Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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GB Railfreight Class 66 at a loading terminal


Each year, GB Railfreight transports over five million tonnes of aggregate and sand, as well as 600,000 tonnes of cement.

Such materials are critical for the construction industry to help the Government achieve its target of building 1.5m homes over the next five years.

Last March, GB Railfreight secured an agreement with leasing company Porterbrook for the supply of 50 new type JNA-X box wagons.

GB Railfreight has a long-standing relationship with Aggregate Industries, which both companies are committed to extending and hope to continue for many years.

By transporting aggregates by rail will reduce the carbon footprint of moving construction materials essential for building homes and some of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects.
 
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GB Railfreight Class 66 at a loading terminal


“Extending our partnership with GB Railfreight recognises the close working relationship forged between the two companies and the importance of shared goals. We value the professionalism, enthusiasm and innovation demonstrated daily by the staff of GB Railfreight in delivering our services. Together with GB Railfreight, Aggregate Industries are committed to providing excellence in customer service and making sustainable construction a reality.”

Simon Blake, General Manager (Rail) – Aggregate Industries
 
20th December, 2024

Railway 200 will now start with a global whistle up​

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Practising for the Railway 200 Whistle-Up


Following a previous announcement of a nationwide ‘whistle-up’ on New Year’s Day to mark the start of Railway 200, more participants have been announced, including overseas railways, model train manufacturer Hornby, commemorative locomotive, 910 and Thomas & Friends™.

This will be the largest-ever mass participation event by heritage railways, and more than 50 railways and up to 200 locomotives will sound their whistles and horns at horns at midday on Wednesday, 1st January 2025 to signal the start of a year-long celebration.
 
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A heritage ralway sporting Railway 200 bunting


Spearheaded by the Heritage Railway Association (HRA), the Railway 200 Whistle-Up will involve over 50 heritage railways in the UK and abroad blowing whistles of nearly 200 vintage steam and diesel.

Overseas railways taking part include Holland, South Africa, and Sierra Leone, with some sounding the whistles on British-built locomotives.

At mainline stations, trains will sound their horns at the appointed hour to welcome in the anniversary year.

On a miniature scale, model train manufacturer Hornby will arrange for a selection of model trains to toot and whistle on their track layouts, and there will also be a special appearance on social media from Thomas the Tank Engine.

In a year-long celebration, Railway 200 will commemorate 200 years of the modern railway, and explore how railways have shaped our national life and encouraged more people to consider a career in the railway.
 
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North Eastern Railway locomotive No. 910


The date has been chosen to commemorate 200 years since 1825 when the Stockton and Darlington Railway changed the world forever.

In the Locomotion museum at Shildon in County Durham, the whistle of the North Eastern Railway locomotive No. 910 sound once more.

No. 910 is the only locomotive to have appeared in all three previous Stockton and Darlington Railway anniversaries, in 1875, 1925, and 1975, and is currently undergoing restoration.

It is hoped that as many people as possible will join in the whistle-up by recording themselves, family and friends blowing whistles, sounding horns or ringing bells at noon on New Year’s Day.

Recording can be posted social media, using #Railway200 and #WhistleUp200, and if no whistles, horns, or bells are available, a Christmas party blower or popper can be used instead.
 
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Railway 200 logo


“The world changed forever in 1825 with the birth of the modern railway in Britain, and rolled out across the globe. Railway 200’s celebrations are a unique opportunity to honour a groundbreaking moment in our history while looking boldly towards the future. The Whistle-Up event marks the start of a year that will showcase how the railway continues to transform lives, connect communities, and create growth, jobs, housing and tourism. This milestone reminds us of the integral role rail plays in a sustainable future and is our chance to present the railway as a forward thinking, digital industry with vibrant and diverse career paths for a new generation. Together, let us celebrate this extraordinary British achievement and inspire a shared vision for the next century of railways.”

Rail Minister Lord Hendy
 
20th December, 2024

Progress report on replica LNWR express locomotive​

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LMS 25348 "Coronation" nearing the end of her days


The LNWR George the Fifth Steam Locomotive Trust has released the latest update on progress with the project to construct its namesake locomotive.

The Frame Assembly campaign is making progress, with three major items currently being manufactured at a cost of something over £30,000.

Boro Foundry has cast the motion plate and frame stretcher and supplied the necessary materials and test certificates.

They are now waiting to be machined, which is expected to be complete by mid-January.
 
