Marcus' Model Railway Journey

A total of 74 main line trains operated, and thanks to splendid co-operation by Network Rail’s charter team for timetable planning and Chiltern Railways for the use of Moor Street station 71 arrived on time, the three others being delayed due to points failures.

Before the trains departed, there was an interactive musical repertoire at Moor Street station, whilst on the trains, there were theatrical performances with music by the Wise Owl Theatre Company, dancing chefs and conductors, and a magical appearance of Santa landing on the roof of the train at the ‘North Pole.”

Performance courtesy Wise Owl Theatre Company.

The trains achieved around £1m turnover for Vintage Trains, and generated surplus revenue.

All trains were hauled by GWR Castle Class No. 7029 Clun Castle with a Class 20 or 47 diesel locomotive on the rear in ‘top and tail’ mode. During one of the trips, the company passed out its second steam driver, Kevin Cronin.

Four, sometimes five trains ran each operating day along the Chiltern main line to Dorridge, formed of two Pullman carriages and six Tourist Class carriages with a capacity of 400 passengers, and with many trains operating at full capacity

Besides the Polar Express, Vintage Trains also ran trains to Christmas Market at York and Bristol.

Because of the prevalence of railway strikes, the company had a strike cancellation recovery plan that worked extremely well.

Only three days were lost to strikes, and nearly all booked passengers were either re-booked on alternative days or on extra trains that were operated.

Last year, Vintage Trains operated over 80 express steam trains into and out of Birmingham hauled by GWR Castle Class locomotives.

The company is based at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham where a thriving heritage engineering workshop preserves the skills of the steam age and trains young people in manufacturing.

In 2017, the company established a Community Benefit Society which is now licensed to run express steam trains nationwide with a range of tours including:

• The Shakespeare Express between Birmingham and Stratford-on-Avon;
• Diesel Explorers to popular tourist destinations and seaside towns;
• Express Steam Trains running at up to 75 mph on the main line;
• Private special trains offering tailor-made tours.
• The Polar Express Train Rides from Birmingham at Christmas

21st January 2023

Network Rail - Freight Escape - Episode 1.​

Rail freight is on a roll we are going on a journey through Freight Britain taking you to amazing places, so we can understand how rail freight operations connect in to make a difference to every

single person in Great Britain every single day.

22nd January 2023

SPOTLIGHT

British Rail Class 08​

The British Rail Class 08 is a class of diesel-electric shunting locomotives built by British Railways (BR).

As the standard BR general-purpose diesel shunter, the class became a familiar sight at major stations and freight yards.

The Class 08 design was based on the LMS 12033 series (later TOPS Class 11) design.

There were also 26 of the near-identical but higher-geared Class 09, and 171 similar locomotives fitted with different engines and transmissions (some of which became Class 10), which together brought the total number of outwardly-similar machines to 1,193.

The pioneer locomotive, number 13000, was built in 1952 although it did not enter service until 1953.

Production continued until 1962 with 996 locomotives produced, making it the most numerous of any British shunting locomotive class, and indeed, the most numerous of any British locomotive class overall.

The locomotives were built at the BR's Crewe, Darlington, Derby, Doncaster and Horwich works.

Since their introduction in 1952, however, the nature of rail traffic in Britain has changed considerably.

Freight trains are now mostly fixed rakes of wagons, and passenger trains are mostly multiple units or have Driving Van Trailers, neither requiring the attention of a shunting locomotive.

Consequently, a large proportion of the class has been withdrawn from mainline use and stored, scrapped, exported or sold to industrial or heritage railways.

As of 2020, around 100 locomotives remained working on industrial sidings and on the main British network.

On heritage railways, they have become common, appearing on many of the preserved standard-gauge lines in Britain, with over 70 preserved, including the first one built.

In 1985, three locomotives were reduced in height for use on the Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway in southwest Wales, and became Class 08/9.

The remainder of the class were reclassified as sub-class 08/0.

A further two were converted to 08/9s in 1987.

As the standard general-purpose diesel shunter on BR, almost any duty requiring shunting would involve a Class 08; thus the many locations where two portions of a train were merged, or where additional stock was added to a train, were hauled (briefly) by a Class 08, thus the class was a familiar sight at many major stations and terminals.


On the 21st October 2018, British Railways Green liveried Class 08, No. D3800 was seen as it worked into Cheddleton station, on the Churnet Valley Railway.

