Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Status
Not open for further replies.
6 November 2024
2742

train.jpg

Transport for Wales Remembrance Day

Free travel for military personnel and veterans

Military personnel and veterans can travel for free on Transport for Wales rail services to attend Remembrance Day events this Sunday (10 November).

As part of an industry-wide initiative, the offer of free travel is open to serving military personnel and veterans.

Free travel is allowed for current serving Armed Forces personnel in uniform or serving military personnel and veterans on production of the following:

• a current MOD90 Ministry of Defence-issued identity card.

• a Veterans Railcard, Veterans Oyster card, Ministry of Defence-issued Veterans ID or other form of identification showing the customer is a veteran (e.g. proof of pension).

In 2023 TfW was awarded a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award by the UK Government for supporting the Armed Forces community.

2718
 
7 November 2024

Poppy livery unveiled for Greater Anglia train​


train.jpg

Poppy livery
Ahead of remembrance day, Greater Anglia has unveiled a special livery that is dedicated to the fallen veterans in armed conflicts.

Poppies are currently on sale at a number of Greater Anglia stations, but this special Poppy livery has been applied to Stadler Class 755 No. 755414 and includes the words, Lest We Forget.

The livery will remain on the train year round and will operate between Ipswich and Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Cambridge and Peterborough; between Norwich and Cambridge/Stansted Airport, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham; and between Marks Tey and Sudbury.

Two other trains are due to receive the special livery, a Class 745 as well as a Class 720 train.

“This special livery is dedicated to veterans and recognises their service and sacrifice, along with all those who give so much in service of their country.

“The train will pass through communities across East Anglia to honour those who have fallen in armed conflicts, and we are proud to unveil this livery alongside local veterans and representatives from the Royal British Legion.”

Martin Beable, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director

1730999544364.png
 
Last edited:
8 November 2024
2742

train.jpg

Pay as You Go - Pontypridd

‘Pay As You Go’ now available between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay

Contactless tap in, tap out ‘Pay As You Go’ rail payment option has now been extended to a further nine stations between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay (from Monday 4 November).

Making it faster, easier and cheaper to travel, Transport for Wales launched the scheme in January on journeys between Cardiff Central, Newport and Pontyclun.

It was then extended to the Ebbw Vale line in March, the Maesteg line in September and following its success it was expanded to an additional seven stations in October including Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow, Cwmbran, Pontypool and New Inn, Abergavenny and Pyle.

The smoother travel option has now arrived at Pontypridd, Trefforest, Trefforest Estate, Taffs Well, Radyr, Llandaf, Cathays, Cardiff Queen and Cardiff Bay.

This phased expansion brings a total of 36 stations into the "Pay As You Go" scheme keeping TfW on track to expand the scheme to all 95 stations across the South-East Wales Metro before the end of this year.

Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer for Transport for Wales said:

“This is already proving to be a huge success for our customers with over 65,000 Pay-As-You-Go journeys made to date, making it the fastest-growing retail channel for Transport for Wales.

“We're seeing usage growing week-on-week with more and more people choosing the convenience of simply tapping in and tapping out for their journeys.

“We’ll continue to expand throughout this year, making it easier for customers, improving their experience and attracting more people to use public transport.”

For more information visit Pay as you go travel | Transport for Wales

2718
 
8 November 2024


1731090313294.png


Engineering work to affect train journeys on Heart of Wales Line for 11 days from late November​

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

train.jpg

Brand new timbers being put in place

Passengers are urged to check before they travel between Swansea and Llandrindod later this month, when Network Rail will be carrying out essential engineering work at a viaduct on the Heart of Wales Line.

Buses will replace trains between Swansea and Llandrindod stations from Thursday 21 November to Sunday 1 December inclusive.

Network Rail engineers will be renewing the bridge deck on Glantowy Viaduct, between Llangadog and Llanwrda stations in Carmarthenshire.

They will change 19 pairs of timbers – which were last fully replaced in 1990 – as well as carrying out steelwork repairs to the structure holding the timbers in place.

They will also install 60 new sleepers and re-rail more than 200 metres of track, replacing 400 tonnes of ballast (track stone) in the process.

While the line is closed, engineers will also relay switches and crosses (moveable sections of track that guide trains from one track to another and allow them to cross paths) and points (the mechanical systems that move the switches and crosses) near Pontarddulais.

Rachel Heath, Network Rail Wales and Borders operations director, said: “Our teams will be working around the clock to carry out important renewals on the Heart of Wales Line.

“We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway for a period of 11 days. But, by completing this work in one stint, we will minimise wider disruption – and do the work in a more cost-effective way – than if we had to return over several weekend shifts.

“I would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding, and urge them to check their journeys before travelling.”

