Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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31st January 2023

Vintage Trains to open doors to Tyseley depot with guided tours in 2023​

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6000 'King George V', 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgecumbe' and 71000 'Duke of Gloucester'

Vintage Trains is to re-introduce public access to Tyseley Locomotive Works with a number of guided tours in 2023 as part of the pilot scheme.

Tours of the original 1908-built depot will be part of the tour as well as a tour of the locomotives and rolling stock. A tour of the engineering workshop will not be possible during the tours.

Locomotives on view inside the depot will change, but will be drawn from the Vintage Trains pool of 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, 7029 Clun Castle, 4965 Rood Ashton Hall, 5593 Kolhapur, 7752, D1755, 37240, 13029 and Class 20s.

Whilst there wont be any footplate access, photography inside the depot will be permitted.

5 tours will take place in 2023, taking place on the 27th May, 10th June, 8th July, 5th August and 2nd September respectively.
 
1st February 2023

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Most of network closed by drivers’ strike

The first of two 24-hour walkouts by drivers this week has closed most of the passenger railway system in Britain.

Trains are running where their operators are not in dispute with the unions, so that services are normal on c2c, Caledonian Sleeper, Merseyrail, South Western Railway (apart from Island Line) and Transport for Wales.

ScotRail drivers are also booking on as usual, although there is disruption between Ladybank and Kirkcaldy because of a signal fault.

There are limited services on GWR, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express) and LNER, but not all stations are being served and services are starting later and finishing earlier than usual.

Urban services such as London Overground, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Tyne & Wear Metro and Merseyrail are unaffected, while Eurostar and other open access operators are also working normally.

Members of the drivers’ union ASLEF are staging pickets at stations and depots, while the relatively few driver members of the RMT are also joining the walkouts.

ASLEF had rejected the most recent pay proposal on 17 January, after a meeting with the new rail minister Huw Merriman eight days earlier.

General secretary Mick Whelan said:

‘It’s now clear to our members, and to the public, that this was never about reform or modernisation but an attempt to get hundreds of millions of pounds of productivity for a 20 per cent pay cut while taking away any hope of the union having any say in the future.

Irreparable harm has been done to the integrity of the negotiating process and the future ability to negotiate an appropriate way forward, but we make ourselves available anyway.

‘Not only is the offer a real-terms pay cut, with inflation running north of 10 per cent, but it came with so many conditions attached that it was clearly unacceptable. They want to rip up our terms and conditions in return for a real-terms pay cut. It was clearly a rushed offer, made just before our meeting with the minister, and not one, it seems to me, that was designed to be accepted.’

The Rail Delivery Group said:

‘Having made an initial offer which would have taken average driver salaries from £60,000 to nearly £65,000, we had hoped the ASLEF leadership would engage constructively to move talks forward, rather than staging more unnecessary strikes. We can only apologise for the disruption.’

A second walkout has been called for Friday.
 
1st February 2023

Storytime with Marcus

When I was a child I used to read these amazing stories, by the the good Rev. Audrey and the colourful illustrations by C. Reginald Dalby, which fuelled my imagination about trains.

My son is grown up now, so he doesn't appreciate my stories anymore. :lol:

But I still like to look back at them with fond memories.

Written by Awdry in 1943 to entertain his son, Christopher, who was suffering from measles at the time, this was the first book in what was to become The Railway Series.

The book tells the stories of kind Edward, pompous Gordon and foolish Henry.

So now I hereby present to you 'Edward, Gordon & Henry' the fourth and final story from the first book in The Railway Series.

I hope you enjoy it. :)

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Henry is given a second chance following Gordon’s chance breakdown outside the opposite tunnel to where he is stood.

Edward is the only engine available in the yard to try and push the train, however, proves ineffective and there’s only one engine left to help – Henry.

The Fat Director gives him another chance and with Edward’s help, they help to bring the train home again.

That evening, Gordon is helped home by Edward and Henry and all three engines become friends in light of all that’s happened, and Henry learns by his mistakes.

He is given a new coat of paint following his troubles, and chooses to be painted blue to match his new friends.
 
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Edward and Gordon often went through the tunnel where Henry was shut up.

Edward would say "Peep, peep - hullo!" and

Gordon would say "Poop, poop, poop!" "Serves you right!"

