Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Veterans with Hull 4 Heroes travelling on Hull Trains

Paul took time out from his busy schedule to express his gratitude to the team at Hull Trains and said:

“Hull Trains have been a great support to all of us at Hull 4 Heroes. Their staff are second-to-none and always go above and beyond whenever we travel on their services. The first time we travelled with them we had standard tickets, but the onboard manager called us out and took us straight through to first class!

“They can never help us enough and there’s a great feeling on the train and in the stations, they really are a big part of the community. I’d like to thank them on behalf of all our veterans for the help they have given us over the years.”


The group made headlines this year when Paul along with 15 military veterans travelled on Hull Trains’ services to London to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

They visited Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and Green Park, where they laid flowers.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Hull Trains, added:

“Charities and volunteers play a vital role to the people of Hull and surrounding areas so we are pleased to help out in any way we can. We thank Hull 4 Heroes for all that they do in the local community, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard our services in the future.”

Other local charities that Hull Trains supports include Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Childrens University Charity.
 
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11 Nov 2022

Lumo 40 times greener than flying between Edinburgh and London


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Lumo train 2022

Figures released today, Friday, 11th November, by train operator Lumo, show that travelling on its trains between London and Edinburgh is 40 times greener than flying over the same route.

The latest figure is a significant increase from the previous estimate that train travel was six times greener.

All Lumo trains feature 100% electric haulage between Edinburgh and London along the East Coast Mainline.

The new figure is based on statistics showing that Lumo’s trains release just 0.006 kg CO2e per passenger per kilometre, which is40 times less than the 0.24587 kg CO2e per passenger per kilometre for air travel.

The air CO2e figure is calculated using published Gov.uk figures in the 2022 conversion factor file:

https://assets.publishing.service.g...ile/1083857/2022-ghg-cf-methodology-paper.pdf
 
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Lumo Class 803

Rail has now overtaken air travel as the preferred mode of transport between Edinburgh and London.

Comparative figures show that between April and August 2019, 57% of journeys between the two cities were by rail, compared with the pre-pandemic total of 35% for the same period in 2019.

In August, rail instead of domestic flights was the choice for 66% of travellers, which suggests the upward trend is continuing.

These figures are based on publicly available Civil Aviation Authority data and the rail industry’s LENNON sales data.
 
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Lumo Class 803

Since Lumo launched its service between London and Edinburgh in October 2021, over one million customers have travelled with the company.

It is now taking bookings for travel during the Christmas period with tickets from London, Kings Cross to Edinburgh starting at £31.90, and tickets from London, Kings Cross to Newcastle starting at £26.90.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, said:

“We launched Lumo to provide an affordable sustainable option for travel between Edinburgh and London, and the new figures showcase just how much the environment benefits from customers making the decision to travel by rail instead of taking domestic flights.

“Our pricing model has now encouraged over one million customers to take the train between the capital cities, with more people getting the train than the plane between the two for the first time in decades. We hope these new figures encourage even more travellers to make the switch to Lumo.”
 
11 Nov 2022

Bluebell Railway to welcome Lancashire & Yorkshire ‘Pug’ steam locomotive No. 19 in 2023​

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Pug 19 on the East Lancashire Railway

The Bluebell Railway has announced that L&Y ‘Pug’ No. 19 will be visiting them for their Branch Line Gala Weekend in 2023.

No. 19 will be visiting the Bluebell Railway thanks to the East Lancashire Railway and the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Trust.

Taking place from the Friday 21st and Sunday 23rd April 2023, you can expect the gala to feature an intensive timetable as well as another yet-to-be-announced gala visitor.

Tickets and timetables will be announced in due course.
 
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Pug 19 on the East Lancashire Railway

No. 19 was built in 1910 and worked with both the L&Y and the LMS companies as well as spending time in the industrial sector before being sold in 1931.

Having spent a number of years as a static exhibit, the locomotive returned to steam in time for the L&Y/LNWR celebrations in 2022.
 
11 Nov 2022

London Northwestern Railway Initiative Helps Veterans Attend Ceremony​

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Milton Keynes veterans pay respects

To pay respects at a London ceremony today, London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has partnered up with military veterans in Milton Keynes.

