01. The Great Central Railway's initials are incorporated into the wrought iron railings (and gates) outside the entrance arch into Marylebone station, London. Tuesday 14th March 2006.

02. 1966/06/xx. Utterly filthy LMS "Black 5" 4-6-0 No. 45267 sits in the platform at Marylebone station awaiting departure time with 1D35, the 16:38 semi-fast train to Nottingham Victoria. Judging by the scrawled chalk marks on the smokebox door, it wasn't too good a rider at this stage! June 1966.

1962/09/15. GWR "Castle" Class 4-6-0 No. 7032 "Denbigh Castle" comes under the bridge at West Ruislip station with an up express bound for Paddington, Saturday 15th September 1962.

1963/04/20. LNER A3 Class 4-6-2 No. 4472 "Flying Scotsman" on its inaugural run in preservation, the Festiniog Railway Society special which it worked from Paddington to Ruabon, where two "Manors" took over. Here, it is passing the north goods yard at High Wycombe, getting into its stride again after stopping at the station. Saturday 20th April 1963. The railway here is now a basic two track layout, the yard and sidings have gone, now an industrial estate - even the bridge the train is about to pass under has been demolished.

1964/11/21. GWR "Castle" class 4-6-0 No. 5056 "Earl of Powis" is no longer in charge of express passenger trains, relegated to working humble goods trains. Here, it toils up the grade into Birmingham Snow Hill station from the Wolverhampton direction with a long train of wagons in tow. The engine has lost its smokebox numberplates, though its cabside number and nameplates are still in place. Saturday 21st November 1964.

1964/11/22. LMS Fairburn 4MT 2-6-4T No. 42106 has seen better days and is now dumped out of the back of the shed at Tyseley with its motion stripped. In front of it is the tender of an LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 whilst behind is GWR "Grange" Class 4-6-0 No. 6845 "Paviland Grange", also now out of use. Sunday 22nd November 1964.

1965/04/03. GWR "Castle" Class 4-6-0 No. 7029 "Clun Castle" heads at speed through High Wycombe Station on the up main line with an unidentified special*, possibly in early 1965. Photo by Frank Hopkins, courtesy Nick Burch. *The small headboard on the bufferbeam looks like that used by the Warwickshire Railway Society, but I cannot find a reference to one of their tours around this period and location. If anyone is able to help with the identity of the train I would be most grateful! This train has now been identified as 1X12, which was indeed a Warwickshire Railway Society special, running on Saturday 3rd April 1965 from Birmingham Snow Hill - Banbury - High Wycombe - Greenford - Southall - Didcot to Swindon. Return was via Oxford - Worcester - Lickey Incline. Thanks to Mike Morant and Peter Kellet for the information on this train!

1965/04/09, 1. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92238 heads into the Chiltern Hills near Seer Green & Jordans with a train of 16T mineral wagons for High Wycombe, Friday 9th April 1965.

1965/04/09, 2. The up working of the blue "Birmingham Pullman" diesel unit races towards Paddington near Seer Green in the Chilterns, Friday 9th April 1965.

1965/04/09, 3. LNER B1 Class 4-6-0 No. 61264 near Seer Green with the up Parcels train from Leicester to Marylebone, Friday 9th April 1965. This working was the last regular user of the line from Grendon Underwood to Ashendon Junction. This engine is one of only two survivors of the class and a frequent performer on the main line.

1965/04/09, 4. A fellow photographer also records the scene as "Castle" class 4-6-0 No. 7029 "Clun Castle" nears Seer Green with the 16:15 semi-fast train from Paddington to Banbury, with four Mark 1 coaches (one in BR(S) green livery) and a four wheel boxvan in tow. This was the last regularly steam hauled train from Paddington, running until June 1965. Friday 9th April 1965.

1965/04/13, 1. "Black 5" 44848 approaching Rickmansworth at Watford South Junction with the 14:38 semi-fast train from London Marylebone to Nottingham Victoria, Tuesday 13th April 1965.

