iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 25m

#OnThisDay 180 years ago the York and North Midland Railway opened Filey to regular traffic, the day after a ceremonial opening. Rightly Grade II listed, it's a survivor after BR unsuccessfully applied to remove the trainshed roof in 1988. Kenneth Barclay buff.ly/7CQ3jGa

Class 155 DMUs operated by Northern pass each other under Filey's fine trainshed roof and NER footbridge.

011

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#OnThisDay 142 years ago the Circle Line was completed through the opening of Mansion House to Tower Hill, plus a branch from Aldgate to Whitechapel opened, the latter we see here: the Underground passing over the Overground... always amuses! Timara Easter buff.ly/dqEhDSO

2014 image taken from the southbound Overground platform at Whitechapel with a Class 378 departing the northbound while above an eastbound refurbished D78 District Line service departs for Upminster. This view is impossible now as the new concourse accessing the Elizabeth Line was built above, rafting over the Overground platforms (and of course the D78 stock are long gone too)

212420

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#OnThisDay 163 years ago the LCDR opened an extension to Ramsgate Harbour via Margate and Broadstairs. Ramsgate Harbour was replaced by today's station 100 years ago (see #OTD 2nd July), that same day Margate's lovely building was unveiled after a rebuild in a similar style.

Margate's handsome booking hall, opened 1926. A barrel vaulted ceiling with a semicircular window above the doorways onto the platforms and a simple modernist lamp shade suspended in the centre. The colour scheme is cream, white, and dark green.

0192

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#OnThisDay 50 years ago BR introduced their revolutionary InterCity 125 on regular services between London Paddington and Bristol/South Wales. Video clip from the BBC Archive from a couple of weeks before the launch previewing the new trains, full video: buff.ly/QGnH3Et

26812

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#OnThisDay 60 years ago Cornwall & Devon's railways had a dark day when lines from Meldon to Bude, and to Padstow via Launceston closed, centred on Halwill (Junction); once the convergence of three routes. To add insult to injury, that station is now buried under 'Beeching Close'

On Saturday 1st October 1966, the final day of operation (no Sunday service at the point of closure), connecting branch services meet at Halwill station: seemingly a Class 122 'Bubble Car' single car unit on the right, the absence of exhaust pipes and a second car on the train on the left suggests a Class 121 driving trailer coupled to a Class 122.

2277

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#OnThisDay 150 years ago Portsmouth Harbour was opened by the Portsmouth & Ryde Joint Railway (LSWR & LBSCR), built entirely over water like Ryde Pier Head across The Solent. Here's me with the pup on his first train journey last year (start 'em young)... he's a lot bigger now!

Joe stood with his puppy Zach on platform 5 at Portsmouth Harbour next to SWR unit 450072 they have just arrived on

0171

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

National Transport Awards, let’s do this!

2190

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#OnThisDay 55 years ago at 18:04 the last 4DD double-decker train departed Charing Cross for Dartford. An ingenious way to increase capacity with restricted loading gauge, the two 1949-built units had 'interleaved' compartments. Michael Taylor / more info: buff.ly/DpLe2D3

Cut-away diagram showing the seating layout in a 4DD carriage

03510

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#OnThisDay 32 years ago the last train ran on the rural Essex outpost of London Underground that was Epping-Ongar. The shuttle was also the last stand for the 1960 Stock seen here: capture of the last day by ian29d on YouTube (part of a longer video) buff.ly/GZRFUqU

3306

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#OnThisDay 40 years ago Balloch Pier closed. It allowed direct transfer from trains from Glasgow onto pleaure steamers on Loch Lomond, latterly 'Maid of the Loch' which ceased sailing in 1981 rendering the station redundant. The last train: Michael Ellison buff.ly/A0PJUIN

The last train to depart Balloch Pier on Sunday 28th September 1986, formed of a 3-car AC electric Class 303 unit in Strathclyde red & black livery. The destination blind displayed Balloch Central as Balloch Pier was not available (the service to here was limited)

