Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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43005 GWR Class 43 HST Power Car

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The IRL 43005 GWR Class 43 HST Power Car

GWR HST 43005 brings up the rear of a terminating service from Taunton at Cardiff 14 May 2019

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Number:43005Series:Locos - BR TOPS
Date on:09/1976Date off:
Status:S (Extant, Registered, Stored)

NumberDateLocationWorkingNotes
4300524/02/2023Plymouth2C89 19:00 Cardiff Central to Plymouth.Last passenger service :cry:
 
16 April 2024
Steam locomotive 13268 unveiled in new livery

Severn Valley Railway repaints Stanier Mogul in original livery.​


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Stanier Mogul 13268 in its freshly painted LMS lined black livery

Just in time for this weekend's Spring Steam Gala, the Severn Valley Railway has revealed Stanier Mogul No. 13268 in a gleaming new livery.

No. 13268 was overhauled last year. Since then it has been repainted into the livery it had when it was built in 1934.

To make the new livery authentic and provide an impressive and authentic finish included applying the lettering and lining by hand and using many sheets of gold leaf.

To complete the authentic look, LMS 13268, as the sole survivor of its class, will again carry the same number as when it first entered service.

The gleaming new livery for 13268 will be on show at the Spring Steam Gala, which runs from tomorrow, Thursday, 18 to Sunday, 21 April.

Joining 13268 at the Gala will be Great Western Railway Hall Class No. 4930 Hagley Hall, Bulleid West Country Pacific No. 21C127 Taw Valley from the Severn Valley Railway's home fleet and visiting locomotives Great Western Railway 0-6-0 tank No. 1369, Lambton Tank No 29, and the 150-year-old London Brighton & South Coast Railway Class A1 Stroudley Terrier 0-6-0 tank No. 72 Fenchurch.

Next year, the Severn Valley Railway celebrates its 60th Anniversary. Welcoming up to 250,000 visitors each year and run largely by 1,600 dedicated volunteers, it is one of the UK's most attractions.

Steam and diesel locomotives haul regular passenger trains along a scenic 16-mile route from Kidderminster in Worcestershire to Bridgnorth in Shropshire, with six attractive and beautifully maintained stations along the way.
 
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17 April 2024

Last Opportunity to view “Black Prince” at North Norfolk Railway​


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92203 Black Prince passing Sheringham West

Having reached the end of its 10 year boiler ticket and covered over 35,000 miles in service during that time, the North Norfolk Railway withdrew 9F 2-10-0 No.92203 Black Prince from service.

There will be a last chance for members to get up close to this massive steam engine, before it gets put into store away from the public.

92203 is one of nine 9Fs preserved which are regarded by most as the pinnacle of Robert Riddles standard class engines.
 
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92203 on the North Norfolk Railway

In the run up to Christmas last year, 92203 was taken off its planned services because of an expected failure in the main internal steam pipe, which carries the steam from the regulator valves to the superheater header in the smokebox.
During investigation, the team discovered a leak where the pipe expands in the smokebox tubeplate before it meets the superheater header.

Unfortunately the location of the fault and the amount of work needed means it is not possible to carry out a cost-effective repair given the limited use possible before the boiler ticket expires in early May.”
Interim General Manager Graham Hukins (Speaking in December 2023)
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With many other engines under overhaul at Weybournes' workshop, it will be necessary to store 92203 in the interim, but before it does, there will be a chance for the public to see it one more time, as tours of the locomotive are scheduled to take place on Sunday 28th April.
 
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One of those locomotives currently being worked on in Weybournes' Workshop is Standard 4 Mogul No. 76084

The tours will focus on the working life of Black Prince, and its time in preservation, most notably on the North Norfolk Railway, a tour of both the locomotive carriage sheds is included.

Those that wish to travel by train on the day are advised to take the train from Sheringham or Holt to Weybourne before the tours start, standard fares will apply and the purchase of a Day Rover will enable you to have unlimited train travel on all the North Norfolk service trains that day.

This is a rare chance to get up close to Black Prince and some of our other locomotives at ground level, from where you can appreciate the sheer size of these mammoth machines – there's nothing like standing next to one of “Black Prince's” driving wheels which are five feet in diameter to get a real sense of scale.”
Interim General Manager Graham Hukins
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17 April 2024

Volunteers look to restore steam locomotive in time for 130th birthday​

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T9 30120 Corfe Castle July 2018

Volunteers who restored the unique London and South Western Railway T3 Class No. 563 are now looking to restore London and South Western Railway T9 Class No. 120 in time for its 130th Birthday in 2029.

