Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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75029 The Green Knight on the NYMR


To kick off the fundraising appeal, the NYMR is asking people to share their memories of the locomotive, either from steam days or in preservation.

Originally brought straight from British Railways by renowned railway artist the late David Shepherd, 75029’s active years in preservation have far surpassed its short working career on the national rail network in the late 1950s and 1960s.

In preservation, The Green Knight has been to many heritage railways across the country and will be known to a lot of people and staff on other heritage railways.

Its most recent highlight was carrying the Olympic torch as part of the nationwide procession in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

“The Green Knight is an essential locomotive for us. It’s a true workhorse, capable of a wide range of haulage tasks, including running on the mainline to Whitby. With some of our other locomotives set for full overhauls in the coming years, getting No. 75029 back in steam is more crucial than ever. We need the support of our community to make this happen.”

Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton, Director of Mechanical Engineering at NYMR
 
4th March, 2025

Steam locomotive 35028 Clan Line to visit Dover this Thursday​

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35028 Clan Line


35028 Clan Line is set to pass through Kent this Thursday (6th March 2025) as it hauls a Belmond British Pullman train.

Departing London Victoria at 10:59, the train will pass through Denmark Hill (11:10), Bellingham (11:23), Swanley (11:42), Rochester (12:09), Rainham (Kent) (12:19), Canterbury East (12:56) and Dover Priory at 13:20.

After half an hour in Dover, the train will depart back to London at 13:51 and will pass through Headcorn (14:32), Tonbridge (14:56), Orpington (15:18), Kent House (15:47), and London Victoria at 16:11.
 
5th March, 2025
Class 70 locomotive to visit the Severn Valley Railway
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Freightliner's 70005 made a Class 70 debut at the SVR


The Severn Valley Railway has announced that a Class 70 locomotive will be visiting them for the Spring Diesel Festival.

The Class 70 visits thanks to Freightliner, who are also sending a Class 66 to the gala.

Taking place between the 15th and 18th May 2025, the gala will feature visiting and home locomotives as well as an intensive timetable between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade.
 
5th March, 2025

New Shinkansen train for Japan designed in UK​

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The new E10 Shinkansen train


UK Consultancy firm Tangerine has designed a new high-speed Shinkansen train for the East Japan Railway Company.

The new train, called the E10 Shinkansen, will revolutionise high-speed rail travel in Japan for the 2030s, and will replace the existing E2 and E5 trains on the Tohoku route.

The project will now progress to the design implementation phase, and the first trains are scheduled to enter service in 2030.
 
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Privacy seats in the new E10 Shinkansen train


This is the first time that a non-Japanese company has been commissioned to design one of Japan’s iconic bullet trains.

Tangerine has designed both the train’s striking exterior livery and the sophisticated interior of the different passenger classes.

Tangerine’s design for the E10 Shinkansen is rooted in Japanese aesthetics and based on creating a train that is user-centred, brand-aligned, and business-focused.

The design has been inspired by Japan’s landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes, which the East Japan Railway Company hopes will be a source of national pride and a point of intrigue for overseas visitors.
 
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Standard class seats in the new E10 Shinkansen train


The exterior livery pays homage to the different regions through which the train will travel.

A mid-green colour palette reflects the lush mountain forests and coastlines along the route, while the graphics are inspired by a silhouette of Japan’s iconic symbol of Sakura flowers.

Internally, the design focuses on the Japanese tradition of hospitality, and has been inspired by the country’s aesthetic traditions and craftsmanship.

The result is a refined and inviting environment, with careful consideration given to the interior lighting with indirect wash lights to create a soft, calming ambience.

All classes feature variations in seating and layout, and provide operational efficiency for the railway company.
 
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Green-upholstered seats in the new E10 Shinkansen train


East Japan Railway Company is the largest of seven companies that comprise the Japan Railways Group.

Consultancy company Tangerine has studios in London and Seoul and has 30-years experience working with brands such as Apple, JAL, Nikon, LG, and Toyota.

Another company with connections to building trains for both Britain and Japan is Hitachi.

Its factory at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham is building a range of IET trains for UK operators, and a world-wide division of the company is building trains for Japan, including a new fleet of trains for service between Tokyo, Nikko and Kinugawa in Japan and new high-speed trains for Taiwan.

