Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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26th January 2023​

Snowsports fans welcome reopening of Cairngorm Mountain Railway​

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Cairngorm Mountain Railway

Today, Thursday, 26th January, is a significant day for winter sports enthusiasts in Scotland as it marks the reopening of the 2km funicular Cairngorm Mountain Railway up the Cairngorm Mountain.

The UK Department of Transport has carried out significant engineering works and testing and has issued safety certificates to enable Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) to reopen Scotland’s only funicular railway for the rest of this year’s snow sports season.

The railway is Scotland’s only funicular railway, and the Ptarmigan building at its summit is the highest in the UK at over 1,065m above sea level.
 
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Cairngorm Mountain Railway​

Before the railway could be reopened, reinstatement works were carried out that included a complex engineering project to strengthen the viaduct and install a new control system.

These all had to be done within the strict environmental requirements of a unique mountain environment.

As long as weather conditions permit, a regular service will operate to take winter sports enthusiasts on a 5-minute journey to the top of the slopes.

As well as reopening the railway, new ‘magic carpet’ conveyor belts have been installed for the beginner slope, and improvements made to the car park.

The resort is owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and operated by the Cairngorm Mountain team. It is one of Scotland’s iconic locations, and with the reopening of the railway, the mountain environment is accessible to not only snow-sports enthusiasts, but visitors of all ages and abilities throughout the year.

Environmental rangers who oversee the protection of the site are available to offer insights on its unique nature, whilst visitors can also learn about the Cairngorms and Scotland’s mountains.

The Ptarmigan building, which houses the UK’s highest restaurant, has also been refurbished.

It is located at the top station of the mountain railway and has a 270° immersive exhibition space and a viewing platform.

The restaurant has been redesigned to provide a light, contemporary space with an open-plan gin bar, a cosy log fire, and floor-to-ceiling windows so that visitors can enjoy the spectacular views of the mountain range.

At the foot of the mountain, cafés and shops are open throughout winter selling outdoor clothing, food and drink by the log burner, and seasonal gifts.

As well as attracting winter sports enthusiasts, the resort offers interest all year round and following on from the new improved visitor experience it plans to introduce mountain biking this summer.

Susan Smith, CEO of Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd, said:

“The Cairngorm Mountain team is thrilled to be welcoming snowsports enthusiasts onto the funicular railway once more. The improvements across the resort have brought major changes to the visitor experience and we are so pleased to see the railway transport people to the upper slopes as well as our refurbished Ptarmigan building.

“Weather permitting and with the hope that our capacity will expand further as the season continues, 2023 promises to be a landmark year for our business, team and the local community.”

Dave Macleod, head of property and infrastructure with HIE, said:

“It’s wonderful to see the mountain railway back in action again. This will make a huge improvement to the customer experience at Cairngorm and strengthen the appeal of the wider area to attract visitors throughout the year.

“Reinstating the funicular has been uniquely challenging, not only in engineering terms but also for the care that had to be taken to protect the environment during these works while also contending with some of the most severe and changeable weather that Scotland has to offer.

“Cairngorm plays an important role in the local economy as an environmental, educational, and sporting asset and the funicular will enable people across a huge range of ages and abilities to enjoy the mountain not only in winter but every season.”
 

26th January 2023​

Dinmore Manor model benefits Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd and Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway​

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7282 Dinmore Manor Ltd. received two cheques worth £22,500 today from model railway company Dapol Ltd.
The OO gauge models of Dinmore Manor were produced for sale to the the model railway community
with some of the proceeds going to the upkeep of the locomotive.​

Both Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd and the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) have received significant donations from British model railway manufacturer Dapol following its release of a model of GWR Manor Class No. 7820 Dinmore Manor.

Last Wednesday, 19th January, at Toddington station, Joel Bright, managing director and Richard Webster, head of product development of Dapol Model Railway Company, presented a cheque for £12,500 to Kenneth Sims, Chairman of Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd, and a cheque for £10,000 to to Richard Winstanley, Finance Director of Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc.
 
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Dapol model of Dinmore Manor 00 gauge​

Dapol has limited production to just 500 examples of a magnificent ‘00’ gauge limited-edition model of Dinmore Manor, and is finished in British Railways lined black, the same livery it carried when built at Swindon in 1950.

The model comes in a number of options, including one with a sound card that reproduces the sounds made by the real locomotive and was recorded on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway of the sounds made by the real locomotive, DCC ready, and DCC fitted without sound.
 
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GWR 7800 Manor Class, 7820 Dinmore Manor on March 26, 2022

Dinmore Manor arrived at Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway in 2014 and has been a popular and reliable member of the locomotive fleet ever since.

Manor Class locomotives were associated with the challenging Cambrian coast route from Shrewsbury hauling express trains such as the Cambrian Coast Express to Welsh resorts.

