Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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28th February, 2025

Northern Belle train to visit Carlisle this Saturday​

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Class 57 57313 Scarborough Castle with The Northern Belle


The Northern Belle is to visit Carlisle this Saturday (1st March 2025).

The tour will start at Manchester Victoria behind a Class 47 or 57 locomotive. Departing Manchester Victoria at 10:27, the train will head to Carlisle via Eccles (Manchester) (10:34), Wigan North Western (10:56), Leyland (11:12), Blackburn (11:36), Settle (12:44), Appleby (13:38) and Carlisle at 14:19.

From Carlisle, the train will return to Manchester via Penrith North Lakes (14:52), Oxenholme Lake District (15:18), Preston (Lancs) (15:53), Leyland (16:04), Wigan North Western (16:23), Salford Central (17:13) and Manchester Victoria at 17:16.
 
28th February, 2025

Class 66 locomotives to be fitted with digital signalling thanks to major deal​

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Class 66 at Toton


Class 66 locomotives are to be fitted with digital in-cab signalling thanks to a new deal between DB Cargo UK and Siemens Mobility.

Work to fit the European Train Control System will begin in July.

The work will be carried out to nine Class 66s, with work taking place at Toton Traction Maintenance Depot in the East Midlands.

It is expected that the work will be completed in March 2026 and is the first phase of a programme to fit all of DB’s Class 66s with the new signalling system.

“Having recently played a significant part in the ‘first-in-class’ fitment of ETCS on one of our own Class 66 locomotives (66039), which has recently undergone dynamic testing at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre, we are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with Siemens to install the new technology in further locomotives,” said Jon.

“This contract award has been secured on the back of the hard work and dedication of our maintenance and engineering colleagues and represents a significant boost to our order book,” he added.

“DB Cargo UK is very proud of the industry-leading role we continue to play in the delivery of ERTMS here in the UK which will deliver a more dynamic, reliable and safer railway for all those who use it.”

“It will provide much needed capacity for freight on the East Coast Main Line and other routes and this significant investment in the Class 66 locomotive is a further advancement towards securing the long-term growth of our sector,”

DB Cargo UK’s Head of Asset Management and Maintenance Jon Harman
 
1st March, 2025

DB ESG to investigate use of hydrogen to improve carbon clean and capture​


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DB ESG, a specialist provider of rolling stock engineering solutions for the UK rail industry, has secured funding from InnovateUK for a project that aims to reduce rail vehicle emissions using hydrogen-powered carbon clean and capture.

Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation, which is the UK’s innovation agency.

It was established to help companies grow through the development and commercialisation of new products and services, and it is supported by an agile innovation ecosystem that is inclusive and easy to navigate.
 
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DB ESG carrying out testing


The project will look at ways to prolong the life of internal combustion engines, resulting in whole-life cost benefits while improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions by adding hydrogen and carbon capture to an engine’s exhaust emissions.

Funding for the project was provided by the Department for Business and Trade through the competition ‘Contracts for Innovation: International Rail Innovation Challenges’ delivered by InnovateUK.

Collaborating with DB ESG in the project is cleantech leader Advanced Hydrogen Technologies (AHT), which will supply the device that will be fitted to a Class 66 locomotive for the trial.
 
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DB Class 66 locomotive


DB ESG will carry out testing of the AHT equipment fitted to the Class 66 locomotive.

Initial testing will connect the locomotive to a load bank and measure the fuel economy and exhaust emissions when the locomotive engine is run at different speeds.

Subsequent tests will be conducted to determine the effect of supplying hydrogen to the air intake of the engine, and how adding a carbon capture device to the exhaust outlet affects emissions, and the benefits in sustainability they bring to the rail sector.

DB ESG hope this investigation will bring both economic and environmental benefits, as with more than 5,000 diesel engines currently active in the UK alone, it is imperative that the rail sector is decarbonised to meet carbon emission targets.

Among other project benefitting from Innovate UK’s involvement are a project by East Midlands Railway to improve the safety and efficiency of train inspections, and the development of a new type of station footbridge.

“This pioneering system reduces carbon footprint and fuel costs and is already proven on road. We are looking forward to further establishing this technology in the rail sector. As James references, helping businesses and the rail industry meet their Net Zero targets, has never been more timely.”