1965/04/13, 2. 7022 "Hereford Castle" in the Chilterns near Seer Green with the 16:15 semi-fast from Paddington to Banbury, the last regular steam working from Paddington, Tuesday 13th April 1965.

1965/04/15. GWR "Castle" Class 4-6-0 No. 7022 "Hereford Castle" speeds through Denham Golf Club station in charge of the 16:15 semi-fast train from Paddington to Banbury, the last regularly steam-hauled train from Paddington, on the miserable afternoon of Thursday 15th April 1965.

1965/05/05. 7029 "Clun Castle" (minus name & numberplates) passing West Ruislip station on the down main line with the 16:15 semi-fast train from London Paddington to Banbury, the last regular steam working from Paddington. Wednesday 5th May 1965.

1965/05/15. "Black 5" 44715 near Pinner Green on the electrified tracks shared with the Metropolitan line of LT, with the 14:38 semi-fast train from London Marylebone to Nottingham Victoria, Saturday 15th May 1965.

1965/06/10, 1. 6854 "Roundhill Grange" heading north at Kingsey near Haddenham with a loose-coupled train of mineral wagons, Thursday 10th June 1965.

1965/06/10, 2. The up blue "Birmingham Pullman" passing the site of Ilmer Halt near Haddenham, en route from Birmingham Snow Hill to London Paddington, Thursday 10th June 1965.

1965/06/10, 3. "Black 5" 44936 passing the site of Ilmer Halt near Haddenham with an up Parcels Train from Leicester to Marylebone. This train was the last regular user of the Grendon Underwood to Ashendon Junction line, Thursday 10th June 1965.

1965/06/10, 4. GWR "Prairie" 2-6-2T No. 6161 propels a brakevan along the down through line at High Wycombe station, presumably on a trip working to the north yard, perhaps to pick up a train for the Maidenhead branch. Thursday 10th June 1965.

1965/06/11, 1. 7029 "Clun Castle" on Saunderton Bank with M48, the 16:15 train from Paddington to Banbury. This was the last regular steam-hauled train from Paddington and this was the last day it ran, Friday 11th June 1965.

1965/06/11, 2. 7029 "Clun Castle", having stopped at Princes Risborough, is seen again at Ilmer Halt near Haddenham with M48, the 16:15 from Paddington to Banbury, the last day it ran, Friday 11th June 1965.

1965/08/20. 6993 "Arthog Hall" picks up water from the troughs at Aynho as it heads south with a mixed goods, Friday 20th August 1965. The M40 motorway now crosses the track just about at the rear of the train!

1965/10/09. BR Standard "Britannia" 4-6-2 No. 70046 "ANZAC" is rather more exotic motive power than the usual "Black 5" at the head of the 14:38 semi-fast train from Marylebone to Nottingham Victoria, between Northwood and Moor Park, Saturday 9th October 1965.

1970/03/xx. After a moderate snowfall in March 1970, the signalbox at Neasden South Junction looks well heated but poorly insulated as the snow has melted from its roof! This 'box controlled the junction of the lines from Marylebone to High Wycombe and Amersham, as well as the line round the curve to Neasden Junction. LT's Neasden Depot can be seen in the background, a Metropolitan Line train of A60 stock heading for Baker Street. After resignalling, the 'box was demolished and re-erected at the Great Central Railway, Ruddington. At present the line to Amersham and Aylesbury is classed as the "main" line and the High Wycombe line as the "branch". This priority will be reversed under the proposals for "Evergreen 3" upgrading of the route.

