Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Earlier this year some Ffestiniog Railway buildings were made available as models as part of the Bachmann Scenecraft range.

A portion of the proceeds from each sale has been donated to the Ffestiniog Railway to go towards the continued preservation of the past for future generations.

Bachmann's cheque was presented to the Ffestiniog Railway during its recent Bygones Weekend, which was attended by Bachmann and where it announced new models of the Ffestiniog's locomotives Linda and Blanche as additions to the Bachmann Narrow Gauge OO9 Scale range.

Bachmann's Scenecraft models are available in 4mm:1ft scale, which makes them suitable for both OO and OO9 scale applications.

Two colour schemes, green or red, are available for The Harbour Station collection:

Harbour Station Booking Office:

• 44-0169G – green
• 44-0169R – red

Harbour Station Main Hall:

• 44-0170G – green
• 44-0170R – red

Harbour Station Gents & Office:

• 44-0171G – green
• 44-0171R) – red

Models will be available whilst stocks last and can be purchased from Bachmann stockists and the Ffestiniog Railway's own shop,

The Ffestiniog Railway originally transported slate from where it was quarried at Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog harbour.

It is the world's oldest narrow gauge railway, and is is now a popular visitor attraction hauling thousands of tourists and enthusiasts each year through the heart of Snowdonia in North Wales.

The station at Porthmadog Harbour opened in 1865 and the stone buildings depicted in the Bachmann Scenecraft models were built in 1879.

They were the main offices of the Festiniog Railway Company, in which role they continue to this day.

In recent years the station has been extended beyond the original stone buildings to provide extra space for a souvenir shop and café.

David Haarhaus, Managing Director of Bachmann Europe said: “The Ffestiniog Railway is a unique and enchanting railway that has captivated modellers and enthusiasts for many years, and continues to do so today.

“I am very proud that Bachmann supports preserved railways and heritage sites as not only do they inspire the next generation of Bachmann consumer, but they are also often responsible for preserving the very subjects that our models depict as is the case here.

“I can trace my very first memories of steam trains back to the Ffestiniog Railway and in some ways it's the reason I am part of this industry, so seeing the fine models that the Bachmann team have created, and in doing so allowing us to contribute to the railway's continued success, is immensely satisfying.”

17th October 2023

Good progress made on overhaul of steam locomotive No. 30541​

The latest update reveals the locomotive's overhaul is making good progress in all areas following the boilers' Non-Destructive Testing​

An update has been made regarding the overhaul of SR Maunsell Q-class No. 30541 at the Bluebell Railway for October 2023.

The well-loved locomotive's boiler underwent Non-Destructive Testing at the end of September, which revealed fantastic news with nothing unexpected or untoward found.

Before the testing could take place, all flues and smokes were removed and some needle gunning to the boiler barrel was carried out.

Work relating to the chassis saw the frames lifted on the 4th of October which enabled the removal of the wheelsets which will be heading to the South Devon Railway where assessment will be carried out as to whether to attempt a further turn of the tyres or to replace.

A discussion with the Railway's Boiler Inspector will take place this month (October) which will include a review of the findings before agreeing on the extent of work required to overhaul the boiler and the chassis.

With regard to the motion, some parts will be returned to Sheffield Park for attention alongside the boiler cladding, which will free up space at the Leaky Finders' works.

The locomotive's tender has seen a reputable large-scale metal fabricator visit the existing tender tank whilst a somewhat contract is preparing costings for a quote to see the fabricating of a new tender tank.

At present, the tender is located behind 31618 near the Bulleid Society shop, whilst space is created for the current tank to be released from the chassis.

The Overhaul of a locomotive is an expensive task, and the Q needs your help as the Maunsell Locomotive Society attempts to raise funding of £40,000 to cover the costs for the overhaul of the tender and the manufacture of a new tender tank.

The Q Class is a very special locomotive and a perfect fit for the Bluebell Railway being an ideal size and economical to run alongside fitting well with the ‘Southern' image, especially as she did operate in the local area!

Currently, around £25,000 has been raised of the target amount, which is very much appreciated by the Society and will help to see this wonderful locomotive back on the tracks at the Bluebell Railway.