“The E10 Shinkansen represents a milestone in UK-Japan collaboration within the rail sector, setting new benchmarks for hospitality-focused design and sustainable travel. With its blend of Japanese spirit, innovation, and user-centric design, the E10 Shinkansen is poised to redefine high-speed rail travel for decades to come.”

Matt Round, Chief Creative Officer at Tangerine
 
5th March, 2025

DB wins Northern Class 333 upgrade work contract​

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Northern Class 333s at Bradford Forster Square


DB ESG has announced that they have won the contract for the turnkey materials supply and installation of the upgrades to the Passenger Information Screens and Energy Metering on Northern Class 333s.

16 Class 333 EMUs will be upgraded at Northern’s Skipton Sidings Facility.

Each unit will be completed in three days, thanks to DB’s experience.

It is expected the work will be finished by June 2025.

“Our team is thrilled to partner with Northern Trains on this significant project. We are committed to delivering high-quality installations efficiently and safely, leveraging our expertise to enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency of Northern Trains’ Class 333 fleet.”

Nick Goodhand, Managing Director of DB ESG
 
5th March, 2025

First Class 170 returns to service as part of multi-million-pound refurbishment​

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Refurbished unit No. 170101


The first unit to be completed during a multi-million pound refurbishment of CrossCountry’s Class 170 ‘Turbostar’ fleet has returned to service with a bold new livery and brighter interior.

Arriva TrainCare is carrying out the refurbishments at its Crewe depot and is being funded by Porterbrook, the UK’s leading rolling stock financier and asset management company, which owns the fleet.

The return of Class 170 unit No. 170101 to CrossCountry’s inter-regional fleet marks a vital milestone in the programme, which will see the refurbishment of 29 trains totalling 80 carriages.

To provide increased capacity and help alleviate crowding on some services, the dedicated First Class section of the trains has been removed.

Other improvements include:
  • Replacement of tables, seats, and carpets.
  • Fitting new mains and USB plug sockets at all seats.
  • Completely repainting inside and outside of all carriages.
  • Refreshing the on-board toilets.
  • Enhanced passenger information screens with more destination information.
  • Increased Standard Class seating with the removal of the First Class area.
  • New CCTV and automatic passenger counting equipment.
 
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Refurbished unit No. 170101 at Birmingham New Street


All Class 170 Turbostars are due to have been refurbished by 2028, and later this year work is due to start on refurbishing CrossCountry’s Voyager fleet.

CrossCountry started leasing the trains in 2007, and will operate inter-regional routes between Cardiff and Nottingham via Birmingham, and between Birmingham and Stansted Airport via Leicester.

They will be maintained by West Midlands Trains at its Tyseley depot in Birmingham.

Shiona Rolfe, CrossCountry’s Managing Director expressed the view that it’s fantastic to deliver its first refurbished Turbostar train for passengers on inter-regional routes.

Knowing that these trains provide the bulk of the train service for a good portion of its network, they hope passengers enjoy the significant improvements in convenience and comfort.
 
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Interior of refurbished unit No. 170101


Ben Ackroyd, Chief Operating Officer at Porterbrook, commented that as passenger needs evolve, it’s important that their trains do too, which is why they continue to invest in their fleets to ensure they meet customer expectations.

“We’re delighted to be supporting CrossCountry with this significant refurbishment project. The team at our Crewe depot have been working hard to deliver the major fleet overhaul, which will greatly improve the passenger experience – benefitting existing customers at the same time as encouraging even more people to travel on CrossCountry’s services.”

Russell Fletcher, Business Development Director at Arriva TrainCare
 
5th March, 2025

Steam locomotive Taliesin goes on test in North Wales​

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Taliesin at Minffordd


Single Fairlie, Taliesin, has gone on test today on the Ffestiniog Railway.

The 1999-built 0-4-4-T locomotive is a replica of the Single Fairlie that was built in 1876 at the Vulcan Foundry.

The locomotive has been out of service since 2020, when the boiler expired and has been undergoing overhaul at Boston Lodge Works.

It is expected that the locomotive will enter service in 2025 and ahead of this, it has today gone on test to Minffordd.
 
5th March, 2025

Class 26 locomotive set for The Greatest Gathering​

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Class 26 26007 at Barrow Hill Round House on March 1, 2025


In the latest announcement for The Greatest Gathering, Class 26 No. 26007 will be making the trip to Derby.

The Greatest Gathering is set to take place this August to celebrate 200 years of passenger railways.

26007 visits thanks to Victor Korzeniewicz and is subject to operational availability.


