Park Royal built GWR railcar 4 is pictured in the sadly missed original Great Western Museum at Swindon on 15 July 1989 in the company of 'Dean Goods'  2516 & 94xx 0-6-0PT 9400. This railcar was built in 1934 and was withdrawn in the mid 1950s, after much useful information was gained and incorporated into later builds of DMUs. It can now be found just around the corner in the new GWR Museum, which as everything nowadays has to have an image, and is called 'Steam'. This earlier museum was in a former church in Faringdon Road.

Completely dwarfed by the mountain scenery, Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus M79964 passes Ty Newydd with the 11:20 Llangollen to Carrog service on 26 June 2010. This little visitor was the highlight of the Llangollen Railway's Railcar Gala, not having left its native Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for over forty years! For such a little vehicle it makes a lot of noise, not from its 150hp AEC engine (a replacement for the Buessing original), but from the surprisingly loud warning device, courtesy of three different size roof mounted horns.

I couldn't resist this second picture of the diminutive Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus M79964 as it passed Ty Newydd with the 11:20 Llangollen to Carrog service on 26 June 2010, during the railway's Railcar Gala. After taking the 'train in the landscape' picture, this close side view gives a good view of the construction of this unusual little vehicle.

Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus M79964 arrives at Glyndyfrdwy station on 26 June 2010 with the 12:40 Carrog to Llangollen service. This was the star attraction at the Llangollen Railway's Railcar Gala, and was on its first ever trip away from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, where it has been since 1968. There is certainly plenty of rural branch line atmosphere in this picture. The signal box (non operational) was rescued from Barmouth.

A close up view of Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus M79964 at Glyndyfrdwy station on 26 June 2010. It is working the 12:40 Carrog to Llangollen service, and is waiting to cross the 12:25 train from Llangollen. This archetypal branch line vehicle was on loan to the Llangollen Railway for their Railcar Gala. Apart from a little rust on the corner near the buffer, this little German built railcar is in fine condition, especially on the inside (note the curtains)!

An interesting comparison of front end designs at Carrog on 26 June 2010, during the Llangollen Railway's Railcar Gala. On the left, Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus M79964 waits to depart with the 14:40 service to Llangollen, while on the right Wickham DMBS 56171 has just arrived (with its partner 50416) with the 14:00 train from Llangollen.

Despite Derby Lightweight single car 975010 Iris spending over thirty years in departmental use, I only saw it once on the mainline. For well over half of that time it was painted in Derby Research red and blue livery with large 'Test Coach Iris' lettering on the side. By the time I eventually saw it, it had just been repainted into original green livery, albeit with a half yellow panel in place of the original speed whiskers. The unit was one of two single car Derby Lightweights introduced in 1956 (as 79900) for the Banbury to Buckingham service. It is pictured here heading south at Claydon on 14 March 1994. The by then unique unit survived in departmental use until 1999, although at the very end of its life it had to be sandwiched between two Class 101 vehicles, due to problems with its non-standard AEC engines. Luckily this interesting unit has been preserved.

Although there were several heritage diesel locomotives in operation, the star attraction at the Great Central Railway's 2022 Autumn Diesel Running Weekend was Derby Lightweight single car DMU 79900, which was visiting from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. It is pictured arriving at Quorn & Woodhouse on 3 September 2022 with the 2C06 10:10 Loughborough Central to Rothley service. The Banbury destination blind is appropriate, as this unit (along with 79901) was built specifically for the Buckingham to Banbury line.

Derby Lightweight 79900 stands at Loughborough Central station on 3 September 2022, prior to working the 2C22 13:10 service to Rothley, during the Great Central Railway's Autumn Diesel Running Weekend. Only two of these single car units were built. 79900 & 79901 were introduced in 1956 specifically for the Buckingham to Banbury line. After that service finished, 79901 was scrapped, but 79900 survived thanks to be taken into departmental use. It survived in that role as RDB975010 for over thirty years.

I am not old enough to remember the original Derby Lightweight units in revenue earning service, and only ever saw this one unit on the mainline when it was in use as the Ultrasonic Test Train. TDB975008 & TD975007 (formerly 79018 & 79612) head west at South Moreton on 12 September 1985 with an unidentified (apart from the fact that it is 6Z08!) working. I don't often bother with going away shots, but of course with DMUs there is little visual difference, in this case just the barely perceptible red tail lights and the fact that it is on the down relief line.

Hardly ideal photographic conditions, with the foreground still in shade, but this picture is included here as it is one of my few pictures of a Class 104 unit in blue livery. 53444 leads this mixed livery three coach set past the deserted yards between Wellingborough and Finedon Road on 12 December 1985. It is working the 09:30 Kettering to Bletchley service. 53444 was withdrawn in May 1989 and cut up at Vic Berry's, Leicester during October 1990.

An unusual visitor to Gloucester on 1 July 1990. Class 104 53528 & 53454 took part in the Gloucester Rail Day, and is pictured here in front of a varied selection of locos, all of which were probably getting more attention than this DMU! Class 59, 37, 58, 33 & 90 can be glimpsed in the background. The unit had been withdrawn the previous year, but was retained for open days, and various departmental duties. It was later preserved at the Llangollen Railway.

The Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Class 104 DMUs were never common on the Western Region until the very end of their career when a few examples were transferred to Network SouthEast use. On 22 October 1985, 53454 leads a motley rake of stock as it heads north back to more familiar territory with an ECS working seen here passing Somerton (between Oxford and Banbury). Unfortunately not a brilliant picture due a dull, damp and misty morning, but certainly an interesting combination of stock. The two car 104 unit is followed by what appears to be a Class 122 single car unit and a Class 108 twin set.

By an amazing coincidence, one of the few Class 104 vehicles that I saw in active use in BR days is one of the handful that have been preserved. Looking splendid in the early shade of BR blue, 50454 leads 50528 and the unique Wickham Class 109 (50416 & 56171) past Ty Newydd on the Llangollen Railway with the 10:30 Llangollen to Carrog service on 26 June 2010, during the line's Railcar Gala. When I saw it nearly a quarter of century earlier at Somerton, it was running as number 53454.

Token exchange at Carrog on 26 June 2010 as Class 104 50454 & 50528 arrive with the 14:25 train from Llangollen. This was during the Llangollen Railway's annual Railcar Gala. Although obviously not achievable on this line, the Buxton destination is appropriate for this vehicle, as the 104s were for a long time associated with the Derbyshire town.

The early, slightly lighter BR blue livery of Class 104 50454 contrasts well with the green summer foliage, as it leads the 16:00 Llangollen to Carrog service around the curve at Garthydwr on 26 June 2010, during the Llangollen Railway's Railcar Gala. The two car set is made up of DMBS 50454 & DMCL 50528, built in 1957 & 1858 respectively. Bringing up the rear, and half hidden around the corner is Class 108 twin set 51907 & 54490.

Hybrid Class 104/108 unit L730 (53455 & 51571) catches a very brief patch of weak late afternoon sunshine, as it passes South Moreton on 26 March 1992 with the 2C54 16:00 Reading to Oxford Network SouthEast service. In the final few months of first generation DMU operation in the Thames Valley, various odd combinations of hitherto unusual (for the area) DMU types were being used, as the route's regular Class 117 Pressed Steel units were moved away to pastures new, or withdrawn.

This location was only really of any use for photographing a two car DMU! Reading's Class 104/108 hybrid set L730 pulls away from Radley station (note the NSE red lampposts on the extreme left) with the 2C63 18:15 Bicester Town to Reading Network SouthEast service on 15 May 1992. L730's Class 104 DMBS 53455 & Class 108 DMCL 51571 were one of the odd combinations of vehicles seen during the last days of heritage DMU operations in the Thames Valley.

Towards the very end of heritage DMU operation in the Thames Valley, a number of Class 104s were drafted in to augment the resident Class 117 units. L730 was formed from Class 104 53455 & Class 108 51571. It is seen here passing Lock Wood at Culham on 13 May 1992 with the 2C61 18:30 Oxford to Reading Network SouthEast service.

Class 104 50455 & 50517 leads Class 109 50416 & 56171 past Lumb on 5 November 2017 with the 2G53 09:50 Bury to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. Hidden by the trees in the background is the course of the old Stubbins Junction to Accrington line.

Looking superb after a recent repaint (you could actually smell the paint as it passed!), Class 104 50517 & 50455 passes Burrs on 5 November 2017 with the 2L60 13:05 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala.

Class 104 50455 & 50517 accelerates away from Burrs Country Park station on 5 November 2017 with the 2J65 14:15 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. Burrs Country Park station opened in October 2016.

A few Class 104 vehicles spent a very brief period at the end of their careers working Network SouthEast services in the London and Thames Valley area. In true Western Region tradition they even acquired set numbers. On 20 May 1992, 53477 leads a mixed Class 104/101/117 formation as unit L408 past Didcot North Junction with the late running 17:35 Reading to Bicester Town service. One of the expressions that older people are supposed to use is 'I remember when all this was fields'. I am obviously old, as I clearly do remember when the area around Didcot North Junction was all fields! A large housing estate now occupies the field in the background, while there is now an industrial estate in the field to the right.

