Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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8th February 2023

The full reinstatement of Derwent Rail services is welcomed by Council Leader​

The line was suspended by East Midlands Railway at the start of the pandemic as part of 43 service cutbacks.​

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Councillor Lewis has supported the campaign to return the Derwent Valley Line to full service following its suspension by East Midlands Railway at the start of the pandemic.

The line saw a brief reinstatement in May 2021 but was once again cut shortly after and saw the train operator blamed the cut due to a lack of rolling stock and high levels of staff absence due to covid alongside operational issues.

The service had been in operation since 2008 and its removal saw passengers travelling from Matlock to Nottingham having to change at Derby which saw their journey times double.

July 2021 saw a petition calling for the service to be returned and collected over 10,000 signatures, Councillor Lewis’s efforts joining the campaigners saw Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire MPs, Derwent Valley Community Rail Partnership and The Friends of Derwent Valley Line demand the reinstatement of the service to pre-pandemic levels.

Belper Town Council and Derwent Valley Community Rail Partnership organised two very well-attended public meetings and Councillor Lewis met with East Midlands Railway management at County Hall in Matlock advising them to listen to the community and to take action.

Further efforts by Councillor Lewis involved lobbying Government and writing to a number of rail ministers and Transport Secretaries since 2021.

May last year saw the Councillor work with Derby City Council Leader Councillor Chris Poulter who write to the then Secretary of State for Transport Grant Schapps detailing the importance of the service for the local community and calling for him to intervene so that the line could be reinstated as soon as possible.

East Midlands Railway did return through services from Matlock to Nottingham in May 2022 on Sundays and December 2022 saw the return of three morning and three evening peak time through services from Monday to Friday.

Campaigners including Councillor Lewis did not feel that this fully addressed the full reinstatement and continued their work to see the service completely returned to pre pandemic levels.

The 8th of February 2023 saw East Midlands Railway finally confirm that all day, through service will operate seven days a week and will return in May as part of its timetable changes.
 
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East Midlands Railway Class 156​

Councillor Barry Lewis said:

“I am extremely pleased to hear that EMR is to reinstate the full through service between Matlock and Nottingham as its withdrawal has had a major impact on the area, our residents, businesses and visitors, with a knock-on to the local economy and our tourism trade.

“The effect on people’s everyday lives, for example getting to work or to school and college has been significant and has really taken its toll.

“Thanks must go to the officers at the county council who have used their expertise and worked very hard on this to ensure a positive outcome.

“It’s to be welcomed that EMR has listened to the many thousands of people, groups and organisations, including Derbyshire County Council, who have called for this important service to be reinstated and it really can’t come soon enough.”

Local businesses are delighted with the news and Rupert Pugh, development director at Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath said:

“We are delighted and relieved to hear the news.

“The service from Matlock to Nottingham is of key importance to the local community and to us here at the Heights of Abraham.

“Train services really do help to reduce the number of cars on the road, especially as many Matlock Bath and Heights visitors do come from the Nottingham area.

“The May reinstatement coincides with special events planned here at the Heights, so it’s great that we can now promote the train route alongside our events.”
 
9th February 2023

Mayor of London views first new Docklands Light Railway train​

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New DLR train

Yesterday, Wednesday 8th February, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, visited the Docklands Light Railway’s (DLR) Beckton Depot where they were shown the first of 54 new, state-of-the-art trains that will be running on the railway from next year.

The 54 new trains are being designed and built by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A (CAF), which was awarded the contract in 2019 after Transport for London (TfL) went through a comprehensive procurement process based on deliverability, technical expertise and value for money.

All trains are expected to be in service by 2026.
 
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One of the new trains on a test track

As well as increasing the capacity of each train by 10 per cent, the new trains feature the latest audio and visual real-time travel information, air conditioning, and mobile device charging points.

They also have better facilities for that who are mobility impaired, with three dedicated wheelchair spaces and three multi-use areas that can accommodate pushchairs, bicycles, and luggage.

Some of the oldest rolling stock is over 30 years old, and 33 of the new trains will replace those nearing the end of their design life, whilst the rest will provide additional capacity.

Eleven of the extra trains have been funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after Transport for London secured funding from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The B2007 trains that were introduced in 2007 will remain in service.

Before entering service, the new trains will undergo rigorous testing that will initially take place during overnight engineering hours and some planned closures.

Later this year, trains will operate test runs during the day in gaps between normal services.
 
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Dedicated wheelchair areas in the new trains

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“I am delighted to be here at Beckton depot today to see the first of our brand new DLR trains that will provide Londoners with more frequent, reliable and comfortable journeys from 2024.

“The DLR is a vital transport option for parts of our city, contributing to making the capital a more accessible place to live, work and visit as well as supporting new jobs and homes. With over 90 million journeys made each year, it is currently the busiest light railway in the UK and its modernisation forms a key part of my vision to make London a greener, fairer and more prosperous city for all.”
 