No. 120, formerly British Railways No. 30120, arrived at Swanage on loan from the National Railway Museum in 2017 but has not steamed since 2020 when it failed its boiler examination in 2020.
 
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T9 30120 at Corfe Castle March 2014

Before 120 can be restored its condition must be examined, for which the volunteers are looking to raise £50,000 to enable the locomotive to be dismantled and assessed by the Flour Mill in the Forest of Dean.

Once the Flour Mill has examined 120, it will report on the work required to return 120 to service and provide an assessment of whether the cylinder block needs to be replaced.

If the report proves favourable, later this year Swanage Railway Trust will proceed to the next stage in overhauling 120.
 
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T9 30120 at Corfe Castle March 2014

It is exciting to be embarking on our second ambitious challenge because see the overhaul of the T9 as the natural follow-on project to the T3 in providing the Swanage Railway with another affordable locomotive with an impeccable Southern pedigree.
We are delighted to be able to support the National Railway Museum in its mission to ensure that selected steam locomotives from its National Collection are available for the public to enjoy in steam and hauling passenger trains.
Nathan Au, 563 Locomotive Group chairman
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Following the success of the T3 restoration, we are pleased to be working with the Swanage Railway Trust on its plans for the T9.
We look forward to seeing progress towards the successful overhaul of the T9 and enjoying the splendid sight and sound of both locomotives in steam on the Swanage Railway in the future
Paddy McNulty, National Railway Museum's railway partnerships manager
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The project to overhaul the T9 will start with an assessment of the locomotive to confirm what work is necessary, that the restoration work is viable and that there is the necessary financial support available before a commitment is made to the full overhaul.
“The hoped for overhaul of No. 30120 will be shared between the Flour Mill engineering works in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and the Swanage Railway's Herston engineering works in Swanage with the Flour Mill doing the boiler and tender and the Swanage Railway doing the chassis of the T9.
“The Flour Mill successfully returned the T9 to steam in 2010 so its skilled staff are already familiar with the locomotive while their involvement in No. 30120 builds on the successful relationship established with the restoration of the T3.
Nathan Au, 563 Locomotive Group chairman
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After finishing one LSWR locomotive, T3 No. 563, last year for the Swanage Railway Trust's 563 Locomotive Group, we are delighted to be involved with the restoration of another Victorian steam locomotive.
Funded by the late and much-missed Swanage Railway Trust patron Alan Moore, we overhauled T9 No. 30120 some fifteen years ago for the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in Cornwall so it will be interesting to see what ten years of hauling trains has done to the the T9.No. 30120 is ideal for the Swanage Railway.
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17 April 2024

Network Rail contract extension for GB Railfreight​

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GBRf 66784 travelling from Horden to Doncaster

GB Railfreight has extended its haulage contract with Network Rail for two extra years with an optional third.

The contract is effective from the 1st April 2024 and will see the operator continue to provide freight services that supports Network Rail's engineering works.

The agreement will see GBRf continue to operate the LDCs at Whitemoor, Eastleigh and Bescot which play an important role in the distribution of material and equipment.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Network Rail, further cementing our role in supporting the operation and maintenance of the UK's rail infrastructure. We're proud to deliver reliable and high-quality services that contribute to the continued success of the UK rail industry.”
John Smith, GBRf's CEO
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“By extending our contract with GB Railfreight, we can continue to move our essential engineering materials safely and efficiently across the country to support projects that deliver a better railway for passengers and freight customers.”
Mark Dickinson, Director, Supply Chain Services at Network Rail
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19 April 2024

Statement after Northamptonshire railway suffers from fire​

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Mark 1 carriage fire

The Rushden Historical Transport Society has released a statement after a train fire at their Northamptonshire base.

At around 6pm on the 17th April, the Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway became aware of a fire in a Mark 1 carriage on John Clark Way.

The Mark 1 carriage is not used for passenger services and the fire occurred when the site was closed to the public.

Members of the public called the emergency services and by 8 pm, the fire was out.

It is understood that the fire was deliberately started, and an investigation is now underway.

No injuries were reported, but the carriage is beyond repair.

