Trains
The privatised, franchised railway has brought about much needed financial investment, modernisation and efficiencies driving a welcome growth in passenger numbers. But the layers of bureaucracy and the record levels of public subsidy sits uncomfortably alongside above-inflation fare increases and record train operating company profits.
The images below have all been taken in the past ten years and hopefully capture some of the colour, variety and rich spirit of British Railway heritage.
7827 'Lydham Manor' at Didcot with drain cocks open to drain condensed steam - also known as water - from the cylinders.
5231 and 61994 double heading around the curving Monessie Gorge during the SRPS Railtour to Fort William on 14th May 2011.
37097 on the Caledonian Railway at Bridge of Dun station.
GWR 14xx number 1450 plus Auto Trailer coach in front of Radstock signal box on the branch line at the Great Western Society's Didcot Railway Centre .
One of Ian Riley's Black 5s number 44871 on Rannoch Moor near Lochan a' Chalt.
John Cameron's K4 61994 'The Great Marquess' at Kyle of Lochalsh on 20th May 2012 with 'The Cathedrals Explorer'.
BR Standard Class 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' simmers at Bo'ness during a heavy rain storm. She was being prepared to haul a pair of SRPS 'Forth Circle' Railtours.
Caledonian Railway number 828 draws forward of the Bo’ness station shed under the watchful eyes of the all-seeing signalman. Captured at the SRPS Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway in November 2018 during the ‘Caledonian Reunion’ photocharter organised by 'In Search of Steam'. This brought together Caledonian Railway 812 Class number 828, normally based at the Strathspey Railway, and the recently overhauled Bo’ness-based 439 Class number 419.
Waverley Tornado Post Meridiem
A photographer on Platform 11 captures 60163 'Tornado' and ECS departing Edinburgh Waverley on 15th June 2013. In the background is the Category-A listed St. Andrew's House.
60103 'Flying Scotsman' at Barrow Hill Roundhouse.
Ian Riley's Black 5 duet pause at Crianlarich for a drink and some TLC from the crew. The locomoties were returning south upon completion of 'The Jacobite' season. 'The West Highlander' SRPS railtour from Fort William to Polmont, 27th October 2012.
This footbridge on the SRPS Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway used to be at Murthly in Perthshire.
Locomotive 'City of Truro' moved forward during this 20 second exposure.
Black 5 45487 rounds the Horseshoe Curve near Allt Kinglas on the West Highland Line.
Somewhere within this web of freshly painted steel is a steam locomotive. 46115 'Scots Guardsman'. This was during a SRPS organised 'Forth Circle' Railtour on 28th April 2012.
Line up on the Didcot ash road; 1338, 1340 "Trojan", 3650 and 3738.
The overnight 'Caledonian Sleeper' from London Euston to Fort William meets Black Five 44871 at Corrour, the highest mainline station in the United Kingdom.
"And then, after spending the cash equivalent of a small car on their whizzy cameras and lenses, they'll spend hours editing their pin-sharp, noise-free, richly saturated colour photographs to look like something shot in the 1950s with a Kodak Brownie and Tri-X. Madness I tell you."
Ex EWS Class 37 number 37042 at Warcop on the Eden Valley Railway.
Casting detail on one of GWR Hall class 5972 'Olton Hall' driving wheels.
Spot the hand print on the smokebox door. Visiting Black 5 45047 prepares to depart at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway.
Martin Walker's Deltic 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' pauses at Perth on 18th June 2011 during the return leg of an overnight SRPS railtour to Wick and Thurso.
Caledonian Railway number 828 approaching Manual. 828 was built in 1899 at St. Rollox Works, Glasgow and was restored to working order in 2010 at the Strathspey Railway. Captured at the SRPS Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway in November 2018 during the ‘Caledonian Reunion’ photocharter organised by 'In Search of Steam'. This brought together Caledonian Railway 812 Class number 828, normally based at the Strathspey Railway, and the recently overhauled Bo’ness-based 439 Class number 419.
'Morayshire' eases off the Barrow Hill turntable.
1450 and Auto Trailer in front of Radstock signal box on the Didcot branch line
Black Five 45487 at Corpach near Fort William.
The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's new-build 60163 'Tornado' at Edinburgh Waverley shortly before departure to Carlisle.
The 24th August 2008 "Routes and Branches" SRPS Railtour around Glasgow prepares for departure from Bo'ness. 40145 owned by the Class 40 Preservation Society's heads the train.
3717 'City of Truro' on the Great Western Society's main line at Didcot Railway Centre .
Ian Riley's Black 5 44871 at Corrour.
Bo'ness Signal Box and visiting Ruston 906 Group's 37906.
Line up at the SRPS Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway.
Visitor 7827 'Lydham Manor' inside Didcot shed.
Glasgow-built 46115 'Scots Guardsman' hauling the second SRPS 'Forth Circle' Railtour of the day.