• The NationStates server was subjected to a data breach. TNP Forums do NOT interact with the NS servers and remain secure. If you use the same password between the two sites, it is recommended you change your password.

Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Status
Not open for further replies.
train.jpg
 
Network Rail JNA-Y `Hawk’ bogie ballast wagons

train.jpg


JNA-Y bogie ballast wagons are a familiar sight on Britain’s railway network, and are familiarly known as Hawks.

They are a development of the earlier MRA side-tipping ballast wagons, which were rebuilt to extend their working life and to bring them into line with modern engineering practice.

During their rebuilding, the MRA side-tipping ballast wagons were stripped back to their original frames, then rebuilt with new high-capacity steel box bodies, resulting in a robust open wagon that could be loaded and unloaded by excavators or grabs.

Around 300 JNA-Y bogie ballast wagons were produced for Network Rail in the early 2020s, making them one of the most common types now in service on the national railway network.


Although classed as bogie ballast wagons, JNA-Y wagons are also widely used for spoil and general infrastructure materials, and will typically be seen in long rakes, but are also operated as a single standalone wagon.
 
10th February, 2026

Rail Career opportunities open up as driver age limit reduced​

train.jpg

Young train drivers, with the Rail Minister Peter Hendy


The minimum age to become a train driver is set to be lowered from 20 to 18 years old, opening up new career pathways for young people as part of new legislation made during this National Apprenticeship Week.

From 30 June 2026, school leavers will be able to apply for train driver roles following a change in the law laid in Parliament today, 10 February 2026.

The move aims to attract a new generation into the rail industry at a crucial time, with an estimated quarter of all train drivers expected to retire by 2030 in England, 32% in Scotland, and 38% in Wales.

The change will allow younger people to enter a highly skilled, well-paid profession, with clear progression opportunities, while helping the industry secure the talent it needs for the future.

With around half of train operators back into public ownership, a new intake of fresh drivers will also support the nationalisation of the rail network ahead of the planned creation of Great British Railways.


This could also help the industry become more diverse, as most drivers are over 30, with just 4% under 30, and fewer than 13% are from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Additionally, only 11% are women, and with the age requirement lowered, it is expected to widen access and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds across Great Britain.
 
1770736926762.png

Rail Minister meeting young train drivers


By enabling skills to be passed on from experienced staff, the legislation will help maintain safety standards, support passenger services, grow the freight industry, tackle youth unemployment, and drive economic growth.


“Lowering the minimum age for train drivers is a significant step forward for young people across Britain. This change will open doors for those wanting to move straight into the workplace, giving a younger generation the chance to build rewarding careers in the railway, whether that’s in freight or passenger services.

“It’s a move that will help secure the future of Great British Railways and the wider rail industry, and ensure the workforce reflects the energy, talent and ambition of the next generation.”

Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister
 
10th February, 2026

Photos as CrossCountry unveil first refurbished Voyager train​

train.jpg

Newly unveiled CrossCountry Voyager


CrossCountry and Alstom at Derby Litchurch Lane Works today to see the unveiling of the first Voyager train to go through a refurbishment as part of a £75m project.

The £75m has been invested by the Voyager fleet’s owner, Beacon Rail.

Today’s event was to allow invited guests to preview the train ahead of the unit returning to the tracks soon.

The first unit is 220033, which has clocked up nearly 6 million miles since being completed.

There are already 2 other train sets here at Derby Litchurch Lane, and these are already undergoing the same refurbishment.
 
train.jpg

Branding on the newly refurbished Voyager


Alstom is working towards having a train return to CrossCountry each week.

The workplan sees the train at Litchurch Lane for three weeks in total, the first week sees the train stripped down, week two sees the train painted and week three sees all the new seating installed.

The refurbishment has seen a refreshed interior with work in both standard and first class.

All the seating and tables are all brand new and now feel up to the standards needed for journeys that are made on these trains.
 
train.jpg

First Class in the new Voyager


Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry’s MD, said that the refurbished train marked ‘an important step’ in their commitment to improving the passenger experience.


As part of the interior refresh, tables have been upgraded, as well as new carpet throughout.