It is still possible to see a Class 08 0-6-0 shunter in British Rail blue livery working for a living in 2015.
Here 08220 rests at Longport while working at the Electromotive Longport Depot on 31st January 2015.

08447 AT LONG MARSTON 07 June 2008

I'm glad to say that 'Gronks', (nickname given to the class for the noise they make) Class 08's can still be seen in operation not far from where I live.

They have become one of mine and Cleo's favourite locomotives to watch and hear.



09106 08877 Celsa Cardiff

With commitments in Cardiff on Friday 02/09/2022 I had hoped I may be able to swing by Tidal for some Gronk action.

As it happens I saw all 4 of the Gronks currently based on site.

Seen here parked near to the stabling point are 09106 labelled as '6' and what was intended as the 'spare' loco 08877.

I'm led to believe 08877 has been out of action for some time requiring attention.

Of the others, GBRf liveried 08924 was present out of shot to the left of 09106 and behind the shrubbery.

EWS liveried 08389 was in use and had passed by just a few minutes before this was taken with a rake of wagons.

Celsa regular 08630 is currently at Nemesis Rail, Burton upon Trent presumably awaiting repairs.

Cardiff Shunters

The BR Class 08 locomotives were the most numerous of all British locomotive classes with 996 produced, but now they are somewhat of a rarity.

I believe four are still in operation at Cardiff’s Celsa steelworks.

In this scene, stabled on the left are 08904 in EWS livery and “Celsa 3”, 08630, whilst on the right and active is 08389.

GBRf liveried 08924 at Barrow Hill on the 27/2/2016

22nd January 2023

Network Rail - Freight Escape - Episode 2.​

Rail freight is on a roll we are going on a journey through Freight Britain taking you to amazing places, so we can understand how rail freight operations connect in to make a difference to every

single person in Great Britain every single day.

23rd January 2023

Penalty fares rise from £20 to £100 from today

Penalty ++ The amount of a penalty fare on trains in England has gone up from £20 to £100 from this morning. The government says more than £200 million is lost through fraudulent travel each year, but critics say faulty ticket machines and long queues at booking offices sometimes tempt people to take the risk.

Landslip ++ A limited service has been restored past the site of the landslip at Hook which damaged the South Western Main Line on the London side of Basingstoke just over a week ago. South Western Railway said emergency repairs by Network Rail had made some improvements possible, and that a limited service is being restored to Hook, Winchfield, and Fleet. However trains from London will still not be able to call at Hook.

New trains ++ The first of the Stadler-built Class 777 trains for Merseyrail is making its inaugural trip this morning from Liverpool Central to Kirkby. The fleet of 53 trains will replace units built by British Rail Engineering more than 40 years ago. Seven of the new trains will be able to run on batteries, to cover the non-electrified section between Kirkby and Headbolt Lane which is set to open in the spring.

Rabbit ++ Great Western Railway hopped into the year of the Rabbit on Saturday with a special Chinese New Year celebration at Reading. Passengers were treated to a performance by 30 dancers from South Gloucestershire Chinese Association, which celebrated the start of the Chinese New Year yesterday. The dance has a history of more than 2,000 years and is believed to bring good fortune.

23rd January 2023

Northern implements Government’s new £100 penalty fares​

Train operator Northern has issued a warning to its customers that from today, Monday, 23rd January, the government has increased the cost of penalty fares to £100.

Anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket or a ‘promise to pay’ notice on any of the 2,500 services that Northern runs each day will be issued a £100 penalty fare.

If that is paid within 21 days, the penalty will be reduced to £50.

The previous cost of a penalty fare was £20, which was set in 2005.

However, the railway industry considered that figure was too low and no longer an effective deterrent to fare evaders.

Before raising the penalty fare cost, the government held a public consultation, and 69% of those who responded agreed that the £20 penalty fare was too low.

It is estimated by the Rail Delivery Group that fare evasion on Great Britain’s railways costs the industry around £240 million in lost revenue each year.

The £100 penalty fare forms part of The Railways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, and is in line with penalty fares charged across much of Western Europe, Transport for London (TfL), and Manchester’s Metrolink tram network.

Last December, Northern introduced a new timetable which may affect anyone who is used to making regular journeys at the same train times.

They are therefore advised to consult Northern’s ‘Check My Timetable’ feature on its website to check for any changes at their local station.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said:

“The overwhelming majority of our customers – upwards of 95% – do the right thing and buy a ticket before they board one of our services.