LNR transported two wreaths to London, as part of the “Routes of Remembrance” initiative, on behalf of ARC MK.

This morning the wreaths travelled on an LNR service to London Euston, where they were laid at a memorial before the two minutes silence at 11am.

The “Routes of Remembrance” initiative was set up by The Veterans Charity in 2020 to help veterans who couldn’t travel to take part in national ceremonies during the pandemic.

Jonny Wiseman, LNR customer experience director, said:

“We are delighted to support veterans and assist in helping them pay tribute on Remembrance Day.

“It was our pleasure to transport two wreaths from Milton Keynes to Euston ahead of the remembrance ceremony at the station. We are honoured to support the Routes of Remembrance scheme across our railway network.”
 
11 Nov 2022

Steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas to visit Margate today​

45596 Bahamas will be on the mainline this Friday (11th November) as it hauls a London to Margate tour.

Departing London Victoria at 10:15, Bahamas will pass through Brixton (10:22), Swanley (10:46), Sole Street (10:59), Gillingham (11:17), Rainham (11:20), Faversham (11:41), Whitstable (12:08) and Margate at 12:47.

The return journey will take a slightly different route back to London. Departing Margate at 13:15, the tour will pass through Sandwich (13:41), Dover Priory (14:02), Ashford International (14:39), Harrietsham (14:54), Swanley (15:53), Bromley South (16:06), Herne Hill (16:18), Brixton (16:20) and London Victoria at 16:33.

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45606 [45596] : Strood

LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 No. 45606 'Falklands Islands' [No. 45596 'Bahamas' in disguise] passes the Cuxton Road footbridge, Strood working the 1Z75 10:15 Victoria to Margate 'The Kentish Belle Armistice Day' rail tour on November 11, 2022
 
11 Nov 2022

Telford Steam Railway gets set for its Polar Express events as Swordfish arrives​

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Swordfish arrives for its Polar Express duties

The Telford Steam Railway has welcomed the arrival of Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 steam engine No. 2138 “Swordfish” for this year’s Polar Express trains

Due to ongoing repairs, Telford Steam Railways GWR 56XX 0-6-2 tank engine No. 5619 means that it won’t be able to haul this year’s Polar Express trains and so Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 steam engine No. 2138 “Swordfish” has been hired in to take on the job, thanks to the owner of the locomotive and the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre.

The heritage railway which earlier this month saw a formal opening for its platform extension, will see its popular Polar Express trains will get underway on Sunday the 25th of November with fantastically festive journeys to visit Santa at the North Pole.

Prior to the Christmas trains, ‘Swordfish’ will be fitted with a spotlight and bell in order to recreate a likeness to the well-loved locomotive in the Polar Express film.
 
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Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 steam engine No. 2138 “Swordfish”

A Telford Steam Railway spokesman said:

“This is the first time that “Swordfish” has visited to our line and is something new and exciting for our Polar Express passengers to look forward to seeing and travelling behind this Christmas at Telford Steam Railway”.
 
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Here's a couple of videos of 45606 "Falkland Islands (45596 "Bahamas") seen today.

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45606 'Falkland Islands' AKA 45596 'Bahamas' with The Kentish Belle Armistice Day 11/11/22

A close up look at this LMS Jubilee Loco with Footplate views also at London Victoria.

This loco is 45596 'Bahamas' however is currently wearing 45606 and 'Falkland Islands' name plates.

The video will show you an up-close look at this splendid steam engine before it heads out to Margate from Platform 2 at Victoria.

 
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Ex LMS Jubilee loco 45596 'Bahamas' was running as 45606 'Falkland Islands' on an Armistice Day special today.

Seen at Bickley on the outward and return legs of the trip to Margate.

 
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November 12th, 2022

Plans to restore Oxted Line 2-car “Thumper” DEMU​

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Thumper 1305

The 1305 Thumper Gang has released details of its plans to restore British Rail Class 207 diesel-electric multiple unit No. 1305.

