Marcus' Model Railway Journey

This is a condensed version of the RAIB Report by yours truly.

I you wish to read the full 68 page report click this link https://assets.publishing.service.g...0/R102023_231010_Petteril_Bridge_junction.pdf

10th October 2023



NetworkRail:

New data: 15.5% of people in Wales have contacted support service because of loneliness as Network Rail encourages public to ‘Make a Connection’ for World Mental Health Day​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Network Rail has joined digital charity Mental Health Innovations and the wider rail industry to remind the public that help is just a text message away this World Mental Health Day.

• Network Rail joins digital charity Mental Health Innovations and the wider rail industry to launch new campaign Make a Connection - encouraging the public to text the keyword ‘Journey’ to 85258 for free and confidential mental health support, 24/7
• New nationwide report, featuring anonymised data from conversations with 680,000 people, reveals 15.5% of people in Wales had issues of loneliness when they contacted the Shout text message support service, run by Mental Health Innovations
• More than half of users from Wales who texted Shout about loneliness were under 25-years-old (61%) with almost a quarter (24.5%) being between the ages of 14-17, with almost one in ten (9%) being 13 and under

Network Rail has joined digital charity Mental Health Innovations and the wider rail industry to remind the public that help is just a text message away this World Mental Health Day.

The new campaign, Make a Connection, encourages people to text the bespoke keyword ‘Journey’ to 85258 to access the Shout service - run by Mental Health Innovations - for free and confidential mental health support, 24/7.

It forms part of the rail industry’s efforts to help reduce suicides on the network by engaging with the public and signposting them to mental health support services at the earliest opportunity.

The campaign comes as a new nationwide report identifies the top reasons why people contact the Shout text message support service.

The analysis, comprising more than two million anonymised text message conversations with 680,000 people, shows that 15.5% of people who contacted the service from Wales had loneliness as an issue.

Meanwhile, more than half of users in the region texting Shout about loneliness are under 25-years-old (61%) with almost a quarter (24.5%) being between the ages of 14-17 and almost one in ten (9%) being 13 and under.

Reasons for loneliness highlighted by the report include relationship breakdowns, bereavement and relocation to new areas without friends, family, or community networks.

The report finds making meaningful connections, where you feel fully supported and valued, is fundamental to positive mental health and a key antidote to loneliness.

Emily Middlebrough knows the importance of making meaningful connections.

After feeling isolated at university and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 22, Emily contacted Shout for help.

Living in busy student halls, the silent and discreet nature of Shout appealed and helped to set her on a journey to recovery.

Emily now writes about having bipolar disorder to show others they’re not alone and, having been inspired by the person who helped her when she needed it the most, has gone on to become a Shout Volunteer.

WATCH:VIDEO

To watch video click the link: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/ytq3gq2ez3

Emily said: “Just being able to message someone who would listen without judgement to all my worries and how much I was struggling with my diagnosis was a game changer. They didn’t tell me what to do or how to feel, instead empowering me to make my own decisions about my care and what I needed at that time.

“The experience has helped to shape the person I am today and I’d encourage everyone to talk about how they’re feeling. Reaching out for help and making that connection made a real difference.”

Dr Mark Ungless, Director of Data Insights, Mental Health Innovations said: “Making meaningful connection plays an important role in supporting good mental health and wellbeing. Shout is playing a crucial role in offering people the opportunity to make a meaningful, digital connection when they are feeling lonely and in distress.”

Louise McNally, suicide prevention lead, Network Rail said: “World Mental Health Day is a timely reminder that we continue to look out for each other and ourselves. That’s why we’re encouraging people to make that important connection through the Shout text message support service.”

To find out more about Make a Connection, visit www.giveusashout.org/make-a-connection

About the research

Mental Health Innovations interrogated a subset of Shout data, which comprises more than two million text message conversations with 680,000 people across the UK.

