Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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The Great Central Open Extravaganza​

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Modified Hall Class No. 6990 Witherslack Hall on the Great Central Railway

Next weekend, Saturday 11 and Sunday May, the Great Central Open Extravaganza allows visitors to go behind-the-scenes tours to view the line's vintage locomotives close up and enjoy family-friendly activities.

Guided tours will be held around the Loco Shed, Loughborough Central and Quorn and Woodhouse station.

Among the weekend's activities are:
  • A tour through the Loco Shed with a knowledgeable guide to see steam locomotives being stripped down, restored, and repaired
  • Guided tours of Loughborough Central station to discover its history and find out about the railway's past .
  • A guided walking tour around Quorn & Woodhouse station to look into its fascinating past, its role in the Second World War, and get an insight into its present operations.
  • View a stunning display of rail vehicles in Quorn Station Yard where wagons are preserved and maintained by volunteers.
    Also on display in Quorn Station Yard will be a Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 steam locomotive.
  • Tours by vintage buses operating from the Tin Shed in Quorn Station Yard
 
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Great Central freight Wagons

Real Ale, soft drinks, tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be on sale in the Tin Shed, where guests can enjoy a pint of beer whilst watching the trains go by.

Heritage Bus Rally And Railcar Weekend​

The following weekend, Saturday 18th and Sunday, 19th May, Heritage Bus Rally And Railcar Weekend will be held in Quorn & Woodhouse station yard in conjunction with Leicester Transport Heritage Trust.

Admission to the event is free, and it promises to be a nostalgic weekend for vintage buses and railcars.

The weekend also includes:
  • Free bus rides on a selection of urban and rural routes (including both Loughborough Midland and Loughborough Central stations.
  • Additional train services with steam and diesel locomotives and diesel railcars.
  • Frequent trains on the Mountsorrel branch.
  • Day Runabout fares will be available allowing travel on any train all day, and short-hop train fares will allow travel between Quorn & Woodhouse and Loughborough Central or between Quorn & Woodhouse and Mountsorrel Halt one way by free heritage bus and one way by steam or diesel train.
  • A large bus display area with over 50 buses expected on the Saturday and many already booked for the Sunday.
Throughout the weekend, two steam locomotives, one diesel loco, and three diesel railcars will be in operation.

A range of transport-themed sales stands will be inside the marquee and throughout Quorn station yard.
 

6 May 2024​

Yorkshire railway receives industrial diesel locomotive on permanent loan​

Wensleydale Railway receives industrial diesel on permanent loan.​

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The sentinel shunter at Wensleydale Railway’s Leeming Bar station

The locomotive fleet at the Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire has been expanded with the addition of an industrial diesel locomotive.

The new member of the fleet is a Sentinel diesel locomotive built in 1964 and fitted with a Rolls Royce eight-cylinder engine.

During its industrial use, it was named Derwent and used to transfer cement wagons from the Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire along a private branch line to Earles Sidings on the main line for transfer to mainline freight services.
 
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The sentinel shunter at Wensleydale Railway’s Leeming Bar station

Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire opened in 1929 and is now owned by Breedon Group.

It is the largest cement manufacturer in the UK and a major contributor to the economy of the Peak District National Park. Breedon Group has placed the locomotive on permanent loan with Wensleydale Railway.

Tthe Wensleydale Railway is one of the UK's longest heritage lines and is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Train services are operated by heritage diesels between Scruton near Northallerton and Leyburn, but is working to extend passenger services beyond Leyburn to Redmire.
 
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Rob Williamson, Mechanical Engineering Manager at Wensleydale Railway PLC, inspects the locomotive at the Hope Cement Works site

Mainly led by volunteers, the railway serves the local community, as well as tourists, and transport enthusiasts. There is plenty to see and do along the 22 miles of the line, including historic stations that have won awards. Costumed living history interpreters offer free guided tours of the stations and visitors what railway life was like in the 1900s.
 
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Staff from Hope Cement Works and the General Management Group of the Wensleydale Railway at the Hope Valley Cement Works site
We are delighted and thankful that The Wensleydale Railway have agreed to support the preservation of this locomotive, which is part of our industrial heritage, we look forward to seeing Derwent being returned to its former glory at its new home
John Mulryan, Maintenance Manager at Hope Cement Works
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We're very grateful to the team at Hope Cement Works for the permanent loan of their locomotive. We're planning an Industrial Diesel Weekend in August and look forward to showcasing the loco at this event.
Terry Larder, a member of the General Management Group at Wensleydale Railway PLC
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7 May 2024
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Expressions Of Interest For New Host Of The Cambrian Community Rail Partnership​

Expressions of interest open for a new host organisation for the Cambrian Community Rail Partnership to manage a hosting agreement with Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast.

