tender engine in 1907 this locomotive was rebuilt as a tank engine by the LNER in 1942. 69927 was withdrawn from Eastfield in the Spring of 1956.
Eastfield Shed: D49 4-4-0 62716 Kincardineshire on the turntable at Eastfield in October 1951.
Eastfield Viaduct: Caledonian 3F 0-6-0 57613 takes an eastbound freight over Eastfield Viaduct across the E&G main line on 12 October 1951 and is about to skirt the north side of Eastfield shed yard.
Eastfield Shed: Scene in the shed yard at Eastfield on 12 October 1951. Ex-NB types present include Reid J88 0-6-0T 68327 of 1905 and Holmes J83 0-6-0T 68464 of 1901.
Bonnybridge Junction: Kingmoor Black 5s nos 45364+44901 at the head of a car train which has recently arrived at Bonnybridge Junction in 1960. The cars will be taken along the canal branch to the site of the former CR Bonnybridge station (closed to passengers in 1930) which was at that time being used as a distribution centre for new motor cars arriving by rail. The canal branch was closed completely in 1964.
Gateshead Shed: Still sporting its 50A shedcode, J72 0-6-0T 68736 is at Gateshead shed on 12 October 1963. It had previously been a station pilot at York where, in common with fellow J72 No 68723 at Newcastle, it had been painted in NER colours.
Gateshead Shed: Similarly numbered locos, K1 No 62026 and A4 No 60026 'Miles Beevor' seem to be having a chat at Gateshead shed on 12 October 1963.
Gateshead Shed: BR built Class J72 0-6-0T 69005 is in an open roundhouse at Gateshead shed on 12 October 1963. Gateshead seemed to be in a state of transition at that time, and locos were to be found scattered round various parts of the shed.
Coupar Angus Level Crossing: The Railway Society of Scotland charter DMU passing through Coupar Angus. The whitewashed building in the background is the Strathmore Hotel (known as 'The Whitehouse' to local railwaymen who allegedly visited it from time to time) with the Tolbooth steeple on the left of the picture. The trackbed now forms part of the Coupar Angus bypass and the bracketed signal gantry in the right background now controls access to the SRPS station at Boness. Photographed in October 1968 a year after official closure to passengers, which occurred on 4 September 1967.
Forfar [2nd]: The Railway Society of Scotland Charter DMU with a railtour at Forfar on 12 October 1968.
Forfar [2nd]: Photostop at Forfar. A Railway Society of Scotland DMU special calls at Forfar with a railtour on 12 October 1968, just over a year after the station had lost its scheduled passenger services.
Boat of Garten: Barclay 0-4-0ST No 3 at Boat of Garten in October 1979. The locomotive is now on the Spa Valley Railway.
Aviemore Speyside: The Strathspey Railway's Aviemore Speyside Station in October 1981 with the footbridge under construction. This bridge came from the GNSR/LNER Station at Longmorn on the Elgin to Rothes line.
Porthmadog Harbour [FR]: Scene at Porthmadog Harbour on 12 October 1982, with former Penrhyn Quarry Hunslet 2-4-0ST+T Blanche (589/1893) waiting to leave on a train for Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Princes Risborough: 4472 Flying Scotsman on display at a steam gathering at Princes Risborough in October 1986.
Princes Risborough: LNER A4 Pacific 4468 Mallard northbound with a special at Princes Risborough on 12 October 1986.
Gainsborough Lea Road: A dull, wet and generally miserable day at Gainsborough Lea Road station on 12 October 1988 as 150126 calls with a Doncaster - Lincoln Central service.
Newquay: 'Welcome to Newquay - Happy Holidays from Newquay Town Council' reads the banner at the buffer stops at Newquay station on 12 October 1992 as an InterCity 125 HST stands at the platform.
Aberdeen: Platform 5 at Aberdeen on 12 October 1998 and the driver of 158703 is in his cab to take the train south, though the LCD destination blind is yet to be changed from Aberdeen. Although well into privatisation both this set and the sleeper stock next to it are still in BR era livery. The InterCity brand, though defunct here, was picked up by other countries, including, untranslated, Germany.
Burntisland Junction: Edinburgh bound Sprinter coasts along the front at Burntisland in 2003 passing Burntisland Junction.
Edinburgh Waverley: 322484 stands at Waverley's platform 7 in October 2005 with the next departure for North Berwick.
Edinburgh Waverley: Scene at Waverley west end in October 2005.
Edinburgh Waverley: Princes Street Gardens taking on Autumn colours in early October 2005 as a train from Glasgow Queen Street leaves The Mound tunnel and enters Waverley station.
Edinburgh Waverley: Prior to the 2006 reorganisation at Waverley the long north side through platform was designated 1 & 19. In October 2005 a Bathgate - Newcraighall train is in the process of running into platform 1, after bypassing a Virgin Voyager for Plymouth, currently boarding at platform 19. Above the trains is the footbridge linking the station with Waverley Steps, also replaced during the works see image [[9661]].
Edinburgh Waverley: The Virgin CrossCountry 12.05 Edinburgh - Plymouth train waiting to leave platform 19 at Waverley in October 2005.
Edinburgh Waverley: Jimmy Chung's. former booking office on Waverley Bridge - October 2005.
Beattock: DRS 66406 brings the Tesco containers out of the down loop onto the main line at Beattock and starts the ascent on 12 October 2006.
Cardross: Network Rail 'Leaf Train' (as I call it) heading west towards Cardross as the sun sets. This cute little train magically appears every Autumn to clear away fallen leaves.
Annan: The main station building at Annan in October 2006. Now converted to a pub. How about the topiary... pretty fowl?
Annan: Noon train for Carlisle leaving Annan in October 2006.
Beattock: DRS 66406 lifts the Tesco containers out of the down loop at Beattock on 12 October 2006, after being sidelined to make way for a northbound Voyager. See image [[11726]]
Gretna Green: A Carlisle - Glasgow Central DMU comes off the double track section from Gretna Junction and approaches the platform at Gretna Green on 12 October 2006. Preparatory work in connection with the redoubling of the route between here and Annan is underway on the left.
