The Ponferrada - Villablino was one of those railways that stood out from the crowd. This 62km metre gauge coal carrier in north-west Spain remained 100% steam worked until 1980. It was blessed with superb scenery, plenty of impressive bridges and tunnels and a fleet of very distinctive locomotives. I made three visits between 1979 and 1981 and despite being a photographic novice who couldn't compose or expose a picture to save himself, came away with a few photos I'm happy to publish more than quarter of a century later.

The Albacete - Murcia - Cartagena line in south-eastern Spain is still worked by diesel locos including the last dedicated Talgo machines of class 354 and the new class 334s. There's some heavy freight to and from the industries at Escombreras as well.

The Mediterranean island of Mallorca is home to a fascinating electric railway, the FC de Soller, which still runs all its trains with traction built in the late 1920s. To add to the charm, the line leaves Palma by threading its way through the streets.