Album Rail from Herb Riddle

Mallaig Railway Station

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 06:50:10 +0000

Loch nan Uamh and its Viaduct

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 06:18:47 +0000

Once one has travelled on ‘The Road to the Isles” fyom Fort William to Mallaig, it is never forgotten here we are just a few miles south east of Arisaig and some 25miles west of Fort Wlliam. This is a sea-loch, part of the Atlantic Ocean and this viaduct carries the single West Highland Railway line from Fort William to Mallaig.

The very wide panoramic scene displays the area as a whole, best see via previous photo.
PiPs

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Ben Nevis from Loch Eil

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:16:53 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

Having passed Fort William we come across a grand view of Britain’s highest mountain. We are about half way up Loch Eil here from Fort William and this single-line track is part of the West Highland Railway line that runs from Oban to Mallaig. (Technically it runs from Glasgow to Mallaig via a detour to Oban, a total distance of 205miles )
It would have been nice to see one of the occasional steam trains that runs along here on its way to Mallaig via the Glenfinnan Viaduct but we were still a couple of weeks early for that. PiP

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Enjoy the weekend.

The railway station

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 29 May 2026 07:07:48 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

The last of this Berwyn Station series here now.
This was taken just after we had ascended the steep valley side from the River Dee below. Moments after taking this we were greeted by the station master who proudly extolled the virtues of this lonesome station A few minutes later the station was to be filled with people and a historical train.

Enjoy the weekend.

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HFF ~ Insights of Berwyn Railway Station 2

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:02:09 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

We see here the actual platform itself of this most interesting station, perched on a narrow ledge above the River Dee overlooking the Chainbridge, near the Horseshoe Falls. Our main picture shows a rare Class 109 diesel multiple unit railcar just pulling in with a group of Welsh tourist board officials. Taken out of service in 1967 it now remains part of the heritage stock of The Llangollen Railway. We see to the left the chain bridge.

The PiP (last photo) collage shows two more views of the Class 109 besides an internal view of the station plus a look roadside. I believe the main living quarters (mock Tudor house) here was the station masters home, of which he paid rent for but now the house is a self contained holiday cottage.
See PiP (last photo)

Enjoy the weekend

Insights of Berwyn Railway Station 1

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:02:07 +0000

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This collage shows two more views of the Class 109 (train) besides an internal view of the station plus a look roadside. I believe the main living quarters (mock Tudor house) here was the station masters home, of which he paid rent for but now the house is a self contained holiday cottage.

Steaming away in Llangollen

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:08:55 +0000

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The venue: Llangollen Railway station. Here we see the Lady of Llagollen, number 3802, a classic 2-8-0 GWR Heavy Freight locomotive renamed today for Mothers day from its usual title of Rockstar. The heavens have opened up but it will not deter the many pre-booked travellers out on a trip to Corwen enjoying the spectacular Dee Valley whilst having afternoon Tea.

The two PiPs show the locomotive switching rails at the terminus tunnel just at the end of the platform and a shot through the carriage window (including rainy reflections) showing the pre-prepared sandwiches, scones and cakes, all part of a traditional Welsh Afternoon Tea, just waiting for the guest and tea-pot.

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Enjoy the day

More info: llangollen-railway.co.uk/news/rockstar-freight-engine-to-be-renamed-the-lady-of-llangollen-for-mothers-day-celebrations

The Lady of Llangollen

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:08:17 +0000

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No 3802, a classic 2-8-0 GWR Heavy Freight locomotive is seen here at Llangollen station, reversing from the left track where it has left its carriages into the tunnel up to buffer before coming forward onto the right track. It will move along there to a similar points system and reverse back along the left track again to couple with the awaiting carriages again.

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Llangollen Railway station

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:38:25 +0000

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Waiting

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:06:04 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

We are at the famous old Highland Glenfinnan railway station here. A station know by many as they travel through, to and from Mallaig and Fort William. Many will travel on the famous West Coast specials, mainly the Jacobite steam train but modern diesels also stop here. As can be seen from the background, this is one of our most scenic railway routes.

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Now mapped!

Specialist nuclear freight crossing Arnside Viaduct

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:04:20 +0000

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A regular train service to Heysham Power Station as seen from the shoreline of Arnside in Cumbria. These two very heavy locomotives make easy work transporting this but the name of the game is slowly does it and with great care!

The locomotive on the left ,68034 is a Rail Rider 2020 - Class 68, a rather meaty 7500hp diesel electric for 90 ton wagons and the locomotive on the right is the 68002 Intrepid (3750hp). The combined power seems a bit overkill, until you realise what's in the flask. - The whole train is the 6C51 1285 Sellafield - Heysham train. My thanks to our friend Tractacus (https://www.ipernity.com/home/305825) for tracking this down.

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See PiP for a different train in 2022

Podgil Viaduct

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 06:28:47 +0000

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A weeks holiday near the village of Kirby Stephen in Cumbria led us to this viaduct. Our walk took us over it via the disused railway path but I managed to find a small track down to this position for my capture.