The event will take place at Alstom‘s Derby Litchurch Lane Works between the 1st and 3rd August.

The locomotives confirmed to attend are (Alstom have also noted that examples from the same class may substitute):

Steam
  • LNER A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley – courtesy of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust and Locomotive Services Group
  • SR Merchant Navy No. 35018 British India Line – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co
  • LMS 6P No. 46115 Scots Guardsman – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
  • LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas – courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
  • SR Merchant Navy No. 35028 Clan Line – courtesy of the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society
  • LMS Black 5 (specific loco TBA) – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
  • Furness Railway No. 20 – courtesy of The Furness Railway Trust
  • Coal Tank No. 1054 – courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
Diesel
  • BR Class 37 – courtesy of Rail Operations Group
  • Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
  • Class 57 – courtesy of Direct Rail Services
  • Class 66 No. 66301 – courtesy of GB Railfreight
  • Class 69 – courtesy of GB Railfreight
  • Class 60 – courtesy of DCRail
  • Class 108 DMU – courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway
  • Class 47 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co
  • Class 50 No. 50033 ‘Glorious’ – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
  • Class 35 D7076 – courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway and Bury Hydraulic Group
  • Class 55 No. 55009 “Alycidon” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
  • Class 55 No. D9015 “Tulyar” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
  • Class 55 No. 55019 “Royal Highland Fusilier” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
  • Class 40 No. 40106 – courtesy of the Class 40 Preservation Society / Severn Valley Railway
  • Class 43 No. 43159 (2+4 Formation – other powercar TBC) – courtesy of The 125 Group
  • Class 33 No. 33012 – courtesy of 71A Locomotive Group
  • Class 31 No. 31108 – courtesy of A1A Locomotives Ltd
  • Class 57/0 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
  • Class 26 No. 26007 – courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
Electric
  • Class 507001 – courtesy of the Class 507 Preservation Society
  • Class 390 Pendolino No. 390119 in its Pride livery – courtesy of Avanti West Coast
  • Class 91 No. 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – courtesy of London North Eastern Railway
  • Class 331 – courtesy of Northern
  • 4VEP No. 3417 – courtesy of the Bluebell Railway
  • Class 91 No. 91101 Flying Scotsman – courtesy of London North Eastern Railway
  • Class 465 No. 465908 James Green – courtesy of Southeastern
  • Class 720 No. 720506 – courtesy of Greater Anglia
Bi-Mode
  • Class 93 – courtesy of Rail Operations Group
  • Class 755 – courtesy of Greater Anglia
Coaches / Wagons
  • JNA-T Wagon – courtesy of DCRail and Cappagh Group
  • Gold IIA-D wagon – courtesy of Drax Group
  • Railway 200 Exhibition Train – courtesy of GBRTT / National Railway Museum / Railway 200 Team
 
5th March, 2025

Hydrogen powered train set for The Greatest Gathering event in Derby​

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The UK’s first passenger-ready Hydrogen train is set to visit Alstom’s works in Derby for The Greatest Gathering.

HydroFlex unit, 799201, will visit thanks to Porterbrook.

The Greatest Gathering is set to take place this August to celebrate 200 years of passenger railways.


The event will take place at Alstom‘s Derby Litchurch Lane Works between the 1st and 3rd August.

The locomotives confirmed to attend are (Alstom have also noted that examples from the same class may substitute):