The report involved in-depth analyses of anonymised data associated with more than 180,000 conversations with Shout texters about loneliness, using a combination of cutting-edge data science combined with qualitative psychological techniques.

This approach has revealed insights into the underlying themes raised and the most popular resources and coping skills texters use to help manage their loneliness.

About Mental Health Innovations

Shout is the first service from Mental Health Innovations – a mental health charity using digital innovation, data-driven analysis and the experience of clinical experts to improve the mental health of the UK population.

Mental Health Innovations was founded in November 2017, with the support of the Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.

About Shout

Shout is the UK's only free, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Shout was publicly launched in May 2019 and has taken more than two million conversations with 680,000 people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support.

The service provides round the clock support from trained volunteers, supervised and supported in real time by an expert Clinical team.

Shout currently responds to 1,500-2,000 requests for support every day.

Shout is the first service from charity Mental Health Innovations, whose mission is to use technology to give everyone in the UK access to the digital mental health services that they need.

11th October 2023

Huawei provides telecommunications for Indonesian high-speed line​

Services have now started on a new high-speed railway in Indonesia along the 142.3 kilometres between Indonesia's capital Jakarta, and the popular tourist destination of Bandung.

The new railway, known as the WHOOSH, brings down the travel time between Jakarta and Bandung from 3.5 hours to just 40 minutes, which in turn will boost economic development along the route.

Signalling and communications for the line were built by Huawei in partnership with China Railway Signal & Communication (CRSC) and China Telecom.

Together they have built a dedicated railway network that provides real-time communications, as well as the control and dispatching of the trains.

In practice, the reliable and robust technical support of the network will ensure intelligent, safe, and efficient train operations.

WHOOSH is both Indonesia's and Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, with the trains running at 350 kilometres per hour.

It is also the first project that China's high-speed railway system, including all elements of the industry value chain, has been implemented outside of China.

The trains are equipped with the Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3), which was independently developed in China.

A major factor in the system was the need to take into account the frequency and high-speed of the trains.

Also, it was crucial that the train control system guarantees that the trains will run safely.

This was achieved with a stable and reliable dedicated communications network that provides high security, large bandwidth, and simple O&M.

The data network uses Huawei's next-generation data communications equipment that guarantees 100% secure networks through native hard pipes, whilst every link is protected by redundancy with a redundancy switchover time of just 35 milliseconds.

The transmission network uses Huawei's Hybrid MSTP equipment that provides the large bandwidth and high stability needed by the over 20 high-speed train systems.

These include scheduling and command, disaster prevention, video surveillance, passenger ticketing, and power telecontrol systems.

The network has also been designed so that it can accommodate both growth and the requirements of future railway services.

According to Lai Chaosen, Vice President of Huawei Indonesia, the WHOOSH's train-to-ground wireless network adopts Huawei's mature solution and employs interleaving in networking for seamless coverage.

By achieving up to 99.99% availability, the network ensures the stable transmission of train control signals and the intelligent orchestration and scheduling of train numbers and function numbers.

Liu Jieping, CRSC's Deputy Chief Engineer of the Jakarta–Bandung Project, explained that the launch of the WHOOSH represents a major landmark in China's going global strategy for high-speed railways.

The train-to-ground wireless network, transmission network, data network, and other system solutions provided by Huawei have built a high-quality dedicated communications network for the WHOOSH and provided reliable technical support for safe and efficient train operations.

Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, President Director of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), stated, “We would like to thank all stakeholders, especially Huawei and CRSC, for their contributions in preparing technology solutions and railway infrastructure that are instrumental in supporting the operation of the Whoosh high-speed train.

“The shared implementation of proven technology solutions and operational solutions of the Whoosh high-speed train can serve as a reference and benchmark for the development of other high-speed rail infrastructure in Indonesia and similar projects in other ASEAN countries.”