The unit was built at Eastleigh in 1962 and originally used on the Oxted line of the Southern Region. and is one of the last Oxted units left in existence.

1305 is a 2-car DEMU, and like the rest of the class, the class has a nickname of “Thumpers” because of the noise its engine units make.

The plan is to create a gang similar to the very successful Bluebell Railway Goods Division to look after and care for 1305, which will allow the Bluebell Railway’s Carriage and Wagon department to continue with its normal work without an extra workload.
 
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Work done on the unit by its previous owners, Coulsdon Old Vehicle & Engineering Society, means that 1305 is mechanically and electrically in working order.

However, although the bodywork is complete, it does need attention.

Among changes made to 1305 since it was built is being converted to fluorescent tube lighting.

It is also one of three Oxted units that were converted to operate the Marsh Link services, and was fitted with corridor connections between coaches.

An ex-4CEP EMU trailer coach was added as a centre carriage and named Brighton Royal Pavilion.

That carriage was sold by a previous owner.
 
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When 1305 was delivered to the East Lancs Railway it was covered in graffiti so it was given a quick coat of green paint to get it in service.

A few years ago when it came time to give it a decent repaint there was some panel work which needed to be replaced but unfortunately it uncovered the dreaded asbestos and has been side-lined ever since.
 
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This Unit has been through turbulent times as it originally had body work problems, when it was looked into the dreaded blue asbestos was found so for many years out was stored.

A couple of years ago we heard they were going to dispose of the unit but looking at the Preserved Railways Stocklist website there are the two photos above showing the unit being repaired, so its looking like there is a good future for this unit.
 
November 12th, 2022

Overspeeding in blanket emergency speed restrictions investigate in Rail Accident Investigation Branch safety digest​

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The digest investigates incidents which took place during the extreme heat wave in July 2022 on Western and Wales routes.

Between the 16th and 19th of July 2022, the UK experienced an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures reported by the Met Office in excess of 35°C throughout England and parts of Wales.

The 18th and 19th of July saw rail services severely disrupted due to the extreme weather conditions.

Risks are created in extreme temperatures which impact trains’ safe operation, such as track buckling and problems with signalling equipment.

Network Rail has an operational procedure NOP 3.17 ‘Weather Arrangements’ which provides instructions for controlling risks brought about by extreme weather.

The heatwave on the 18th and 19th of July saw Network Rail jump to action imposing blanket emergency speed restrictions for many lines, these kinds of restrictions are precautionary speed restrictions actioned across a large area without the installation of speed restriction warning signs.

Rail Operating Centres saw staff issued with forms where necessary which are also known as late notices and provide information pertinent to the speed restriction, the areas affected and the train operating companies which run services in the affected area.

The notices provided detailed specific speed restrictions as well as geographical limits and the times they were to be put in place.

All of the train operating companies followed their own internal processes in order to provide the information to drivers.

The process of supplying the relevant detail was varied across the train operating companies and saw some post copies of the forms at drivers’ booking-on points whilst others provided personal copies of the notices to every driver either electronically or on paper.
 
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A number of incidents were recorded over the 18th and 19th of July and saw a number of the blanket emergency speed restrictions not carried out as follows:

On the 18th of July 2022
  • At 12.30 hrs, the driver of the 07.10 Penzance to Paddington service travelled at speeds of up to 125mph through 60mph blanket emergency speed restrictions. The restrictions have been put in place between Bristol and Swindon for Network Rail’s Western Route. The route had seen a diversion put in place, however, this was also subject to the same speed restrictions. The driver made contact with the signaller at the Thames Valley Signalling Centre to find out if the blanket emergency speed restrictions were in place on the diverted route. The signaller informed the driver that they were not aware of blanket emergency speed restrictions for the new route. It was later discovered that the notice had been filed by staff on an earlier shift and the signaller was not informed about it as the shift changed over. The provision of incorrect information by the signaller led to the driver travelling at normal line speed despite the fact that they had a copy of the late notice which detailed the blanket emergency speed restrictions for the new route. The information was in the driver’s bag and was not accessible whilst driving the train.
  • At 20.50hrs, the 20.04 Bristol Parkway to Portsmouth Harbour service travelled at speeds of up to 71mph through 60mph blanket emergency speed restrictions which were in place between Bristol and Bath for Network Rail’s Western route. The driver was under the impression that the restrictions ended at 20.00hrs which was correct for the Wessex route however it was incorrect for the Western route which still saw the blanket emergency speed restrictions in place until 22.00hrs.
On the 19th of July 2022:
  • At 11.50 hrs, the 08.05 Holyhead to Cardiff Central service was reported as passing over a hot axle box detector at 89mph, close to Craven Arms for Network Rail’s Wales route which had blanket emergency speed restrictions of 60mph in place.
  • At 12.55hr, the 09.08 Milford Haven to Crewe service was also reported as passing over a hot axle box detector at 70mph at Tramm Inn near Hereford on Network Rail’s Wales route which had blanket emergency speed restrictions of 60mph in place. The driver had now seen the late notice and was not aware of the blanket emergency speed restrictions.
Some of the trains travelled substantially faster than the blanket emergency speed restrictions allowed with no reported consequences.

It is also possible that further overspeeding instances did occur on the 18th and 19th of July but were not identified.

Further evidence also revealed that drivers called signallers in order to discover the situation with regard to blanket emergency speed restrictions over the two-day period of extreme heat as they were unsure of details, however, none of these led to overspeeding due to the drivers being provided with the correct information.

It was found that the overspeeding incidents took place due to drivers of the trains not clearly understanding where or when the blanket emergency speed restrictions were in place.

One driver whose misunderstanding of the extent of the restrictions was added to further by a signaller who was also not fully aware of its correct application.

A RAIB report from August 2021 regarding trains overspeeding between Laurencekirk and Portlethen in Aberdeenshire found that blanket emergency speed restrictions did not always clearly convey information so that drivers could easily understand and remember when it needed to be applied.

The report also found that drivers were not reminded of blanket emergency speed restrictions after booking on.

The format of the late notices may be part of the overspeeding incidents as the details describing areas, where blanket emergency speed restrictions were in place, were hard to memorise due to so many areas being listed on a single notice.

Further investigation has also discovered that blanket emergency speed restrictions for neighbouring routes lead to drivers being confused as to whether they should follow the restrictions or not.

Network Rail has a procedure which allows route control centres to advise drivers of blanket emergency speed restrictions by using reminder broadcasts on the railway radio system which is configured to allow such broadcasts to be automatically played as a train nears the relevant signalling system.

The system is only triggered to trains in the relevant geographic locations.

The instances of overspeeding saw none of the route control centres operating a railway radio system reminder broadcast.

Despite the Western route being instructed to use the reminder broadcasts, they were not carried out due to signallers not being clear on which tracks they should implement the broadcast on.

Other control centres opted not to use the broadcast system as the blanket emergency speed restrictions were only published the evening prior to coming into force and it was thought that drivers would already have seen the notices.

Following the Craven Arms and Tramm Inn incidents, Network Rail’s Wales route put the reminder broadcasts in place whilst the Western route utilised them on the days following.

A number of similar incidents which saw overspeeding at temporary, emergency and blanket emergency speed restrictions have also been investigated by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. This latest safety digest has revealed the importance of:
  • The structure of safety-critical documents – making sure that they are clear about what actions are to be taken, with formatting which supports ease of understanding and recall.
  • The use of appropriate methods, such as available technology in order to ensure that important safety messages reach the relevant staff members so they are able to act.
  • Rail staff to make certain they have fully read and understood safety-critical information which has been sent to them.
  • The briefing of other staff who are taking over a position in order to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place and to support them recall this information where necessary.
 
November 12th, 2022

ETHNON RAIL


YouTube Channel News

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Gv8b2T-qbLmt2tgAmJp1g/about

The Channel now has 7 subscribers, I'm amazed as I haven't uploaded any videos yet! :lol:

Attempted a video but the sound is terrible, Neonlake and I are 'brainstorming' a solution to this issue and we may take video and add audio later.

We have now filmed quite a lot of footage and are in the process of editing and sound recording.