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Expressions of interest open for a new host organisation for the Cambrian Community Rail Partnership to manage a hosting agreement with Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast.

We are an accredited Community Rail Partnership, awarded by the Community Rail Network, Department for Transport and Welsh Government. Mr Neil Scott, Chair invites you to visit our website The Cambrian Line | Railway which highlights the work we do in connecting communities to their railways.

The Cambrian Railway spans 120 miles of unspoilt natural beauty and is one of the most scenic routes in Britain. From Shrewsbury in Shropshire, the Cambrian Main Line takes you over the border into Wales, through rugged mountain terrain, quaint market towns, World Heritage sites and castles, cross country towards the picturesque West Coast of Wales. Here it merges into the Cambrian Coast Line offering spectacular views, coastal walks and places to visit along the length of the Wales coastal path.

Our partnership members include Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, Network Rail, British Transport Police, Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, Talyllyn Railway, Snowdonia National Park, Ceredigion County Council, Gwynedd Council, Station Adoption representatives, Tourism representatives and third sector partners.

The business activity plan is delivered by all members, led by a Community Rail Officer.

Our plan aims to:
  • providing a voice for the community
  • promoting sustainable, healthy and accessible travel
  • bringing communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion
  • supporting social and economic development
The Community Rail Partnership is very proactive with a positive presence on social media.

We are looking to work with an organisation that excels in:
  • good governance
  • sustainable funding and a successful track record in bidding, securing and managing external funding from a variety of sources
  • developing resilience in voluntary sector organisations
  • managing finances
  • community engagement and influencing
Find out more about Community Rail here What is community rail? - Community Rail Network

Cambrian Railway Partnership

The Cambrian Railway Partnership has been in existence for over 20 years. The partnership covers a wide area, spanning 120 miles and 34 stations from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and up the Wales Coast to Pwllheli.

Ceredigion County Council are the current host and financial management authority for the partnership which is funded by Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast and Shropshire County Council. thecambrianline.co.uk

Community Rail Network

Community rail is a growing grassroots movement made up of Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) and groups across Britain. Working alongside local, regional and national partners, CRPs engage communities and help people get the most from their railways, promoting social inclusion, community wellbeing, economic development and sustainable travel. They also work alongside train operators, contributing to improvements and bringing stations back to life.

Community Rail Network provides support and advice to the community rail movement through their membership. They share good practice and connect community rail partnerships and groups together, while working with government, the rail industry, and the wider voluntary and community sector to champion community rail. communityrail.org.uk

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So cards have come back as 'read only' :eyeroll:

It's funny how I've missed card farming.

I shouldn't do it - my railway suffers.

Mind you, cold days, it's something to do in the warmth of your own home. :lol:
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8 May 2024​

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Progress being made on accessible footbridge at Cwmbran station as significant milestone is reached​

Region & Route: Wales & Western | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Staircases are installed at Cwmbran station as part of the Access For All scheme

Network Rail has successfully installed the lift shafts and staircases on platforms 1 and 2 at Cwmbran station as works to make them fully accessible for the first time continue to progress.

Network Rail welcomed Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds to the station on Friday (3 May) to show him the lift shafts and to discuss the upcoming work.

The following day, the staircases were installed, with the trestles and main span to follow over the coming weekends to complete the structure for the new footbridge and lifts.

To keep everyone safe, part of the Cwmbran station car park will be closed during the delivery of the crane and bridge element.

Network Rail’s contractor Centregreat has been on site in Cwmbran since October 2023, with the piling and groundwork substantially complete, and the lift shafts and staircases now installed. All the work is due to be completed by late summer 2024.
 
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Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds and Network Rail staff at Cwmbran station

Nick Thomas-Symonds, Shadow Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office, said: “I was delighted to be invited by Network Rail to visit Cwmbran train station to see the progress on the installation of the footbridge and lifts, which will make the station fully accessible for passengers.

“A number of constituents have raised this issue with me since I was elected in 2015, so I am pleased to see this work being carried out.