Poor Henry had no steam to answer, his fire had gone out; soot and dirt from the tunnel roof had spoilt his lovely green paint in red stripes.

He was cold and unhappy and wanted to come out and pull trains too.

Gordon always pulled the Express.

He was proud of being the only engine strong enough to do it​
 
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There were many heavy coaches full of important people like the fat director who had punished Henry.

Gordon was seeing how fast he could go.

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" he panted.

"Trickety-trock, trickety-trock, trickety-trock," said the coaches.

Gordon could see Henry's tunnel in front.

"In a minute," he thought, "I'll poop, poop, poop at Henry and rush through and out into the open again."

Closer and closer he came - he was almost there, when crack: "Wheeeeehshsh!", he was in a cloud of steam, and going slower and slower.​
 
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His driver stopped the train.

"What has happened to me?" asked Gordon, "I feel so weak."

"You've burst your safety valve," said the driver. "You can't pull the train anymore."
​
"Oh dear,"said Gordon. "We were going so nicely too.......... Look at Henry laughing at me."

Gordon made a face at Henry and blew smoke at him.

Everybody got out, and came to see Gordon.

"Humph!" said the fat director. "I never liked these big engines - always going wrong; send for another engine at once." ​
 
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While the guard went to find one, they uncoupled Gordon, and ran him onto a siding out of the way.


The only engine left in the shed was Edward. "I'll come and try," he said.

Gordon saw him coming. "That's no use," he said, "Edward can't pull the train."


Edward puffed and pulled, and pulled and puffed, but but he couldn't move the heavy coaches.

"I told you so," said Gordon rudely. "Why not let Henry try?"

"Yes," said the fat director, "I will".​
 
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"Will you help pull this train, Henry?" he asked.

"Yes," said Henry at once.

So Gordon's driver and fireman lit his fire; some plate layers broke down the wall and put back the rails; and when he had steam up Henry puffed out .

He was dirty, his boiler was black and he was covered with cobwebs. "Ooh! I'm so stiff! Ooh! I'm so stiff!" he groaned.

"You'd better have a run to ease your joints, and find a turntable," said the fat director kindly.​
 
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Henry came back feeling better and they put him in front.
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"Peep, peep" said Edward, "I'm ready."
​
"Peep, peep, peep," said Henry, "so am I."

"Pull hard, pull hard, pull hard," puffed Edward.

"We'll do it, we'll do it, we'll do it," puffed Henry.

"Pull hard, we'll do it, pull hard, we'll do it, pull hard, we'll do it," they puffed together.

The heavy coaches jerked and began to move, slowly at first, then faster and faster.

"We've done it together! We've done it together! We've done it together!" said Henry and Edward.
​
"You've done it, hooray! You've done it, hooray! You've done it, hooray!" sang the coaches.​
 
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All the passengers were excited.

The fat director leaned out the window to wave to Edward and Henry, but the train was going so fast that his hat blew off into a field where a goat ate it for his tea.

They never stopped till they came to the big station at the end of the line.

The passengers all got out out and said, "Thank you," and the fat director promised Henry a new coat of paint.
​
"Would you like blue and red?"

"Yes please," said Henry, "then I'll be like Edward."​
 
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Edward and Henry went home quietly, and on their way they helped Gordon back to the shed.

All three engines are now great friends.

Wasn't Henry pleased when he had his new coat.

He is very proud of it, as all good engines are - but he doesn't mind the rain now,

because he knows that the best way to keep his paint nice is not to run into tunnels,

but to ask his driver to rub him down when the day's work is over.​
 

1st February 2023​

WATCH: Time-lapse drone video of Banbury train depot upgrade​

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Twilight drone shot of new sidings at Banbury depot​

In a £9.4m investment, Chiltern Railways has expanded its train depot at Banbury because access to its Aylesbury depot will be limited as a result of construction work on HS2.

Following a 6-month depot upgrade, the new sidings at Banbury opened last Saturday, 28th January, and Network Rail has released an impressive time-lapse video of the new lines being built.

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Banbury Train Depot Upgrade​

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Banbury Train Depot Upgrade

The Banbury Depot upgrade included the construction of 4 new railway sidings built to stable trains, 4 new signals so services can get safely in and out of t...
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The Banbury Depot upgrade included the construction of 4 new railway sidings built to stable trains, 4 new signals so services can get safely in and out of the depot, 950 metres of new track and 870 metres of walkways for workers.
 
