Photo shows a Class 357 electric train stood at Upminster platform 1A. The train is painted in c2c pink and white livery with the number 357017 on the front. There is a platform to the left and a flight of stairs leading up to a footbridge. The weather is sunny with blue sky.

Photo shows a set of railway points in a tube tunnel. There is one track going straight on and one track going to the left. There are orange lights illuminating the tunnel. A set of safety signs are attached to a door in the foreground, warning passengers about high voltage and not to pass this point.

After yesterday's great tour, today sees a couple of rare track opportunities before home.

Firstly, engineering work on the Piccadilly Line offers the chance to traverse the Hyde Park Corner crossover. Then, engineering work at Fenchurch Street means that Platform 1A at Upminster is available!

Photo shows a Class 57 diesel locomotive at Spalding station. The locomotive is painted in GBRf livery with the number 57305 on the side. There is a rake of 9 Mark 2 carriages behind the locomotive. An ornate station canopy and footbridge are seen in the background. The weather is bright sunshine with few clouds.

Photo shows a train stood at Spalding station. The train consists of a Class 57 diesel locomotive and a rake of Mark 2 carriages. A large crowd of people are walking all over the platform. The weather is bright sunshine.

A leg stretch at Spalding, offering a photo opportunity. This is much-needed considering there are no breaks on this tour for those staying on for the Hunslet branch!

Photo shows an LNER Azuma and a Class 57 diesel locomotive side by side at London Kings Cross station. The LNER Azuma has a vinyl on the side that shows a puppet singing "she's electric". The Class 57 diesel locomotive is painted in GBRf colours and has a UK Railtours headboard attached to the front. The arched glass roof of Kings Cross is seen above both trains.

Photo shows a Class 66 diesel locomotive stood at the buffers at Kings Cross station. The locomotive is painted in GBRf colours and is numbered 66704. Several people are walking along the platform to the left of the train. The glass arched roof of Kings Cross is seen above the train.

Railtour number 65 for me...

Today sees what is expected to be the final passenger-carrying tour into Doncaster Works before its scheduled closure at the end of the year. We also traverse the Hunslet branch in Leeds.

57305 is our steed for much of the day, with 66704 having brought the stock in.

a man in a suit and tie is holding a jacket over his shoulder ALT: a man in a suit and tie is holding a jacket over his shoulder

The feeling when you're booked on a railtour tomorrow but there's still no timings in real time trains...

Here's hoping there is indeed a Class 57 and carriages at Kings Cross at 07:21 in the morning 😅

Photo shows a single railway carriage sandwiched between two simplex shunter locomotives within a railway yard.

As the Stourbridge Town cars reach almost 20 years in service, the DfT have announced their replacement.

The new units, numbered Class 139.5, is set to be introduced on 1st April 2028, featuring world-class air-conditioning for both drivers and passengers, along with better visibility for drivers.

Photo shows a hilly landscape with a large village in the foreground. There is a green field in front of the village. The village is a mix of different styles of cottages. The sky is blue with some clouds.

Photo shows a hilly landscape, with small copses of trees scattered around. There is a large field in the foreground with cows grazing. The sky is cloudy but the foreground is lit by sunshine.

Photo shows a hilly landscape with a flat valley in the foreground. There are trees scattered around the scene and some farm buildings in the middle distance. The hills in the distance have rock crags at their summits. The sky is mostly blue with some broken clouds.

Photo shows a zoomed in shot of a hilly landscape. The evening sunshine is streaming through gaps in the clouds to create an effect of golden rays. There is a small woodland to the left.

The Rylstone Quarry branch has to be one of the most scenic freight railways in the UK, traversing the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. At 9 miles long, it was the longest freight line I hadn't travelled over to date.

#yorkshire #scenery

Photo shows a Class 57 diesel locomotive stood at Keighley station. There is a tree and turntable in the foreground. A selection of freight wagons flank the frame of the locomotive. The weather is sunny with shadows cast by the tree.

Photo shows two diesel locomotives side by side at Keighley station. In the foreground is a Class 14 diesel locomotive, numbered D957, whilst in the background is Class 69, numbered 69006. There is an ornate footbridge stretching over the top of the locomotives. The weather is sunny, though the bridge casts a shadow over the background locomotive.

Keighley, where we have a chance to stretch our legs before the Rylstone mini-tour.

Class 14 D9520 (D957) makes an appearance on the KWVR service, contrasting nicely with our more modern locomotives.

Photo shows a Class 69 locomotive arriving at Kidderminster mainline station with a rake of Mark 2 carriages. The locomotive is painted in GBRf livery with a UK Railtours headboard attached to the front. There are a few people taking pictures on the left. A brick goods shed is seen in the background. The weather is sunny with early morning light.

Photo shows a Class 57 diesel locomotive at the rear of a rake of Mark 2 carriages. The locomotive is painted in GBRf plain blue with 57305 painted on the side. The carriage has Eastern Rail Services written on the side. There is a car park and a heritage railway station in the background. The weather is sunny with early morning light.

