Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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11th March, 2026

Norfolk railway to run services with High Speed Train​

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Ex GWR Castle class HST at Dereham


Visitors to the Mid Norfolk Railway on Sunday, 22nd March, can experience a taste of recent West Country railway history with a journey on a former Great Western Railway (GWR) high-speed train (HST).

The HST, now owned by the ROMIC Group, moved to Dereham Station on the Mid Norfolk Railway from the GWR’s depot at Laira in Plymouth.

The ROMIC Group is a specialist railway company, with a base at the Mid Norfolk Railway’s yard at Dereham.

It is mainly concerned with the procurement and sale of new and used locomotives and rolling stock, most recently purchasing redundant HSTs and then exporting them to Nigeria and Mexico.

The group also maintains an HST set and two Class 20s for hire in the UK.
 
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Ex-GWR Castle class HST at Dereham


On Sunday, 22nd March, the HST will operate services between Dereham and Wymondham, and will include an in-train trolley service, similar to what was once a familiar sight when these units were in use by GWR.

The unit will be a cut-down version of a full-length HST, known as a ‘Castle’ set, which was used by the GWR for secondary mainline services in southwest England after their replacement by IETs on services between Penzance and Paddington.

Further information and booking details are online at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk.
 
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HST power car No. 43093 at Dereham


“We are delighted to be able to offer another special HST running day to the MNR following the success of our running day last year. The HST used last year (43094/43122) is now back running on the mainline, and we are really pleased to have been able to acquire one of the last GWR Castle sets. We hope to see it in use for many more years to come, either in the UK or abroad.”

Simon Lowe, ROMIC Group’s Marketing & Hire Manager


“We are extremely grateful to ROMIC for giving us this special opportunity to share with our visitors the experience of travelling on these iconic trains. The HSTs were such an important part of British railway history. I am sure the day will be a great success, and everyone at the railway is looking forward to welcoming our passengers on the day.”

Samantha Tailor, General Manager of the Mid Norfolk Railway
 
11th March, 2026

Steam locomotive 6880 Betton Grange to visit the Swanage Railway​

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6880 Betton Grange


The Swanage Railway has announced that GWR Grange No. 6880 Betton Grange will be visiting them for their Spring Steam Gala.

The gala will run from the 27th March until the 29th March.

6880, which is usually based at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, visits thanks to the 6880 Betton Grange Society.

Betton Grange will haul trains alongside already announced visitors, 68067 and WD152 Rennes, as well as the home fleet of 34072 ‘257 Squadron’, 34070 ‘Manston’, 31806 and 563 as well as mainline resident, 34028 Eddystone.


“We are delighted to be hosting the first steam locomotive to be built to a Great Western Railway Company design since the early 1950s. Constructed between 1998 and 2024, No. 6880 ‘Betton Grange’ is a remarkable engineering achievement and a fine steam locomotive.

“Built in the early 1940s, the two wartime saddle tank Austerity steam locomotives also have a fascinating history and played an important part in hauling vital freight trains during the Second World War before going on to have busy railway careers with the coming of peace.

“We are delighted to be able to offer enthusiasts, and the public, such a wide variety of steam locomotives at work through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck countryside and past the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle.

“I would like to thank all the dedicated volunteers who have worked so hard to plan and stage such a complicated event as our seven steam locomotive Spring Steam Gala which promises to be a wonderful and evocative taste of yesteryear,”

Spring Steam Gala organising committee chairman Alexander Atkins
 
11th March, 2026

Luxury £1,000 train ticket to take passengers to Cheltenham Gold Cup​

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Northern Belle Class 57s at Blackburn


Around 300 passengers have paid up to £1,000 each to travel to the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the 13th March 2026.

Passengers will board from London Paddington on Friday morning, with a caviar brunch being served during the journey, as well as a five-course dinner on the way home.

The train will be hauled by West Coast Railways diesel locomotives throughout.


“Who says there’s a financial crisis – we sold out in record time and could have sold twice as many tickets.

“We’ve been running the train for several years, but we’ve never had such a response before.”

David Pitts

:shock:
 
11th March, 2026

Yorkshire railway completes bridge repairs​

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Ready for the 2026 season, Wensleydale Railway volunteers have been carrying out some essential maintenance to ensure they are ready for opening.

The line has numerous bridges along it, and the volunteers have been making repairs to a bridge at Stoop House Farm, near Leyburn.

The bridge had water damage, which was worsening and needed to be repaired as soon as possible due to its vital nature.

Volunteers removed vegetation, along with sections of rail and ballast, so that they could access the bridge deck and work on some masonry repairs.

A specialist contractor was then called in to install a waterproof membrane to protect the bridge, and then the ballast and rail could be reinstalled.


“This project took 5 weeks to complete and involved volunteers from our Vegetation, Direct Works and P-Way teams, as well as Operations and Office staff. We had a short window of time to complete this work, before our first scheduled train services of the year were due to start. The work required considerable co-ordination across our volunteer teams and much of the work was done in very poor weather. I would like to thank everyone involved in successfully completing this work”.