1171

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#OnThisDay 64 years ago Brush Type 4 D1500, later 47401, was delivered to Finsbury Park Depot: the first of more than 500 Class 47s built for BR. It has carried two-tone green, blue, and large logo liveries as seen here at Lime Street in 1987. Derek Cove buff.ly/EnKMtx6

0264

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#OnThisDay 201 years ago witnessed the birth of modern railways through the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Watched by thousands, Locomotion No.1 hauled hundreds of passengers aboard wagons and coach 'Experiment', recreated last year for @Railway200 @RailwayMagazine

2232

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#OnThisDay 176 years ago the East & West India Docks & Birmingham Junction Railway commenced passenger services from Highbury & Islington (then Islington) to Fenchurch Street via Hackney and Bow. Damaged by a V1, this building was demolished for today’s modest entrance in the 60s

3296

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#OnThisDay 31 years ago the ‘Jewellery Line’ opened creating a new cross city route in Birmingham. An opening day steam special calls at Jewellery Quarter which opened along with The Hawthorns and Smethwick Galton Bridge. www.facebook.com/share/19GMrt...

0272

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#OnThisDay 188 years ago the London & Southampton Railway opened Farnborough, today (Main) differentiating from the town’s other 2 stations. The wide gap between the fast roads resulted from quadrupling works in the 1900s. 66734 provides a splash of colour: Phil Swann flic.kr/p/2nA6ktM

1211

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#OnThisDay 158 years ago Quainton Road was opened by the Aylesbury & Buckingham Railway under pressure from the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, to serve nearby Wotton House. Metropolitan Line trains served this distant outpost until 1936. I snapped this on a Branch Line Society railtour in 2018

1221

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

On the IOW this week, traversing Ryde Pier here’s unit 005 which I famously broke 23 years ago in its past life as D78 unit 7093 😬 youtu.be/b-LUVKUwd4U?...

0221

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#OnThisDay 10 years ago the 1st edition of my Birmingham & West Midlands Railway Atlas was published. After the success of the London atlas, Ian Allan suggested I tackled a different region and so it was born. The 2nd edition is available from Crecy Rail crecy.co.uk/product/birm...

0121

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#OnThisDay 97 years ago the last LBSCR overhead AC electric train ran. It seems bizarre that relatively new electrification infrastructure was ripped down, but the Southern wanted consistent 3rd rail DC. c.1915 an AC unit calls at Wandsworth Road: RCHS buff.ly/kKoAcX9

A 3-car AC overhead electric unit calls at Wandsworth Road in the down direction, the now-removed platforms on the LCDR lines are evident, people are visible on the up platform and two people are leaning out of the train's window

1296

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#OnThisDay 185 years ago the London & Brighton Railway connected London and Brighton by extending from Haywards Heath to Brighton. The latter had already opened for trains to Shoreham the year before, the impressive double-spanned roof dates from 1883 and was refurbished in 2000.

A 2018 view looking across Brighton station's busy concourse under the impressive double-span curving trainshed roof

0180

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#OnThisDay 100 years ago South Greenford opened: platforms were recycled from Trumper's Crossing Halte on the GWR Brentford branch which closed a few months prior. There was no 'up' platform here 1993-1999 due to embankment instability. James Sutcliffe buff.ly/hvv5Fit

Great Western Railway's battery powered Class 230, 230001 arrives at South Greenford with the 2G35 14.30 Greenford to West Ealing service on August 8 2026.

2221

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#OnThisDay 94 years ago the Piccadilly Line extended from Finsbury Park to Arnos Grove with intermediate stations at Manor House, Turnpike Lane, Wood Green and Bounds Green. A typically wonderful @tubemapper image of Arnos Grove with an obligatory puddle buff.ly/AerH8um

Arnos Grove's rotunda station building on a rainy night reflected in a puddle as various people walk and stand in front

0292

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#OnThisDay 155 years ago the London Chatham & Dover Railway opened a short-lived branch from a new station at Nunhead to Blackheath Hill via Lewisham Road. The prize was Greenwich, but that took a further 17 years to reach. London Railway Atlas @CrecyRail buff.ly/woByuMF

Extract of the London railway Atlas showing the route from Nunhead to Greenwich Park

1170

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#OnThisDay 55 years ago the Q23 stock was withdrawn as it approached 50 years old. Its last hurrah was on the East London Line, it last ran on the District Line on 30th June 1971. Here one calls at Earls Court Platform 3 c.1957/58, image: Peter Shoesmith buff.ly/lcIdVIy

A Q23 with distinctive clerestory roof arrives at Earl's Court platform 3 with a Richmond-bound service. The driver and a passenger running along the platform appear to be making eye contact.

