Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Dinmore Tunnel up line portal​

Clarisse Grother, senior programme manager at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “We understand that there is never a good time to close the railway or roads but this essential work, in Dinmore Tunnel, will improve reliability on the Marches Line, ensuring this important and well-travelled link between South Wales, the Midlands, North of England and beyond is secure for the future.

“We will be working around the clock to get the work completed as quickly and safely as possible, and I would like to apologise to passengers and the local community for any disruption this may cause.”

Network Rail will be working on the dates and times listed below, please be aware these dates may change:
  • Tuesday 12 September to Friday 29 September (continuously main work) - Track renewal
  • Saturday 30 September to Sunday 19 November (Saturday nights) 11pm to 9:40am - Follow up work
 
6th September 2023

‘World-first’ in environmental standards achieved by Hitachi Rail​

The global transport solution provider has attained the PAS 2080 carbon reduction standard for its fully electric HS2 fleet.​

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Hitachi HS2 train image​

Hitachi Rail has realised an incredible world first with its 100% electric HS2 fleet by achieving the globally recognised leading environmental standards for design and manufacture, the PAS 2080 carbon reduction standard.

The achieved standard covers the fleet's design, manufacture and operation.

The standard was awarded to Hitachi Rail following the British Institute of Standards' full verification of its whole-life carbon analysis of the fleet, including assessment of carbon management or reduction during design, procurement, manufacture and in operation.

The rigorous analysis revealed that the train's CO2 emissions per passenger onboard would be a massive 90% lower than that of someone undertaking the same journey in either a car or plane, which could drop further once the electricity grid in the UK becomes decarbonised.

The PAS2080 achievement revealed particular strengths, including:
  • Lowering energy usage during operation achieved through improvements in aerodynamics of the car body and bogies supporting power supply and air conditioning system efficiencies
  • Dropping the weight of the trains, including the car body, bogies and wheel-sets and cabling both internal and external.
  • Using more recycled and recyclable materials for the majority of components.
Luca D'Aquila, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi Rail Group,said: “HS2 trains have gone through a design process of unparalleled rigour – becoming more aerodynamic, more energy-efficient, lighter, leaner, and greener.”

“The PAS 2080 accreditation is recognition of our dedicated approach, and it is an approach that we will continue to roll out on projects around the world as part of our commitment to be a climate change innovator.”

Hitachi Rail will take the valuable lessons learned from the compliance involved in PAS 2080 into future rolling stock projects, raising its global standards further.

COP26 will also see the Hitachi Group reveal new targets regarding achieving a carbon-neutral status by 2050 through its entire chain and through its business sites as soon as 2030, with the following aims already underway:
  • Create a modal shift to greener public transport using very-high-speed services such as the ETR1000
  • Decarbonisation of public transport using battery and hybrid solutions such as the Masaccio train
  • Lowering emissions in its own value chain such as an agreement recently signed to manufacture 60% of its Italian business' energy requirements through the installation of solar panels at its sites.
 
6th September 2023

Friends of Swindon Railway Museum close appeal for headstone of GWR steam locomotive designer​

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Charles Collett GWR Chief Mechanical Engineer, 1922-1941​

The Friends of Swindon Railway Museum has closed their appeal to fund a headstone for Charles Collett after discovering that he did not want one.

The Friends are now returning donations to donors.

Collett was the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway between 1922 and 1941.

He designed the popular 4-6-0 Castle and King Class express passenger locomotives.
 
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6024 King Edward I at Williton, WSR​

He began his railway career in 1893 at the GWR Drawing Office at Swindon, Wiltshire, as a junior draughtsman.

Five years later, he became assistant to the Chief Draughtsman.

In 1900, he was appointed Technical Inspector, and then Assistant Manager, at the Swindon Works, and in 1912 became Manager of the Works.

In 1919, Collett was appointed GWR's Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer.
 
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The Iconic Castle Class - 7037 on the Cambrian Coast Express - No date and photographer unknown, but here it is leaving Shrewsbury - Castle class named 'Swindon'​
As the Friends investigated Collett's life story and read through the archives, they found a dictated, handwritten note dated 1941 in which Charles states that there is no need for a headstone to be erected upon his death.

Realising that continuing their appeal would go against his expressed wishes, they decided to close the appeal.