Graham Boyd, who led the project
 
11th March, 2026

New locomotive trial to potentially enhance performance and reduce emissions​

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From left to right, Oliver Rumford-Warr, Managing Director at Fuelcare Ltd, Shaun Bayliss, Project Engineer at GB Railfreight, Graeme Bunker, Director at Treyarnon Consulting Ltd


A new partnership has begun this week to see if a new fuel additive can help boost diesel engine performance and reduce emissions.

The partnership is between GB Railfreight and Fuelcare, who specialise in fuel biocides and additives, and Treyarnon Consulting.

The additive could also extend the distance that GBRf locomotives can travel before needing to refuel.

The trial will run for 2 weeks until the 22nd March. GB Railfreight says that this is the largest fuel additive trial completed by a freight operator in the UK.

GBRf says that if it is successful, it could support other improvements across the fleet.
 
Thurssday 12th Mar 2026

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

The Beer Festival continues

Cleo said 'as I enjoyed drinking the different beers yesterday and the festival ends this weekend, we should pop into Cardiff again today so I could try some more'.

No arguments from me. :lol:

We went to 'The Great Western', to see what different beers they had there today. :D:toast:

Here I had pints of 'Crimson Legend' and 'Orange Wheat Grand Cru'.

Then it was onwards to 'The Prince of Wales' and I had a pint of 'Pitch Perfect' and 'Read The Room'.

Cleo went to TKMaxx and bought a couple of vases.

Then we went to 'The Gatekeeper' and I had further pints of '', 'Exam Room Tears' and 'Red 'n' Black'.

While we were there we had our dinner, curry, rice, naan bread and poppadom's.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 257, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZN

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Thursday 12th March 2026

4917


ETHNONRAIL UPDATE

FLEET UPDATE

Today a locomotive that I had ordered from
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Arrived


R30461 Hornby OO Gauge RailRoad GB Railfreight Class 66 Co-Co Drax 50th Anniversary Gold 66301 ‘Drax Power Station 50’​


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12 Mar 2026

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Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ exhibition train returns to Wales​

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Railway 200 - Inspiration


Transport for Wales (TfW) and Network Rail are pleased to announce the return of the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ exhibition train to Wales this April.

Following a successful stop in Llandudno that welcomed over 1,000 visitors, the exhibition train will arrive at Swansea station from Sunday 26 April to Tuesday 28 April.

The visit celebrates Swansea as the birthplace of the world’s first fare paying passenger railway.

The exhibition, co-curated with the National Railway Museum, offers a whistle-stop tour of the railways past, present and future through rare artifacts and interactive fun and fascinating facts.

The event is part of an industry wide Railway 200 celebration, marking two centuries since the birth of the modern railway where Wales played an important role with Richard Trevithick’s first steam-hauled journey and the historic horse-drawn passenger journey on the Swansea and Mumbles Railway.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “I’m proud to be celebrating our heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway; to this day our railway network is the backbone of our economy, driving economic growth, jobs and homes.

“With this train, we’re not just looking to the past, we are inspiring the diverse next generation of engineers, drivers, conductors and technicians, and shining a light on what the railway is delivering today.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales, said:“We’ve collaborated across the rail industry and communities to deliver events celebrating rail’s past, present and future.

“Following the success of Inspiration’s visit to Llandudno, TfW and NR have worked hard to get it to South Wales. We’re thrilled to be able to host it in Swansea, a city which played an important part in railway history.”

Josh Bliszko, Programme Manager (Change) at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “Our railway network is designed, built and operated by people - and Railway 200 is a celebration of those people.

"We’re delighted to be bringing the Inspiration Train to Swansea, where we’ll honour the legacy of those who came before us, celebrate the colleagues who keep the railway running today, and inspire people of all ages who could become the future workforce of the Wales and Borders route.”

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, said: “Railways are one of history’s most important inventions and inside this train you can explore the story of rail in a fun and family-friendly environment.

“Inspiration has already travelled thousands of miles across Britain – from Scotland to Southampton – and it had a fantastic reception in Llandudno, so we are hugely excited to welcome locals aboard in Swansea."

Tickets are free but availability is limited. Book here https://railway200.co.uk/

  • About Railway 200: 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever. Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations took place throughout 2025, showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow. The Railway 200 exhibition train Inspiration tours until June 2026.
  • Wales played a pivotal role in the origins of the modern railway: from Richard Trevithick’s early locomotive experiments to the horse-drawn Swansea and Mumbles Railway, the world’s first fare-paying passenger line.
  • More than 70,000 people have visited the Railway 200 exhibition train on its 60-stop, year-long tour of Britain, and 9 in 10 visitors would recommend it to a friend.

8482
 
Thursday 12 Mar 2026

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Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ exhibition train returns to Wales​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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The touring exhibition train Inspiration


Next stop, Swansea! Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) are pleased to announce the return of the Railway 200 ‘Inspiration’ train to Wales this April.

Following a successful stop in Llandudno that welcomed over 1,000 visitors, the exhibition train will arrive at Swansea station from Sunday 26 April to Tuesday 28 April.

The visit celebrates Swansea as the birthplace of the world’s first fare paying passenger railway.

