Kirknewton Level Crossing

When my sister and I were children, our parents used to take us down to Surrey & Essex several times a year to visit our Grandparents. Both sets of Grandparents lived near to level crossings. As we didn't have any near where we grew up in Ayrshire, I was fascinated by them, and used to love to sit on the wall opposite Farncombe Station watching the lights flashing, the gates being closed and the trains whizzing by. I don't think the crossings hold the same appeal now they have barriers rather than the old fashioned gates which I remember from my childhood, but having said that there is still something about them that I like.

Todays picture was taken at Kirknewton Station. Unfortunately it's rather notorious in West Lothian due to the high levels of accidents there. It's now deemed to be one of the most dangerous level crossings in the country. Fortunately today I didn't see any drivers taking any risks!