Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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The train back to Cardiff central was a the same train that took us to Queen street a few hours earlier, 150254

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2nd September, 2025

Prince of Wales team visits P2 Boiler in Meiningen​

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P2 team with the new boiler at DB Meiningen


Members working on the new build P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales have paid a visit to Meiningen to discuss and view the progress being made on the locomotive’s boiler.

The trip over to the DB works in Germany proved very successful.

Talks were held regarding certification issues surrounding the boiler, which have taken longer to resolve than expected.

On this visit, an agreement was reached by both teams and supported by the inspection, testing, and certification body TUV, to allow the final stages of the boiler’s construction to commence.
 
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Members of the P2 team examine the boiler


Work will include the installation of supporting brackets for the barrel foot, regulator handle and other fittings, along with installation of the washout doors.

Once these have been completed, the boiler tubes will be installed before a hydraulic test can be undertaken.

Having passed the test, the boiler will be painted to protect it from the elements during its transportation to Darlington.
 
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A view from inside the boiler barrel


Once in the UK, two accommodation bogies from Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe depot will house the biggest asset of the new build project while it undertakes steam tests before it can be lifted onto the locomotive’s frames.

Following the departure of the P2 boiler from Meiningen, a third boiler, acting as a spare for both Tornado and Prince of Wales, will take its place in the workshop.
 
Wednesday 3 Sep 2025
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Railway heritage spotlight: going underground at the UK's longest unlined tunnel in North Wales​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Ffestiniog Tunnel


As part of the Railway200 celebrations, we're shining a light on Ffestiniog Tunnel and the extraordinary engineering behind the Conwy Valley line

Going underground

The 28 miles of Conwy Valley line from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog takes you through a tapestry of incredible North Wales scenery.

From industrial landscapes, through ancient woodland, windswept moors and rugged Snowdonian peaks, it showcases every element of the area’s natural beauty.

However, this line’s engineering marvel lies in the silence and darkness, not the views.

A 2.5 mile, five minute interval of almost total darkness beneath the surrounding hills, Ffestiniog tunnel is the longest unlined tunnel in the UK.

This means it was built initially with no structural additions, no concrete or steel reinforcement, just the prevailing strength of the surrounding rock.
 
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Oakley slate mine workers in the Ffestiniog slate quarry, which first opened in 1818


On the slate

The area around Blaenau Ffestiniog was already established as a major slate quarrying area over half a century before the tunnel was built, its quarries echoing with the sounds of chisels and carts.

The now heritage Ffestiniog narrow gauge line opened in 1836 to transport slate from the quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour at Porthmadog.

However, visionaries at the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) saw a wider opportunity; connecting Blaenau and its quarries and mines directly to the national rail network would improve access for workers and tourists, as well open up export routes into England’s growing industrial heartlands.

The major hurdle to making this a reality?

A big hill – or ‘dewey’ in hillwalker speak – named Moel Dyrnogydd.

But even deweys won’t stop determined engineers.
 
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Ffestiniog tunnel Network Rail teams at work, 2021


Finding a way

Labouring in dark, harsh conditions using only basic tools and explosives to excavate their way through to a summit of 790 feet above sea level was never going to be easy.

In 1873, the tunnel was started. Over six long years, workers dug deep, at times encountering slate so resistant it snapped tools and wore out drill bits faster than they could be replaced.

However, determination, perseverance and ingenuity won through, and in July 1879 a terminus was opened by the tunnel entrance.

By 1881, the line reached into the heart of Blaenau itself.
 
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Blaenau_Ffestiniog view of slate waste heaps


It’s great, but…

The unlined nature of the tunnel, combined with the effects of time and nature, meant rockfalls and water ingress became more frequent, affecting the reliability and safe performance of the railway.

However, in 2019, Network Rail approved a £2.1m rockfall protection netting system to improve the safety and reliability of the tunnel.

Over 21 days, contractor Griffiths Civil Engineering installed 600 2.5m stainless steel rock bolts and 1500m2 of high tensile stainless steel rockfall netting, giving this Victorian marvel a renewed strength without stealing its soul.
 