12th October 2023



NetworkRail:

Six rail stations in Wales and Borders set to become fully accessible as work gets under way this autumn​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Network Rail is making six stations on its Wales and Borders route fully accessible for the first time with the construction of new footbridges and lifts.

Flint, Abergavenny, Cwmbran, Llanelli and Newtown stations are all set to get brand new footbridges with lifts, while Ludlow station will see a lift added to its existing footbridge.

This will mean all passengers – especially those with limited mobility, carrying heavy luggage or with pushchairs – will have a step-free, accessible route to and between platforms.

Work is due to start on Monday 16 October at Cwmbran, Llanelli and Ludlow, with Newtown, Flint and Abergavenny to follow in November and December.

All the work is due to be completed by autumn 2024.

The improvements are being funded by the Department for Transport as part of the Government’s Access for All programme.

Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “We have already completed Access for All schemes at Cadoxton and Barry stations and are delighted that this funding has been made available for six more.

“Improved accessibility benefits everyone – whether that’s people with health conditions or limited mobility or people with children, heavy luggage or shopping. It also encourages more people to use public transport – that means fewer car journeys, less congestion and helps to cut carbon emissions.”

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “Passengers deserve an inclusive, accessible railway and it’s great to see these essential upgrades are getting under way thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Access for All programme.

“These improvements across Wales and Borders are testament to our ambition of ensuring everyone has equal access to our transport network.”

Chief Customer and Culture Officer for Transport for Wales Marie Daly said: “We’re committed to delivering excellent service for all our customers and these accessibility improvements will bring significant benefits for our passengers across the Wales and Borders network.

“It will allow more people to travel with confidence on TfW services and open up more destinations for everyone to enjoy.”

All six stations will remain open to passengers during work, however parking will be reduced at some stations as spaces will be needed to store construction materials and machinery.

Network Rail’s contractor for Flint, Newtown and Llanelli will be Amco Giffen, while Centregreat will carry out the work at Ludlow, Cwmbran and Abergavenny.

12th October 2023

Award-winning “Bubble Car” returns to service on Yorkshire railway​

A British Railways Class 121 diesel multiple unit has returned to service at the Wensleydale Railway after a recent extensive refurbishment.

As part of its refurbishment, the unit underwent extensive maintenance and an overhaul that included the installation of two new engines, and restoration of the interior and seating upholster.

Railway enthusiasts affectionately nicknamed Class 121 diesel multiple units as “bubble cars”, with 16 being built by Pressed Steel at Linwood in Scotland, and are similar to the Class 122 units built by Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Co.

Wensleydale's Class 121 No.55032 joined Wensleydale Railway's heritage diesel fleet in 2015, and in 2021 it received the Railcar of the Year Award from the Railcar Association in 2021.

Passengers can enjoy a journey in the bubble car or the railway's other diesel multiple units on shuttle services between Leeming Bar and Scruton and on selected trips between Leeming Bar and Leyburn.

Trains are currently running three days per week until the railway's 2023 running season ends on Wednesday, 1 November, but there will be a special service in connection with the Bedale Community Bonfire & Fireworks event on Saturday 4 November.

From Friday, 10 November the ever-popular THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Rides will provide visitors with a festive experience until Christmas Eve.

The Wensleydale Railway is a volunteer-led heritage railway that provides a service for both the local community and tourists, families, and transport enthusiasts who are looking for a great value day out in the Yorkshire Dales.

At 22 miles long the railway is one of the UK's longest heritage lines, and currently operates heritage diesel train services between Scruton in the Vale of Mowbray and Leyburn on the outskirts of the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park, and is currently working to restore passenger services beyond Leyburn to Redmire.

At its award-winning, restored historic stations, free guided tours are on offer with costumed living history interpreters where visitors can learn more about 1900s railway life.

Nick Keegan, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at the Wensleydale Railway said: “Our bubble car is a much-loved train with our customers. Like our class 143 Pacer, it has comfortable seating and large windows from which to enjoy our railway's spectacular scenic views. It's also economical to operate. We're delighted to have it back in service!”