What's all this then, a Buxton Class 104 set on the Great Western Mainline! Whilst waiting for 33207 on the 'Birmingham Boomerang' railtour on 16 June 1984, something even more unusual turned up. BX465 (53484, 59186 & 53432) heads east past South Marston at 19:20 with what is clearly a special. In addition to 'Excursion' showing in the destination blind, the headcode 1Z16 can just be read on a sticker in the first side window. Unfortunately, as this is only a DMU, and therefore of no interest to a lot of railway enthusiasts, I have been unable to find out any details of the working. The unit has presumably not come down from Buxton for this trip, as it worked a Birmingham to Hereford diagram the previous day, and Crewe to Cardiff the day before that. This is the only Class 104 that I have ever seen on this line.

A typical Buxton scene of the 1980s, with local Class 104 set BX488 (with M53522 nearest) shares space in the station with another classmate, and a snowplough. The date is 19 June 1984, so the plough won't be needed for a few months yet!

Tyseley was not normally associated with Cravens units, but towards the end of their careers a few vehicles were allocated there. On 20 March 1982, Tyseley set TS405 with 50812 leading passes the site of Blackwell station and prepares to descend the 1 in 37 Lickey Incline with a Birmingham New Street to Hereford working. The other two vehicles appear to be Class 101s. 50812 was the final Class 105 vehicle to be withdrawn, outlasting all its classmates by several months and finally being withdrawn on October 1988. It spent its last few months in traffic numbered 53812.

On 2 November 1985, Class 105 51276 leads the 08:23 Cleethorpes to Birmingham New Street service past the site of the Midland Railway station at Barton and Walton (Barton-under-Needwood and Walton-on-Trent), on the line between Derby and Birmingham. The goods shed is clearly visible as the only tangible remnant of the station, but this is before the surrounding area became developed with a large motel.

Class 105 51298 & 54458 approach Sleaford North Junction on 14 June 1986 with the 17:15 Sheffield to Sleaford service. A wonderful location for railway photography, standing on the busy A17 Sleaford bypass, next to the sewage works! At least the bracket semaphore signal party makes up for it. I hope prospective passengers had worked out that for some reason the unit is displaying its point of origin in the destination blind, rather than where it is going. It was no more accurate when it came back a little while later.

Class 105 54458 & 51298 pass Sleaford North Junction signal box with the 19:34 Sleaford to Lincoln Central service on 14 June 1986 (not Sheffield as shown in the destination blind). It has just traversed the sharply curved single track line seen here coming in from the right. This links the Lincoln to Spalding line, which is basically freight only for a short stretch from here to Sleaford South Junction, with the Nottingham to Skegness line. This DMU only had another three months left in traffic when this picture was taken. 

The 15:32 Peterborough to Cambridge services approaches the level crossing at Eastrea on 1 September 1984, with 53377 leading. Class 105s were still very common in the Fens at the time, but it would be all change just a few years later, with the onset of Sprinterisation. 53377 was withdrawn two years after this picture was taken, and cut up at Vic Berry's, Leicester in 1987.

Class 105 53380 & 54139 lead an unidentified Class 116 unit past Narborough on 20 October 1984 with the 2M66 08:52 Cambridge to Birmingham New Street service. The train is passing between Croft and Narborough's distant signals. An interesting historic view, both from the traction and signalling point of view, but a step ladder, pole, or even a drone would have added some height and made a better picture! However, with the last Class 105 having left the national network in 1988, it's a bit late to try to recapture the scene!

With smoke from straw burning in a neighbouring field drifting across the line, Class 105 53381 leads the 15:34 Cambridge to Peterborough service past Eastrea with the  on 1 September 1984. 53381 was withdrawn in May 1987 and cut up during the same year at Mayer Newman, Snailwell. Right up until the class's demise in 1988 these units were regularly seen in the Fens, rattling along on local services such as this.

In connection with the Bedford River Festival a special train service was in operation on the Bletchley to Bedford line on Sunday 29 May 1988. This was something of a novelty as to save opening all the many signal boxes there was not normally a Sunday service on the line at the time. The highlight was the use of the green liveried Class 105 vehicles 54122 & 53359, which had been repainted into something approaching the original green livery a couple of years before. As a yellow warning panel had to be included, the original wasp stripe was added to this panel in black. With 54122 leading the unit is pictured arriving at Kempston Hardwick in a brief patch of sunshine with the 10:55 Bletchley to Bedford service.

Class 105 54122 & 53359 pull away from Woburn Sands whilst working the 12:55 Bletchley to Bedford service on 29 May 1988. This was one of a number of special services on the line in connection with the Bedford River Festival. As can be seen from the amount of cloud in the background, this was one of those annoying days when getting the short sunny spells to correspond with the trains wasn't easy, and this was one of the few sunny shots of the day. Although a haven for heritage DMUs at the time, this green liveried Class 105 was certainly not the usual motive power on the line.

I do not often bother with going away shots, but this was too good to miss! After taking the picture of Class 105 54122 & 53359 leaving Woburn Sands with the 12:55 Bletchley to Bedford special service on 29 May 1988, I realised that the brief sunny spell combined with the dark clouds would make an even better picture as the train headed away from me. With 53359 nearest the camera, the vintage unit heads off towards Bedford and into the bad weather.

Surrounded by the London Brick Company's brickwork chimneys, Class 105 54122 & 53359 pass Forders Sidings signal box with the 16:55 Bletchley to Bedford service on 29 May 1988. Normally there were no trains on this line on a Sunday, but a series of specials were running in connection with the Bedford River Festival. Note the amount of rust on the lines in the foreground, giving the impression that they are disused. However, the line diverging off to the right was at the time definitely open for trains of London's rubbish to be dumped in the nearby disused brick pits.

53359 & 54122 approach Stewartby with the 17:42 Bedford to Bletchley service on 29 May 1988. This was one of a number of specials operating over the line in connection with the Bedford River Festival. The sun was almost on the point of coming out here after a heavy shower, giving rise to this odd lighting effect. Despite the fact that this green liveried Class 105 was operating some of the services and the line abounded in excellent photographic locations with semaphore signaling, there were only a few photographers out to record the event. Of course if the same thing happened nowadays the line would be inundated with photographers.

An atmospheric, and now totally historic picture, taken at Stewartby on 29 May 1998. Retro liveried Class 105 Cravens unit 54122 & 53359 pulls out of the station with the 17:42 Bedford to Bletchley service. This was one of a number of specials operating over the line in connection with the Bedford River Festival. The rain soaked wooden platform in the foreground still survives (albeit now with a non slip covering), but apart from the track, virtually everything else in this picture has disappeared. The DMU was scrapped the following year, the level crossing has been replaced by lifting barriers, and the two huts were removed when the platform on the left was moved to the other side of the crossing. Also, the covered conveyor crossing the line has been removed.

An archetypal East Anglian view that has now changed beyond all recognition. Class 105 54416 & 53368 cross Milton Fen on 4 November 1986 with the 10:35 Cambridge to Peterborough service. The Cravens units had less than two years left in service, and a few years later this line was electrified, effectively ruining this view. This picture was taken from the A14 Cambridge bypass, and trees growing alongside the road would now make this view impossible anyway.

Class 105 54446 leads a motley rake of stock past Asgarby on 1 September 1984 with the 10:07 Skegness to Nottingham service. Note the 1980s BR driver's uniform! This is probably one of the very last pictures taken of 54446, as it was withdrawn the following month, and at the time hardly anybody was interested in what we now refer to as heritage units. It did not hang around once withdrawn either, being quickly dispatched to Mayer Newman's at Snailwell for breaking up.

Class 105 54447 leads what is presumably the very late running 10:42 New Mills Central to Sheffield service past New Mills South Junction on 27 April 1984. 54447 was withdrawn in September 1986 and cut up in the same month by Mayer Newman at Snailwell. The line to the left here skirts the south of Manchester, and at the time this photo was taken was still a freight only route prior to the opening of the Hazel Grove Chord.

I don't normally take going away shots, even of DMUs, but as this is the only picture I managed to get of the preserved Class 105 unit during its long sojourn on the West Somerset Railway, it will have to do! In the pouring rain on 11 March 1995, the 14:35 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead service leaves Blue Anchor with Class 115 51663 (since scrapped) leading. 56121 is nearest the camera, with the sole surviving Class 105 motor coach (51485) in the centre of the formation.

Looking superb after its twenty year restoration project, sole surviving Class 105 two car set 51485 & 56121 departs from Irwell Vale station on 5 November 2017 with the 2G51 09:00 Bury to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala.