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Blaenau Ffestiniog


Getting back on track

Most of Blaenau’s mines have grown quiet, but not all have been forgotten. Ffestiniog Quarry, once part of the mighty Oakeley complex, has reemerged from retirement.

Its slate - fine, light and blue-grey - now finds pride of place atop St Pancras Station, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and Belgium’s Westerloo Town Hall.

While it’s a far cry from its heyday when Blaenau Ffestiniog employed over 2,500 people and produced millions of slates annually, the revival signals a renewed appreciation for the area’s geological heritage and craftsmanship.

And, as it has for 150 years, the tunnel will be waiting to get people in and slate out, navigating through adversity - geological, financial, and social - and emerging with its legacy intact.
 
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A train exits the northern end of the Ffestiniog Tunnel on the Conwy Valley Line


***

Mynd nôl i Flaenau Ffestiniog

Mae rheilffordd Dyffryn Conwy, sy’n rhedeg o Gyffordd Llandudno i Flaenau Ffestiniog, yn teithio trwy 28 o filltiroedd o olygfeydd syfrdanol gogledd Cymru. O dirweddau diwydiannol, trwy goetir hynafol, rhosydd gwyntog a mynyddoedd geirwon Eryri - gallwch weld holl elfennau harddwch naturiol yr ardal o deithio ar ei hyd. Fodd bynnag, mae rhyfeddod peirianyddol y llinell yn llechu mewn tawelwch a thywyllwch, nid yn y golygfeydd.

Twnnel Blaenau Ffestiniog, sy’n 2.5 milltir a bron pum munud o dywyllwch pur dan y bryniau cyfagos, yw’r twnnel hiraf heb leinin yn y DU. Mae hyn yn golygu nad oes gan y twnnel unrhyw ychwanegiadau strwythurol a dim atgyfnerthiadau concrid neu ddur – dim ond cryfder cyffredin y graig gyfagos.

Tirwedd llechi

Sefydlwyd yr ardal o amgylch Blaenau yn brif ardal llechi mwy na hanner canrif cyn adeiladu’r twnnel, gyda’i chwareli’n atsain o synau moelion a cherti. Yn 1836, agorwyd rheilffordd gul Ffestiniog, sydd bellach yn rheilffordd dreftadaeth, i gludo llechi o chwareli Blaenau Ffestiniog i’r porthladd ym Mhorthmadog.

Fodd bynnag, gwelodd arloeswyr cwmni rheilffordd Llundain a’r Gogledd Orllewin (LNWR) gyfle ehangach: byddai cysylltu Blaenau a’i chwareli’n uniongyrchol â’r rhwydwaith rheilffyrdd cenedlaethol yn gwella mynediad i weithwyr a thwristiaid, ac yn agor llwybrau allforio i gadarnleoedd diwydiannol Lloegr a oedd yn tyfu. Y prif rwystr i wireddu’r freuddwyd? Bryn mawr - neu ‘Dewey’ i rai sy’n cerdded mynyddoedd – o’r enw Moel Dyrnogydd. Ond nid oedd hynny’n ddigon i atal peirianwyr penderfynol.

Dod o hyd i’r ffordd

Nid peth hawdd oedd llafurio mewn amgylchiadau tywyll a chaled, yn defnyddio offer sylfaenol a ffrwydron i gloddio’r ffordd trwy gopa sy’n 790 o droedfeddi uwchlaw lefel y môr. Dechreuodd y gwaith o gloddio’r twnnel yn 1873, a bu’r gweithwyr yn ymlwybro ynddo am chwe blynedd. Ar adegau, byddent yn dod ar draws llechen mor galed byddai’n torri’r cyfarpar ac yn treulio darnau driliau’n gynt nag yr oedd modd eu hadnewyddu.

Fodd bynnag, enillodd penderfyniad, dyfalbarhad a dyfeisgarwch y dydd, ac agorwyd terminws yn ymyl ceg y twnnel ym mis Gorffennaf 1879. Erbyn 1881, roedd y llinell wedi cyrraedd canol Blaenau.