12th October 2023

Škoda Group to supply 30 electric trains to Uzbekistan​

Škoda Group has announced that it has won a €320 million contract to supply 30 electric trains to Uzbekistan Railways.

The agreement is the largest contract ever awarded by Uzbekistan to a Czech company.

The contract signing was held at Škoda Group's headquarters in Pilsen and was attended by Uzbek Transport Minister Ilkhom Makhkamov and his Czech counterpart Martin Kupka.

Under the agreement, Škoda will supply wide-gauge electric train units of a type that are already in production for rail operators in Latvia and Estonia.

Production will begin next year, with the project being financed by Czech banks with the support of the insurance export agency EGAP.

The new trains will feature exceptional performance, reliability, and power efficiency.

They will consist of four cars with a partial low-floor design for full accessibility, ergonomic seating, a fully air-conditioned interior, onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and an advanced external and CCTV system for enhanced security.

Production will take place at Škoda Group's production facility in Ostrava where train sets for Latvia and Estonia are currently in production.

Uzbekistan's railway network in the region forms a vital part of the Trans-Caspian international transport route, which links into the extended Trans-European transport network.

The so-called Central Corridor through Uzbekistan will complete the transport artery between the Far East and the European Union.

The Global Gateway strategy reinforces the stabilisation and strengthening of the Central Corridor's capacity.

At the EU-Central Asia Summit held last November in Samarkand the focus was on strengthening sustainable transport links between the EU and Central Asia.

These would come through significant investment in rail infrastructure, rolling stock, port facilities, and shipping on the Caspian Sea.

Zdeněk Sváta, President of the Central East Region at Škoda Group, said “The fact that we have been selected as a supplier of trains to Uzbekistan is not only a testament to the high quality of our vehicles but also a significant step in strengthening international partnerships.

“This contract confirms the important role we play in shaping the future of international rail transport and we will set strategic cooperation with Uzbekistan Railways. The trains for Uzbekistan will have four cars and broad gauge (1520 mm).

“The main part of production will be held in our production site in Ostrava and part of the assembling of the vehicles will be held in Uzbekistan.”

Abdulla Aripov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan said “With these cutting-edge trains, we are on the path to revolutionize our railways and enhance the overall passenger experience. This collaboration is just the beginning of a promising partnership. We recognize the great potential for Škoda in Uzbekistan.”

Martin Kupka, Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic, said “Lobbying for Czech companies is a standard part of our economic diplomacy. I am glad that our trip to Uzbekistan helped to conclude this contract, which is important for the entire Czech industry.

“The development of the relationship with Uzbekistan opens the way to this country for other Czech companies, not only in the transport sector.”

13th October 2023

Severn Valley Railway release Bridgnorth steam locomotive work update​

The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has issued an update on work being carried out at its Bridgnorth Motive Power Depot (MPD).

Volunteer shed master Martin White reports that SVR has been considering feedback from its recent Autumn Steam Gala.

A debrief meeting discussed to timetabling and time-keeping, and the gala committee believes that it has learned lessons for future events.

The steam locomotives ran reasonably well at the event until visiting S160, ‘Omaha', failed on Saturday evening.

The spindle on one of its injector steam valves sheared, meaning that the injector could not operate.

Without both injectors putting water into the boiler, the loco cannot operate on SVR.

Duty officer Matt Robinson worked overnight rescheduling locomotives and diagrams, so that Sunday's timetable was covered by the remaining steam fleet.

Meanwhile, Martin reports that at Bridgnorth locomotive works, Stanier Mogul, 2968, is “moving ever-closer to the point in time when smoke will be coming out of the chimney and steam out of the cylinder drain cocks”, though it is not possible to give an exact date for completion.

On Saturday 7 October, a team completed work on the fire grate rocking mechanism installed a new brick arch in the firebox, making two clear steps closer towards a steam test. However, the chimney itself still awaits fitting.