Another weekend, another railtour!

This time sees us on a long day trip from Kidderminster to Keighley and then onwards to Rylstone Quarry.

69006 and 57305 are the traction for today, with assistance from RFSD 6w-6w 'Cracoe' booked at Rylstone itself.

Photo shows a Class 196 diesel train stood at Sandwell and Dudley station platform 1. The display screen says Shrewsbury. There is another empty platform and track to the left. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

At first, this might just be a random picture of a Class 196...

However, this is heading from platform 1 at Sandwell and Dudley, where Class 196s don't usually call, to Shrewsbury, navigating a rare crossover to the north of the station to regain the correct running line.

The former are served by an hourly Shrewsbury - Birmingham New Street service, whilst the latter are served by a half-hourly shuttle between Kings Norton - Birmingham New Street.

⚠️ Opening dates for 5 new stations in the West Midlands:

Thursday 19th March - Willenhall & Darlaston

Tuesday 7th April - Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road

Photo shows a Chiltern Explorer train, comprising of a set of 5 Mark five carriages with a Class 68 diesel locomotive on the rear. The train is crossing from the right hand track to the left hand track in the distance. There is a large station canopy on both platforms. The weather is sunny with some broken clouds.

A Chiltern Explorer eases into Stourbridge Depot after a training run from Bicester at lunchtime.

Photo shows a Bakerloo line train arriving at Paddington station. There is a platform with no people on it to the left and a curved roof.

Photo shows a London Overground Class 710 electric train arriving at Hampstead Heath station. There are several people waiting on the platform to the right. There is another platforn with a station canopy to the left. A tall brick house stands at the top of a hill above the station.

A flurry of station ticking before my booked train home from London this morning

Kensal Rise ✅️
Brondesbury ✅️
Finchley Road & Frognal ✅️
Hampstead Heath ✅️
Kentish Town West ✅️
Crouch Hill ✅️
Upper Holloway ✅️
Archway ✅️
Tufnell Park ✅️

Black and white photo of a tube train departing St John's Wood Station. The station is underground with a curved ceiling. There are two people walking along the platform. There is a station roundel with the words St John's Wood on it.

Zoomed photo looking along a long straight section of railway. There are two tracks. A GWR Class 165 diesel train is heading into the distance on the left hand track. There is a yellow signal in the mid distance and a red signal in the far distance. The railway is lined with trees on both sides. Tall tower blocks rise in the distance at the end of the straight track.

Photo shows a signal box at Ruislip tube station. The signal box is a red and white colour and has glass on both sides. There are two tracks to the left, which curves away with an S shape. A tube train is seen heading away from the station.

Photo shows a Central line tube train approaching Perivale station. The train is exiting a long straight section of railway track. There is a tower block to the right in the foreground. There is a skyscraper in the distance, partially obscured by cloud at the top.

Some photos from a productive jaunt around the Tube and Rail network in London, ticking off no fewer than 24 new stations.

📸
St John's Wood
Castle Bar Park
Ruislip
Perivale

Black and white photo of three trains at Harrow and Wealdstone station. On the left is a Bakerloo line train stood in the middle siding. In the middle is an Avanti West Coast Pendolino and on the right is a LNWR Class 730 electric train. There are overhead wire gantries across the scene.

A brief moment of busyness at Harrow & Wealdstone station this morning.

Photo shows the interior of a Mark 5 carriage. There are four tables in the middle, with the rest of the seating airline style. There is bright lighting on the ceiling, and a information display that says not in service. There is just one passenger in the picture. A TV screen at the end is displaying the Chiltern Railways logo.

First time sampling the "Chiltern Explorer", albeit for a short trip. Definitely a step-up from Mark 3s in noise levels and ambience, and seats are better than IETs/Azumas in my opinion. However, it certainly rides on the rougher side over points! Overall, a nice upgrade, but not everyone will agree

Photo shows Birkdale station facing towards Southport. The station comprises of two platforms with ornate glass canopies above each platform. There is a ticket office on the right hand platform. A signal showing a green light is on the left. There is a signal box and a level crossing in the distance. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

Photo shows Meols Cop station facing towards Southport. The station comprises of a single island platform with a track either side. The plaform has a wide area of grass with shrubs and a waiting shelter on it. There are lamp posts along the middle of the platform. A road bridge crosses over the tracks in the distance. The weather is sunny with blue skies.

Photo shows Roby station facing towards Liverpool. The station comprises of four tracks, served by a central island platform and two outer platforms. There is a ticket office and ornate canopy on the left hand platform. There are basic waiting shelters on the central and right platforms. There are overhead wires above all tracks. The sky is overcast.

Photo shows Eccleston Park station facing towards Wigan. The station comprises of two tracks and two platforms. There is an old wooden ticket office and waiting room on the opposite platform, along with an old brick building. There is a puddle on the left hand platform. A road bridge crosses over the tracks in the distance. The weather is overcast and light is fading, with station lights illuminating the scene.