The East Lancashire Railway's Class 105 DMU (56121 & 51485) was the star attraction at the line's 2017 DMU Gala, as it had just re-entered service after a protracted rebuild. The superbly restored vintage Cravens unit makes a splendid sight, as it passes the woods at Lumb on 5 November 2017 with the 2J52 09:45 Rawtenstall to Heywood service.

The driverless train! This is of course a going away shot, but I couldn't resist this picture of recently restored Cravens unit 56121 & 51485, as it arrives at Irwell Vale station on 5 November 2017 with the 2J57 10:55 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. The Morecambe destination is a bit optimistic!

Class 105 56121 & 51485 approach Irwell Vale on 5 November 2017 with the 2J58 12:15 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. Although there is another driving trailer vehicle (56456), this is the only surviving complete Class 105 unit, and is a credit to the hard working team who have spent nearly two decades bringing the unit back to life.

Class 107 DMBS 52006 brings up the rear of the 17:30 Leyburn to Leeming Bar service, on the then recently reopened Wensleydale Railway on 12 July 2003. In preservation 52006 has been a well travelled vehicle. In addition to Wensleydale, it has also visited the Tanat Valley Railway, Eden Valley Railway & the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway. It now resides at the Avon Valley Railway.

Although various Class 107 vehicles have been preserved, only one centre trailer now exists, so this scene can only be seen at one location at any one time. A full three car Class 107 set (52031, 59791 & 52006) arrives at Holywell Halt on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway on 3 August 2002 with the 14:20 Embsay to Bolton Abbey service. The unit has since left the line, and the rear vehicle (52006) has been replaced by 52005. Currently it is at the Nene Valley Railway.

The unique Wickham & Co Class 109 DMU 56171 & 50416 round the curve at Ty Newydd on the Llangollen Railway with the 11:15 Carrog to Llangollen service on 26 June 2010, during the line's Railcar Gala. A completely non-standard design, the Wickham units were very well built and had an unusual Art Deco style high quality interior finish. Only five twin car sets were built, and apart from this unit, which survived in BR departmental service, the rest of the class were amazingly sold to the Trinidad & Tobago Railway Company!

The sole surviving Wickham & Co Class 109 DMU (50416 & 56171) arrives at Glyndyfrdwy station with the 12:00 Llangollen to Carrog service on 26 June 2010, during the line's Railcar Gala. It is running with Class 108 twin car set 51907 & 54490. In true DMU tradition, the Manchester destination is wildly optimistic!

Class 109 DMU 56171 & 50416 passes Garthydwr, on the Llangollen Railway with the 15:40 Carrog to Llangollen service, during the line's Railcar Gala on 26 June 2010. Built by Wickham & Co in 1957, only five two car sets were built, of which is this is the only surviving example.

The unique 1957 built Wickham & Co Class 109 DMU (50416 & 56171) pulls away from Berwyn station on 26 June 2010 with the 16:50 Llangollen to Carrog service, during the Llangollen Railway's Railcar Gala. The station occupies a very restricted site, next to the main Llangollen to Corwen road, and perched high above the River Dee.

The sole surviving Wickham Class 109 DMU (56171 & 50416) is pictured at Llangollen on 30 May 2016. Behind it is the Llangollen Railway's Class 104 unit, with 50454 nearest the camera. This picture was taken with a shutter speed of 1/1000sec, not because the subject was moving (which it clearly isn't), but because I was on the rapidly accelearting 15:50 Llangollen to Corwen train!

Looking insignificant against the Lancashire hills, Class 109 56171 & 50496 & Class 104 50517 & 50455 leave Irwell Vale station on 5 November 2017 with the 2J54 10:35 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala.

The unique Class 109 56171 & 50496 brings up the rear of the 2J63 13:25 Heywood to Rawtenstall service at Burrs on 5 November 2017, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. Class 105 56121 & 51485 is leading the train. Mildenhall is quite a distance from Lancashire!

Nearing the end of a perfect day's photography at the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala on 5 November 2017, the unique Class 109 56171 & 50496 and Class 105 56121 & 51485 approach Burrs with the 2J64 14:45 Rawtenstall to Heywood service. I had carefully positioned myself here to get the maximum number of trees with their superb autumn foliage in the picture, both on the lineside, and around Springside Farm in the background.

Passengers board the Wensleydale Railway's Class 110 DMU (51813, 59701 & 51482) at Leeming Bar on 5 September 2004, prior to it working the 10:30 service to Redmire. The unit is parked next to a short ballast train, headed by 20189.

Class 110 'Calder Valley' set 51482, 59701 & 51813 passes Lumb on 5 November 2017 with the 2J56 11:25 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. Only two Class 110 sets survive in preservation, this one, and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway's two car set, 52071 & 52077.

Class 110 51482, 59701 & 51813 arrives at Burrs Country Park station on 5 November 2017 with the 2L61 12:35 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's DMU Gala. Look carefully at the front of the train, and you will see that the unit is not having to use its four Rolls Royce engines, as the much more powerful 40106 Atlantic Conveyor is providing the power.

This is the only picture I have of a Class 110 'Calder Valley' DMU in BR service. 51818 leads a two car set plus an unidentified Class 101 unit on the 13:45 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull service on 20 October 1983. The ensemble is making a smoky ascent of the gradient near Chinley station. Rolls Royce may make top quality cars and aircraft engines, but certainly in the 1960s their record in railway applications was very poor. Although the 180hp Rolls Royce engines fitted to this class gave a much higher power to weight ratio than other contemporary units, their reliability was very poor. This wasn't helped by the bizarre arrangement of having the cylinder heads facing inwards, making maintenance much more difficult.

Class 120 C616 (51790, 59681 & 51782) passes Marshfield on 28 April 1984 with the 08:30 Cardiff Central to Gloucester service. I have very few pictures of these Swindon built cross country DMUs, and this is about the best. The Western Region would dispose of its last Class 120 the following month, and although they lived on in Scotland for a few more years, the entire class had been withdrawn by 1989. For such a reasonably large fleet (194 vehicles), preservation has not been kind to the class, with just a single TSLRB vehicle (59276) surviving. As this is a centre coach, and not one of the distinctive driving cars, it effectively means the class is extinct.

Swindon Works built Class 120 C616 (51782, 59681 & 51790) ironically heads back to its birthplace as it leaves Kemble on 7 July 1984 with the 09:15 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon service. By this date Class 120s were quite rare in the Cotswolds. Other Cardiff allocated units appeared, but the 120s tended to be used on the Central Wales Line, which is why this unit is fitted with a large central headlight

Class 120 DMSL 53688 leads the late running 08:43 Nottingham to Skegness service past Great Hale on 11 August 1984. The train had just called at Heckington station, which can just be seen in the background. Quite what had delayed it was not clear, but it was running well over an hour late. Note that the second vehicle of this unit is a Class 101 trailer. The 1830 built Grade I listed Heckington Windmill can be seen on the left of the picture.

Class 120 DMBC 53696 brings up the rear of the 11:06 Birmingham New Street to Nottingham service at Barton-under-Needwood on 2 November 1985. This is a real mixed formation, as the second vehicle is Class 101 TS 59121, with Class 120 DMSL 53663 at the front of the three car unit. An unidentified Class 114 two car set leads the ensemble.

An enthusiasts notes down the numbers (53738, 59262 & 53693) of the Class 120 working the 09:07 Birmingham New Street to Lincoln St Marks service at Water Orton on 9 March 1985. Yet another incorrect destination blind. The train does go to Derby, but on a Saturday carried on to Lincoln. This picture shows the railway in the days before palisade fencing and restricted access to the lineside. Note the open gate! Unfortunately, whilst the enthusiast standing on the old pallet was no danger to anyone, people with less common sense now have to be prevented from getting anywhere near the lines.

My only picture of a Class 123 DMU. The 1E38 11:41 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull service negotiates New Mills South Junction on 27 April 1984, with DMSK 52097 leading. Ten of these four car sets were built at Swindon Works in 1963, naturally enough for services on the Western Region. They were classed as Inter-City units, and half of the fleet included a small buffet in one of the centre trailer vehicles. In the same year that the Western Region withdrew the Class 52 Westerns, they also ceased using these units, and 1977 saw them stored at Barry, surplus to requirements. They were then transferred to Hull Botanic Gardens, to work with the similar Class 124 units on Trans Pennine services. All were withdrawn in 1984, and the entire class was scrapped.

Unfortunately I have only got a few pictures of the stylish Swindon built Class 124 'Trans Pennine' units. Here we see 51952 leading the 10:10 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull service past New Mills South Junction on 27 April 1984, just a couple of weeks before the entire class was withdrawn. Although by DMU standards of the time they were a quality product, they were expensive to maintain, not only due to their non-standard nature, but also because of their unique (and expensive to repair) wrap around windscreens.

51953 leads the 09:15 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull service past Chinley on 20 October 1983. These Class 124 'Trans Pennine' units were arguably the most stylish of the first generation units, with their unusual wrap around windscreens and smooth rounded front ends. As they hardly ever strayed from their intended route, and this was in the days before I started travelling the length and breadth of the country on a regular basis, I did not get the chance to photograph them very often.