Y broblem yw…

Roedd y ffaith nad oedd gan y twnnel leinin, wedi’i chyfuno ag effeithiau amser a natur, yn golygu bod cerrig yn cwympo a dŵr yn treiddio i’r twnnel yn fwyfwy aml, gan effeithio ar ddibynadwyedd a pherfformiad diogel y rheilffordd.

Fodd bynnag, yn 2019, cymeradwywyd system rhwydi ar gyfer atal cerrig rhag cwympo gan Network Rail a oedd yn werth £2.1 miliwn, er mwyn gwella diogelwch a dibynadwyedd y twnnel. Dros gyfnod o 21 o ddiwrnodau, gosododd ein contractiwr Griffiths Civil Engineering 600 o folltau cerrig 2.5m o hyd wedi’u gwneud o ddur gloyw, a 1500m2 o rwydi atal cwympiadau cerrig wedi’u gwneud o ddur gloyw tra hydwyth, gan roi cryfder newydd i’r rhyfeddod hwn o oes Fictoria, heb darfu ar ei enaid.

Nôl ar y trac

Distawyd y rhan fwyaf o fwyngloddiau Blaenau, ond ni aeth pob un yn angof. Mae Chwarel Ffestiniog, a fu’n rhan o’r cwmni Oakeley enfawr, wedi deffro o’i hymddeoliad. Mae ei llechi main, ysgafn a llwydlas bellach yn coroni gorsaf St Pancras, y Rijksmuseum yn Amsterdam, a Neuadd y Dref Westerloo yng ngwlad Belg.

Er bod byd o wahaniaeth rhwng yr adfywiad presennol a’r cyfnod pan oedd Blaenau Ffestiniog ar ei anterth, yn cyflogi mwy na 2,500 o bobl ac yn cynhyrchu miliynau o lechi bob blwyddyn, mae’n dangos gwerthfawrogiad o’r newydd o dreftadaeth ddaearyddol a chrefftwaith yr ardal.

Ac fel y gwnaeth ers canrif a hanner, bydd y twnnel yno’n disgwyl i fynd â phobl i’r ardal ac i gludo llechi allan ohoni, yn mynd trwy adfyd – daearyddol, ariannol a chymdeithasol – ac yn dod allan ohono gyda’i etifeddiaeth yn gyfan.
 
3rd September, 2025

BR Blue livery for steam locomotive No. 9 ‘Prince of Wales’​

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Three Rheidol Tanks in BR Blue


On the 25th and 26th of October, The Vale of Rheidol is hosting its Steam Festival.

The festival will also see the long-awaited return of No. 9 ‘Prince of Wales’, which has been out of service for overhaul since 2020.

No. 9 will later be unveiled in a fresh BR Corporate Blue lined livery with cab-side double arrow branding.

Joining the Prince of Wales will be No. 8 “Llywelyn”, No. 7 “Owain Glyndŵr”, and NGG13 Garratt locomotive No. 60 “Drakensberg”.


All three Rheidol Tanks will also be appearing together for the first time in quite a few years.

Multiple locomotives will be in steam each day, with a variety of combinations.

Alongside their intensive timetable, there will be a model railway exhibition, model road steam engines and Pete Waterman’s 208-foot model railway.

Day rover tickets will be available, allowing unlimited travel throughout the day. Tickets can be purchased online.


“The return of No. 9 to traffic in BR Blue is a landmark moment for the Vale of Rheidol. It’s one of the only three steam locomotives ever to authentically carry this livery, and to see it back in Railway200 year – alongside Nos. 7 and 8 in green and black – makes this festival a real celebration of our unique BR heritage. Add in the Garratt, an intensive timetable and a host of model and road steam exhibits, and it promises to be a true festival of steam in every sense.”

Vale of Rheidol Railway Managing Director, Llyr ap Iolo
 
3rd September, 2025

Steam locomotive 71000 Duke of Gloucester heads to the paint shop​

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71000 Duke of Gloucester


During August, 71000 Duke of Gloucester completed its light engine test runs successfully.