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Drone shot of entire Banbury train depot from the air

Network Rail worked in partnership with HS2, the Department for Transport, and Chiltern Railways, to expand the depot before major work to realign almost 2km of the Chiltern Railways line between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire to create space for HS2 tracks to pass underneath.

The work included:
  • construction of four new railway sidings for stabling trains;
  • installation of four new signals to allow trains to get in and out of the depot;
  • installation of 950 metres of new track;
  • construction of 870 metres of new walkways so workers can safely service trains.
 
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Drone shot of Banbury train depot with Chiltern train in the background​

Ian Hyde, Chiltern Railways’ engineering & safety director, said:

“We are delighted that our Banbury depot has been transformed in collaboration with Network Rail. It significantly expands our capabilities on-site, allowing us to undertake more maintenance work and, ultimately, better serve our customers during the construction of HS2 and beyond.

Patrick Cawley, director for ‘On Network Works’ for HS2 and Network Rail, said:

“HS2 will transform journeys between London, the Midlands, and the North, providing zero carbon journeys from day one and also making space on the existing network for more freight and local and regional passenger services. Our upgrades in Banbury are an industry team effort to keep passengers moving during construction of the new railway.

“The depot’s four new railway sidings will provide our partners at Chiltern Railways with greater operational flexibility to clean and maintain their fleet of trains helping them to deliver a reliable service for their customers.”

“The improvements made will ensure that we can be flexible in servicing and maintaining our fleet, and illustrate how partners in the rail industry can collaborate to strengthen existing infrastructure and improve customer experience.”
 
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Ground level view of Banbury depot’s new sidings​

Services on Chiltern Railways will be disrupted because of lines closures this weekend to allow drainage improvements to be carried out on lines into London Marylebone station and preparation work on an HS2 viaduct near Wendover.

During the disruption, services will start and end at West Ruislip, with connections into central London available on the Central and Metropolitan lines.

Journeys will take longer.
 

1st February 2023​

Bachmann Europe kick off 2023 in style with its Spring British Railway Announcements​

The model rail specialist has now released its very first products for the 2023 season with its Spring British Railway Announcements​

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Bachmann Class 143​

2022 marked a fantastic year for Bachmann Europe and saw twelve major projects carried out and dispatched to retailers across the country.

The huge 2022 release saw over 400 brand-new items released for the British outline railway ranges.

Now that 2023 is underway, Bachmann intends to see the year begin with a bumper start with its biggest announcement to date featuring 111 new items which will be delivered to Bachmann stockists over the coming months.

The Bachmann Narrow Gauge range also enjoyed a remarkable 2022 with the delivery of the Quarry Hunslet and Mainline Hunslet locomotives, both offering four different versions as well as options for SOUND FITTED for the Mainline Hunslets.

The range has also seen additions as part of the Spring British Railways Announcement with the OO9 scale models seeing an expansion in available rolling stock with a further five RNAD wagons.

These brand new versions will be available alongside the eight models announced earlier and are now making their way to the UK, the wagons are detailed as in original RNAD usage and coloured as other freight operators including Southern Railway and ICI Lime in preserved condition.

N Scale has seen the all-new Graham Farish Class 90 Electric Locomotive available in Freightliner ‘Powerhaul’ livery with the operation of with or without SOUND FITTED.

The Class 08 Diesel Shunter will also be available in the well-loved BR Green and BR Blue scheme and are using the newly-upgraded model which will enable SOUND FITTED models as well as standard.
 
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Bachmann Europe Spring British Railway Announcements, Class 08, BR green​

The Graham Farish rolling stock range has also seen a huge increase in wagons including new releases as part of the spring announcement including:
  • 14 Ton Tanks
  • 30 Ton Bogie Bolsters
  • Bogie Ballast Hoppers
  • 27 Ton Steel Tipplers
  • HKA Bogie Hopper Wagons
 
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Bachmann Europe Spring British Railway Announcements: 14 Ton Tank​

The above releases will be available in an array of liveries and the majority will include the choice of two running numbers per livery.