17th October 2023

Trial sees Class 37 locomotive lighting powered by solid oxide fuel​

In an initiative to decarbonise locomotive operations, Colas Rail UK's Freight Business has collaborated with G-Volution Ltd to generate power for auxiliary load by using solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) running on Bio Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Bio-LPG) that has near net-zero carbon emissions.

The majority of locomotives on Britain's railways are heavily reliant on diesel, which is a major source of our carbon emissions.

G-Volution approached Colas Rail UK suggesting a partnership in a project to install a SOFC into a Class 37 locomotive to power its auxiliary systems.

SOFCs can run from various bio-fuels such as Bio-LPG, Bio-LNG and hydrogen, and process them to generate electricity.

On 21st September a proof of concept was demonstrated successfully showcased at Colas Rail UK's depot at Rugby in front of over 40 delegates who witnessed the SOFC providing power for the exterior and interior lighting Class 37 No. 37254.

The University of Birmingham has carried out route simulations using a 35kW SOFC, and these show that for a typical Class 37 operation using two locomotives, there will be an average saving of 50 tonnes of CO2e per annum, equivalent to 12%, and an average reduction in fuel costs of 8%.

This approach also brings about other benefits, including improved air quality, since SOFCs produce zero particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, and a significant reduction in noise whilst engines are idling.

As well as Colas and G-Volution, other organisations were involved in project, which was funded by the Department for Transport's Innovate UK First of a Kind competition.

The main project contributors included:

• G-Volution – Project Lead and Engineering Lead
• Colas Rail UK – Class 37 Operator
• Aegis Engineering Systems – Standards and Approvals Consultant
• Adelan Ltd – SOFC Supplier
• DG8 (An Equans Company) – PoC Integration Design
• Pragmatex – Project Management
• SBL Rail – Systems Engineering
• Tully Engineering Limited – Emissions Measurement
• University of Birmingham – Engineering Support and Modelling

Speaking about the success of the trial, Paul Conway, Colas Rail UK's Head of Engineering and Compliance said “Innovation with a focus on decarbonisation is essential given the challenge to reduce dependency on fossil fuel. This trial has proven that a lower carbon option is available for auxiliary power generation. It's still early days for this technology but it's an excellent start and something that Colas Rail Services have been proud to be a part of”.

Last year, G-volution and SBL-Rail demonstrated dual fuel concepts they had developed to show how diesel fuel could be superseded by renewable net zero carbon emission fuels.

18th October 2023

Steam locomotive 46100 Royal Scot to pass through Shrewsbury this Thursday​

46100 Royal Scot will be in action this Thursday (19th October 2023) as it heads back to its Crewe base.

Departing Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway at 13:35, the locomotive will pass through Taunton (13:50), Bristol Temple Meads (15:18), Severn Tunnel Junction (15:40), Abergavenny (17:11), Hereford (17:41), Craven Arms (19:39), Shrewsbury (20:07), Nantwich (20:38) and Crewe Depot at 20:50.

18th October 2023

Steam locomotive 5164 to be displayed at Birmingham’s NEC during model railway show​

After the Erlestoke Manor Fund (EMF) acquired ex-Great Western Railway (GWR) Large Prairie No. 5164 from the 5164 Preservation Group in 2021, it approved proposals to restore it to steam.

However, although the fund acquired 5164 in 2021, it has been stored under cover in Barrow Hill Roundhouse, near Chesterfield since 2014, thanks to arrangements made by the Severn Valley Railway.

The fund has now been invited to display 5164 as the centre-piece attraction at the Warley Model Railway Club Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) over the weekend of 25th and 26th November.

That has been agreed, and 5164 will leave its current home at Barrow Hill during the week commencing 20th November.

After the show, 5164 will be transported to Tyseley Locomotive Works where it is planned that it will be stored whilst the Erlestoke Manor Fund completes the overhaul and repairs of 7802 Bradley Manor and building a new tender under project T2329.

Whilst that work will take most of 2024, the Erlestoke Manor Fund will also make further detailed assessments of the condition of 5164 and purchase the required materials, with over 40,000 already having been spent.

Further details about the Erlestoke Manor Fund and an appeal fund for the restoration of 5164 can be found here.