42968 on the SVR

Progress is also being made in the works on GWR large prairie tank 4150.

The owning group volunteer team is helping staff experts, and has begun the substantial task of fitting hundreds of relatively small-diameter rivets to the side tank.

So far, all the ‘easy' rivets have been fitted to the fireman's side tank in the boiler shop.

Recent work has also included pressure testing of the superheater header, and preparing the regulator box for testing.

Work will also be carried out on the copper steam pipes.

The materials for the steel main steam pipes are being prepared for coded welding, to be carried out by a person with the appropriate certification and competency.

Also, the drag box casting for 813 has now returned to Bridgnorth after some remedial work by its manufacturer.

More on this will be provided in the coming months.

13th October 2023

Heritage railway saves costs with donated materials from Network Rail​

Thanks to the generosity of Network Rail, a rotten 40-year-old timber walkway on the Severn Valley Railway has been replaced without costing the railway anything for materials.

The railway's signal engineering (S&T) gang consisting of team leader Matthew Morgan, technician Dan Salter, and volunteer technician Brian Graystone, replaced rotten timber walkway boards to the up starting bracket signal on platform 2 at Bridgnorth, which is located at the entrance to the loco shed sidings.

The walkway boards need to be kept in good repair as they provide access to the signals for maintenance and faults; their appearance also retains the authenticity of the original signals.

The rotten timbers are now 50 years old, and their poor state has posed a significant safety hazard and required them to be replaced.

With the railway looking to make cost savings, it came as a great relief that this repair could be done with no costs for materials.

A Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) was used to access the platform so that the rotten timbers and rusted stays could be removed; the original stays had rusted so much that their securing nuts could not be removed.

New boards were made out of donated scaffold planking, which was cut to size and attached to the metal framework of the bracket signal.

The boards were secured to a steel frame using metal stays and decking bolts that had been donated by Network Rail after they were left over from a previous job.

Brian Graystone explained more: “Using the MEWP made the job much easier than trying to use ladders.? It meant that two of us could work at height at the same time.

“We also took the opportunity to carry out the routine cleaning and oiling maintenance of the signals whilst we were up there; that's two for one in my book!

“The following day, Matt and Dan washed the signal down to clean the smoke and dirt deposits off – what a difference! A fresh coat of paint is all that remains to complete the repair.”

13th October 2023

Steam locomotive 2807 moves for first time after overhaul​

Churchward 28xx class no. 2807 has moved under its own power for the first time following its overhaul, making it once again the oldest working Great Western Railway locomotive.

2807 returned to action running a few miles up and down the yard in the rain at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's (GWSR) Toddington depot on Thursday 21 September at about 6pm.

The loco is a ‘heavyweight champion', a heavy freight 2-8-0 owned by the Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd (CSPL).

It was built at Swindon Works, from which it emerged in 1905.

Only two other GWR locomotives are older than 2807: 4-4-0 no 3717 City of Truro (built 1903); and ‘Dean Goods' 0-6-0 no. 2516 (of 1897).

Both are at Swindon's STEAM Museum, and neither is likely to return to operation.

GWR expects 2807 to be fully ready to perform at its ‘Autumn Showcase' gala over the weekend of 28-29 October, although it does not plan to have the loco hauling trains, as the Railway prioritises completing the work to at the highest standard rather than rushing to meet a deadline.

The gala event will see both steam and diesel locomotives working to a busy timetable, including a goods train.

2807 is a locomotive of the 2800 class designed by George Jackson Churchward for working with heavy freight.

After the prototype (no. 97, later no. 2800) was completed in 1903, then extensively tested, production locomotives followed in 1905.

It was the first class of 2-8-0 to work in the UK, and also the most powerful class of locomotive to run in the UK at the time.

A total of 167 were built, including C B Collett's slightly-modified 2884 class.