1180

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#OnThisDay 89 years ago the O Stock was introduced... later combined with the P stock and modified to form the CO/CP fleet; my favourite rolling stock and forming some of my earliest memories. Photo from bowroaduk's fantastic CO/CP album on Flickr buff.ly/ocZnCIW

CO Stock in red livery with art deco detailing and flared car body stands in the sun outside Upminster shed.

0252

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#OnThisDay 175 years ago the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway opened Sheffield Victoria station, replacing an earlier station at Bridgehouses. BR focused services at Sheffield (Midland) and Victoria dwindled, closing in 1970. David Faircloth buff.ly/pQy2rXE

Class 77 electric loco on a passenger service stands at Platform 2 Sheffield Victoria in 1966.

3354

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#OnThisDay 86 years ago Battersea station sustained air raid damage and closed. All local passenger services on the West London Line followed in the October, and were not fully revived until 1994, but Battersea has remained closed. Image: Disused Stations buff.ly/O9GKjZp

1930s view of an up freight passing through Battersea station with a solitary person on the platform and a P-Way worker in the 'six foot'

1231

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#OnThisDay 100 years ago the 'Morden Edgware' (later Northern) Line opened an extension from Clapham Common to Morden. Opening day image in the brand new Morden Depot from the LT Museum collection buff.ly/73Je0AP A deeper dive on @ianvisits.co.uk website here: buff.ly/m5eoEma

The official opening of the City & South London Railway's extension from Clapham South to Morden, September 1926. This view shows the arrival of the first train at Morden, with Lt Col H T C Moore-Brabazon MC, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, standing in the open gangway door at the front of the driver's cab. A number of men are waiting on the platform.

0244

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#OnThisDay 60 years ago the Aldeburgh branch in Suffolk closed to passengers. 2 years beforehand, a DMU stands in the little trainshed awaiting departure to Saxmundham. Much of the branch survives for Sizewell C construction. Doug Cady via Disused Stations buff.ly/iytuFRX

From a position beyond the buffer stops with a red lamp in the foreground, the Aldeburgh branch DMU in green livery with a yellow cab end warning panel stands under the station's single-platform transhed.

1284

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#OnThisDay 147 years ago the Liskeard & Looe Railway opened to passengers having been freight only for the previous 19 years. In 1901 it was connected to the main line high above by a horseshoe-curved loop line that rises around 60m in 2 miles. Steve Davey buff.ly/y9dGrLM

A 2-car Class 150 DMU in GWR green livery traverses the Looe valley single track with water on both sides, casting a reflection in the still waters. The wooded valley slopes have bare trees just appearing to bud on a sunny spring day.

0232

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

#OnThisDay 65 years ago the Metropolitan Line was cut back from Aylesbury to Amersham following electrification from Rickmansworth to Amersham and introduction of A60 Stock. Previously trains switched between electric and steam locomotives at Rickmansworth buff.ly/kKFsCJV

A postcard entitled 'RICKMANSWORTH: Electric to Steam Sept. 1961' depicts an electric loco having just attached to a train destined for Liverpool Street in the London-bound platform while a steam loco, presumably having just hauled the train from Aylesbury, stands in the adjacent bay as it appears to be about to take on water.