Steam
  • LNER A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley – courtesy of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust and Locomotive Services Group
  • SR Merchant Navy No. 35018 British India Line – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co
  • LMS 6P No. 46115 Scots Guardsman – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
  • LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas – courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
  • SR Merchant Navy No. 35028 Clan Line – courtesy of the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society
  • LMS Black 5 (specific loco TBA) – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
  • Furness Railway No. 20 – courtesy of The Furness Railway Trust
  • Coal Tank No. 1054 – courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
Diesel
  • BR Class 37 – courtesy of Rail Operations Group
  • Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
  • Class 57 – courtesy of Direct Rail Services
  • Class 66 No. 66301 – courtesy of GB Railfreight
  • Class 69 – courtesy of GB Railfreight
  • Class 60 – courtesy of DCRail
  • Class 108 DMU – courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway
  • Class 47 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co
  • Class 50 No. 50033 ‘Glorious’ – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
  • Class 35 D7076 – courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway and Bury Hydraulic Group
  • Class 55 No. 55009 “Alycidon” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
  • Class 55 No. D9015 “Tulyar” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
  • Class 55 No. 55019 “Royal Highland Fusilier” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
  • Class 40 No. 40106 – courtesy of the Class 40 Preservation Society / Severn Valley Railway
  • Class 43 No. 43159 (2+4 Formation – other powercar TBC) – courtesy of The 125 Group
  • Class 33 No. 33012 – courtesy of 71A Locomotive Group
  • Class 31 No. 31108 – courtesy of A1A Locomotives Ltd
  • Class 57/0 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
  • Class 26 No. 26007 – courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
Electric
  • Class 507001 – courtesy of the Class 507 Preservation Society
  • Class 390 Pendolino No. 390119 in its Pride livery – courtesy of Avanti West Coast
  • Class 91 No. 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – courtesy of London North Eastern Railway
  • Class 331 – courtesy of Northern
  • 4VEP No. 3417 – courtesy of the Bluebell Railway
  • Class 91 No. 91101 Flying Scotsman – courtesy of London North Eastern Railway
  • Class 465 No. 465908 James Green – courtesy of Southeastern
  • Class 720 No. 720506 – courtesy of Greater Anglia
Bi-Mode
  • Class 93 – courtesy of Rail Operations Group
  • Class 755 – courtesy of Greater Anglia
Hydrogen Power
  • Class 799 Hydroflex No. 799201 – courtesy of Porterbrook
Coaches / Wagons
  • JNA-T Wagon – courtesy of DCRail and Cappagh Group
  • Gold IIA-D wagon – courtesy of Drax Group
  • Railway 200 Exhibition Train – courtesy of GBRTT / National Railway Museum / Railway 200 Team
 
5th March, 2025

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

After arriving in Cardiff Centre we started off in 'The Great Western' and I had a couple of pints of 'Up And Under', Cleo was on her Gin & Tonic.

I had to pop into 'Slaters' to get measured up for a suit for my sister's wedding.

We had a look around some shops and Cleo bought some bread pudding from the market.

We then went to the 'Gatekeeper' for some food, we had some pizza, chicken wings and loaded chips.

The Wetherspoon Beer Festival has started again, so I tried two pints of a festival stout.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd 252, Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro 200 Classic, CE63 NZG - seen here on April 13, 2024
Later on we took the same bus, No. 252, home. :)
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6th March, 2025

Steam locomotive 45212 to visit Warwickshire this Saturday​

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LMS Black 5 No. 45212 will be visiting Warwickshire this Saturday (8th March 2025) as it hauls The Stratford Flyer.

Departing Manchester Piccadilly at 07:25, the locomotive will pass through Stockport (07:38), Macclesfield (08:01), Stoke-on-Trent (08:28), Stafford (08:55), Penkridge (10:10), Walsall (10:43), Tyseley (11:37), Wood End (11:55), Henley-in-Arden (12:02) and Stratford-upon-Avon at 12:17.

After in Stratford-upon-Avon, 45212 will depart at 16:18 and will pass through Whitlocks End (16:41), Tyseley (16:51), Walsall (17:46), Penkridge (18:10), Stafford (18:17), Stoke-on-Trent (19:33), Macclesfield (19:55), Stockport (20:31), Denton (20:55) and Manchester Victoria at 21:57.
 
6th March, 2025

Steam locomotive Judy to visit Kent and East Sussex Railway​

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Judy


The Kent and East Sussex Railway will hold a Dwarves of Steam Gala this April that will show that small locos can still be mighty.

As part of Railway 200 and sponsored by Rapido Trains UK, the event will see KESR locos Marcia, Knowle and Hastings operate alongside two special guests.

First up is W G Bagnall No. 2572 Judy, which entered service in 1937 and will visit courtesy of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

The second locomotive is set to be confirmed soon, but expect the gala, set to be held between the 26-27 April, to include an intensive timetable throughout.

“Heritage railways have long celebrated the giants of steam, but this event highlights the unsung heroes—small locomotives that played a vital role in keeping industry and branch lines running. The Dwarves of Steam Gala is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the strength and versatility of these engines, and we’re delighted to bring together such a unique collection, including two very special visiting locomotives. It promises to be a fantastic weekend for enthusiasts and families alike, proving that when it comes to steam power, size isn’t everything.”