Annan: A Glasgow Central - Carlisle train arriving at Annan on 12 October 2006.
Quintinshill Loops: A northbound Voyager hits a sudden squall as it passes the Quintinshill loops on the morning of 12 October 2006, the infamous box long gone.
Quintinshill Loops: The usual suspects passing the Quintinshill loops during a shower of rain on 12 October 2006 with the lightly loaded morning Basford Hall - Coatbridge Freightliner service.
Lockerbie: At the northwest corner of Lockerbie station stands the shell of the trainshed of the former Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie Railway which once supported an overall roof - removed in the 1970s, seen here in October 2006. The old doorway provides a direct link between platform and station car park.
Lockerbie: The road approach to Lockerbie station looking north east in October 2006.
Lockerbie: Northbound Pendolino passing through Lockerbie in October 2006.
Annan Shawhill: Looking south from the B721 road over the former station at Annan Shawhill on 12 October 2006 along the route that ran to the Solway Viaduct. The pipeline now occupying the trackbed carries waste (?) water from Chapelcross nuclear power station to the Solway Firth. See image [[19418]]
Chapelcross Power Station: Last user of the route to the Solway Viaduct, Chapelcross nuclear power station, on the east side of the former Solway Junction Railway route north of Annan, seen here on 12 October 2006. A pipeline from Chapelcross carried waste water along the old trackbed through the former Annan Shawhill station and down to the Solway Firth see image [[11600]].
Quintinshill Loops: A Glasgow Central - Birmingham New Street Virgin Voyager photographed just north of the Quintinshill loops during a rainstorm in October 2006. Two of the now demolished cooling towers of the former Chapelcross nuclear power station can just be made out through the haze in the left background see image [[11601]].
Lockerbie: 'Please stand well back from the platform edge....' good advice at Lockerbie, 12 October 2006.
Beattock: A northbound Virgin Voyager passes a static DRS 66406 with a lengthy train of Tesco containers in the down loop at Beattock on 12 October 2006.
Gretna Green: A Carlisle - Glasgow Central service shortly after arrival at Gretna Green on 12 October 2006, with preparatory work underway in connection with the redoubling of the section to Annan.
Edinburgh Waverley: Major engineering works at Waverley in the autumn of 2007, with all south side through platforms out of use while electrification masts are erected. Over on the left a semi-fast for Glasgow Queen Street is boarding at platform 14, while a Dundee service is in the process of leaving 13. The works train locomotives are EWS 60029 (nearest) and 60012.
Edinburgh Waverley: Scene at the west end on 12 October 2007. Track has now been relaid through northside platforms 10 & 11 although, as can be seen here, all 4 through platforms on the southside continue to be occupied by the engineer.
Burntisland Control Bunker: The former Burntisland control bunker on 12 October with the new Lammerlaws Bridge (now open) in the background. [Railscot Note: The Burntisland Emergency Railway Control Centre was part of a proposed network of 30 such emergency centres planned by the BR Board in the early 1950s and was constructed in 1955. The building, a single storey blast protected blockhouse, was never fitted out and is one of only 4 built before the plans were shelved in 1956. The other 3 were built at Brickett Wood, Knebworth and Huyton Junction. The bunker now houses a diving shop.]
Burntisland Junction: 158731 approaches Lammerlaws Bridge in Burntisland on 12 October with the disused connection to the former harbour branch in the foreground.
Edinburgh Waverley: Installing electrification masts at the west end of Waverley in October 2007.
Edinburgh Waverley: Installing electrification masts at the west end of Waverley in October 2007. EWS 60029 Clitheroe Castle is on the front of the works train, while ScotRail 156467 is pulling away from platform 13 with a train for Glasgow Central via Shotts.
Ille-sur-Tet, France.: Ille-sur-Tet SNCF station on the Perpignan to Villefranche line. The ticket seller meets the trains to clear them for single line travel, he then changes points and signals and puts back on his ticket seller/collector hat.
Ille-sur-Tet, France.: Allo, allo SNCF 17504 Perpignan to Villefranche at Ille-sur-Tet Station.
Edinburgh Waverley: Electrification masts being installed at the west end of Waverley station in October 2007. A works train is in platform 9 while a ScotRail service for Glasgow Central via Shotts is awaiting its departure time in platform 13. Note the stripped back platform canopy also undergoing refurbishment at this time.
Livingston North: Looking west - with Livingston North station just out of sight around the corner at the west end of the temporary loop installed here in October 2007. In North British days, a siding existed here (on the up side) known as Dechmont
Livingston North: Looking east toward Bangour Jct in October 2007. The Bangour railway left the E&B near where the rooftops are visible centre left. A temporary loop has been installed to allow ballast trains past the newly slewed up/down single line. Just beyond where the on-track plant is located was the end of a siding known as Dechmont - worked by up trains only.
York: DRS EE Type 3 37261 stabled in a siding alongside Platform 11 at York in October 2008. Shortly afterwards this particular Class 37 was put into store. It has since spent time at various locations including Carnforth See image [[30687]]. The area in the background is now occupied by the Network Rail Operating Centre but the sidings are still used to stable DRS locos.
York: The former station signal box at York, later the Station Masters office known as the glass palace, is now a coffee shop on Platform 3. 43056 is on the rear of a Sunday Kings Cross service.
Garstang and Catterall: A pair of Voyagers heads south on the WCML just south of Garstang & Catterall on 12 October 2008.
York: North facing Platform 8 at York, usually used for Harrogate line services, sees 150276 and 150222 lying idle on a Sunday morning.
Brock: Trans Pennine Express service from Manchester Airport to Edinburgh provided by 185127 heads north between Brock and Garstang & Catterall on the WCML on 12 October 2008.
York: Platform 9 at York is undergoing significant upgrading at the moment and the new brickwork can be seen in this view towards the north from Platform 10.
Garstang and Catterall: A two-tone green class 47 on the rear of southbound ecs move on the WCML just south of Garstang & Catterall on 12 October 2008. The water in the foreground is the Lancaster Canal.
