Marcus' Model Railway Journey

View looking SE

View looking NW.

The work has been completed on the Goods Shed Loop.

The point being worked on is the access to the Goods Yard.

5th October 2023

News Story:​

Signal passed at danger at Stafford Trent Valley No.1 Junction[/COLOR]

Published: 5th October 2023

Signal passed at danger at Stafford Trent Valley No.1 Junction, Staffordshire, 22 August 2023.


At about 16:42 hrs on 22 August 2023, an electric locomotive operated by Freightliner, which was travelling on a test run between Nuneaton and Crewe, passed a signal at red (danger) on the approach to Stafford Trent Valley No.1 Junction.

The locomotive then ran through points as it came to a stand at the junction.

The position where the locomotive stopped conflicted with a route that had been set for another train, although neither that train nor any other trains were in the immediate vicinity at the time.

No one was injured and the locomotive did not derail, although some damage was sustained to the points which were run through.

Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to the incident. It will also consider:

• the actions of those involved and anything that may have influenced them
• the management of drivers working for Freightliner, including their training and competence
• the configuration and performance of the signalling equipment and locomotive involved
• any underlying management factors.

Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation.

5th October 2023

NetworkRail:

One step closer: Latest video and pictures show movement of new spans onto the iconic Barmouth Viaduct, North Wales​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Network Rail has successfully moved two new 160-tonne metallic spans into place onto Barmouth Viaduct, reaching a milestone in the restoration of the iconic structure.

The intricate and complex operation to transfer and position the spans following a practice run on a purpose-built mock track means that the team is making good progress with the final stage of the £30m refurbishment.

WATCH: VIDEO
To watch video click link: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/bl7hf8ie6h

The removal and demolition of the existing metallic elements is almost complete, with the sections being transported off-site using pontoons.

The final piece of the swing span has also been successfully removed.

Two gantry hoists have been lifted into place, which are appropriately named after Henry Conybeare and Benjamin Piercy, who designed the original bridge over the Afon Mawddach.

The hoists are being used to lower sections of the old bridge to be taken away for recycling and to raise and install elements of the new structure.

The work on the Grade II* viaduct is being carried out by Network Rail and Alun Griffiths, supported by a number specialist delivery partners.

The railway remains closed between Machynlleth and Pwllheli until Sunday 3 December to allow the restoration to safely continue, followed by renewal of the track near Barmouth Toll House.

Transport for Wales is operating a combination of bus replacements and train services along the Cambrian line. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.tfw.wales for more information.  

The footpath over the viaduct will also remain closed until 3 December so teams are able to have full access while they safely carry out the essential work.   

The restoration began back in 2020, with the work purposely split across several years to reduce the impact on rail services, the community and local economy.

The project has already seen teams replace the timber beams, as well as additional timber-strengthening work.  

Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail Wales & Borders, said "The restoration programme is progressing well despite some very challenging weather conditions including high winds, heavy rainfall and spring tides. Our teams have been working night and day, seven days a week to make sure each stage of the work is completed safely and successfully.

"There is still much more to do before the new spans are fully installed in their final position and the viaduct is ready for the final piece of the jigsaw - the renewal of the 130m of track near the old Barmouth Toll House, on the northern edge of the viaduct. 

"We'd like to thank the local community and our passengers for their patience as we continue this essential work to boost the resilience and reliability of this beautiful stretch of railway line for generations to come. "

5th October 2023

Video: CCTV captures misuse of West Berkshire level crossing​

Footage from a CCTV camera at Calcot Mill level crossing in West Berkshire shows people posing for photographs on the track.

The camera captured two cyclists entering the level crossing and one taking a photograph of the other.

The crossing is on a stretch of railway where one hundred and thirty trains pass through each day, travelling at up to 100mph.

Network Rail has released the footage, captured in Holybrook Linear Park, as it becomes increasingly concerned about the rising frequency of trespass incidents on its Western route, which runs from Penzance to London Paddington.