1216

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#OnThisDay 86 years ago passenger services to Beckton, Gallions and North Woolwich were suspended due to the 'Black Saturday' air raid on September 7th: only the latter ever reopened. Then & now of where the three routes diverged buff.ly/BHLN1NR Map: London Railway Atlas

With the Fox Connaught pub as the reference point, a 'then & now' comparison showing the junctions and Connaught Road station visible on the route to Gallions

1242

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#OnThisDay 170 years ago the GWR opened Uxbridge Vine Street, the first of three termini serving the town. The service to West Drayton soldiered on until 1962: Vine Street seen here in its twilight years, unable to compete with London Underground services buff.ly/Q7NuExO

Seen from the concourse, and evocative image of British Railways Pressed Steel Company Limited 'Suburban' diesel-mechanical railcar number W55023 of Southall Motive Power Depot stands in Uxbridge Vine Street railway station. White picket barriers in the foregound with vintage posters, and what looks like a large wicker chest just beyond. Three people, probably all staff, are visible and the train and station are otherwise empty.

2255

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Rushed up to Stanfords at lunch to grab a copy of @markonthemaps.bsky.social ‘Mapping Britain’s Railways’, chuffed to see two of my titles proudly on display too 🙂 Please always buy from a bookshop or direct from the publisher/author if you can… it makes a big difference! @crecyrail.bsky.social

1171

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#OnThisDay 178 years ago the Great Northern Railway opened Doncaster's first station, a temporary structure south of the current which opened 2 years later in 1850. Today's Grade II listed station is an Art Deco rebuild completed in 1938 and looks very smart almost 90 years later

Interior of Doncaster station ticket hall with Art Deco detailing

Detail of clock and station name on Doncaster station building

1271

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#OnThisDay 11 years ago the Borders Railway reopened between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, with 7 new stations along its 30 miles. A big success: it carried 1 million passengers in its first year and is now being discontinuously electrified. Image: Steve Cox buff.ly/noVCF6Z

Telephoto image of a Class 158 DMU travelling away from the photographer negotiating an S-bend during driver training. In the foreground are out-of-focus red flowers, probably poppies.

1262

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#OnThisDay 160 years ago the Pembroke & Tenby Railway was extended from Tenby / Dinbych-y-pysgod to Whitland via a deviation through a new station at Tenby, pictured here in 2018. Unlike the South Wales Railway it was now connected to, the P&TR was always standard gauge.

A pair of Class 150 DMUs pass at Tenby station in September 2018, Transport for Wales had just taken over managment of Welsh railways but the Arriva livery still persisted.

0162

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#OnThisDay 91 years ago Manchester United Football Ground station opened. This 1935 image shows the narrowness of the platform (which was partly its downfall: final departure 10/12/2017). It was the last to close of a handful of stations built exclusively to serve sports venues.

A passenger train hauled by a tank engine running bunker-first passes the newly-completed MUFC platform in 1935, with one of the stands rising behind.

2211

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#OnThisDay 60 years ago, the Great Central Railway saw its final 'through' trains; after this date, the line closed to passengers between Aylesbury and Rugby. On the final day, a 'Black 5' enters Aylesbury station with a Nottingham to Marylebone express buff.ly/DYLX3eF

LMS 'Black 5' 4-6-0 44872 entering Aylesbury Town station with a southbound Great Central line express, on September 3, 1966 - the last day of mainline passenger services. There are several enthusiasts photographing from the platform in the foreground, including two children in matching yellow jumpers. The loco was withdrawn in September 1967, and scrapped in March 1968. Several examples have been preserved. The Great Central mainline was then closed to mainline passenger services, north of here.. Aylesbury is now the terminus for Chiltern Railway suburban services to London (Marylebone).

2346

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

#OnThisDay 176 years ago the GWR's Banbury (Bridge Street) opened, four months after the LNWR had opened their terminus in the town. In 1991 a down service hauled by 47581 passes brand new 60065 for Didcot power station. Colin Redfearn via Nic Joynson buff.ly/txo1dpv

1232

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#OnThisDay 160 years ago Cannon Street was opened by the SER. The magnificent roof photographed here in 1955 sustained wartime damage and was demolished 1958-59, although the towers remain today. Images from an excellent record of the history here: buff.ly/jtFfuqk

1955 photo taken from track level stood on Cannon Street railway bridge looking north at the barrel vaulted trainshed and twin towers of the terminus

Depiction of the interior of Cannon Street trainshed in steam days looking south from a high vantage point along the platforms towards the end of the trainshed.

