Marcus' Model Railway Journey

K&ESR Chairman Derrick Bilsby (right) with Steve White, MD of Southeastern Railway.


Other destinations on the Inspiration train’s itinerary are the Watercress Line, which it visited in February, and the Severn Valley Railway, which it will visit in May.


”Railway 200 has been all about celebrating the future as well as the past and present of our railways and their impact on the modern world. Our heritage has shaped our past, but it is also helping to shape the future. It was inspiring for us to be able to engage with so many visitors – both adults and children – to not only demonstrate the importance of maintaining this key aspect of our heritage but excite them about its future, in particular what lies ahead when the K&ESR is reconnected to the main rail network for the first time in more than half a century. A huge thank you to Southeastern for inviting us to partner with them, providing this opportunity.”

Derrick Bilsby, K&ESR Chairman

Track to be replaced between Ipswich and Needham Market.

Liverpool Lime Street station

Liverpool Lime Street

Northern Train at Leeds Station

New collapsible signals at Leeds

20th March, 2026

Norfolk railway to use funding to make travel more accessible​

Steam locomotive no. 564 at Sheringham on the North Norfolk Railway


The Best of British Fund, created in partnership with Airbnb and Visit Britain, sets aside money to support and celebrate tourist attractions.

The North Norfolk Railway has received £50,000 in funding, following an application to help them convert a coach into an accessible saloon.

This would help remove restrictions on visiting the railway, allowing those with additional mobility requirements to enjoy a journey on the railway in a dedicated coach made to support them and their needs.

Not only would more people be able to access everyday journeys, but for the very first time, they would also be able to enjoy the railway’s dining trains.


The railway is one of 25 winners and was awarded under the Culture & Heritage category.

The line is looking forward to welcoming more passengers to their wide range of events with the newly upgraded coach, which will cost around £250,000 to complete.


“We are delighted to have received this support which will allow us to better welcome all our visitors. When these carriages were first built in the 1950s and 60s accessibility was not considered as it is nowadays, and with many specialist skills needed to complete a project such as this it would simply not be possible without external funding support. With the overall project set to cost around £250,000, grants of this nature really are invaluable. Our team are continuing to seek out other funding opportunities and we’re looking forward to being able to share this new coach with our future visitors.”

North Norfolk Railway General Manager, Graham Hukins

20th March, 2026

Lake District railway to host two Easter events​

Northern Rock at Irton Road


During the Easter holidays on the 30th March and 1st April, the Ravenglass Railway Museum will be hosting some fun activities.

Visitors will be able to decorate and take home a wooden Easter Egg donated by West Cumbria Woodturners.

There will be two sessions on both days, between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, and a second one between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm.

wooden Easter Egg donated by West Cumbria Woodturners.


Visitors do not need to book the sessions, and there is only a £2 minimum donation requested.


Later on in the holiday, on the 8th April, Author Chris Vine and Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway will be teaming up for Little Engineer Days, where families can visit the engineering workshop to learn about how locomotives work, visit the signal box and take a trip up the sidings.

Further information on their events can be found on their website.


“We’re excited, or should that be ‘egg-cited’, to offer this activity thanks to our volunteers who are giving up their time to staff the egg station and are very grateful to West Cumbria Woodturners for making the eggs for us”,

“It’s lovely to offer such a tactile activity, made from natural materials. I’m sure visitors of all ages will
enjoy creating their own designs”

Claire Winter-Moore from Ravenglass Railway Museum

20th March, 2026

Vintage Trains receives recognition through awards​

Shakespeare Express at Stratford


March has been a successful month for Vintage trains, with them receiving recognition via two awards.

At the Heritage Railway Association Awards, held earlier this month, the organisation were awarded the HRA Manisty Award for Excellence.

They received this for operating the replica Locomotion No. 1 to recreate the original run in celebration of Railway 200.

They were also given a Silver award in the ‘Experience of the Year’ category for The Shakespeare Express at the West Midlands Tourism Awards.

This award celebrates on-board experience and how the organisation combined a heritage steam journey with a full day out.