Classic heritage DMU meets classic heritage locomotive at New Mills South Junction on 27 April 1984. The 10:45 Manchester Piccadilly to Cleethorpes service, comprising a  Class 124 four car set led by 51955, and a two car Class 101, passes 40174 waiting in the loop with an engineer's train. Certainly not ideal lighting, with the sun virtually head on, but I definitely haven't got any other pictures of one of the stylish Trans Pennine units passing a Class 40!

Sole surviving complete Class 126 unit (51017, 59404 & 51043) approaches Bo'ness station on 14 September 2019, after having moved out of the sidings in order to work the 15:35 train to Manuel. The two signals make an excellent frame for the picture, as do the steps to the temporarily removed footbridge, the removal of which has given an unobstructed view of even more signals in the background. The Class 126 DMUs were built at Swindon Works in 1959 specifically for the Scottish Region. It is very fitting that this set is preserved at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, as the class spent much of its working life on the nearby Edinburgh to Glasgow line. Each three car set is asymmetrical, with this corridor connection at one end, and a standard DMU front end at the other. This allowed a through connection when they were working as a six coach train.

Unique Class 126 unit (51043, 59404 & 51017) stands at Bo'ness station on 14 September 2019, prior to working the 15:35 service to Manuel. The class features a very similar front end to the Class 120 at this end only, the other end having a corridor connection, for use when working six couch trains. This is the only complete Class 126 set, although the Bo'ness & Kinneil does also own former buffet car 79443.

Two Class 127 vehicles, with the only surviving Class 120 coach pass Woodthorpe on 2 April 1995 with the 15:20 Loughborough to Quorn & Woodhouse service, during the Great Central Railway's Diesel Gala. Class 127 DMBS 51616 is leading, with identical 51622 at the rear. The centre vehicle is Class 120 TSLRB 59276, which worked with the two 127 driving cars for a number of years in preservation. Although it is fortunate that an example of a first generation DMU buffet car vehicle has been preserved, unfortunately none of the distinctive Class 120 driving vehicles made it in to preservation, principally due to the cost of removing the asbestos insulation.

Class 128 DPU 55991 ambles along the down relief line at Langley on 6 November 1986 with the 4A60 12:00 Paddington to Reading parcels. Someone has obviously decided to personalise the filthy former gangway door by adding a 'smiley face' and assorted graffiti! Ten of these dedicated parcels units were built by the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company in 1959, with six going to the Western Region, and four to the Midland. The Midland units had all gone by 1982, but with one exception, the Western units all survived until November 1990. Unfortunately none were preserved, although obviously they would be of limited use on a preserved line.

After working the 4A17 16:20 Paddington to Oxford parcels on 1 May 1990, Class 128 55994 heads straight back to London, seen here passing Radley. Like the rest of this small fleet of diesel parcels units, 55994 was withdrawn the following year, with none surviving into preservation.

In early 1990 there was a change to the DPU workings in the Oxford area, when the 4A17 16:20 Paddington to Oxford parcels, instead of recessing at Oxford, and then continuing north as the 4M17 20:23 Oxford to Birmingham New Street, instead almost immediately returned non-stop to London. Class 128 55994 is pictured here passing Didcot North Junction on 3 May 1990.

Class 128 DPU 55995 passes through Radley station on 20 July 1989 with the 4A17 16:20 Paddington to Oxford parcels. This was running nearly an hour late, which was very fortunate, as at the booked time I was still driving to the location. Unfortunately I have very few pictures of these distinctive units, and with none of the class of ten escaping the cutter's torch, I am not going to get any more! Delivered in green, and then repainted blue, this was their final livery, and it certainly made them stand out, even in the colourful Network SouthEast era. 55995 was withdrawn, along with all the other surviving Western Region 128s, in November 1990. It was cut up at MC Metals, Glasgow in April 1991.

Parry People Mover's unusual Class 139 railcar is one answer to economical operation of short branch lines, and has been adopted by London Midland for its ten minute interval service between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction (0.8 miles). Powered by a 2.3 litre Ford LPG engine, the railcar uses energy stored in a large flywheel for its short trips along the branch. 139002 is seen departing from the diminutive Stourbridge Town station on 29 January 2011 with the 11:54 trip to Stourbridge Junction.

139002 is dwarfed by its surroundings, as it passes through the deep cutting at Stourbridge on 29 January 2011 with the 12:04 Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction London Midland service, which takes all of three minutes!

139002 arrives at Stourbridge Town station on 29 January 2011 with the 12:09 London Midland service from Stourbridge Junction. One of two units, these railcars have proved to be amazingly reliable, even considering all they do is shuttle backwards and forwards along this short branch line - over a hundred trips in each directions on weekdays!

Heavily vandalised Parry People Mover 139012 sits in the siding at Highley on 19 May 2024, no doubt ignored by the swarms of visitors to the Severn Valley Railway's Diesel Gala! Various aborted plans for the unit have seen it visit several preserved railways in recent years.

Based on the Leyland single car experimental 1970s railbuses, the unique Class 140 unit was constructed at Derby in 1979, and during 1980 and 1981 it conduced trials in various parts of the country. The design led to the production of the Class 141 units, which then evolved into the Class 142-144 Pacer fleet. 140001 was withdrawn in 1990, and has been preserved at the Keith & Dufftown Railway. The nearly 40 year old unit is definitely in non-running condition, when pictured here at Dufftown on 31 August 2018.

Who would have thought when this picture was taken, that something as unloved a Class 141 Pacer unit would find itself preserved on a heritage railway. That's exactly what has happened to 141103, seen here approaching Normanton on 30 August 1993 with the 10:06 Sheffield to Leeds (via Castleford) service. It is now on the Weardale Railway, resplendent in pseudo Great Western chocolate and cream livery.

A meeting of Pacer types at Woodlesford on 14 October 1995. 141105 accelerates away from Woodlesford station (Just beyond the bridge in the background) with the 12:07 Sheffield to Leeds service, whilst a Class 144 approaches the station with the 13:10 Leeds to Castleford train. The Class 144s went on to have long (too long?) lives, but the 141s were nothing like as successful, with the longest lived only lasting 13 years. 141105 was exported to Iran just weeks after this picture was taken.

Proving that the sign on the right is indeed correct (Trains run in either direction), 141111 heads smokily away from the camera at Brightside on 16 February 1991 with the 09:15 Huddersfield to Sheffield service. The end of Brightside station's platform can just be seen in the foreground. The opening of nearby Meadowhall station just a few months before this picture was taken, drastically reduced the number of trains stopping here. The station closed completely in 1995.

141119 runs alongside the Stainforth & Keadby Canal at Crowle on 31 May 1997 with the 10:03 Doncaster to Scunthorpe Regional Railways North East service. This class, the first of the production Pacer series, had a troubled life, initially being noted for chronic unreliability. The situation improved after rebuilding by Hunslet Barclay in the late 1980s, but the class was still deemed non standard and so was slated for early withdrawal. This unit, like most of the class was exported to Iran in 1998.

The unusual Class 151 unit was to be Metro Cammell's bid for the lucrative DMU replacement programme of the 1980s. Unfortunately the design was beset with various problems and in the end it lost out to British Rail Engineering's Class 150. Only two 151s were built and due to their non-standard nature they spent long periods out of traffic during their short life (1985 - 1989). 151001 is pictured passing Wetmore with a Derby to Burton upon Trent test run on 18 October 1987. Not technically a brilliant picture due to the combination of very poor light and Kodachrome 200, but this together with the return working (in even worse light!) is the only record I have of these unique units, which after many years in open storage were both scrapped in 2004.

Metro Cammell's unusual looking Class 151 DMUs were not a success, with only two prototypes built. 151001 passes Wetmore on 18 October 1987 with a Burton upon Trent to Derby test run. It is passing the shell of Wetmore Sidings Signal Box, which was demolished soon afterwards. Also gone are the footbridge, and adjacent disused former North Staffordshire Railway bridge in the background, to be replaced by a new roadbridge.

171724 approaches Becket's Crossing, Fairfield (near Appledore) on 2 June 2013 with the 1G50 17:22 Ashford International to Brighton Southern service. This was during a very lucky few minutes of sunshine, between two very large black clouds! The Class 171s are identical to Class 170s with the exception of the Dellner coupling, which replaces the 170's standard BSI coupling. Whilst the four car units were built with the Dellner coupling, the two car sets were converted from 170s. 171724 was originally numbered 170724.

171803 passes Warehorne on 18 July 2021 with the 2D14 07:59 Eastbourne to Ashford International Southern service. Unlike the two car Class 171/7 units, which were converted from Class 170s, the small fleet of four car Class 171/8s were built from new with Dellner couplings, and were therefore numbered as 171s from new.