Ben Kattenhorn, CEO for AHT
 
1st March, 2025

Wrestling In Cardiff

My son Neo and I went to watch the wrestling at Cathays in Cardiff.

This involved catching a couple of trains to get there.

The first train was a Class 150 'Sprinter', No. 150278

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We struck lucky with the second train that took us from Cardiff Queen Street to Cathays.

Instead of a packed 2 carriage train with standing room only, it was a modern 5 car 'Flirt' train.


Our second train a British Rail Class 756 FLIRT, No. 756115
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Results
  1. Team Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) def. Myla Grace & Session Moth Martina
  2. Danny Jones def. Old Poppa Sunflower & Sonny Sunflower
  3. Team Bayside High (Mark Andrews & Nixon Newell) def. Harrison Bennett & Rayne Leverkusen
  4. No Disqualification Match: Man Like DeReiss def. Brendan White
  5. 1 Up Scramble Match: James Ellis def. Leon Cage, Tea Jane Watson, Josh Holly, ELIJAH and Tommy Vril
  6. Attack! Championship Match: Nino Bryant (c) def. Mulligan to retain the Attack! Championship

Nixon Newell (formerly Tegan Nox) made a surprise appearance at ATTACK! Pro Wrestling, teaming with Mark Andrews to defeat Harrison Bennett and Rayne Leverkusen.
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At ATTACK! Pro Wrestling’s “Press Start 8”, the team of Nixon Newell and Mark Andrews, known as Bayside High reunited after over 8 years.

The match began when Harrison Bennett and Rayne Leverkusen took the ring to badmouth both ATTACK! and Mark Andrews.

Andrews came out and challenged the two to a match.

The former WWE superstar now known as Nixon Newell make her surprise entrance through the curtain.

Newell picked up the victory for her team after a Shining Wizard to Rayne Leverkusen.

Following Bayside High’s victory, Newell’s opponent for her next scheduled match, Dani Luna entered the ring.

The two shook hands before Luna exited the ring.

Nixon Newell will be facing Dani Luna at their “C’est La Vie” event on Sunday May 18th.

This was Newell’s first match since being released by WWE on November 1, 2024, and her first time competing in ATTACK! in 8 years.

The last time she even competed inside a ring was in a dark match against Blair Davenport back in July 2024.

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Referee Oscar, Nixon Newell and Mark Andrews
 
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Steffanie Newell (born 15 November 1994) is a Welsh professional wrestler.

She performs on the independent circuit under the ring name Nixon Newell.

She is best known for her tenure in the American professional wrestling promotion WWE, where she performed under the ring name Tegan Nox.

Newell has also wrestled on the British independent circuit, most notably for promotions such as Attack! Pro Wrestling and Progress Wrestling.

Newell has stated her ring name "Tegan Nox" is a tribute to both her Welsh heritage and being a fan of the Harry Potter franchise.

This also relates to her nickname: "The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard" – as she uses a step-up knee strike, commonly referred to as a shining wizard, as her finishing move.

She has dubbed herself NXT's resident "Lady Kane"; a moniker that she gave herself in honour of her favourite WWE Superstar, Kane, as well as adopting his chokeslam finisher.

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2nd March, 2025

South Wales rail station welcomes new park and ride facility​

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Pontypool and New Inn


Torfaen County Borough Council has announced the opening of a new park and ride facility at Pontypool and New Inn station in South Wales.

The park and ride facility opened on Friday, 28 February.

This follows the announcement by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) earlier this week that it had authorised the facility to open.

Drivers will be able to access the car park via a new road from the A4042.

The facility includes one hundred and forty parking bays: 129 general parking spaces and eleven accessible parking bays.

It also includes motorcycle bays, secure bicycle spaces and drop-off bays.

In addition, the Council has promised that several electric vehicle charging bays will be made available for use in the next few months.

Pontypool and New Inn station also has a new footbridge and lifts, which are suitable for use by passengers using wheelchairs and bicycles.

This follows the station benefiting from funding to improve its accessibility in 2020.

The improvement project has cost over seven million pounds.

It is one of the first projects to be completed as part of the Cardiff Capital Region Metro Plus scheme, which is creating the South Wales Metro system at a cost of fifty million pounds.
 
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TfW Class 231


The South Wales Metro system welcomed new Class 231 trains two years ago.

The trains have level boarding, making them more accessible to passengers with impaired mobility.