Chris Field, EMF Trustee and 5164 Project Lead, says "EMF is extremely grateful to the Warley Model Railway Club Show organisers for the chance to get the 5164 project moving, as well as enabling us to raise the profile of the 5164 Appeal and Erlestoke Manor Fund membership through highlighting our work over 50 years with our other two locomotives 7812 Erlestoke Manor and 7802 Bradley Manor."

"The 5164 Project will be used as an educational & transitional focus for younger engineering volunteers to project lead whilst learning from the more experienced engineers involved in EMF, thus preserving many, much needed skills for the future."

18th October 2023

Transport for Wales to benefit from £125 million budget increase​

In an announcement in the Senedd today, Wednesday, 18 October, Rebecca Evans MS., Finance Minister said that Transport for Wales is to benefit from a £125 million increase in this year's budget, which will contribute towards helping to safeguard passenger services and continue the programme of transforming railways in Wales.

The additional funding was included in a package of financial measures announced by the Minister to help protect public services, the NHS, and transport in Wales.

Public services in Wales are facing extraordinary financial pressures, but after months of intensive cross-government negotiations, the Welsh Government has produced a plan to alleviate the problems.

Speaking in the Senedd, the Minister announced a package of changes that includes an additional £425 million of funding to support the Welsh NHS this year.

According to the Minister, the government's priority is to protect core services, jobs, and people hardest hit by the current cost of living crisis.

The Welsh Government is to make up to £100 million available from in-year reserves and the Wales Reserve, and will request the UK Treasury to switch some capital funding to revenue funding this financial year, which is a mechanism that the UK government regularly uses to help manage its budgets.

The funding package also takes into account consequential funding that is expected to come from the UK government because of increased spending in devolved areas, most notably in public sector pay.

Another measure announced was regarding the local government Revenue Support Grant (RSG), which has also been protected.

This is especially important as it helps to pay for schools, social care, and many services that people rely on in their day-to-day lives, including such things as recycling, waste collections, and local libraries.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government said: “We have worked hard across the government to put together a package of financial changes which protect Wales' public services, NHS and transport.

“We have made difficult yet prudent decisions, which protect people and will help to minimise, as far as possible, the impact of these extraordinary financial pressures on the key services on which we all rely.

“But I want to be clear, even though we have been able to re-direct additional funding into health and transport services, the NHS, in particular, still faces some extremely difficult decisions as a result of the challenging financial position.

“The combination of persistently high inflation, more than a decade of austerity, and the UK government's mismanagement of the economy means all public services are under intense pressure. Unfortunately, these are incredibly difficult times.”

18th October 2023


TRANSPORT FOR WALES

Thank Your Cleaner Day​

FALSE teeth, walking sticks and crutches.


FALSE teeth, walking sticks and crutches.

These are just some of the things found by Transport for Wales’ cleaners up at Holyhead depot as they go through the train to ensure everything is spick and span for customers.

With October 18 marking National Thank Your Cleaner day, we took caught up with our team in the north to find out more about their work.

The aptly named Mark Hornby is Cleaning Area Manager for Transport for Wales and he told us that the team typically clean around 30 carriages over night inside and out while also carrying out onboard cleaning during the day up to Bangor and Llandudno Junction.

He said: “We strive to achieve high standards and the team leaders and myself consistently push for higher standards from our teams.

“Being an end of the line station, and the nearest onboard cleaning service being over 90 minutes away, we have to ensure all units arriving in to Holyhead during the day receives a good clean.

“We have had to adapt our approach including an increase to onboards to Bangor in order to ensure we meet standards requirements.

“We tend to not get drawn in to criticism or praise, the team understand their roles and expectations and no matter which day of the week it is, we strive to achieve a consistency in our service delivery.”

The small Holyhead team will also clean the Avanti trains which are based out of there serving the London routes.

The fleet that starts at Holyhead each morning travel hundreds of miles and carry thousands of customers each day.

Event days can be a particular challenge with Chester Races regularly drawing high crowds, while Christmas is also a very busy period for the cleaners.

Since becoming Transport for Wales five years ago, the cleaning teams have moved “in house” as part of the wider onboard team and that seems to really be paying dividends.