“However, fare dodgers will find themselves having to dig deep if they continue to try and travel without buying a ticket. The £100 penalty fare is a government initiative that Northern and other train operators in England will begin to enforce from today.

“With more ways than ever before to buy a ticket – be it online, through an app, at a self-service machine or ticket office – there really is no excuse. It is, however, totally avoidable for everyone who travels responsibly on our network.”

23rd January 2023

Class 777 trains enter service with Merseyrail on Liverpool – Kirkby route​

Today, 23rd January 2023, sees the first Class 777 train enter passenger service with Merseyrail.

Class 777 No. 777049 had the job of hauling the first train, 2K17 1050 Liverpool Central to Kirkby.

For those that don’t know, the 777/0 class is a fully electrified unit, with small batteries used for shunting.

A Class 777/1 is also electric, but also comes with a bigger battery that is capable of taking the train for a number of miles (IE to Headbolt Lane, or Wrexham (which is part of a new Project that we reported previously).

We last saw a Class 777 at Birkenhead North, when Merseyrail allowed a look inside the new trains back in September 2021.

Driver training has now been completed, and the Class 777s can now enter service with the operator.

Built by Stadler, the new Class 777 trains will be replacing the 40-year-old Class 507/508 trains.

When compared with the Class 507/508 trains, the new trains have more space for passengers and are able to carry 50% more passengers per train.

Whilst we have been inside the new trains before, we have never been onboard one when it is moving.

What is the comfort like I hear you all ask?

Well, the seats are quite hard when sat on, for a Liverpool – Kirkby and return journey, but having done smaller journeys (Liverpool – Kirkby, or Kirkdale to Liverpool Central, for example), the seats comfortable enough.

The leg room is plentiful and the big windows help keep the space fell airy, even with a packed train.

As seen at Birkenhead, the Class 777s have a number of features for passengers, including space for bicycles, plug sockets and a dedicated area

Stadler’s striking design was on show for the public to see and feel, it was great to see so many people turn out for a ride on the new trains.

The first train was full and standing, with many people commenting on how bright and airy the train was.

People also commented how easy the train was to get on, with no step onto the train at all, which made it easy for passengers with pushchairs and wheelchairs.

What we enjoyed seeing for the first time was the digital screens.

These tell you up-to-date information on the trains journey, with an M logo that moves across the screen as the train continues on its journey.

One thing you will notice is the London Underground feel to the inside, you can see all the way down the train as soon as you step on board.

What does the new trains mean for the timetable?

Well, with better braking and acceleration, once all of the Class 777s are in service, there will be a better service for passengers.

The Class 777s are in service on the Liverpool Central to Kirkby line at first.

A full rollout for the new trains, and the withdrawal of the old trains, will be a phased operation over the next 12 – 18 months.

Commenting on the launch of the new fleet Mayor Steve Rotheram said:

“This is a massive day, not just for our area, but for the entire country, as we launch the UK’s first publicly-owned trains in a generation into service for the first time. Alongside the work we’re doing on buses, active travel and integrated ticketing, we’re bringing our transport network into the 21st century.

“Designed in consultation with local people, they’re some of the most accessible and sophisticated in the entire country, with great new features like level access with sliding step technology, more room for bikes and wheelchairs, phone charging and Wi-Fi onboard.

“This half a billion pound investment shows the difference devolution makes. We’re charting our own course, putting the public back into public transport and delivering the services that our region’s 1.6m people deserve.”

23rd January 2023

87% reduction in environmental impact of producing rail tickets​

Paragon ID, which supplies magnetic rail tickets to UK train operators and is a global leader in identification solutions, has reduced by 87% the environmental impact of the process that it uses to produce rail tickets.

The company previously used a solvent-based system to produce the magnetic strip on the reverse of the familiar orange rail tickets that holds passenger journey data and is read by entry and exit barriers.

Working in partnership with the Rail Delivery Group, Paragon ID worked on a £230k two-year-long project to change the solvent-based production system to a water-based one.

During the project, 11,000 tickets were tested for their durability and compatibility with Britain’s rail network using facilities at the Rail Delivery Group and by working with various ticket machine manufacturers and operators such as Fast Rail Tickets, Flowbird, London North Eastern Railway, and Hull Trains.

It shows the success of the programme by its achievement of an average reduction of 69 tonnes of solvent emissions per year.

