Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Points heating


The measures identified will achieve a saving of over £3.6m, as it will no longer be necessary to upgrades power networks due to the lower power consumption now required.

This will also mean that track upgrades will not be delayed.

Network Rail expects the policy change to save millions of pounds each year, with average savings of £190,000 per site.

The initiative also reduces safety risks, as workers will not need to physically install new Distribution Network Operator (DNO) and lineside equipment.

Network Rail’s Eastern region has removed the need for DNO upgrades at Northallerton and Black Carr, with existing supply capacity able to meet the demand.


“This initiative demonstrates our commitment to collaborative working, stakeholder engagement and what can be achieved through a collective approach to finding more efficient solutions and ensuring we spend public money wisely, while continuing to operate a safe, efficient and reliable railway. Recognising that track cannot be 100% resilient to the extremes of cold weather, this approval of this variation will continue to maintain our high standards of safety and performance, in putting passengers first, whilst reducing costs and our carbon footprint.”

Steve Hughes, Network Rail project director

9th April, 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 'Abbott Ale', Cleo was initially being good and had a cup of tea, then she had a double G&T.

I popped into my model railway shop and I bought a couple of great items.

Then we went to 'McDonalds' and bought us some burgers and fries.

We went to the indoor market and Cleo bought herself a couple of silver rings.

After that we went to the 'Gatekeeper' for some more drinks, unfortunately it was packed and very noisy [it was a Swansea and Cardiff universities Varsity match], so we left and went back to the 'The Great Western' and I had a few more pints of 'Abbott Ale' for the road home.

Cleo had another double G&T.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd 254, Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro 200 Classic, CE63 NZJ

Welsh Varsity 2025 Live: Thousands of students descend on Cardiff​

If you've wondered why there are so many people in red and green t-shirts wandering around Cardiff today, the answer is Welsh Varsity.

Today is the day Cardiff and Swansea's student population descends on one city for a fiercely competitive day of sporting action.

The annual event, which has been going since 1997, sees the two universities congregate to compete in over 50 sports.

The day culminates with the showpiece events, the rugby matches between the men's and women's sides.

Varsity is the country’s biggest student sporting event and arguably the most important day in both universities’ calendar.

Students travel in their thousands to support their peers in the fiercely competitive contest.

This year the competition is taking place in Cardiff with events being held at Llanrumney, Talybont sports pitches, Maindy velodrome, Sport Wales, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff International Pool and Cardiff Lawn Tennis Club.

The rugby will then kick-off at 3.30pm and 6pm at the Principality Stadium


Sporting venues and bars in Cardiff are set to be rammed for Welsh Varsity

The bus home from Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd 121, Mercedes-Benz Citaro O295, CN65 ABF

Wednesday 9th April 2025



ETHNONRAIL UPDATE

Second-hand items purchased.

Hornby R2036 Limited Edition LNER A3 4-6-2 St. Frusquin 60075 in BR Experimental Blue

10th April, 2025

Steam locomotive No. 65 set to visit the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway​

65 at the Bluebell Railway


SECR O1 No. 65 is to visit the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway as part of their Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala in May.

Taking place between the 24th and 26th May 2025, the gala will feature an intensive timetable and it is rare that 65 is seen away from its home line, the Bluebell Railway.

It is also believed to be the first time that the locomotive has worked outside of the South East.

Joining the O1 will be 2807, 35006 Peninsular & Oriental SN Co, 3850, 34092 City of Wells, 7903 Foremarke Hall and 75069 – with more visiting locomotives to be announced soon.

Tom Willson, chairman of the Cotswold Festival of Steam organising team commented: “No. 65 truly is an elegant addition to the Festival and will be the headline act for what is shaping up to be a spectacular show."

10th April, 2025

Steam locomotive 45596 Bahamas to haul The Cathedrals Express​

Jubilee Class No 45596 Bahamas


After conquering the challenges of Shap and the Settle and Carlisle line at the end of March, in July, Jubilee Class No 45596 Bahamas is set to explore the northern banks of the Bristol Channel.

On Saturday 29th March, Bahamas was unassisted when it hauled The Shap Mountaineer from Birmingham to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line and stormed over Shap summit at speeds recorded by those on the train at between 37-40 mph, among the fastest recorded by a Jubilee on this route.

On Saturday, 5th July, Bahamas will have a different challenge when it hauls Vintage Trains‘ “The Cathedrals Express” via the Lickey incline from Birmingham New Street to Swansea.

The Lickey incline is Britain’s steepest main line gradient, and in steam days, northbound trains used to have up to four banking engines assisting them from Bromsgrove to Blackwell.

From Birmingham, Bahamas will stop to pick up passengers at Barnt Green at 9:20 am, Worcestershire Parkway at 9:40 am, Cheltenham at 10:10 am, and Gloucester at 10:30 am.

It then follows the banks of the Severn Estuary to Chepstow, where it crosses into Wales and follows the northern banks of the Bristol Channel via Newport and Cardiff, and arrives at Swansea at 12:40.

The return journey departs from Swansea at 17:00 arriving at Gloucester at 19:00, Cheltenham at 19:20, and Worcestershire Parkway at 19:45 before ascending the Lickey incline to arrive at Barnt Green at 20:45 and Birmingham New Street at 21:05.

In October 2024, Bahamas took a different type of rail tour when it travelled from Derby to Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.


“We are delighted to be able to confirm Bahamas for The Cathedrals Express to Swansea, following its storming run over Shap and the Settle & Carlisle on 29th March. Once again we would like to thank the Bahamas Locomotive Society for allowing us the use of their locomotive and look forward to running with her again in July.”

A Vintage Trains spokesperson

10th April, 2025

World first as intelligent freight wagons introduced​

Clare Soper, Heidelberg Materials UK and Marc Hurn, VTG Rail UK, inspect the first of the wagons being retrofitted with iWagon technology


Heidelberg Materials UK has introduced wagons incorporating wheel slide protection and real-time tracking to transport the company’s cement.

They are the first operational freight wagons fitted with VTG Rail UK’s iWagon technology, and entered service last Monday, 7th April.

Heidelberg started retrofitting the system to their entire fleet of JPA wagons, which are on lease from VTG Rail UK, at the company’s Ribblesdale Cement Works at Clitheroe in Lancashire on Friday, 4th April and at Padeswood in North Wales from Monday, 7th April.

Heidelberg Materials has also ordered a further 35 new JPA wagons from VTG, all to be fitted with iWagon technology.

That will mean all the company’s wagons will incorporate iWagon technology.

The wheel slide protection and real-time tracking was developed by engineers and innovators from VTG Rail UK and Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK by integrating state-of-the-art sensors, data analytics, and automation.

Together, these work to improve the safety and reliability and increase the performance of the company’s freight wagons.

Clare Soper, Operations Director, UK Supply Chain Cement Distribution for Heidelberg Materials UK commented that it is very exciting that Heidelberg Materials is the first company in the world to adopt the iWagon technology and is looking forward to seeing the wheel protection and additional data that is produced.

Heidelberg Materials is passionate about safety and adopting VTG’s iWagon system was a no-brainer, as it is clear this technology will make the fleet even safer by giving critical data to prevent incidents from happening in the future and to further increase operational performance.

VTG Rail UK has also received orders from several other major UK operators for its wagon technology, including Breedon Group, Tarmac, and Alvance British Aluminium.

In January, Heidelberg Materials placed an order for a 600kWh battery-powered Class 08e locomotive.


“Seeing the first iWagons roll onto the UK rail network is a very proud moment for everyone involved in its development. I congratulate Heidelberg Materials UK for becoming the first of many companies to be operating wagons with this game-changing technology. It marks a significant milestone in the UK rail freight industry and sets a new standard. The iWagon gives our customers enhanced safety, performance and reliability of rail freight wagons and allows for cost efficiencies in the commercial environment.”

“Marc Hurn, Managing Director of VTG Rail UK

10th April, 2025

‘Royal Oak’ to visit Kent & East Sussex Railway for Summer Diesel Gala​

‘Royal Oak’


The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) has announced the first guest locomotive for its three-day Summer Diesel Gala in July.

Class 50 50017 ‘Royal Oak’ will be visiting the K&ESR courtesy of the Great Central Railway. The locomotive is currently sporting Network South East livery.

At 68 feet long, this will be the longest diesel locomotive ever to visit the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

Class 50 diesel locomotives began operating in 1967 and 1968.

Number 50017 entered service in April 1968 as D417.

Fifteen years later, in 1973, it was renumbered 50017, and five years after that, in 1978, it was given the name ‘Royal Oak’.

By the time it was withdrawn in 1991, Royal Oak had served British Rail for twenty-three years.

Class 50s hauled express passenger trains at speeds of up to 100mph, but Royal Oak will only be allowed to travel at 25mph on the K&ESR.

Four locomotives from K&ESR’s home fleet will also appear at the Gala, which takes place on 18th, 19th and 20th July.

• BR Class 03 D2023, courtesy of Tenterden Railway Equipment & Traction Company Ltd
• BR Class 08 08359, courtesy of The Diesel Electric Shunter Company Ltd
• BR Class 14 D9504 ‘Jon Grimwood’, courtesy of Tenterden Railway Equipment & Traction Company Ltd
• BR Class 20 20087 ‘Reginald T Latham’, courtesy of Road & Rail Steam Services

K&ESR will announce more Gala guests soon, and will also release a full timetable and details of other attractions at both ends of the line.

The Railway will also provide a heritage bus service to take visitors to and from their mainline rail connection.

Further information and tickets can be obtained from the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s website.

11th April, 2025

Testing starts on world’s first digitally-signalled steam loco​

L to R Ben Mason, Amy Clouston, Raymond Sturton, Rob Morland


Network Rail has begun testing at speed for an operational steam locomotive fitted with ETCS (European Train Control System) technology.

LNER ‘A1′ No. 60163 ‘Tornado’ is the world’s first steam engine with digital signalling technology installed.

Tornado is a modern steam locomotive and was built in 2008.

The loco is the first to be included in the charter and heritage pathfinder project for the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which combines steam power with digital signalling.

As the modern railway celebrates its bicentenary this year, Network Rail sees this project as blending nineteenth century innovation with twenty-first century technology.

Tornado Driver Machine Interface


Network Rail explains that the pathfinder project aims to “enable all parts of the railway to share in a digital transformation”.

Digital signalling, which is being installed on the East Coast Main Line, will improve safety and reliability on the railway, and will reduce harmful emissions.

The heritage pathfinder aims to enable main line running of steam and heritage diesel for the future.

Heritage rail contributes over £600m per year to the UK’s tourist economy.

Fitting the signalling technology involved contributions from four organisations.

Hitachi Rail was responsible for onboard equipment, AtkinsRealis for fitment design, and Network Rail for integration.

The locomotive’s owner, the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, was also involved.

The work met what Network Rail calls “significant challenges” concerning supply of electricity, management of braking, and running in both directions.

It also had to overcome the difficulties involved in enabling people to work in a noisy, dusty, and sometimes rainy, environment, with vibrations.

This week’s tests follow earlier testing between Carnforth and Hellifield in March, which cleared the locomotive for mainline operation and allowed it to progress to the next stage of testing.

This week, Tornado has undertaken overnight test runs on the Cambrian line between Shrewsbury and Newtown in Mid Wales.

West Coast Railway operated the test trains.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) provided test train officers for each trip.

Network Rail expects to complete this phase of testing on Thursday, 17 April.

Tom Goulding (Engineering Degree Apprentice, Hitachi and retired steam driver Ray Poole


Later this year, BR Class 55 No. D9000 ‘Royal Scots Grey’, a heritage diesel pathfinder loco, is scheduled to undergo dynamic testing.

This will also take place on the Cambrian line.

It will then need to undertake more refining and assurance processes before it can run in mainline heritage operation in ETCS Level Two.


“The innovation and expertise delivered through the Tornado pathfinder has provided significant learnings for our programme, applicable for fitment across a range of fleets.

“The pathfinder project reflects the ‘whole railway’ nature of our collaborative ECDP partnership. This week’s testing is an important stage in a process to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of fitment for heritage and charter fleets.”

Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director, East Coast Digital Programme

Friday 11 Apr 2025

Vital maintenance work taking place on the Ebbw Vale line this month​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Stock picture of track renewal


Rail passengers are reminded that essential maintenance work will close the Ebbw Vale line at the end of April.

Starting from midnight on Sunday 27 April a replacement bus service will be in place between Cardiff Central, Newport, and Ebbw Vale Town stations.

Rail services will return to normal on the morning of Friday 2 May.

The closure will allow teams to renew sections of the railway in the Crosskeys station area.

As well as complete other tasks along the line, such as management of trees and plants to maintain visibility for train drivers and users of level crossings.

Drainage maintenance to manage water levels next to the track, as well as lubrication and testing of the tracks to keep the railway efficient.

By doing lots of work during one closure, disruption will be kept to a minimum for passengers and people who live close by.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We are working really hard to improve train service punctuality and this essential work is a part of our commitment to do that.

“We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway, but we have planned the renewals to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“I would like to thank passengers for their patience and urge them to check their journeys before travelling.”