The exhibition, co-curated with the National Railway Museum, offers a whistle-stop tour of the railways past, present and future through rare artifacts and interactive fun and fascinating facts.

The event is part of an industry wide Railway 200 celebration, marking two centuries since the birth of the modern railway where Wales played an important role with Richard Trevithick’s first steam-hauled journey and the historic horse-drawn passenger journey on the Swansea and Mumbles Railway.
 
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Inspiration Train at Llandudo station 2025


Josh Bliszko, Programme Manager (Change) at Network Rail Wales and Borders said, “Our railway network is designed, built and operated by people - and Railway 200 is a celebration of those people.

“We’re delighted to be bringing the Inspiration train to Swansea, where we’ll honour the legacy of those who came before us, celebrate the colleagues who keep the railway running today, and inspire people of all ages who could become the future workforce of the Wales and Borders route.”
 
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The touring exhibition train Inspiration


Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “I’m proud to be celebrating our heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway; to this day our railway network is the backbone of our economy, driving economic growth, jobs and homes.

“With this train, we’re not just looking to the past, we are inspiring the diverse next generation of engineers, drivers, conductors and technicians, and shining a light on what the railway is delivering today.”
 
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The Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration, has been a hit with children


Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200, said: “Railways are one of history’s most important inventions and inside this train you can explore the story of rail in a fun and family-friendly environment.

“Inspiration has already travelled thousands of miles across Britain - from Scotland to Southampton - and it had a fantastic reception in Llandudno, so we are hugely excited to welcome locals aboard in Swansea.
 
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The touring exhibition train Inspiration


Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales, said:

“We’ve collaborated across the rail industry and communities to deliver events celebrating rail’s past, present and future.

“Following the success of Inspiration’s visit to Llandudno, TfW and NR have worked hard to get it to South Wales. We’re thrilled to be able to host it in Swansea, a city which played an important part in railway history.”

Tickets are free but availability is limited.

Book HERE.
  • About Railway 200: 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever. Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations took place throughout 2025, showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow. The Railway 200 exhibition train Inspiration tours until June 2026.
  • Wales played a pivotal role in the origins of the modern railway: from Richard Trevithick’s early locomotive experiments to the horse-drawn Swansea and Mumbles Railway, the world’s first fare-paying passenger line.
  • More than 70,000 people have visited the Railway 200 exhibition train on its 60-stop, year-long tour of Britain, and 9 in 10 visitors would recommend it to a friend.
 
12th March, 2026

ROG and DRS sign Class 93 locomotive agreement​

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Class 93 No. 93002 and Class 88 No. 88004


A 2-year agreement has been signed by Rail Operations Group and Direct Rail Services that will see the Class 93 locomotives stored and maintained at DRS’ Gresty Bridge Depot in Crewe.

The class 93s will be maintained by DRS’ engineering team as the deployment of the fleet continues to grow.

Direct Rail Services already have a fleet of Stadler locomotives (Class 68s and 88s), in which the newer Class 93s are built upon with AC, Diesel and Battery traction available.


“We’re pleased to be working with Direct Rail Services to support the Class 93 fleet at Gresty Bridge.

“When the opportunity emerged to work with DRS, it was a natural choice. Their experience maintaining Stadler products, combined with established facilities and a centralised location, Gresty Bridge is the ideal base to support the continued operation and development of the fleet as we expand its use across a growing range of services. We look forward to working closely with the DRS team.

“Alongside our own specialist Class 93 engineering team, this agreement ensures the locomotives will benefit from the highest level of technical expertise while providing a strong platform for us to continue demonstrating the capabilities of this state-of-the-art locomotive.”

Brian Ferguson, General Manager at Rail Operations Group


“This agreement showcases the expertise and engineering excellence offered by our organisation and its employees. We have been operating and maintaining Class 68s and 88s for over 10 years and are excited to support Rail Operations Group with the skills and technical experience we have gained during that period.”

Tony Hewitson, Interim Rail Director at DRS, which is part of Nuclear Transport Solutions
 
12th March, 2026

Buses to replace trains in West Wales for one week​

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Tenby station


There will be no train services in West Wales next week because of engineering work between Whitland and Pembroke Dock.

The work will take place from 23:00 on Sunday, 15th March until 05:45 on Saturday, 21st March, and buses will replace trains for one week from Monday, 16th March.

The majority of the work will be on the footbridge at Tenby Station, where engineers will improve accessibility.

This is being funded by the UK Government’s Access for All programme and will eventually provide a fully accessible footbridge with lifts, making it easier for people with disabilities, reduced mobility, pushchairs, or luggage.

The initial work will see the footbridge demolished overnight on Saturday, 14th March, and replaced by a temporary scaffold footbridge to enable continuing access for passengers.
 
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Computer image of the new footbridge at Tenby station


Other work taking place whilst the line is closed includes renewing the track between Whitland and Narberth, as well as managing lineside vegetation, maintaining level crossings, and inspecting earthworks and other railway infrastructure. These works will help improve the long-term reliability and resilience of the line.

The latest travel information can be found at nationalrail.co.uk, on the Transport for Wales (TfW) app, or on its website.
 
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