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LNWR George the Fifth replica


Work has started on the dragbox at TCL Seal of Sheffield, which is also home to new-build Clan and B17 steam locomotives.

They are profile cutting of the plates, which vary in thickness from 25 mm up to 40 mm thick, and a total weight of approximately ¾ ton.

Work has currently progressed to welding the “H” section that takes the load from the drawbar and feeds the loads into the main body of the dragbox and also carries a large Vee bracket for the brake crank.

This section needs to be drilled for the bracket’s fasteners and the drawbar pin before it can be welded into the dragbox.
 
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Motion Plate and Frame Stretcher


Once the dragbox has been fully welded, it will be heated to relieve stresses and minimise distortion caused by solidification and cooling of the considerable volume of welded metal.

The final stage will be to machine flat faces on either side to the exact width needed to place bolt holes precisely for attaching it to the frame plates.

The next stage is to dismantle the exhibit that has been on display at Crewe Heritage Centre.

However, the Heritage Centre is not suitable for carrying out significant engineering work, and the space currently occupied is needed for a forthcoming ‘Crewe in Wartime ‘exhibition.

Possible options are being considered, and a plan forward will be published next month.

After the locomotive has been stripped down, the work required for the permanent frame assembly will be defined and a list of potential contractors drawn up.
 
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Plate to be drilled before welding into dragbox assembly


One of the prime requirements for the Trust is to have a properly structured organisation that can demonstrate competence to Ricardo, which is the Acceptance Body.

That will include having build systems examined in detail, producing documentation records, and providing evidence of how a random selection of items were designed, manufactured, accepted, and assembled.

The necessary processes are in the process of being developed, and the Trust is confident that it knows what is needed to support its design and manufacturing submissions to Ricardo.
 
21st December

Steam locomotive 60163 Tornado set for East Lancashire Railway visit​


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The East Lancashire Railway has announced that 60163 Tornado will be visiting them for their upcoming Legends of Steam Gala, which takes place in March 2025.

The A1 is currently coming back from overhaul and will be joined by resident locomotives, 34092 City of Wells and 34081 92 Squadron; the latter recently arrived at the railway.

LMS Black 5 No. 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier will also join in the fun, taking a break from its mainline activities before it heads to Scotland to haul the famous Jacobite services.
 
22nd December

Steam locomotive 48305 set for West Yorkshire visit​


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The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has announced that LMS 8F No. 48305 will be visiting them for their Spring Steam Gala.

Taking place between the 20th and 23rd of March 2025, the 8F locomotive appears thanks to the Great Central Railway.

48305 will join other locomotives and the KWVR home fleet to operate an intensive timetable over the weekend.
 
23rd December, 2024

Report released after ScotRail train hits tree at 84 mph​

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A typical ScotRail HST with power cars and mark 3 coaches


The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has released its report after a ScotRail train collided with a fallen tree near Broughty Ferry.

On the 27th December 2023, the 10:46 Perth to Aberdeen service collided with a fallen tree at approximately 13:09, around 1 mile east of Broughty Ferry in Dundee.

The train was travelling at 84 mph when it hit the tree and suffered significant damage to the leading driver cab – thankfully no physical injuries were sustained by the 37 passengers or three staff members on board.

The tree was brought down by winds during Storm Gerrit, which had subjected the area to high winds and heavy rain for several hours before the accident.
 
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Damage sustained to left-hand side of driving cab


The tree was located in Barnhill Rock Gardens, which is owned by Dundee City Council and the investigation had found that the tree was in soil that had characteristics that limited its ability to resist the wind.

Around 12 miles before the collision, a member of the public saw that the tree had fallen across the railway and contacted Network Rail using a public helpline.

The helpline call handler tried to pass this information on to Network Rail’s Scotland Route Control but this call was not answered until after the accident.

The RAIB found that the risk of the tree falling on the railway was not effectively managed.

Network Rail relies on landowners to control the risks of trees outside of the railway boundary.

However, Dundee City Council did not manage the risk of the tree falling onto the railway.
 
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Image taken from train 1A37 forward-facing CCTV as it passed under the road bridge

The driver stated they made an emergency brake application immediately uponseeing the fallen tree across the track. Satellite location data from on-board train equipment records the emergency brake being applied around 80 metres, or just over 2 seconds, from the site of the collision.

The train was travelling at 84 mph(135 km/h) and at this speed it would not have been possible to stop the train in that distance, which made the collision unavoidable.
 