1970/10/xx, 1. The splitting home signals at Blind Lane, Wembley Hill, where the twin tracks of the GCR line into Marylebone widened into four to pass through Wembley Hill station. The posts are original GCR but the lower quadrant signal arms have been replaced by newer upper quadrants. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 2. Blind Lane signalbox's starters at Wembley Hill station, on the GCR route out of Marylebone. The nearer, shorter signal is for the down platform loop line, the taller lower quadrant is for the down main line. This is an original GCR signal, whereas the loop's signal is a more modern upper quadrant signal on a lattice post. The through main lines were later removed, along with the signalling, the track layout much simplified. Since then, a new turnback siding was installed for Wembley Stadium traffic, and this is also now used by trains coming out of Wembley depot. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 3. Some relics of a bygone age at Wembley Hill station on the Great Central line out of Marylebone, original Great Central lower quadrant signals on the up lines through the cutting. There were originally four tracks here, two through lines and the loops for the station platforms, this gantry straddled the up loop line and carried Blind Lane's advanced starter on the up loop and originally the advanced starter and the distant signal for Neasden South signalbox on the through line, only the distant then remaining. This was all swept away, including the through lines, many years ago and the whole station has now been rebuilt for the new Wembley Stadium, the station also having been renamed years ago. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 4. Some relics of a bygone age at Wembley Hill station on the Great Central line out of Marylebone, original Great Central lower quadrant signals on the up lines through the cutting. There were originally four tracks here, two through lines and the loops for the station platforms, this gantry straddled the up loop line and carried Blind Lane's advanced starter on the up loop and originally the advanced starter and the distant signal for Neasden South signalbox on the through line, only the distant then remaining. This was all swept away, including the through lines, many years ago and the whole station has now been rebuilt for the new Wembley Stadium, the station also having been renamed years ago. October 1970.

1971/02/xx, 1. Neasden Great Central. A small lower quadrant GCR signal still controlled the exit from a scrapyard opposite Neasden underground station out onto the mainline at Neasden South Junction. Class 25 No. D5220 had entered the yard to shunt and the signal is now "on" to protect the junction. February 1971.

1971/02/xx, 2. Neasden Great Central. A small lower quadrant GCR signal still controlled the exit from a scrapyard opposite Neasden underground station out onto the mainline at Neasden South Junction. Class 25 D5220 shunts in the yard. February 1971. D5220 later became 25070 and was withdrawn in November 1980, being scrapped at Swindon Works in May 1983.

1971/02/xx, 3. The splitting signals at Neasden South Junction on the GCR line out of Marylebone, Neasden South Junction's Home signal on the right for the Amersham line, while on the left is the Home signal and Blind Lane's Distant signal for the High Wycombe route. February 1971.

1971/02/xx, 4. Neasden Great Central. A small lower quadrant GCR signal still controlled the exit from a scrapyard opposite Neasden underground station out onto the mainline at Neasden South Junction. Class 25 No. D5220 had entered the yard to shunt and the signal is now "off" to allow it out of the yard again. February 1971.

1972/08/xx, 1. Sudbury & Harrow Road was my local station at this time, this is the view looking towards South Ruislip in August 1972, as a Class 117 (?) DMU approaches with a train to Marylebone. The platforms were wooden and the station still lit by gas lamps. Originally, like many of the stations on this line, there were fast through tracks, long since removed as can be seen by the empty formation. These buildings were subsequently demolished and a new island platform built where the through tracks used to be - though the service is still pretty sparse!

1972/08/xx, 2. Sudbury & Harrow Road was my local station at this time, this is the view looking towards Marylebone in August 1972. The platforms were wooden and the station still lit by gas lamps. The distant signal is that of the next signalbox at Blind Lane, where the line opened out to four tracks through Wembley Hill. Originally, like many of the stations on this line, there were fast through tracks, long since removed as can be seen by the formation on the bridge over the Harrow Road. These buildings were subsequently demolished and a new island platform built where the through tracks used to be - though the service is still pretty sparse!

1980/01/26, 1. Previously Brush Type 4 No. D1853, now Class 47 No. 47203, heads south between Aynho Junction and the remains of Aynho station with a Cross Country express on the cold but sunny afternoon of Saturday 26th January 1980. The bridge and embankment in the background is the line to Paddington and Marylebone via Bicester and High Wycombe.