Upgrades will also be available including the provision for SOUND FITTED models as part of the award-winning Bachmann Branchline BR Standard Class 9F Steam Locomotive which was revealed in Winter 2022 and as part of the spring announcement of two further models have been revealed including the sole surviving Single Chimney loco No.92134.

SOUND-FITTED versions of the Windhoff two-car Multi-Purpose Vehicle have also been released for the very first time as well as standard models in two Network Rail colour schemes.

Six new identities have also been revealed for the brand-new Class 37 from Bachmann Branchline which covers the early years in traffic with two BR Green-liveried models, through Sectorisation, and up to modern day as a Colas Rail Freight example.

All of the models include unique tooling combinations in order for the to achieve the highest fidelity and also comes in three formats – standard, SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE.
 
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Bachmann Europe Spring British Railway Announcements: Class 37, BR green​

Spring 2023 also sees new tooling in the form of the MXA ‘Lobster’ Bogie Open Wagons. The wagons were originally built by DB Cargo utilising redundant Bogie Bolster wagon frames and were then outshopped in the vibrant red livery of DB Cargo, the new Branchline model will come with a choice of two running numbers.

Finalising the Bachmann Branchline announcement for this quarter is a twin pack of ScotRail Mk2 Coaches alongside a further release of the Class 158 DMU which is featured in Arriva Trains Wales livery.

The announcement also sees DMUs for EFE Rail are also featured with Class 143 and 144 ‘Pacer’ two-car DMUs available in five liveries over the two classes.
 
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Bachmann Europe Spring British Railway Announcements: Scenecraft range​

Bachmann’s Scenecraft range has also been enhanced with over a dozen brand new N scale models, whilst the OO scale sees a number of popular products return such as the Two Lane Engine Shed, Depot Water Tower and Art Deco Signal Box, as well as a number of new items.

Bachmann’s impressive DCC System, The E-Z Command Control Centre has also allowed entry into DCC for thousands of modellers and the spring announcement also sees a new version of this popular controller – E-Z Command Plus.

This easy-to-operate DCC system allows the running of multiple locomotives with up to 29 functions able to be controlled enabling a full suite of sound and light effects from SOUND FITTED and SOUND FITTED DELUXE models.

The system also includes simple on-track locomotive address programming as well as a rotary speed dial which is benefited from the addition of an illuminated speed scale.

A brand new Locomotive Stop button also allows individual locomotives to be stopped, and the Stop All button enables a full emergency stop bringing the entire layout to a halt.

E-Z Command Plus is able to be used with DCC-equipped N, OO and OO9 scale models and includes easy plug-and-play wiring which provides the ability to set up in minutes.

Further to the new products, Bachmann Europe has also officially unveiled its new logos coinciding with Bachmann’s 190th Anniversary.

The new logos are for:
  • Bachmann Europe Plc
  • Bachmann Branchline
  • Bachmann Narrow Gauge
  • Bachmann Collectors Club
The new logos will appear on all new Bachmann products throughout 2023.

The Spring 2023 British Railway Announcements Catalogue has been exclusively published with the Bachmann Times which is the Bachmann Collectors Club official magazine and features the entire range of products revealed.

Club members receive copies of all four of the British Railway Announcements made throughout each year.

The Spring 2023 Catalogue also features the Bachmann Europe Model Railway Combined Volume 2023 which is currently making its way to Bachmann Collectors Club members and may also be purchased from Bachmann stockists in the near future.

The Combine Volume includes ongoing lines and items which are still stocked as well as upcoming items from announcements from previous years which are not yet in stock.
 

1st February 2023​

WATCH: Steam locomotive 45699 Galatea passes through Staffordshire heading for West London​

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45699 Galatea, in the guise of 45662 ‘Alberta’ / 45627 ‘Sierra Leone’​

LMS Jubilee No. 45699 Galatea, in the guise of 45662 ‘Alberta’ / 45627 ‘Sierra Leone’, passed through Lichfield Trent Valley station this morning as it steamed south from Carnforth to Southall, in West London.

Our friend Jake Bonner went out to film the locomotive pass through the station, which at this point was running around 40 minutes late.

The movement today, 5V42, the 08:00 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall WCRC, was a loco movement and test run ahead of The Bath and Gloucester Steam Express on Saturday 4th February 2023.
 