Since being rescued from a scrapyard and restored to service, Dinmore Manor has also visited a number of other heritage railways across the UK.
 
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Dinmore Manor near Lavaton on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway​

Joel Bright, managing director of Dapol said:

“Dapol has been proud to be involved with this exciting project and we have enjoyed working closely with the GWSR to produce this outstanding model.

“I hope that our donations will contribute to the success of both the locomotive group and the railway.

“The reputation of our company has certainly been enhanced by this project and I hope that we can cooperate in other projects in future.”

Kenneth Sims, in thanking Dapol for their generosity, added:

“I’m thrilled that this cooperation has been a commercial success for Dapol and that so many people share our enthusiasm for Dinmore Manor by buying examples of this quite superbly detailed model.

“This generous contribution is likely to go towards completing the restoration of our other locomotive, heavy freight 2-8-0 no. 3850, work on which has been progressing well,” he added.

Richard Winstanley added:

“I am thrilled to receive this wonderful contribution towards the continuing development of our railway. Dinmore Manor is a wonderful locomotive and I’m deeply grateful for the fruitful way that this imaginative relationship has benefited Dapol, Dinmore Manor, and the GWSR.”

Kenneth Sims added:

“That popularity has now been cemented by Dapol’s magnificent model which will enhance model railway layouts across the UK.”

This year’s services on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway resume on Saturday, 4th March.
 

26th January 2023​

Riley & Sons to carry out work on steam locomotive No. 8572​

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B12 8572 at Weybourne MPD​

The Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society has announced that Riley & Son (E) Ltd will carry out work on LNER B12 No. 8572.

The Heywood based contractor has signed a deal with the society to overhaul the engine chassis and tender.

8572’s chassis is currently outside Weybourne MPD under tarpaulin awaiting a move to Heywood, Lancashire.

The move is expected to happen in late February / early March once space in the workshop becomes available.

The chassis was previously overhauled by Riley & Son, and once the loco has been fully stripped down, it will be possible to estimate how long the overhaul will take.

8572’s boiler is being overhauled by the North Norfolk Railway’s engineering team.

The boiler is being prepared for NDT testing by a specialist contractor.
 

26th January 2023​

Lesley Griffiths MS officially names and launches new Transport for Wales trains in Llandudno​

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TfW 197 Conwy Valley Line Llandudno junction​

Transport for Wales, today (26th January) saw their new Class 197s officially launched by Lesley Griffiths MS.

CAF has built the new trains in Wales, with 51 two-car and 26 three-car trains set to be in service across the Wales and Borders network.

The trains include air con, and customer information screens.

197007 was named at the ceremony.

The name, Happy Valley, was a result of a competition, in which, Tabitha from Ysgol Tudno won.
 
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197007 with its new name under wrap​

Class 197s first appeared in service at the end of 2022, on the Conwy Valley Line between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno.

We managed to take a seat in the 197, and found that the seats are very comfy with a good amount of padding.

A TfW spokesperson says that these seats are a higher spec seats when compared to the CAF Class 195s that are in service with Northern.
 
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Seating on 197007​

It is nice to see power and usb points at each seat and the passenger information screens makes finding out information easy.

A catering bay also features in one of the carriages too.

Currently, the Class 197s are based at the Chester depot, so have been seen on services between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog / Manchester Airport.

It is expected that Class 197s will begin to appear on services to Pwllheli next year, with driver training started in Cardiff.

197s for the Cambrian line will need the special signalling system fitted and these will be based at Machynlleth.
 
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In the cab of 197007​

The introduction of Class 197s will see the start of withdrawals for Class 175s and 158s.

The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said:

“This is great news. Funded by our £800m investment in a new fleet of trains, the Class 197s play an important part in our plans to transform rail services in Wales.

“Having travelled on the Class 197s, I can vouch for the greater comfort, speed and capacity offered by these new trains that will not only be used by Welsh passengers but were also made in Wales.”
 
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Lesley Griffiths and Tabitha at Llandudno​

Minister for North Wales, Lesley Griffiths said:

“I was very pleased to officially launch Transport for Wales’ impressive new trains in Llandudno today.

“This made-in-Wales fleet signals an important improvement to rail services and I’m sure passengers will enjoy travelling across North Wales lines on the Class 197s.”
 
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197007 is named Happy Valley​

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said:

“The official launch of the Class 197s is a landmark day in the history of Transport for Wales and the Welsh rail industry, with the unveiling of the first brand new trains in Wales in a generation.

“The construction of our new trains has been four years in the making, and we’re incredibly proud and excited to formally welcome passengers onto them. The trains will be an important part of the transformation of the Wales and Borders network and will enable us to run more services and carry more customers in comfort.

“It’s also important to recognise that these trains have been made in Wales at the CAF factory in Newport and the building of them has provided jobs and supported the local economy.”

