This from The Sleeper...
I thought Eye readers might enjoy this picture of a Pwllheli service emerging from Aberdovey number three tunnel on the 17th Aug 2011.
Good to see that NR's Wales Route has developed an environmentally friendly way of cleaning trains.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Railway Garden Competition - Aberdovey
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Christmas Railway Garden - Durham
With a bowler tip to Ricdea, via Twitter...
Very festive!
Friday, 5 November 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Retford Restored!
This from a Mr Swift...
You may recall the mindless destruction of Retford's wonderful Railway Garden by the vegetation control vandals towards the end of the summer.
Good news! It is not just the economy that is allegedly showing the Green Shoots of Recovery.
As can be seen from this picture, taken this morning on a balmy Guy Fawkes' Day, the Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) is fighting back at Retford and is already over a foot high and going strong.
Forget the demise of British Summer Time, for Spring has sprung early on the ECML!
Friday, 29 October 2010
Railway Garden Competition - NR Acts!
Finally it looks as if Network Rail has decided to act against the scourge of Railway Gardens!
This from the Shropshire Star...
A TEAM OF WI volunteers who have tended to a Shropshire railway garden for 20 years have been told to down tools – for health and safety reasons.
The 32 members of Bucknell WI have been told by Network Rail they must complete a risk assessment and obtain insurance before carrying out any more work on the garden at Bucknell Station, near Craven Arms.
Eye congratulates NR on its decisive action!
Disappointing though that the overused 'Elf'n'Safety was cited as a reason rather than Good Housekeeping.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Paris Nord
These pictures taken at the southern end of the Eurostar branch by Herb Aceous...
Taken as I prepared to board the 18:13 to St Pancras on the 13th September.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Leamington caped
This from BB...
Following the sabotaging of Wolverhampton's Railway Garden entry, perhaps you can find space for this particular effort to make my small corner of the railway kingdom look rather less shabby?
The Fact Compiler is impressed - good effort!
Is there any news on the buddleia that once used to straddle the bridge abutments at Leamington Spa?
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Wolverhampton
This from D0260...
Today, 15th September 2010, saw the beginning of the end Wolverhampton station Railway Garden.
Not sure if they were all posing for the camera, or just surprised to the see the speed of the guy in the foregrounds single handed demolition work.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Newport
This from 87027...
During a stroll around the incomplete new Newport station this morning I decided to take in the old subway, on the basis that it won't be open to the public for much longer.
This is a shame, since it means that the public will no longer be able to enjoy the attractive collection of ferns which are growing out of the wall under the station through lines.
It's always good to see nature surviving, even directly beneath hourly heavy freight trains in places where the sun don't shine.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Exeter Central
This from our Independent Expert...
Can't see the trains for the trees...
Buddleia heaven on the down line at Exeter Central yesterday
Railway Garden Competition - Chad' Sidings

Thursday, 19 August 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Wolverhampton
This from D0260...
Notice that this particular Railway Garden is safely under the watching eye of a CCTV camera.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Entry withdrawn
This from London Midland Controller...
With reference to this post on your blog (and your distress (!) at the removal of the foliage at Retford) I regret to inform you that the "triffids", as described by a driver recently, at Bletchley have subsequently been removed from Platform 6 and we will have to leave the competition.
The close attempt to grow a garden on the Down Fast platform at Leighton Buzzard has also been removed!
I'm sure that my esteemed colleagues will, however, try for a better result in the years forthcoming!
Monday, 9 August 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Middlesbrough
This from our Independent Expert...
Who wins?
No contest between the platform tubs and the permanent way display at Middlesbrough last Thursday.
Railway Garden Competition - Dumbarton Central
This from zstephen...
Presumably Dumbarton's Civic Father's didn't quite have this view in mind when making this award?
Perhaps the Railway Garden Competition needs a Forestry Category?
Pointless Garden - Conflation edition
This from the Rover...
Taken just outside Waterloo...
Not sure if this is a garden or pointless sign...
Friday, 6 August 2010
Railway Garden Competition - Castleford
This from the Wicked Weaver...
Might Eye advise its readers of a bonus for those planning a trip on the "Scarborough Express" later this month?
The short platform at the Castleford stop enables the front carriages to be adjacent to the 'orchard'.
Just reach out and touch...
Some ripening is still required, but the opportunity for a free lunch should not be declined.
UPDATE: This from Retired BR, Railtrack, Network Rail...
This is of course the new green carriage washer.
It works well as long as its been raining, which I’m told it often does at Castleford.
It also washes the faces of gricers who are not quick enough to put their heads in, so is multi purpose.