York: Sunday morning view south along Platform 9 at York, which sits just outside the main trainshed, showing the refurbishment work and the volume of materials piled along the full length of the platform.
Melbourne Southern Cross: Contrast in V-Line trains at the impressive Melbourne Southern Cross (formerly Spencer Street) station on 12th October 2008.
Bangour Junction: The old single line stops at the site of Bangour Junction in October 2008, just prior to redoubling here.
Bangour Junction: No trains today then? Part of the line near Bangour Jct awaits relaying as redoubling nears completion in October 2008.
Grindelwald: A service from Interlaken Ost arrives at Grindelwald on a wet 12th October 2009. The line to Kleine Scheidegg is served by the platform on the left but was closed due to engineering work as indicated by the plant on the platform.
Pickering: Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 no 45212 in the process of running round its train at Pickering on the NYMR in October 2009. Built by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle for the LMS in 1935 the locomotive was eventually withdraw from BR service at Lostock Hall shed in 1968, at which time it was purchased for preservation direct from BR.
Foix: 27522 on an Andorra to Foix service in 2009 just clearing the crossing at Saint-Antoine.
Pickering: Preserved Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 no 45212 brings a train from Grosmont into Pickering on 12 October 2009. It would be another 18 months before the NYMR station saw reinstatement of its overall roof. (See image [[71936]]).
Scarborough Bridge: The 1047 Scarborough - Liverpool Lime Street about to complete the crossing of the River Ouse and run into York station on 12 October 2009. The large serpent that appears to have emerged from the river and is attempting to ensnare the train is in fact part of the current repair work that has resulted in temporary closure of the footway running along the east side of the bridge.
Cliburn: Between Penrith and Appleby lies Cliburn, closed in 1956 six years before the line itself. The station is now a private residence and the signalbox, a remarkable survivor, is currently under restoration. View east from the site of the level crossing along the old trackbed towards Kirkby Thore and Appleby.
Interlaken Ost: Motor luggage van of the metre gauge Zentralbahn (zb) at Interlaken Ost on 12th October 2009.
Pickering: The enthusiast #2. A passenger awaiting the next NYMR train to Whitby at Pickering on 12 October 2009 appears to be engrossed in a recent purchase from the station bookshop. The WWII posters in the background are part of the preparations for the annual 1940s Wartime Weekend held locally. (The book in question is Historic Steam Boiler Explosions by Alan McEwen.)
Crossgates: 158725/727 pass the site of Crossgates station, closed to passengers in 1949, with a Fife Inner Circle service returning to Newcraighall. A coal merchant and concrete plant occupy the former goods yard in the background.
Crossgates: 158736 nears Crossgates with the 12.07 Newcraighall - Cowdenbeath service on 12 October 2009. Dunfermline stands on the skyline.
Pickering: View south across the turntable at Pickering on 12 October 2009 as the driver of depot pilot D2207 takes a break.
York: A family out for a morning stroll along the banks of the Ouse at York on 12 October 2009, just as a TransPennine 185 DMU appears from the direction of York station about to cross the river on its way to Scarborough.
Carlisle: Dumfries train at platform 7. A few years back and a train for Langholm could be caught from platform 7.
Ardmore Level Crossing: LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 no 45407 and LNER K1 Class 2-6-0 no 62005 on the return journey from Fort William to Carnforth. Together they hauled The West Highland Statesman on the previous Saturday.
Pickering: Train arriving at Pickering station on the afternoon of 12 October 2009. The locomotive is Black 5 4-6-0 no 45212, which has since returned to main line duties.
Carlisle: Brush Type 4 D1733 (47853) Rail Express rests in the sidings by Carlisle station in October 2009. The locomotive is painted in the old XP64 Inter City prototype livery from the late 1960s.
Carlisle: A Brush type 4 (57305) on standby duty in the sidings by Carlisle station.
Carlisle: South end of Carlisle station in October 2009, with Settle and Carlisle and Newcastle arrivals at platforms 5 and 6. What happened to the cafe?
Carlisle: Brush Type 4 D1733 / 47853 rests in the sidings by Carlisle station. The locomotive is painted in the old XP64 Inter City prototype livery from the late 60s.
Pickering: Scene on the NYMR at Pickering station on 12 October 2009 looking north from the end of platform 1. DSRM no 1 'Ron Rothwell' is manoeuvring the depot crane, while ex-BR class 04 no D2207 stands in the sidings alongside.
Pickering: D2207 is the duty pilot locomotive at Pickering depot on 12 October 2009.
Interlaken Ost: An ICE from Berlin arrives at a very wet Interlaken Ost on 12 October 2009. The track in the foreground is the narrow gauge line from Brienz/Luzern.
Pickering: Thomas Hill 'Vanguard' 0-4-0DH locomotive No 1 with the depot crane at Pickering on 12 October 2009.
Drumgelloch: Part of the 360 vehicle car park currently under construction on the north side of the new Drumgelloch station. View south towards the station from Katherine Street on 12 October 2010.
Melbourne: A restaurant/cruise boat/ferry photographed on the Yarra River, Melbourne, Victoria, on 12 October 2010.
Airdrie: And then there were three... again. Airdrie on 12 October with work on the third platform looking almost complete. Next train out is the 11.42 to Helensburgh Central on the left with the 11.57 to Balloch waiting in the bay platform. Next train to Bathgate and Waverley not due for another two months.
Kirknewton: Having picked up passengers at Kirknewton station on 12 October, the driver of unit 156437 has left his cab to depress the plunger which will activate the level crossing barriers over the B7031 just behind the camera.
Blackridge: Confident-looking notice at the entrance road leading from the A89 to the under-construction Blackridge station (and footbridge) on 12 October 2010. [Addendum - the station opened on 12 December 2010].
Armadale: View east over the new station at Armadale on 12 October 2010 showing work underway on access roads, parking etc on the north side of the site. Part of the town of Bathgate can be seen in the left background.