It is also more environmentally friendly, whilst Hull City Council has recognised the production process’s potential by nominating it as a Best Available Technique (BAT).

Although the UK rail industry is a pioneer of the new process, the project is a major stepping stone to a new standard for producing train tickets worldwide, with UK demand for paper-based tickets currently around 500m per year.

Paragon ID is keen to exploit its process by expanding the solution to benefit other transport operators around the globe, and helping them to reduce their environmental impact, including in Europe operators such as the Paris rail network.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

“We are excited about the launch of these water-based environmentally friendly tickets. The new tickets are the outcome of a successful two-year partnership between RDG and Paragon ID. We are getting closer to a low carbon future and making rail not only the convenient but also the most sustainable choice for all.”

Ryan Mellors, General Manager – BBP at Paragon ID. said:

“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with RDG, producing millions of magnetic rail tickets and associated travel products each year. This project is an excellent example of our successful collaboration, this time with the shared goal of protecting the environment and increasing sustainability while continuing to provide a quality product for rail customers across the UK”.

23rd January 2023

Midland Main Line to meet key stage in preparation for electrification​

Engineers set to install half of the foundations essential for the electrification of the Midland Main Line between Kettering and Wigston​

The Midland Main Line Upgrade will reach a major milestone over the weekend of the 28th and 29th of January as Network Rail will install approximately 640 foundations using a process called piling.

The work will see the foundations meet the halfway mark for the electrification process between Kettering and Wigston.

The foundations are essential to the electrification process as they will support the masts which carry electric wires that will power trains creating a cleaner and greener railway.

Work will also get underway for the electrification scheme between Kibworth and Market Harborough over the same weekend and will see teams clearing vegetation which overhangs the lineside.

Sunday the 29th of January will see no trains able to call at Market Harborough station in order for the work to be carried out safely.

Services operating both to and from London will see a diversion in place via Melton Mowbray and Corby whilst only EMR Connect service will run between London and Wellingborough.

Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Market Harborough and Kettering / Leicester in order to keep passengers on the move.

Customers travelling over the working period are advised to check their travel by using either National Rail or via their rail operator’s website leaving plenty of extra time to complete their journey.

Market Harborough station

Gavin Crook, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail said:

“Installing half of our foundations is a significant milestone which takes us one step closer to delivering a cleaner, greener railway for both passengers and our lineside neighbours.

“We’re packing in as much work as we can over the weekend and there will be some changes to services through Market Harborough. Please plan ahead, check your journey before setting off and allow extra time.”

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR said:

“We are asking any customers planning to travel to or from London on Sunday 29 January to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.

“Our trains will be unable to call at Market Harborough station on Sunday 29 January and our Intercity services to and from London will be diverted via Melton Mowbray and Corby. Our EMR Connect services will only run between London and Wellingborough.

“Rail Replacement buses will keep passengers moving between Market Harborough and Kettering / Leicester.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst the engineering work along the Midland Main Line is taking place.”

23rd January 2023

Station Cat Spot

No.3 Station cat, Lulu.

23rd January 2023

More Rolling Stock Ordered Today for ETHNON RAIL

23rd January 2023

Road Vehicle Ordered Today for ETHNON RAIL Layout Project

On a railway layout there are more vehicles involved apart from locomotives and rolling stock.........

This is the most recent purchase for the layout project.

23rd January 2023

New TrawsCymru Bus Service for North Wales​

Transport for Wales and Denbighshire County Council are pleased to announce a new hourly TrawsCymru T8 bus service between Corwen, Ruthin, Mold and Chester.

Starting on 23 January 2023, the new T8 bus will offer more frequent and faster services, improving connectivity in the region and enabling passengers to travel without changing buses.

Transport for Wales is investing in public transport throughout Wales and the Borders and the TrawsCymru network is expanding and becoming more connected.

As part of these improvements, the new T8 will connect at Corwen with the T10 (Corwen - Betws y Coed - Bangor) and with more journeys on the T3 (Wrexham - Corwen - Bala - Dolgellau - Barmouth), creating a travelling interchange for customers.

The new bus service will be operated by M&H Coaches.

The new TrawsCymru app and website provide customers with the ability to purchase mobile tickets, get up-to-date information, track services and the opportunity to see carbon savings from using public transport.