“I look forward to visiting again when the footbridge and lifts are completed and thank you to everyone involved who has allowed us to get to this stage.”
 
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Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds and Network Rail staff at Cwmbran station

Will Lawson, sponsor for Network Rail’s Wales and Borders route, said: “We were pleased to welcome Nick Thomas-Symonds to Cwmbran station to see the progress being made.

“The accessibility improvements we are making mean all passengers – including those with limited mobility, those carrying heavy luggage or those with pushchairs – will have a step-free and accessible route to and between platforms 1 and 2.

“Greater accessibility and safety benefits everyone and promotes the use of the rail network, allowing for fewer car journeys, less congestion and fewer carbon emissions.”

Cwmbran is one of six stations in Wales and Borders becoming step-free and more accessible, with the improvements being funded by the Department for Transport as part of the UK Government’s Access for All programme.
 
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8 May 2024​

Staffordshire railway launches steam locomotive appeal​

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44422

The North Staffordshire Railway Company has launched an appeal to fund repairs to return its flagship 4F steam locomotive to service in time for its centenary in 2027.

Locomotive no. 44422 transferred ownership from the ‘44422 Locomotive Company Ltd' to the ‘North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Ltd' (NSRC) on 23 January this year.

Since then, the company has been investigating options for returning the loco to steam.

The locomotive is one of only four remaining LMS 4Fs. Another was retired from service on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway two years ago.

They are known as ‘Stoke Scots' because they were able to haul the more long-distance services across the region. They challenged the domination of tank engines at the local sheds.
 
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Steam Locomotive 44422

44422 became the flagship of North Staffordshire's railway preservation scheme, which is prioritising the continuation of this local legacy.

An important step was completed with the purchase and transfer of 44422 from Barry Scrapyard, with 44422 arriving at Cheddleton in 1977.

It first returned to action in 1992, visiting several railways before being withdrawn for overhaul.

It returned to service following a second overhaul 2004, but was withdrawn again in 2013 because of boiler issues.

A fast-track overhaul allowed it to appear at the Somerset and Dorset Fiftieth Anniversary of closure, but in 2018, the loco was withdrawn once more for a mechanical overhaul. Six years on, that overhaul has still not been carried out.

The next step is to get 44422 ready to steam for its one hundredth birthday in three years' time. The locomotive was built at Derby Works and completed on 7 October 1927.

The NSRC has launched a joint project with the Churnet Valley Railway (1992) plc to achieve this. The locomotive arrived at the CVR in December 2019.

Number one priority is to get the locomotive's wheels moving and carry out repairs identified by a mechanical survey.

The NSRC will be raising money to fund this work, while the CVR will oversee the physical engineering work.
 

8 May 2024​

Kent railway announce visitors for Summer gala​

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4144

Kent's Spa Valley Railway will host its Summer Steam Gala between Friday 12 and Sunday 14 July 2024, and features some iconic locomotives.

GWR Large Prairie 4144​

GWR Large Prairie 4144 will be visiting the Railway for the first time, courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre in Oxfordshire. 4144 was built at Swindon in September 1946 and withdrawn from service in March 1965.

The 2-6-2 locomotive is not often seen in the Southern region, and is one of four similar classes built between 1903 and 1949, known as 31xx, 51xx, 61xx and 81xx.

Their numbering began with 3100, which was introduced in 1903 as one of the new Churchward standard designs.

Churchward's successor Collett continued building this type continued, and sometimes incorporated parts from earlier engines as they retired from service.

The 51xx class locomotives worked from many depots across the Great Western system, often forming the mainstay of suburban services.

They were also used to bank heavy trains uphill in Somerset, Devon, and through the Severn Tunnel. They were eventually replaced by diesel locomotives from 1957 onwards.

4144 spent time as the Severn Tunnel banker, and after being withdrawn from Severn Tunnel Junction, was sent to Woodham Bros. of Barry for scrap.

The Great Western Society and one of its members bought the locomotive for preservation in 1974. Rebuilt by 1997, it was used on the ‘Steam on the Met' in 1998.

In August 2010, 4144's boiler was removed for overhaul. It officially re-entered service on 2 May 2015, and since then has visited several heritage railways as well as being used at Didcot.
 
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‘Sir Keith Park' and more​

Rebuilt Bulleid Pacific 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park', which joined the Spa Valley Railway's home fleet in 2020, will also appear at the Gala, returning to service after an overhaul.

