Number of Images on this Page = 51

Around the British Rail Systems

Some photos around the British Isles, generally of lineside scenery. Photos of stations have been moved to a separate directory .

  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 94574 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Aug 1986, catalogued 29 Dec 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 15358
  • Description : Passing Loch Achanalt. Compare this late summer picture with Achanalt-3 , taken 3 months later.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 47863 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 29 Dec 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16078
  • Description : The Scottish countryside near Achanalt seen from a Kyle of Lochalsh train.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 66065 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 29 Dec 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16075
  • Description : Passing Loch Achanalt. Compare this late autumn picture with Achanalt-2 , taken 3 months earlier.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 36405 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 17 Aug 2005
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16075
  • Description : Same as Achanalt-3, rescanned using better quality scanner. Google map reference


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 60011 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 17 Aug 2005
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16074
  • Description : Same bridge as featured above, taken on the down trip


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 129256 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jul 1986, catalogued 22 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14764
  • Description : My original caption read: I have absolutely no idea where I took this photo, other than I think it was somewhere in Scotland! If any reader recognizes this scene, I'd be grateful if you could drop me a line! . David Allan did, and here's what he said:
    Alford Station on the Alford Valley Railway in Aberdeenshire. The AVR is a narrow gauge railway which still runs around the town today. It uses the Alford Station terminus of the original "Alford Valley Railway" which was standard gauge and connected to the Aberdeen-Inverness mainline at Kintore Junction. As a side note, the AVR just within the last month (Sep 2001) has bought a new diesel locomotive which took 10 years of fundraising to save for.
    You can compare your photo of the engine shed at Alford with my photos of the branch terminus (follow the links to Alford Valley Railway and Alford Station). Of particular note is this view , which compares fairly directly.
    Thanks, David!


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 90440 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 05 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16166
  • Description : Near Alston, in the Pennines. The formation of the old railway line bisects the picture.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 159058 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 05 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16167
  • Description : I originally described this and the next image with
    Got no idea where this is. Somewhere in the Lakes District?
    Andrew Latham, from Melbourne (but in Derbyshire, UK, not Australia!) wrote to say
    I have recently found your railway photographs site. You have two photos labelled Mystery 1 and 2, with a note that you think they are in the Lake District. I think the pictures are of Alston Station in Cumbria which is the base for the South Tynedale Railway which we visited on holiday last month. This is a 2ft narrow gauge line being built on the trackbed of the old standard gauge branch from Haltwhistle. It currently operates from Alston to Kirkhaugh. They have a website at http://www.strps.org.uk/
    Thanks to Andrew for setting the record straight. I have to say that I feel a bit of a dork here, as it seems so obvious with hindsight: the slide immediately preceding these two can be seen immediately above, and is strangely enough, called Alston-1 !


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 78563 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 05 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16168
  • Description : See Alston-2


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 197752 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jun 1986, catalogued 06 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14476
  • Description : One of the Macalpine concrete bridges on the line to Mallaig. This one is somewhat smaller than the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, but nevertheless, has a certain elegance.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 138779 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 18 Jan 1981, catalogued 10 Apr 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 11357
  • Description : A derailment on the main London to Brighton line, near Balcombe.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 89388 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jun 1986, catalogued 06 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14473
  • Description : The swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal at Banavie.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 282224 bytes, 800x533 pixels
  • Date : 11 Aug 2016, catalogued 30 Dec 2016
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : digital camera (Canon EOS600D), image location 20160811-111042
  • Description : Two dmus stand at Belfast Great Northern Station. With typical Irish iron, calling this station the "Great Northern" is hardly "Great"! There were only three platforms.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 269773 bytes, 800x533 pixels
  • Date : 11 Aug 2016, catalogued 30 Dec 2016
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : digital camera (Canon EOS600D), image location 20160811-110924
  • Description : Two dmus stand at Belfast Great Northern Station, while a third approaches. With typical Irish iron, calling this station the "Great Northern" is hardly "Great"! There were only three platforms. Mind you, all three have trains in them. Maybe it is time to upgrade the station, or even its name?