Another reason for yesterday's outing was to tick off more stations, with 14 in total being ticked off:

Birkdale ✅️
Meols Cop ✅️
Ince ✅️
Hindley ✅️
Westhoughton ✅️
Salford Central ✅️
Urmston ✅️
Wavertree ✅️
Broad Green ✅️
Roby ✅️
Eccleston Park ✅️
Thatto Heath ✅️
St Helens C. ✅️
Rainhill ✅️

Photo highlights:

Photo shows three Northern trains side by side at Manchester Oxford Road. On the left is a Class 769 bi-mode unit. In the middle is a Class 323 electric unit and on the right is a Class 331 electric unit. There is a platform separating the left and middle units. There is a footbridge spanning the two right hand trains. The area is built up with tall buildings in the background. The sun is shining.

Photo shows the front of a Northern Class 331 electric unit at Manchester Oxford Road. There is a red signal immediately in front of the train. There is a sign saying 6 car stop on a post. There are overhead electric wires above the train. There are tall glass towers in the distance. The sun is shining, with a few clouds scattered.

Manchester Oxford Road platform 1 ✅️

It's a full house at Manchester Oxford Road, with three examples of Northern's extensive fleet seen. Engineering work at Piccadilly means that there is an unusual opportunity to score a couple of crossovers and the rarely-used platform 1 at Oxford Road.

Photo shows a Northern Class 150 diesel train departing Southport station. The train is painted in Northern blue and white livery with a yellow front. There is an empty track and platform to the left and a glass roof overhead. The sun is streaming through the columns. There is a billboard to the right, which shows a Tesco advert that says "only the finest", hence the oxymoron as the Class 150 can be an unpopular train.

An oxymoron in a picture...

However, credit where credit is due, it was the cleanest Class 150 I've ever seen!

Photo shows two trains at Wigan North Western station. On the left is a Class 158 diesel unit. There is an empty track in the middle. On the right is a Class 331 electric unit. The sun is rising above the train on the left, casting an orange glow over the scene. The sky is blue.

A tad baltic in Wigan as I await my next train, though the gorgeous sunrise is a welcome sight after weeks of gloom!

Photo shows the front of a Transport for Wales Class 197 diesel train stood at the platform at Sandwell and Dudley station. The train is painted in white livery with a red front gangway door and roof. There is a station sign with Sandwell and Dudley on it. The scene is taken in darkness with the station lights illuminating the train and platform.

A day out on the trains for me, ticking off both stations and track for good measure!

Today starts out a little SAD, so things can only get better from here...

Photo shows the Locomotion railway museum. The museum is a large building with an arched roof and the word Locomotion on the front. Several railway tracks lead into the building. On one of the tracks is a Class 142 pacer train. This is number 001 and is painted in the old purple and blue Northern livery. The weather is cloudy with some blue skies.

A nice wonder around Locomotion and a chance to see the New Hall, which hosts an interesting array of freight-related rolling stock.

After loading up on a decent fish and chips, it's a slow walk back to the station for the return journey, with everyone boarding in just three carriages at Shildon!

Photo shows a HST diesel train arriving at Sheffield station. The lead power car is painted in Romic red livery, whilst the carriages are ex-Crosscountry silver. The buffet car, which is second in the consist, is painted in British Rail white and blue. The train is rounding the curve into platform 1. There are three other tracks to the left. People are taking photographs of the train as it arrives.

First railtour of 2026 for me!

Today sees an outing to Shildon, via almost every line in Yorkshire and the A1 locomotive sidings at Darlington. This is also the first time on the Romic set, with the CrossCountry seating and layout maintained throughout.

Safe to say I won't be visiting the USA ever again, not even to see my family there!

Sorry, enough politics, back to trains now...

Yep, it's 860 in the picture

Photo shows a Chiltern Railways Class 68 diesel locomotive at the buffers at Birmingham Moor Street station. The locomotive is numbered 68015. There is a rake of Mark 3 carriages behind the locomotive. There is a platform canopy on both sides of the picture and an empty platform to the right. The weather is blue skies with sunshine.

Quick spin on this back to Oxfordshire, never know when my last time on timetabled Mark 3s will be, with their demise drawing ever nearer!

For me personally, alighting/boarding a train at the station, as long as it has a different headcode (so trains terminating are fine, as long as they go back out as a new service). I know some people wouldn't even count that, but the beauty of the hobby is we make of it what we want individually ☺️

Photo shows a two car electric train at the summit station of the Gornergrat railway in Switzerland. The station consists of an island platform and a station building. A view of the Alps dominates the background, with the sun setting beyond the Matterhorn.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas! May your day be peaceful and calm

📸 Gornergrat Railway, Switzerland

For anyone who didn't get a chance to say goodbye to the SWR Class 455 yesterday, there appears to be a couple of diagrams operating today as well ☺️

Damn...missed it