1980/01/26, 2. Class 50 No. 50024 "Vanguard" with a northbound InterCity Cross Country express passes the remains of the station at Aynho on the afternoon of Saturday 26th January 1980 - the engine looks somewhat oil-stained! The Brunel station building in the background was at that time virtually derelict, it has now been restored and is a private house.

1982/12/06. 08946 northbound light engine approaching Oxford station, Monday 6th December 1982.

1982/12/06. 47500 "Great Western" approaching Oxford station with a northbound cross country express, Monday 6th December 1982.

1982/12/06. 50028 "Tiger" pulls away from Oxford station with a southbound cross country express, Monday 6th December 1982.

1983/08/xx. Prior to "Total Route Modernisation" at Gerrards Cross, looking towards Denham. The through lines are still in situ but rusty and very rarely used as two light Class 31's (one of which is 31401) pass on the down through line. The up loop was later lifted and the platform built out over the up through line, so the down through line became the up line! The tunnel which has collapsed was being constructed between the two bridges in the distance. August 1983.

1984/06/08, 1. An unidentified Class 47 has just emerged from the short tunnel near Princes Risborough on the southbound climb towards Saunderton summit, through the chalk cutting of the Chiltern hills. It is working the empty oil tanks from the depot at Thame back to Margam (possibly train 7V98 which ran WSX, but wasn't due to leave Thame until 19:20, so would be very early at the time this photo was taken) on the afternoon of Friday 8th June 1984. The line here is not single track, the up and down lines are grade separated for the climb over Saunderton summit.

1984/06/08, 2. An unidentified Class 47 is on the northbound climb to Saunderton summit, near Bradenham, possibly with 6M34, the 08:00 WSX Llandarcy to Thame Oil Terminal loaded oil tanks, due to arrive at Thame at 15:58. Friday 8th June 1984.

1984/06/08, 3. An unidentified Class 47 is on the northbound climb to Saunderton summit, near Bradenham, possibly with 6M34, the 08:00 WSX Llandarcy to Thame Oil Terminal loaded oil tanks, due to arrive at Thame at 15:58. Friday 8th June 1984.

1984/06/08, 4. A rare working on the Chiltern line was this train of new 1983 design Jubilee line underground stock (3 cars) heading south from the builders in Birmingham, perhaps initially to West Ruislip LUL depot. It is being hauled by Class 25 No. 25265 just south of Haddenham, and caught me by surprise, hence I'm not in the best position to see all the train! Sadly, the sun had just gone behind a cloud as well! Friday 8th June 1984.

1984/06/08, 5. The "Ponny" pond just south of Haddenham village is a popular spot for local fishermen, especially on a lovely June evening. The anglers enjoy their quiet pastime as an unidentified Class 47 disturbs the peace as it passes with the northbound 17:45 train from Paddington to Birmingham, this and the up working in the morning being the only loco-hauled train at that time. Friday 8th June 1984.

1984/06/08, 6. The "Ponny" pond just south of Haddenham village is a popular spot for local fishermen, especially on a lovely June evening. The anglers enjoy their quiet pastime as an unidentified Class 47 disturbs the peace as it passes with the northbound 17:45 train from Paddington to Birmingham, this and the up working in the morning being the only loco-hauled train at that time. Friday 8th June 1984.

1985/10/05. 50008 "Thunderer" approaches Aynho Junction's home signals with a southbound cross country express, under clear signals for the Oxford line. Saturday 5th October 1985.

1986/12/13. 47140 (originally D1732) approaching Seer Green with the "Binliner" train from Northolt to Calvert on Saturday 13th December 1986, running between normal service trains and also the "Santa Specials" operating that weekend. The engine was withdrawn in February 1988 and scrapped at Vic Berry's yard in Leicester in July 1989.

