I love Icelandic churches. This one is at Hellnar on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. It’s a style I’d call distressed Wes Anderson. At least the third building on this site, the others had to be replaced on account of the weather.

Reykolt in western Iceland - home of medieval saga writer Snorri Sturluson, a place where you realise that York and Iceland were culturally much closer in the past.

Hallgrimskirkja - Reykjavik’s amazing cathedral - only completed in 1986 and designed by architect Gudjon Samuelsson, I climbed the tower which gives all round views of the capital city.

Good to travel from Peterborough to Doncaster behind 91107. I remember the launch of it in February 2013 with its iconic Skyfall livery, one of the best. No sign of Naomie Harris today.

Had a wander round the site of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Newton Aycliffe this morning before my
site visit to Heighington Station this morning - a few original buildings left but hard to tell it was ever there.

My heart jumped when I saw the original weighbridge….and the original Pooley scales - and they were even gifted the last station master’s cap.

A very well deserved NRHA winner

Replica Rocket put through its paces at Locomotion Shildon yesterday, passing the recently restored coal drops.

Went along to the monthly demonstration of the L&YR signalling School at the NRM this morning - in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest working model railway in the world. Highly recommend a visit. Dates from 1912 - used to be in Manchester Victoria offices, now in York.

Not seen one of these before, but perhaps I need to look underneath more footbridges. The 19th century Grade II* listed Midland Railway footbridge at Stamford and its 21st century Paint Identification Plate.

Phoenix Foundry Co Ltd Derby

Changing trains at Carnforth yesterday and spotted the base of a water crane or column, now long gone, at the north end of Platform 2 opposite the former Furness Railway Signal Box, one of my favourites.

A reminder of British Rail days at March never rebranded to Railtrack or Network Rail.

Changed trains at March yesterday. I see the 1885 Station Hotel is to be demolished. Not listed, not part of the rail network and not the greatest architecture but a piece of a town’s character is lost when we demolish buildings like this.

Dead Power Station, photographed from Flockton, W Yorkshire, 31 miles away.

Some splendid non-railway relics of the past from a work-related visit to Ruabon. Had a spare hour before catching my train back to Chester. The cylindrical building was probably a parish lock-up according to Cadw.

Round the corner from Longton Station, Staffordshire is Grade II listed Boundary Pottery Works with a super weighbridge surviving under the arch. The milepost is also listed separately. Window at top is a Diocletian Window and the one in the middle is a Palladian window.

Highly recommend the Art Deco exhibition at the London Transport Museum - a must for anyone with an interest in railway heritage and architecture.

The former Cumberland St Station Glasgow.

Visited Hemingfield Colliery in South Yorkshire yesterday. A listed site, it is being restored by a team of volunteers and is well worth a visit, still retaining its concrete headstock & a number of early colliery buildings. It’s just up the valley from Elsecar Heritage Centre.

Foundations and floors of 19th century engineering sheds at York
station - recently underneath the long stay car park and soon to be a multi-storey car park.

Makers’ Marks from Nottingham Station

After my talk at the Jubilee Refreshment Rooms I went for a wander round Sowerby Bridge - a few historical relics and continuity Railtrack going Strong.

River Ouse, Naburn Lock, December 2025.

York NER War Memorial Tuesday evening.

David - Matrix produced our 40th anniversary exhibition which went in busy stations like KGX and EDB. They are Network Rail accredited and I was very pleased with their service. Happy to message you with an idea re costs.

Always like an old shop front probably soon to be converted to a house or a new shop with bland new plastic signage. Spotted in Darlington on Brinkburn Rd.

Went for a mooch round the newly reopened Station Hall at the NRM yesterday. Nice to see some new exhibits (Euston clock) and some old favourites (station signs).

Quick trip to Grade II listed Battersea Park Station this afternoon - C H Driver was the architect, very similar to Peckham Rye. Continuity Southern Railway survives in the drain covers on the street outside and platform up above.

There’s also a cannon next to the battery which was captured from the Russians at Sevastopol during the Crimean War presented to the town.