Marcus' Model Railway Journey

9th August 2023

ETHNON RAIL

YouTube Channel News

Great news!

New Video released!



No.5 Ethnon Rail Special - Markie's out and about

The Flying Scotsman at Cardiff Central - 7th June 2023

A fantastic day spent in Cardiff to see an iconic locomotive in their Centenary Year.

Sorry for delay in uploading vids - really busy in the Train Shed.

I would like to thank all the people who have supported this channel so far.

Also a special thanks to my son, Neonlake for all his time spent on my videos.

I would ask if you could please remember to 'like, subscribe and share my videos', Thank you.

That was me, sounding like a YouTuber.

I hope you enjoy the video.

All the best

~Marcus

As the new ETHNON RAIL YouTube video has been released.

I would like to congratulate Aenglaland for supporting this thread.

Thanks for all the support Loh!

You're in the video!

9th August 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Moved the track closer towards the window and extended the length of the straight sections.

Just have to check the curves for running clearance when using long vehicle stock.

The following images are serving as a photographic reference for the station layout

NW End of Station

Looking NW from SE end

10th August 2023


TRANSPORT FOR WALES

“Whatever you do, don’t join the railway”​

Those were the words that one Cardiff dispatcher’s mum said to him back in 1973 when he was just 16. But 50 years on and David “Dave” Covington is showing it was very much the right decision for him.


Having celebrated the milestone in July, Dave says he loves his job as much as he ever did.

“It’s my colleagues and helping the customers that I love most,” said Dave, 66.

“I’ve made some great friends here. I can’t believe it’s been 50 years. I can still remember my first day. When I left school my mum had said ‘whatever you do, don’t join the railway’!”

Having joined as a junior railway man in his native Kent in July 1973, Dave worked a number of roles, including spending six years as a guard on South Eastern Railway.

A dedicated Gillingham football fan, he would frequently travel the length and breadth of the UK following his team. But it was at one football event in south Wales that would change the course of his life.

“We’d gone to an event in Cardiff with football and got very drunk before the coach back,” explained Dave.

“I ended up meeting a Welsh girl there and we’ve been together ever since!”

Dave moved from Kent up to Porth in the valleys to continue his rail career as he settled down into family life back in 1985.

He would spend several years at the station before moving to Cardiff Queen Street and later Cardiff Central in the 1990s.

Working as a dispatcher, Dave has enjoyed passing on his knowledge and experience to new starters.

“I enjoy working with the new learners,” added Dave. “You can often tell who can make it and some of the best ones are thinking two or three trains in advance about where they need to be.

“It can be a challenge, especially when there is disruption and when customers are asking you questions while you’re trying to dispatch but you get by.

“Quite a lot has changed since I started in Cardiff and back then we only had a couple of platforms to the valleys to think about. Now there’s 8 and 0 too and we have far more trains coming through than ever before. I’m looking forward to the future and seeing all the new trains in place.”

Dave’s colleagues held a special event to mark his achievement with a railway cake and messages on the customer information boards.

Operations Manager at Cardiff Central Richard Martin said: “Dave has been an integral part of the team at Cardiff for so many years and his knowledge is second to none.

“We’re very proud to have him here, so congratulations Dave and let’s hope there are many more years to come.”

Plan of Cardiff Central station.

10th August 2023


TRANSPORT FOR WALES

Train tickets now on your high street​

People traveling in north Wales and the Wirral will find it even easier to buy their train tickets after Transport for Wales partnered with eight local businesses.


The Payzone initiative allows local shops to sell railway tickets alongside their usual product offering.

It means those wishing to travel can get their tickets in advance with cash or card without rushing at the station.

Most of the retailers are within a 15 minute walk of a station.

To see the full list of retailers click here.

Customers can buy on the day or advance tickets at the retailers and also small group tickets.

They can also get their railcard discounts there.

Shops in Wrexham, Gwersyllt, Buckley, Hawarden, Hawarden Bridge, Shotton, Neston and Upton are among those to sign up to the scheme.

Community Retail Manager for TfW Charlotte Yarnold said: "The scheme was about giving customers as many options as possible and about supporting local business.

She said: “We want to give customers as much choice as possible when buying their tickets.

“Some people are comfortable buying from apps or machines but we know others do prefer that human interaction.

“Partnering up with Payzone means we can give our customers that element of choice in areas where there may not be a local booking office. And it will help the footfall into those businesses too which is incredibly important to us with communities being at the heart of what we do.”

The partnership also represents an important step in Transport for Wales’ five point commitment plan to improve customer service on the Wrexham to Bidston line.

In June, TfW committed to making a series of improvements in the area, including making buying tickets as easy as possible.