WATCH: VIDEO
To watch video click link: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/l6te91fm6j

Recent increases in trespass have been reported mainly in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Trowbridge, Bridgwater, Plymouth and in and around Bristol, having taken place mostly near stations and on level and foot crossings.

Many of the reported incidents have involved children and young people, and several have been reported to the British Transport Police (BTP).

Earlier this year, a train driver took to social media to warn of the dangers after children ran across Calcot Mill crossing as his train approached it.

Network Rail has put measures in place to deter dangerous conduct, including installing extra signage and cameras, and hosting educational events.

It points out the risks that trespassers expose themselves to, including both being struck by a train and being struck by 25,000 volts of electricity jumping from overhead lines.

The risk of serious injury, or even death, is heightened by fast-moving trains, slippery lineside conditions and unsteady ground.

Andy Phillips, Network Rail programme manager for route crime, said: “Incidents of trespass on the railway cause issues for everyone using the network, where an individual could sustain life- changing injuries and in the worst-case scenario, loss of life. A photo for social media is never worth the risk of putting yourself in this extremely dangerous situation.

“It is disappointing to see people blatantly disregarding their own and others' safety. We sincerely urge people to stay off the tracks and ensure they understand the risks of trespassing. Anyone who witnesses any trespass incidents is encouraged to report what they've seen to BTP via the text service on 61016.”

Richard Pedley, Network Rail's Western route level crossing manager, said: “The level crossing at Calcot Mill is on a section of very high-speed line with around 130 trains per day. It is crucial that the level crossing is only used as a means of getting across the railway, and under no circumstances should people loiter or play on crossings and put their lives at risk.”

Mark Cleland, British Transport Police superintendent for Western, said: “Trespassing on the railway is not only illegal but it can result in life-changing injuries or even death. Electrified lines and trains which travel at speeds of up to 125mph, often silently, make the railway an extremely dangerous place to be.  I would urge parents and carers to have conversations with their loved ones about these dangers.

“Where we know trespass is a concern, we will increase our patrols, looking proactively for those breaking the law.  I would urge any member of the public who witnesses anyone trespassing to let us know by texting or calling us on 61016.  In an emergency, always dial 999.”

5th October 2023

Heritage railway’s Autumn Diesel Bash draws record crowds​

Last weekend, 29 September to 1 October, the Severn Valley Railway hosted its Autumn Diesel Bash which turned out to be a great success with 3,660 fare-paying passengers visiting during the four-day event.

The numbers were swelled by additional pass-holder visitors such as shareholders, and was an increase of 28% on last visitors.

As well as generating more revenue than it had expected, a very healthy secondary spend secured additional income, with extra income coming from two photo charters and an excursion day using locomotives from the event line-up.

The event was the railway's finale in its celebration of 50 years of diesels in preservation and focussed on former Western Region diesel-hydraulic types as well as a number of diesel-electric types that became associated with the Western Region of British Rail.

Later this year the railway is offering diesel fans the get rid of their post-Christmas blues with an an end-of-season Diesel Day on 29 December.

Further information and booking details for the Diesel Day is online at svr.co.uk.

The Severn Valley Railway also has a YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/SevernValleyRailwayOfficial which provides a host information about the railway and gives the chance to go behind the scenes.

Jonathan ‘Gus' Dunster, the Severn Valley Railway Managing Director, welcomed the results and said “We've seen a great atmosphere around the railway, with a timetable that ran almost perfectly to time. A couple of minor delays were soon made up. All-in-all, I'm delighted with how well-planned and executed this event has been, along with its clear commercial success. I literally lost count of the number of people who've personally told me how much they'd enjoyed it.

“We wanted to present a really strong line-up. And to make sure we had something for everyone to enjoy. I think we got it just right. In fact, both this, and our Autumn Steam Gala earlier in September, have been strong commercial successes. This demonstrates very clearly that making the most of enthusiast events was the right strategy for us to take this year.