The Friends of Swindon Railway Museum issued a statement explaining their decision and saying that, “What is clear is the rail enthusiast community are a generous and passionate body of folk always ready to support a project increasing our understanding of our railway heritage. The Friends of Swindon Railway Museum would like to thank each and every donor to the fund and trust that they will understand our decision to discontinue the initiative.

“Our final message to all readers is that it is our wish that Charles Collett rests in peace!”

The Friends have described their decision as not one they took lightly, and “a great disappointment bearing in mind we were tantalisingly close to achieving the target sum.”
 
6th September 2023

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TANGENT MAN STRIKES AGAIN!
Just when you thought it was safe to be informed only on railway topics! :hysterical:

A Trip Into Cardiff Central :)

Cleo, Neonlake and myself decided to spend some time in town (City Centre) for a nice meal and some cocktails.

Of course I had to take a few photos of Cardiff Central. :lol:

Here's a Transport for Wales Class 231 Flirt 231010
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We did a little bit of shopping and a look around some shops and then went to 'The Gatekeeper' a Wetherspoon's pub for a few beers.

While I was sat at the table, I noticed a painting on the wall of one of the nearby buildings.

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So we had some delicious food at Yo! Sushi and they had some sake so I had to have a bottle and I also tried a bottle of rice beer which was very nice, :drinkingsong:

Then it was off to 'The Alchemist' cocktail bar.


Outside 'The Alchemist' looking down St.Mary's street
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This is why we're here!

Cocktail Time! :yaay:

I had a 'Porn Star Martini', Neo had a 'Jaffa Cup Cake' and Cleo had a 'Raspberry Ripple'.

Neo's cocktail was served in an edible tumbler.

I was hilarious when he bit into it and got covered with his drink. :lol:

Luckily he didn't waste too much. :)

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Here's a picture of the small power pack carriage the sits in the middle of a 'Flirt' train.

Diesel, bi-mode electro-diesel, hybrid diesel-battery, or battery versions are essentially baseline design with an additional one-third length non-passenger car inserted in the trainset – called a PowerPack car – which contains the electricity generating and storage components, such as diesel engines and batteries, that provide electricity to the train to run "off-wire".

It has a gangway through the centre to allow passengers to pass between the two parts of the train.

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7th September 2023

Inside The Train Shed

I ordered some small track sections the other day and they have arrived today.

ProductModelQuantity
ST-203 Peco OO gauge SETRACK special short straight (ST203)ST-20311
SL-10 Peco OO gauge Rail Joiners/Fishplates. (Pack of 24)SL-101
 
Here's a situation where the points blade switching mechanism would interfere with the trackwork of the Single-Slip above.

The only way to make it fit would be to trim the points sleepers, which is not ideal, or extend the length to achieve clearance of operation.

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It's better to trim the sleepers of a cheaper piece of track compared to an expensive point.

I've used two short straights to provide clearance of the blade switch actuator rod and cut away parts of the sleepers of one track section to proved a interference free fit.

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The next job is to ensure rolling stock clearance on the corner curves.

I'm using Radius 3 and 4 curves, but with the long bodies of MK3 coaches, I have to ensure there is clearance between operating trains.

Mk3 Coaches
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Here's a picture of Mark 3 coaches on equally spaced curved track.

As can be seen they will strike each other so a distancing space has to created.

This can be achieved by extending the outer curve using a small piece of track to extend the straight section before the bend or decreasing the inner curve by decreasing the straight section before the curve.

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9th September 2023

Inside The Train Shed

I tested the up and down mainline circuits which performed satisfactorily.

Well, today was getting Phil and Bob to get their team to position the rail that has arrived.

Part of the works/delivery train supplying short sections of pre assembled track
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The supply/work train had been uncoupled at the south east end of the station, awaiting movement to the positions where the track sections are required.

The locomotive was sent with the remainder of the train down the Down Line, where it uncoupled wagons with their track load at the place where the track sections were required.

Then it reversed back onto the Up Line at the single slip Goods Access Point, then the wrong way on the Up Line with the cranes.

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Phil and Bob have arrived with a small team.

They inspect the work done by the NetworkRail team where they fitted short sections of track and adjusted them to fit.

Then they double checked the point work and the single slips.


"That phone box seems to follow us everywhere"
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