AS rail enthusiasts gear up for the launch of the BBC's Trainspotting Live tonight, we took a look through the archives at old pictures of the railway in Colchester.

Colchester Station, now better known as North Station, was opened in 1843.

Due to huge demand, the station was upgraded in 1962, when the new station building on the north side of the tracks was created and the number of platforms increased to six.

According to the Office of Rail and Road Statistics, a huge 4.4 million passengers bought tickets beginning or ending in Colchester in 2014/2015.

Trainspotting Live, on BBC Four, will bring three nights of real-time trainspotting with rail enthusiasts taking a look at the intricacies, trade secrets and pleasures of the hobby.

The show will be on BBC Four tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday from 8pm to 9pm.

  • Have you got any old pictures you would like to share? Send them to gazette.news@nqe.com