Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Agatha Christie naming ceremony​

The naming ceremony also coincided with Torbay's annual Agatha Christie Festival which uses the extraordinary power and reach of Agatha Christie's global reputation to help the local economy, increase the region's tourism, and promote the area's literary and geological heritage.

Great Western Railway is running a Great Westerners campaign for past and present heroes from across the network to be recognised by having a train named after them, and Christie was one of the people nominated by the public and GWR colleagues.
 
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The cast of ‘The Mousetrap' at the Agatha Christie naming ceremony​

Chair of the Agatha Christie Festival, Heather Norman-Soderlind, said: “Agatha Christie is indelibly linked to her birthplace and home on the English Riviera; her stories with great train journeys and travel. How fitting that GWR's Intercity Express Train, the Dame Agatha Christie will be transporting festival goers and visitors to the Bay in future.”

MP for Torbay, Kevin Foster, who spoke at the event said: “Agatha Christie's legacy can be seen all over Torbay, with her stories still captivating audiences and readers worldwide. Given the role our railways played in her books and the special place Paignton was for her, it is apt Paignton Station should be the location for this naming ceremony. Everywhere this train goes it will promote both her legacy and the English Riviera as a whole.”

GWR Train Service and Performance Director, Daryn McCombe said: “We've been thrilled to celebrate Dame Agatha Christie today with so many people connected both to her work and to her personally.

“Her name has become synonymous with both Devon and the railway. Born in Torquay and famously featuring rail travel in some of her most popular works, her legacy continues to draw people to some of the most beautiful parts of our network.

“Whether it's to visit the annual Agatha Christie Festival to walk in her footsteps or visit some of the breath-taking Devon beaches and landscapes that inspired her writing, we are proud that our services are able to connect fans of all ages to the area.”
 
16th September 2023

SISCOG selected by CargoNet as its workforce planning system​

The rail operator has chosen the SISCOG system which will support both planning and management for its drivers.​

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CargoNet train​

Vy Group company CargoNet is the main rail freight operator for the Norwegian Rail System and also operates freight in and out of Sweden, and has now chosen to use the SISCOG system to plan and manage its drivers.

SISCOG is a software design company which is seeing an increase in its freight clientele with its impressive SISCOG Suite software providing specialist solutions, such as:
  • Optimised resource scheduling
  • Management and dispatching for public transport operators
CargoNet is currently undertaking modernisation of its system portfolio in a bid to align its digitalisation strategy, which will bring increased value for its customers alongside efficiency in operations.

The rail operator has carried out a thorough evaluation and has opted to extend TPO, its current workforce and planning management system, which has proven to be extremely successful for passenger operation within the Vy Group.
 
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CargoNet​

Earlier in 2023, CargoNet used SISCOG CREWS-based system, which supported the planning and management of 190 of its drivers.

Adaptions were made to the system in order to create a bespoke package for the rail operator's specific needs and rules.

The system also allows CargoNet to make use of all-encompassing features which are used within the Vy system, such as:
  • Duty and roster design and allocation
  • Communication functions which support staff absence requests
  • Visualisation of work plan
  • Bid for unplanned duties
John André Vorpenes, TPO Administrator at CargoNet, said:

“We now have a better global overview, and a better quality, in all our personnel plans”

Eurico Matos, SISCOG's Head of Strategic Development, said:

“We are delighted that our solution is now assisting this freight operation and are confident that together we will achieve operational gains for CargoNet, just as we have successfully done for Vy.”
 
Some more track was ordered.......

ProductModelQuantity
SL-91 Peco OO Gauge Code 100 Streamline Short Radius Right Hand Insulfrog Point or Turnout (SL91 SL 91)SL-911
ST-202 Peco OO gauge SETRACK short straight (ST202)ST-2023
ST-203 Peco OO gauge SETRACK special short straight (ST203)ST-2031
 
17th September 2023

Class 68 locomotives set for withdrawal on Yorkshire train services​

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TransPennine Class 802 and Class 68​

TransPennine Express Class 68 locomotives, and their respective Mk5 carriage set with Driving Trailer, are set to be withdrawn from service this December.