The work has also included improvements to the station’s platform and seating area.

CCTV and lighting have been improved.

New customer information systems and a help point have also been installed.

Torfaen Council has expressed its hope that the new park-and-ride facility will encourage more people to use the station.

The Council hopes that this will then lead to an increase in train services.

Cardiff Capital Region, the Welsh Government and Torfaen Council funded the work.

Other schemes that are part of the Metro Plus project include Caerphilly Interchange, Merthyr Tydfil Interchange and Porth Transport Interchange.
 
2nd March, 2025

Wrestling In Cardiff

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My son, Neo, and I went to watch the wrestling in Cardiff Bay.

We walked to the venue after meeting up with our wrestling friends at the 'Eli Jenkins' pub.

Then we walked to Portland House AKA 'The Banking Hall'.

Watched a great night of wrestling, met Danhausen too!

Sadly, Lizzy Evo cancelled, so they adjusted the Triple Threat Match into a Four Way Match and Myla Grace fought, and won, in that.

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Results

Singles Match
Wild Boar defeats Lucian Phillips

SMW Tag Team Title Match
The Blockbusters (Jordan Sparkes & Toby St. John) defeat Greedy Souls (Brendan White & Danny Jones) (c) - TITLE CHANGE !!!

Singles Match
Mikey Fine defeats Sid Oakley

Singles Match
James Ellis defeats Man Like DeReiss

Four Way Match
Myla Grace defeats LA Taylor and Millie McKenzie and Rhiannon Jade

SMW Title Match
Danhausen defeats Martyn Grant (c) - TITLE CHANGE !!!

SMW Title Match
James Ellis defeats Danhausen (c) - TITLE CHANGE !!!

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Monday 3 Mar 2025
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TWO WEEKS TO GO: Vital £15m engineering work to close parts of the Cambrian line for 16 days from mid-March​

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

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Work on the Cambrian line will close the line for 16 days


Passengers are being urged to check before they travel on the Cambrian line from mid-March to early April when Network Rail will be carrying out a range of work across a 16-day period.

As part of a £15 million investment in the railway, engineers will be carrying out multiple track and drainage renewals, a bridge renewal, embankment work, vegetation management and track maintenance across various sites, between Monday 17 March and Wednesday 2 April.

Buses will replace trains:
  • Between Newtown and Aberystwyth from Monday 17 March until 9am on Friday 21 March
  • Between Machynlleth and Pwllheli from Monday 17 March until 9am on Friday 21 March
  • Between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth from 6pm on Friday 21 March until Wednesday 2 April
Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) have worked closely together to maximise the amount of work done while the line is closed, reducing the total impact on passengers by avoiding eight days of further line closures over the next three years.

Closing the railway for this period will allow Network Rail to bring forward work scheduled for 2026 and 2027 and deliver multiple key projects at once, minimising future disruption and saving £1.5 million in the process.

During the 16 days the line is closed, Network Rail engineers will be completing a range of work, including:
  • Track renewals: Replacing the existing, life-expired track at sites between Machynlleth and Dovey Junction, and between Machynlleth and Caersws.
  • Track maintenance: Carrying out essential maintenance of the track at multiple sites, including between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, and between Caersws and Newtown.
  • Embankment strengthening: Stabilising the embankment next to the railway near Talerddig by installing rock netting.
  • Bridge renewals: Refurbishing a railway bridge wall at Glantwymyn, between Machynlleth and Caersws.
  • Vegetation clearance: Teams will cut back trees and hedges that are either diseased or overgrown and could pose a significant threat to the railway at various sites between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.
In addition to the continued safe and reliable running of train services along this busy route, the track renewal at Machynlleth station will pave the way for the introduction of TfW’s new Class 197 trains.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway for a significant amount of time, but we have planned this essential work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“To maximise efficiency and minimise future disruption, we have brought forward and included work that was scheduled to take place over the next two years.

“The scale of the work being carried is significant, with £15 million and thousands of hours of work being invested into improving the Cambrian line.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience – and urge them to check their journeys before they travel.”

Colin Lea, TfW planning and performance director, said: “This work is the result of months of careful planning with our partners in Network Rail to ensure as little customer impact as possible.

“It’s a huge investment in the line, following the major refurbishment of Barmouth Bridge in 2023.