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External damage sustained to leading power car of 1A37


The driver of the cab was found to have only escaped serious injury because he crouched behind the driver seat after applying the emergency brake.

The RAIB has also found that the telephone equipment used by the control centre did not display missed call information.

Since the accident, Network Rail has provided helpline staff with an additional contact number for use in emergency scenarios.

RAIB has made three recommendations as a result of its investigation.

The first of these is to Network Rail to consider how technology could assist in the detection of trees subject to altered exposure, including those trees on third-party land.
 
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Internal damage sustained to leading power car of 1A37


The second recommendation is that Dundee City Council should review its management of the trees for which it is responsible to ensure that it is effectively controlling the risk of them falling onto the railway.

RAIB has also recommended that the Rail Safety and Standards Board’s Carmont recommendations steering group should review its response to recommendation 19 made within RAIB report 02/2022, following the investigation into the derailment of a passenger train at Carmont, Aberdeenshire on 12 August 2020.

If you wish to read the full accident report, you can do so by clicking this link: https://assets.publishing.service.g...84d9bbde950/R132024_241223_Broughty_Ferry.pdf
 
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27th December saw ScotRail HST working 1A37 Glasgow to Aberdeen turned back at Arbroath due to the line being closed further north through storm damage. As the train returned to Dundee running at line speed, it struck a fallen tree at Barnhill on the outskirts of Dundee causing significant damage to the leading power car 43129. Rear power car was 43033 with set HA20 in between.
Thankfully the driver only suffered minor injuries through his own quick actions to get out of the chair.
After languishing in Dundee yard for several weeks, power cars 43033 & 43126 were dispatched on February 2nd to attach to the train & drag to Haymarket the following day as 5B00.
The ensemble is seen in the East Reception line at Dundee, all coupled & ready to depart on 2nd February 2024.
 
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23rd December, 2024

New working group to investigate hydrogen Trams-as-a-Service

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Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre


The Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) has set up a new working group at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) to evaluate the role of clean hydrogen encompassed in a ‘Trams-as-a-Service’ model for very light rail,

As the search for cleaner and greener transport continues, the need to find potential solutions becomes ever more important, including their sustainability in both source and supply.
 
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Coventry Light Rail Train undergoing testing


A recent conference at the VLRNIC was opened by Naomi Arblaster, Head of SME Development at BCIMO and project lead for the Clean Futures Accelerator programme, launched almost two years ago to facilitate the demonstration and commercialisation of ‘green’ innovation in the road and rail sectors.

Neil Fulton, BCIMO CEO, explained how BCIMO, a not-for-profit research and technology organisation, has access to world-class technical and commercial facilities and support at the VLRNIC that could facilitate future transportation development.
 
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Preparing for a trial at BCIMO


The complexity of the hydrogen landscape, including its challenges, opportunities and threats, was explained by Dr. Michaela Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Adelan. and a graduate of the Clean Futures programme, She outlined how hydrogen could be used in manufacturing and transport, how clean hydrogen could be produced, and the business case for its use and its contribution to the UK economy.

Opportunities from using hydrogen trams ‘as-a-service’ (HTaaS) were outlined by Stephen Collicott, Innovation Director at Triton Hydrogen and Jim Harkins, Managing Director of Light Rail (UK) Group.

With the problems of congestion, poor air quality, plastic waste, and insufficient responses from government and local authorities, together with insufficient funding, they suggested that HTaaS could be a solution.

They highlighted the significantly reduced costs associated with very light rail systems and how urban waste could be used to produce hydrogen from ‘waste-to-energy’.
 
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Tram being used as a hub for innovative sustainable transport technology


Further benefits from Very Light Rail included eliminating emissions, particulate pollution, and cost savings.

There needs to be a greater focus on both onboard and trackside sources for hydrogen propulsion, as well as in the siting of production facilities to power both transport systems and homes, such as within new developments.

The development, testing, demonstration and ultimate commercialisation process of innovative transport systems resulting from the Clean Futures programme were discussed, as well as taking innovations from their technology readiness level to testing prototypes in a rail-specific environment.

The Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation is currently being used to develop a Very Light Rail system for Coventry.

Last May, a former Midland Metro tram became a hub for innovative sustainable transport technology in the centre as part of the Clean Futures programme.

