Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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West Country Class 34101 Hartland
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November 30th, 2022

ORR releases decision on Wrexham to Bidston applications from Transport for Wales and GB Railfreight​

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Transport for Wales logo​

Service improvements to the Wrexham and Bidston line will be felt by both Transport for Wales and GB Railfreight, the Office of Rail and Road has announced.

An independent review was needed because both operators had applied for capacity that could not be accommodated together.

Currently, an hourly Wrexham to Bidston service is operated by Transport for Wales, whilst GBRf use sections of track to serve Deeside and Avonmouth from Padeswood Cement Works.

Network Rail’s initial analysis showed that only one of the applications could be accommodated, so rejected both.

Both operators then asked the ORR to take a decision on the applications.

The review looked into the line’s capacity, operational issues and cost-benefit analysis.
 
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GB Railfreight logo

The decision now means that Transport for Wales will be able to operate a 2-trains-per-hour service for most of the day – representing an improvement for passengers.

Freight trains can also serve Padeswood Cement Works can continue with better certainty thanks to a firm contractual base. Each freight train will remove around 36 HGVs from the roads.

Stephanie Tobyn, Director of Strategy, Policy and Reform at ORR said:

“We are pleased to have reached a decision that promotes passenger and freight growth in line with our duties through an increase in passenger services and placing the freight trains serving the cement works on a firm contractual basis.

“Our review of the applications identified areas where Network Rail needs to improve its management of granting access to the rail network. We will continue to monitor the Wales and Borders route on these issues.”
 
November 30th, 2022

Boiler lifted from North Norfolk Railway-based steam locomotive Ring Haw​

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Ring Haw boiler lift at Weybourne​

The boiler of the steam locomotive Hunslet 0-6-0ST No. 1982 Ring Haw has recently been lifted from the locomotive’s chassis in readiness for the boiler’s overhaul.

Whilst the boiler has been removed, it is planned that Ring Haw’s chassis will be sent away for refurbishment to a specialist contractor.

The Society is currently awaiting receipt of quotations for the work before agreeing a start date with the successful contractor.
 
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The successful lift of the boiler of Ring Haw at Weybourne​

The boiler lift took place at the North Norfolk Railway’s site at Weybourne, and was carried out by the society’s recently refurbished Grove Allen H404 mobile crane, known as Horace.

Dating from around 1971 and with a lifting capacity of up to 40 tons, Horace was acquired by the society in 2013, and has just returned into service after a two-year overhaul, during which all its electrics and hydraulic systems were overhauled, a new set of tyres and batteries were fitted, and it was repainted into a ‘Blood and Custard’ livery.
 
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Ring Haw at the North Norfolk Railway​

Ring Haw’s boiler will enter the North Norfolk Railway’s boiler shop in due course for the work to be carried out, and the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society is hoping that it will be ready for return to service on the North Norfolk Railway during 2024.
 
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Ring Haw in service at the North Norfolk Railway​

Ring Haw was built in 1940 by the Hunslet Engine Company.

It originally worked at the Nassington Ironstone Quarries near Peterborough for hauling iron ore tipplers out of the quarries.

It remained there until 1970 when the quarries closed and moved to the North Norfolk Railway the same year.

The Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society purchased the locomotive from the North Norfolk Railway in April 2020 to provide the North Norfolk with funds during a period of difficulty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Neil Sharpe, the Chairman of the M&GN Society said:

“This is an important day, for the Society as it marks two important events in one. Firstly, the next stage of the restoration of Ring Haw and secondly the return to service after refurbishment of our crane Horace”.
 
November 30th, 2022

ETHNON RAIL

YouTube Channel News

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

The Channel now has 12 subscribers, I thank all those that have subscribed so far.

Update on videos, Neonlake has actually used some of my footage to create the opening titles for the future videos.

I converted the AVI files to MP4 and sent them to him.

It's been put together and edited and I must admit, it looks very good.

I have recorded more footage and converted to MP4.

I need to record a bit more over the next couple of days.

The sound has still been a bit of an issue but we believe we have solved this to an acceptable level.

I keep saying this, but hopefully, we may have our first video uploaded soon. :)
 
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Tri-ang / R.50 4-6-2 Princess Victoria Tender Loco, view from port/aft/upper side showing side of cab.

The cab side shows two sets of numbers/letters

8P = Locomotive Classification - Power rating and primary role

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BR adopted a slightly modified version of the LMS classification system, itself based on the Midland Railway's system.

Each locomotive class was given a number 0–9 that signified its power, 0 for the least powerful and 9 for the most, with a suffix of F or P, indicating freight and passenger roles respectively.

Freight power ranged from 0–9, passenger from 0–8.

Many locomotives were used for both roles, in which case they were given two class numbers, the P-rating first e.g. 3P4F or 6P5F. A slight change from the LMS system saw those where the freight classification (x) equalled the passenger classification (also x) reclassified as xMT, MT standing for mixed-traffic, e.g. for the LMS Black Five locomotives, LMS 5P5F became BR 5MT.

Mixed traffic locomotives had power in the range of classes 2–6..)
 
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The cab side shows two sets of numbers/letters

46205 = Locomotive serial number

This number comes up with the following information:

Steam Locomotive: '46205'

Built ForDesignerWorks NumPowerClassWheelsIntro.BuiltWithdrawnNumber TypeNumberNumber StartName
LMSStanierPrincess Royal (Lizzies)4-6-2193324/07/193525/11/1961LMS
BR		6205
46205		24/07/1935
22/05/1948		PRINCESS VICTORIA

46205 Princess Victoria as she was in BR Green.

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Some more stills as supplied to Neonlake for possible use in ETHNON RAIL video.

R.855 Hornby Steamsound LNER green A3 Flying Scotsman tender No 4472.

With Steamsound that makes a chuffing noise as it goes along.

As used for loco drive models produced circa 1968 - 1980.

The letters LNER on the tender stand for London North Eastern Railway.

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Steam Locomotive: '4472'​


Built ForDesignerWorks NumPowerClassWheelsIntro.BuiltWithdrawnNumber TypeNumberNumber StartName
GNRGresley1564 A34-6-2192224/02/192315/01/1963GNR
LNER (1924)
LNER (1946 1st)
LNER (1946 2nd)
BR (BR Tmp)
BR		1472
4472
502
103
E103
60103		24/02/1923
02/03/1924
21/01/1946
05/05/1946
15/03/1948
30/12/1948		FLYING SCOTSMAN

NUMBERS CARRIED
CompanyNumberDate From
Great Northern Railway1472on24/02/1923
London and North Eastern Railway (1924)4472on02/03/1924
London and North Eastern Railway (1946 1st)502on21/01/1946
London and North Eastern Railway (1946 2nd)103on05/05/1946
British Railways (BR Tmp)E103on15/03/1948
British Railways60103on30/12/1948
NAMES CARRIED
Date FromName
24/02/1923FLYING SCOTSMAN
LIVERIES CARRIED
ColourLiningDate From
LNER Apple GreenBlack and White24/02/1923
LNER BlackUnlined03/04/1943
LNER Apple GreenBlack and White04/01/1947
BR BlueBlack and White16/12/1949
BR GreenOrange and Black14/03/1952
LOCOMOTIVE SPECIFICS
DesignerN. Gresley
ClassA3
Company HistoryGNR/LNER
Rebuild History
ClassFrom
A124/02/1923
A3 (4-6-2)04/01/1947
Wheels4-6-2
BuilderDoncaster Works
Order Number297
Works Number1564
Fittings (as built)
Engine BrakesVacuum
To ServiceTue 24/02/1923 to Doncaster (DON)
WithdrawalTue 15/01/1963 off Kings Cross (34A)
Service Life39 yrs, 10 mths , 22 dys
 
December 1st, 2022

ORR approves plans for London Paddington to Carmarthen train service​

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Interior of new Grand Union train

Open access services are set to start running on the Great Western Main Line for the first time in two years from now.

The Office of Rail and Road has approved an application by Grand Union Trains to operate five trains a day between London, Cardiff and Carmarthen from December 2024.

The ORR rejected objections from Network Rail that there would not be enough spare paths.

Trains will also call at Bristol Parkway, Severn Tunnel Junction, Newport, Gowerton and Llanelli. In addition, GUT has promised a new parkway station at Felindre, north of Swansea, as well as improvements at Severn Tunnel Junction.

Grand Union said it would create more than 125 jobs and would be procuring new rolling stock for the service, which will run on an electrified main line from London Paddington as far as Cardiff Central.

The trains will be bi-modal and reduce journey times.

GUT is working with an independent European investment firm Serena Industrial Partners as well as the Spanish operator Renfe, and had said its trains would have ‘bigger seats, more legroom and increased luggage space as well as a buffet car on every service’.

The ORR said it had weighed up its decision ‘against the impact on government funds and effect on other users of the railway, both passengers and freight’.

Open access passenger operators pay lower track access charges, but they are not protected from increases in the future compared with contracted operators, whose costs are met by the government.

The ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform Stephanie Tobyn said:

‘This decision supports more choice for passengers, new direct journey opportunities, more price competition, and new comfortable trains. The added competition should also make a significant contribution to innovation in terms of the routes served, ticketing practices and service quality improvements, by both Grand Union and through the response of existing operators.’

Speaking at the end of September, Grand Union Trains managing director Ian Yeowart had said:

‘We have been pleased to work on promoting this important service which will, for the first time, deliver significant new infrastructure as part of the application process. We have been proud to work alongside colleagues at Serena and Renfe whose vision for improved services is close to our own and has enabled us to put forward this ambitious project to the ORR.’

The route’s existing contracted intercity operator Great Western Railway has yet to comment.
 
December 1st, 2022

Vivarail: London Northwestern Railway suspends Bedford to Bletchley service​

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London Northwestern Railway has confirmed that it has suspended Marston Vale Line services between Bedford and Bletchley until further notice.

The announcement comes because of the recent announcement that Vivarail, the company that maintains the Class 230 trains that operate services on the line, has filed a ‘Notice Of Intention To Appoint Administrators’.

LNR says this therefore means that there is no guarantee of maintenance for the trains on the route.

A rail replacement bus service will operate from tomorrow (Friday 2nd December) until further notice.

John Doughty, LNR engineering director, said:

“I apologise to our customers who will be impacted by the temporary suspension of the train service on the Marston Vale Line.

“Following the news that Vivarail is to enter administration, we have been left with no alternative but to pause the service as we can no longer guarantee the required level of maintenance for the trains on the route will be available.

“We are working hard to find a solution which will enable us to return a train service to the line as soon as possible and we will keep our passengers updated.”
 
December 1st, 2022

TfW using AI to improve bus network​

Transport for Wales has partnered with mobility intelligence company Cityswift to use AI technology to improve the experience for bus passengers in Wales.

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Transport for Wales has partnered with mobility intelligence company Cityswift to use AI technology to improve the experience for bus passengers in Wales.

TfW are on transformational journey to improve public transport across Wales and encourage more people to use it.

The data analysis work with Cityswift has provided TfW with access to new insights and AI-powered runtimes.

Through the data provided, TfW were able to access performance insights for five of Wales’ major bus operators focusing on demand and movement pattern analysis.

Using this data, TfW are able to improve bus schedules and punctuality, offering a much more reliable, convenient service for passengers with faster journey times.

Andrew Sherrington, Head of Bus Network and Service Development at TfW said:

“CitySwift has given TfW a better holistic understanding of how the network moves.

For the first time, we can access detailed punctuality, reliability, and efficiency insights across Wales’ five major bus operators.

“This new intelligence will enable us to work with operators to make the bus a more attractive service for the people of Wales.”

Speaking about the continued success of the partnership, CitySwift’s Head of Growth, John Aloy said:

“CitySwift is thrilled to support Transport for Wales on its mission to deliver safe, sustainable transport options to the people of Wales.

“Using CitySwift’s mobility intelligence to access performance insights, demand data, and revised schedules, the team at Transport for Wales can deliver a more attractive, reliable, and convenient bus service for the people of Wales.”

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December 2nd, 2022

Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley to visit Lincolnshire today​

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Railway Painting SIR NIGEL GRESLEY 60007 Steam Train By Artist James Green​

LNER A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley will be visiting Lincoln this Friday as part of a Steam Dreams Excursion.

Departing Ealing Broadway at 08:00, the tour will pass through Acton Main Line (08:06), Kensal Rise (08:26), Gospel Oak (08:37), Finsbury Park (09:03), Potters Bar (09:25), Welwyn Garden City (09:38), Stevenage (09:47), Huntingdon (10:25), Peterborough (11:11), Spalding (11:36), Metheringham (12:08) and Lincoln Central at 12:22.

After time in Lincoln, 60007 will depart at 17:53 and will then pass through Hykeham (18:01), Newark North Gate (18:25), Grantham (19:02), Peterborough (20:00), Huntingdon (21:05), Stevenage (21:38), Hatfield (21:50), Potters Bar (21:55), Finsbury Park (22:16), Hampstead Heath (22:54), Acton Main Line (23:10) and Ealing Broadway at 23:21.
 
December 2nd, 2022

Class 315 Preservation Society secures unit for preservation​

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315 801 with 815 on it’s way to Northampton for storage.

The Class 315 Preservation Society has announced that they have signed a Sales Purchase Agreement with Eversholt Rail Group and means that they will become owners of a Class 315 following its withdrawal from passenger service.

No other details can be confirmed yet, but a full statement with more information is due in the future.

This news comes after 4 years of work and a false start so this is fantastic news for the group.

David Silman, Chairman of the Class 315 Preservation Society said

“After 4 years and 1 false start we are delighted to announce that the Class 315 Preservation Society have today signed the Sales Purchase Agreement with our friends at Eversholt Rail Group”
 
December 2nd, 2022

Class 315 EMU to be based in South Wales after donation by Eversholt Rail​

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British Rail Class 315 856 (315/8, Unit Number 315856) BREL Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train at London Liverpool Street railway station on November 26th 2022

A four-car Class 315 electric multiple unit (EMU) has been saved for preservation thanks to the efforts of the Class 315 Preservation Society.

The unit, Class 315 No. 315 856, has been donated to the society for preservation by Eversholt Rail and will be based at the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway in Wales.

Currently at Ilford depot where it has spent its working life covering suburban lines in and out of London Liverpool Street, the unit will soon travel by rail to the Dean Forest Railway.

From there it will continue by road to the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway, where it will be restored it to its original state when delivered new to British Rail from BREL York 1980/81.

Restoration will include a full repaint and refurbishment of the interior to original specifications.

Once refurbished, the unit will not remain a static exhibit, but will be available for use on preserved railways, although it is not expected to return to main line use.

Yesterday, Thursday, 1st December, David Silman, Chairman of the Class 315 Preservation Society, commented that the society has secured a Class 315 four-car EMU and said:

“This is a monumental achievement by the Society, with several years of hard work paying off to allow future generations to enjoy an unsung workhorse for the masses.”

Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director, Eversholt Rail, added:

“We are delighted to support the Class 315 Preservation Society by donating this C315 unit. The fleet has been running in service on the Liverpool Street to Shenfield route for 42 years and it is fantastic to see this one being preserved for future generations to enjoy.”

David Mee a Director with the Llanelli & Mnydd Mawr Railway commented:

“We would like to congratulate the Class 315 Preservation Society on securing a unit for preservation and look forward to welcoming both it and the Society Members to our base at Cynheidre. We look forward to working closely with the Society to develop the best possible future for the unit”.
 
December 2nd, 2022

South Devon Railway announces two visiting steam locomotives for Winter Steam Gala​

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7820 Dinmore Manor in the guise of Polar Express Loco No. 1225 in 2021

The South Devon Railway has announced two visiting steam locomotives for its upcoming Winter Steam Gala.

The Gala is being held between the 30th December and the 1st January, featuring three locos in steam.

This gala comes off the back of a record breaking year for ticket sales on The Polar Express.

Currently in the guise of Polar Express Loco No. 1225, 7820 Dinmore Manor will feature at the gala, but will be returned to its BR Livery for the gala, and appears thanks to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

7820 will be joined by Ivatt 2MT No. 41312 from the Mid Hants Railway, and appears thanks to the Mid Hants Railway.
 
7820 Dinmore Manor in it's BR Livery

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South Devon Railway general manager, Ernest Elsworth-Wilson, said:

“We held a Winter Steam Gala after our Christmas trains last year and it was immensely popular, so we’re delighted to be repeating the event, again with 7820 but also with the Ivatt as well, two engines with a great West Country heritage and providing an opportunity to ride behind locos rarely seen on the branch. We’re grateful to the Dinmore Manor Fund and Mid Hants Railway for agreeing the hire of the engines.”

He added:

“The middle of winter is a great time to travel on our line, as the lack of greenery on the trees allows for some stunning views of the river and hills beyond. We are hoping to welcome lots of visitors during the last weekend of the festive break.”
 
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