“As a targeted approach through our Local Railway Partnership we’ve identified a way of reducing the total time the railway is closed, and to complete the work ahead of the key Easter and summer periods.

“Our operational teams have put a dedicated rail replacement plan in place for the duration of the work - customers should check their journey details before they travel.”

Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail or www.nationalrail.co.uk
 

3rd March, 2025​

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Transport for Wales wants your views on proposed North-South express coach service​

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Traws Cymru Nant y Ci Depot


Transport for Wales is launching a public consultation on proposals for a potential new express coach service that would transform connectivity between North and South Wales.

The proposed service would run between Bangor and Carmarthen, cutting journey times by 90 minutes compared to current public transport options.

The express-stop service would call at key town centres and railway stations along Wales' western coast, including Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, and Aberystwyth.

With an expected journey time of 4 hours 45 minutes, the service is being proposed to provide a faster, more convenient travel option for tourists and university students, while improving connections between communities along the western corridor.

Plans include running up to eight coaches per day, with modern on-board facilities suitable for longer journeys and integration with rail services for onward travel.

The public consultation period will run for four weeks from 3rd March, with an online 'have your say' page where people can learn about the proposals and share their views via a survey.

TfW will also host three in-person engagement events across the route to meet bus users and potential users to talk more about the service.
  • Monday 10th March, 11am – 2pm, Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor University, Pontio, Deiniol Rd, Bangor LL57 2TQ
  • Thursday 13th March, 12pm – 3pm, Aberystwyth Bus Station, Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1LH
  • Friday 14th March, 12pm – 3pm, Carmarthen Bus Station, Bay 1, Blue Street, Carmarthen, SA31 3LQ
Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at Transport for Wales said: "This proposed service represents an important step in improving sustainable transport options between North and South Wales. If you have any thoughts about the proposed service, we encourage everyone to take part in the online survey and help shape this significant transport link for Wales."

The online platform will be available at from 3rd March here North to South Wales Express Coach Proposal | Have your say by Transport for Wales


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North South Express Coach Map

  • Current public transport journey time between Bangor and Carmarthen is approximately 6 hours 20 minutes
  • The service would initially operate with diesel coaches before transitioning to electric vehicles.
  • The proposal is currently at WelTAG stage 3, WelTAG is the Welsh Government guidance on planning and appraisal for transport. It must be used for any transport programme, policy or project seeking funding from Welsh Government. WelTAG sets out a structured approach to planning programmes and projects that starts with exploring the case for change and moves through a series of logical steps in developing a programme or project, delivering it and finally reviewing it afterwards. Those steps include identifying objectives, narrowing down options and then developing a business case for the chosen objective. It also involves monitoring and evaluating your programme or project afterwards.
  • We are currently at stage 3 to consult with the public to understand their views. Please note, each stage requires funding, so future phases beyond the current are not guaranteed at this stage.
 
3rd March, 2025

Update on steam locomotives 7812, 7802 and 5164​

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Jane Preece


The Erlestoke Manor Fund has released an update on their three locomotives as well as some behind-the-scenes changes.

Adrian Hassell is stepping down as Chair after holding the position since 2021.

With this in mind, Jane Preece will take up the role of chair, and Chris Field will become Vice Chair.

Jane will continue as Membership Secretary but some responsibilities may be reallocated within the board in due course.

Tim Hargest is becoming Company Secretary alongside his current role of Treasurer.

Moving onto locomotives, 7812 Erlestoke Manor is set to visit the Gwili Steam Railway later in March.

Once the visit is complete, the locomotive will return to Kidderminster ready for the SVR Spring Steam Gala in April.

7812 will soon be on the move once again when it leaves to join the West Somerset Railway until the end of 2027 – it is expected the locomotive will be at their Spring Gala at the beginning of May.

It is a big year for 7802 Bradley Manor, which moved under its own steam for the first time since 2019 in January.

To allow for mileage accumulation, 7802 will need to move to Kidderminster due to the landslip at the Severn Valley Railway.

Moving to Tyseley, where 5164’s overhaul has started.

The bunker and the cab roof are being removed to allow the life-expired bunker to be sent to the 4253 Locomotive Company, which has been contracted to build a new one.

A kit of parts for the new bunker has been delivered to a contractor for shot blasting and spray priming before being shipped to the 4253 Group for fabrication.
 
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