Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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British Rail Class 19

Class 19
is the name given to an experimental railway locomotive that was constructed using a Mark 3 DVT.

The locomotive is part of a project funded by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) to test the viability of combining hydrostatic transmission with a form of regenerative braking that can reduce engine emissions.

Hydrostatic transmissions have been used previously for rail vehicles, but only for slow-speed track maintenance vehicles and similar, not for mainline locomotives.

Diesel-hydraulic locomotives instead use a hydrodynamic, i.e. torque converter, transmission.

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Artemis Intelligent Power Class 19, 19001 an Ex-Driving Van Trailer 82113 standing at the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway on 3rd November 2018
 
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Artemis Intelligent Power vehicle converted from Mk3 DVT 82113 now Class 19 locomotive No.19001 at Bo'ness on October 2, 2018


In 2017, the RSSB announced that it planned to fund the development of an experimental rail vehicle in conjunction with Artemis Intelligent Power, a developmental company specialising in hydraulic machines.

The intention of the project was to develop a rail vehicle that could store braking energy, which could then be released during acceleration.

It would be powered by diesel engines as the prime mover, driving hydraulic pumps and then hydraulic motors mounted on the axles.

These motors could also act as pumps, storing braking energy in hydraulic accumulators.

This type of system is being offered as a potential solution for use in areas that are not economical to electrify.
 
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DVT 82113 at Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway on December 29, 2016


The RSSB and Artemis entered into a collaboration with Chiltern Railways to obtain a suitable vehicle, with one of Chiltern's DVTs chosen as the donor vehicle.

The vehicle, 82113, was moved for conversion to the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway in July 2017, where work began.

This involved the installation of the JCB diesel engines, the Artemis E-dyn 96 Digital Displacement Hydraulic Pump and the axle mounted motors.

The vehicle was also fitted with a second cab by the removal of the guard's compartment, allowing it to be driven from either end.

The vehicle was started for the first time on 20 July 2018.

Commissioning trials began on 1 August 2018 jointly between Artemis and the SRPS Diesel Group.
 
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Lenz Labs 19001 at Bo'ness, former DVT 82113 on May 28, 2022


British Rail Class 19
hideType and origin
Power typeDiesel-hydrostatic
DesignerBREL
BuilderBREL
Artemis Intelligent Power (conversion)
Build date1988
2017-18 (conversion)
Total produced1
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Length18.83 m (61 ft 9+3⁄8 in)
Width2.71 m (8 ft 10+3⁄4 in)
Height3.88 m (12 ft 8+3⁄4 in)
Prime moverJCB diesel engine
TransmissionHydrostatic
Loco brakeAir
OperatorsArtemis Intelligent Power
Numbers19001
 
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The ex DVT 82113, Class 19001 gets a new lease of life via its new owner as Lenz Labs of Edinburgh have purchased the vehicle to carry out magnetic wheel adhesion testing. The vehicle has been repainted into a very bright livery and was viewed for the first time on the 20th May 2022 at Bo'ness.
 
12th January, 2025

NER Autocar set for Yorkshire Half Term visit

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NER Autocar


With the long dark nights of January now well established, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has announced something to look forward to during the upcoming February half-term, from the 15th to the 23rd of February.

North Eastern Railway Autocar No. 3170, will be visiting the Yorkshire Moors courtesy of the NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust.

Its visit to the line is part of the Railway 200 celebrations at the NYMR this year.

Built ahead of its time No. 3170 was the first train in the world to run using an internal combustion engine which generated electric power.

The 1903 Autocar by Vincent Raven also included electric track brakes, and proved its worth at hill climbing, against the steam powered autocars that had already been built by various pre-grouping railway companies.
 
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NER Autocar No. 3170


The Autocar ran until the 1930s when it became holiday accommodation for tourists visiting North Yorkshire.

Since then it has been preserved and restored to full working order, with its appearance at the NYMR this February a fitting tribute to mark Railway 200 so enthusiasts and family’s can experience the pioneering era of the internal combustion engine on rails.

As well as the visit of the Autocar, the North Yorkshire Moors home fleet of steam locomotives will be in operation offering steam train rides through the Moors, where passengers can visit Whitby, Grosmont, Goathland and Pickering stations.

Though a limited service will be running from Goathland to Whitby due signalling works.
 
12th January, 2025

Flying Scotsman set for Nene Valley Railway visit in 2025

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The Nene Valley Railway has announced that it will welcome No. 60103 Flying Scotsman in early 2025 as part of the Rail 200 Celebrations.