Bathgate Central Junction: The view from the end of the platform of the 1986 Bathgate terminus on 12 October 2010, belying the fact that the station has only days to go before final closure. The lift tower in the background, around half a mile to the east, marks the location of its replacement, which would officially open on 18 October that year.
Essen Hbf: German railways class 101 electric and ICE units stand side by side at Essen Hbf in October 2010.
Arnabol Viaduct: Black five no 44871 crossing Arnabol Viaduct near Loch nan Uamh with The Jacobite on its way to Mallaig on 12 October. Arnabol Viaduct is inland from the head of Loch Beag and about half a mile before its more famous neighbour [[Loch nan Uamh Viaduct]].
Kirknewton: One of the limited stop services on the Glasgow Central - Edinburgh route about to run through Kirknewton station on 12 October. The train is on the well known level crossing which it is planned to replace with an underpass (plan later 'shelved' after costs established).
Forrestfield: A grey day just west of Forrestfield on 12 October sees a 3-man team engaged in electrification work in connection with the Airdrie - Bathgate project. Hillend reservoir stands beyond, with Caldercruix in the left background.
Glenfinnan Viaduct: Dwarfed by the landscape, no 44871 crosses Glenfinnan Viaduct on 12 October bound for Fort William with the return working of The Jacobite.
Airdrie: A Helensburgh train starts its journey west from Airdrie on 12 October 2010.
Bathgate: Work underway on the access road to the new Bathgate station and associated car parks on 12 October 2010. Photographed from the north side of the A89 Edinburgh Road.
Coventry: The 18.45 to Nuneaton enjoying a pool of light in Coventry station before heading North on 12 October. Ironic that the smallest train in the station is stabled in platform no 1.
Port Melbourne Junction: One of Melbourne's latest 'Bumblebee' trams at Port Melbourne Junction on 12 October 2010.
Gisborne: The 07.43 Southern Cross to Eaglehawk train slows for its stop at Gisborne, Vctoria, on 12 October 2010 behind V/line locomotive no N460 'City of Castlemaine'.
Kirknewton: ScotRail 156437 pulls away from the westbound platform at Kirknewton on 12 October 2010. and is about to pass over the level crossing on the busy B7031.The train is the 13.26 Edinburgh Waverley - Glasgow Central via Shotts. Sir William Tite's 'B' listed 1848 Caledonian Railway station building stands in the left background.
Caldercruix: The original station at Caldercruix was closed in 1956. The well-advanced replacement, on the same site, is seen here taking shape 54 years later. View east towards Bathgate on 12 October 2010.
Drumgelloch: The new Drumgelloch station under construction on 12 October 2010 looking west towards Airdrie. Photo attempt no 8 from a camera held at arms length above the high parapet of the recently replaced bridge carrying Towers Road. The works team in the foreground is standing alongside the site of the eastbound plaform of the former Clarkston (Lanarks) station (closed 1956), the last traces of which have been removed as part of the current Airdrie - Bathgate project. See image [[20208]]
Wrexham General: 175102 is the rear set on a rare 6-coach 175 working seen at Wrexham General before forming the 14.02 forward to Chester and Holyhead on 12 October 2011.
Wrexham General: New footbridge section and lift tower at Wrexham General to allow step-free access from the ticket office and platforms 1 -3 to platform 4. View is from Mold Road overbridge (the present step-free route) on 12 October. Platform 3 runs through the centre of the picture and the Bidston line serving platform 4 is visible under the new footbridge. The goods line through platform 3, the former Wrexham & Shropshire platform, links to the Bidston line just north of the station to provide access to Dee Marsh for steel trains from South Wales.
Wolverhampton Low Level: Grab shot from a westbound ATW train entering Wolverhampton High Level on 12 October showing some of the ongoing development work around the adjacent former low level station (closed to passengers 1972). The £30m mixed use scheme for the 9 acre Canal Quarter site proposed in 2005 envisaged a restored section of the former Grade II listed 1854 station as a centre piece using refurbished platforms as patio areas for various restaurants, cafes, pubs etc alongside new hotel and residential accomodation. See image [[19662]]
Wolverhampton Steel Terminal: Passing shot showing a fairly crowded Wolverhampton steel terminal on 12 October, with various loads of plate, section and coil visible in the sidings. DBS 66238 stands in the right background, with hooded rail wagons beyond at the far end of the transit shed.
Wrexham General: Footbridge/access improvements in progress at Wrexham General station on 12 October 2011, view south along platform 3 with a platform 4 waiting shelter visible to right of the new steps structure see image [[35162]].
Woodborough: EWS 66200 eastbound from Woodborough on 12 October with a stone train.
Woodborough: A PW ballaster stabled in the sidings at Woodborough on 12 October.
Woodborough: 70000 Britannia westbound for Bath and Bristol with a special through Woodborough on 12 October 2011.
Berwick-upon-Tweed: The 10.59 Glasgow Central - Penzance CrossCountry service arrives at Berwick on 12 October 2012.
Berwick-upon-Tweed: The 10.59 Glasgow Central - Penzance CrossCountry service leaves Berwick on 12 October 2012.
Berwick-upon-Tweed: The approach to Berwick station. View west across the car park from Castlegate in October 2012. See image [[4771]]
Livingston Mill: Four-wheeled tank wagon no 041181, originally Scottish Oils no 202 and registered as Caledonian Railway no 25455 in 1910, was handed over by culture secretary Fiona Hyslop on behalf of the Railway Heritage Committee on 12 October to the Almond Valley Heritage Trust, and is now on permanent display alongside the operational narrow-gauge railway at their Centre in Livingston.
Berwick-upon-Tweed: The CrossCountry Trains 07.03 Birmingham New Street - Edinburgh Waverley has just come off the Royal Border Bridge and is about to run non-stop through Berwick station on 12 October 2012. The train will call at Dunbar before reaching its ultimate destination.
Berwick-upon-Tweed: Looks like the balloon's gone up at Berwick on 12 October as the 07.00 ex-Kings Cross prepares to leave the station and continue on its journey to Edinburgh. The spherical objects are in fact platform lights.
