1962/04/14. The engine that pioneered preserved steam on the main line was Captain Bill Smith's LNER Class J52 0-6-0ST No. 68846, ex-GNR No. 1247, here on one of its early specials at Hatfield. It has just run round its train and is waiting to depart for Luton Bute Street along the line through Harpenden East station. Saturday 14th April 1962.

1962/06/02, 1. LNER Gresley A4 Class 4-6-2 No. 60022 "Mallard" waits departure time at King's Cross with the joint RCTS/SLS "Aberdeen Flyer", a weekend special from London to Aberdeen, outward via the ECML and return via the WCML the following day. "Mallard" was scheduled to run non-stop to Edinburgh but was foiled by a "hot box" on a goods train ahead of it not clearing the main line in time to prevent a signal stop. Saturday 2nd June 1962.

1962/06/02, 2. LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 No. 60022 "Mallard" has arrived at Edinburgh Waverley with the joint RCTS/SLS railtour the "Aberdeen Flyer" which it has just hauled from King's Cross. It is about to come off the train and be replaced by fellow A4 60004 "William Whitelaw", which can be seen in the background. This engine took the train forward to Aberdeen. Saturday 2nd June 1962.

1962/06/02, 3. LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 No. 60022 "Mallard" has arrived at Edinburgh Waverley with the joint RCTS/SLS railtour the "Aberdeen Flyer" which it has just hauled from King's Cross. It is about to come off the train and be replaced by fellow A4 60004 "William Whitelaw", coming up alongside. This engine took the train forward to Aberdeen. Saturday 2nd June 1962.

1962/06/02, 4. LNER A4 Class 4-6-2 No. 60004 "William Whitelaw" at Edinburgh Waverley, backing down onto the joint RCTS/SLS railtour the "Aberdeen Flyer", hauled from King's Cross by 60022 "Mallard", to take the train forward to Aberdeen. Saturday 2nd June 1962.

1962/08/04, 1. Peppercorn A1 Class 4-6-2 No. 60139 "Sea Eagle" roars through Hadley Wood station with a northbound express from King's Cross on Saturday 4th August 1962. The engine is allocated to 36A, Doncaster MPD.

1962/08/04, 2. LNER "A4" Class 4-6-2 No. 60008 "Dwight D. Eisenhower" is at the head of an up East Coast express as it leaves the old tunnel at Hadley North and approaches Hadley Wood station en route to King's Cross on the afternoon of Saturday 4th August 1962.

1962/08/04, 3. LNER "A3" Class 4-6-2 No. 60067 "Ladas" is on its way to King's Cross with an up East Coast express and is about to pass Hadley Wood station having just emerged from Hadley North Tunnel on the afternoon of Saturday 4th August 1962.

1962/08/04, 4. A1 Class 4-6-2 No. 60117 "Bois Roussel" has just emerged from Greenwood Tunnel and is passing through Hadley Wood station with a northbound express from King's Cross on Saturday 4th August 1962.

1962/08/05, 1. LNER A4 4-6-2 No. 60030 "Golden Fleece" roars through Hadley Wood station with a down express from King's Cross on Sunday 5th August 1962.

1962/08/05, 2. A3 4-6-2 No. 60107 "Royal Lancer" comes out of the old tunnel at Hadley North and approaches Hadley Wood station with an up express, Sunday 5th August 1962.

1962/08/05, 3. Prototype Brush 2700hp Co-Co diesel electric No. D0280 "Falcon" passes Hadley Wood station with 1G61, the down 15:15 from King's Cross to Sheffield Victoria. This was normally a Saturdays Only train, but was here running on a Bank Holiday Sunday. The "Master Cutler" ran with the same headcode from Monday to Friday, though this was a Pullman train and carried the appropriate headboard. Sunday 5th August 1962.

1963/06/01, 1. Gresley V2 Class 2-6-2 No. 60847 "St. Peter's School York, AD 627" running light engine, comes out of Hadley North tunnel, Saturday 1st June 1963.

1963/06/01, 2. LNER A4 4-6-2 No. 60008 "Dwight D. Eisenhower" about to enter Hadley North Tunnel with an up express to King's Cross on Saturday 1st June 1963. This was the last couple of weeks of regular steam operation south of Peterborough, all trains being diesel hauled from 17th June 1963, except for special or emergency occasions.