“March has been a hugely proud moment for Vintage Trains. To receive the Manisty Award for Excellence is a real honour and reflects the extraordinary effort behind the Locomotion No.1 recreation.

“At the same time, to see The Shakespeare Express recognised as one of the region’s leading visitor experiences shows the strength of what we offer to our passengers today. Together, these awards capture both sides of what we do, preserving railway heritage and bringing it to life through memorable journeys.”

Michael Whitehouse, Chairman of Vintage Trains

EMR Regional class 170 DMU at Nottingham Station

East Midlands Trains 158777 at Manchester Piccadilly with a service to Liverpool Lime Street

20th March, 2026

Northampton & Lamport Railway celebrate purchase of steam locomotive​

0-6-0 Locomotive No. 16


Northampton & Lamport Railway is celebrating a major acquisition: a historic 0-6-0 saddle tank steam locomotive, No.16, which once powered the Corby Iron and Steel Works.

Built in 1934 by Hawthorn Leslie for Stewarts & Lloyds Ltd, No.16 spent its entire working life at the steelworks before retirement in 1969.

After decades out of service, the engine, largely complete and partially restored by previous owners, arrived at Northampton & Lamport Railway in 2025 for temporary storage.

The railway is now launching a fundraising appeal to support both the purchase and an initial cosmetic overhaul, with a target of £9,000.

Once restored cosmetically, visitors will be able to explore the cab and experience a piece of Northamptonshire’s industrial heritage firsthand.

No.16 has an eclectic preservation history, having featured at the Nene Valley Railway, Battlefield Line, Swanage Railway, Lavender Line, and Epping & Ongar Railway, and even on static display at a Leatherhead waterpark.

Its sister engine, No.14, remains locally preserved at East Carlton Country Park.

The long-term vision is to return No.16 to steam after completing the overhaul of Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T No.35 ‘Ajax’.

Any funds exceeding the target will support the care of other locomotives in the railway’s collection.

Donations can be made via the railway’s GoFundMe page.


“Taking ownership of No.16 is a fantastic opportunity for the NLR, especially as we celebrate our 30th anniversary of opening to the public back in 1996. These type of engines proved to be extremely strong and reliable and were favourites among the enginemen at Corby. No.16 will be ideal for our 2-mile line, and the relatively large cab will be prove very useful for driver experiences.

There is a lot of work to do to get it back into steam, but we really hope the public will support our initial appeal towards purchasing and completing a cosmetic overhaull”

Adam Giles, NLR Chairman.

20th March, 2026

Fundraising appeal launched to restore Kettering Furnaces No. 3​

Kettering Furnaces No. 3 Side View


The Waterford Suir Valley Railway (WSVR) has been working to progress the restoration of Kettering Furnaces No. 3.

The railway has invested €100,000 into the project, which is being carried out at Darlington by Northern Heritage Engineering, with support coming from Clann Credo, Waterford City & County Council, the wider community and local businesses.

The railway is committed to restoring the locomotive to steam; however, an additional €150,000 is needed to achieve this goal.

Kettering Furnaces No. 3.


They have launched an appeal, hoping that the public and rail enthusiasts will help them reach their goal.

Aside from this project, the railway has also been developing Kilmeadan Station, including extending the train shed, installing a new siding, and constructing water towers and an ash pit.

They are welcoming donations of any size and appreciate anything contributed.

For further information on the project and to donate, visit their website.


“While definite dates cannot be given, the future plan is to have Kettering Furnaces No. 3 in Kilmeadan by 2027. It will be available for training and test runs. When not in use it will be exhibited at the station. The hope is to have all infrastructure in place, any necessary certificates granted, and for WSVR to operate special steam gala days by Summer 2028.”

“We are very grateful to the National Trust UK for entrusting us with this special locomotive. We take the responsibility very seriously. There are several parts of the locomotive that have to be replaced. Those elements that cannot be restored will be kept in accordance with museum best practice, which is important given the age of this works engine.”

John Norris, Chair of the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Company CLG board

Renewal works at Croft Loop near Darlington

Track renewal at Low Fell

Class 377 train at Rochester