The locomotive was meant to be tested further through some loaded test runs in mid-August; however, Network Rail put an embargo on mainline steam due to the heat wave and the line-side fire risk.

Since the locomotive is out of action until Network Rail lifts the restrictions,

The Duke will be in the paint shop to have a professional top coat finish applied.

The Duke will be out of the paint shop by mid-October, ready for hauling some Christmas specials in December.


Further information on The Duke’s movements and his plans can be found online.
 
3rd September, 2025

Heritage and Modern Traction Weekend to take place at Severn Valley Railway​

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One of the mainline guests is 69015, carrying its original number 56009, from pre-conversion


The Severn Valley Railway in Worcestershire / Shropshire are preparing to host a Modern and Heritage traction weekend this week on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September.

This special weekend, arranged in collaboration with GBRf (GB Railfreight), will see visiting diesel Motive power running on the 16-mile heritage railway along with resident diesel locomotives and one steam engine.

Other events will be taking place across the railway over this weekend, a first come first served behind the scenes guided tours of the diesel depot at Kidderminster will be taking place at 10 am and 3 pm on both days, with tours starting from the car park end of the Coalyard Miniature Railway.

A small beer festival will also be taking place on the platform at Kidderminster.
 
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Class 40 No. 40135


Further along the line at Highley in the ‘Engine House’, in collaboration with Hornby Magazine, a model railway exhibition will be taking place.

Normal fares will be in place across the weekend, with day rover tickets and short journey return and single tickets also available to buy in advance or on the day.

With this being a not-for-profit event, any profits raised during the course weekend will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital.


“Throughout the weekend, passengers will be able to travel behind a variety of mainline diesel locomotives from the GB Railfreight fleet, including 73107, 73136, 66710, 66719 and 69015. These will operate alongside members of the SVR’s own home fleet and will include steam locomotive GWR 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’ and Class 40, 50 and 52 diesel locomotives as well as the Diesel Multiple Unit.

We have very strong links with GBRf, and it’s thanks to their support that we’re able to offer this rare and rather special opportunity to travel behind locomotives that usually haul freight around the country. What’s also very pleasing is that we’re raising money at the same time for Great Ormond Street Hospital, an extremely deserving cause.”

SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster
 
3rd September, 2025

Steam locomotive No. 80097 returns to service​

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BR Standard 4MT No. 80097 with City of Wells following test run


BR Standard 4MT No. 80097 was taken out of service in 2022 following major boiler issues.

The locomotive has now had a full boiler retube and can return to service.

A light engine test was carried out along the full length of the East Lancashire Railway, and later on coupled up with City of Wells for a service train.

The railway plans to include the locomotive in its upcoming Autumn Steam Gala and Christmas services.

East Lancashire Railway has expressed thanks to all the volunteers and supporters who helped get the locomotive back into service.
 
3rd September, 2025

Update on restoration of T9 Class steam locomotive No. 120​

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London & South Western Railway T9 Class No. 120


The Swanage Railway Trust, 563 Locomotive Group, has issued an update on progress with plans to restore London & South Western Railway T9 Class 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. 120.

The project received a major boost when it received a significant legacy, which the group hopes will fund most of the cost of overhauling the boiler.

Although significant funds are needed to overhaul the chassis and tender, the group is confident that, financially, the project is on a sound footing, with completion no longer a question of if but when.
 
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Shunting 120


When the locomotive was withdrawn, except for a cracked cylinder block, the chassis was fully serviceable.


Other than the cracked cylinder block, there is not a lot that needs urgent attention, but work will continue to address areas of wear and refurbish where necessary.

Replacement of the cylinder block is likely to require a long lead time, and investigations have started on options for its replacement.

The Flour Mill workshops at Bream in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire will carry out the main part of the work on overhauling the boiler and tender, while the overhaul of the chassis will take place at the Swanage Railway’s Herston Works.
 