1963/06/01, 3. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92041 has just left Hadley North Tunnel with a down fitted freight from King's Cross goods yard on Saturday 1st June 1963. This was the last couple of weeks of regular steam operation south of Peterborough, all trains being diesel hauled from 17th June 1963, except for special or emergency occasions.

1963/06/01, 4. LNER A3 Class 4-6-2 No. 60061 "Pretty Polly" approaches Hadley North Tunnel with an up express to King's Cross during the last weeks of regular steam haulage south of Peterborough, after which all trains were diesel hauled, apart from "one-offs" and specials. Saturday 1st June 1963.

1963/06/01, 5. "Deltic" No. D9018 "Ballymoss" (later 55018), exits Hadley North tunnel with 1N24, the down "Yorkshire Pullman", 17:25 from King's Cross to Harrogate, Saturday 1st June 1963.

1963/06/01, 6. A1 4-6-2 No. 60120 "Kittiwake" leaves Hadley North tunnel with a northbound express from King's Cross, Saturday 1st June 1963.

1963/06/15, 1. A1 Class 4-6-2 No. 60117 "Bois Roussel" emerges from Hadley North tunnel with a down express from King's Cross. Saturday 15th June 1963.

1963/06/15, 2. LNER A2/3 4-6-2 No. 60500 "Edward Thompson" about to enter Hadley North Tunnel with an up express to King's Cross on Saturday 15th June 1963. This was the last weekend of regular steam operation south of Peterborough, all trains being diesel hauled from 17th June 1963, except for special or emergency occasions.

1964/02/16, 1. An unidentified typically filthy LNER K1 class 2-6-0 sits on a storage road at Doncaster, looking as though it is unlikey that it will move under its own steam again. Sunday 16th February 1964.

1964/02/16, 2. LNER Gresley class O2/2 3 cylinder 2-8-0 No. 63940 on the storage road at Doncaster MPD on Sunday 16th February 1964. It doesn't look as though it has worked for some time - did it ever work again? Built in 1924, the engine has a Great Northern Railway style cab and tender.

1964/02/16, 3. After standing for a while, LNER V2 class 2-6-2 No. 60810 has its cylinder cocks open as it shunts an unidentified classmate (double-chimneyed) around in the yard at Doncaster MPD on a miserable Sunday 16th February 1964.

1964/02/17, 1. WD 2-8-0 No. 90480 trundles south through Doncaster station on the up fast line with a mixed freight train on the afternoon of Monday 17th February 1964.

1964/02/17, 2. LNER J50/3 class 0-6-0T, formerly No. 68976, has now been relegated into Departmental stock as No. 16, and is spending its last days shunting around the yards at Doncaster, here in charge of a newly repaired DMU coach E56415, built by Cravens. Monday 17th February 1964.

1964/02/17, 3. LNER Peppercorn A1 4-6-2 No. 60157 "Great Eastern" is the standby engine in the yard at the south end of Doncaster station. Judging by the amount of steam leaking from all over the place, it's to be hoped that its services were not required! Monday 17th February 1964.

1964/07/xx. A panoramic view from above Hadley North tunnel as ECML "Deltic" No. D9019 (55019) "Royal Highland Fusilier" heads for King's Cross with 1A33, the 09:00 up express from Edinburgh in July 1964.

1965/08/01. A1 Class 4-6-2 No. 60124 "Kenilworth" (minus nameplates) is standby engine at Darlington MPD on Sunday 1st August 1965. It is stabled next to the turntable, so can be used for trains in either direction, and is already carrying "Class 1" headcode lamps!

1965/08/01. Ex-Works Gresley V2 Class 2-6-2 No. 60955 outside Darlington shed in fully lined green livery, before returning home to 64A, St. Margarets MPD, Edinburgh. Sunday 1st August 1965.

1965/08/01. Ex-Works LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No. 48678 in the shed yard at Darlington, Sunday 1st August 1965. In the background is D178, later 46041.

1965/08/01. NER T2 Class 0-8-0 (LNER/BR Class Q6) No.63398 dumped at Darlington MPD, either for scrap or intermediate repair as some of these engines lasted until the end of steam in the area in 1967. Sunday 1st August 1965.

1965/12/04, 1. LMS "Jubilee" class 4-6-0 No. 45596 "Bahamas" is the train engine behind pilot engine 45654 "Hood" soon after they have arrived at York with the RCTS "Jubilee Commemorative Railtour". This started in two portions, one from Crewe and one from Liverpool, the two combining at Manchester Exchange for the rest of the run to York. Saturday 4th December 1965.