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Walk-through design of the new trains

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said:

“These new state-of-the-art DLR trains will transform journeys for our customers and help support future growth in east London, which benefits the UK’s economy as a whole. The trains will now go through testing ahead of introduction in 2024 to ensure they provide the reliability both we and our customers expect. I look forward to seeing these across the network and helping contribute to the DLR’s continuing success.”

Richard Garner, CAF UK Director, said:

“CAF is proud to be supporting the modernisation of the DLR as part of the Mayor of London’s Transport Strategy.

“Our new driverless trains have an interior which brings a modern, spacious feel, allowing passengers to see and walk the full length of the train. The additional capacity will enhance the overall comfort and journey experience.”

Richard Graham, Managing Director of KeolisAmey Docklands, said:

“KeolisAmey Docklands are pleased to be working with TfL to commence the testing the new trains on the DLR network.

“These trains will provide improvements to customers’ journeys and deliver great benefits for our communities in east London. We look forward to bringing the first of these new DLR trains into service in 2024.”
 
9th February 2023

Network Rail finds new home for historic Glasgow footbridge​

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Footbridge. Moray Place​

A historic footbridge over the railway in Glasgow’s southside that is being replaced as part of the Glasgow to Barrhead electrification project has found a new home at the Caledonian Railway’s unique Brechin station.

The bridge was made in 1877 by Paisley ironworks Hanna, Donald and Wilson and formerly connected Darnley Road and Moray Place in Strathbungo.

The footbridge was unsuitable for when the line is electrified and needed to be replaced.

In July 2021 the local community took part in a vote for a new design from three options.

Work is now underway to install the new footbridge, and its replacement is expected to be in place by July 2023.

Over several months, a number of options were looked at by key stakeholders and Network Rail to try to keep the footbridge, and the railway columns that once supported Susie’s Store on Nithsdale Road that were also demolished as part of the project, in Glasgow.

A suitable location in Glasgow could not be found for the bridge, so it was released for tender and contact was made with the Caledonian Railway, which is a volunteer-run charity that restores, maintains, and operates a heritage railway in Angus.

The railway intends to use the columns to develop ramp access to Brechin station, whilst the footbridge will be re-erected as part of restoration and improvement work at the station.

Further information about the Caledonian Railway is available on their website at www.caledonianrailway.com
 
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Strathbungo community choose new footbridge design​

Michelle McCaig, Network Railway project manager for the bridge work, said:

“We are so pleased to have been able to find a new home for the footbridge and railway columns. Ideally, we wanted to try to keep the bridge in Glasgow, as we know the significant role it has played in the community over the years, but unfortunately, a viable solution couldn’t be found.

“However, as the former footbridge was built as part of the Caledonian Railway and the charity is the only preserved and remaining part of this network, it seems fitting the bridge will once again be part of this.

“I want to thank all involved over many months in our collective efforts to find a permanent solution for the footbridge and columns. By being part of Brechin station, this provides a great opportunity for the footbridge to continue to be used and appreciated.”

Jon Gill, Chairman of Caledonian Railway Brechin Ltd, said:

“We are thrilled to be able to incorporate these fantastic parts of our railway heritage into our live preserved railway, this will ensure that visitors will be able to continue to enjoy their use for years to come.

“I would really like to take this opportunity to thank Network Rail and all their partners for their support in making this happen.”
 
9th February 2023

Watercress Line volunteers mark golden anniversary of saving the line​

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Watercress Line volunteers mark golden anniversary of it's takeover from British Railways​

Last Saturday, 4th February, a group of the original volunteers who helped to save the Mid Hants Railway, popularly known as Watercress Line, after it closed in 1973 gathered at Alresford station to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

Around 50 volunteers gathered at Alresford where Hampshire Unit no 1125, one of the last to run on the line, was on display.

On 4th February 1973, the line’s final day as a British Rail operation, the last Hampshire Unit departed from Alresford at 8:21pm, and at the same time last Saturday, 1125’s horn was sounded to mark the historic occasion.
 
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S15 Class No, 506 on The Watercress Line

Many of the original Watercress Line volunteers who helped to save the line for preservation were at Alresford to share their memories of the early restoration activities.

Those accounts will be recorded for the line’s archives and used at historical events.
 
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Topiary at Ropley station on The Watercress Line​

During February half-term, from this Saturday, 11th February to Sunday, 19th February, there will be various activities for the whole family at Alresford and Ropley stations relating to the theme of ‘motion and movement’.

There will also be several displays of photos and information about Hampshire Unit 1125, and fascinating real-life experiences and stories of several of the Watercress line’s volunteers who were involved in saving it for preservation.

Further information about the Watercress line can be found on its website at https://watercressline.co.uk/
 
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Peckett 0-4-0 saddle tank “Kimersdon” on The Watercress Line​

Watercress Line CEO Amanda Squires said:

“It was such a pleasure to welcome many of our longest serving volunteers to the Watercress Line to mark this historic milestone in the railway’s history.

“The enthusiasm and pleasure that these dedicated volunteers still feel for the Watercress Line was very touching. Without their hard work, pulling together to help restore the line and its locomotives to their former glory, we would not have such a wonderful piece of railway heritage to share with present day visitors and future generations.

