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Inspiration at Blackpool North
Marcus' Model Railway Journey
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Inspiration at Blackpool North
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6th November, 2025
Great British Railways - coming soon
The government has presented legislation to Parliament to create ‘Great British Railways’, claiming that the new law is “paving the way for a simpler, more reliable network, which puts passengers before profits”.
The Railways Bill will create Great British Railways (GBR), which will be a new, publicly-owned company, charged with managing passenger services and rail infrastructure.
The government believes that through being state-owned, GBR will be accountable to passengers, freight customers and the wider public.
Although sections of the railway industry, including freight, are to remain in private ownership, GBR will have overall responsibility for coordinating the railway network.
GBR will have its headquarters in Derby.
The government argues that it will bring coherence to the management of the railway, creating a simpler railway that passengers will find it easier to travel on.
Great British Railways legislation put to Parliament
Great British Railways - coming soon
The government has presented legislation to Parliament to create ‘Great British Railways’, claiming that the new law is “paving the way for a simpler, more reliable network, which puts passengers before profits”.
The Railways Bill will create Great British Railways (GBR), which will be a new, publicly-owned company, charged with managing passenger services and rail infrastructure.
The government believes that through being state-owned, GBR will be accountable to passengers, freight customers and the wider public.
Although sections of the railway industry, including freight, are to remain in private ownership, GBR will have overall responsibility for coordinating the railway network.
GBR will have its headquarters in Derby.
The government argues that it will bring coherence to the management of the railway, creating a simpler railway that passengers will find it easier to travel on.
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- Ethnon
Derby’s successful bid to be the home of GBR
GBR will run an app which passengers can use to check train times and to book tickets.
The government sees the Railways Bill as building on its public ownership programme, which has already seen more than half of passenger operators return to state ownership.
Changes contained within the Bill include:
- a stronger passenger watchdog body, with the power to investigate poor service and to require improvements
- reform of fares and ticketing, with tickets still sold at station ticket offices, vending machines and onboard trains, and expansion of successful trials of Pay As You Go and fares
- a requirement that GBR increases the use of rail to carry freight
- more say for the Scottish and Welsh governments, and mayors in England, on how the railway operates in their area.
Measures include expanded eligibility criteria for the Disabled Persons Railcard, more ‘welcome points’ across the railway, more consistent staff training, and improved maintenance of infrastructure that is essential for access, such as lifts and escalators.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association, a trade union, said that it welcomed the Bill, but wanted to see firm guarantees on jobs, pay and conditions, and that it wanted a more thoroughgoing renationalisation, including bringing freight operations back into public ownership.
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7th November, 2025
Poppy Train at Glasgow
Ahead of Remembrance Day, Avanti West Coast has partnered up with Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion to create and transport a wreath to London.
Veterans, reservists and volunteers will assemble a poppy wreath as it travels from Glasgow to London.
The train used has also been specially decorated by Alstom with the ends of Pendolino 390151 featuring a poppy design.
The train has also been named ‘Unknown Soldier’ and made 13 stops along the way to London, where veterans and Royal British Legion supporters will present posies of poppies.
Their hope is to highlight the railway’s connection to the military while encouraging donations to the Poppy Appeal.
Before departing Glasgow at 8 am, the plain wreath was decorated with its first tribute by an Avanti Veteran.
Numerous members from different organisations will join the train as it heads south, where it will be greeted with a welcome party at London Euston.
The completed wreath will then be carried to the station’s memorial.
Avanti West Coast unveils Poppy Train ahead of Remembrance Day
Poppy Train at Glasgow
Ahead of Remembrance Day, Avanti West Coast has partnered up with Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion to create and transport a wreath to London.
Veterans, reservists and volunteers will assemble a poppy wreath as it travels from Glasgow to London.
The train used has also been specially decorated by Alstom with the ends of Pendolino 390151 featuring a poppy design.
The train has also been named ‘Unknown Soldier’ and made 13 stops along the way to London, where veterans and Royal British Legion supporters will present posies of poppies.
Their hope is to highlight the railway’s connection to the military while encouraging donations to the Poppy Appeal.
Before departing Glasgow at 8 am, the plain wreath was decorated with its first tribute by an Avanti Veteran.
Numerous members from different organisations will join the train as it heads south, where it will be greeted with a welcome party at London Euston.
The completed wreath will then be carried to the station’s memorial.
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“The Poppy Express is a journey of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude – a moving tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our democratic freedoms and way of life. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of passengers, partners, and colleagues at Avanti West Coast who make this special service possible. For over 100 years, remembrance has been part of the fabric of society – it continues to unite people across all backgrounds, communities and generations, and this journey allows us to celebrate the enduring spirit of remembrance that unites communities across the nation.”
Poppy Appeal Manager, Vicky Lawson, from the Royal British Legion
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“The Poppy Express is a journey of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude – a moving tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our democratic freedoms and way of life. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of passengers, partners, and colleagues at Avanti West Coast who make this special service possible. For over 100 years, remembrance has been part of the fabric of society – it continues to unite people across all backgrounds, communities and generations, and this journey allows us to celebrate the enduring spirit of remembrance that unites communities across the nation.”
Poppy Appeal Manager, Vicky Lawson, from the Royal British Legion
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Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino 390151 - Fylde Road Viaduct, Preston.
Complete with Poppies on the leading car, Avanti West Coast Class 390 Pendolino 390151 was passing over Fylde Road Viaduct as it was approaching Preston with the 06.52 Edinburgh to London Euston service (9M50) on an overcast November 8th 2025.