Transport for Wales (TfW) rail replacement services will call at all stops between Swansea and Llandrindod. A quicker service calling at a limited number of key stations will also be available.

Due to the additional time needed for road transport, the timetable will differ from the current rail timetable.

Details are available in journey planners on the Transport for Wales website and passengers are strongly advised to check for the latest information before travelling.
 
9 November 2024

Train from Cardiff Central to Queen Street

Change here for Cathays.

Transport For Wales Class 153 Super Sprinter single coach 153921 at Cardiff Queen Street railway station
train.jpg


The British Rail Class 153 Super Sprinter are single-coach diesel-hydraulic railcars which were converted from two-coach Class 155 diesel multiple units in the early 1990s.

The class was intended for service on rural branch lines, either where passenger numbers do not justify longer trains or to boost the capacity on services with high passenger volume.
 
Last edited:
1731263479317.png
ATTACK! Results: Goosebumps 9 – Cardiff, Wales (11/9)

Four Way Scramble Match For The Vacant ATTACK! 24/7 Championship
Nino Bryant defeated Shane Hooker, Iva Kolasky and Josh Holly to become the new Champion.

ATTACK! 24/7 Championship Match
Josh Holly defeated Nino Bryant to become the new Champion.

ATTACK! 24/7 Championship Match
Iva Kolasky defeated Josh Holly to become the new Champion.

ATTACK! 24/7 Championship Match
Shane Hooker defeated Iva Kolasky to become the new Champion.

ATTACK! 24/7 Championship Match
Josh Holly defeated Shane Hooker to become the new Champion.

ATTACK! 24/7 Championship Match
Nino Bryant defeated Josh Holly to become the new Champion.

Tag Team Match
CPF (Danny Black & Maverick Mayhew) defeated James Ellis & Mulligan.

Singles Match
Mark Andrews defeated Joe Lando.

Singles Match
Leon Cage defeated Connor Mills.

Singles Match
Tommy Vrill (w/Larry The Caddy) defeated Old Poppa Sunflower.

8 Man “Boar Games” Match
Nothing 2 Prove (Eddie Dennis, Curt Atlas, Harrison Bennett & Alex Vaughan) defeated Nico Angelo, Wild Boar, Jay Joshua & ELIJAH.

ATTACK! 24/7 Championship Match
Harrison Bennett defeated Nino Bryant to become the new Champion.
 
10th November, 2024

Network Rail helps the Talyllyn Railway re-create history

train.jpg

The wagon in Cambrian Railway livery

With the help of Network Rail, the Talyllyn Railway has completed a long-standing project to display a standard-gauge LMS five-plank wagon in the livery of the former Cambrian Railway.
 
On Friday, 8th November 2024, a crane lifted the wagon into position onto a short track panel next to the Cambrian Coast Line alongside the edge of Tywyn Wharf.

1731276183881.png

Crane lifting the wagon into position at Tywyn Wharf


In 2021, the Talyllyn Railway was designated as part of the UNESCO Slate Landscape of the Northwest Wales World Heritage Site, and the railway decided that recreating a wagon in Cambrian Railway livery would be a suitable project.

Slate was originally carried in narrow-gauge wagons from Bryneglwys Quarry to Tywyn Wharf where it was transferred to standard-gauge wagons before being taken to the port at Aberdyfi for export, or moved to other destinations around the UK by rail.
 
Last edited:
1731276312339.png

The wagon in Cambrian Railway livery at Tywyn Wharf


The last export of slate from Tywyn Wharf was in the early 1950s, although various goods such as coal continued to be delivered by rail and unloaded at the Wharf. However, that ceased in the early 1980s when the line next to the Wharf was lifted.

The re-liveried wagon was provided by the Bristol Harbour Railway.

In December 2021 it was taken to Stanegate Restorations to be cosmetically overhauled into Cambrian Railways livery. The restored wagon was delivered to Tywyn Wharf in December 2023.

Although the livery is not authentic for the particular wagon, it will still provide a link with the railway company that served the local area.
 
1731276375879.png

The wagon with the side door open at Tywyn Wharf


Network Rail’s assistance was invaluable in completing the project.

The track panel on which the wagon sits came from recent relaying works on the Cambrian Coast Line, and on Monday, 23rd September, Network Rail closed part of the mainline to allow the track panel to be lifted into position. The line was closed again on Friday, 8th November, when the wagon was lifted onto the track.

Current plans are for the standard gauge wagon to be displayed on the Wharf edge alongside Talyllyn Railway slate wagons.

The side door will be positioned open onto the Wharf to provide visitors with an idea of how slate used to be transhipped.

There still remains an interpretation board to be completed as the final link in a lost bit of Talyllyn Railway and Cambrian Line history.

