Keith Iles

I was also pleasantly surprised to find there were diverted trains to Stratford from here, via Primrose Hill.

Momentary calm on the WCML at South Hampstead, but a Chiltern Line passes over in the middle distance on its approach to Marylebone.

Paddington

I have that problem with Luton, although my friend at work says that's a blessing, not a curse!

A station I always forget exists when doing tube map challenges online, but today is my destination to watch Cheltenham Town away at Barnet.

At least it's still running. Cross Country would have cancelled it, and the five following trains as well.

Good news in itself, but unless they run longer trains, and stop towing empty units around due to lack of traincrew, I think the passenger experience will be much the same.

That's a great one to finish with, congratulations Sam. I've only just passed 800 in about the same amount of time, so to do the lot is a great achievement!

Station number 800 for me is the unremarkable Marsh Barton. It would be a pleasant spot if not for the constant rumble from the adjacent incinerator! It is a pretty standard unstaffed new-build station.

For people of a certain age, Some Might Say this is an iconic (former) station building.

The single line token is returned to the machine at Amber gate as 170506 prepares to rejoin the main line. Unusually, the platform shelter faces the car park rather than the platform.

A bird's-eye view of a former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp showing a wide dirt pathway flanked by parallel rows of barbed-wire fences. Groups of visitors walk along the path, surrounded by the remnants of brick structures and barracks, now reduced to foundations. Green grass contrasts with the somber history of the site, as the path leads toward a guard tower in the distance.

Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.

Journey's end at Matlock as the rain resumes. The Peak Rail platform is on the left, but no services there now until the February half-term!

The rain has just stopped as 158783 arrives at Spondon with an EMR service to Matlock.

Visited Cottingley about 3 months ago - White Rose looked about 90% complete from passing trains. Location is a bit curious – looks like they didn’t want to completely commit to locating it by the Shopping Centre and have compromised by keeping it relatively close to the Cottingley housing estates.

I made the opposite mistake a couple of months ago - walked from Caledonian Rd tube to Caley Rd & Barnsbury to catch the overground and tick it off, and when I got home found I'd already been there! Still, I found a nice fish & chip restaurant en route, so not an entirely wasted walk!

10 minutes is probably the recommended maximum to spend there!

Another milestone reached on my travels around the GB railway stations, I've now passed 30%. Milestone station on this occasion was Fazakerley.

Happy New Year everyone 🎉

Dolau certainly top 5 for me as well:

5 Minffordd
4 Lostwithiel
3 Bristol Temple Meads
2 Dolau
1 Avoncliff

37407 and 37418 top and tail UK Railtours' Simply Awkward Week Adventure at Tattenham Corner on 30/12/2025. A somewhat confused local looks on!

The only train this year to call at Sampford Courtenay!

Appears to still show the rail connection from Waterloo to Waterloo East (then Waterloo Junction), although this had been removed in 1911 when Waterloo underwent re-modelling.

Sunrise and sunset are out of sync though - sunrise carries on getting later until 30 December, but we have been past the earliest sunset for over a week already.

I was in 5727, but no sign of cakes there!

A nice touch on the 455 Farewell, with the cabside decals.

Following the Pathfinder Finale yesterday, today is the class 455 farewell.

I'm on the 2nd train.

Yes please!

D1015, masquerading on one side as D1001 Western Pathfinder, arrives into Cheltenham with the Pathfinder Finale railtour