“This is something completely new for us, we've seen the popularity of diesel events in 2023, and we spotted an opportunity here that was too good to miss. For the first time ever, we'll have two diesels available to us that can provide steam heating. Our SVR-based Class 40 No 40106 will be supplemented by Class 46 No 182, which has stayed on following the Autumn Diesel Bash.”

5th October 2023

Trial starts of digital freight wagon with remote monitoring


A trial has started of the UK's first digital freight wagon which has been constructed through a collaboration between Britain's largest private freight wagon leasing company, VTG Rail UK, and braking systems specialist Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK).

The new VTG iWagon features new and significant safety capabilities and will create operational efficiencies and an increase in availability that will revolutionise freight performance.

At its launch, the iWagon incorporates 12 digital innovations that are capable of powering future technologies using VTG Connect as the gateway,

Nine wagons are involved in the trial, with the first three being VTG Rail JPA tank wagons that have been modified at Tarmac's Maintenance Depot at Dunbar in Scotland.

The remaining wagons in the trial will be deployed in the Hanson and Mendip Rail fleets.

Among the new features are axle lock detection and Wheel Flat Prevention (WFP) technology.

To provide power for the WFP system each wagon has also been fitted with new wheelsets containing four axle-end generators.

These will also be used to provide power for future iWagon trials such as digital real-time maintenance, temperature monitoring, and harmonics frequency monitoring.

Other benefits include brake condition monitoring which will allow the performance of a wagon's brake system to be analysed remotely, which could eventually remove the need for annual brake tests.

It will also ensure that defects in brake systems are highlighted when they occur, and could potentially assist Network Rail in identifying low adhesion hot spots on the network.

A four-month trial started last Monday, 2 October on Tarmac's daily return service from its cement plant at Dunbar to its depot at Seaham in County Durham.

Initial data from the trial will be available next January before the first 50 wagons go into production in Q2, 2024.

The iWagons were launched today, Thursday, 5 October, at the Rail Freight Group's annual conference in London, where VTG Rail UK Managing Director, Colin Denman, said: “The iWagon has been over a decade in development and we are delighted to be at the stage where we can commence countrywide trials of the UK's first digitalised freight wagon which will enable real-time data to ensure safer railways and better wagon utilisation.

“The launch of the iWagon is very exciting for VTG Rail UK, Knorr-Bremse and the wider industry. For the first time, we can see how axles perform on the network in real-time and see where adhesion issues are occurring. Locked axles, leading to wheel flats and derailment of freight wagons have caused high-profile incidents in recent years in the UK.

“Digitisation allows us to prevent wheelset damage and axle locks, in real-time ensuring multiple parties are given information quickly allowing appropriate corrective action.”

Sanjay Albert, Director of Engineering and Innovation at Knorr-Bremse, also spoke at today's launch said: “Working in collaboration with VTG Rail UK is very exciting for us at Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK, especially as part of our mission to combine mechatronic expertise with our digital monitoring capability.

“Our patented Wheel Flat Prevention technology increases wheel life and reduces potential deep wheel flats which may result in track damage, or in worst cases, derailment. Our digital monitoring capability will enable valuable insight generation to support our customers achieve efficient operations and maintenance as well as extend to wider industry benefits.”

VTG Rail UK's Business Improvement Director, Nigel Day, said: “Stopping wheelsets sliding has significant benefits to both VTG UK and the wider performance of UK rail. Adding brake condition and harmonics frequency monitoring will strengthen the case for change and revolutionise the way in which wagons are maintained.

“For instance, one benefit would be the removal of the annual brake test which will allow us to be more flexible around our maintenance regimes and moving towards i-Maintenance. These new regimes bring further benefits in cost reduction and customer service.

“Low-level disruption is predominantly caused by small micro slides, which can grow to create a major train performance issue. This can lead to a significant impact on the customer to remove the wagon from service and into a location for wheelset exchange.