Berwick-upon-Tweed: The north end of Berwick station on 12 October 2013, with the 07.52 East Coast Trains Aberdeen - London Kings Cross HST about to run through.
Gorebridge: Looking south from Station Road bridge over the Gorebridge works site on Saturday 12 October 2013.
Sheriffhall City Bypass Overbridge: Work underway on the bridge that will carry the Edinburgh City bypass over the Borders Railway at Sheriffhall. View is north on 12 October 2013, with traffic in the background using the temporary diversionary route.
Helensburgh Central: The driver has just boarded 334025 at Helensburgh Central platform 1 on 12 October as he prepares for departure with the 17.40 service to Edinburgh Waverley.
Bitton: Ex-Wemyss Private Railway no 15 with an Avon Valley Railway train at Bitton on 12 October. See image [[6246]]
Bitton: The Sentinel shunter (7492/1928) that worked at the Fry's Somerdale chocolate factory in Keynsham for many years, currently being rebuilt on the Avon Valley Railway.
Bitton: Ex-Wemyss Private Railway No 15 at Bitton on the Avon Valley Railway, near Bristol in October 2014. See image [[49023]]
Bridgeton: The 1104 Motherwell - Milngavie Argyle Line service leaves Bridgeton on Sunday morning 12 October 2014 and disappears into the 460 yard Canning Street Tunnel towards Glasgow Green.
Bitton: Former Wemyss Private Railway No 15, an Austerity J94 currently working at the Avon Valley Railway, near Bristol. This engine was recovered from Muir's Yard, Thornton, Fife several years ago and subsequently restored. See image [[19178]]
Huyton: A railhead treatment train hurries east along the new bidirectional third track at Huyton on 12 October. The fourth track beyond will be brought into use as soon as the compulsory purchase of land alongside allows.
Bermuda Park: A sign, a sign, give us a sign: the only evidence so far to be seen from road level, that a new station will shortly be built next to the Bermuda industrial park. The solum beneath the bridge is an abandoned branch from the Coventry canal. Nuneaton is to the left, Coventry to the right see image [[31064]].
Truro: Station forecourt at Truro in October 2015. The original GWR buildings still evident although some modernisation has taken place with the ticket office area.
Truro: At the east end of Truro in October 2015 with level crossing, signalbox and lower quadrant semaphore signals.
Penryn: A Falmouth Docks to Truro service waits at the northern end of Penryn station on 12 October 2015 to pass the southbound service. The passing loop is on the left but the southbound service stops behind the photographer at the same platform.
Falmouth Docks: The end of the line from Truro at Falmouth Docks station on 12 October 2015. 150130, having just arrived, after a quick turn around makes its way back to Truro.
Penryn: A Truro to Falmouth Docks service with 153305 and 153377 (both since transferred to West Highland duties) depart from Penryn on 12 October 2015. This is a passing place on the branch but the platform for each direction is on this side of the line; the train is leaving the down platform with up trains using a separate platform to the north. The loop bypasses the up platform and rejoins the single line before passing the down platform.
Blairhill: View east over Blairhill showing the recent changes to the station. The older stairway looks not long for this world.
Tweedbank: In Waverley Route days Tweedbank would have meant little: a house (or farm) near the line, no more. It means a lot to the Borders Railway, however, being its rather expansive terminus. Tweedbank itself has come on in the world being a proper place now, with a business park, a sports complex and a few more houses than one. Should the line ever be extended it will mean a level crossing here, but that's such a big if that it's best mo to worry about it!
Malin Bridge [SYPTE]: Sheffield Supertram no. 101 on Holme Lane, approaching the Blue Route terminus at Malin Bridge on 12th October 2016.
Tweedbank Junction: For a few hundred yards from Tweedbank westwards the Southern Upland Way is hard by the Borders Railway, sharing a viaduct over the Tweed. Though the SUW has its own rude signage (and I mean rude in its original sense: 'rustic') these workaday signs tell it plain. Melrose just might get its station back, but I doubt Clovenfords will ...
Hillsborough [SYPTE]: Sheffield Supertram no. 119 to Middlewood departing from Hillsborough on 12th October 2016. This tram stop towards Middlewood and Malin Bridge (which lines diverge just north of here) has its own reserved track but the opposite track for trams towards the city centre is shared with other road traffic. The building on the left is a former Municipal Baths converted into another ubiquitous J.D. Wetherspoons pub. Very convenient for jumping off the tram and into the pub in a matter of seconds for a quick thirst-quenching break, while dashing all over the city riding on and photographing trams!
Hillsborough [SYPTE]: Sheffield Supertram no. 114 from Middlewood to Meadowhall Interchange approaching Hillsborough with the Malin Bridge branch diverging and curving away on the left, on 12th October 2016.
Leppings Lane Northbound [SYPTE]: View from behind the driving cab of South Yorkshire Supertram No. 108 to Middlewood, approaching Leppings Lane stop in Sheffield, on 12th October 2016. Approaching for Meadowhall is No. 119, which will call at the southbound stop on the opposite side of the crossroads, the platforms here being staggered.
Brocken Summit: Harzer Schmalspurbahnen locomotive 99 7239-9 (built in the mid 1950s, converted to oil burning in the late 1970s, then back to coal soon thereafter) approaching the Brocken Summit station (1140 m above sea level) on the 1000 mm gauge HSB system with the first up train of the day. At its peak, just before the First World War, there was just over 200 km of interconnected 1000 mm gauge track in the Harz Mountains.
Galashiels: Part of an artwork at the fine transport interchange at Gala, photographed on 12/10/2016. The Borders Railway stations from here to Edinburgh (exclusive) are listed but by accident or design, the old OS map they are listed over is of a stretch of line containing none of them: only Heriot and Fountainhall!
Herdings Park [SYPTE]: South Yorkshire Supertram no. 111 at Herdings Park terminus, Sheffield, on 12th October 2016.
Tomatin: 170455, on an Inverness bound service, passes the closed signal box on the platform of the abandoned station at Tomatin on 12th October 2017.