175003 passes Daresbury on 20 September 2002 with the 10:17 Manchester Piccadilly to Llandudno First North Western service. The bridge in the background is Keckwick Lane, with the A558 Runcorn to Warrington road immediately behind it.

175005 pulls away from Hereford station on 2 June 2009 with the 11:10 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains Wales service. In the background the late running 12:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven train calls at the station.

A very unusual visitor to the Great Western Mainline! Running 65 minutes late, 175005 passes Uffington on 9 October 2023 with the 5Q50 08:45 Landore to Ilford EMU Depot ECS. This former Transport for Wales DMU had been withdrawn from service earlier in the year. Note the lack of any company branding.

175009 arrives at Newton-le-Willows station on 3 December 2000 with the 09:20 Chester to Manchester Piccadilly First North Western service. 175009 was just five months old when this picture was taken, but obviously the class was not popular with enthusiasts as they ousted the popular Class 37s from the North Wales line. They are also arguably one of the ugliest class of modern units. No mean feat considering they do not have a front end gangway connection!

There is still plenty of departmental activity in the yard art Warton on 9 June 2005, as 175009 passes by with a Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness TransPennine Express service. After initially working in the north, the Class 175s were transferred to Arriva Trains Wales in 2003, but some, such as 175009, were leased back to work trains in the north until 2006.

175011 passes Warton on 9 June 2005 with the 12:50 Grange-over-Sands to Manchester Airport TransPennine Express service. This is on the low lying marshy area next to the River Keer, just to the north of Carnforth.

There hasn't been regular 'tractor' haulage on the North Wales coast line since 2000, but on 4 June 2005 the line's replacement motive power gets some competition from another kind of tractor as 175101 passes Llangaffo with the 13:15 Crewe to Holyhead service. Unsurprisingly, given how close they are to the line the cottages in the background are named 'Railway Cottages'

175102 pulls away from Hereford station with the 13:10 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains Wales service on 2 June 2009. Hereford retains a lot of old railway infrastructure, with the imposing station building and goods shed visible in this view. Plenty of trackwork too, but unfortunately no longer any originating freight traffic.

175103 passes Badgeworth on 7 April 2023 with the 2G50 09:15 Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa Transport for Wales service. Previously Class 175s were hardly ever used on these trains, but after several 'thermal incidents', and their removal from the Welsh Marches line, their appearance in Gloucestershire has been more frequent.

My first picture of a Class 175 in the Cotswolds. Making a change from the usual Class 150s, 175106 passes Up Hatherley on 4 September 2012 with the 2L59 13:45 Cheltenham to Maesteg Arriva Trains Wales service. It was running late, because at departure time it had only just arrived at Cheltenham with the 2G58 11:15 from Maesteg. The communications masts on the top of Cleeve Hill (the highest point in the Cotswolds) can just be seen in the background.

Still wearing the obsolete but debranded Arriva Trains Wales livery, 175106 passes Churcham on 29 November 2019 with the 2G54 09:12 Cardiff Central to Cheltenham Spa Transport for Wales service. There must have been a problem further down the line, as this had gone from being on time passing Awre, to ten minutes late passing me. The previous southbound DMU had also briefly stopped at a nearby signal, despite it being green.

175107 accelerates away from Leominster station (just visible in the background) on 2 September 2017 with the late running 1V37 08:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven Arriva Trains Wales service. This was formerly the junction for the cross country route to Worcester, via Bromyard. The Bromyard lines occupied what is now a the overgrown wasteland on the right.

175107 passes Ashford Bowdler on 20 May 2023 with the 1V96 10:30 Holyhead to Cardiff Central Transport for Wales service. This was the last year in service for these troublesome DMUs, which were replaced by the new Class 197s.

Van races train! 175109 is only moving slowly, as it is accelerating away from Pontypool & New Inn station, so the van easily wins! This is the 1V44 13:31 Manchester Piccadilly to Tenby Transport for Wales service on 17 June 2022, which was running 39 minutes late. This was on a day when TfW were having all kinds of problems on this route, with numerous trains cancelled, and lots of very late running. The 1V46 14:31 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven was cancelled at Crewe due to the 'serious health and safety issue' of broken air conditioning on this extremely hot day.

175110 passes the site of Mold Junction on 30 December 2000 with the 12:30 Bangor to Crewe First North Western service. The line to Mold diverged to the left opposite the houses. It was closed in 1962. 175110 was only a couple of months old when this photo was taken.

Off lease former Transport for Wales 175113 & 175003 pass through Kemble station on 4 July 2024 with the 5Q46 08:35 Landore to Ely Papworth Sidings stock move, taking the units for storage, and an uncertain future. This was running via this route as the Severn Tunnel was closed for planned track replacement. This classic view of Kemble station, with its GWR water tower, is now slightly marred by the overgrown bushes on the right.

Making a change from the brown livery of the CrossCountry units, and the awful dark green GWR colour scheme, 175115 brings a touch of brightness to the scene at Up Hatherley on 13 May 2019, as it nears journey's end with the 2G54 09:12 Cardiff Central to Cheltenham Spa Transport for Wales service. The unit is completely devoid of any branding, and still carries the obsolete Arriva Trains Wales livery. The abundant hawthorn blossom in the foreground also brightens up the otherwise monotone green scene.

The final production Class 175 and one of the few still in the original livery (albeit now branded Arriva), 175116 emerges from Dinmore Tunnel with the 10:33 Holyhead to Cardiff Central Arriva Trains Wales service on 2 June 2009. I had not visited this location for two decades, and although I shouldn't really have been surprised, the growth of the surrounding vegetation has virtually obscured the view. The general view of both single line bores (the other tunnel is just to the left of the PW hut) is impossible and a long lens is needed to squeeze through a gap in the trees.

185102 rounds the curve past Kirkham Abbey with the 14:45 Scarborough to Liverpool Lime Street Trans Pennine service on 26 July 2008. No doubt the passengers on board will be glad of the air conditioning (assuming it was working!), on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

185103 approaches Scagglethorpe on 16 October 2023 with the 1U35 10:03 York to Scarborough TransPennine Express service. This photo is taken from the A64 road bridge, at the eastern end of the Malton bypass.

185104 accelerates away from Barnetby on 6 November 2017 with the late running 1B74 10:55 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes First TransPennine Express service. This is the view from the Melton Ross to Barnetby public footpath.

185106 passes Brock on 6 May 2008 with the 16:21 Barrow-in-Furness to Manchester Airport TransPennine service, a train that doesn't actually cross the Pennines at all! Although apparently a rural location, the M6 motorway is just behind the trees.

185109 passes Hexthorpe on 28 July 2008 with the 1B75 10:28 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport First TransPennine Express service. The outskirts of Doncaster can be seen in the background, with the spire of St James church (The Railway Church) on the extreme right of the picture.

185111 & 185136 pass Church Fenton on 17 October 2023 with the 1P78 14:51 Saltburn to Manchester Airport TransPennine Express service. Note the newly erected 25kV catenary in the background, the first stage of the York to Manchester electfrication scheme.

185112 passes Melton on 3 October 2017 with the 1K08 09:41 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull First TransPennine Express service. Just visible in the background, behind the home and distant signal, is the platform of the closed Melton Crossing Halt. This halt, which was unadvertised, and primarily for the use of workers at the nearby cement works, surprisingly did not close until 1989.

185114 passes Cliffe on 22 February 2019 with the 1K22 13:40 Hull to Manchester Piccadilly First TransPennine Express service. Although the station that once existed by the level crossing in the background was in the centre of the small village of Cliffe, in later years it was named after the neighbouring village of Hemingbrough.

185115 passes the footpath crossing near Tollerton on 12 March 2009 with the 11:00 Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport TransPennine service. The flat area around York could hardly be called the Pennines, even less so the Tees area!

185116 passes through Crowle station on 28 November 2016 with the 1B68 07:53 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes First TransPennine Express service. The sun was just starting to come out, but as can be seen from the background, most of the area was blanketing by thick dark clouds.

With the turbines of the Tween Bridge Wind Farm dominating the background, 185116 approaches Thorne South on 28 November 2016 with the 1B77 11:26 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport First TransPennine Express service.

185116 passes Melton Ross on 6 November 2017 with the 1B68 07:53 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes First TransPennine Express service. Note that the destination display is showing the error message 'Preinst. aborted'.

185116 & 185137 hold up the traffic at Appleby level crossing on 12 March 2024, as they head westwards with the 1B77 11:23 Cleethorpes to Liverpool Lime Street TransPennine Express service. The section of brick wall to the left of the train is all that remains of Appleby station, which closed in 1967.

185117 passes Melton Ross on 2 December 2019 with the 1B68 07:53 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes TransPennine Express service. With the lighting this good, even this aesthetically challenged class of DMU is worth a picture!

185117 passes the Melton Ross Lime Works, near Croxton, on 2 December 2019 with the late running 1B77 11:26 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport TransPennine Express service. Although the lime works has expanded massively over the years, it is no longer rail connected.