“Our conductor colleagues always remind customers to take rubbish with them and we have seen an increase in customers following this instruction since we became all part of the onboard team,” added Mark.

“We’re definitely seeing less plastic in our bins than there used to be which is great but we do find some quite unusual items like crutches, walking sticks and even false teeth from time to time!”

Transport for Wales employs more than 100 cleaners at key locations around the network including Carmarthen, Cardiff, Swansea, Shrewsbury, Machynlleth, Barry, Chester, Manchester and Holyhead.

In addition to these, there are also fleet carriage cleaning operatives at depots in Canton, Treherbert, Rhymney and Machynlleth and regional Station Environmental Operatives.

Between them they ensure trains, stations, mess rooms and offices are kept as clean as possible.

Cleaning Operations Manager Wendy Jones said: “Our cleaning teams really do do a fantastic job.

“Working day and night they ensure our customers and staff are able to travel and work in as clean an environment as possible.

“So please take a moment to thank your cleaner today!”

18th October 2023

Inside The Train Shed - Well.....The Kitchen - Too cold in the shed today!

Today, the strips for platform 1 were given a second coat of paint to get rid of the plastic shine.

I also experimented with a darker brown wash on the brick platform sides to try and represent the darker mortar used for the brickwork

18th October 2023

New Locomotive for ETHNON RAIL

I bought a second hand loco to join the fleet........

LIMA OO L205260 DIESEL CLASS '9016' 'GORDON HIGHLANDER' PORTERBROOK, LTD ED 0548/1200

You have to admit this Class 55 'Deltic' looks great in that purple livery.

19th October 2023

New government data and National Infrastructure Assessment show growing demand for public transport​

The Railway Industry Association has welcomed new government figures and the National Infrastructure Assessment, which show that demand for public transport continues to grow.

It has urged politicians to reject messages from some quarters that the rail industry is in decline.

The infrastructure assessment, published today (Wednesday 18 October), reports that there has been some change in travel patterns following the Covid-19 pandemic, but that “the largest cities are likely to require more capacity on their public transport networks to support economic growth over the next 20 to 30 years.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published data this week which demonstrates that passenger numbers from April to September nearly returned to full pre-Covid levels.

The figures show national passenger levels (including the Elizabeth line and excluding the impact of rail strikes) were an average 98% of pre Covid levels.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said, “These latest figures from the DfT make a mockery of the recent assertion that we don't need more rail capacity with schemes like HS2 Phase 2 from Birmingham to Manchester. Indeed, passenger numbers today are more than 15% higher than when the business case for the full HS2 scheme was made and accepted in 2012.

“We are getting clear and sustained evidence this year that people have returned to rail in very healthy numbers post pandemic, with every likelihood this will continue to grow in the years ahead. About a third of the Elizabeth line passengers are new to rail demonstrating that if you provide a high-quality railway service people will use it. The National Infrastructure Assessment published today also supports the view that demand for urban public transport in the future will grow, with more capacity required to accommodate that growth.

“We urge politicians of all parties not to accept the excessively negative messages from some parts of the Government that UK rail is in decline. Rather, there needs to be more investment in major national transport infrastructure schemes not less, to deliver the capacity we're going to need in the years ahead.”

19th October 2023

Lumo carbon data shows its trains are 22 times greener than flying​

FirstGroup's electric rail operator Lumo has published data on operational carbon emissions which illustrates the environmental benefit of traveling by electric train rather than flying.

Lumo runs trains between London and Edinburgh, and as a train company, has set out to convert people who usually make that journey by aeroplane to use rail instead.

To mark the second anniversary of its branding as ‘Lumo', the operator commissioned consultancy firm Arup to provide an independent report about all direct emissions from its operations; emissions from the grid-supplied energy it uses; and other emissions in its supply chain.

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from operations that are owned and controlled by Lumo;
• Scope 2: Emissions from the use of grid-supplied electricity, heat, steam and/or cooling by Lumo;
• Scope 3: All other emissions that occur in the value chain of Lumo.

In the last two years, Lumo has carried over two million passengers.