Interiors: Interior of Super Sprinter 158 732 on the 09.22 service from Glenrothes with Thornton to Edinburgh Waverley, waiting at Kirkcaldy
Cei Llydan: Llanberis Lake Railway with 1’11†gauge Elidir at the platform at Cei Llydan in October 2017.
Newbattle Viaduct: Whirlpool on the South Esk. Looking over the wall alongside the A7 at the north end of Newbattle Viaduct on 12 October 2017, following a period of heavy rain.
North Berwick: 380 021 arriving at North Berwick with a 7 carriage train from Edinburgh Waverley, there were quite a few extra drivers on this train making themselves familiar with the controls to use these trains on the Glasgow-Edinburgh line.
Newtongrange: A dull, grey October morning at Newtongrange, with the 0930 from Tweedbank about to call on its way to Edinburgh. The pathway on the left leads to the National Mining Museum, visible top left.
Tomatin: Colas Rail liveried 70814 climbs the gradient out of Tomatin with thirteen Tarmac cement tankers for Inverness. 12th October 2017.
Glenrothes with Thornton: Super Sprinter 158732, waiting to leave Glenrothes with Thornton on the 09.22 to Edinburgh Waverley on 12th October 2017.
Aberdour: Aberdour Station sign taken from Fife Circle dmu
Tomatin: 66424 ascends the gradient from Findhorn Viaduct and enters the loop at the closed station of Tomatin on 12th October 2017 with a full load of curtainside containers heading for Inverness.
Edinburgh Waverley: A 4 car 380 111 EMU awaits at platform 4 with the 10.43 service from Edinburgh Waverley to North Berwick
Cardenden: Cardenden Station taken from Fife Circle dmu
Girvan: The friendly and chatty driver of the 12.01hrs to Stranraer makes sure he has the tablet for the Girvan to Barrhill section. A great ambassador for Scotrail! 12th October 2017.
Newtongrange [1st]: A ScotRail 158 on the Borders Railway heads north after restarting from the Newtongrange stop on the morning of 12 October 2017. The train has just cleared the bridge carrying the A7 and is passing the site of the original (1908) station. See image [[42717]]
Erskine West Ferry: Tallink operated MS Romantika heads upriver off Langbank. The vessel will provide extra accommodation in Glasgow for COP26. See image [[61156]] for some of Tallink's vessels in their usual waters.
Stonehaven: Caledonian Sleeper's 73971 and 73966 roll into Stonehaven with a five coach Aberdeen portion of the sleeper service on 12th October 2021.
Brock: Three Class 90s but no train. 90019, 90026 and 90037 worked light from Mossend to Crewe on 12th October 2021 and are seen passing the site of long closed Brock station, about to cross the river of the same name.
Manchester Victoria: New interactive maps are set to be added to Northern's website, making it easier for customers to navigate through the rail operators stations – and explore them virtually in 3D.
Newhaven [Tram]: Looking west from the Ocean Terminal car park towards Newhaven Tram Terminus (to the left of the tower block) on 12th October 2021. Track is being laid on the gradient from where the Leith North (CR) station throat was up to Lindsay Road, which crossed over the railway to the left of the advertising board.
Challow: DB Schenker 66075, west bound from Theale Puma to Robeston in South Wales on 12th October 2022. It is passing the site of Challow station with 6B33, an empty tank train for carrying petroleum products.
Whittle Tunnels [LC]: The Southern section of the Lancaster Canal, later the Walton Summit branch, carried its first commercial traffic in 1803 with the opening of the long Whittle Tunnel. Following a collapse in 1830 a central section of the tunnel was dug out to form a deep cutting with a 40-50yd tunnel at either side and both survive. This is the western portal of the west tunnel, very close to Whittle-le-Woods village. Although through traffic from the northern section of the canal dwindled quickly the local quarries here provided regular stone traffic, but the last commercial boats passed through in the early 1930s and formal closure was in the 1960s. This portal is now Grade II listed.
Wigan North Western: 90035 leads a Mossend to Daventry intermodal, seen crossing the Leeds and Liverpool Canal just to the south of Wigan North Western on 12th October 2022. In the foreground is Lock No.85, the bottom of the flight of twenty-one that lift the canal along the southeast side of Wigan before the it turns to head north.
Oxford: A dry day at Oxford on 12th October 2022, interspaced with sun, cloud and showers. DC Cargo 60046 passes southbound with a train, running from nearby Oxford (Banbury Sidings) to Machen Quarry. Reporting no.6Z52 but I'm not too sure what load if any it was carrying. GWR 165122 waits in the platform.
Oxford: Freightliner 66541, northbound through Oxford with 6A60, Whatley Quarry to Oxford (Banbury Sidings), on 12th October 2022.
Wigan Central: A railway rather than a canal picture. Although Lock 83 in the Wigan flight can be seen, the land in the foreground was occupied by the girder bridge that carried the Great Central branch to Wigan Central, the approach to which was just off picture to the left, until its 1964 closure. Prior to the bridge demolition there were three railways crossing the canal in the space of 400 yards but the LYR and LNWR lines survive.
Wigan North Western: This bridge, just to the south of Wigan North Western, carries the LNWR lines over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. In this October 2022 view the narrow buttresses of the original North Union Railway bridge can just be seen, standing proud of the later structures that have grown either side to form this huge girder bridge. Also visible, just above the canal lock, is the L&YR bridge that still carries the line to Hindley.
Oxford: DB Schenker 67024, southbound with the empty Belmond Pullman rake through Oxford on 12th October 2022. 67007 was the trailing engine. From RTT it was meant to be parked up in the Hinksey Ballast sidings but when I passed by thirty minutes later it was nowhere to be seen.
Wigan North Western: CAF units connect at Wigan North Western on 12th October 2022. 3-car EMU 331022 is on a Blackpool to Lime Street service while 2-car DMU 195024, in bay platform 3, will shortly leave for Leeds via the Calder Valley. The line in the foreground is the old platform 2 bay, but that is now fenced off and only available for occasional stabling.