“Better wagon reliability and availability, as well as not having to fund the removal and placement of a wagon from the train when a wheelset exchange is required, will be a significant cost saving to our customers and also reduces disruption on the network.”

Chris Swan, Head of Rail at Tarmac, said: “We're really proud to be part of the network trial of the first digital freight wagon in the UK. Tarmac is one of the biggest users of rail freight in the country and we are committed to using our extensive rail network to deliver essential materials to our customers in a sustainable way.

“The digitisation of the rail fleet sector will bring important performance and safety benefits, and so trials like this one with our partners in VTG and Knorr-Bremse are vital for the continued growth of rail freight.”

5th October 2023

Welsh heritage railway offers the chance to drive a steam locomotive​

Anyone who wishes to relive their boyhood dream of becoming an engine driver can do so at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway next Sunday, 8 October.

On that day, participants will have the chance to drive a 2-foot gauge steam engine along the entire length of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.

Several slots are available throughout the day where budding engine drivers can receive one-to-one tuition on how to drive steam engine Gelert from a skilled engine driver and have the chance to drive a train from Porthmadog to Pen-Y-mount and return.

Driving sessions will start at 10.45 am and run at 15-minute intervals. Sessions can be booked in advance at

bookings@whr.co.uk, but sessions can be booked on the day on a turn-up and wait on a first-come first-served basis.

However, booked time slots will take precedence over turn up on the day participants.

The charge for each 15-minute session is £40, which will include one-to-one driving instruction from an experienced driver and a round trip with your hand on the regulator from Porthmadog to Pen-y-Mount.

After the driving experience, there will be the chance to visit the railway's shop which will also be open all day for all your book and model needs.

The driving experience will be on the railway's 0-4-2 side tank steam locomotive, Gelert, which was built in 1953 by Bagnall.

It was originally one of four similar locomotives purchased by the Rustenberg Platinum Mines in South Africa where it carried No.4.

Gelert's sister, No.3, also worked at the Rustenberg Platinum Mines and is awaiting restoration.

Both locomotives arrived at Porthmadog in April 1982, and restoration of No. 4 was completed in 1992, with the locomotive receiving its name of Gelert and entering service in August of that year.

6th October 2023

York railway museum release Flying Scotsman tour update​

The National Railway Museum has released an update on Flying Scotsman and its intended tour programme after the shunting incident at the Strathspey Railway.

Following the incident, a full inspection of the famous locomotive has taken place at the railway and has been passed for mainline operation.

An investigation is ongoing, but the RAIB says that the locomotive is not needed as part of its investigation.

Tours departing Edinburgh on the 7th October, 8th October and 10th October will all go ahead as planned.

A spokesperson for the NRM said “Following a full mechanical inspection of Flying Scotsman which took place at Strathspey Railway this week, the locomotive has been passed fit for main line operation.

The investigation was carried out by an independent expert on behalf of Strathspey Railway, and the NRM's collections and rail operations teams.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has confirmed it does not require the locomotive as part of its ongoing enquiries.

The Railway Touring Company excursions ‘The Highland Express' on Saturday 7 October, ‘The Fife Circulars' on Sunday 8 October and The Aberdeen Flyer on Tuesday 10 October, all departing from Edinburgh Waverley, will go ahead as planned. Passengers will be contacted by The Railway Touring Company with ticket information.

The safety of passengers and the public remains the highest priority and the independent investigation into the circumstances of the shunting incident involving Flying Scotsman on Friday 29 September will continue.

Future rail tours and centenary appearances including The Railway Touring Company excursions ‘The Hadrian' on Saturday 14 October and the visit to the National Railway Museum over October half term will also go ahead.

Please note in common with other rail tours, details of Flying Scotsman's journey on 8 October will not be shared in advance to deter trespass.”

6th October 2023

LNER marks five years of working with CALM charity with ‘You Belong’ train livery​

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is marking five years of working with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

Over the last five years, LNER's workers and passengers have raised more than £530,000 for CALM, which points out that “125 lives are lost every week to suicide.