At approximately 1800 hours on Wednesday 17th April, we became aware of a fire that started on our site on John Clark Way, approximately opposite Bob Whitworth Way.
The fire occurred in a stationary Mark I carriage, which is not used for passenger running, whilst the site was closed to the public. Furthermore, none of our volunteers or staff were present on the railway at the time the fire started.
Members of the public called the emergency services, and by 2000 hours, the fire was extinguished. After liaison with the Trustees, the police and fire brigade remained on site overnight and into the morning to ensure the site was safe and to undertake an investigation into the cause of the fire.
It is regretfully understood that the fire was started deliberately and the police have issued a request for anybody to contact them with information and footage from the area around the time of the incident to assist with their enquiries and investigation.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but the carriage itself is beyond salvage.
The Trustees of Rushden Historical Transport Society would like to thank the efforts of Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service and of Northamptonshire Police for their work, and for their assistance in making the site safe.
Anybody with information regarding this incident should call 101 and quote crime reference number 24000224460.
Rushden, Higham and Wellingborough Railway Spokesperson
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19 April 2024

Sussex railway completes £600,000 wheelchair accessible Pullman carriage​

Britain's first wheelchair accessible dining car to debut on The Bluebell Railway.​

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Pullman Car 54 at The Bluebell Railway

The Bluebell Railway has modified a Pullman Dining Carriage to make it what is believes to be the first in Britain that is wheelchair accessible.

Pullman carriage ‘Car 54' will be officially launched on Wednesday, 24th April 2024 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Surrey-based Paralympian Fabienne Andre, who will then travel in style over the Bluebell Railway.
 
Pullman Car 54 undergoing conversion
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Fabienne had success with Team GB at the European and World Championships, and with Team England at the Commonwealth Games.

While at the Bluebell Railway, he will be able to view the amazing work that has been done to make its famous “Golden Arrow” train more accessible by wheelchairs.

Although not yet in service, the wheelchair-accessible spaces on the Golden Arrow Dining Train are already being booked up. To ensure ‘Car 54's' 1920s glamour and style are retained, much care and thought went into the modifications.

Subtle and sympathetic changes to the carriage's interior included higher table heights and wider access doors, whilst the former the luggage compartment has been turned into an electric lift for wheelchairs.

As well as Car 54, the Golden Arrow includes luxurious Pullman Cars, Christine and Fingall to recreate the fabulous train that linked London and Paris on one of the world's most glamorous and famous trains.

With their unique wooden wall panelling marquetry and plush seating, the Golden Arrow recreates the heady days of the 1920/30s with fine food and wine served to the standards of yesteryear.
 
Pullman Car 54 undergoing conversion
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Restoration and modification of ‘Car 54' took eight years and cost approximately £600,000.

It was started in 2016 and was carried out by the Bluebell Railway's own carriage and wagon department with additional paid staff working alongside volunteers.

‘Car 54' was built by Claytons of Lincoln in 1923 and was originally a Third Class Kitchen Car.

Unlike most Pullman carriages, Car 54 has a number, as in the early days, Third Class Pullman carriages were not given names.

In 1937 it was rebuilt as a brake coach, with a shorter saloon and windows closer together than in most Pullmans cars, but resulted in the seats not lining up with the windows.

Entering preservation in 1968, ‘Car 54' initially went to the Dart Valley Railway, then to Tyseley in Birmingham, where work started on modifying it for use on the British portion of the revived Venice Simplon Orient Express (VSOE).

After work had started to strip it down, it was decided that Third Class vehicles would not be used on the VSOE.
 
Interior of Pullman Car 54
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Car 54 was then stored at Carnforth until 1984 before being offered for sale and purchased by the Horsted Keynes Pullman Car Group for eventual use on the Bluebell Railway.

Further information about ‘Car 54' information and details on how to book a trip on the Golden Arrow can be found at https://www.bluebell-railway.com/golden-arrow/

As well as its normal fleet of locomotives, the Bluebell Railway has visits by other locomotives during its gala events, such as Great Western Railway Manor Class No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor, and the visit of A4 Class No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley for next “October's Giants of Steam” Festival.
 
Class 67 locomotives are a class of Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotives which were built for the English Welsh & Scottish Railway (EWS) between 1999 and 2000 by Alstom at Meinfesa in Valencia, Spain with drive components from General Motors' Electro-Motive Division, builders of the Class 66.

The bodyshell is a monocoque load bearing Alstom design, the bogies are an "H" frame Alstom design, the engine, traction motors and control electronics are GM-EMD products.

Unlike the Class 66, the traction motors are frame mounted rather than axle hung to reduce unsprung mass and the gear ratio is increased allowing higher speeds which reflect the locomotives mixed traffic brief.

The cab design has a central driving position. Initially the class were used primarily on mail trains.

In June 2003 EWS lost the Royal Mail mail train contract, with services diminishing to complete cessation in March 2004.