Upgraded CCTV also features along with new power sockets that have 3-pin plugs as well as USB-A. It is also great to see USB-C making a feature, future-proofing charging for passengers.
 
train.jpg

Plug sockets with USB A and C


CCTV on the Voyager trains used to only cover one angle, but the new CCTV will showcase 360-degree views.

The Voyager fleet is maintained at Alstom’s Central Rivers Depot, but the full refurbishment project will be completed at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Facility.


Alstom’s Service Director here in the UK and Ireland, said that he was proud of the quality that the team has brought to the first Voyager, insisting that the same commitment would be made to every train that goes through the programme.
 
train.jpg

Standard class in the newly refurbished Voyager train


The project will take around 2 years to complete and will see all 70 trains in the fleet undergo the same upgrades.

Finishing off the upgrades are refurbished toilets, LED lighting and a new livery on the outside, which complements the upgrades that are taking place to CrossCountry’s Turbostar fleet.

What is great to hear from Alstom is that waste material from the project is set to be recycled, and Alstom is working on options for how best to make the most of the material left over.
 
10th February, 2026

Class 55 to return to service after 35 years at Leicestershire railway​

train.jpg

D9015


For 2026, the Great Central Railway has confirmed a special visitor for the season.

Class 55 Deltic D9015 Tulyar, owned by the Deltic Preservation Society (DPS), will be hauling passenger trains for the first time in 35 years.

D9015 first entered service in 1961 and had a busy career, amassing around 2.25 million miles working throughout the years.

The locomotive entered preservation in the 1980s and was withdrawn in 1997 for mechanical and bodywork attention.

DPS has since spent £450,000 to restore it, with thousands of volunteer hours invested to return it to good condition.

Huge progress was made last year when it was successfully started for the first time since withdrawal.

Following this, it also appeared at The Greatest Gathering in August 2025.

The locomotive will appear during some limited operating days as well as driving experiences.

It will also appear in their Spring Diesel Gala in April.

Further information will be available on their website.


“To see D9015 return to passenger service after 35 years is genuinely historic, and we’re delighted that the Great Central Railway will play a part in that story. There’s something uniquely special about a Deltic in full voice on a main line heritage railway, and Tulyar is a locomotive with enormous significance. We know this will be a major moment for diesel enthusiasts — and for everyone who has supported the Society’s remarkable restoration effort over the years.”

Malcolm Holmes, General Manager of the Great Central Railway
 
10th February, 2026

Avanti West Coast announce winners of ‘Together We Roll Photography’ Competition.​

train.jpg

James Harding Winner in the Professional category of Together We Roll Photography Competition.


Avanti West Coast have announced the winners of the Together We Roll photography competition.

Chosen from 50 entries, four standout images are set to be displayed at stations across the West Coast Mainline.

The winning entries were submitted by professional, emerging, and amateur photographers, alongside Avanti staff, celebrating the railway’s role in connecting people and places.

The images capture stunning locations along the route and showcase the communities that shape the West Coast network.
 
train.jpg

Thomas Hill Winner in the Emerging Artist category of Together We Roll Photography Competition.


A judging panel comprised of professional photographers, an artist, and railway journalists praised the entries for their powerful technical quality and striking use of colour and light, as well as their depiction of life on and around the railway.


The winning photographers were celebrated at a private event hosted by Avanti West Coast at the National Gallery in London.

Their work will also feature in Modern Railways magazine.
 
train.jpg

Two people looking over competition photographs for Avanti’s Together We Roll competition.


The competition follows the launch of Avanti’s colourful Together We Roll train wrap.

Created by digital artist Baraka Carberry, the design spans all seven carriages of Evero train 807010, recently named “Legacy” to honour the people and communities it represents.

The four Together We Roll winners are:
  • Emerging artists: Thomas Hill
  • Amateur photographers: Jane Jones
  • Professional photographers: James Harding
  • Our People: Alistair Campbell


“We’re grateful to everyone who helped us capture the spirit of our route through this competition – just as our Together We Roll train wrap celebrates the people who live and work on the West Coast Main Line. With the railway playing a vital role in connecting people and places, and the rail industry recently celebrating its 200th anniversary year, this felt a great opportunity to showcase that through the lens of keen photographers.

“The winning images offer a unique snapshot of the West Coast and we’re pleased they will be enjoyed by the millions of people who travel through our stations.”

Jo Bird, Communications Director at Avanti West Coast
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top