TransPennine Express are well known for their very poor customer service, but on 14 March 2022 they excelled themselves, with numerous trains cancelled, and a couple of trains from Hull cancelled, but then running as empty stock in exactly the same path! 185122 & 185104 pass Hambleton West Junction with the 5K22 14:07 Hull to Manchester Piccadilly ECS, running in place of the 1K22 14:07 Hull to Manchester Piccadilly. Note the 'Not In Service' in the destination blind.

Nearly new 185125 passes Maud's Bridge on 1 January 2007 with the 12:28 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport TransPennine service. I will not be going out of my way to photograph these units, as unlike the sleek and modern looking Class 180s, these are just plain ugly!

185126 crosses Leven Viaduct on 14 April 2018 with the 1C55 17:47 Preston to Barrow-in-Furness Northern service. Despite the ugliness of the Class 185 unit, I decided to wait for this after photographing 37424, as the lighting was so superb, and being over 230 miles from home, it is not a location I visit that often!

185127 approaches the footpath crossing at Brind on 19 January 2020 with the 1K13 08:54 Liverpool Lime Street to Hull TransPennine Express service. Admittedly this was a Sunday, but I was surprised this train was actually on time, bearing in mind the company's recent abysmal record of only 49.1% right time arrivals.

Consecutively numbered 185132 & 185133 pass Cliffe on 16 October 2023 with the 1K22 14:03 Hull to Liverpool Lime Street TransPennine Express service. This was a generally sunny day, but with lots off high cloud that unfortunately lasted until very late in the afternoon.

185133 passes Wressle on 19 January 2020 with the 1K15 10:35 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull TransPennine Express service. Cross Common Gate level crossing, on a little used minor road, is in the foreground.

185135 & 185147 pass Hemingbrough on 18 October 2023 with the 1K13 08:54 Liverpool Lime Street to Hull TransPennine Express service. In addition to the warning given by the level crossing lights, there is plenty of warning of approaching trains here, as the track is completely straight for several miles.

185139 passes through Hatfield & Stainforth station on 15 March 2007 with the 07:52 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes First TransPennine service. Note the resident huddle of trainspotters congregating in the platform shelter to get out of the wind.

185140 races through Broomfleet station on 17 October 2023 with the 1K21 12:54 Liverpool Lime Street to Hull TransPennine Express service. Note the copious amounts of salt on the platform, for the benefit of the very few passengers that use this station.

185143 slowly rounds the reverse curves at Godnow Bridge (between Thorne and Crowle) on 4 June 2015 with the 1B76 11:55 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes First TransPennine Express service. Note the sign on the right indicating the end of a speed restriction, which was in place after recent reballasting work.

185144 passes Kirkham Abbey on 26 July 2008 with the late running 13:22 Liverpool Lime Street to Scarborough First TransPennine service. The wrong side for the light, but the only possible position to include the two semaphore signals.

185146 approaches Maud's Bridge (between Stainforth and Scunthorpe) with the 10:52 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes Trans Pennine Express service on 1 January 2007. I started off the new year with a new class of DMU, 185s not being particularly common in my native Oxfordshire! New Year's Day had started sunny, but by this time thick black clouds were rolling in from the west, which gives a superb background to this picture. Note the tower of St. Nicholas church, Thorne on the extreme right.

With the well know bridge at Melton Ross in the background, 185146 rounds the curve at New Barnetby with the 1B66 06:55 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes TransPennine service on 18 September 2012. Nice lighting, shame about the ugliness of the train!

185146 rounds the curve at Church Fenton in the pouring rain on 27 July 2019 with the 1P67 09:16 Manchester Victoria to Middlesbrough First TransPennine Express service. When weather conditions are this bad, the picture looks a lot more atmospheric than when it's just plain dull.

185146 & 185133 pass non-stop through Broomfleet station on 17 October 2023 with the 1K24 15:03 Hull to Liverpool Lime Street TransPennine Express service. This remote station sees very little passenger traffic, with only a limited number of stopping services.

Just as a lorry overtaking manoeuvre occupies both westbound lanes of the adjacent A63 dual carriageway, 185147 & 185107 pass Hessle on 17 October 2023 with the 1K22 14:03 Hull to Liverpool Lime Street TransPennine Express service.

185150 & 185124 pass the Grade II listed Appleby (Lincs) Signal Box on 12 March 2024 with the 1B72 09:19 Liverpool Lime Street to Cleethorpes TransPennine Express service. The signal box was taken out of use in 2015.

185151 passes Thorne South on 18 April 2014 with the 1B83 14:26 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport First TransPennine Express service. The station's new footbridge provides a convenient elevated vantage point.

Northern's saviour? The Spanish built CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) Class 195s will see the end of the franchise's despised Pacer units. The new order is pictured at Normanton on 18 January 2020, as 195012 passes by with the 1Y23 15:09 Leeds to Nottingham service.

195133 calls at Church Fenton station on 17 October 2023 with the 1B35 16:23 York to Blackpool North Northern service. These passengers were lucky, as this train was cancelled on two days during this week. Fairly normal performance for this franchise!

A brand new two car Class 197 destined fro Transport for Wales makes its way up the M5 from Newport on 24 January 2023, courtesy of Alleys Heavy Haulage. The two vehicles are pictured passing Colethrop (near Haresfield).

The Class 210 DEMU was intended to be a replacement for the plethora of DMU types which were reaching the end of their economic life in the early 1980s. However, its extravagant specification led to its downfall, as it would have been far too expensive to produce in the quantity required. On 23 April 1983 passengers on the Cotswold Line got their first taste of what they assumed would be the future traction on the line. In the event they had to wait nearly a decade before the heritage units were displaced! 210001 arrives at Kingham with the 08:10 Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh service, while the order departs in the background. This is something you don't often see - ladies of the 'Country Set' taking an interest in modern developments on the railways!

210001 made its first foray over the Cotswold Line on 23 April 1983 in what was thought at the time to be the beginning of a new era of high quality trains on the line. In miserably dull weather conditions this pioneer unit is seen passing Shipton station with the 2A87 09:55 Moreton-in-Marsh to Oxford service. The flour mill in the background is still a thriving business, but otherwise this view has changed considerably, with trees now obscuring the view. In 1983 Shipton station still retained its quaint GWR waiting shelter on the down platform, but that was to disappear within a couple of years, to be replaced by a standard bus type shelter, to match that on the up platform.

I don't normally take going away shots of DMUs, despite the red tail light generally being the only giveaway (apart from which track they're on, of course!). However, I've got so few pictures of the prototype 210001, that I have included this view taken on 12 September 1985. It shows the unit passing South Moreton with the 2A18 11:01 Paddington to Oxford 'all stations' service.

The ill fated prototype second generation DMU, 210001 passes Hinksey Yard on 22 October 1985 with the 14:06 Oxford to Paddington local service. Obviously unaccustomed luxury travel for the passengers (if there were any!) at Radley, Culham and Appleford, who at the time were more used to the rattling Class 117 units. The Paxman 6RP200L 1,125 bhp engine is at the far end of the unit, its position in the non-passenger part of the vehicle indicated by the all over blue livery at that end of the formation.

A brand new class of DMU destined for Transport for Wales, on test at Portskewett on 17 June 2022. 231004 heads away from the camera with the 3G64 08:52 Gloucester to Cardiff Signal 2328 mileage accumulation run.

231007 approaches Pontlottyn on 3 May 2023 with the 2R14 14:03 Penarth to Rhymney Transport for Wales service. This side view clearly shows the small 'power pack' in the centre of the unit. The former mining village of Abertysswg can be seen in the background.

231007 heads south from Pontlottyn on 3 May 2023 with the 2P74 15:27 Rhymney to Penarth Transport for Wales service. The industrial estates of Rhymney can be seen in the background, with the moorland of Mynydd Llangynidr visible in the distance.

The new order in the Welsh Valleys. 231008 approaches Tir-Phil on 3 May 2023 with the 2P67 14:27 Rhymney to Penarth Transport for Wales service. These trains are replacing the troubled Class 769 DMUs, which were converted from former Class 319 EMUs. These only had a life of a little over two years in Wales.

231010 approaches Pontlottyn on 3 May 2023 with the 2R16 15:03 Penarth to Rhymney Transport for Wales service. This has always been an excellent viewpoint, but recent vegetation clearance has now made it even better.

755330 starts to slow down on the approach to Haddiscoe station on 15 July 2023, as it works the 2J84 16:56 Norwich to Lowestoft Greater Anglia service. The main problem with taking this picture was trying to keep standing up in the gale force wind!

755401 negotiates Oulton Broad North Junction on 15 July 2023 with the 2D80 13:16 Ipswich to Lowestoft Greater Anglia service. It has just come off the single track line from Oulton Broad South station. Oulton Broad North station can be seen in the background.