Galatea Returns! 45699 'Galatea' - Positioning Move - 01/02/2023​

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Galatea Returns! 45699 'Galatea' - Positioning Move - 01/02/2023

On a cold winters morning 45699 'Galatea' returned to the mainline on a positioning move to Southall following her recent overhaul.Still carrying her 45627/4...
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On a cold winters morning 45699 'Galatea' returned to the mainline on a positioning move to Southall following her recent overhaul.

Still carrying her 45627/45562 'Sierra Leone' Identity from 2021, we capture her briefly as she trundled through Lichfield Trent Valley on the Up Fast on her way down to Southall whilst working 5V42 0800 Carnforth Steamtown to Southall Wcr.
 

1st February 2023​

Bachmann Collectors Club Programme of New Releases for 2023 sees exclusive Auto-Ballasters​

As Bachmann Europe's Spring British Railway Announcements are revealed the Bachmann Collectors Club gets its first new exclusive product for 2023.​

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Bachmann Auto-Ballasters​

Bachmann Collectors Club’s first new products for 2023 sees an exclusive JJA Mk2 Auto Ballaster which has been made of the award-winning Bachmann Branchline tooling.

The release sees two impressive examples of the Auto Ballasters which feature the Network Rail livery and are available to buy now for Bachmann Collectors Club members only.

The models are available in either Generator or non-Generator and have been finished to an incredible standard in order to represent the prototypes with their original RailTrack blue livery covered with a yellow band and Network Rail’s yellow branding.

The strip is immaculate on both sides of the wagon and is in contrast to the worn and rusted paintwork detailing which surrounds it, the model demonstrates the specialist weathered finishing which has been expertly applied to each model.

Made up of hundreds of components, the Auto Ballasters are also decorated with multiple paint applications which see over seventy print applications for every wagon in order to re-create the vast array of markings and warnings which are featured on the prototype.

The fine level of detail captured in the model is also durable allowing for everyday usage and a mark of excellent craftsmanship.
 
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Bachmann Collectors Club’s exclusive for 2023 JJA Mk2 Auto Ballaster ​

The resulting finish of this premium product is not one which can be sold commercially through Bachmann’s retail partners however it is exclusively offering the models to Bachmann Collectors Club members.
 

1st February 2023​

Steam locomotive 34072 257 Squadron to visit The Kent & East Sussex Railway​

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Visiting locomotive 34072 '257 Squadron' coasts past Rabbit Bridge on the Saturday of the GCR Winter Gala, in a timely burst of sunlight on January 29, 2022​

The Kent and East Sussex Railway has announced that they will be welcoming 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ will be visiting them in 2023.

Visiting courtesy of Southern Locomotives Ltd and the Spa Valley Railway, 34072 will become the largest locomotive to ever run on the K&ESR.

34072 will be in service between Tenterden, Northiam and Bodiam on selected dates in April and May 2023.

Ticket fares or timetables have not yet been released yet, but more information is due to be released soon.
 
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1st February 2023​

Steam locomotive 2999 Lady of Legend to join 60103 Flying Scotsman at the East Lancashire Railway this March​

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2999 Lady of Legend, SVR Steam gala 21-April-2022

The East Lancashire Railway is to welcome GWR New-Build Saint No. 2999 Lady of Legend this March.

2999 will visit the ELR thanks to its home, the Didcot Railway Centre.

Lady of Legend was completed in 2019 after 45 years of work, using No. 4942 for parts.

2999 Lady of Legend will also be running with the heritage line, which runs between Heywood / Bury and Rawtenstall, welcomes world-famous locomotive, 60103 Flying Scotsman.

A prototype Saint was built in 1902 and was used for stopping and express passenger services on the Great Western.

They made the basis for the Hall class when 2925 St Martin was rebuilt in 1924.

They lasted until 1951 when the class were withdrawn in 1951.

Fast forward to the 21st Century – the Didcot Railway Centre started the new-build locomotive in 2009, and the completed 2999 steamed in passenger service in 2019.
 

2nd February 2023​

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Railway graffiti vandals sentenced

Vandals sentenced ++

Members of a graffiti gang who repeatedly sprayed trains at Northern’s Heaton depot in Newcastle have been sentenced, although the trial was delayed by the Covid pandemic.