The figures reveal that, per passenger, emissions from a London-to-Edinburgh journey are twenty-two times the level for flying (149 kgCO2e) than for using Lumo (6.8kgCO2e).

Measured in terms of carbon saved, a return trip from Edinburgh to London on Lumo saves the equivalent of up to eleven trees worth of annual carbon when compared to flying.

The Arup report also suggests that if 15% of passengers who flew from London to Edinburgh had travelled by Lumo instead, the carbon savings would be equivalent to those passengers offsetting their carbon impact with a million trees or 3,650 hectares of forested land – or planting an area the size of Blackpool with trees (assuming a single tree sequesters approximately 25kg CO2 per year on average).

Lumo launched in October 2021 and since then has run more than six thousand services carrying two million passengers.

Its hopes that what it describes as “affordable” ticket prices will encourage people to use its 100% electric trains, with an average ticket costing less than £40.

Over the last twelve months, 56% of journeys between Edinburgh or Newcastle and London were made by rail.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “Lumo was launched with a promise of affordable, green travel between Edinburgh, Newcastle and London. Our new carbon emissions data proves the environmental benefits of choosing our 100% electric trains. A single passenger would need to travel with us 22 times before breaking even on the carbon emissions from a single flight on the same route. Given we carry up to 4,000 passengers a day, that gives you some idea of the scale of the carbon savings we are delivering.

“Rail has a critical role to play in decarbonising our transport network. The time has come to look at ways to further incentivise rail travel over flying – otherwise we will all feel the environmental cost. There are affordable and convenient alternatives to flying between Edinburgh, Newcastle and London and we hope to encourage many more to passengers to choose Lumo in future.”

19th October 2023

Ivatt diesel locomotive rebuilders seek donations to bid for original part​

The Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society is asking for donations to help it buy an original part of LMS 10000.

The Society aims to plan to recreate and operate what was Britain's mainline diesel-electric locomotive.

The original was scrapped in 1968, before the preservation movement had turned its attention to historically important diesel locomotives.

LMS 10000 and 10001 were the antecedents of all current British mainline diesel locomotives.

They were designed by H. G. Ivatt and built by the London Midland and Scottish Railway at its Derby works in 1947/8.

The Society has identified that one of 10000's original axle box covers is available at auction, so is trying to raise the money to buy it.

The Society's existing finances are focused on constructing the new locomotive.

It promises to bid at auction to the maximum amount that members and supporters donate specifically for this appeal.

If the Society's bid is not successful, it will use the donations to further its work to re-create 10000, but will return donations to those who request that.

Meanwhile, the LMS10000 engineering team is looking for these parts:

Class 37/86

▪ Westinghouse dual brake equipment

Class 20

▪ 2 sets of inlet / outlet manifolds

▪ 4 Napier turbochargers for retro tuning of the 56 PU

19th October 2023

Steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas set to visit Manchester this Saturday​

45596 'Bahamas' passing Cathiron near Rugby on 18 May 2023

Jubilee class No. 45596 Bahamas is set to visit Manchester this Saturday (21st October) as it hauls The Mancunian from London Euston.

Departing London Euston at 07:12, the locomotive will pass through Harrow and Wealdstone (07:28), Watford Junction (07:34), Tring (07:56), Milton Keynes Central (08:18), Northampton (08:43), Rugby (09:23), Nuneaton (10:24), Stafford (11:12), Macclesfield (12:30), Stockport (12:46) and Manchester Piccadilly at 13:11.

After time in Manchester, 45596 Bahamas will depart Manchester Victoria at 16:13, and will pass through Manchester Oxford Road (16:28), Manchester Piccaddilly (16:31), Wilmslow (16:55), Crewe (17:26), Stafford (18:16) and Nuneaton (19:30) before coming to a stand just outside Rugby.

Here, 45596 Bahamas will come off the train and will return to Southall on its own.

WCRC diesels will take over the train and will head back through the outbound stations of Rugby (20:26), Northampton (20:55), Milton Keymes Central (21:21), Tring (21:48), Watford Junction (22:11) and London Euston at 22:40.

19th October 2023

Bluebell Railway reports progress on locomotive D6570​

The Bluebell Railway in Sussex has resumed work on its Crompton D6570 after moving it back into the maintenance shed at the start of last month.

