 its return journey to Leeds.
Ripon: The impressive former station house at Ripon looking south east from the junction of Station Close and Station Drive in April 2009. The equally impressive main station building, now converted to residential accommodation, stands to the right beyond the trees [see image 23883].
Knaresborough: Running south west off the High Street in Knaresborough is a cul-de-sac named Station Road. At the bottom of the road is the railway station opened in 1851 by the York and North Midland Railway Co. The station is unstaffed nowadays, with much of the building leased out as commercial premises - including a welcome station cafe. A half hourly service operates to Leeds and hourly on the single line section to York. Plans are in hand to double the latter.
Goldsborough: Closed in 1958, the former station buildings at Goldsborough on the York - Harrogate line have since been converted to form a unique and interesting private residence [see image 23596].
Ripon: The rear (platform side) of the large former station at Ripon, seen looking west from the goods yard in April 2009. Closed to passengers in 1967 the building has since been converted to residential accommodation.
Darlington North Road: A Saltburn - Bishop Auckland DMU leaves Darlington North Road in April 2009. The buildings to the left of the green fence now form part of the Railway Museum.
Grosmont: Having taken over from no 825, which brought in the train from Whitby, Standard class 4MT 2-6-0 no 76079 moves off towards Grosmont tunnel with the last service of the morning for Pickering on 24 April 2009. The original 1835 tunnel, now used as a pedestrian link between the station and shed, stands just off picture to the left.
Darlington Bank Top: A mid-morning Bishop Auckland - Saltburn train pulls away from Darlington on 24 April 2009.
Hessay: Looking north over the level crossing at Hessay on the Harrogate - York line in April 2009, with the closed (1958) station beyond. Accommodation for the current crossing keeper/signalman is the annexe on the left of what is now a private residence. The lever frame and instruments are located on the platform below the arc lamp.
Goldsborough: View west over the former station at Goldsborough (closed 1958), standing alongside the York - Harrogate line (seen running past on the left). Now converted to living accomodation, the building incorporates the former signal box, the lower section of which is now an integral garage.
Darlington Bank Top: 142095 stands in the bay at the south end of Darlington station on 24 April 2009.
Darlington Bank Top: A mid-morning Saltburn - Bishop Auckland service runs into platform 4 at Darlington on 24 April.
Darlington Bank Top: EWS 66173 about to take northbound coal empties through Darlington station platform 4 on 24 April 2009.
Burnley Manchester Road: Looking up the bank towards Copy Pit summit from Burnley Manchester Road. Steam freights were always banked in both directions on this steeply graded line but the Blackpool-York 158s are well on top of the job. A sizeable group waits for 158756 coasting in to the rebuilt station on the 1857 service to Blackpool.
Kilpatrick: Looking west over Kilpatrick station from the Erskine Bridge on 24 April 2010 as 320 308 prepares to leave with a Balloch to Airdrie service.
Halifax: A Huddersfield to Leeds via Bradford working leaves Halifax and is just about to enter Beacon Hill tunnel. 155343 is passing the still operational signalbox, which once also controlled the junction with the GN&LY Jt line to Bradford via the Queensbury Triangle. That steeply graded line closed to passengers in 1955, leaving only this direct route that is still busy today.
Halifax: The surviving island platform at Halifax handles all services and is accessed by the overbridge seen here in this view towards Bradford. The signal box controls the colour lights in the station and also nearby Dryclough Junction where the line to Sowerby Bridge and the reopened Greetland line split. 155343 waits to depart for Leeds on 24 April.
Drumry: Opened in 1953, Drumry is in the select band of stations that joined the network between the 1930s and the station opening'mini-boom' of the 1980s. The unusual architecture reflects the period. Neighbouring Singer alone has a building in the same style but it is long out of rail use. Note that while the rest of the station is in the 'Scotland's Railway' colour scheme the canopy remains in SPT maroon. Health and safety concerns, perhaps.