Depiction of Cannon Street station and the railway bridge from a position on the south bank slightly downstream of the bridge with sailing boats, rafts, and row boats on The Thames and St Paul's in the background

Photo taken from on top of Cannon Street trainshed roof looking down onto the approach tracks crossing The Thames.

1388

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

#OnThisDay 186 years ago the GWR opened between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads; it would be a further 10 months before the line was completed through Box Tunnel connecting Bristol to London. BR Blue abounds at Bristol Temple Meads in May 1980: Geoff7918 buff.ly/YeAmeOE

Telephoto image from a high vantage point looking down on the southern end of Bristol Temple Meads station. Class 50s, Class 37s, a Class 46, an InterCity 125, Class 101 and 116 DMUs, and a variety of parcels, coaching and flat-bed (possibly Motorail?) rolling stock are visible.

4486

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#OnThisDay 45 years ago traffic ceased between Victoria Park Junction and Poplar. 6 years later it reopened as part of the DLR, but a few weeks before closure here's a railtour on the branch, showing the lackadaisical attitude to health & safety back then! buff.ly/1Uo0fR0

Shortly before closure of the line the RCTS ran a railtour to Poplar Docks. Participants climb down from the DMU at the facing points at the dock and set off to explore the area. Oh for the days before 'Health & Safety' when this sort of thing was allowed! June 1981. Today this part of the line has been re-used by the Docklands Light Railway and is unrecognisable.

1263

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

#OnThisDay 176 years ago Newcastle (Central) station was opened by Queen Victoria. This 1975 image shows the station almost at its zenith, the Metro did away with a lot of the local services that used the platforms to the right; much rationalised now buff.ly/Qbkc5GU

Viewed from the castle, in May 1975 a 'Deltic' Class 55 hauls a train towards Scotland out of Newcastle station. There is still an extensive 'local' station with Diesel Multiple Units working the local services that would soon become Tyne & Wear metro.

0211

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

#OnThisDay 185 years ago Seaton Delaval station was opened by the Blyth, Seghill and Percy Main Railway. It closed to passengers November 1964, but thankfully reopened in December 2024 with the highly successful Northumberland Line reopening: Tubedude10 buff.ly/5mfgsax

In twilight, a Class 158 DMU calls at the reopened Seaton Delaval station in January 2025

0203

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

#OnThisDay 66 years ago Manchester Mayfield closed. It was effectively an overspill to relieve nearby Piccadilly; after closure it was derelict for 10 years before reopening as a parcels depot between 1970-1986. JW Sutherland image a month before closure buff.ly/yWztykl

A busy looking Mayfield station on 30th July 1960 with DMUs standing under the trainshed in the three southernmost platforms and two steam hauled services standing in the next two platforms to the north. the photographer is standing towards the country end of an island platform between the two steam services, looking west towards the trainshed.

1192

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#OnThisDay 165 years ago the Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge Railway opened; operated jointly by the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire and London & North-Western Railways. This Railway Clearing House map shows the complexity of different operators and joint lines in 1912.

3190

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

#OnThisDay 164 years ago the London Chatham & Dover Railway opened from Stewarts Lane Junction to Herne Hill via Clapham (High Street), and also opened its own terminus at Victoria on this date. Map extract: London Railway Atlas 6th edition @crecyrail buff.ly/GDikGoH

3193

Joe Brown @joebrownlondon.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

#OnThisDay 123 years ago the LSWR opened a relative latecomer, the branch from Axminster to Lyme Regis. It faced challenging topography with a gradient of 1 in 40 and the graceful and innovative concrete Cannington Viaduct to cross the River Lim. Jules buff.ly/MrgY2NP

Side view of the ten-span concrete Cannington Viaduct taken from a nearby field with sheep in the foreground

0246