Adam Smith, 28, of Hedgeley Road in Hebburn, was described as the ‘ringleader’, and he has been jailed for 18 months by Newcastle Crown Court.

His accomplices were Jordan Shone, 26, of Lumley Court in Hebburn, Mark Marshall, 28, of Greenbank in Jarrow and Colin Bell, 47, of St Vincent Street in South Shields.

They all received suspended sentences between nine and 18 months and were also ordered to undertake unpaid work.

A further offender, David McGuire, 28, of Winskill Road in Simonside, South Shields, was given a community order and ordered to undertake 18 months’ unpaid work.

The five all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause criminal damage between January 2018 and June 2019.

Northern said it welcomed the sentences, and that the damage had cost thousands of pounds.

Passenger landmark ++

More than 100 million journeys have been made on the Elizabeth Line since the central section opened in May last year.

Transport for London said the number of passengers had reached 600,000 a day, and that the new route is ‘on track to break even by the end of the 2023/24 financial year’.

TfL also said it will introduce ‘the final version’ of the Elizabeth Line timetable as planned on 21 May, and that headways between Paddington and Whitechapel will then be shortened to 2.5 mins in the peaks.

Leaves battle ++

The Rail Safety and Standards Board is collaborating with the University of Sheffield to use artificial intelligence to help predict slippery rails.

The new project is investigating how more detailed information on local conditions can be used to tackle the seasonal challenge associated with ‘leaves on the line’.

Low adhesion track is a serious problem, which costs £350 million a year and can threaten safety if a train fails to stop as intended.

The RSSB said temperature, humidity and the presence of leaves or other contaminants can all affect the adhesion between wheels and rails.
 
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2nd February 2023​

Halfway point beneath the Chilterns is met seeing HS2 achieve its longest tunnels​

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View of down-track tunnel at the South Portal Site

HS2 Ltd is celebrating the vast project’s longest tunnels as ‘Florence’ and ‘Cecilia’ which are two huge Tunnel Boring Machines have now passed the halfway point under the Chilterns.

The tunnelling machines way in at a massive 2,000 tonnes and have been hard at work excavating over the last 18 months the twin tunnels from the M25 to South Heath in Buckinghamshire.

The tunnels are a fantastic solution for protecting the environment with the added advantage of providing improved connectivity between London, Birmingham and the North.

Alongside digging and lining the tunnels, engineers have now finalised the excavation of five ventilation shafts and an emergency access shaft near Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Amersham, Little Missenden and Chesham Road.

The engineers also broke through a cross passageway to a shaft at Chalfont St. Peter recently.
 
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Cross passage formwork​

Over 1.3 million cubic metres of chalk and flint have been removed and will use in a progressive chalk grassland restoration project located at the tunnel’s south portal.

The site will see a vast 127 hectares of landscaping completed as well as the creation of wildlife habitat and biodiverse chalk grassland.

When finished, the Chiltern tunnels will see high-speed trains travelling through them connecting London and the North at huge speeds of up to 200mph which will not only improve travel experience but will also provide space for more freight and local services to use the current railway.

Martyn Noak, HS2 Ltd’s Head of Tunnel Engineering, said:

“It’s great to be able to celebrate the halfway point of this 10-mile-long tunnel. The whole team has put in a fantastic effort over the last year-and-a-half and I’d like to congratulate the crews of both Florence and Cecilia for passing this important tunnelling milestone and thank them for all their hard work”

“This tunnel will take HS2 underneath the Chiltern hills, safeguarding the woodlands and wildlife habits above ground as well as significantly reducing disruption to communities during construction and operation. Once complete, HS2 will offer low carbon journey options linking London with the major cities of the north and releasing capacity for more freight and local trains on our existing mainlines.”

Align is HS2’s main works contractor which is a joint venture created from three international infrastructure companies that will be responsible for the Chiltern tunnel and Colne Valley Viaduct:
  • Bouygues Travaux Publics
  • Sir Robert McAlpine
  • VolkerFitzpatrick
Didier Jacques, Align’s Underground Construction Director, said:

“Florence and Cecilia passing the halfway point on what is a long drive for the TBMs is a great achievement. I would like to pay credit to TGT, our supply chain partner, whose personnel are manning the TBMs.