1965/12/04, 2. In the yard at York MPD (50A), a couple of engines are ready to go off shed for their next duties, both carrying pilot or trip headlamp codes. On the right is K1 class 2-6-0 No. 62012, while on the left is LMS 8F 2-8-0 No. 48286. Both are adding to the general murk and gloom on the afternoon of Saturday 4th December 1965.

1966/03/05. Brush Type 4 Co-Co diesel No. D1682 (later 47096) is still in original two-tone green livery as it heads south at Brookman's Park with 1A09, an up express from York to King's Cross on the lovely early spring day of Saturday 5th March 1966.

1969/03/xx, 1. Class 55 "Deltic" No. 9000 "Royal Scots Grey" arrives at a snowy Newcastle Central station with 1A23, the up "Flying Scotsman" from Edinburgh to King's Cross. March 1969.

1969/03/xx, 2. As the coaches of the up "Flying Scotsman" enter the station on the right, "Deltic" Class 55 No. D9017 "The Durham Light Infantry" sets off north from Newcastle Central with a down ECML express to Edinburgh. March 1969.

1969/06/xx. From the Geoff Plumb collection of original slides. English Electric/Napier "Baby Deltic" (Class 23) No. D5909 was one of ten locos built in 1959, here seen at Hitchin diesel depot, from where the whole class operated, though allocated to Finsbury Park (34G). Never very successful, the whole class had been withdrawn from service by March 1971, this engine and D5905 (behind D5909 in this view) being the last two survivors. D5909 was the only member of the class to receive BR Blue livery, none carried their TOPS numbers. Both these engines were scrapped at G. Cohen's in Kettering during August 1973. Photo taken by unknown photographer in June 1969.

1970/09/xx, 1. English Electric Type 4 No. 282 (later Class 40 No. 40082) is somewhat oil-begrimed as it stands outside the servicing depot at King's Cross, sometimes known as "bottom shed" (as opposed to the main shed known as "top shed"). Also present is a Brush Type 2 (possibly No. 5600, later 31179 and later still 31435!) and Brush Type 4 No. 1537 (47010 "Xancidae"). There is another Class 47 inside the shed and another engine hidden by No. 282. September 1970.

1970/09/xx, 2. Brush Type 2 No. 5623 (later Class 31 No. 31199) is still in original livery apart from the BR "double arrow" logo as it runs into King's Cross station alongside the signalbox with 5S34, which was presumably the ECS for an Anglo-Scottish express. Beyond, at what was known as "bottom shed" are two Brush Type 4's, later Class 47, also in two-tone green livery. September 1970.

1970/10/xx, 1. Before it was swept away during electrification work, the London suburbs on the ECML were awash with semaphore signalling. Here, Class 47 No. 1878 (later 47359) in original two-tone green livery heads south away from Wood Green station with a train of oil tanks. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 2. An unidentified Class 31 is running light engine under headcode 0B03 as it approaches the roadbridge on the north side of Wood Green station, adjacent to Wood Green Up Box No. 2. A fellow Class 31 is in the carriage sidings alongside Bounds Green depot and a Class 47 can be glimpsed heading away onto the Hertford loop, October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 3. Brush Type 2 No. 5648 (31222) comes into Wood Green station with an up suburban train, 2B63, from Welwyn Garden City to King's Cross consisting of non-corridor compartment stock. It is approaching platforms 2 & 3 as both face onto the one track. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 4. Class 31 No. 5648 (later 31222) is still in original livery as it sets off south from Wood Green station with an up suburban train, 2B63, passing an array of semaphore signals. Waiting at the gantry in the background is an unidentified Class 47, running light engine. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 5. An unidentified 2-car DMU sets off southwards from Wood Green station with an up working to King's Cross, under the control of wonderful semaphore signalling! October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 6. An unidentified Class 47 in BR Blue livery heads north at Hornsey with an express, 1L26, from King's Cross to Leeds & Bradford, and is in the process of overtaking a suburban DMU set also heading north under an impressive array of semaphore signals. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 7. A rake of four BR Mark 1 BSK (?) coaches carrying three different liveries, stabled in the sidings at Hornsey on the ECML. Two coaches in the corporate BR Blue & Grey livery sandwich one in the previous standard BR Maroon and another in BR Southern Region green livery. October 1970.