The locomotives have since been used by First ScotRail on the Caledonian Sleeper on non-electrified lines north of Edinburgh.

In April 2015, GB Railfreight commenced a contract to haul the Caledonian Sleeper with 67004 repainted and renamed for use on the service.

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When GB Railfreight started to provide the trains and crews for the Serco franchise in 2015, it was planned to use rebuilt Class 73/9s.

The first of these came into service in February 2016.

The Class 67s continued to be used on some services for another couple of years.

Class 67s are also used as Thunderbird rescue locomotives for failed trains on the East Coast Main Line, on some freight trains and for use on chartered tourist trains.

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67005 is one locomotive assigned to the royal train, a service it has been responsible for since 2004.

Initially in EWS maroon, the locomotive would later be named 'Queen's Messenger' 67005 is painted in the royal claret livery and operated by DB Schenker tasked with hauling members of the royal family around the UK.

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22 April 2024​

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Passengers urged to check before they travel as platform work paves way for new trains in West Wales​

Region & Route: Wales & Western | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Passengers are being asked to check before they travel between Carmarthen and Milford Haven/Fishguard Harbour next week when Network Rail will be carrying out essential work on the platforms at Clarbeston Road station.

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Transport for Wales Class 197 train at Carmarthen


Buses will replace trains at all stops between Carmarthen and Milford Haven/Fishguard Harbour on the West Wales lines from Saturday to Tuesday 27-30 April inclusive.

Network Rail engineers will be working at Clarbeston Road station, preparing the platforms to be able to accommodate new Class 197 trains.

The work will include lowering the platforms by removing the coping stones on the platform edge, altering walls, installing new coping stones, and finally laying new tarmac surfacing.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “These essential works will prepare Clarbeston Road station to accommodate the new Class 197 trains our colleagues at TfW are introducing.

“We’re grateful to passengers and local residents living near Clarbeston Road station for their patience and understanding while we carry out this important work.”

The line between Carmarthen and Milford Haven will also be shut all day on Sunday 12 May and Sunday 19 May, when buses will again replace trains, as Network Rail engineers carry out essential track renewals on a 100-metre stretch of track near Haverfordwest station.
 
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22 April 2024​

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197 launch on Ebbw Vale line at Llanilleth

New trains on the Ebbw Vale line​

Brand new trains have been launched on the Ebbw Vale line today (Monday 22 April) offering customers a more comfortable and reliable experience.

Built in Newport, the Class 197 trains have started to enter service on mainline routes around Wales and the Borders.

They will run between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff Central, as well as Newport, following the introduction of brand-new services on the line earlier this year.

The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates said: “This is great news. These trains are modern and comfortable and provide a much-improved experience for passengers. This is another positive step for rail services in Wales.”

The trains are part of an £800 million investment in new trains to transform rail travel that is currently being delivered by Transport for Wales, replacing trains that were between 30 and 40 years old.

Chief Customer and Culture Office at Transport for Wales Marie Daly said: “Earlier this year we were able to launch brand new services to Newport from Ebbw Vale thanks to a £70 million public investment in the stations, track and signalling, and these new trains are the next important step to help boost the economy and to encourage people to make more sustainable journeys.

“I’m delighted that our Ebbw Vale customers will be benefiting from our brand-new trains. The trains are comfortable, and offer greater capacity for our customers.”

Assembled at the CAF train factory in Llanwern, Newport, there will be 77 of the class 197 trains operating throughout Wales and along its border routes, forming the backbone of the mainline fleet.

The trains will be able to run up to a maximum of four carriages on the Ebbw Vale line.

January marked the introduction of the new Newport services, almost doubling the number of trains operating on the line with two trains running per hour, one to/from Cardiff and one to/from Newport.

While the transition is ongoing, customers may still see some of the older trains in operation however these will gradually be phased out over the coming years.

The Class 197s will start operating down to Pembroke Dock later this year and on the Cambrian line in 2025.

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Rolling stock ordered, should be arriving tomorrow. :)

R40190 Hornby Mk4 Driving Van Trailer number 82229 TfWales - DCC Status: 21 Pin Socket / Gauge: OO Gauge.

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Built by Metro-Cammell for inclusion in the InterCity 225 sets, 32 Mk4 Driving Van Trailers (DVTs) were built with the bodyshell manufactured under sub-contract by Breda in Italy.

Whilst they were designed to operate with Class 91 locomotives as part of the InterCity 225 set, Mk4 DVTs have also operated with Class 90 and Class 89 locomotives.