This significant progress would not have been possible without the supporting teams on the surface at the South Portal, who supply the thousands of 8.5-tonne segments required to line the tunnels, process the spoil pumped back as slurry through our slurry treatment plant and landscape the chalk produced across the site. Overall, a great team effort.’

The two identical Tunnel Boring Machines were specially designed in order to cope with the mix of chalk and flint which are under the Chilterns.

The machines are excavating separate tunnels for both north and southbound trains, during the process, the excavated material is mixed with water in order to form a slurry which is then pumped to the surface.

Both of the machines work as a self-contained factory beneath the ground, working ever forward in digging the tunnel, lining it with concrete wall segments and grouting them into place.

The impressive machines operate at approximately 15 metres per day and have used over 56,000 precision-engineered, fibre-reinforced segments each of which is made on-site at a temporary pre-cast factory, in order to create the tunnel walls.

17 People are needed to operate each of the Tunnel Boring Machines and work in shifts in order to keep them working around the clock.

On the surface, the project is supported by more than 100 people who manage logistics and make sure the progress of the tunnels moves forward smoothly.

Further to the Chiltern tunnels, HS2 also revealed that two Tunnel Boring Machines have recently started working on the projects London tunnels achieving a first breakthrough and the completion of the first of two tunnels beneath Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire.
 

2nd February 2023​

Taiwan locomotive arrives at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway​

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locomotive DL-34 safely arrived on W&LLR metals​

After a 9,971km journey from the Alishan Forest Railway in Taiwan, on Monday, 31st January, diesel locomotive DL-34 finally arrived safely at Llanfair Caereinion on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway.

Last November, representatives of the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway travelled to Alishan in Taiwan to take part in an official handover ceremony before the 50-year-old DL-34 began its long journey to the UK where it will be on an initial three-year loan to the Welshpool & Llanfair.
 
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DL-34 being unloaded at Llanfair Caereinion​

Although the locomotive has the same gauge of 762mm (2ft. 6in.) as the Welshpool & Llanfair, it requires modifications to its coupling and braking systems to make it compatible with the railway’s existing rolling stock.

The locomotive will then undergo a period of commissioning and is expected to be ready to be hauling trains during the first part of this year’s operating season.

The arrival of DL-34 is timely as several of the Welshpool & Llanfair’s home fleet of diesels are in need of overhaul, especially as it is capable of hauling passenger services and other duties.

It will now allow 1949-built Baguley-Drewry No.7 Chattenden and Diema No.175, a former Taiwan Sugar Corporation locomotive, to be withdrawn from traffic so they can undergo major works.
 
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DL-34 finally on Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway tracks​

As well as boosting the railway’s fleet, the arrival of DL-34 will strengthen the educational links between the Welshpool & Llanfair and the Alishan Forest Railway.

Both railways have been affiliated since 2017, and hope that the loan of DL-34 will help further their educational and cultural co-operation in the future.

The Welshpool & Llanfair will post further updates on its Facebook page, whilst further information about the railway can be obtained from its website at https://wllr.org.uk/

The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway has expressed its thanks to the Alishan Forest Railway for its support, and to Active Freight for helping to facilitate the locomotive’s move from Taiwan.
 
2nd February 2023

Steam locomotive 4079 Pendennis Castle to star at Cotswold steam gala​

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The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has announced that GWR ‘Castle’ No. 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ will be visiting them for their Cotswold Festival of Steam.

4079 visits thanks its owners, the Great Western Society and The Didcot Railway Centre.

Taking place from the 12th May until the 14th May, the gala will see an intensive timetable operate, with 4079 Pendennis Castle joining already confirmed BR Standard 4 No. 75014 Braveheart at the gala among other GWSR resident locomotives.

The theme for this year’s gala is ‘Cheltenham & Gloucester Remembered’, which is inspired by the huge variety of trains found in the surrounding area back in steam days.

Ian Crowder, the railway’s spokesman, commented:

“The Castles were synonymous with Great Western express train services in the area.

“They were introduced 100 years ago this year, no. 4079 being built in 1924. In 1925, Pendennis Castle was sent to the London & North Eastern Railway for trials against their new A1 pacific Flying Scotsman and, to the embarrassment of the LNER’s directors, Pendennis Castle not only significantly outperformed Flying Scotsman but did so using less fuel and water. That year, Pendennis Castle – with a notice proclaiming it to be the ‘most powerful express passenger locomotive in Britain’ – appeared at the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley, alongside Flying Scotsman.”