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120 on the move


By carrying out the work at two sites means that it can be undertaken concurrently, and by opting for the chassis to be overhauled at Herston, some costs will be spent internally


A detailed overhaul plan has been submitted to the National Railway Museum for its approval, and once received, work will start in earnest.

The current plan is that 120 will be outshopped in Olive Green, but the 563 Group is seeking views on whether there would be enough support for it to replicate its 1960s-era livery.

The Flour Mill also overhauled London & South Western Railway T3 Class No. 563, from which the 563 Locomotive Group derives its name.
 
3rd Sep 2025
Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff

We went to my model railway shop and bought a couple of things.

Then we went to 'The Gatekeeper' for a few drinks.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 251, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZF
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Wednesday 3rd September 2025

4917


ETHNONRAIL UPDATE

ROLLING STOCK UPDATE

Today I bought two - second-hand - Class 'B' Suburban Brake Coaches:-

Airfix GMR (Great Model Railways) 54250 GWR B Set coach in chocolate and cream - 6896​


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4 September, 2025

Steam locomotive 1466 withdrawn from gala after insurance issues​

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GWR 0-4-2 steam locomotive 1466


Update 5th September: The Didcot Railway Centre have updated their statement to confirm that the issue is with the sub-contractors and the insurance company, not the main contractor involved in the overhaul.

The Didcot Railway Centre has revealed that it will not be able to run its locomotive GWR ’14XX’ No. 1466 in steam at its Autumn Steam Gala this weekend.

After 1466 returned to traffic, issues emerged concerning the insurance company and the sub-contractors who had been employed in the overhaul of the engine’s boiler.

The locomotive is not allowed to run in steam while the issues are being addressed and resolved.


The Didcot Railway Centre has described this situation as “quite a blow” to the Great Western Society and the team that has been managing the engine’s restoration.

There had already been several long delays in the overhauling, but once these had been overcome, the Centre was confident that 1466 would be back in service.

However, despite this further delay, the Centre has decided to go ahead with its gala, at which enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see and photograph both no. 1466 and no. 1450 (which was repainted in Great Western livery several years ago) together at the front of the engine shed.
 
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1450 on the Severn Valley Railway


The weekend event will also include locomotive no. 1450 running an ‘Autocoach sandwich’ on the Centre’s branch line. SECR 01 No. 65 will visit for the event, and will haul both a freight train and passenger rides with two of the Centre’s Victorian bogie coaches.


Didcot Railway Centre’s home locomotives, Pendennis Castle and Trojan, will both be running.

This will be the last time that Pendennis Castle will run instead with its 3,500-gallon tender.

It will operate with the two Victorian coaches. 1340 Trojan will provide rides and shunting around the site.
 
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4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ at Didcot Railway Centre


The Centre has apologised to enthusiasts, saying that it is “really sorry” that it has had to take the decision not to run no. 1466 at the gala.


“We know that you were all looking forward to seeing it [no. 1466] this weekend and sincerely apologise that we aren’t able to deliver on this occasion. We are confident however, that with two visiting engines and Pendennis and Trojan providing extra steam power that it will still be a great weekend regardless.”

Didcot Railway Centre
 
4th September, 2025

The Watercress Line’s gala to feature two guest Pacific locomotives​

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34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair


The Watercress Line in Hampshire has announced that next month’s Autumn Steam Gala will feature some historic guest steam locomotives.

Visiting the gala from Friday, 3rd to Sunday, 5th October will be legendary locomotives Southern Railway Battle of Britain Class Bulleid Pacific No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair and London & North Eastern Railway A4 Class Pacific No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

They will appear alongside impressive locomotives from the railway’s home fleet engines, such as the Southern Region Merchant Navy Class Bulleid Pacific No. 35005 Canadian Pacific.

A special attraction will be a double-header featuring Sir Archibald Sinclair and Canadian Pacific, which will be the first time since 2017 that double-headed Bulleid Pacifics have hauled a train on The Watercress Line.


Sir Archibald Sinclair is a rebuilt Battle of Britain class locomotive originally designed for the Southern Railway’s secondary main lines; it was rebuilt in the 1950s to improve reliability while retaining many of Bulleid’s innovations, and returned to service in 2023 after a major overhaul.