Although Mk4 DVTs have spent most of their lives on the ECML, they are now being cascaded down to other franchises including Transport for Wales due to the introduction of the Class 800 and Class 801 IEPs.
 
R40187 Hornby Mk4 Open Standard Coach E number 12447 TfWales - Gauge: OO Gauge.

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Built at Metro-Cammell’s Washwood Heath factory, 314 Mk4 coaches were produced between 1989 and 1992.

They were built specifically for use on the newly electrified East Coast Main Line, along with hopes that a second order for the West Coast Main Line would be placed at a later date, although this second order never transpired.

Mk4 coaches featured many improvements over the Mk3s such as push-button operated plug-type doors, fully sealed gangways and a designed top speed of 140mph.

Much of the Mk4 design was based upon the Advanced Passenger Train.

In particular, Mk4 coaches feature sides profiled to allow a tilt of up to 6° with newly fitted tilting bogies.
 
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Mk4’s entered service in 1989 and helped drive a significant increase in passenger traffic.

With privatisation in 1996, all Mk4 coaches were sold to Evershot Rail Group who have since leased them out to the holder of the InterCity East Coast Franchise.

The franchise was initially awarded to Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) and has since been operated by National Express East Coast, East Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) owned by the Department for Transport.
 
R40185 Hornby Mk4 Open First Accessible Toilet Coach M TfWales - Gauge: OO Gauge.

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Between October 2003 and November 2005 Bombardier Transportation, under contract from GNER, commenced refurbishment of the Mk4 stock, fitting new seating arrangements and introduced onboard Wi-Fi, a first for British rail services.

This refurbishment programme was called ‘Project Mallard’ named after the Mallard steam locomotive, built in the 1930s by the London & North Eastern Railway and holder of the world speed record for steam locomotives.
 
24 April 2024

Michael Owen’s Class 20 locomotives to visit Severn Valley gala​

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Class 20189 at the SVR

The Severn Valley Railway has announced that two of Michael Owen's Class 20 locomotives are set to feature at next month's Spring Diesel Festival.

Two of the ‘Chopper' locomotives have featured before at the Severn Valley galas, and always prove popular.

The 20s will join the home fleet and the visiting fleet of 2x Rail Adventure Class 43 HST Powercars, GBRf Class 73 No. 73119 ‘Paul Taylor', GBRf Class 69 No. 69009 ‘Western Consort', Class 37 No. 37263, LSL Class 37 No. 37409 ‘Loch Awe', Class 46 No. D182, Freightliner Class 70, Colas Class 70 and a Freightliner Class 59 at the gala.

“This really is an impressive and substantial line-up. We're very grateful to Michael Owen, the owner of the Class 20s, for his support for our event.

“The Class 20 is a popular locomotive, with plenty of followers, and has always been known for its versatility. First introduced in the late 50s as part of British Rail's replacement of steam traction, they were used for ‘merry-go-round' trains, transporting coal to power stations, and saw service on secondary passenger traffic routes.

“Working as a pair, they'll be ideal to haul full passenger trains at the Spring Diesel Festival, and we look forward to hearing their distinctive helicopter-like sound across the Valley, reminding us why they are nicknamed ‘choppers'!”

Jonathan ‘Gus' Dunster, the SVR's managing director
 
24 April 2024
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More track ordered for the project..........These should be arriving tomorrow

Qty​
Item name​
SKU​
1​
ST-2002 Peco OO Gauge Short Straight Blister Pack 4 Pack​
ST-2002​
1​
ST-2003 Peco OO Gauge Special Short Straight Blister Pack 4 Pack​
ST-2003​
3​
SL-91 OO/HO Scale Small radius R/H Peco​
SL-91​
4​
SL-92 OO/HO Scale Small radius L/H Peco​
SL-92​
1​
ST-2005 Peco OO Gauge Isolating Straight Track Blister Pack 2 Pack​
ST-2005​
1​
ST-202 OO/HO Scale Short Straight 79mm (3in) long Peco​
ST-202​
 
25 April 2024

First visit in 25 years to Somerset railway for Class 24 locomotive​

Class 24 D5054 Phil Southern to star at West Somerset Railway Summer Diesel Festival.​

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Class 24 diesel locomotive No. D5054 Phil Southern.

The West Somerset Railway will have a special guest at this year's Summer Diesel Festival, with the first appearance in 25 years by Class 24 diesel locomotive No. D5054 Phil Southern.

No. D5054 Phil Southern was built at Crewe in 1959 and is normally based at the East Lancashire Railway. From an original class of 151 locomotives, just four have been preserved.
 
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