The Talyllyn Railway is also in the throes of a major five-year project to create new engineering and maintenance facilities, a new carriage storage depot, and improved visitor facilities.
 
10th November, 2024

New Welsh home for rail vehicle​


train.jpg

The Trolley bound for Anglesey


The Rail Trolley Trust has placed a unique vehicle with the Anglesey Central Railway in Wales.

In February this year, a private individual contacted the Trust to discuss the future of a Trolley that they had acquired.

The trolley, which the Trust had assumed to have been scrapped, is Bance Alumi Cart 2nd Generation Two-Seater Trolley, Works No. 080.

It was made to order for a company called Laser Rail in mid-1999, with bespoke instrumentation.

The Trust found out from ontrackplant that this trolley had originally been paired with a Geismar ECG7-C Track Geometry Measuring Trailer – Works No. C/99/013.

It does not know for sure what happened to this trailer, but believes that it is likely to have been scrapped.

After unsuccessful attempts to find a new home for the trolley but without success, the Trust made contact with Anglesey Central Railway Ltd, which in advised that it was now able to use a powered trolley on its line.

The Rail Trolley Trust’s Board decided that this presented an excellent opportunity to pursue its aim of restoring rail trolley to service, so agreed to buy the trolley.

Along with the trolley, it bought a Permaquip Link Trailer, and placed both with Angelsey Central Railway on a ‘run and maintain’ loan.

The Trust paid a deposit in early August, and on Friday 25 October, Anglesey Central Railway collected them from the private individual who owned them previously and transported them to the north Wales island.

The two vehicles are being held at a secure, private site, and will remain there until suitable, covered, secure accommodation is made available at the Railway’s Llangwyllog station.
 
Last edited:
Type 1 locomotives: 800 – 1,000 hp

The British Rail Class 14 is a type of small diesel-hydraulic locomotive built in the mid-1960s.

Twenty-six of these 0-6-0 locomotives were ordered in January 1963, to be built at British Railways' Swindon Works.

The anticipated work for this class was trip working movements between local yards and short-distance freight trains.

The good all-around visibility from the cab and dual controls also made them capable of being used for shunting duties.

The order was expanded from 26 to 56 in mid-1963, before work had started on the first order.

They were numbered D9500-D9555


1731443957009.png

BR (Swindon) Type 1 (later Class "14") 650 hp 0-6-0 No.D9528 in BR two tone green livery trundling through Cardiff General station in October 1965


In July 1964, the first of a class of 56 locomotives appeared from Swindon Works.

These were later designated as TOPS Class 14 by British Railways.

They are known as 'Teddy Bears' by enthusiasts, following a comment by Swindon Works' erecting shop foreman George Cole who quipped "We've built The Great Bear, now we're going to build a 'Teddy Bear'

The Class 14s, like many other early diesel types, had an extremely short life with British Railways – in this case not because of poor reliability, but because many of its envisaged duties disappeared on the BR network as a result of the Beeching cuts.

BR started to dispose of members of the class from mid 1968, and the entire class had been sold to industry or scrapped by the end of 1970.

In their new careers in industry, many had a working life two to three times longer than that with British Railways.

The industries in which they were employed, such as coal mining, declined during the 1970s and the class again became surplus to requirements.

Several have since found a third lease of life on preserved lines where they are ideal for both light passenger work and with works trains on the maintenance of permanent way.

Of the class, 19 are preserved, 5 have been exported and 32 were scrapped.
 
13 November 2024
1731603749929.png
Marcus & Cleo's Bus Adventure into Cardiff

So we caught the bus into Cardiff Centre.

We thought we'd try our Concessionary Travel Card, we've used them on the trains and it gives us about a third off the train fares. :)

1731604650348.png


If your primary address is in Wales and you’re either aged 60 and over or meet the Government’s disability eligibility criteria, you can travel for free on most bus services in Wales and the borders and get discounted or free travel on many rail services

So we produced our cards to the driver who showed us how to use the card scanner and we got one way tickets for the grand total of £0.00! :yaay:
 
We took the bus all the way to the Bus Interchange.

We'd never been there before so we thought we'd have a look around.


Cardiff Buses 251 and 258 seen pulling in together on the first day of the Cardiff Bus Interchange, 251 on the 96 Inbound from Barry, King Square and 258 on the 13 (Dest wasn't picked up) to Drope, Mansell Avenue Respectively on June 30, 2024
train.jpg
 
Cleo and I were very impressed with the new interchange.

Plenty of seating and clear signage and information boards.

Staff guided you to your bus when it was ready to leave.


The new Cardiff Bus Interchange or alternatively "Cardiff Bus Station"​

train.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top