Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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1Z43 – Watford Junction to Rawtenstall – UK Railtours ‘The East Lancashire Railway’ with 50008 ‘Thunderer’ leading 50049 ‘Defiance’ passing Old Linslade on 7th March at 0723 running 4 minutes late. 50008 later failed at Leicester and 66032 was attached to the rear of the train at Toton for the onward journey.

1Z50 – Watford Junction to Derby – UK Railtours ‘The Derby Express – Positioning Move’ with solo 50049 ‘Defiance’, following failure of 50008 the previous day, passing through Leighton Buzzard at 0926 running 20 minutes late.

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DR 73118 Plasser & Theurer 09-3X Tamper​

The 09-3X is a continuous action 3-sleeper levelling, lining and tamping machine.
The 09-3X is the modern successor of the well proven 09-CSM type machines.
It represents the results of long years experience in operation and development of continuous action tamping technology, which enables a further increase in tamping performance and quality (performance up to 40% higher compared to 09-CSM machines).
The new feature of the 09-3X tamping express are the 3-sleeper tamping banks, which enable for the first time three sleepers to be tamped in one operation resulting not only in higher tamping performance, but also in considerably increased tamping quality.
Furthermore, each tamping bank can be lifted and lowered individually to be able to tamp single sleepers on tracks with irregular sleeper spacings.

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Wednesday 18 Mar 2026

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Major rail upgrade plans submitted to help unlock new railway stations​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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SWML at Bishton


Passengers are closer to benefitting from improved rail services, better connectivity and new stations as Network Rail submits a full business case for major railway upgrades between Cardiff Central and Severn Tunnel Junction.

This March, Network Rail Wales and Borders formally submitted the full business case for the South Wales Relief Line Upgrade (SWRLU) - a key infrastructure project designed to increase the speed and performance of relief lines and unlock the capacity needed for future passenger services.

The upgrades will play a vital role in supporting plans for new stations across the region, improving performance and unlocking better rail access for communities along the South Wales Main Line.

The proposals, submitted to the UK Government Department for Transport, include infrastructure improvements across 27 miles of track, with refurbishment and renewal works, as well as increasing speeds on the Up and Down relief lines from 40mph to up to 100mph, where feasible.

Subject to full business case approval, this work will allow for future increased line speeds on the relief lines that run alongside the main lines between Cardiff Central and Severn Tunnel Junction.

While these lines are currently used primarily by freight services, the improvements would enable them to accommodate passenger services, without adding time to journeys, creating additional capacity and improved reliability and performance across this vital section of railway.

The work will also allow freight trains to run faster, improving overall network efficiency.

This infrastructure work is a critical step in enabling the proposed development of up to six new stations in South East Wales - including Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, Magor & Undy, as well as Cardiff Parkway - which aim to improve local connectivity and make it easier for communities to access rail travel.
 
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SWML railway near Marshfield


Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said, “The South Wales Relief Line Upgrade is a vital step towards delivering better rail services for communities and businesses across South East Wales. By increasing the speed and capability of the relief lines between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction, we can create the capacity needed to support new passenger services and unlock the proposed new stations along this route.

“We’re proud to be working closely with Transport for Wales to enable improved connectivity, support sustainable travel and make it easier for people to access the railway in the future.”

Vernon Everitt, Chair of Transport for Wales, said, "Progressing the Relief Line Upgrade is a major step in our ambition to bring new stations to South East Wales.

"By increasing line speeds, we unlock the capacity needed to make those stations a reality and open up new regional and cross-border services for communities at Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor and Undy.

"We're delighted to be working alongside Network Rail to make this vision a reality."
 
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How the new station map would look - south east Wales (Burns stations)


Project context and future plans

The SWRLU scheme forms part of a wider programme of investment in the Wales and Borders railway and builds on the UK Government’s recent commitment to progressing rail improvements in the region.

This commitment includes the proposed ‘Burns stations’, recommended through Lord Burns’ review into reducing congestion on the M4.

The review identified the opportunity for new stations between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction to improve connectivity across South East Wales and provide a more sustainable alternative to car travel for local communities and businesses.

Both Network Rail and Transport for Wales are working together to continue the development of this scheme and its business case, focusing in the next year on site surveys and design work as the programme progresses towards the next stages of approval.

Network Rail will lead the delivery of the rail infrastructure upgrades, including track, signalling and associated works, while Transport for Wales will continue progressing plans for the new stations integrated transport interchanges, and we will work collaboratively on the new station proposals.

Subject to approval of the overall business case, the programme will continue to progress through design and development stages before moving towards delivery.
 
18th March, 2026

Steam locomotive makes move from Lancashire to Yorkshire​

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Cheetal being loaded for its move to Leeds


Cheetal, a 2-foot gauge steam locomotive, is returning to its home at Leeds City Museums after a 12-year stay at the West Lancashire Light Railway at Hesketh Bank in Lancashire.

Built in Leeds by John Fowler & Company (Leeds) Limited, Cheetal is an 0-6-0 Well Tank locomotive that was built in 1923 for the Karachi Port Trust, which was then in India but is now in Pakistan.

It was later used at the Upper India Sugar Mills at Khatauli, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
 
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Cheetal being loaded for its move to Leeds


Whilst at Khatauli, Cheetal was fitted with a steam turbo-generator and large electric headlights to allow sugar cane harvesting at night.

The narrow gauge railway system at Khatauli was abandoned in 1984, but Cheetal was saved for preservation and shipped to the UK where it became part of a collection of Leeds-built locomotives.

In 2013, the West Lancashire Locomotive Trust agreed a long-term loan of Cheetal with Leeds Industrial Museum for the long-term loan of the locomotive.