1986/12/28. I wasn't expecting this train as it was a Sunday, so was not in the best position to get a picture! 45070 rattles down Saunderton Bank with the empty "Binliner" train from Calvert to Northolt on 28th December 1986. This engine was originally D122, it was withdrawn shortly after in January 1987 and scrapped by MC Metals in Glasgow, May 1989.

1987/12/05. A train which still runs today, though the wagons are the only survivors in this shot - almost everything else has changed - signalling, track layout and motive power. 47 465 is working very hard to lift its heavy loaded "binliner" rubbish train out of the waste terminal at Northolt (seen in the left background) and onto the main line at South Ruislip heading for the landfill site at Calvert. Northolt East Junction signalbox can be seen above the wagons and many of its semaphore signals are still in evidence. These emphasise that the "main" line was straight on to Paddington and that the diverging route to Marylebone was the secondary route, this priority now reversed. Saturday 5th December 1987.

1988/09/03, 1. Hertfordshire Railtours "Chinnor Tonic" DMU special waits at Wainhill crossing gates as the guard opens them for the train to pass. It was en route from Chinnor back to Princes Risborough, then going to Thame. Saturday 3rd September 1988.

1988/09/03, 2. The occupant of the crossing house at Wainhill watches the proceedings as the guard returns to the train having closed the gates behind it. Hertfordshire Railtours DMU special, the "Chinnor Tonic" en route from Chinnor to Princes Risborough, Saturday 3rd September 1988.

1988/09/03, 3. Hertfordshire Railtours DMU special, the "Chinnor Tonic" at Thame Junction. It has just come off the line from Chinnor on the right then reversed at Princes Risborough and is now on the line to Thame. These are two single lines, the actual junction being just outside Princes Risborough, Saturday 3rd September 1988.

1989/04/28. 37890 descends Saunderton Bank with the oil empties from the terminal at Thame returning to Ripple Lane, Friday 28th April 1989.

1989/09/09. 37705 restarting from High Wycombe with the Ripple Lane to Thame loaded oil tanks, 15:20 Friday 29th September 1989.

1989/11/11, 1. 31420 at the UKF Fertiliser depot siding at Akeman Street with the Saturdays Only (As Required) train from Bletchley via Claydon & Grendon Underwood Junctions. 11:00, Saturday 11th November 1989.

1989/11/11, 2. This train was as rare as hen's teeth! It ran Saturdays Only, as required! 31420 with half its train of 22 OCAs and a brakevan (the other half is still out on the "main line") in the UKF fertiliser depot on the Woodham industrial estate at Akeman Street on what was the line between Grendon Underwood and Ashendon Junctions. 11:00, Saturday 11th November 1989. The train originated from Ince & Elton and ran to Bletchley, part of the train continued further and this part made its way here via Claydon L&NE Junction and Grendon Underwood Junction. On departure, the loco propelled the train back to Grendon Underwood, then ran to Aylesbury to run-round before retracing its steps to Bletchley. Here the train is being unloaded at the depot by a forklift truck. Photos taken with permission.

1989/11/11, 3. This train was as rare as hen's teeth! It ran Saturdays Only, as required! 31420 with half its train of 22 OCAs and a brakevan (the other half is still out on the "main line") in the UKF fertiliser depot on the Woodham industrial estate at Akeman Street on what was the line between Grendon Underwood and Ashendon Junctions. 11:00, Saturday 11th November 1989. The train originated from Ince & Elton and ran to Bletchley, part of the train continued further and this part made its way here via Claydon L&NE Junction and Grendon Underwood Junction. On departure, the loco propelled the train back to Grendon Underwood, then ran to Aylesbury to run-round before retracing its steps to Bletchley. Here the train is being unloaded at the depot by a forklift truck. Photos taken with permission.

1989/11/11, 4. 31420 in the UKF Fertiliser Depot at Akeman Street with the rarely seen Saturdays Only (As Required) train from Bletchley, 11:00 Saturday 11th November 1989.