The locomotive will haul passenger trains on the 22nd and 23rd February as well as 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th March 2025.

Three evening dining trains are also planned as well as a photo charter, which will see Flying Scotsman haul a freight train for the first time since 1994.

Additionally, on selected dates in February and March, members of the public can purchase tickets to get on the footplate of this famous locomotive.

The visit of Flying Scotsman is thanks to Northern Steam Limited and the National Railway Museum.

More visits are planned as details of Flying Scotsman’s schedule are confirmed.
 
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12th January, 2025

North Norfolk Railway spends grant funding on infrastructure and training

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Locomotive No 53809, now in her 100th year at work on the North Norfolk Railway


The North Norfolk Railway has used a grant of £34,427 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund to carry out infrastructure improvements that it describes as “vital”.

The work, which is now complete, has including installing new lighting at the Railway’s engineering facilities at Weybourne Station.

It has also included a new coal bunker and oil store.

The new lighting is LED and low-energy.

It will create a better environment for the Railway’s staff and award-winning volunteers, and will cut electricity consumption.

The second bunker will allow the Railway to store smokeless solid fuel.

This is blended with traditional coal, which reduces emissions and makes lineside fires less likely.
 
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Newly installed lighting at engineering facilities at Weybourne Station


The heritage railway is also using a £5,000 grant from Future Skills NOW to train its staff in safety-critical tasks.

This includes training in the role of traffic marshall (formerly known as ‘banksman’) and slinger, a role responsible for ensuring that lifting is carried out safely.

Staff are also being trained in woodworking, using chainsaws, and abrasive wheel machinery.

This North Norfolk Rural Business and Community project covering various infrastructure works is part-funded by the UK Government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, was supported by North Norfolk District Council and delivered in Partnership with Norfolk County Council.

It funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure.

This will help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

Further information on the Rural England Prosperity Fund can be found via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-england-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Norfolk County Council has worked with North Norfolk District Council to deliver training support, which has been funded through the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

This year, the North Norfolk Railway is celebrating its Golden Anniversary.

Fifty years ago, the line first operated steam services from Sheringham station.

During the year ahead, it will run daily services, special events and dining trains.

One of Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotives will return to steam during the anniversary year.

More information is available via the Railway’s website.
 
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The new coal bunker undergoing construction at Weybourne engineering yard


“We are delighted to have received this support which will allow us to improve not only our current infrastructure but also the skills and understanding of our team. These improvements will make a material difference to day-to-day working conditions and also have a practical impact upon our running costs. In common with many heritage railways our overheads have increased significantly in recent years and it now costs approximately £3.8 million for us to run each year, making funding for enhancements such as these invaluable.”

Graham Hukins, North Norfolk Railway General Manager
 
Tuesday 14 Jan 2025

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Passengers between South Wales and Bristol/Gloucester reminded to check before travelling ahead of work at Severn Tunnel Junction later this month

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

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Stock picture of track renewal


Passengers are being urged to check before they travel between South Wales and Bristol/Gloucester on the weekend of January 25-26 when Network Rail will be carrying out track renewals at two locations as well as a range of other essential work.

There will be no direct trains between Bristol/Gloucester and South Wales all weekend so the work at Severn Tunnel Junction station and Llandevenny can be safely carried out.

Engineers are working across the two sites, replacing 522 yards of track through platform 2 at Severn Tunnel Junction station and another 275 yards at Llandevenny, between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport stations.

At Severn Tunnel Junction, engineers will replace 2,000 tonnes of ballast and 730 sleepers, using five engineering trains.

At Llandevenny, they will replace 1,150 tonnes of ballast and 420 sleepers, using four engineering trains.

While the railway is closed, teams will also be carrying out a range of tasks within the Severn Tunnel itself, including maintenance of the overhead line equipment (OLE), as well as working on a cutting on the Severn Estuary.

Recent periods of adverse weather, including high rainfall, snow, and ice, have led to further deterioration of the cutting, preventing engineers from completing the ongoing stabilisation work between Awre and Purton.

This closure will allow them to safely complete the work and ensure the continued safe operation of the railway.

While the lines from Gloucester and Bristol into South Wales are closed, rail replacement buses will operate.

Transport for Wales will operate a bus service between Newport and Gloucester/Cheltenham Spa, while GWR will run buses from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff Central (non-stop) and from Bristol Parkway to Newport (non-stop, plus some services stopping at Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction).

GWR trains will still run from Bristol Parkway toward Swindon, Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester, plus between Patchway and Bristol Temple Meads (Saturday only).