“The facilities here provide an ideal environment for testing transport systems. By demonstrating these systems in action and expanding their applications across various sectors, we can showcase the true value and benefits of integrated technologies, rather than evaluating them in isolation. This site is perfectly suited to host stakeholders, industry partners, manufacturers, and investors, allowing them to see the systems operating as a whole. This approach will inspire confidence, encouraging faster investment and adoption into the market.”

Naomi Arblaster, Head of SME Development and project lead on Clean Futures
 
23rd December, 2024

Operational update on steam locomotive No. 563​

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The 563 Locomotive Group has given an end-of-year update on how London & South Western Railway T3 Class No. 563 has performed since returning to operational service.

Now fitted with a Dreadnought brake ejector, 563 has become a really useful member of the Swanage Railway‘s fleet.

In the last year, it has been steamed 38 times, which is more than originally planned, and was the star of a Victorian weekend last March.
 
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T3 No. 563 at Swanage


Understandably, given its age, 563 is not as powerful as other locomotives in the fleet, but is more than a capable performer and is always a popular sight when rostered on the railway’s trains.

After the end of the year’s regular services, 563 was used on a photo charter, which resulted in some atmospheric photographs; then, during routine maintenance, a set of replacement firebars was fitted.

Visitors to the Swanage Railway over Christmas and New Year and the ‘Winter Warmup’ event in early January should see 563 in action.
 
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Replacement firebars for 563


While the Swanage Railway Company is now contractually responsible for maintaining 563, where possible, the 563 Locomotive Group feels that it is right to help fund things that could not have been foreseen at the time 563 returned service.

Later next year, the model railway manufacturer Bachmann plans to release an OO gauge model of 563, which will initially be available exclusively from the Swanage Railway two weeks before it goes on general sale.
 
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Bachmann’s forthcoming model of 563


Later next year, the model railway manufacturer Bachmann plans to release an OO gauge model of 563, which will initially be available exclusively from the Swanage Railway two weeks before it goes on general sale.

The model of 563 will be a very faithful representation of the T3 as preserved on the Swanage Railway, and painted in the beautiful LSWR Drummond green.

It will be fitted with Adams boiler, chimney and smokebox door, cab beading, equalising beam suspension, double whistles and fluted coupling rods.

Further details of the model are online at https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/lswr-adams-t3-563-lswr-drummond-green/e85030
 
24th December, 2024

Steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas to visit Carlisle in March​

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45596 'Bahamas'


Vintage Trains has announced that 45596 ‘Bahamas’ will haul its first train of 2025, The Shap Mountaineer.

On Saturday 29 March, the service will be diesel-hauled from Birmingham New Street to Carnforth (and from Hellifield to Birmingham on the return).
 
24th December, 2024

Boiler lifted out of frames for steam locomotive 30120​

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30120 being dismantled at the Flour Mill workshop


The 563 Locomotive Group has issued a report on progress to restore to operational service T9 Class 4-4-0 No. 30120, formerly London & South Western Railway No. 120, in time for its 130th birthday in 2029.

Work has been contracted to the Flour Mill near Lydney in Gloucestershire, where they have started disassembling the T9 so that the locomotive and tender can be inspected and assessed for work required before 120 can return to steam.
 
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Removing the boiler from the frames


That is expected to take three months, and although no major problems are expected, the group considers it prudent to understand the condition of major components and produce a budget before work starts.

Inspection and assessment will be conducted in conjunction with the National Railway Museum, and will focus on two main areas of interest: the boiler and the cylinder block.

The boiler is a pressure vessel, and is usually the single most expensive part of any steam locomotive, so a decision where to overhaul a locomotive often depends on the amount of work that needs to be done.
 
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Boiler with the tubes removed


The locomotive was originally withdrawn from service because of leaking stays, but only time will tell whether there is any reason to be unduly concerned.

However, the cylinder block is a known problem, as during its last period in service at the Swanage Railway, it received a stitched repair.

It is important to ensure the cylinder doesn’t have another failure during its next ten-year ticket.

The Swanage Railway has a copy of the drawings for the cylinder block, so there is only the need to get new patterns made, and a block cast, machined, and fitted.

Interestingly, the T9 Class used the same pattern cylinder block as the M7 Class and the Drummond 700 Class, also known as ‘Black Motors’.

After a new block has been cast, before it can be machined and installed, it must be allowed to ‘weather’ for a time to allow the crystalline structures in the cast iron to develop properly.

For this reason, the Trust wants to get a new block cast as soon as possible in case the block needs replacing so that the weathering process does not hold up the restoration.
 