So, hopefully, we may have our first video uploaded as soon as that work has been completed. :)
 
November 12th, 2022

I had my Hornby BR Standard Class 9F running around my test layout today for some video footage.

Here are some stills I photographed.

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I gave her a little run with a 'Support Coach' which, in this case, is a Western Region MK1 full brake.

Quite prototypical I thought. :)

Support Coach for operational support

With the locomotives often away from their home base, or even any kind of operating base, support crews numbering around half a dozen people usually travel with the train, their role being to prepare the locomotive, tend to it on water stops and repair any fixable issues arising, and clear the ashpan as part of a disposal routine at the end of the day.

As a result, as well as the passenger coaches, mainline steam trains will also feature a support coach, normally a passenger brake van of the British Railways Mark 1 or Mark 2 era, specially fitted out to provide seating/sleeping, catering and workshop facilities for the support crew, plus space to carry spares and equipment (i.e. hoses), including that required for the modern equipment needed on a mainline equipped train.

While on the move, one support crew member rides on the footplate, to act as the locomotive owner's representative and assist the train crew – who have general knowledge of steam locomotives and the UK mainline – by offering specialist knowledge of the idiosyncrasies of the specific locomotive, and reacting to matters arising.

On the move, the remaining crew in the support coach will also record the locomotive's performance while operating, including punctuality and fuel efficiency.
 
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The British Railways Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 is a class of steam locomotive designed for British Railways by Robert Riddles.

The Class 9F was the last in a series of standardised locomotive classes designed for British Railways during the 1950s, and was intended for use on fast, heavy freight trains over long distances.

It was one of the most powerful steam locomotive types ever built for British Railways, and successfully performed its intended duties.

The class was given the nickname of 'Spaceships', due to its size and shape.
 

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Hornby, R3942, BR, Class 9F, 2-10-0, 92219

Product Info​

One of fifty-three Class 9Fs completed at Swindon Works and the penultimate steam locomotive to be built by British Railways, 92219 entered service on 31 January 1960 paired with seven ton, 5000 gallon BR1G tender No. 1526 and was allocated to Cardiff Canton in the Western Region.

Remaining in Cardiff for the entirety of its service life, 92219 was withdrawn from Cardiff East Dock in the first week of September 1968, having completed less than six years in traffic.

Sold to Woodham Brothers at Barry scrapyard in October 1965, 92219 remained there until May 1985 when it was moved to the Peak Railway Society at Buxton, being cosmetically restored and stored.

Further extended periods of storage at the Midland Railway Centre and Stainmore Railway Company ensued, before 92219 was moved to the Wensleydale Railway in 2014 to once again await restoration.
 
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BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 92219 braves the elements in Swanwick yard, in the hope of some future 'tlc', on 17 December 2011 ( Built at Swindon in 1959-60, this loco saw less than 6 years of BR service before being withdrawn in 1965.

One of only 9 of the of 251 9F class built to escape the torch, this loco only ever saw some cosmetic restoration in the 1980's after 'escaping' Barry
 
November 14th, 2022

Steam locomotive 7812 Erlestoke Manor makes moves towards returning to Severn Valley Railway service​

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7812 warming fire

The Erlestoke Manor Fund has confirmed that Tuesday the 8th of November saw 7812’s first warming fire lit and steam raised the next day for her first trial movement under her own power, the first time this had been achieved in approximately 5 years.

7812 Erlsetoke Manor is now seeing snagging tasks rectified in order to be ready for her in-steam boiler insurance examination which is set to take place on the 15th of November and will then see Severn Valley Railway engineers carry out a further inspection and examination.
 
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7812 Lighting up

If 7812 passes the examinations to a satisfactory standard, she will be moved back to Severn Valley Railway before the end of November where test running and mileage accumulation will be undertaken ahead of being entered into service at the heritage railway.

It is hoped that the locomotive will be ready in time for Christmas operations.

Erlestoke Manor Fund volunteers have put in a mammoth effort in order to accelerate 7812’s progress including the final fitting, and outstanding tasks alongside necessary adjustments.
 
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