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Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Midland Blue Pullman

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Steam and the Scrapman

Now folk, I’ll relate what occurred down in Wales,
When steam were dismissed from the length of the rails;
When Britain said, “Diesel’s the future, old bean,”
And steam were declared a historical scene.
Two hundred and ninety-seven in line
Were marched off to Barry by order benign
— “Well scrap the lot sharpish!” said someone in town,
Wi’ pen full of ink and a bureaucrat’s frown.
They’d thundered through valleys wi’ clatter and cheer,
Wi’ smoke thick as gravy and whistles to hear;
They’d hauled half the nation through wartime and peace,
Now stood by the seaside awaiting decease.

But Dai ran the yard wi’ a practical eye,
And wagons were easier — simpler to fry;
No pistons nor motion nor copper to chase,
Just snip ’em and stack ’em and clear up the place.
So wagons went first — and while wagons were led,
The locomotives stayed stubbornly not-dead.
Weeks turned into months, and months into years,
Wi’ rain in their boilers and rust in their gears.
Then enthusiasts — daft but determined and keen
— Said, “That one’s not scrap — that’s a proper machine!”

They rattled tins loudly and emptied their purse,
Which’s more than most pessimists care to think.
And two hundred thirteen were hauled from the brink,
Which’s more than most pessimists care to think;
So if tha rides steam on a preserved line now,
There’s Barry in there somewhere — anyhow.
Till last one rolled out in nineteen-ninety,
A Prairie tank engine — still looking quite jaunty;
“End of an era!” the headlines did scream.
“Aye,” said a chap, “But not end of steam.”

Barry scrapyard aka the 'Train Graveyard'​

The 'train graveyard' in the 1970s

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13th February, 2026

Class 93 locomotive tested with DB Cargo as operator explores future options​

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93006 prepares to leave Peel Ports’ dock at Seaforth bound for Mossend in Glasgow


DB Cargo UK has worked with Rail Operations Group to test a Class 93 locomotive on an intermodal service, as the freight operator explores future options.

93006 hauled a Peel Ports service from Seaforth in Merseyside to Mossend in Glasgow and return on the 10th February.

Class 93s can use overhead lines, diesel power or a battery for use on non-electrified lines.

Further trials are planned as part of DB’s ongoing review into its future fleet investment strategy.
 
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93006 at Carlisle


The trial of the Class 93 was conducted as part of an ongoing review of our future fleet investment strategy, and we were impressed with its performance.

“We also took the opportunity to take along representatives from the train driver union ASLEF, to ascertain their views on its’ performance out on the network,”

Mark Sargant, DB Cargo UK’s Head of Operations
 
13th February, 2026

Talyllyn Railway celebrates 75 years with a new exhibition​

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Talyllyn Railway


The Talyllyn Railway are celebrating its landmark 75 years of volunteer operation with a temporary exhibition.

“Our Railway Adventure”, inspired by Tom Rolt’s classic novel Railway Adventure, will revisit the formation of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society in October 1950 and the first volunteer-run sessions in 1959 and 1952 – the moment it became the world’s first successfully preserved volunteer-operated heritage railway.

Today, Talyllyn remains as volunteer-focused as it was at its founding, and celebrates the decades of hard work and community passion that keep it running.

Drawing largely on the words of the first generation of volunteers, the exhibition hopes to highlight to visitors the passion and quirks of the railway’s history.

As with any recollections, memories vary. For instance, the Trinder Family remember the society’s first chairman, Bill Trinder, as receiving membership number one; however, historian Patrick Garland suggests Poet Laureate John Betjeman may have been the recipient.
 
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Locomotive line up at Tywyn Wharf, Talyllyn Railway


Visitors will also find celebrations of other 2026 milestones: the 70th anniversary of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, 50 years with the Nant Gwernol extension, and 30 years of Talyllyn Sidetrackers.

They are also celebrating their 75th anniversary with a special tour.


“This new exhibition is an opportunity to learn about some of those volunteering stories – showcasing how volunteering at a heritage railway can make an impact, change lives and protect our history … and perhaps it will inspire you to get involved and begin your own volunteering story!”

Steve Oates, Chief Executive of the Heritage Railway Association.
 
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13th February, 2026

Bank Holiday to see Bagnall celebration​

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Bagnall Locomotive "Sybil" at West Lancashire Railway


Three heritage lines are joining forces this spring with a unique steam celebration.

Following their 2025 partnership agreement, the Apedale Valley Light Railway, West Lancashire Light Railway, and Amerton Railway have announced their first jointly organised event: a Bank Holiday showcase of Staffordshire-built W.G. Bagnall steam locomotives.

Between May 23-25, 2026, visitors will be able to travel behind Bagnall-built engines at all three railways.

A special joint ticket, priced at £10 for adults and £3 for children, offers unlimited travel on each line across the weekend event.
 
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Bagnall “WOTO” at Apedale Railway.


Tickets are purchasable at all three railways or can be booked online in advance.

The West Lancashire Light Railway is a 2ft gauge line at Hesketh Bank, which will be hosting its 1906-built “Sybil”.

Amerton Railway, near Stafford, is owned by Staffordshire Narrow Gauge Railway and will be steaming the oldest of the trio, the 1897-built “Isabel”.

Apedale Valley Light Railway, located in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, will showcase its 1924-built “WOTO”.
 
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Bagnall “Isabel” at Amerton Railway


Though all three locomotives were constructed at the same Stafford factory to a similar design, each reflects both the subtle evolution of Bagnall engineering over three decades and the effort and commitment of the heritage railways keeping them alive.


“This jointly-organised event is another step in drawing our three little railways closer together. We look forward to seeing how many visitors manage to ride behind all three Bagnalls during the bank holiday weekend!”

Simon Lomax, Interim chair of the Moseley Railway Trust, operator of the Apedale Valley Light Railway.
 

Britannia 2008​

Although a definitive coin - it is the lowest minted 'Brittania' 50p - only 3,500,000 were minted, compared to the 2008 'Royal Shield' 50p of which 22,747,000 were minted.

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