Sir Nigel Gresley was built in 1937, and secured its place in history in 1948 by achieving a post-war steam speed record of an incredible 112 mph.

Among the home-fleet will be London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Ivatt 2-6-2 tank engine No. 41312, which spent much of its working career on Southern Region lines, and the railway’s flagship SR Merchant Navy Class locomotive No. 35005 Canadian Pacific, which returned to service in March 2025 after a 14-year restoration project.

Also putting in an appearance will be The Watercress Line’s London & South Western Railway (LSWR) Urie S15 Class locomotive No. 30506 in British Railways livery with an early crest, the first S15 to carry an early crest in preservation.


Before the Autumn Steam Gala, The Watercress Line is hosting a new wine tasting experience on Saturday, 20th September, called ‘The Wine Line’, where specialist wines and food meet heritage steam travel.


“We’re thrilled to invite families and steam enthusiasts alike to our Autumn Steam Gala – a magical celebration of our railway heritage! We have some thrilling attractions – including the double-headed Bulleids 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair and 35005 Canadian Pacific – it’s an event not to be missed. Come along and make some unforgettable memories.”

Rebecca Dalley, CEO of The Watercress Line
 
5th September, 2025

Kent heritage railway hosts demonstration of innovative track maintenance solutions​

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Visitors from Network Rail, TFL & other rail operators


The Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) is at the forefront of trials in what it considers to be game-changing solutions for the maintenance of the national rail network.

Although the Kent & East Sussex Railway is a heritage line, it is also playing an important role in the development of the modern railway.

On Thursday, 4th September, the railway hosted leading rail technology company Schweerbau at Northiam station to demonstrate its next generation of rail inspection and maintenance systems to representatives of Network Rail, Transport for London (TfL), and other rail operators.
 
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One of the vehicles demonstrated by Schweerbau


The demonstration was the culmination of two months of collaboration between the K&ESR and Schweerbau.


During this time, a suite of innovative technological systems designed to tackle the significant challenges in maintaining the modern railway was tested and commissioned; they also included extending the life of railway tracks and reducing the environmental impact.

This is not the first time that the K&ESR has been involved in playing its part in developing track maintenance, as it has previously hosted the Practical Trackwork Challenge, the railway industry’s major annual training exercise.

Schweerbau’s next-generation fleet of rail inspection and maintenance systems will contribute to a significant increase in rail life and also reduce the impact on air quality.

Several years of development have culminated in ground-breaking solutions to these issues with a new class of innovative railway inspection using mobile rail treatment and tunnel cleaning solutions installed in state-of-the-art hybrid battery-powered vehicles.
 
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A range of vehicles demonstrated by Schweerbau


The new urban maintenance and inspection trains reduce wheel-rail noise and vibration caused by wear and damage to the railhead, significantly increasing rail life.

They also reduce disturbance of residents and passengers, caused by noise and vibration during rail maintenance, especially as maintenance often takes place at night; they also reduce tunnel noise and the amount of dust created during maintenance work in tunnels.

In May, the Kent & East Sussex Railway won an award as the Best Family Experience in Kent.


“We are extremely proud to be working with Schweerbau to develop and commission this new rail technology for leading industry partners. Heritage lines provide the ideal environment for this kind of intensive testing, which replicates urban environments but without the need to disrupt mainline services. What we have achieved together will mean more efficient and more environmentally friendly systems operating on all our rail systems, both modern and heritage.”

Derrick Bilsby, K&ESR Chairman
 
5th September, 2025

Steam locomotive 7029 Clun Castle and 45596 Bahamas to visit Plymouth this Saturday​

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45596 Bahamas heads towards Carlisle


Vintage Trains are running The Mayflower to Plymouth this Saturday (6th September) and will feature not one, but two steam locomotives.

Departing Birmingham New Street at 06:04, the tour will initially be hauled by 37240 and 37418, the latter appearing courtesy of Loram UK.