Also appearing during the weekend will be:
  • original Bulleid Pacific 34072 ‘257 Squadron'
  • Caledonian Railway No. 828
  • Andrew Barclay No. 2315 ‘Lady Ingrid' (if it is still at the Railway)
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Bulleid Pacific 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park'

Gala activities

Visitors can book a place on a Brake Van Ride, and on the Dining Trains with Fish & Chip Suppers, and the Kent Cheese Train.

Real Ale trains will run on the evenings of Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July from Tunbridge Wells West. The trains will depart at 19:30.

Non-dining passengers may travel on these services without booking an additional ticket.

Tickets are now available to book at the Spa Valley Railway website.
 
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Spa Valley Railway

The Gala is the ideal day out for families and train enthusiasts who can all enjoy the sights and sounds of some incredible steam locomotives which will be taking passengers along the picturesque line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge throughout the day with stops at Groombridge and High Rocks stations.

Spa Vallley Railway
 

8 May 2024​

Steam loco 6880 Betton Grange set to visit Somerset heritage railway​

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Betton Grange

In July of this year, steam locomotive 6880 Betton Grange will operate special services on the West Somerset Railway, a standard gauge heritage railway which runs from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton.

The railway had previously been hoping to host Betton Grange during its bank holiday Spring Steam Spectacular from Friday, 3 May to Monday, 6 May.

Unfortunately, it turned out that Betton Grange was unable to come to the line at that time.

Nevertheless, the railway saw several other visiting locomotives operating services over the long weekend, including Hunslet 0-6-0ST No.1873 ‘Jessie' from Blaenavon's Heritage Railway.
 
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Hunslet Works No 1873 ‘Jessie' at Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway

Now the West Somerset Railway has announced that they will be welcoming Betton Grange in July instead. Full details and schedules will be released closer to the time.

Work on building the locomotive has taken a total of 26 years, starting when members of the Llangollen Railway made the decision to build a 6800 class, also known as Grange class, locomotive.

Volunteers deemed it an important project, as none of the original Great Western Railway Grange class locomotives were preserved. All 80 of them were withdrawn from service between 1960 and 1965.

The project, therefore, wanted to fill this void.
 
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6880 “Betton Grange” Boiler on Frame

Initially, a new cab and frame were built, following which the Vale of Glamorgan Council donated a boiler to the project in 2005.

After receiving an overhaul, in March 2020, the boiler was lifted into frame.

Betton Grange then made her maiden journey under her own power last month.

The successful completion of the Betton Grange was made possible, in part, thanks to funding obtained through galas.

Many of those who have been working on the project were previously involved in restoring the Prairie 5199, a former Great Western Railway locomotive.

We are really excited to be able to welcome 6880 Betton Grange to the railway in July. I am sure the locomotive will prove very popular with our visitors and we look forward to running some special services during the visit.
West Somerset Railway General Manager, Kerry Noble
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8 May 2024​

Glenfinnan: Work gets underway on viaduct made famous by Harry Potter films​

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Glenfinnan Viaduct

Having stood testament since the early days of railway pioneers in the West Highlands, one of Scotland's most famous and recognisable landmarks is due for repair.

Situated 17 miles from Fort William on the line to Mallaig, Glenfinnan Viaduct was built over a period of 15 months from July 1897 to October 1898, the viaduct was constructed by Robert McAlpine & Sons using mass concrete.

Once complete, it became the largest the concrete bridge in Scotland at a length of 1000 metres with 21 arches carrying the line 30 metres over the river Finnan below.

In recent times, it has gained worldwide fame thanks to its starring roles in many films, including the famous Harry Potter franchise.

Additionally, it has found utilisation and replication in several video games.

It continues to be popular with tourists and train travellers who visit in numbers to either photograph or travel over the viaduct in some cases by steam train.

Now having stood the test of the wild Scottish weather and carrying trains for 123 years, the viaduct is now the subject of a £3.4m refurbishment project to carry out repairs across the structure.

The work is to be undertaken by Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen.
 
WATCH: VIDEO - Glenfinnan Viaduct repairs overview video

Click link: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/eb9pb3xrhd

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Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen will undertake the work. They have created a temporary site below the viaduct to organise and conduct the works from.

The task at hand is to ensure the viaduct is still fit for use for many years to come.