755401 passes through Somerleyton station on 15 July 2023 with the 2J81 14:57 Lowestoft to Norwich Greater Anglia service. The station building (now a private residence) is very grand for such a remote location. Note the built in water tower.

Next stop Wymondham. 755409 passes Suton on 14 August 2021 with the 1K70 11:48 Stansted Airport to Norwich Greater Anglia service. A sunny gap between the clouds - something that was getting much less frequent as the day went on.

Greater Anglia's latest toy, 755410, approaches Lingwood on 14 May 2019 with the 5Q06 10:45 Great Yarmouth to Norwich Station Carriage Sidings test run. This is a going away picture, as I had missed the previous 5Q05 09:50 Norwich Crown Point to Great Yarmouth working, as not having noticed that it was running, I was still walking across the field to this location.

The weird design of the Stadler built Class 755 bi-mode DMU/EMU is shown to advantage in this side view of 755410 passing Whitlingham on 14 May 2019 with the 5Q07 12:12 Norwich Station Carriage Sidings to Great Yarmouth test run. With articulated bogies, and a small central section that houses the diesel engine and 25kV equipment, it is radically different from anything that has run in this country previously.

Greater Anglia's brand new Class 755 bi-mode unit 755410 passes Postwick on 14 May 2019 with the 5Q08 13:45 Great Yarmouth to Norwich Station Carriage Sidings test run. The livery is certainly an improvement on Greater Anglia's white colour scheme.

755411 arrives at Thetford on 14 August 2021 with the 1K68 10:48 Stansted Airport to Norwich Greater Anglia service. Plenty of steam age infrastructure survives at this location. In addition to the disused signal box, also note the disused siding, complete with vintage loading gauge.

755423 passes Spooner Row on 14 August 2021 with the 1K85 16:27 Norwich to Stansted Airport Greater Anglia service. The disused and boarded up Spooner Row signal box can just be seen in the background.

Transport for Wales 756003 is dragged past Grange Court on 19 June 2023 by 50007 Hercules, running as the 5Z50 09:25 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Long Marston ECS. This just typifies the waste of resources and inefficiency of the privatised railway, where a privately owned 2,700hp locomotive has to travel light engine from the Severn Valley Railway to Cardiff to pick up a DMU that should be able to move under its own power.

756003 passes Cheltenham on 23 June 2023, as it is hauled back to Wales by 50007 Hercules, after visiting the Long Marston Rail Live event. Running 72 minutes late, this is the 5Z50 10:30 Long Marston to Cardiff Canton Sidings ECS.

If a diesel multiple unit is a DMU, and an electric multiple unit is an EMU, then this must be a HMU! Hydrogen fuel cell powered 799201 leaves Long Marston on 9 February 2023 with the 5Q98 11:29 Long Marston to Evesham West Junction test run. This is the second Class 799 conversion, being the former dual voltage EMU 319382, which has been fitted with a Ballard FCveloCity unit, allowing it to run on non-electrified lines.

After briefly stopping underneath the Long Marston roadbridge, 799201 gets under way again with the 5Q98 11:29 Long Marston to Evesham West Junction test run on 9 February 2023. Photo taken from a public footpath crossing.

Hydrogen fuel cell powered 799201 approaches Honeybourne on 9 February 2023 with the 5Q99 12:12 Evesham West Junction to Long Marston test run. The windows have been removed from the leading vehicle, as the hydrogen fuel cell equipment takes up most of the interior. Further development is planned to relocate the equipment underneath the vehicles. Putting relatively small diesel engines underneath these former Class 319 EMUs to make Class 769 bi-mode units was not a resounding success, so I hope they have more luck with the hydrogen equipment!

Hydrogen fuel cell powered 799201 leaves Long Marston on 21 June 2023 with the 5Z20 08:15 Long Marston to Honeybourne North Junction ECS, in preparation for spending the day shuttling backwards and forwards to the Rail Live event. This was running 12 minutes early, not 1 minute early, as reported by Realtime Trains. Although very backlit, I took this picture to show just how full the sidings have become with brand new stored EMUs. No less than 14 South Western Railways Class 701s can be seen, a class of unit that should have entered service in 2019, but has been beset by both technical and union problems, and still has not carried any passengers.

799201 heads away from Long Marston on 21 June 2023 with the 5Z20 08:15 Long Marston to Honeybourne North Junction ECS. Presumably the organisers of the Rail Live event were reluctant to use one of the many stored Class 769s bi-mode units for the shuttle trains from Honeybourne, as the show was intended to promote railways, not highlight engineering disasters and the massive waste of money!

Hydrogen fuel cell powered 799201 passes Broad Marston on 21 June 2023 with the 2Z20 08:50 Honeybourne North Junction to Long Marston, conveying visitors to the Rail Live exhibition. This was the first train of the two day event. I came home after this, as it seemed unlikely that I would get another picture as good as this, as the clouds were building up rapidly, and in fact the sun disappeared behind a cloud just seconds after the train passed me.

Hydrogen fuel cell powered 799201 passes Spetchley on 5 September 2023 with the late running 5Q91 11:47 Kings Norton Signal SY57 to Gloucester Signal G356 mileage accumulation run. Unfortunately upon reaching Gloucester the unit was declared a failure, and the return run, the 5Q92 12:59 Gloucester Signal G339 to Long Marston, had to have the assistance of 37884 Cepheus, which was on hand at Worcester for just such an eventuality.

Hydrogen fuel cell powered 799201 passes Bredon in the rain on 14 August 2024 with the 5Q63 13:56 Gloucester Signal G339 to Worcester mileage accumulation run. This is the site of Bredon station, which closed in 1965.

The unique Class 950 track recording unit 950001 was constructed in 1987 using a modified Class 150 bodyshell. Unfortunately, I never saw it in its original livery, which was standard BR blue and grey with a wide red mid bodyside stripe. It mostly continued to elude me in this later Railtrack colour scheme. Naturally after it was painted all over yellow, I have seen it on many occasions! Here it is passing New Barnetby on 8 December 2001.

With Didcot Power Station dominating the background, Network Rail's unique 950001 passes Foxhall Junction and slows down for the approach to Didcot Parkway station on 8 October 2010. It is working the 2Q08 08:25 Didcot to Banbury via just about everywhere test train. It is seen here returning from Severn Tunnel Junction, and will shortly be heading back to Foxhall Junction (in the background), before taking the west curve (disappearing through the bushes behind the unit) to Oxford. It will be then head back to Didcot, and then back through Oxford to Claydon Junction, followed by Oxford again, and then finally Banbury!

As a First Great Western HST speeds non-stop through Didcot Parkway station on 8 October 2010, Network Rail's 950001 approaches Foxhall Junction with the 2Q08 08:25 Didcot to Banbury test train. It had already visited South Wales, and would now head towards Oxford by way of Didcot's West Curve. It would shortly be back, before heading off to Oxford once again.

Hardly ideal lighting, but you don't get many trains traversing Didcot's West Curve. On 8 October 2010, 950001 rounds the curve between Foxhall Junction and Didcot West Curve Junction with the 2Q08 08:25 Didcot to Banbury Network Rail measurement train. Although essentially built using a Class 150 bodyshell, this was purpose built as a test vehicle, rather than being converted from a former passenger unit.

Network Rail's 950001 passes Didcot North Junction on 8 October 2010 with the 2Q08 08:25 Didcot to Banbury test train. You might think that it's going the wrong way for a Didcot to Banbury train, but as with all test trains the route is somewhat convoluted. Didcot to Severn Tunnel Junction and return, followed by a trip to Oxford via Didcot's West Curve. Back to Didcot (as seen here), then off via Oxford again, this time to Claydon Junction. Finally on to Banbury via a reversal at Oxford!

Running a few minutes early, 950001 ambles along the relief line at Cossington on 22 March 2012 with the 2Z08 08:31 Derby RTC to Old Dalby working. The unit would later be used for calibration tests on the Old Dalby test track. Network Rail's all over yellow colour scheme even seems to extend to a colour matched plastic bag over the front coupler!

950001 has just passed underneath the M62 motorway, and approaches Rawcliffe on 12 March 2012 with the 05:55 Doncaster West Yard to Doncaster West Yard (via Hull) test train. Note how the single track of this once double track route weaves from one side of the formation to the other underneath the bridge, with a short abandoned section of the other line visible in the foreground.

After a ten minute sojourn in Challow loop, 950001 prepares to rejoin the mainline at the site of Challow station on 8 April 2014. It is working the 2Q08 08:22 Didcot to Bristol Temple Meads. This is obviously a going away shot, as the view in the other direction was impossibly backlit. Also, I have wanted to take a picture of something on the down relief line at this point, showing the connection with the mainline in the background. Unfortunately, other than resorting to taking pictures of light engines, there is normally no possibility of this, so this proved to be the ideal subject.