The tour will pass through Barnt Green (06:24), Worcestershire Parkway (06:46), Cheltenham Spa (07:09), Cam and Dursley (07:29), Bristol Parkway (07:49), Stapleton Road (08:06) and Bristol East Depot at 08:14, where 7029 Clun Castle and 45596 Bahamas are added to the train.

The steam locomotives will then head to Plymouth via Bristol Temple Meads (08:47), Yatton (09:17), Taunton (09:59), Exeter St Davids (11:53), Dawlish (12:08), Totnes (12:41), Ivybridge (13:24) and Plymouth at 13:42.


After time in Plymouth, the tour will depart at 16:38 and will head back to Birmingham via Totnes (17:06), Newton Abbot (17:21), Dawlish Warren (17:37), Exeter St Davids (17:51), Tiverton Parkway (18:35), Taunton (18:51), Worle (19:27), Bristol Temple Meads (19:50 – Diesel hauled from here), Bristol Parkway (20:35), Cheltenham Spa (21:23), Worcestershire Parkway (21:45), Barnt Green (22:17), Bournville (22:39), Birmingham New Street (22:50).
 
5th September, 2025

Dorset’s Swanage Railway announces six locomotives for Autumn Steam Gala​

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S15 No. 30506 on the Watercress Line


Swanage Railway has announced the six locomotives which will star in its three-day Autumn Steam Gala from Friday 12 September to Sunday 14 September 2025.

The six locomotives, which date from the 1890s to the 1940s, will run along the whole nine-mile length of the Swanage Railway in the Isle of Purbeck.

Visiting locomotives​

1930s Southern Railway ‘Schools’ class express steam locomotive No. 926 ‘Repton’ will be hauling trains in Dorset for the first time since the Second World War when it was based in Bournemouth.

The ‘Schools’ class of steam locomotives did not visit the Isle of Purbeck branch line to Corfe Castle and Swanage in pre-preservation days. Richard Maunsell designed them to haul mainline express trains across the south of England from the 1930s to the 1960s.


Based at Bournemouth after being built at Eastleigh in 1934, Schools class No. 926 ‘Repton’ was built at Eastleigh in 1934 and then based at Bournemouth.

It is appearing at the Gala courtesy of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where it recently starred at its home Gala.

1920s S15 class freight locomotive No. 30506, which will be the first S15 to visit the Isle of Purbeck in more than two decades.

Robert Urie designed the ‘S15’ class steam locomotives, which hauled heavy freight trains between London and Southampton and Exeter from the 1920s to the 1960s. S15 class No. 30506 is owned by the Urie Locomotive Society and is visiting the Gala from Hampshire’s Watercress Line.
 
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NYMR 926 Repton


Home fleet​

Swanage Railway’s home fleet of four preserved steam locomotives will haul passenger and demonstration freight trains during the Gala, subject to availability.

The four locomotives are:
  • Victorian 1893 London and South Western Railway T3 No. 563
  • late 1920s Southern Railway U class No. 31806
  • two 1940s Southern Railway Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific express steam locomotives – No. 34070 ‘Manston’ and No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’.
 
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Alexander Atkins 34070 Manston


Gala attractions​

Following last year’s cancellation of the Autumn Steam Gala, the Railway is planning a busy timetable at this year’s event.

Passenger trains will operate between Swanage, Harman’s Cross, Corfe Castle, Norden and four miles beyond to the River Frome, within sight of Wareham.

The Gala will also include nostalgic demonstration freight trains, evening ‘beerex’, and night trains between Swanage, Corfe Castle and Norden.


Visitors will also be able to ride in the brake van of a demonstration 1950s freight train.
 
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Class N No. 31806 on the Swanage Railway


“We are delighted to be able to offer enthusiasts and the general public such a wide variety of steam locomotives at work through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside, past the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle and beyond Norden to Furzebrook and the River Frome within sight of Wareham.

“No. 926 ‘Repton’ and No. 30506 are wonderful and fascinating examples of Southern Railway steam locomotive design through the 1920s and the 1930s – ‘Repton’ being designed for express passenger train work while No. 30506 was designed for hauling heavy freight trains.