Robin Coombes, General Manager of the K&ESR
 
6th March, 2025

East Lancashire visit for steam locomotive 60163 Tornado postponed​

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60163 Tornado


The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has announced that 60163 Tornado’s visit to the East Lancashire Railway next week has been postponed.

The A1 has completed test trips at the Nene Valley Railway following the installation of a new grate.

The trust says that this was tested successfully, and they now have the right certification to run on the national network.

Timings are not yet released, but it is planned for Tornado to head to Carnforth tomorrow (7th March) before a possible loaded test run on the Carnforth Circle.

With the short amount of time before the visit to the East Lancashire Railway, it has been decided to postpone the visit, which will allow time to make sure Tornado is properly tested and ready for its 2025 season.


The A1 Trust said: “We know that there will be disappointment that we will not be operating public trains at the ELR this month but be assured that Tornado is now moving towards a much-awaited re-emergence onto the national network and a busy programme of railtours across the UK, plus visits to preserved lines too.”
 
6th March, 2025

Network Rail goes worldwide with Australian collaboration agreement​

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Network Rail engineer


Network Rail is developing technology worldwide after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transport for NSW in Australia on Wednesday, 19th February.

The agreement provides for the development of rail technology to improve reliability and drive sustainability to benefit millions of rail passengers on both sides of the world.

The two organisations will collaborate in developing technology to accelerate decarbonisation and reduce carbon emissions through more sustainable practices, driving innovation and improving reliability and safety on the railway network.
 
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Diesel multiple unit in Australia


When Network Rail set ambitious science-based targets, it was the first railway organisation in the world to do so.

It has set a target date of 2045 for net-zero emissions in Scotland and by 2050 for the rest of the UK.

In Australia, Transport for NSW has set similar goals, with a target of 2045 for net zero embodied emissions and 2050 across the entire organisation.

During the next five years, the Memorandum of Understanding will focus on four key areas:

Sustainability & Net Zero Carbon by implementing solutions to reduce emissions and environmental impact.
  • Asset Performance & Reliability by improving infrastructure resilience and operational efficiency.
  • Workforce & System Safety by improving safety measures for rail workers and passengers.
  • Research Development & Innovation to foster innovation in making train travel more accessible, reliable, sustainable, and affordable.
 
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Network Rail engineers upgrading track


Network Rail already has partnerships with leading rail organisations worldwide, including SBB in Switzerland, ProRail in the Netherlands, BaneNor in Norway, the Korean Rail Research Institute, Transport for London, and Trafikverket in Sweden.

In addition to collaborating with overseas organisations, Network Rail is collaborating with Transport for London on the management of assets, maintenance, and environmental sustainability.
 
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Network Rail engineers renewing railway track


“We are delighted to be working with Transport for NSW. We face many of the same challenges and share many of the same goals. “By exchanging knowledge, best practices, and innovative approaches to rail renewals, maintenance and decarbonisation, we’re paving the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient rail network that is fit for the future —benefiting passengers, freight operators and the planet alike.”

Robert Ampomah, Network Rail’s chief technology officer


“This is an exciting opportunity for us to work with Network Rail, given we share similar priorities for the future of our respective rail networks. Our mutual goal to advance the safety, innovation, sustainability and reliability of our rail networks will enable us to better connect people and goods to where they need to be.”

Camilla Drover, Transport for NSW’s Deputy Secretary of Infrastructure, Projects and Engineering
 
6th March, 2025

Mainline tour deal signed for steam locomotive 60163 Tornado​

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The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has announced that it has signed a new deal regarding mainline tours.

The trust has signed a deal with Railway Touring Company and West Coast Railways that will see it operate a ‘significant’ amount of RTC tours.

This deal runs for the current certification period, up to 2028.

This will allow Tornado to be used on the mainline with Railway Touring Company as well as work on some Northern Belle tours from time to time.

Tornado will appear in late 1950s condition to align with the appearance of these express train.
 
6th March, 2025

Shakespeare Express steam train to help mark 175th Anniversary of Worcestershire railway station​

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Shakespeare Express at Stratford


Its a big year for Vintage Trains’ Shakespeare Express – it is 40 years since the first train ran and it is also the 175th Anniversary of Worcester Shrub Hill railway station.

Four departures from Worcester will take place in 2025, helping to mark the special year.

Tickets are now on sale, but passengers are encouraged to book soon as tickets wont be around for long.