Sybil, another locomotive at the West Lancashire Light Railway, was runner-up and Highly Commended in the Steam Locomotive of the Year category at last year’s Heritage Railway Association’s awards. Last year, the railway received a grant from the Lancashire Environmental Fund to invest in solar energy.
 
Wednesday 18th Mar 2026

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

We went to 'The Great Western', for a couple of drinks

Here I had two pints of my usual 'Abbot's''.

Then it was onwards to 'The Gatekeeper' and I had further pints of 'West Coast IPA', and 'Leffe'.

While we were there we had our dinner, Pizza and Chicken Wings.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 256, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZM

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Howe Sound - 5%​

Kirkstall​

This straw-coloured West Coast IPA has a resinous hop aroma, leading to zesty citrus, grapefruit and pine flavours, balanced by a subtle malt sweetness and a crisp, hoppy character. Hops: Centennial and Chinook.

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19th March, 2026

ScotRail HSTs are out following new contract​

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ScotRail logo


A new ten-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) has been signed between Alstom and ScotRail Trains Limited.

The £250 million (approximate) agreement will run until 2036, with the option of extension, and involves the technical support and spares supply for 22 five-car Class 222 trains.
 
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ScotRail Class 222 Visualisation


This aspect will be combined with a Class 222 refurbishment programme, contracted with Beacon, which will include lighting upgrades, improved driving cabs, improved configurations aimed at accessibility and storage, as well as interior and exterior refreshes.

Additionally, information systems, announcement systems, CCTV, Wi-Fi, cybersecurity measures, and more will be upgraded, with defibrillators on every train.

Beacon’s contract of £80 million will see the provision of the 22 trains, with upgrades carried out prior to delivery to ScotRail, and where Alstom will take over.
 
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ScotRail Class 222 Visualisation


The High Speed Trains (HSTs) are ScotRail’s oldest trains, and will be replaced slowly, with the first to be replaced by late 2027

The phased approach will ensure staff are well-trained to operate the Class 222s, with six of them being used for training.

They plan to have them fully integrated by the end of 2028.


“This is fantastic news for our customers and our staff, as we continue to work towards delivering a safe, green, and reliable railway.

“More modern trains are a significant factor in encouraging more people to leave the car at home and travel by rail, and this investment will deliver a considerable improvement in the journey experience.

“Introducing fully refurbished trains ensures customers will see immediate benefits, with enhancements in comfort, accessibility, and reliability.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners and the Scottish Government in the coming weeks and months as we begin the refurbishment programme and get set to welcome this fleet to ScotRail.”

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Managing Director
 
19th March, 2026

Suffolk Railway makes progress on new station​

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Aspall Halt


Volunteers from the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway have been working hard to create a new station along their extension, which opened in August 2025, following its approval earlier in the year.

The team have made huge progress on the station, with its first building now complete, transforming it from just a platform into a station.
 
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‘Sir Berkeley’ departing from what will be Aspall Halt


Passengers taking a trip on the railway this Easter will be able to alight at the brand new station.

Further facilities will be added to the station throughout the season; however, it’s a great opportunity to take a step on the extension work that the railway has worked so hard on.
 
19th March, 2026

Upgrade plans to Norwich depot progress​

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Norwich Crown Point depot


Greater Anglia’s Norwich depot is set for a major upgrade, led by Spencer Rail Engineering.

The project is currently in its design stage, but will see the roof cladding replaced, with further upgrades made to walkways, access and skylights.

Numerous systems, such as fire detection and ventilation, will also be upgraded.

The upgrade project began in August last year and has now progressed into the next stage, working to identify changes needed and risks and constraints present ahead of moving past the design stage.

Technical drawings, calculations and specifications will be completed by the end of spring 2026, ensuring all requirements are met and issues are addressed before construction begins.


“The Crown Point depot in Norwich is a vital maintenance hub for Greater Anglia’s train fleet, supporting services from Norwich and Stansted Airport to London, as well as regional routes across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and Norfolk.

“We look forward to reviewing the detailed plans developed by Spencer Rail Engineering and thank them for their thorough and considered approach, which will help ensure this essential facility continues to support rail services across East Anglia for decades to come.”

Andrew Goodrum, Infrastructure and Projects Director for Greater Anglia
 
19th March, 2026

Midland 7 plank wagon Restored in Derbyshire​

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7 Plank Wagon No.93631


Volunteers at the Midland Railway at Butterley, Derbyshire, have completed the restoration of a Midland Railway 7-Plank Wagon No. 93631.

Built in 1916 at Derby, two years after 7F No. 53809, which is due to return to Derbyshire later this year, wagon No. 93631 started its life working on the Midland Railway.

Now 110 years old, the wagon has been fully restored from a careworn condition.

The wagon restored by the Railways Heritage Carriage & Wagon group will be available for public viewing in the museum, which is due to reopen later in the year.

With this wagon now restored, the restoration team will turn their attention to another project.

The team is always on the lookout for new volunteers to restore railway vehicles and pass on the skills to a new generation of active enthusiasts.

Anyone wishing to get involved in a future project should contact Midland Railway-Butterley HC&W.
 
19th March, 2026

Great Central Railway to host Easter Egg Hunt​

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This Easter, the Great Central Railway will be transforming the line into a colourful trail for an Easter Egg Hunt.

Those visiting between the 4th and 6th April can collect a hunt sheet from ticket offices and begin the adventure to find 12 Easter Eggs hidden across the railway.
 
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Easter Bunny in front of LMS 8F 8274


Passengers can hop on and off trains to find the eggs at stations, and keep their eyes peeled while travelling.

The Easter Bunny will be waiting at Leicester North Station to check that all 12 have been found and will be handing out some treats.

Its a great way to make some Easter memories and keep busy during the holiday.

Further information about the Easter Egg Hunt can be found on their website.
 
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