“One of the class of steam locomotives named after English public schools, ’Repton’ was based at Bournemouth from the late 1930s and operated from there during the Second World War. The coming of peace saw ‘Repton’ used on inter-regional express passenger trains before it was withdrawn from British Railways at Basingstoke at the end of 1962.

“The S15 class steam locomotives proved to be strong and capable locomotives with No. 30506 hauling freight trains between London and Southampton, as well as from the capital to Exeter, from the 1920s until it was withdrawn from traffic in 1964.”

Gavin Johns, Swanage Railway Company chair and volunteer signaller
 
Friday 5 Sep 2025

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One week to go: Buses to replace trains for major engineering works on the Heart of Wales Line​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Passengers at Shrewsbury Station

Network Rail Wales and Borders will be carrying out a programme of planned engineering and maintenance works on the Heart of Wales Line between Craven Arms Junction and Llandeilo Junction from 9pm on Friday 12 September to 5.30am on Saturday 20 September 2025.

During the works the railway between Llanwrtyd and Shrewsbury will be closed and a replacement bus service will be in operation.

The work will involve a combination both daytime and overnight activity to carry out maintenance, infrastructure renewals, drainage improvements and vegetation management across key sections of the railway.

In addition, a series of overnight road closures will be in place to allow Network Rail to carry out level crossing maintenance at:
  • Dolau - closed from 10pm on Monday 15 to 6am on Tuesday 16 September
  • Llandrindod Wells - closed from 10pm Tuesday 16 to 6am Wednesday 17 September
  • Ffairfach - closed 11.30pm Thursday 18 to 5.30am Friday 19 September
Passengers are advised to check www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail for the latest travel updates.

Nick Millington, route director for Wales and Borders, said: “We appreciate that there is always an element of inconvenience for passengers, residents and stakeholders while we undertake work of this nature, but it is essential for the efficiency and sustainability of the network that we do. I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation as we work hard to maintain a safe, reliable railway for years to come.”
 
8th September, 2025

Last Akiem 66/3 locomotive enters service for GB Railfreight​

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GBRf 66316 - After inspection and handover at Longport 2nd September 2025


Freight operating company GB Railfreight has revealed that the last of its leased Akiem locomotives, 66/3 (66316), has entered service.

The locomotive has undergone extension conversion to UK gauge and specification, with the work taking place at EMD Longport in Stoke-on-Trent.

The work was extensive, and involved a complete overhaul of the engine, crankshaft polish, new bearing, new turbo, new alternator and new compressor.

It also included a number of modifications, including passive noise, air conditioning, next-generation train protection warning system TPWS4 and communication system GSMR (Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway).
 
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After inspection and handover at Longport 2nd September 2025. From left to right; Michael Grosmaire, Head of Asset Management at Akiem, Bob Tiller, GBRf Engineering Specialist


The locomotive has also had a change of appearance, albeit a temporary one.

Rather than a full repaint, GBRf has applied its logo on decals over the loco’s HHPI grey livery.

It has taken this course of action due to time restrictions with a busy RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) season ahead.

GB Railfreight is one of two companies that run the RHTT service for Network Rail.

The other is Colas.


The locomotive, which was manufactured in the USA and first entered service in Germany in 2003, will have a full repaint at a later time.
 
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GBRf


At the start of 2023, GB Railfreight announced that it had signed a ten-year locomotive leasing deal with European locomotive maintenance and leasing company, Akiem.

The agreement with Akiem represented a £25 million investment for GB Railfreight and an increase in the number of locomotives that it operates.

Under the agreement, locomotives arrived in the UK from continental Europe between January 2023 and May 2024.


One of the trains was named after Ipswich Town Football Club in January 2024.

Locomotive 66316 is the last of them to enter service with GBRf.

Akiem has leasing agreements with several rolling stock manufacturing companies, including deals with Alstom and Siemens.

Akiem has the largest fleet in continental Europe. Its headquarters are in France, and it also has seven international offices.
 
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