Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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This latest agreement reinforces the strong collaboration between VTG Rail UK and Tarmac while highlighting both companies’ dedication to advancing innovation and sustainability within the rail freight industry.

The JGA-M wagons have a gross laden weight of 101.6 tonnes and are used to transport powdered cement from Tarmac’s cement plant at Dunbar in Scotland and Tunstead Quarry at Buxton in Derbyshire.

Tarmac has over 60 sites throughout the UK connected to Britain’s rail network.

It is one of the country’s largest users of rail freight, and each year, it transports approximately nine million tonnes of high-quality construction materials to support regional and national infrastructure projects.
 
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Features of the iWagon


By retrofitting VTG’s iWagon technology, Tarmac has taken a major step forward in integrating smart systems into its rail operations.

Last year, it was a key partner in a four-month trial where three modified VTG JPA tank wagons underwent testing on Tarmac’s daily service from Dunbar to its Seaham depot in County Durham.

With rail freight being central to Tarmac’s efforts to drive sustainability and reduce carbon emissions, renewing the lease and retrofitting wagon technology will help it improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of its rail operations.

Tarmac currently has a five-year contract with GB Railfreight to transport its aggregate materials by rail, including the supply of hopper and box wagons.

“The renewal of this lease demonstrates the value of the long-standing partnership between VTG Rail UK and Tarmac. Retrofitting these wagons with iWagon technology reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in rail freight.”
Marc Hurn, Interim Managing Director of VTG Rail UK
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27th December, 2024

Steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas set for West Somerset Railway visit​

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The West Somerset Railway has announced that LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas will visit them for their Spring Steam Gala.

Taking place between the 2nd and 5th May 2025, the gala will play a part in the Railway 200 Celebrations, showcasing Victorian locomotives right up to the 2004 built No. 9351.

45596 appears thanks to the Bahamas Locomotive Society and will be the first visit of a Jubilee to a WSR Gala and the first time the class has worked on the Minehead branch past Bishops Lydeard.

More visitors are planned, but tickets are already available over on the West Somerset Railway website.
 
28th December, 2024

Steam railway awarded £410,000 grant for building repairs​

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Endangered buildings at Llanfair Caereinion


The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway has been awarded a grant of £410,000 to enable it to make essential repairs to three endangered buildings at Llanfair Caereinion station.

The grant, awarded by the UK government under the Community Ownership Fund, is to cover the cost of repairing three industrial units at Llanfair Caereinion Station that were built by the local council in the 1970s and currently house two museums and their associated collections, and the railway’s archives and engineering stores.
 
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Getting ready for this year’s Santa Specials


Although a grant of up to £410,000 has been offered in principle to cover the cost of building repairs and staff support, it is subject to detailed negotiations with the Community Ownership Fund team.

Two units are in very poor condition and need a new roof, and the railway was contemplating having to demolish all three, which would render the current inhabitants homeless.

The grant will enable the roof to be repaired, as well as fund improvements to the museums and provide space for increased community activities.

By repairing rather than demolishing the industrial buildings, they also safeguard the site for future developments, including upgrading the workshop facilities where its historic rolling stock is repaired and restored.
 
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Santa welcoming a Santa Special


As well as running train services, the railway is an educational charity.

One of the buildings houses the railway’s main museum, ‘Llanfair Connections’, that describes the railway’s heritage and links with countries worldwide including Austria, Hungary, Taiwan, and Sierra Leone.

Also housed in the building is Wales’ premier collection of model motor vehicles, ‘Cloverlands’ Model Car Museum.

To enable the railway to continue educating and engaging the public, it is essential that the collections are preserved.

Since the collection moved to Llanfair Caereinion in 2022, it has experienced a substantial increase in footfall.

Repairing the units will be of particular benefit to Llanfair Caereinion Town Council as there is currently no suitable venue in the town for community events.
 
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Onboard a Santa Special


“This is great news. Saving this building means that we can go ahead with our plans to become an Accredited Museum, can continue to host Cloverlands Model Car Museum and have a dry safe place for our engineering stores. We hope to expand our museum with a recently donated model rail layout depicting our line, and to welcome local residents for community events. I thank the Ministry of Housing and Local Government for their offer, and pay tribute to our former MP Craig Williams, our current MP Steve Witherden, and Llanfair Caereinion Town Council for their support”.
Iain McLean, Director and Vice-Chairman of the Railway
 
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