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 305758 bytes, 800x533 pixels
  • Date : 11 Aug 2016, catalogued 30 Dec 2016
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : digital camera (Canon EOS600D), image location 20160811-110809
  • Description : Some early passengers wait for the 11:40 to Portadown, at Belfast's Great Northern Station.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 179121 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Aug 2005, catalogued 28 May 2011
  • Photographer : Stewart Hughes
  • Medium : email digital image, image location IMGP0238
  • Description : Stewart writes:
    here's a shot I think you need to have - this is the splendid viaduct at Berwick on Tweed on the Scottish border and on the east coast mainline from Kings Cross. This is a Virgin train. There are three bridges at Berwick: the earliest was built in 1634 - the railway viaduct was built in 1850 and there is a splendid concrete road bridge built in 1928. I'll send you a shot of all three.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 106848 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Dec 1980, catalogued 29 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 10864
  • Description : An antipodean traveller finds snow as a regular occurence something of a novelty, and that probably explains why I snapped this snow on the tram lines view at the historic Blists Hill Museum, on a cold Sunday afternoon early in December 1980. I guess you might call this picture "a cold snap"! There were not many other tourists about, I can tell you!


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 80227 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jan 1986, catalogued 30 Oct 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14141
  • Description : I think this is the viaduct at Canterbury?


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 81311 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 24 Sep 1980, catalogued 28 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 10658
  • Description : The world's busiest railway junction.



  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 71929 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jan 1986, catalogued 30 Oct 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14144
  • Description : A view of the Forth Bridge, from the inside.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 70303 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jan 1986, catalogued 30 Oct 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14145
  • Description : Another view of the Forth Bridge from the inside.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 77035 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jul 1986, catalogued 27 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 15059
  • Description : A view from the outside, with an HST on the bridge, and the Pope's telephone number in the foreground.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 138713 bytes, 900x600 pixels
  • Date : Nov 1996, catalogued 22 Oct 2000
  • Photographer : Stewart Hughes
  • Medium : email digital image, image location ForthBridge-1
  • Description : Stewart writes:
    Here's one I think you'll like - the Forth Bridge (unfortunately clad in scaffolding, but splendid none the less.) Taken in November 1996 - you're not the only one who goes to Scotland in Winter! We stayed the night in the pub right under the bridge - the Hawes Inn, Queensferry. Nice spot.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 83290 bytes, 900x600 pixels
  • Date : Nov 1996, catalogued 22 Oct 2000
  • Photographer : Stewart Hughes
  • Medium : email digital image, image location ForthBridge-2
  • Description : Night time for a different perspective.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/../steam/ page=index 121705 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Sep 1986, catalogued 20 Dec 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 15185
  • Description : The elegant Glenfinnan viaduct, with the "Steam to the Isles" train hauled by 44767. A beautiful sight!


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 193574 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Aug 2005, catalogued 28 May 2011
  • Photographer : Stewart Hughes
  • Medium : email digital image, image location IMGP0323
  • Description : Stewart writes:
    as promised here is a shot of Lord of the Isles crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct in August 2005. Let me know if these images are too large. I did my usual trick of chasing the train from Fort William towards Mallaig. I was blessed with a glimpse of sun! There is a steep climb to the left of the picture on the approach to Glenfinnan station where the train has to stop for a while to wait for a DMU service to come from the other direction.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 81110 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jun 1986, catalogued 31 Oct 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14444
  • Description : On the now-dismantled line from Dunblane to Crianlarich, The line climbed through Glen Ogle on magnificant viaducts such as this. The scenery must have been spectacular from the train!


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 123715 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jul 1986, catalogued 20 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14693
  • Description : Approaching Helmsdale, the Inverness-Wick line follows the east coast of the far north of Scotland, before diving inland to take a round-about route to Wick.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 88636 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jul 1986, catalogued 13 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14685
  • Description : A general view of Inverness yards as the train approaches the station area.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 79798 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 05 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16094
  • Description : A view inside the Pullman dining car at Kyle


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 113700 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 09 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16448
  • Description : The abandoned railway viaduct at Lower Largo, on the old Fife line. (Thanks to Keith Sullivan for identifying the correct location.)


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 56770 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 09 Aug 1980, catalogued 06 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 10081
  • Description : An interesting piece of railway surveying at Liskeard. The line to Looe drops dramatically away from the main line to Penzance, and to get down the valley, the line first runs back down the Fowey Valley under the main line (seen here by looking back along the train), crossing the River Fowey on a high viaduct, then ...