D6570, ‘Ashford', first entered service in October 1961. It was withdrawn in February 1997, and the following month was bought by the Kent and East Sussex Railway. B350 Ltd bought it in 2021 and moved it to the Bluebell.

The front section of the loco's no.1 cab was completely missing, with the crash pillars having rotted out at the point where they joined the floor and platework either side of the marker lights having worn to the extent that it was paper thin.

Removing the platework has allowed better access for the restorer to needle-gun the base of the desk and to apply a coat of primer.

Replacement cab supports, front floor section and crash pillars have been made.

With the cab now fully supported from the front, the remaining platework below the driver's and second person's window to be placed right back to the cab doors.

Once this is done, attention will turn to the internal cab floor and cable tray, particularly on the driver's side.

The battery box link conduits have been reinstated, which involving dropping the air tanks, which also provided an opportunity to refit some of the tank pipework.

The battery box and battery isolating switch are now connected by a new, flexible copex duct, and the battery cable has been pulled through, ready to be connecting at a later date.

The inside of No.1 cab's roof has had a fibreglass strengthening strip applied where the wiper motors are fixed in order to protect a kknown weak spot.

Over the next few months, the Railway plans to reinstate the other battery box and the remaining air tank pipework, and to clean and prepare parts to go back into No.1 cab.

Class 33 D6570 Ashford in Tenterden Yard on May 5, 2005

19th October 2023

Bluebell Railway reports progress on restoring Thumper 1305​

Bluebell Railway has issued an update on the progress of its work on Thumper 1305.

The underframe gang continues to apply black paint on the Driving Trailer Second (DTS), and has reached the stage of applying gloss on part of the structure.

The Railway describes the work as “seemingly relentless and not a clean job by any stretch of the imagination!”

The gang is also cleaning various underframe fittings.

Some have learned to use the grit blaster in the Carriage and Wagon workshop, which has helped with this process.

The Railway aims to return all the AWS (automatic warning system) bracketry, receiver and junction box to their locations up under the DTS.

While the team was removing parts from the DTS underframe, it discovered the reason for the speedometer's lack of output.

A hole in the conduit fitting had let in rainwater, which over time had corroded the inside of the housing and its contents. This will now be repaired.

In the Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS), the brush boxes have been removed from the generators so they can be cleaned and inspected, and so the inside of the generators can be thoroughly cleaned and have a coat of insulating paint applied.

For work outside in the up yard, the Railway has benefited from a temporary 3 phase supply, arranged by Tony Astor and Tim Gray.

This allows the plasma cutter to be used, and, once an adaptor is used to step the supply to single phase, to use lighting during the winter.

22nd October 2023


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

Wrestling in Cardiff 20th October 2023

Well, I've had a couple of days off from this thread.

One to go to Cardiff Centre and a second one to recover afterwards.

Neonlake and myself went to watch the wrestling.

We had a great time and we both dressed up as 'Old Poppa Sunflower'!

Neonlake had his photo taken with 'Splits McPins'!

So did I

Sadly 'Old Poppa Sunflower' and his tag team lost their match.

That was due to Ellis and the Lycos team cheating of course!

'Fuerza' and 'Vertigo' are from Canada.

Very fast guys and very entertaining.

The 'Greedy Souls' came into the ring dressed up in leather aprons and masks carrying an imitation knife covered in fake blood and an inflatable chain saw!

It was funny watching the Canadians running away in terror.

The headline match was between 'Dani Luna' and 'Wild Boar'.

She was great to watch, she was able to actually pick up 'Boar' and throw him onto the mat several times.

She should have won but 'Boar' had already thrown the Ref. out of the ring and was knocked out.

Then the 'Lyco's guys involved themselves and sided with 'Boar', cheated by hitting 'Dani' with a chair.

So 'Dani' lost the match and got a bloody nose for her trouble.

WATCH: VIDEO

Here's the promo video for the highlight matchup.

Dani Luna's Song (ATTACK! Pro Wrestling)

GOOSEBUMPS 8 is October 20th 2023ATTACKPROWRESTLING.COM

www.youtube.com

My ticket!