The stone arch at the rear of the Driving Car once took the now drained Lancaster Canal underneath the railway, the bridge being an original Lancaster & Preston Junction Railway structure that was completed in 1840.
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The West Highland Line
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The West Highland Line
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7th November, 2025
Class 455 No. 455868 at Hook
A special farewell tour will run this December as South Western Railway bids farewell to its Class 455 trains.
The fleet of trains, which run between London and Guildford, Twickenham and Windsor, is to be retired by the end of the year and replaced with new Alstom-built Arterio trains.
The tickets for the tour, which will take place in places such as Epsom and Kingston, as well as a few special locations, will go on sale at 11 am on Monday, 10th November.
The profits will go to three charities: The Alex Wardle Foundation, Macmillan, and The Railway Children.
Special charity tour to bid farewell to South Western’s Class 455s
Class 455 No. 455868 at Hook
A special farewell tour will run this December as South Western Railway bids farewell to its Class 455 trains.
The fleet of trains, which run between London and Guildford, Twickenham and Windsor, is to be retired by the end of the year and replaced with new Alstom-built Arterio trains.
The tickets for the tour, which will take place in places such as Epsom and Kingston, as well as a few special locations, will go on sale at 11 am on Monday, 10th November.
The profits will go to three charities: The Alex Wardle Foundation, Macmillan, and The Railway Children.
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South Western Railway Class 455
“While customers are getting used to the many benefits of our new fleet of Arterio trains, we know there are a lot of enthusiasts out there who will be sad to see our classic red trains go.
“The farewell tour will be a fitting tribute to these trains, which have been a staple of our railway and worked incredibly hard for more than four decades. Best of all, the proceeds will go to three specially selected charities.
“We look forward to welcoming ticket holders on board on Sunday 21 December.”
Neil Drury, South Western Railway’s Engineering and Infrastructure Director
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8th November, 2025
Dougal outside the running shed in Evesham
1970-built coal-fired steam locomotive, Dougal, has been purchased by the Ruislip Lido Railway, bringing the line’s locomotive fleet up to seven.
The locomotive will need a short programme of work to prepare it for use at the Ruislip Lido Railway after being based at The Valley Railway Adventure in Evesham.
Dougal will leave The Valley Railway Adventure before Christmas and will head to a contractor, where it will be regauged from 15 inches to 12 inches as well as have a series of modifications to make it compatible at Ruislip.
The aim is to welcome Dougal to Ruislip in mid-2026.
New steam locomotive for the Ruislip Lido Railway
Dougal outside the running shed in Evesham
1970-built coal-fired steam locomotive, Dougal, has been purchased by the Ruislip Lido Railway, bringing the line’s locomotive fleet up to seven.
The locomotive will need a short programme of work to prepare it for use at the Ruislip Lido Railway after being based at The Valley Railway Adventure in Evesham.
Dougal will leave The Valley Railway Adventure before Christmas and will head to a contractor, where it will be regauged from 15 inches to 12 inches as well as have a series of modifications to make it compatible at Ruislip.
The aim is to welcome Dougal to Ruislip in mid-2026.
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Dougal at the EVLR
Dougal was built in 1970 by Severn-Lamb Ltd for MiniRail Ltd at Longleat House, but moved to The Valley Railway Adventure (previously the Evesham Vale Light Railway) in 2004.
In 2009, Dougal had a major rebuild, which included a new boiler and tender, making it a very powerful locomotive.
Dougal joins Mad Bess as operational steam locomotives at Ruislip, the latter being a scale version of Blanche at the Ffestiniog Railway.
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“We’re thrilled to have secured Dougal and to welcome it to the Ruislip Lido Railway as part of the home fleet. Having a second steam locomotive at Ruislip running alongside our current steam locomotive Mad Bess, is something the Society has aspired to achieve for many years, and it’s fantastic news for securing the future of the locomotive. The Ruislip Lido Railway is run entirely by volunteers and this achievement is a testament to their dedication and enthusiasm.”
Matthew Streeton, Chairman of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society
“I became aware that Dougal might be available and, after visiting and inspecting it with our Chief Mechanical Engineer, we knew it would be a great fit for Ruislip. Its 15-inch origins make it well-suited for conversion to a powerful 12-inch gauge locomotive, and once completed, it will be an excellent addition to the fleet. I’d like to thank all parties involved at both Evesham and Ruislip who have helped make this all possible.”
Chris Ladyman, Secretary of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society
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“We’re thrilled to have secured Dougal and to welcome it to the Ruislip Lido Railway as part of the home fleet. Having a second steam locomotive at Ruislip running alongside our current steam locomotive Mad Bess, is something the Society has aspired to achieve for many years, and it’s fantastic news for securing the future of the locomotive. The Ruislip Lido Railway is run entirely by volunteers and this achievement is a testament to their dedication and enthusiasm.”
Matthew Streeton, Chairman of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society
“I became aware that Dougal might be available and, after visiting and inspecting it with our Chief Mechanical Engineer, we knew it would be a great fit for Ruislip. Its 15-inch origins make it well-suited for conversion to a powerful 12-inch gauge locomotive, and once completed, it will be an excellent addition to the fleet. I’d like to thank all parties involved at both Evesham and Ruislip who have helped make this all possible.”
Chris Ladyman, Secretary of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society
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Škoda Group battery-electric train
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ÖBB starts freight transport on the new Koralm Railway
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