Trains will depart Worcester, Droitwich Spa, Stourbridge Junction and Birmingham Snow Hill on the 6th April, 27th July, 17th August and 9th November.
  • Approximate timings for The Shakespeare Express are as follows;
    • Depart from Worcester Shrub Hill at 10:25am and return at 19:05pm
    • Depart from Droitwich Spa at 10:35am and return at 18:55pm
    • Depart from Stourbridge Junction at 11:15am and return at 18:15pm
    • Arrive at Stratford-upon-Avon at 12:35pm and depart at 16:45pm
 
7th March, 2025

Steam locomotive 60163 Tornado to pass through Yorkshire TODAY​

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LNER A1 60163 Tornado on February 27, 2025


60163 Tornado is to make its mainline return TODAY (7th March 2025) as it heads to Carnforth on a test run.

Departing the Nene Valley Railway at 10:24, the locomotive and its support coach will pass through Peterborough (10:44), Spaling (11:06), Ruskington (11:32) and Lincoln Central (11:51).

From Lincoln, the locomotive will head via Gainsborough Lea Road (12:15), Doncaster (12:51), Adwick (13:01), Fitzwilliam (13:12), Normanton (13:37), Woodlesford (13:47), Shipley (15:02), Keighley (15:10), Skipton (15:22), Gargrave (15:26) and Hellifield (15:33).

The locomotive will be serviced at Hellifield before head via Long Preston (16:22) and Carnforth at 16:57, where it will shunt around the station before heading to West Coast’s depot.
 
7th March, 2025

Ffestiniog Railway to celebrate two landmarks with June event​

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Linda and Blanche on the Ffestiniog Railway


The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is currently planning for a busy weekend in June when it will hold its ‘Railway 200 – FR Platinum Jubilee Weekend’.

Two momentous landmarks will be celebrated from Thursday, 19th until Sunday, June 22nd June, with the 70th anniversary of passenger trains resuming on the Ffestiniog Railway and 2025 being the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway being celebrated with Railway 200 events nationwide.
 
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70th Anniversary celebrations logo.


This ‘200 Wheels on the Cob’ cavalcade will undoubtedly be the highlight of the weekend, taking place on Sunday, 22nd of June.

This will be a cavalcade of Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ engines throughout the years, lining up in formation across the iconic Cob embankment.

The weekend’s events start on the evening of Thursday, 19th June, when Simplex Mary Ann will give visitors the chance to savour the historic moment with a ride across the Cob to Boston Lodge.

To help visitors travel to Porthmadog for the evening, extra services will run from Blaenau Ffestiniog at 17:35 and 20:50 to connect with Transport for Wales Conwy Valley services.


Friday, 20th June starts with a service at 07:00 hauled by diesel Upnor Castle.

Trains will run to Minffordd and Tan y Bwlch, and Linda and Blanche will operate a service to Caernarfon.

Visitors take a trip on an infrastructure train or ride on an inspection train to Dduallt behind Moelwyn.

In the evening, Merddin Emrys and Prince will run non-stop from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, in both directions.
 
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Merddin Emrys at Tanygrisiau


On Saturday, 21st June, an early steam-hauled train will give a good view of a spectacular ‘200 wheel’ goods train at Tanygrisiau.

In the afternoon, there will be a recreation of trains crossing at Dduallt, whilst Linda takes one trip to Minffordd and one to Tan y Bwlch with a 1950s style flying flea, made up of four-wheel carriages and bogies.

The last day of the event is on Sunday, 22nd June 2025, and it will celebrate 200 years of railways with a ‘200 Steam Wheels on the Cob spectacle on a Grand Cavalcade from Boston Lodge to Porthmadog, with the locomotives in the order of their preservation.

An auction is being held on Sunday, 4th May for a selection of Cavalcade footplate passes.

Tickets and full details regarding the weekend will be available on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s website.
 
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Simplex Mary Ann


The weekend’s events are being planned by Clare Britton, the Events Co-ordinator at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.

Clare Britton first visited the railway as a child and has fond memories of visiting it with her parents, and later, as a volunteer.

On New Year’s Day, the railway took part in the worldwide whistle-up to mark the first day of Railway 200.

On 21st, 22nd, and 23rd March 2025, visitors with a National Lottery ticket or scratch card can take free tours of Boston Lodge works as part of the National Lottery Open Week.
 
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7th March, 2025

All London – Paris trains cancelled due to Wartime Bomb as LNER and Eurostar release advice​

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Eurostar and London North Eastern Railway has released travel advice after a wartime bomb was discovered near Paris Gare du Nord.