And 75% of all UK suicides are male.

We exist to change this. We do it by provoking conversation, running life-saving services, and bringing people together so they reject living miserably, get help when they need it and don't die by suicide.”

The train operator and the charity have worked together to launch a newly-liveried train.

The train is named ‘You Belong', because creating a sense of belonging is a key part of helping people to feel that they have something to live for and, therefore, to protect them from suicide.

CALM helps people who are struggling with life, and its services are available every day of the a year.

By doing this, it hopes to show that there is always somewhere for people to turn.

The new livery has been applied to unit 800106, which will run the full length of LNER's route from the Scottish Highlands to London King's Cross.

It is the third named train in the Azuma fleet, along with ‘Century' and ‘Together' which both launched earlier this year.

Fundraising activities for CALM have included:

• passengers donating their Delay Repay compensation and LNER Perks loyalty credit
• staff taking part in the Great North Run
• participating in CALM's annual Lost Hours Walk
• auctioning heritage LNER nameplates including Highland Chieftain.

8th October 2023

Bala Lake Railway extension clears a significant hurdle​

The Bala Lake Railway are celebrating after overcoming a major planning hurdle relating to the proposed extension of the narrow gauge service.

Earlier this year, permission to extend the railway into the town itself was refused.

The decision, taken in April, was based on the assumption that an increase in visitors to Bala would overload the town's water treatment works, meaning that an increased amount of phosphate would be released into the River Dee.

A new phosphate permit was granted to the treatment works in July.

This determined the phosphate limit allowed for the town.

Recently, Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru confirmed that the asset management plan, which is due to complete in 2025, will take in to account the additional phosphate loading from the proposed scheme and still meet the limit.

That, however, is not the end of the story. There are other reasons which were cited in the refusal and railway's management is working to solve those issues and supply the relevant information which should satisfy the planning committee.

Commissioning further surveys does come at a cost and Bala Lake Railway Trust needs an additional £25,000 to boost its fighting fund.

Their aim is to get the revised application in to the local planning committee before Christmas.

8th October 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Well I bought some 18mm MDF to construct the platforms and station area.

I then realised that platforms in OO scale were normally 15mm!

However, I checked with the Peco 6 way gauge and the platform height is on the the upper limit.

18mm is equal to approximately 4'6" in real life.

I also checked a variety of coaches of various designs from pre grouping (1923) to British Rail MK3's and all the coach doors were above platform height.

So ETHNON RAIL, by happy accident, is disabled passenger friendly as wheelchairs will be easier to get aboard carriages.

Hmmmmm, looks like I'm going to have to shim out those unlevel track sections.

It's great that the camera can reveal these faults.

MK3 coach

9th October 2023

Church Bells celebrate Victorian steam locomotive’s return to service​

Last Saturday, 7 October, the bells of St Mary's Church, which overlooks Swanage station, rang out to celebrate the return to service of Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 No. 563 after a six-year £650,000 restoration.

The bells accompanied a launch ceremony held at Swanage station, and one of the guests was Swanage Railway Trust Patron Sir Philip Williams, whose great-grandfather was on the Board of the London and South Western Railway Company that designed and built the steam locomotive.

Generations of Sir Philip's ancestors also played an important part in enabling the London and South Western Railway to reach Dorchester, from Southampton, in 1847 by helping to promote the required Act in Parliament and buying land over which the railway would need a right of way.

Other guests included the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell; senior National Railway Museum curator Anthony Coulls, and Robert Adams, a descendant of the 563's Victorian designer William Adams.

No. 563's first two passenger trains carried only invited guests and supporters of the Swanage Railway Trust's T3 restoration project, and ran between Swanage and Harman's Cross, Corfe Castle, and Norden.

Yesterday Sunday, 8 October, 563 hauled its first public-carrying passenger trains and will again be in service during half-term week from Saturday, 21 to Sunday, 29 October.

It is recommended that tickets are purchased online at swanagerailway.co.uk, but they can also be purchased on the day from Swanage station, subject to availability.