The locomotives proved to be robust and successful, and continued working until the early 1960s.

By the time it was withdrawn in 1963 from Severn Tunnel Junction, no.2807 had travelled around 1.5 million miles.

Consigned to Barry scrapyard in South Wales, the loco was rescued by CSPL in 1981, becoming the first locomotive to arrive from Barry at the formative GWSR at Toddington.

It underwent a lengthy overhaul, 2807 entered service in 2010, and worked for ten years, covering around forty-two thousand miles before being withdrawn in January 2020 for its ten-year overhaul, which has been carried out over the three years since.

Its boiler was overhauled by Riley & Son (E) Ltd engineers in Heywood, Bolton and the mechanical overhaul was completed by volunteers at Toddington.

Brian Gamlin, Chairman of CSPL, explained, “It was a very exciting moment for the restoration team who witnessed the fruits of their dedicated labour over the past three years.

“There remain outstanding tasks as well as the inevitable ‘snags' to be fettled, that showed themselves as the engine gently moved up and down the sidings. But there is actually remarkably little to do and we are now setting about finishing off the job list so 2807 can be returned to traffic on the GWSR. The day was an outstanding success.

“The next milestones will be further movements within the yard followed by a full day's light engine running. There will then be a loaded test run before 2807 can reliably re-enter service.”

He added: “There was of course that moment the team held their breath when steam issued from the cylinder drain cocks as the regulator was opened, watching for the first movement – which generated a huge cheer!”

13th October 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Two parcels have arrived for the ETHNON RAIL Project

What's inside?...........


Slaters 0403 4mm Brick Grey Sheet

Grey? Looks more tan/buff to me

This sheet is going to be used for the platform sides, probably painted grey or sand.

Slaters 0414 4mm Paving Grey Sheet

Grey? It isn't grey

This sheet is going to be used for the platform edges, probably painted buff or sand.

The other parcel.

Nice colour box.

What's inside?...........

14th October 2023

Video: Severn Valley Railway works with partners to boost infrastructure​

Severn Valley Railway's head of infrastructure Chris Bond has written for the latest issue of SVR's newsletter, Branch Lines, explaining how building relationships with external rail providers is proving valuable.

Bond reported on a recent week-long visit to SVR by a modern 09 tamper (Plasser & Theurer Unimat 09-4×4/4S Dynamic Tamper 99 70 9123 012-5 (DR 75012)).

The tamper's owner, SB Rail, benefited from the use of SVR's track to train its operators, while SVR benefited from being able to use the tamper to improve its track.

The heritage railway would not have been able to afford commercial hire of such an advanced dynamic tamper, which would have cost more than ten thousand pounds.

WATCH: VIDEO

SB Rail's dynamic tamper in action​

Oct 12, 2023 HIGHLEY STATION, SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY
Here's a short preview of SB Rail's dynamic tamper in action at the Severn Valley Railway - we're putting together a behind-the-scenes film about this which we'll upload very soon!In exchange for providing training facilities to SB Rail, the SVR is benefitting from cutting edge technology to maintain the track, at no cost!

The tamper, which has a ‘caterpillar' action which enables it to work quickly, carried out urgent tamping work, in particularly in the Alveley Woods area. Ballast dropped in previous months provided the bulk for the machine to make the corrections needed.

Severn Valley Railway is hoping that SB Rail will continue to use it as a base for its training, especially as this first visit went so well that the training period has been extended for another week.

Last night (Wednesday 11 October), a Harsco stone-blowing unit DR80207 arrived at SVR, to be prepared for a year-long training stint.

The SVR operations team worked with Rail Adventure and the owner of Class 20 locomotives to transport the unit from Northampton.

Bond describes this as “a real coming-together of industry partnerships, from which our Railway can only benefit.”

SVR also continues its partnership working with Network Rail, including running a special charter train in September, which proved useful for cementing relationships.