New timetables are available on Traveline and the TrawsCymru website.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said:

“An hourly bus service will make a real difference to bus users in the area and will help to encourage more people to use public transport to get about. This is part of the Welsh Government’s investment in north Wales and future developments are being looked at by our North Wales Transport Commission led by Lord Burns.”

Lee Robinson, Development Director Mid, North and Rural Wales said:

‘The T8 is the latest in a number of improvements to regional bus services across Wales. TfW is committed to improving accessibility and connectivity for Wales’ country towns that are not on the rail network and we look forward to all the benefits the new T8 will bring.’

Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Environment and Transport, Cllr Barry Mellor, said,

‘The T8 represents a remarkable opportunity to improve the travel opportunities for residents in south Denbighshire. In future, they will benefit not just from an increase in frequency but improved through-services and connections. It will also allow those travelling from England to access leisure and visitor opportunities in Wales.’

23rd January 2023

Network Rail - Freight Escape - Episode 3.​

Rail freight is on a roll we are going on a journey through Freight Britain taking you to amazing places, so we can understand how rail freight operations connect in to make a difference to every

single person in Great Britain every single day.

24th January 2023

Surrey line reopens after landslip​

Line reopens ++ The railway between Hurst Green and East Grinstead in Surrey is set to reopen this morning, after it had been blocked by a landslip last Thursday. Network Rail engineers and BAM Nuttall have been working continuously to repair the line after a 10 metre stretch of a seven metre high embankment slipped away from the railway, around 800m from Lingfield in the up direction. Cracks also spread six metres on either side of the slip, leading to fears it could get worse if action wasn’t taken immediately. Engineers have installed a steel wall, made of 44 10 metre steel piles, which will stabilise and support the embankment. The engineers have also used 50,000 tonnes of ballast. Meanwhile, work is continuing at the site of another landslip, near Basingstoke on the South Western Main Line, which occurred about ten days ago. South Western Railway was able to restore a limited service yesterday, although down trains are still unable to call at Hook.

Station ++ Work has started on building one of the stations on the Levenmouth line, which is being restored by the Scottish Government in a £116 million project. Cameron Bridge, just off the A915, will have two 196m platforms and serve Methilhill as well as Cameron Bridge. Network Rail will equip the new station with 125 parking spaces, a bus stop and footpaths. A new bridge will also be built over the river to provide a direct connection with Methilhill. Network Rail said the work will take about 10 months, and that the Levenmouth Rail Link should open in the spring of 2024.

New trains ++ Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has been celebrating the introduction of new Stadler-built trains on the region’s local network. The first Class 777 unit carried guests on an inaugural trip from Liverpool Central to Kirkby yesterday morning. The Mayor said: ‘This is a massive day, not just for our area, but for the entire country, as we launch the UK’s first publicly-owned trains in a generation into service for the first time. Alongside the work we’re doing on buses, active travel and integrated ticketing, we’re bringing our transport network into the 21st century.’

Viaduct ++ The first V-shaped pier for 300m viaduct that will carry high speed trains to the new Curzon Street HS2 station in Birmingham has been completed. The pier, five metres tall, is the first to be installed for the ‘Curzon No. 3 Viaduct’, which will be the final approach to the seven platform station in the city centre, near the present station at Moor Street. A total 30 piers will be needed, and their heights will vary between five and six metres above ground level. They will include four steel tripod piers to span the Digbeth Branch Canal.

Transpennine leader ++ A new managing director has been appointed to lead the Transpennine Route Upgrade between Manchester and York. Neil Holm said: ‘There is an exciting future for rail in the North of England, and I am proud to lead a programme of thousands of brilliant people that will transform rail travel across the North in the coming years. Work is well underway.’ Before joining Network Rail, Neil was programme director for the construction of aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

24th January 2023

Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley unveiled in blue livery​

Today, LNER A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley has been unveiled in its BR Blue livery after being in the paint shop.

The repaint has been completed at Locomotive Services Group in Crewe.

The locomotive returned to steam in 2022 after an overhaul that was completed at the National Railway Museum in York and at Locomotive Services Group in Crewe.

When the locomotive was moved to Crewe, it was put in black undercoat to protect the loco whilst in transit, and the decision was made to keep the locomotive in LNER Wartime Black whilst run in, and subsequently, for the 2022 season.

However, when put to a members vote prior to the locomotive returning to steam, the BR Blue livery, that the locomotive had previously worn, was chosen as the livery that the locomotive would wear.