Podgill Viaduct is a listed Grade II structure about one and half miles east of Kirkby Stephen East Station and crosses the very attractive valley of Pod Gill.
“The South Durham & Lancashire Union Railway fought its way over Stainmore Summit, 1,370 feet above sea level. Opened on 4th July 1861 as a single-track route, the steep western descent into Kirkby Stephen took it over three masonry viaducts – Hatygill, Merrygill and Podgill – all engineered by Sir Thomas Bouch. The latter of these was the most substantial, with 11 arches each 30 feet in span. It conveyed the line across Ladthwaite Beck for a distance of 155 yards, reaching 84 feet high at its peak.” www.forgottenrelics.org/bridges/podgill-viaduct

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All aboard, for the Rocky Mountaineer

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 25 May 2025 07:07:10 +0000

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It’s May 2016 and we are taking a two day train journey on one of the world’s most luxurious trains. Traveling from Jasper in Alberta/Canada to the railway town of Kamploops for an overnight stay and then on to Vancouver taking one of the awarded world’s best journeys.
This shot is taken on our second day nearing Vancouver following the Fraser River amongst others. The Pip gives us a glimpse of the train just about to leave Jasper. Each carriage was loaded in strict turn order and so the red carpet was transferred to each entrance in turn too. The internal view is of the Silver Leaf carriage whereas the Gold leaf was yet more luxurious.

PS. ask yourself, how did I manage to take this?

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Evening Star, wheel detail.

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 07:21:05 +0000

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You see here just one of the ten driving wheels of this impressive locomotive resting in the York Railway Museum.

The Evening Star was the last steam locomotive ever built for British Railways. Its green paintwork and copper capped chimney mark it out as a special commemorative vehicle, all other goods engines built in this design were painted black. It was also the only one given a name rather than just a number. Designed to move heavy loads at fast speeds, these engines are some of the largest and most powerful locomotives ever built in Britain. See PiP

BR Standard Class 9F, 2-10-0

Enjoy the day.

Coppernob

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 08:04:36 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

As we explore the National railway museum in York we quickly come across this classic. It is a Furness Railway Class A2, 0-4-0. Built in 1846 this being the original No.3, nicknamed Coppernob because of the domed shape of its copper firebox, which was characteristic of Bury engines. It was used to handle traffic on the Furness Railway which ran from Kirby-in-Furness to Dalton-in Furness with no regular passenger services at this time. It was introduced in 1846 and withdrawn in 1898.

Enjoy the day.

Platform 9 3/4

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 08:14:41 +0000

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A different look at the York National Railway Museum here as we venture into a hall of mixed railway historic memorabilia. So many things to see here that it is almost overwhelming. The statue is the old Britannia and her supporters from Euston Station. Of course the more daring of visitors, in the know, could simply vanish into the world of Harry Potter via this same platform.

"Euston opened in 1838 as the terminus for the London & Birmingham Railway. The arch was a grand architectural statement of the arrival of the railway in the capital. It was designed by Philip Hardwick and built from Yorkshire stone in Classical Greek Doric style with four columns. Robert Stephenson designed the station's train shed in the same year. The arch was demolished, despite considerable protest, in 1961." National Railway Museum website.

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Mallard

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 08:06:49 +0000

Herb Riddle has posted:

We are here in the York Railway museum, home to some of our most prestigious railway engines. This is the Mallard, officially the World’s fastest Steam Locomotive. This powerful, aerodynamic masterpiece rocketed to 126mph in 1938, a steam speed record that was never surpassed. It has been on display here since 1975 after retiring from service in 1963 It last completed a run in July 1988 from Doncaster to Scarborough and back.

The need for speed
Mallard is an A4 class locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley. The A4s were built to power high-speed trains in the late 1930s, and their shape was honed in a wind tunnel to help them cut through the air as cleanly as possible—making speeds of 120mph and above possible. www.railwaymuseum.org.uk

The Pip, (adjacent photo-best full screen too) shows the cab view of the Mallard.

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Enjoy the day.

Mallard Cab Interior

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 08:06:35 +0000

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As the tea continues to brew see how much care is taken into keeping the interior here clean and shiny. It would have been a hive of activity in here with at least two men (women were rarely in these cabs during the days of steam) hard at work. The fireman, constantly shovelling coal into the firehole and the engine drivers hands never still as he adjust levers and turns the controlling valves. All this whilst trying to look ahead through the small side windows to see what is happening outside. At least they were lucky in here as they had side windows and a fully enclosed cab keeping the weather elements at bay. A rare thing in steam engines. This seen in the York Railway Museum.
See adjacent photo for full view of the locomotive.

York Railway Station

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:53:06 +0000

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A rare trip to the Yorkshire city of York gives me a chance to see a live grand railway station. Here we are looking down onto platform six with one of the LNER (London North East Railway) Azuma trains ready to depart to London’s Kings Cross station

The station itself was built in 1870 replacing the older one and is operated by the LNER and is on the ECML (East Coast Main Line). York being approximately halfway between London and Edinburgh. The original wooden station built in 1839 was the largest railway station in the world possessing 13 platforms.

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Enjoy the day.

Bratislava ore exportation.

nobody@ipernity.com (Herb Riddle) — Sat, 16 Nov 2024 07:04:56 +0000

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As we glide into the capital city of Slovakia we hear, before seeing these train waggons being loaded with oar. I cannot find out exactly what kind of ore this was but it seems likely that it was ash or slag. These two cranes moved almost like dancers moving along the rails with their arms forever waving up and down.

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