CAF UK Director Richard Garner commented:

“This is a memorable day for CAF. We are extremely proud to play a key role in delivering TfW’s commitment to transform rail travel for passengers, ensuring a high quality, reliable and comfortable journey.

“Our trains are being built in Wales to serve the Welsh communities, supporting highly skilled jobs and bringing local employment opportunities whilst focusing on sustainability issues and addressing the needs of the Welsh economy.”
 

26th January 2023​

Kent and East Sussex Railway have reached a key point in the restoration of Diesel Railcar W20​

The heritage railway has appointed an Independent Competent Person (ICP) who will supervise the projects traction and rolling stock compliance​

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GWR Diesel Railcar W20​

The Kent & East Sussex Railway have arrived at an important point in Diesel Railcar W20’s restoration following the appointment of an Independent Competent Person or ICP in order to oversee the project in regard to traction and rolling stock compliance.

The contract has been awarded to Cambrian Transport Services Limited with Senior Traction & Rolling Stock Consultant Steve Beck BSc CEng MIET AMIMechE taking on the job.

With more than 53 years of experience in maintenance, overhaul, and service introduction, Steve has worked with an array of rolling stock but in particular Electric and Diesel Multiple Units, he has also worked with British Rail for 27 years and with Consultancy WS Atkins for 15 years.

Steve’s first inspection of W20 saw that the work completed to date is of a good standard which was fantastic news for the team of devoted volunteers who have worked so diligently on the project.

During the inspection, it was revealed that some additional issues need to be addressed and have now been added to the project.
 
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W20s exterior Robertsbridge end dome section​

Prior to the Christmas period work was undertaken to ensure that W20’s exterior was weather resistant and structurally complete and the latest stage of work has seen:
  • Restored air vents have been attached to the roof
  • The saloon glazing and frames have been finished, alongside the installation of the sliding-top window vents
  • The roof has been fully insulated and materials for the internal ceiling panels have been approved
  • The saloon light fittings have been carefully refurbished and are ready for installation
  • The gearboxes, which were fully restored a number of years ago, have been removed, checked and reinstalled
  • A replacement heating system has been approved and contracts have now to be agreed to supply and fit the system
  • Heavy-duty cabling in poor condition, perished wiring and flexible conduit have been removed, ready for replacements
  • An external contractor has started work to ensure the precise fitting of the cab ends and domes
The railcar has now been moved temporarily from the Carriage & Wagon workshop in order to allow winter maintenance to be completed for the Wealden Pullman set.

Minor work on W20 will now take place at Rolvenden until it is possible to return to Tenterden in early March and at this point, the new heating system will be installed by contractors.
 

26th January 2023​

West Lancashire Light Railway takes a green approach in recycling elements of Southport Pier​

The narrow gauge railway is making use of old equipment as the pier undergoes restoration with a first set of recycled rails now on site.​

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Newly delivered ex-Southport Pier are fettled at the West Lancs​

During the 1970s, the West Lancashire Light Railway attained two Barlow closed ‘Silver Belle’ carriages from the Southport Pier 2’0″ gauge railway.

The carriages were in poor condition following years of work on the pier.

The West Lancashire Railway rebuilt the carriages and saw brand new bodies placed on the original chassis as carriages 1 and 2 which are used regularly to carry passengers hauled by its steam and diesel locomotives.

The pier continued to operate the remaining Silver Belle open coaches until replaced with ‘English Rose’ stock from Severn Lamb in 1973.
 
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West Lancs Chairman Mike Spall at Southport Pier, preparing for the removal of the rails​

During the 1990s, Southport pier faced closure but fortunately was saved before being fully rebuilt in 2002 including a brand new 3’6″ gauge railway and battery-powered tram.

The tram service was sadly suspended in 2013 after issues were found with supporting pier columns and operation finally ceased in 2015.
 
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Carriages 1 and 2, on ex-Silver Belle chassis, in service at the West Lancs​

2022 saw the excess BS 35M rails removed from Southport Pier in order for decking to be put in place and this once again gave the West Lancashire Light Railway the perfect opportunity to utilise old equipment.

The first of the excess rails have now arrived with the railway rejoining the chassis that would have run on their predecessors.

Most of the rails on the pier are still in place but it is expected that they will be removed as more decking is replaced.
 
27th January 2023

Road Vehicle Ordered and Stored for ETHNON RAIL Layout Project :)

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

These have been purchased for the layout project but are held in storage with the vendor.

ManufacturerProduct codeTitleScaleDate added to trunkQty in trunk
Oxford Diecast76INV002AC Invacar Pale Blue (Hubnut)OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)05/12/20221
Oxford DiecastOR76ROR003Land Rover Defender 110 with posable rail wheels - "British Rail" - non-motorisedOO Gauge (1:76 Scale)05/12/20221
Oxford Diecast76ZEP012Ford Zephyr BlackOO Gauge (1:76 Scale)05/12/20222
 
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