GWR will also operate trains between Newport and Swansea/Carmarthen.

Train services between Bristol/Gloucester and South Wales are due to resume on Monday, January 27.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We recognise there is never a good time to close the Severn Tunnel and the Gloucester line at the same time, but we have planned this work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“The location of the track renewal – where life-expired track must be replaced – means both lines must be closed for our teams to safely carry out the work.

“With the lines closed, we are also taking the opportunity to replace the track at Llandevenny, which is on the single line heading up to the Bishton flyover and can only be carried out with all lines blocked.

“We apologise to customers who were planning to travel on those lines over the weekend of January 25-26 and ask them to check before they travel.

“We are committed to investing in railway infrastructure in Wales and Borders, in order to deliver reliable and low-carbon transport, and this £890,000 track renewal is a key part of that.”
 
15th January, 2025

Harry Needle Railroad Company acquired by Swietelsky

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HNRC Class 37 No. 37607 at Exeter SD


Swietelsky AG has acquired Worksop-based rail company Harry Needle Railroad Company.

Swietelsky AG is one of Europe’s leading construction companies for railway infrastructure and has bought 100% of HNRC.

HNRC was founded in 1998. It also has a facility at Barrow Hill and employs more than 30 people.

“This strategic step not only enables us to expand our market position in the area of Operate & Maintain contracts for Network Rail, but also to significantly increase capacities for machine overhauls and future innovations such as the conversion of rail vehicles to European train control systems,”

Peter Krammer, CEO of Swietelsky AG
 
15th January, 2025

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

I enjoyed myself with a few pints in 'The Great Western' and 'The Old Arcade'. :toast:

We also had a lovely meal in 'The Old Arcade'.

The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd 270, Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro 200 Classic, CN64 FWU
3867

It was also the same vehicle that took us home many hours later.
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16th January, 2025

Steam locomotive 7802 Bradley Manor reaches overhaul milestone

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7802 undergoing a steam test


The Erlestoke Manor Fund has announced that 7802 Bradley Manor has passed a hot insurance exam.

The exam took place at Tyseley Locomotive Works on the 10th January 2025 and should help to see the locomotive move to the Severn Valley Railway before the end of January.

An agreement has been signed last year that will see 7802 based at the Severn Valley Railway on an ongoing basis, providing a loco close to home for volunteers as the heavy repair and new cylinders bed in.

A new tender for the loco is a year from completion, so 7802’s temporary tender is already at the Severn Valley Railway under the form of 2857’s tender.

It is planned that both 7802 and 7812 will feature at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala, before the latter heads off to the West Somerset Railway.
 
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7802 undergoing a steam test


“ I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our EMF Volunteers for their tireless work since 2019, input from the wider steam movement and to colleagues at Tyseley Locomotive Works for their help and support in the first Manor cylinder block replacement in the preservation era. It will be so wonderful to see Bradley back in action”.

Adrian Hassell, Chair of the EMF
 
16th January, 2025

Steam locomotive 16440 set to visit the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

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The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has announced that it will welcome Jinty No. 16440 for its Spring Steam Gala.

16440 is currently at the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley and visits for the gala, which is set to take place between the 20th and 23rd March 2025.

16440 will join the home fleet of of 45596 Bahamas, 41241, 52044, 75078, 1054, 85 and 78022.

Other visitors confirmed are 48305 and new arrivals 7232 ‘Ann’ and ‘Dora’
 
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17th January, 2025

HST Power Car scrapped at Devon heritage railway

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43161 with cab and body shell removed


In an unusual move not seen before in preservation, a HST power car has been scrapped at a heritage railway.

The class 43 power car no. 43161 arrived as an empty shell at the Plym Valley Railway in Devon.

It was scheduled to be scrapped at the railway, which not only gave the chance for a heritage railway to take part in an unusual process to scrap a withdrawn mainline locomotive it also enabled them to salvage parts which can be used on other preserved Class 43 power cars across the country.
 
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The chassis and bogies of 43161


Plym Valley has thanked the contractors and volunteers who worked long hours to cut up and remove the power car and its subsequent parts.

Prior to its disposal, the Plym Valley held an HST Enthusiast Enthusiast Day, offering the public a last chance to see 43161 prior to scrapping.

Work began on cutting up the power car on Saturday 11th January with the locomotive consigned to history on Tuesday 14th January.
 
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43161 prior to scrapping


While this is a sad end to this particular member of the class, some preserved examples can still be seen and enjoyed at many heritage railways across the country and on the national network, with a select few being trailed with ETCS.