Whalley's Basin [LLC]: Just below Lock 81 of the Wigan Flight was the entrance to the short Ince Hall branch of the canal and also Whalley's Basin, serving nearby industry. The basin is partly filled in now and there is very little trace of the Ince Hall branch, other than the canal bridge by Ince station [[82921]].
Didcot Parkway: GBRf 66781 'Darius Cheskin', paused for a crew change in Didcot station and signalled northbound to Oxford and beyond with intermodal 4M18 on 12th October 2022.
Wigan Junction [LLC]: Wigan Junction, fairly close to the town centre, is where the main line of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal meets the Leigh Branch. This runs south for seven miles to join the Bridgwater Canal at Leigh. At one time this junction would have been teeming with working boats, mainly carrying coal. This October 2022 view looks south along the branch canal. The start of the long Wigan Flight of locks is off camera to the left and the main canal to Liverpool goes right at this point.
Upholland: 156455, on the rear of a 4-car train, pulls away from Upholland heading for Kirkby on 12th October 2022. This diagram has the unit(s) shuttling between Blackburn and Kirkby, via the Copy Pit line, Rochdale and Manchester Victoria.
Wigan Wallgate: 150125 crosses the Leeds and Liverpool Canal as it approaches Wigan Wallgate with an Alderley Edge to Southport service on 12th October 2022.
Ince: One could be forgiven for thinking this bridge, alongside Ince railway station, carried Green Lane over sidings or a branch line but in fact it was a short canal, from the Leeds and Liverpool, to a basin at Ince Hall. This served an iron works and other local industry but had closed before WWI and this is the only visible remnant.
Wigan Wallgate: Flex unit 769431 calls at Wigan Wallgate on 12th October 2022. The former 'Bed-Pan', later Thameslink, 319 EMU was on a Northern service from Southport to Alderley Edge.
Wigan Wallgate: With a changeover at Bolton, there is almost a 50/50 split of the fifty-mile journey from Alderley Edge to Southport between on board diesel engines and overhead electric power. <I>Flex unit</I> 769458 heads for the coast at Wigan Wallgate on 12th October 2022.
Wigan Wallgate: 88002 heads south on the WCML at Wigan, seen from the west end of Wallgate station on 12th October 2022. Through the arch a Flex unit can be seen in the stabling sidings with the Southport line curving right behind it. The Kirkby line curves to the left, out of sight behind the embankment.
Events
Events from the chronology which occured on this day. This generally lists events before 1995, the creation of the website.
| Year | Companies | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1857 | Coleford, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool Railway | Extended from Usk to Monmouth (Troy). |
| 1902 | Leadhills and Wanlockhead Light Railway (Caledonian Railway) | Leadhills to Wanlockhead opened for passengers. |
| 1904 | Alloa Railway | Alloa Bridge (swing) closed due to storm damage. |
| 1904 | Alloa Railway | Alloa Bridge is badly damaged after being struck by the schooner ^Stirling^ resulting in the fall of a span. The Caledonian Railway is allowed to reroute its trains to Alloa via Stirling. North British Railway trains also diverted. |
| 1909 | Taff Vale Railway, Treforest Lines (Cardiff Railway) | Temporary connection removed. |
| 1929 | Leadhills Mining Company | Leadhills company wound up. |
| 1960 | South of Scotland Electricity Board | Kincardine Power Station opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Main building by Redpath Brown. Boilers by John Brown Land Boilers Ltd. 760 MW. Railway yard laid out on north side of site. Coal stockyard in north west of site, with switchgear yard to its south east and power station itself to south east again. Conveyors ran along south side of the sidings from the stockyard to the north side of the power station. Two 400ft chimneys. Oil depot south east of power station building. Pier in far south east of site. Ash was piped to settling ponds to the east of Longannet Point. |
| 1969 | Callander and Oban Railway | Tyndrum Lower signal box closed and westbound loop taken out. |
| 1980 | Aberystwyth and Welch Coast Railway | Barmouth Viaduct closed, closure of the line between Dovey Junction and Pwllheli seemed likely. |
| 2000 | Severe flooding leads to closure of many lines in the south east of England over the 12th and 13th. |
News
These are old news items which which occured on this day. This generally lists events after 1995, the creation of the website.
| Year | Companies | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Derailment at Airdrie station | An Airdrie to Balloch service de-rails after passing a red signal at Airdrie station. Fire engines and ambulances were called to attend. |
| 2006 | Book early and don^t miss train [Scotsman] | EAST Coast rail operator GNER is encouraging passengers to book tickets early for travel over the Christmas and New Year holiday season. |
| 2006 | MP calls for rail backing [Scotsman] | EDINBURGH West MP John Barrett has called on the Government to back a high-speed rail link between Scotland and London. |
| 2006 | First ScotRail get train times on the right track [Scotsman] | THE punctuality and reliability of First ScotRail train services in east Scotland was 26 per cent ahead of industry targets last month, according to new figures. |
| 2006 | Power giant pulls plug on rail link gripe [Scotsman] | ENERGY giant ScottishPower has withdrawn its objection to the proposed rail link to Edinburgh Airport. |
| 2007 | New campus gets on track | A further 21 rail stations across Fife, West Lothian and the central belt are now offering season tickets to Musselburgh. The tickets have been offered to tie in with students and staff travelling to the new Queen Margaret University campus next to Musselburgh station. [Evening News 12/10/2007] |
| 2009 | Dong withdraws from energy deal [BBC News Article] | Danish energy giant Dong pulls out of a plan to build a coal-fired power station at Hunterston in Ayrshire. |
| 2009 | Holiday warning over rail danger [BBC News Article] | Patrols of railway lines are to be increased in a bid to cut trespassing by youngsters during the school holidays. |
| 2010 | Scots pressure group behind rail link campaign [Inverness Courier] | A NATIONAL transport pressure group has endorsed The Inverness Courier’s campaign to save direct train services between London and the Highland Capital. |
| 2010 | HISTORIC BROADS SWING BRIDGES TO UNDERGO REPAIRS [Network Rail Article] | |