950001 passes underneath the soon to be replaced roadbridge at Shrivenham on 9 April 2014 with the 2Q08 07:57 Bristol Temple Meads to Didcot test train. Shrivenham station's long abandoned up platform can be seen behind the unit.

950001, the unique Network Rail test DMU, built in 1987 utilising a Class 150 bodyshell, is seen here passing Claydon on 17 February 2015. It is running as the 2Z08 09:15 Derby RTC to Plymouth. It has just gone from running exactly to time, to being 15 minutes early. This was achieved by not being held as booked in the loop near Ashchurch station (just visible in the distance).

950001 traverses the extremely overgrown Morris Cowley branch on 6 February 2017 with the 2Q08 08:26 Oxford Down Carriage Sidings to Oxford Down Carriage Sidings (via Leamington Spa and Didcot) Network Rail test train. It is pictured here passing Littlemore. Knowing that this location was hemmed in with bushes, I was glad that the forecast was for a cloudy morning. Unbelievably, the sun started to come out as I arrived, making this location nearly impossible for photography. I needn't have worried however, as it was back to miserably dull conditions when it actually arrived!

After having reversed at Morris Cowley, 950001 passes the site of Littlemore station on 6 February 2017 with the 2Q08 08:26 Oxford Down Carriage Sidings to Oxford Down Carriage Sidings (via Leamington Spa and Didcot) Network Rail test train. As it is now extremely unusual to get anything other than the BMW Mini car trains on the Morris Cowley branch, this was definitely worth photographing. The former Littlemore oil depot was situated where the bushes can be seen in the background. This closed after a brief renaissance in the late 1990s.

950001 runs slowly through Hinksey Yard on 6 February 2017 with the 2Q08 08:26 Oxford Down Carriage Sidings to Oxford Down Carriage Sidings Network Rail test train. This had earlier visited Leamington Spa, before heading down the Morris Cowley branch, and then reversing at Didcot. The 1V85 07:00 Edinburgh to Reading CrossCountry Voyager has just got out of the way in time!

Having just left its brief booked pathing stop in Cheltenham Lansdown Loop, 950001 passes Badgeworth on 4 December 2017, running as the 2Q08 08:18 Derby RTC to Laira. The housing estates of Up Hatherley can be seen spreading across the former fields in the background.

950001 passes Ladywood (between Droitwich and Worcester) in an unexpected patch of sunshine on 5 October 2018 with the 2Q08 11:28 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train.

950001 slowly traverses the Long Marston line at Honeybourne on 5 October 2018 with the 2Q08 11:28 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. As this is such a short train, and as there was nobody on the station, I decided to opt for a wider view, including some of Honeybourne station's new infrastructure.

950001 approaches Honeybourne on 5 October 2018, after visiting Long Marston with the 2Q08 11:28 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. This was running over an hour late, but that would get a lot worse, as having lost its path over the Cotswold Line, it would sit in Honeybourne station for another hour and a half!

Not going anywhere anytime soon! 950001 sits on the line from Long Marston at the back of Honeybourne station on 5 October 2018, having lost its path over the Cotswold Line with the late running 2Q08 11:28 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. There was a clue that it was going to be here for a long time, when two members of the train's crew walked out of the station, and into the nearby village!

Running 134 minutes late, 950001 passes the derelict lineside sheds at Badsey on 5 October 2018 with the 2Q08 11:28 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. After a late return from Long Marston, the train had sat at Honeybourne station for over an hour and a half.

950001 passes Kintbury on 23 August 2019 with the 2Z08 09:26 Bristol Temple Meads to Reading Triangle Sidings test train. It had just traversed the loop at Hungerford, which was obviously part of its test schedule, as it did not need to for pathing reasons.

950001 passes Manningford Bruce on 27 August 2019 with the 2Z08 10:22 Reading Triangle Sidings to Westbury test train. This was running seven minutes early. If it had been eight minutes early I would have missed it!

950001 passes Stoke Orchard on 14 June 2021 with the 2Q08 05:00 Derby RTC to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. I had a long wait for this, as although it arrived at Ashchurch loop (a couple of miles away) more or less on time, it then sat there for nearly two hours, and so was 104 minutes late when it passed me!

If you think some of the modern DMU designs operating in the UK are ugly, then just cross the Irish Sea! Given that there is no corridor connection on the front of the Northern Ireland Railways Class 3000 DMU, it is difficult to see how they could have come up with such a hideous design, but they have certainly managed it! 3012 arrives at Dublin Central on 23 May 2018 with the 09:45 Belfast Great Victoria Street to Larne Harbour service.

Northern Ireland Railways Class 3000 CAF built DMU 3022 approaches Belfast Central station on 23 May 2018 with the 12:55 Larne Harbour to Belfast Great Victoria Street service. In the background is the bridge over the River Lagan. Just beyond the bridge is Lagan Junction, where the lines to Larne and Bangor diverge.

Iarnród Éireann 2800 Class twin set 2803 & 2804 departs from the bay platform at Limerick Junction on 21 May 2018 with the 13:36 service to Limerick. Ten of these sets were built by the Tokyu Car Corporation in 2000. Despite being a relatively modern design, two of original ten sets have already been withdrawn.

The faded glory of Sligo station, pictured on 24 May 2018. With just a single platform in use, and with the overall roof having spent nearly a century as a steel skeleton, after being set on fire during the Irish Civil War, the station certainly presents a forlorn appearance. However, at least it still survives, as in the UK it would probably have been bulldozed and replaced by a short platform with one miserable 'bus shelter'! Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22012 waits in the platform, prior to departure with the 15:00 service to Dublin Connolly.

Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22022 stands at Tralee station on 22 May 2018. The 'Out of Service' being displayed in the destination window is slightly misleading, as it is in fact just on a seven minute break, between arriving with the 13:20 train from Mallow, and departing with the 15:05 service back to Mallow. Unlike normal practice in the UK, Irish Rail DMUs carry the vehicle number on the front, rather than the set number. Note the old goods shed in the background.

Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22024 approaches Newbridge in the rain on 21 May 2018 with the 13:10 Westport to Dublin Heuston service. This train, like most Irish trains seen during my visit, was running exactly to time. Something I am not used to, given my local franchise operator's (GWR) appalling punctuality record!

Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22031 passes Roseberry (near Newbridge) on 25 May 2018 with the 11:25 Dublin Heuston to Galway service. Originally delivered as either three or six car units, the big 22000 Class reshuffle of 2014 saw 22031 lose one of its original vehicles. There are no longer any six car units in operation.

Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22035 speeds through Newbridge station on 21 May 2018 with the 10:15 Dublin Heuston to Waterford service. Easily the most stylish of Ireland's DMUs, the South Korean built Hyundai Rotem 22000s bear a striking similarity to the UK's Class 180 units, especially in five car form, as here.

Neatly framed by the platform end signals, Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22044 diverges onto the bay platform line at Newbridge on 23 May 2018, as it arrives at the station with the 18:20 service from Dublin Grand Central Dock.

Soft evening light at Newbridge on 23 May 2018, as Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22061 arrives at the station with the 19:05 Dublin Heuston to Portlaoise service. These stylish units operate in three car, four car, and five car formations, although they were originally delivered as either three car or six car sets.

Iarnród Éireann 22000 Class 22063 passes Roseberry (near Newbridge) on 25 May 2018 with the 07:05 Tralee to Dublin Heuston service. My original choice of location was the farm occupation bridge in the background, but as that it obviously not used anymore, and presumably because it is next to a housing estate, it is now completely surrounded by palisade fencing

A study in light and shade at Sligo on 24 May 2018. Iarnród Éireann 29000 Class 29018 stands underneath the station's now incomplete overall roof, shortly after arriving with the 08:00 service from Dublin Connolly. Like all Irish units, the number 29418 on the front is the vehicle number, rather than the set number. The vehicle at the other end of the unit is numbered 29118. In the background is the disused signal box.

Swedish Y7 railcar 1212 and its matching trailer 1987 stand at Wansford station on 17 July 2022, prior to working the 1Z11 12:15 service to Peterborough. The 1958 built railcar arrived at the Nene Valley Railway in 1984, and has therefore now had a much longer career in the UK, than in Sweden. Note the painted patch near the front door, where the former Helga nameplate was fixed.

Swedish Y7 railcar 1212 and trailer 1987 stand at Yarwell station on 17 July 2022, whilst working the 1Z11 12:15 service to Peterborough. Yarwell station is at the westernmost end of the Nene Valley Railway, and is on  the site of the former junction of the lines to Market Harborough and Oundle.

Never mind the Swedish DMU, let's all look at the electric! Virtually everyone on the platform at Peterborough (Nene Valley) station is watching 91130 Lord Mayor of Newcastle, as it speeds past on the East Coast Mainline with the 1D14 12:33 Kings Cross to Leeds LNER service on 17 July 2022. Receiving less attention is former Swedish State Railways Y7 trailer 1987 and railcar 1212, which are waiting to form the 1Z12 13:30 Nene Valley Railway service to Wansford.