The T3 Class locomotive was built in 1893 to a design by William Adams, and unlike the rest of the class escaped being scrapped so it could mark the centenary of London's Waterloo station in 1948.

In 2017, the National Railway Museum donated it to the Swanage Railway Trust which entrusted its restoration to the Flour Mill workshops in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire and at the Swanage Railway's Herston engineering works.

Swanage Railway Trust chairman Gavin Johns said: “We were able to celebrate the T3's return to passenger service after 78 years thanks to the National Railway Museum's faith in the Swanage Railway Trust, the dedicated work of the 563 team, the strong support of our donors who shared the vision to return the engine to steam and the engineering skills of the team at the Flour Mill in Gloucestershire.

“What a brilliant and very original experience which is a great example of enthusiasm for Britain's railways at their very best.

“It was a pleasure to greet the Lord-Lieutenant and his wife who, along with Sir Philip and Lady Williams, were our guests of honour. It was good to see that they were able to meet as many supporters and guests as possible and had a great day on the Railway.

“The newly restored T3 looked magnificent in the October sunshine with the locomotive resplendent in its London and South Western Railway livery,” added Gavin who is also a volunteer signalman on the Swanage Railway.

One of 563 Locomotive Group's small team of volunteers who masterminded the ambitious and challenging restoration of the T3, Will Sheret, had the honour of firing the T3's first passenger train since 1945.

He explained: “It was great fun and wonderful to see so many T3 supporters and donors enjoying No. 563 and the Swanage Railway – a day that I could have scarcely imagined three years ago when we restarted the project after the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“It was brilliant to enjoy the honour of firing the T3 on its first passenger train since 1945. It was somewhat of an adjustment compared to our bigger resident steam locomotives on the Swanage Railway like our 1940s Bulleid Pacifics.

“With a smaller boiler, you have to focus and be on top of the job at all times but it's a real privilege to fire a Victorian locomotive hauling passenger trains for the first time in 78 years.”

Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator of Rail Transport and Technology at the National Railway Museum, said: “The National Railway Museum transferred the T3 class locomotive No. 563 to the Swanage Railway Trust in 2017 because of the heritage railway's outstanding record in recreating a classic Southern Region branch line and the locomotive's strong historical connections to the area.

“We are thrilled to see the T3 returning to steam for the first time in 75 years and now being able to offer passengers the unique experience of riding behind the Victorian locomotive through the Purbeck countryside.”

The Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, said: “Returning the T3 to the rails is a triumph for the Swanage Railway as well as its dedicated volunteers and supporters. An elegant example of living history, No. 563 will be seen in all her glory in the Isle of Purbeck to the delight of all.

“The restoration of No. 563 is a magnificent example of what can be done with true dedication, determination and very hard work. She brings the beauty of our Victorian past back to Dorset and is yet another triumph for the Swanage Railway.”

Swanage Railway Trust Patron, Sir Philip Williams, said: “The T3 is a magnificent and supremely elegant locomotive – a wonderful living exemplar of the great age of steam in the territory for which she was designed. It will be fantastic to see No. 563 in steam and raring to go again.

“It is also a very great pleasure and privilege for me to have been asked to participate in No. 563's launch ceremony and ride in her first train. Because of my family link to the London and South Western Railway and the T3, I will have a real sense of history in re-launching the locomotive.”

9th October 2023

Western Lady gifted to Western Locomotive Association​

The owners of Class 52 locomotive D1048 Western Lady are to donate it to the Western Locomotive Association (WLA).

D1048 will become the WLA's third Class 52 Western, alongside D1013 Western Ranger and D1062 Western Courier.

Western Lady will stay at the Severn Valley Railway, where it was recently showcased in the Autumn Diesel Bash, while it is fully assessed.

The WLA will ask its members if they would like the locomotive to return to working order, if that is possible.

For now, WLA's priority is to return D1013 Western Ranger to service next year.