Hebden Bridge: Its not only the platform area of Hebden Bridge that is attractive [See image 23133] but the external buildings too. This is the main booking office entrance and cobbled station forecourt. The station buffet is also doing a roaring trade on a fine April morning and customers are using the tables outside next to the bus turning circle.
Brighouse: Brighouse reopened to passengers trains in 2000, thirty years after its original closure. Since then service have expanded and it is now on two reopened passenger routes. 155343 calls on a Huddersfield to Leeds (via Bradford) working and will turn right at Greetland Junction to go up the hill to Halifax.
Carlisle: The Network Rail Measurement train about to set off south from Carlisle on 24 April 2010.
Dalmuir: 320 319 at Damuir with a Balloch to Airdrie via Singer service on 24 April 2010. Note the contrast between the new footbridge and the ageing Portakabins.
Anniesland: A summer's day in spring as 318 269 pulls into Anniesland with a Dalmuir to Lanark service on 24 April.� There seemed to a convention of bowlers (the people, not the hats) in town as badge-decked blazers and grey slacks were everywhere.� In the background the Maryhill line curves off to the right on the site of Knightswood South Junction, the rebuilt line having access to Platform 3 only and no connection with the through lines.� The Dawsholm gasometer has, in that splendidly cop-out phrase, its own beauty.
Burnley Manchester Road: Burnley Manchester Road reopened in 1986, following the successful reintroduction of passenger trains on the Copy Pit line between Lancashire and West Yorkshire two years previously. This view, from the very long access ramp to Platform 1, looks towards Gannow Junction and Rose Grove and shows the new platforms alongside the original station building, closed in 1961 and no longer used by the railway.
Newton: You don't have to wait long to see a train at Newton, though most of them are either whooshing by on the WCML which bypasses it and which also carries local services via Bellshill, or are Larkhall trains which don't stop here.� Nevertheless the Glasgow-bound platform sees four departures an hour during the day, each with a different route.� 318 263 for Milngavie has picked up quite a crowd on this fine Saturday lunchtime on 24 April.
Dewsbury: Having called at Dewsbury on its way to Leeds, Northern Pacer 144004 rejoins the main line from the platform loop that allows overtaking for trains travelling north. View towards Batley from the southbound platform.
Summerston: Monsieur Reynard [see image 28671] having deigned to make way for it, 158 734 approaches Summerston with an Anniesland service on 24 April.�Due to engineering works at Cowlairs lasting several weeks this train has originated from Ashfield rather than Glasgow Queen Street.� The seven stations on this line come thick and fast, averaging a little over half a mile apart.
Hebden Bridge: An antidote to modern corporate signs and logos. Hebden Bridge has many period features that make it a very pleasant place to change trains. Signs with pointing fingers rather than arrows were common place at one time but are now hardly ever seen, however this is one of several at the station. The Parcel Office is now an excellent station buffet, popular with locals and travellers alike.
Glasgow Central: The 'Heilan'man's Umbrella' entrance to Glasgow Central on Argyle Street. Those familiar with this spot will be unable to view this picture without smelling in their mind's nose the reek of chips and vinegar which hangs around here. There's only the Low Level ticket office on this floor: its platforms are downstairs, while the main line station is upstairs.
Brighouse: Leyland built Sprinter 155347 leaves Brighouse. The station lies on an east-west line and trains for Leeds call in both directions. This service, from Huddersfield via Halifax, heads west initially and an hourly service travelling east also goes to Leeds but via Dewsbury. From May 2010 Grand Central plan to introduce a Bradford Interchange to London service that will call here. A remarkable turnround for the once closed station.
Kilpatrick: 320 312 arrives at Kilpatrick on 24 April 2010 with an Airdrie - Balloch service.
Glasgow Queen Street Low Level: 0829 on Saturday 24 April and the eastbound platform at Queen Street Low Level is deserted - apart from me, of course.� The remains of the island platform can be made out.� Like most stations on the Subway, but unlike Glasgow Central Low Level, escalators to the platform are not deemed to be necessary here, although there is a lift.
Halifax: