Marcus' Model Railway Journey

5th December, 2025

Great Western Railway issues travel advice to passengers ahead of new winter timetable​

GWR 387 landscape


Great Western Railway (GWR) has issued advice to its passengers about its new timetable and festive season travel arrangements.

Along with other operators, GWR will introduce a new timetable on Sunday, 14 December. It is making changes to timetables on many of its services, which it says are “designed to respond to changes in demand and improve service performance”.

The operator is asking its passengers to check their journey times ahead of the changes.

GWR is also urging passengers to book ahead and reserve seats for journeys during the upcoming festive period, and points out that its journey planners are up to date with Christmas and New Year information, and Advance fares are already on sale on its website.

When the timetable changes, GWR will withdraw its three remaining Castle Class sets from service.

They are now nearly fifty years old, and their final journeys will be on Saturday, 13 December.


The Castle Class trains have been running on local routes between Plymouth and Penzance.

GWR will replace them with trains from its existing fleet. It will also deploy its recommissioned Class 175s to replace the Castle Class trains.

These previously operated in Wales, and when they return to service, will be maintained by Alstom.

Class 175


Repairs and improvements are scheduled across GWR’s network over the Christmas and New Year period, but disruption will be less than in previous years.

Between Saturday 27 December and Sunday 4 January, track renewal work will affect some services to and from London Paddington, with no direct services between Paddington and Cheltenham Spa.

Upgrade work to the west of Cardiff Central station between Wednesday 24 and Wednesday 31 December will mean that some tracks will close and trains will be diverted between Cardiff Central and Bridgend via Ninian Park (not stopping at Ninian Park). This will add a few minutes to journey times.

First electric train into Cardiff Central


GWR is advising passengers that when booking their journeys, they can avoid busy trains by travelling early and avoiding services that depart between 10:00 and 14:00.

It predicts that its services will be at their busiest on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December, and Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 December.

It is also reminding passengers that rail services shut down earlier than usual on Christmas Eve, and that, as usual, no train services will run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

GWR has also issued advice about luggage.

While stressing that there is plenty of room for cabin-style hand luggage, laptop bags, and handbags in the overhead racks and under seats, it warns that there is limited space for larger and standard suitcases and bags (up to 25 x 40 x 75 cm) on each carriage’s luggage rack.

It is asking passengers not to bring more than three items of luggage or anything they cannot carry or easily move around.

Thursday, 5th December, 2025

I popped to my local pub with Cleo......

After a day of shopping and decorating the house for Xmas, Cleo and I decided to pop to our local for a few drinks.

I tried a few pints of 'Welsh Cake Stout' - rich, dark, with notes of biscuit malt, fruit (raisins), and a hint of sweetness - rather nice.

Also.......

In my change, I was given my very first 'Charlie' 5p coin.

6th December, 2025

The Greatest Gathering recognised with top awards​

The Greatest Gathering!" wrapping Class 50 No. 50044 Exeter


Train manufacturer Alstom is celebrating after being recognised at the RailStaff Awards 2025 and the Railway Benefit Fund’s 2025 Heart of Gold Awards within two days of each other.

On Wednesday, 26th November, at the London offices of Railpen, the Railway Benefit Fund’s 2025 Heart of Gold awards were presented by Pete Waterman OBE, the president, and Jo Kaye, Chief Executive Officer, of the Railway Benefit Fund.

The Heart of Gold Awards recognise members of the railway industry who make a real difference by going the extra mile.

The Greatest Gathering Organising Committee with the Project Team Award


This year’s Star Team Award went to the staff who organised The Greatest Gathering, held at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane works in August, and was the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains.

The following day, Thursday, 27th November, at the NEC in Birmingham, the RailStaff Awards 2025 were hosted by Michael Portillo, the celebrated journalist, broadcaster, and former politician.

Alstom employees were 17 finalists in 20 categories at the awards, including two of the organisers of The Greatest Gathering, Ben Goodwin as Rail Ambassador of the Year and Kathryn Lancaster for a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Crowds entering The Greatest Gathering


Alstom engineers Charlotte Briers and Yasha Siddiqui were also recognised, with Charlotte, a Rolling Stock Performance Lead, receiving the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for championing empowerment and progress as part of Alstom’s female employee resource group, Voices of Women.

This is the second year that Charlotte has been recognised, as last year she won the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Verena Winifred Holmes Award for her outstanding work as Chair of the Voices of Women ERG at Alstom in promoting diversity and inclusion in the railway industry.


Yasha Siddiqui, the Graduate Chair of Alstom’s graduate scheme in the UK, received the Graduate of the Year award for her work in enhancing the programme for future graduates and ensuring everybody felt included and supported.

Yasha is now a Product Cost Engineer after graduate placements in different engineering teams, and is exploring cost-saving ideas during the design stage of new rolling stock.

Julie Williams, a Project Manager in the Digital and Integrated Systems team, was highly commended in the Project Person Award category for her involvement in the successful delivery of the Victoria Phase 4 signalling project in South London.

Crowds at The Greatest Gathering


The Greatest Gathering was an outstanding success, and to handle some of the crowds, the Branch Line Society ran special shuttle charter trains to the event from Chesterfield and Derby.

Pete Waterman OBE, who presented the Heart of Gold awards, displayed a model railway at the event.


“Winning multiple honours at this year’s RailStaff Awards is a fantastic achievement for Alstom and a real testament to the talent and dedication of our people. From graduate excellence to leadership in diversity and inclusion, these awards highlight the breadth of expertise and commitment that drives our success across the UK rail industry.”

Rob Whyte, Managing Director of Alstom UK and Ireland

Amtrak train

6th December, 2025

American railroads join charity foundation to bring Christmas cheer to children​

Toys for Tots train route


American railroad operators Norfolk Southern and Amtrak are once again supporting the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to continue a tradition that has been ongoing for over 20 years.

On Saturday, 13th December, the Holiday Train will depart from Binghampton, New York to deliver toys and holiday cheer to families across the Northeast USA.

Since the project began, Norfolk Southern, Amtrak and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation have collected hundreds of thousands of toys; since 2022, Norfolk Southern has donated nearly $500,000 to the foundation to support its mission.

This year, the train starts at Binghamton, where from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at East Binghamton Yard, 5 Holmes Place, there will be free doughnuts, hot chocolate, children’s activities, music, freebies, and holiday cheer.

The train will make further stops from 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. at Walnut Avenue. Crossing, Bainbridge, from 1:10 to 1:45 p.m. at Gas Ave Rail Crossing near 70 S Market St., Oneonta, from 2:55 to 3:25 p.m.: at Cobleskill Fire Station, 610 E Main St., Cobleskill, with a final stop from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.at Delanson Fire Station, 1797 Main St., Delanson.

Toys for Tots was established 78 years ago by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to provide children in need across the USA with the gift of a new toy or book at Christmas, to help their confidence and give them a positive memory to last a lifetime.

Since its foundation in 1947, hope and has delivered the magic of Christmas to over 314 million economically disadvantaged children.

Patrick M. Lurenz, Coordinator, Marine Corps, commented that for over 75 years, Toys for Tots has worked to ensure every child experiences the magic of the holidays. Our collaboration with Norfolk Southern and Amtrak brings that mission to life on the rails, reaching families in ways that truly make a difference.

In 2023, Norfolk Southern Corporation donated $18.2m to organisations in the 22 states where it operates through its Corporate Giving initiative.

Amtrak has started testing a new fleet of trains for the Northeast Corridor.


"We are proud to continue our annual tradition of celebrating the holidays with Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and Norfolk Southern in the Capital Region with Operation Toy Train. Combining the magic of trains, the festivities of the winter holidays, and the joy we can bring to children is one of the highlights of our year.”

Bruno Maestri, Amtrak Special Assistant to the President