As part of the December timetable change, the train operator will remove the trains from service and replace them with Class 185 DMUs and Class 802 trains, which were built by Siemens and Hitachi, respectively.

The operator says that removing the trains from service, which were only introduced into service around 4 years ago, will be a step forward into returning TPE to a stable and resilient operator.

Meanwhile, Direct Rail Services, who sublease the Class 68s to TransPennine Express, says that they will work with the operator to ensure a smooth operation until the locomotives are no longer required.
 
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Transpennine Express Class 68 No 68021 ‘Tireless’ passes Crambe on May the 14th 2022

Chris Jackson, Interim Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “As part of our plans for the December 2023 timetable we will seek to remove the Nova 3 fleet (Class 68 loco and Mk5a carriages), instead using Class 185s and Class 802s on services to and from Scarborough.

“This decision is part of our plans to restore reliability and confidence for passengers by simplifying the business and putting customers at the heart of our decision-making process. We have undertaken a detailed review of operations and this review has identified issues with the operation and stabling of the Nova 3 fleet. We believe that the removal of the Nova 3 fleet from service from December 2023 will be a step forward towards returning TPE to a stable and resilient operator.”

A DRS spokesperson said: “We are working with TransPennine Express (TPE) on the proposed changes to their services and will ensure the smooth operation of the Class 68s until they are no longer required.”

“We will evaluate our fleet requirements when the locomotives have completed their TPE operations.”
 
17th September 2023

Amtrak announces more routes and longer hours for “Night Owl” fares​

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Night Owl ​

A new range of fares has been introduced by Amtrak that provides large savings on late-night and early-morning journeys on selected routes along the USA's Northeast Corridor (NEC).

Amtrak has extended the availability of its “Night Owl” fares to include travel between Boston and New York.

Also, it has increased the time frame for departures by two hours, which will prove a great advantage for travellers attending concerts, plays, or sporting events.

They will also be an advantage to anyone who prefers to depart earlier and later than the restrictions imposed by the previous time limits.
 
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Acela Express in northeast Maryland

Night Owl fares are now available for off-peak trains departing between 7 pm and 7 am and travelling between Washington, D.C. and New York and between New York and Boston.

The low fares are for Coach tickets on Northeast Regional and other select routes, and whereas they were previously available for most Northeast Corridor city pairs between New York and Washington, D.C. they are now available for select segments between New York and Boston.
 
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Amtrak Acela II train on its way to Washington DC​

Typical one-way coach fares start from as low as:

$5 between:
  • Philadelphia – Baltimore/BWI;
  • New York and Newark/Newark Liberty;
  • Washington and Baltimore/BWI;
  • Boston and Providence.
$10 between:
  • New York and Philadelphia;
  • Philadelphia and Washington;
  • Providence and New Haven.
$15 between
  • Boston and New Haven;
  • New York and Baltimore/BWI;
  • Washington and Newark/Newark Liberty.
$20 between
  • New York and Washington;
  • Boston and New York.
Amtrak recently upgraded dining facilities on trains operating along the Northeast Corridor, and last month it ordered ten new train sets because of rising passenger numbers.
 
17th September 2023

Swanage Railway to run The Purbeck Piddler this September​

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Class N No. 31806 on the Swanage Railway​

The Swanage Railway is offering visitors curry and drinks on board ‘The Purbeck Piddler' on Saturday 30 September.

The Railway is working with the Piddle Brewery in Dorset to present this new event, which including on-board services of some of the Brewery's finest ales, alongside lagers, ciders, wine and soft drinks.
 
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Swanage Railway Class 117 Wareham heritage diesel train, Corfe Castle​

The steam train will leave Swanage station at 19:30, and passengers can enjoy two return journeys through the Isle of Purbeck countryside before the train returns to Swanage at 22:00.

The train's on-board bar will be open throughout the evening, from 18:45 to 22:15.

A selection of tasty curry meals are also available to book in advance.
 
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