All trains today have been cancelled by Eurostar to and from London St Pancras International, with Eurostar saying passengers should change the journey to a different day or claim a refund.

London North Eastern Railway, who run trains to and from London Kings Cross, say that passengers with tickets marked 7th March can travel on an alternative train, and passengers who have abandoned travel today can return home at no additional cost.


They have also said those who defer travel can use their LNER ticket on the same day.

Latest travel advice available on the Eurostar website.
 
7th March, 2025

East Lancashire Railway to welcome steam locomotive 61306 Mayflower​

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61306 Mayflower


The East Lancashire Railway has announced that LNER B1 No. 61306 Mayflower is to visit them for their Legends of Steam Gala.

61306 Mayflower joins the list for next week’s (14-16th March 2025) gala courtesy of Jeremy Hosking and Locomotive Services Group.

Previously, A1 No. 60163 Tornado was due to visit but the A1’s visit was cancelled yesterday due to mainline test runs needing to take place.


61306 joins 34081 92 Squadron, 34092 City of Wells and 44871 to operate an intensive timetable.


Mayflower will arrive off the mainline on Friday afternoon and will attach to a service train to operate for the rest of the day and weekend.

The locomotive will also operate the Dining With Distinction train on the Saturday.
 

British Rail Class 21​


The British Rail Class 21 was a type of Type 2 diesel-electric locomotive built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow for British Rail in 1958–1960.

They were numbered D6100-D6157.

Thirty-eight of the locomotives were withdrawn by August 1968; the rest were rebuilt with bigger engines to become Class 29, although those locos only lasted until 1971.

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View northward at Ferme Park South Up on 2 June 1959
Brand-new NBL/MAN No. 6103 Type 2 (later Class 21) is bringing empty mail vans. This was during the early evaluation by BR of main-line Diesels under the 1955 Modernization Plan. This Class proved particularly unreliable and were soon sent up to the Scottish Region where they did not last long.
 
Under the British Railways Modernisation Plan, a batch of ten 1,000 hp (746 kW) diesel-electric locomotives were ordered from the North British Locomotive Co. for evaluation under BR's dieselisation pilot scheme.

At the same time, six externally similar locomotives with hydraulic transmission were ordered for comparison, these becoming Class 22.

Repeat orders resulted in a total of 58 of the diesel-electric locomotives being built (numbered D6100–6157).

They were delivered between December 1958 and November 1960.

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North British Type 2 D6102 at Doncaster
 
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They proved to be unreliable in service, and during 1960 the Eastern Region fleet was transferred to Eastfield depot on the Scottish Region for convenience of return to their manufacturer when warranty work was required.

However, the North British Locomotive Works closed in 1962, by which time the type's principal shortcomings had become plain.

D6100s suffered problems with the coupling between the power unit and the generator.

The engines themselves were a MAN design, but which were built under licence by NBL and of inferior quality to the German originals.

Engine cooling systems proved to be inadequate, diesel engines leaked and were not constructed to the appropriate tolerances, cylinder heads fractured and lubricating oil escaped into the battery compartments located below the power unit.

These flaws were mostly rectified on a rebuilding programme in 1961–62.

The positioning of minor components within the locomotive bodyshell meant that small faults could only be rectified on depot or by return to a railway workshop, which resulted in poor daily availability for traffic figures for the type.

Engine room fires were common and wrote off several locomotives.

However the later batch, with the B series engine, proved more reliable but still suffered problems.

Problems with the NBL/MAN engines are detailed in a report prepared at Swindon in September 1962.

This related to the Class 22 but similar problems were experienced with the Class 21.



From my book of trains
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In an attempt to improve reliability, 20 locomotives (D6100–03, D6106-D6108, D6112–D6114, D6116, D6119, D6121, D6123, D6124, D6129, D6130, D6133, D6134 and D6137) were re-engined between 1963 and 1967 with 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) Paxman Ventura engines to form Class 29

The remaining 38 locomotives retained their original NBL/MAN engines until they were withdrawn from service between December 1967 and August 1968 and sold for scrap.

Most were cut up by Scottish scrap dealers McWilliams of Shettleston or Barnes and Bell of Coatbridge, but locomotive D6122 was sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, after a re-railing demonstration at Hither Green, Southern Region on 2 November 1967 where it languished until 1980 before being broken up.

None have survived.


Here's my model of D6103
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