10th August 2023



NetworkRail:

Four-car-trains return to Cambrian Railway Line for first time in six years thanks to collaborative efforts of ‘Local Railways Partnership’​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Local passengers and tourists will benefit from enhanced comfort, capacity and connectivity, on peak services on the scenic Welsh coast line, over the summer holidays, as well as the launch of a brand-new window seat audio guide.

The revival of four-car trains on the Cambrian Railway Line represents a significant milestone in the Local Railways Partnership by local teams at Network Rail and Transport for Wales to enhance rail journeys for passengers on the Cambrian Line – with support from The Cambrian Railway Partnership.

Four-car-carriages will return on the popular and picturesque line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli on the two busiest services each day throughout the summer.

Not only will this service make journeys better for passengers and train crew alike, but it will also contribute to the local economy, boosting trade, tourism and revenue from ticket sales.

The longer trains will also allow for onboard catering for the first time in a decade.

A number of collaborative changes that were needed have taken place in recent months to make this possible, including:

• Platform improvement and lengthening work at Barmouth station as well as installing tactile paving
• Installation of 22 four-car-train markers across the Cambrian Line - these markers inform the drivers where to stop to ensure train doors are in the correct place on shorter platforms
• Redistribution of trains and staff and revised methods of working for drivers and conductors
• Site visits with the level crossing team
• Full engagement of trade union partners
• Updated fleet maintenance plans

In addition to these benefits, The Cambrian Railway Partnership has launched a bilingual Cambrian Line Window Seater audio guide so passengers can discover what landmark they’ve passed or learn more about the geography, history and culture of the area.

Passengers can download the guide from the Window Seater App on most app stores.

Gwyn Rees, performance and transformation director at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “I’m proud of the collaboration, thanks to our Local Railways Partnership, as we operate a four-car-train service on the Cambrian Line for the first time in many years.

“This has doubled capacity on the busiest service during the school holidays and will make journeys for passengers and train crew much more comfortable and enjoyable.

“We are determined to continue to work with our industry partners to provide a railway service that our passengers and customers expect and deserve.”

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, chief operations officer for Transport for Wales, commented: “The restoration of four-car-trains on the Cambrian Coast is one of the achievements of our “Local Railways Partnership” on the route, where the local Network Rail and TfW teams, with support from industry partners, are working together on service delivery initiatives specifically for this line.

“With a number of short platforms, some with level crossings next to them, the teams have worked collaboratively to make sure longer trains can safely call at these stations along what is a beautifully scenic route.”

Claire Williams, partnership development officer for the Cambrian Railway Partnership, added: “It is brilliant to see this boost in capacity and comfort for our passengers and the local community.

“We appreciate the commitment and hard work made by Network Rail and Transport for Wales in developing the line to re-introduce four carriage services.

“Passengers can further enjoy their journey with the launch of our first-ever bilingual Cambrian Line Window Seater audio guide, discovering the stories behind the view from their train seat.”

The four-car-train runs from Monday to Friday as a once per day as the peak holiday 10:55 Machynlleth to Pwllheli and 15:37 return service.

Although the longer train service will be running throughout the summer, it is dependent on sufficient trains being available across the network.

While both companies see the huge benefits of running four-car-trains on the Cambrian Line, it will not come at the expense of running other essential services.

10th August 2023

Luxury steam train set to be hauled by steam locomotive 45212 this Saturday​

Stanier designed '5MT' 4-6-0 no.45212 climbs Oakworth Bank with the Craven steam breakdown crane consist on March 1, 2023

LMS Black 5 No. 45212 is set to haul The Northern Belle this Saturday, 12th August 2023.

The train originates at Leeds, where it will be hauled by diesel locomotives for the first leg.

Departing Leeds at 06:52, the locomotive will pass through Huddersfield (07:39), Marsden (07:53), Manchester Victoria (08:46), Preston (09:46) and Carnforth North Junc at 10:41.

Here, 45212 is added to the train and will depart at 11:23.

From here, the locomotive will pass through Penrith North Lakes (12:16) before arriving into Carlisle at 12:38.

After time in Carlisle, the train will depart at 14:27 and will pass through Appleby (15:08), Ribblehead (15:57) Hellifield (16:19), Whalley (18:02), Blackburn (18:26) and Preston at 18:54.

From Preston, diesel locomotives haul the train back to Leeds.

Departing Preston at 19:28, the train will pass through Wigan North Western (19:44), Manchester Victoria (20:23), Huddersfield (21:01) and Leeds at 21:55.

10th August 2023

Alstom to supply sixty coach cars to Connecticut​

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has ordered sixty single-level rail coach cars from Alstom with options to build an additional 313 cars.