| 2011 | Taxpayers spend £400k a year to maintain French trains [Telegraph] | British taxpayers are spending up to £400,000 a year to help maintain French trains in the aftermath of a failed European transport project. The aborted rail scheme cost British taxpayers more than £180million but the Department for Transport continues to fund the failure. It spent “between £300,000 and £400,000 last year” on mothballed facilities for the aborted Regional Eurostar project that would have provided a direct link between cities such as Manchester and Glasgow to Paris. Seven trains were built for the Regional Eurostar but they were passed to the French train operator SNCF because its high-speed link between Paris and Lille was short of carriages. A depot in Manchester to maintain the trains is still the responsibility of London & Continental Railways, a firm which is wholly owned by the DfT. [From Mark Bartlett] |
| 2011 | ScotRail introduces more services in winter timetable [Rail.co] | ScotRail is introducing more Inverness trains to – and from – Glasgow and Edinburgh. There will also be more services between Glasgow and Dundee – and more trains calling at Broughty Ferry and Gleneagles. An extra service will also be introduced for the morning peak between Elgin and Inverness; Alness will receive an extra call; Dunbar will be served by a new train from Edinburgh on Saturday nights, and there will be more services between Ayr and Girvan. All are among enhancements in the winter timetable which begins on 11 December. |
| 2011 | Network Rail awards Dalmarnock Redevelopment contract [Network Rail] | Network Rail has announced that C Spencer Ltd will construct the new, £11m* Dalmarnock Station in Glasgow. The station is being redeveloped in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, when it will be a key transport hub for those travelling to and from many of the Games’ events. |
| 2013 | Road bypass enables construction of Borders Railway bridge [Railway Gazette] | UK: The Edinburgh City Bypass has been temporarily diverted to enable a section of its embankment to be replaced by a 40 m bridge to carry the busy road across the future Borders Railway. Infrastructure manager Network Rail says that more than 250 000 tonnes of earth have been removed from the site, and will be used to create embankments elsewhere on the route. Completion of the bridge is scheduled for late spring 2014, when the diversion will be removed and the original road layout reinstated. |
| 2013 | Manchester^s Mayfield Depot vision set out [BBC News] | A consortium behind plans to turn a disused Manchester railway station into a cultural venue has set out its vision for the future. The Mayfield Depot Partnership wants to use the space under Mayfield Depot for arts and music events and, if possible, Warehouse Project club nights. Mayfield Depot Partnership (MDP) director David Norris said an open day detailing its five-year plans had been ^on the whole well received^. He said it was early days but exciting. [From Richard Buckby] |
| 2014 | How Dutch and German train and bus firms are taking UK taxpayers for a ride [Observer] | The UK government has poured money into transport infrastructure. And thanks to privatisation, state-owned European bus and rail operators reap the benefits. |
| 2014 | Network Rail: Debt-ridden train operator’s Middle East contract is its biggest coup yet [Independent] | Network Rail will help a new Saudi Arabian railway to run on time in a deal worth nearly £100m. It marks a major advance in attempts to commercialise the debt-ridden railway operator. The Government had been keen to see the independent but state-backed rail operator find alternative sources of revenue to ease the more than £30bn debt it had racked-up in maintaining and running 20,000 miles of Britain’s track, 32,000 bridges and tunnels, and 19 major stations, including Glasgow Central, Liverpool Lime Street and London Waterloo. |
| 2016 | Blackpool tram sets sail once again [Gazette] | Another of Blackpool^s famous illuminated trams is back in service after a £46,000 restoration. The Fisherman^s Friend Trawler tram carried its first passengers through the Lights on Friday after three years off the tracks. It was withdrawn in 2013 but is now brighter than ever after its 524 old-style lamps were replaced with 24,500 modern LEDs. It means there are now three illuminated trams in service, with the Western Train and HMS Blackpool Illuminated Frigate being the others. And for the first time in many years Blackpool Transport has all five illuminated trams back under its wing. [From Mark Bartlett] |
| 2016 | ScotRail warn of disruption during central belt upgrade works [BBC News] | Scottish rail passengers are being warned to expect disruption as upgrade work begins across the network. ScotRail said a revised timetable would come into place on 22 October, lasting until December. Some services are being cancelled and many journey times will be longer during the works. The engineering is being carried out to increase ^overall reliability^ and to pave the way for new electric trains, ScotRail said. |
| 2017 | Hitachi unveils first UK built commuter trains at Newton Aycliffe factory [BBC News] | TRAIN builder Hitachi has unveiled the first UK built commuter trains to be completed at its Newton Aycliffe factory. The trains made their appearance to the hit song, ^Right here, right now^ by Fatboy Slim this morning. A fleet of 70 Class 385 trains will, say Hitachi, transform journeys for the ScotRail commuter routes, including Edinburgh to Glasgow. The Class 385 marks the first commuter train to be built by employees at Newton Aycliffe. Last year the facility produced its first intercity train which is now due to enter passenger service later this month on the Great Western route. |
| 2019 | Scotland^s 10 best train journeys [HeraldScotland] | Train journeys are, for some, a commute, for others a way to get from A to B on a weekend day out. But if you take the time to savour them, then some Scottish train journeys can be even better than the destination. Put your paper down, look out the window and soak in some of the best scenery that the country has to offer, all from the comfort of your own seat. |
| 2019 | CalMac cries foul on private ferry deal leading to contract freezing [The Herald] | Scotland^s state ferry operator is challenging its owner over a £345 million contract awarded to a commercial rival. |
| 2019 | ScotRail cutting back on toilet paper and soap [The Herald] | Loss making ScotRail has been accused of cutting back on toilet paper and soap on its trains by its main union. |
| 2019 | Transport Secretary urged to act over left luggage at Aberdeen station [Press and Journal] | The Scottish Government has been urged to convince ScotRail to create alternative left luggage arrangements at Aberdeen Railway Station. |
| 2019 | Will Hanoi^s Train Street survive? [BBC News] | Authorities have shut down cafes and banned crowds at one of the city^s most popular tourist spots. |