“It's a bucket list job for our team to work on and we'll be sharing as much information and as many updates as we can throughout the project.”
Laura Craig, scheme project manager, Network Rail,
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Glenfinnan Viaduct

Rail services will continue to run while the works take place, engineers will be inspecting the viaduct and assessing its condition while making any improvements and carrying out repairs, they will also be making upgrades below rail height to ensure the ballast below the track remains in place.

“The main works to the viaduct will be concrete repairs. We'll also be doing some repairs to the pier that sits in the River Finnan. Years of planning have gone into this project. The work will not have a massive visual impact on the way the viaduct looks and that's very deliberate, with it being grade A listed. We won't be scaffolding the structure at all but in the coming weeks, you'll start to see the rope access technicians on the viaduct as they begin work.
We want to thank all who came to the drop-in event. It was great to catch up with locals to answer questions and chat about our plans. We know it's a much-loved viaduct and is, of course, the longest concrete viaduct in Scotland, spanning 1000ft.”
Laura Craig, scheme project manager, Network Rail,
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9 May 2024​

West Somerset Railway sees 50% increase in passenger numbers to gala​


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London and North Western Railway Coal Tank No. 1054 on the the West Somerset Railway

This year's Spring Steam Spectacular at the West Somerset Railway saw a 50 percent increase in visitor numbers compared with last year's event.

The Spectacular was held for four days over last weekend's Bank Holiday, from Friday, 3rd to Monday, 6th May.

It is a yearly event where locomotives from other heritage railways and the railway's home fleet operate services to an intensive timetable designed to maximise the mileage covered.

Train services also operated over the rarely used sections of track between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren.
 
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61306 Mayflower, one of the guest locomotives at the Spring Steam Spectacular

Locomotives visiting the line were:
  • London and North Eastern Railway B1 Class 4-6-0 No. 61306 Mayflower.
  • London and North Western Railway 0-6-2 ‘Coal Tank' No. 1054.
  • Great Western Railway 0-6-2 tank No. 6695.
  • British Railways Western Region Modified Hall Class No. 6990 Witherslack Hall.
  • Hunslet 0-6-0 tank engine No. 1873 Jessie.
 
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Jessie at the Severn Valley Railway

Locomotives from the West Somerset Railway's home fleet were:
  • Great Western Railway Manor Class 4-6-0 No. 7828 Odney Manor.
  • Great Western Railway 2-6-0 No. 9351.
  • British Railways Western Region Pannier Tank No. 9466.
Among the additional attractions throughout the weekend were Brake Van rides, on-train dining, and a photographic evening.

The large number of visitors added to the atmosphere of the weekend and brought back a reminder of previous galas.
 
For enthusiasts of diesel traction, the railway is holding its Summer Diesel Festival from Thursday, 6th to Saturday, 8th June, with Class 50 No. 50033 Glorious already confirmed as a visitor.

As during the Spring Steam Spectacular, some trains will continue past Bishops Lydeard to the very southern end of the line at Norton Fitzwarren.

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50033 Glorious

On all three days, the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group's depot at Williton will be open on for visitors.

As part of the Festival, on the Saturday evening at the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group's depot at Williton, Geoff Hudson, a former Fleet Manager at British Rail's Laira depot in Plymouth will share his experiences of working with Class 50s, appropriately using 50033 Glorious as a background for his talk.

'We are extremely proud and grateful to our Gala Planning Team for their efforts in organising such a complex and diverse event for our visitors. The feedback from passengers has been extremely positive and the event really showcased what the West Somerset Railway can achieve.

The Gala Planning team is predominantly made up of volunteers, who co-ordinate the event alongside their other life commitments, which highlight the amount of dedication and time that volunteers commit to the railway.

Plans are already underway for the Spring Steam Spectacular event for next year. Where we hope to provide another successful event.'

Kerry Noble, Kerry Noble General Manager General Manager
 
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9 May 2024​

Gloucestershire railway gala promises sights and sounds of heritage diesels​

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Brush Type 4 Class 47 No. 47376

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Summer Heritage Gala promises to be a feast of nostalgia for lovers of British Rail heritage diesel locomotives.

The Gala to be held from Friday, 12th to Sunday 14th July 2024 will see the Cotswolds resounding to the sights and sounds of 60-year-old British Rail icons operating an intensive timetable.
 
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English Electric Type 3 Class 37 No. D6948

The three-day gala will provide the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and smells of classic heritage diesel traction travelling through the idyllic Cotswold countryside, the railway's iconic structures of Greet Tunnel and Stanway Viaduct, and picturesque period stations.