“We are thrilled to have Pendennis Castle visit our railway for the first time,” added Ian Crowder. “It surely should be as famous as Flying Scotsman – after all, it has, like that engine, visited Australia and has circumnavigated the world.

“The Cotswold Festival of Steam is a unique opportunity to experience this outstanding engine first-hand on a railway where it once thundered through with express trains taking Midlands holidaymakers to the West Country resorts.”

This announcement is the latest in a flurry of news regarding where 4079 Pendennis Castle is visiting in 2023, with visits to Tyseley Locomotive Works and the Severn Valley Railway already confirmed.
 
2nd February 2023

Tim Dunn to return with more Secrets of the London Underground with third series commissioned​

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Siddy Holloway and Tim Dunn​

UKTV has confirmed that it has commissioned a third series of Secrets of the London Underground, which is set to be aired on the Yesterday channel.

The series has always been popular with viewers, with the first series (aired in 2021) becoming Yesterday’s biggest ever launch of a new programme, and the second series was Yesterday’s second biggest launch in 2022.

Siddy Holloway, Engagement Manager at the London Transport Museum, joins Tim Dunn once again for the third series, which is set to be aired later in 2023.

Filming and production is already underway, and joins The Architecture: The Railways Built and Hornby: A Model World as original shows returning for new series in 2023.

UKTV’s Helen Nightingale said,

“I love Secrets of the London Underground! The way the programme brings the history of the Tube to life in such a unique manner is really wonderful. I’m so pleased that Siddy, Tim and the brilliant team at Brown Bob have found even more secrets to share with us.”

Jacqueline Hewer, CEO of Brown Bob said,

“There is such a fascination with the London Underground, and we’re delighted to be able to take Yesterday viewers behind the scenes of the tube once again. We’ve got more hidden places to unlock and more intriguing secrets to reveal – with Tim and Siddy bringing stations to life in their brilliantly enthusiastic way.”

Gerald Casey added,

“I’m so pleased we can bring Secrets of the London Underground back for a third series. The programme has captured the imagination of Yesterday viewers, and it’s easy to see why with such brilliant access, expert insight and warm enthusiasm. We can’t wait for series three to air later this year.”

London Transport Museum’s director Sam Mullins OBE said:

“As the Underground celebrates its 160th year in 2023, it’s brilliant for us to be bringing more of its secrets to Yesterday’s viewers in a third series. I thought I knew the Tube pretty well but can’t wait myself to see Siddy and Tim unlock the door on more unexplored locations and delve into the Museum’s archives to reveal more stories from the London’s unique history.”
 
2nd February 2023

Appeal by Midland Railway – Butterley to repair vandalism damage​

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Midland Railway – Butterley signal box​

On Monday, 23rd January, mindless vandals attacked the Midland Railway – Butterley site at Butterley in Derbyshire and caused wanton damage to both the railway’s rolling stock, buildings, and infrastructure, and to its partner organisations based at the site.

By good fortune, a local dog walker heard the sound of glass breaking and alerted the police.

Unfortunately, substantial damage various areas on the site had already suffered damage.

These included the recently restored Butterley signal box, memorial benches, railway vehicles, windows in Butterley station, windows in the buffet, and the railway’s works van.
 
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Midland Railway – Butterley damaged windows​

The railway has previously suffered several bouts of vandalism, and since then has increased security including installing CCTV, which captured clear footage of the perpetrators.

That CCTV footage has been passed on to Derbyshire Constabulary to help them with their investigation.

To repair the damage will require both time and money, which as a volunteer-led charity could have been better spent on making improvements for its volunteers and visitors.
 
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Midland Railway – Butterley damaged carriage​

It is heart-breaking that a few individuals feel that their actions are acceptable, and obviously don’t realise how their mindless actions impact so badly on the railway’s dedicated volunteers who give up their time and expense to restore and maintain the railway to secure it for future generations.

Although there are many financial demands on everyone at the moment, Midland Railway – Butterley is appealing for donations to further increase its on-site security, make repairs to the damaged buildings, and replace the works van.
 
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