Passengers are advised to visit the Transport for Wales website for the latest travel updates

12th April, 2025

Leisure is the most popular reason for rail travel, new report shows​

Commuters catching a Great Northern train


The Department for Transport (DfT) this week published a report showing that the most popular reason for passengers to travel by train is for leisure.

The Department investigated passenger travel patterns in order to gain insight into how passengers use the railway.

It believes that this information will help the railway to deliver services that meet passengers’ needs, especially in light of the reorganisation of the railway as train operations are brought into public ownership.

The report revealed that:

• 54% of respondents were travelling for leisure
• 30% of respondents were commuting for work or education
• 15% of respondents were travelling for business
• 61% of respondents travelled by rail for leisure at least once a month
• 41% used the railway for commuting at least once a week; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were the most popular days.

The figures suggest that people are returning to working in their offices midweek, and that rail travel is essential for facilitating this.

The Department also points out that there have been no national strikes since 9 May 2024, after the new government settled disputes about pay with rail unions last year.

This has reduced the level of delays.

However, there have been strikes on individual train operating companies, for example RMT’s action over pay and conditions on Avanti West Coast.

For the quarter October to December 2024, rail revenue increased by 8% from the same quarter in 2023.

The government intends that public ownership will “turn the page on fragmentation”, and enable money to be spent on delivering and improving services rather than being paid to private shareholders.

The most recent passenger data revealed that 5.1% of services were cancelled in the quarter October to December 2024.

Seventy thousand trains were completely cancelled across the rail network.

The unreliability of train services is a major deterrent to people travelling by train.

The Rail Minister is meeting with train operators to discuss unreliability and to demand immediate action.

Last month, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that performance information would be made available at over 1,700 stations, calling this “a new era of rail accountability”.

New Evero Class 805 train at Crewe


“Our railway is the backbone of our economy, connecting people across the country and fuelling business, growth and opportunity, supporting the Plan for Change.

“This research shows thousands of passengers choose the train for their leisure travel. To go and see family and friends, go on holiday or go to big events whether its concerts, festivals or a football match, the train is the best way to get there.”

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy

12th April, 2025

Tyneside heritage railway and museum reopens this Sunday for 2025​

Steam up at the Stephenson Steam Railway


The Stephenson Steam Railway and museum based at North Shields in North Tyneside is reopening for the 2025 season this Sunday, 13th April.

The railway has added new attractions for this year, including a miniature railway and a woodland walk area.

Favourite attractions will still be on offer, such as make-and-take craft Thursdays during school holidays and heritage train rides every Sunday.

A volunteer on the Stephenson Steam Railway


Volunteers from the North Tyneside Steam Railway Association have recently completed a new station, Engine House Halt, which connects the new miniature railway to the museum.

Its debut will be this Easter on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday.

Three unique locomotives will be running on the new miniature railway: steam engine Loki, a Planet petrol locomotive Kibworth Castle, and a special guest locomotive Hilda.

An intensive timetable will be in operation, with fares at £1 under 4s free.

Enjoying a journey on the Stephenson Steam Railway


An under-5s play space has also been added where children can imagine they are a train guard, practising signals and waving flags in front of a mini mirror.

Throughout the site, there are sensory objects and other hands-on items to encourage children to learn and explore while they play and discover the world of trains in a safe and imaginative setting.

Visitors to the railway can enjoy a heritage train ride on a four-mile return journey along a historic route originally used by coal trains travelling from local coal mines to the River Tyne.

The railway welcomes visitors on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, and runs extra services on Thursdays during the school holidays.

A young visitor on the Stephenson Steam Railway


Last year, the Stephenson Steam Railway added to its range of offerings with driving experiences at the controls of a classic British Rail Class 03 diesel locomotive.

Before the new Class 555 trains were introduced on the Tyne and Wear Metro, a full-sized replica of the cab of one of the new trains was displayed at the museum.

This is the picture of our Caesar Markus ~By Radio of cousco

My Irish grandmother was a postmistress in Ireland.

As a child I used to look forward to receiving post from her as she always used to use the current issue stamps to send her letters to the family.

She used to send my father the local newspaper via the post so he knew what was going on in his hometown and area.

When I used to visit her, she would give me a load of stamps and old coins, she spoilt me.

This all came to an end when she sadly died.

But she gave me so many happy memories to treasure.

When I was born, these stamps were in circulation.

These stamps, issued as a commemorative in 1944 to celebrate the Tercentenary of death of Michael O'Clery, were still in use until 1968, replacing the earlier ½d and 1/- [SG111 and SG122] definitive issues.