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T9 30120 at Corfe Castle


Before any work can start, however, it will all be subject to completing an overall assessment of the locomotive and obtaining an agreement from the National Railway Museum to continue with the overhaul.

Because prices can vary a lot and the Trust is not yet ready to place an order, the Trust does not yet have a formal quote., although judging by the cost for other projects, it will cost approximately £50,000 to manufacture the patterns and cast the new cylinder block.

There will also be additional costs for machining and fitting, but although they aren’t cheap, the original cost is considerably less than originally envisaged.

The Flour Mill has confirmed that in early December the boiler was successfully removed from the frames, and is now ready for a comprehensive inspection and assessment of its condition.

Thanks to an agreement between the National Railway Museum and the Swanage Railway Trust, 120 will remain at the Swanage Railway for an extended stay.
 
24th December, 2024

West Somerset Railway set to overhaul boiler for Carnarvon steam locomotive​

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Carnarvon after a cosmestic restoration


The Worcester Locomotive Society has announced that an agreement has been reached that will see the boiler for Kitson ‘Carnarvon’ overhauled at Williton Works.

Leaky Finders is currently restoring and assembling the chassis for the locomotive, and it is hoped that the locomotive will be in steam in the not-too-distant future.

Carnarvon was built in 1934, and the locomotive was last steamed in 1989 at the Bulmers Railway Centre. It is now owned by the Worcester Locomotive Society.
 
26th December, 2024

Kent & East Sussex Railway joins in nationwide ‘whistle up’ to start Rail 200 celebrations​

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Marcia stands at Rolvenden with a short vintage train


Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) is inviting railway enthusiasts to spend New Year’s Day in the company of its steam trains.

Steam locomotive Marcia will haul passenger services for the first time in more than four decades.

Marcia is over one hundred years old and is the Railway’s smallest engine.

Peckett No.1631 ‘Marcia’ was built by Bristol-based manufacturer Peckett in 1923.

The locomotive appeared at Kent & East Sussex Railway special events for many years.

However, the loco moved to Devon when owner Richard Beckett died in 2023.

Last year, Marcia returned to Kent and East Sussex, brought back by new owners, K&ESR volunteer driver Andy Hardy and his model railway company, Rapido Trains UK.

Rapido Trains raised money to maintain and operate Marcia by selling model wagons. Recommissioning work has now been completed and Marcia is now ready to run in service.
 
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Marcia works a vintage set of coaches between Wittersham Road and Rolvenden


Whistle Up​

At 12 noon on 1 January, historic engines at more than fifty heritage railways will blow their whistles simultaneously – including Marcia.

This will mark the start of a year of celebrations of the two-hundredth anniversary of locomotive-hauled passenger railways.

Organisers claim that this will be the largest-ever mass railway participation event.
 
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Tenterden Town station


New Year’s Day services​

K&ESR will run three shuttle services from Tenterden Town Station to Rolvenden.

Two other steam locomotives will join Marcia in running the trains.

Onboard dining will be available on some services.

Tickets​

Visitors can buy tickets in advance from the K&ESR website or at the station on the day.

Visitors also have the option of attending only the ‘whistle up’.

They will need a platform ticket, which costs just one pound.
 
27th December, 2024

Tarmac renews wagon lease deal with VTG Rail​

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VTG Rail renews its lease agreement with Tarmac for 30 JGA-M tank wagons


VTG Rail UK has announced that on 1st January 2025, it will renew its agreement with construction material supplier Tarmac to lease 30 JGA-M tank wagons for a further five years.

In line with Tarmac’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and efficiency in rail freight operations, the wagons will be retrofitted with VTG’s innovative iWagon technology.
 
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VTG’s revolutionary iWagon


That benefits rail operators with improved safety measures through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities and increases efficiency by optimising wagon utilisation and reducing downtime.

The iWagons are fitted with Axle Lock Detection and Wheel Flat Prevention (WFP) technology that monitors wheelset slide and brake condition.

To provide power to the Wheel Flat Prevention system, each wagon has four axle-end generators that also provide power to digital real-time maintenance, temperature monitoring, and harmonics frequency monitoring functionality.

Taking part in a trial of the wagons and the subsequent renewal of their lease allows Tarmac to further its ambition to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions across its operations.

Combining smart monitoring and maintenance technologies, Tarmac believes it can take strides towards a greener and more efficient supply chain.
 
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