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 78557 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 09 Aug 1980, catalogued 06 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 10082
  • Description : ... drops down to a Zig-but-no-Zag (seen here by looking forward along the train), where the train reverses direction to continue on to Looe.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 54768 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 05 May 1980, catalogued 03 Jan 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 9139
  • Description : The abandoned viaduct over the River Lune at Low Gill.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 41520 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Sep 1986, catalogued 26 Dec 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 15213
  • Description : The staff has just been exchanged at Mallaig Junction Box, approaching Fort William.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 78836 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 21 Nov 1980, catalogued 28 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 10732
  • Description : The approach to Newcastle Station.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 118299 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 21 Nov 1980, catalogued 28 Mar 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 10734
  • Description : The Tyne and Wear Metro line in Newcastle.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 53747 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Sep 1986, catalogued 29 Dec 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 15760
  • Description : This interesting pair of slot-signals are in Portsmouth, and are quite old (now disused). They are interesting because when cleared, the arms drop back into a slot in the signal post. Unfortunately, this proved a poor design when a train crash was caused by the signal freezing into the slot due to a build up of ice and snow, and the signal was subsequently not returned to danger because of this build up.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 55999 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jun 1986, catalogued 06 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14447
  • Description : I've always been fascinated by the stories of Rannoch Moor, and this was my first view of the railway leading to it -- the view did nothing to dispel the air of gloom and mystery that characterises the stories of the place!


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 52940 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jun 1986, catalogued 06 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14448
  • Description : This lighting effect, with the sun popping out between clouds of gloom is so characteristic of Scotland, don't you think?


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 43576 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 06 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16188
  • Description : The beautiful Ribblehead viaduct, on the Settle and Carlisle line. Sorry it's so gloomy, but that's Pommy weather for you!


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 27846 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1986, catalogued 20 Aug 2005
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16188
  • Description : A rescanning of Ribblehead-1


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 65956 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : 2003, catalogued 23 Apr 2004
  • Photographer : Stewart Hughes
  • Medium : email digital image, image location 104-0438Ribblehead viaduct
  • Description : Stewart writes:
    taken on a lovely sunny day the famous viaduct on the Settle Carlisle line. I think you'll like this shot. No train crossing it I'm afraid as there's not much traffic on this line these days.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 95933 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Feb 1986, catalogued 31 Oct 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14155
  • Description : Not sure where this is ... my best guess is somewhere in Fife.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 80475 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jun 1986, catalogued 07 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14504
  • Description :
    In the late 1940s, the author travelled on the P&O liner Strathmore , and I was always interested to see the actual district in Scotland. There used to be a line through here, as recently as 1980 (does any reader know the actual date of closure?), but as this picture shows, the line has been lifted so recently that the weeds have not had a chance to reclaim the track bed. Taken near the infamous town of Kerriemuir.
    Simon Hickman from the Caledonian Railway (Brechin) Ltd., subsequently wrote saying:
    Passenger trains on the Strathmore Line ceased in 1967. However, until 1982 (August, I think) a line was retained from Stanley Junction, the Highland Line end, to Forfar. This was used mainly for sugar beet and potatoes. At the other end, the section from Kinnaber to Bridge of Dun was in use util 1 Jan 1982, as the Brechin branch. This is sadly now lifted although of course Brechin to Bridge of Dun still operates under our auspices.
    You might be interested to know that the CR has aquired Glamis signal from the former station on the Stanley-Forfar section. Eventually this will be erected at BoD.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 105182 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Jul 1986, catalogued 13 Nov 1999
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 14665
  • Description : "ah! beautiful bridge o'er the silv'ry Tay, Alas! I'm verra sorry ta say, that ninety lives were taken away, on the last Sabbath day o' 1879, which'll be remembered for a verra lang time!" This is not quite the bridge that the Poet William McGonagall waxed lyrical about, but the setting is the same. Two other photographers took very similar views to this. I wonder if their photographs are on the web?


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 62518 bytes, pixels
  • Date : Nov 1986, catalogued 09 Jan 2000
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16408
  • Description : A beautiful silhoutte of the Tay railway bridge, taken from the Dundee (northern) side.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 68313 bytes, pixels
  • Date : 17 Mar 1980, catalogued 28 Mar 1998
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome 64, slide number 8794
  • Description : Heading east from Manchester Victoria, a recent snowfall has highlighted the tracks as we run past the junction with the Bury lines and Red Bank carriage sidings.


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 51734 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1986, catalogued 20 Aug 2005
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16182
  • Description : I'm not sure exactly where this is, but I think it is part of the old Wensleydale line from Northallerton through to Garsdale Head


  • Image : dir=br/misc/ page=index 49529 bytes, 800x600 pixels
  • Date : Oct 1986, catalogued 20 Aug 2005
  • Photographer : John Hurst
  • Medium : Kodachrome, slide number 16190
  • Description : I'm not sure exactly where this is, but I think it is part of the old Wensleydale line from Northallerton through to Garsdale Head


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