The order forms part of CTDOT's programme to renew the coaches on its state wide rail system.

The base order is worth around €285 million (USD $315 million), and Alstom will deliver the coaches from 2026.

The agreement between the two bodies specifies that the coaches will be fully-customised, sustainable, next-generation commuter rail cars specifically designed for North America.

They will provide riders with a 125 mph commuter rail service and will be safe and comfortable.

All the coaches will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA) requirements.

Alstom claims that the new cars will help to reduce traffic congestion along the region's interstate roads and the will contribute to reaching Connecticut's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets.

CTDOT reports that the average driver in the state spends more than forty hours per year stuck in road traffic.

Connecticut is home to the busiest commuter rail line in the USA, with its Metro-North service running over 105 miles.

The coaches will feature:

• two-by-two seating configuration with foldable tables and easy access for wheelchair users
• overhead luggage racks
• workstation tables
• wi-fi access
• real time information on upcoming stops
• power and USB access
• cybersecurity safety features
• panoramic balcony-style windows at wheeled mobility spaces.

Alstom has developed and manufactured more than 2,500 bi-level and multi-level cars and more than 1,400 single-deck cars in North America, which are in service in major cities across the United States, particularly in the northeastern region.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said, “Having a modernised transit system with safe, comfortable, and convenient access to work, homes and fun is essential to attracting the kind of businesses and workforce talent we need to grow good-paying jobs and remain economically competitive. Connecticut is the home of the busiest rail line in the nation, and the purchase of these new rail cars continues our efforts to deliver better and more reliable service for commuters.”

The state's Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said, “The CTDOT Office of Rail is working hard to upgrade the trip for rail customers across Connecticut. We know they want more comfortable seats, Wi-Fi access, bike storage, and ADA accessibility, and we're taking action on those needs with steps like this. We're pleased to partner with Alstom on the order of this next generation of rail cars. This order is part of our ongoing capital program to purchase new rail cars and improve the customer experience.”

Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas, said, “We are proud to be a part of this exciting new chapter for CTDOT and the people of Connecticut. We look forward to further building upon our relationship with CTDOT by providing extensive expertise ranging from passenger ergonomics, experience, and comfort to operational considerations and optimized maintenance practices for years to come.”

10th August 2023

North Yorkshire Moors Railway services to be hauled by steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley this October and November​

Special services are set to run on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this October and November, and will be hauled by LNER A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley.

The visit will celebrate the centenary of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) and the fiftieth anniversary of NYMR.

The Railway carries more passengers than any other heritage railway in the UK and is the third-longest standard gauge heritage line in the country.

‘Sir Nigel Gresley' is the only current operational LNER Class A4. On 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 October and 1 November 2023, the loco will haul trains along the 18 miles of the NYMR heritage line.

The locomotive will be appearing in its new British Railways blue livery for the first time since its overhaul was finished last year.

No. 4498 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley' was built at Doncaster works, and was the hundredth Gresley Pacific built by the London and North Eastern Railway.

It was named at a ceremony at Marylebone station on 26 November 1937 and then entered service.

The loco was mainly based at London King's Cross, although it spent some time at Grantham during World War II.

It was briefly re-numbered as No. 7 before becoming No. 60007 when the LNER was merged into British Railways.

On 3 June 1956, ‘Sir Nigel Gresley' hauled the Royal Train from Kings Cross to York with the Queen on board.

During a trip on 23 May 1959, no. 60007 set the official post-war speed record for steam traction of 112 mph.

The trip was the ‘Stephenson Locomotive Society Special', and was the first train in the UK with a booked or advertised schedule of over 100 mph.

It was withdrawn from service in 1966.

10th August 2023

New wagons arrive to boost UK rail freight capacity​

GB Railfreight (GBRf) has taken delivery of the final batch of its hundred new FEA-G intermodal wagons, which, together with fifty new JNA-X Box Wagons, significantly increase rail freight capacity in the UK.

The wagons are now on lease to GBRf, which has worked in partnership with rolling stock company Porterbrook and rail vehicle manufacture and service company Greenbrier.

The FEA-G is an intermodal high-density twin wagon, which can carry six twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) on each service.

This significantly increases the volume of cargo that can be transported on each train journey.

The JNA-X box wagon is a step forward in design, and features extra box strengthening without extra weight. Each wagon can carry 101.6 tonnes.

The wagon is currently playing an important role in the moving construction materials for HS2 from the Peak District to Birmingham.

The three companies involved in sourcing the wagons are claiming that its successful, on-time delivery is a significant achievement, citing the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruption, and surges in inflation and energy prices as obstacles that the initiative had to overcome.