Each day will see up to ten trains running between Broadway and Cheltenham Racecourse, and extra trains between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse. A 45-minute service will operate thanks to passing loops at Toddington, Winchcombe, and Gotherington, and most services will allow passengers to experience a full 28-mile round trip.

At Toddington, visitors can tour the diesel and steam locomotive sheds to view ongoing restoration and maintenance projects, including Class 26 diesel locomotive No. D5343 built in 1959.
 
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Brush Type 4 Class 47 No. 47105

It is hoped that a guest locomotive will make an appearance to supplement the home fleet which, subject to availability, will include the following:
  • Class 20 No. 20137
  • Class 24 No. 5081
  • Class 37 Nos. 37215 & D6948
  • Class 45 No. 45149
  • Class 47 Nos. 47105 & 47376
  • Class 117 diesel multiple unit No. L425
On static display will be:
  • Class 26 No. D5343
  • Class 122 single-unit railcar No. W55003
Most passenger rail services on today's national network are predominantly in the hands of a variety of diesel and electric multiple units. Locomotive haulage on passenger trains is now a rare occurrence except for a few train operating companies and specially organised rail tours and excursions.

With the memories of British Rail receding, the Summer Diesel Gala allows visitors the chance to relive the days when classic diesels were an everyday scene, and the experience of hearing a 60-year-old diesel locomotive powering through the 693-yard Greet Tunnel is an experience not to be missed.

The Honeybourne to Cheltenham line continued to see both freight and passenger trains after the end of steam on the Western Region of British Railways in 1965, and the last passenger train on the line was a special train to the Cheltenham Gold Cup on 14th March 1976, hauled by a Brush Type 4 Class 47.

In the same year, a derailment near the B4632 bridge at Winchcombe of a Toton to Severn Tunnel Junction coal train hauled by a Class 45 locomotive marked the end of freight services on the line.

Tickets for the Gala are now on sale at www.gwsr.com, with discounts available for tickets bought online.

Last month, the railway celebrated St. George's Day by running an ‘Asparagus Express‘ from Broadway to Cheltenham Racecourse.
 
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10 May 2024​

Steam locomotive 60163 Tornado’s return to mainline delayed​

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60163 Tornado

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has released an update on the overhaul of LNER A1 No. 60163 Tornado.

The trust says that there has been a delay in the return of the popular locomotive, with the situation over the last month being ‘fluid', with many variations to the original plan.

With the reassembly of the boiler and fittings, the Trust needed to undertake some work to the gauge frame pads. There is a lot of paperwork required for this task as well as a high level of welding.

The trust has also found that their usual welder was no longer available, and it has been difficult to source a qualified coded welder for this task.

In order to reset the seven-year ticket, a hydraulic test has had to be completed.

This was carried out on the 1st May, which the boiler passed. However, the trust found a stay to be weeping, which suggested a small crack.

Upon finding this, the Trust has checked the other stays on the right-hand side and found ‘a reasonable' number of them needed replacing. The left-hand side still needs some replacing, but the number is not as high.

Subject to the welding being complete, it is expected that the locomotive will leave Locomotive Maintenance Services on the 20th May to allow for static testing to take place.

Tornado will therefore miss the planned visit to the Nene Valley Railway.

The tender for the locomotive has now been moved to the Great Central Railway, with only minor tasks still left to complete – some ETCS tests can also be carried out.

The Trust says that the overhaul of the locomotive is now approaching £1,000,000, with a loss in income due to cancelled trains. Donations towards the overhaul can be made over on the A1 Trust website.
 
So, lets have a look inside...........
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ProductModelQuantity
OOT21 OO gauge 21" inch track radius curved Tracksetta (This is commonly known as 3rd radius) (00T21)OOT211
OOT24 OO gauge 24" inch track radius curved Tracksetta (This is commonly known as 4th radius) (00T24)OOT241
ST-2003 Special Short Straight SETRACK multipack of 4 x ST-203 (ST2003)ST-20031

And a flyer for an exhibition - that's not far from me - I might go to that. :)
 

OOT24 OO/HO 610MM (24IN) RADIUS TRACKSETTA​

With Tracksetta you can make sure your straights are really straight and your curves are smooth without any kinks or sudden changes of direction which make derailments inevitable.
These simple but effective tools are a worthwhile investment since well laid track is essential for reliable running.

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