1970/10/xx, 8. An unidentified Class 31 heads north at Hornsey with a stopping passenger train of non-corridor coaches from King's Cross on a dull day in October 1970. Another Class 31 is in the carriage sidings and the nose of a Class 15 (D82xx series) can be seen beyond the signalbox.

1973/07/31, 1. From the Geoff Plumb Collection of original slides. The prototype for what became the HST heads south along the East Coast Main Line, here approaching Essendine on a test or crew training run. Power car No. 41002 is leading, while 41001 is on the rear. Tuesday 31st July 1973. Photographer unknown.

1973/07/31, 2. From the Geoff Plumb Collection of original slides. The prototype for the HST undergoes test running or a crew training run on the East Coast Main Line, heading north just north of Essendine on the evening of Tuesday 31st July 1973. Power car 41001 is leading, with 41002 on the rear of the train. Photographer unknown.

1973/08/02. From the Geoff Plumb Collection of original slides. "Deltic" Class 55 No. 9008 "The Green Howards" races through Peterborough station with a down express, 1N25, which includes Pullman coaches at the rear on the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973. This is the "Tees-Tyne Pullman", 17:00 from King's Cross to Newcastle. Though a Thursday, the train is in its 'Friday' formation with an extra open second and only four Pullmans instead of five. Possibly a change made Mon-Thu during August due to lower business travel in the holidays. Photographer unknown. Further information about this picture by courtesy of Robert Carroll.

1974/10/xx. From the Geoff Plumb Collection of original slides. A view of the yards north of Peterborough station by Eastfield signalbox as 47306 arrives with a train of cement wagons from the north, 6B67. A Class 08 shunter potters about in the background. October 1974. Photographer unknown.

1977/05/xx. From the Geoff Plumb Collection of original slides. "Deltic" Class 55 No. 55009 "Alycidon" with a down ECML express near Little Bytham in May 1977. Photographer unknown.

1979/08/19. Seen from a train pulling into York station from the north, Class 55 "Deltic" No. 55021 "Argyll and Sutherland Highlander" is about to depart with its train northwards, 1S27, the 07:25 Plymouth to Edinburgh train on the afternoon of Sunday 19th August 1979. The "Deltic" worked the train from here, having arrived earlier on the southbound 1V93, 12:27 Berwick to Plymouth. Workings were not quite normal that day as the newly rebuilt Penmanshiel tunnel was reopened that night!

1980/05/10. Class 55 "Deltic" No. 55014 "The Duke of Wellington's Regiment", light engine at York station on the morning of Saturday 10th May 1980.

1983/03/21. 46033 arrives in York with an up Parcels Train, passing 37086 stabled at the LIP alongside the National Railway Museum, Monday 21st March 1983.

1984/08/24. An unidentified down ECML HST overtakes BR Standard 9F 92220 "Evening Star" at Holgate, just south of York station as the 2-10-0 was about to work the "Scarborough Spa Express", Tuesday 28th August 1984.

1991/07/15. 91022 in InterCity "Swallow" livery approaches Arlesey station with a northbound express from King's Cross, Monday 15th July 1991.

1997/04/19, 1. Class 89 No. 89001 was a one off Co-Co AC Electric prototype built by Brush in 1986 and originally carried BR InterCity livery; it was later named "Avocet". It was withdrawn from service and taken into preservation, but later re-instated with GNER and repainted into their livery. Here it is seen inside the depot at Bounds Green in north London, during an official visit, together with Mark IV stock also in GNER livery. Saturday 19th April 1997. The engine was later threatened with scrapping, but once again has been saved for preservation!

1997/04/19, 2. Class 89 No. 89001 was a one off Co-Co AC Electric prototype built by Brush in 1986 and originally carried BR InterCity livery; it was later named "Avocet". It was withdrawn from service and taken into preservation, but later re-instated with GNER and repainted into their livery. Here it is seen inside the depot at Bounds Green in north London, during an official visit, together with Mark IV stock also in GNER livery. Saturday 19th April 1997. The engine was later threatened with scrapping, but once again has been saved for preservation!

1997/04/19, 3. Class 89 No. 89001 was a one off Co-Co AC Electric prototype built by Brush in 1986 and originally carried BR InterCity livery; it was later named "Avocet". It was withdrawn from service and taken into preservation, but later re-instated with GNER and repainted into their livery. Here it is seen moving out of the depot at Bounds Green in north London, during an official visit, together with Mark IV stock also in GNER livery. Saturday 19th April 1997. The engine was later threatened with scrapping, but once again has been saved for preservation!