Plym Valley Railway

"As reported, the HST Enthusiast Day was the last chance to see 43161 prior to disposal.
The scrapping of the locomotive started on Saturday and was completed this afternoon.
It’s important to remember that the power car arrived with us as a shell as it was due to be scrapped anyway, and that many HST organisations will now benefit from large components saved during the disposal.
As far as we know, we are the first heritage railway to dispose of a power car and the process has been fascinating.
Thank you to the contractors and volunteers who have worked long hours to remove the asset efficiently and safely.
"
 
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43161 was a regular visitor to Cardiff.
How I miss those HSTs
:cry:

GWR Castle Set with Class 43 No.43161 heads towards Cogload Junction, with the 11:04 Taunton to Cardiff Central service, on the 8th of August 2019.

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The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for the InterCity 125 High Speed Train (formerly Classes 253 and 254) diesel-electric power cars, built by British Rail Engineering Limited from 1975 to 1982, and in service in the UK since 1976.

The class is officially the fastest diesel locomotive in the world, with an absolute maximum speed of 148.5 mph (239.0 km/h), and a regular service speed of 125 mph (201 km/h).

The record run was led by 43102 (43302) and trailed by 43159.
 
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Friday 17 Jan 2025

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£1m vegetation management programme gets underway on Heart of Wales line

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

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Storm damage on the Heart of Wales line. December 2024.


A £1 million vegetation management programme on the Heart of Wales line is underway, with the aim of reducing delays and cancellations caused by fallen trees.

The 12-week project, which will cover 60 miles of track, was planned before Storm Darragh devastated parts of the line in December, with more than 56 trees falling within one 10-mile section alone during the storm.

The line was closed for almost a week as Network Rail teams dealt with more than 70 fallen trees in total, around 30 of which were uprooted.
 
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Storm damage on the Heart of Wales line. December 2024.


The vegetation management work, which will run overnight from Monday to Thursday every week until March 28, took months of planning owing to the complicated nature of the ecology on the line.

It is part of a significant five-year investment to make the railway safer, more resilient, and more reliable across the whole Wales & Borders route.

From Craven Arms to Llandrindod, every structure will be cleared within 300 metres on both sides, while every station will be cleared within 600m on both sides.

From Llandrindod to Llandovery, the work will be less invasive owing to the local ecology, focusing largely on removing overhanging branches from near the line.

The work will be carried out by a combination of Network Rail staff and local contractors.
 
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Storm damage on the Heart of Wales line. December 2024.


Dale Caviell, Network Rail maintenance engineer and the project lead, said: “Ecology has played a key part in planning this work. The Heart of Wales line serves such a rural area, which is a hotspot for many different species including dormice, bats, badgers, and newts – the conditions are more or less perfect for them.

“We have been working with Natural Resources Wales and our in-house ecology team to make sure the work can go ahead safely and legally. There are no habitat restrictions over the first 32 miles, from Craven Arms to Llandrindod. For the remaining 28 miles, the work will be far less invasive.

“This project will really tidy up the Heart of Wales line, helping to reduce delays and cancellations, with the real benefits likely to be felt next autumn and winter.”
 
17th January, 2025

Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley set for North Yorkshire visit

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The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced that 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley is to visit them in 2025 as part of their events calendar.

The A4 locomotive is set to visit to haul trains between the 22nd and 30th of March 2025.

More details are set to be announced soon, but it is great to see the A4 return to North Yorkshire.

Before the A4’s visit, the railway is to welcome NER Autocar from the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, which will be running during the February half term.
 
17th January, 2025

First brand new Class 99 locomotive leaves for test track

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GBRf’s first Class 99, (99001) leaves the Stadler’s factor in Valencia for the Velim Test Track in the Czech Republic


GB Railfreight has announced that the first Class 99, No. 99001, has left Stadler‘s factory, destined for the test track.

The locomotive left the factory in Valencia this week for the approx. 2,000km journey to the Velim Test track in Czech Republic.

At the test track, the locomotive will undergo a programme of testing and commissioning.

After this is completed, 99001 will move to the UK where crew training and more testing can take place.

This is expected in early summer.
 
18th January, 2025

Attack! Pro Wrestling

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On January 18th we'll return to Cathays Community Centre for our first show of 2025 - HOODIE WEATHER 2!

DOORS: 18:30
FIRST BELL: 19:00

This show is SOLD OUT but you can watch online via our YouTube channel


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