“On behalf of the Watercress Line, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the restoration of our much-loved railway.”
 
9th February 2023

Steam locomotive 46100 Royal Scot to visit Preston, Carlisle, St Bees and Barrow-in-Furness this Saturday​

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46100 ‘Royal Scot’ near Westbury with the @SaphosTrains Bristol Templeton Meads to Kingswear "The English Riviera Express” 26th July 2020

Steam locomotive 46100 Royal Scot is set to visit Carlisle this Saturday, hauling a portion of The Lakelander.

The tour will originate in Rugby, with an LSL Diesel / Electric hauling the tour to begin with. Departing Rugby at 05:50, the tour will pass through Rugby (06:03), Birmingham International (06:17), Aston (06:38), Tame Bridge Parkway (06:51), Wolverhampton (07:05), Stafford (07:25), Crewe (07:59), Warrington Bank Quay (08:31), Wigan North Western (08:46) and Preston at 09:07.

Here, 46100 Royal Scot takes over the train. Departing at 10:09, the locomotive will head to Carlisle via Lancaster (10:32), Oxenholme Lake District (10:52), Penrith North Lakes (12:09) and Carlisle at 12:31.

After time in Carlisle, the tour will depart at 15:30 and will pass through Maryport (16:13), Whitehaven (16:38), St Bees (16:48), Sellafield (17:03), Millom (17:30), Barrow-in-Furness (18:25), Grange-over-Sands (18:55), and Carnforth at 19:17, where the steam locomotive is replaced by the heritage diesel / electric.

With the steam locomotive off the train, the tour will head back to Rugby via the same outbound route, passing through Preston (20:31), Wigan North Western (20:52), Warrington Bank Quay (21:05), Crewe (21:34), Stafford (22:01), Wolverhampton (22:20), Tame Bridge Parkway (22:33), Birmingham International (22:56), Coventry (23:09) and Rugby at 23:27.
 
9th February 2023

February half-term is bursting with family activities at Swindon’s STEAM Museum​

The museum will see a programme of family-friendly educational activities get underway from Monday the 13th of February​

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No. 6000 King George V at STEAM Museum

Swindon’s STEAM Museum is hosting an array of fantastic fun activities for families over the February half term.

The award-winning museum, which recently enjoyed a royal visit, is located in a Grade II listed railway building and provides visitors with a look back to the golden days of the Great Western Railway and into the railways of today.

The exhibits are currently focused on the people who built, travelled and ran the Great Western Railway under the direction of world-renowned Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Three special exhibitions also reveal the modernisation which has taken place on the Great Western Railway including:
  • High Voltage – which tells the story of the electrification of the Western network
  • The Diesel Decades – which focuses on early diesel experiments by a number of rail companies
  • Changing Trains – which looks at a series of events which led to the end of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Broad Gauge system.
Families are welcome to take part in the following events:

Bridge Building Workshop:
  • Taking place on Monday the 13th and Wednesday the 15th of February at the Swindon Designer Outlet between 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm
  • Families can encourage their budding civil engineers and designers to have a go at building bridges using Polydron construction materials. The sessions are fantastic for developing STEM skills.
Meet the Railway Workers Experience:
  • This fortnightly event will be back on Saturday the 18th of February.
  • Meet the Railway Workers sees the museum’s friendly and knowledgeable volunteers run this activity and includes a great opportunity to enjoy guided tours of the museum as well as the chance to climb onboard some of the impressive Swindon-built locomotives such as:
  • No. 3717 City of Truro
  • No. 6000 King George V
  • No. 2818
 
Further events taking place include:

An incredible 3D re-creation of The Sun:
  • This free installation is available to enjoy in STEAM’s Great Western Hall from Monday the 13th to Sunday the 19th of February.
  • This impressive installation will debut at STEAM Museum as part of The Festival of Tomorrow and will see a 6-metre light-based artwork utilising NASA’s data from its solar Dynamic Observatory through 360 degrees. The artwork also features smoke effects to provide vivid dimension representing the outer atmosphere of our hottest and closest star! The amazing exhibit will see 10 weeks of the sun’s life demonstrated using 12-and-a-half-minute cycles with temperatures ranging from 4,500 to 10 million degrees centigrade
  • This incredible installation has been funded via the UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council.
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The Sun Project at STEAM Museum​

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said:

“STEAM is always a great day out for all the family, especially during the school holidays. This February half-term will be no different with our educational bridge-building workshops providing plenty of fun for all budding Isambard Kingdom Brunels.

“We also have our fantastic award-winning exhibitions which tell the fascinating story of how the Great Western Railway evolved through the years and, of course, our popular Meet the Railway Workers sessions are not to be missed.

“But perhaps one of the highlights will be the 3D re-creation of the sun as part of the Festival of Tomorrow, which is well worth a visit on its own.”

To find out more or to book tickets online, please visit: www.steam-museum.org.uk
 
9th February 2023

Steam locomotive 46115 Scots Guardsman set to visit Carlisle this Saturday​

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46115 Scots Guardsman on The Coast to Coast Express' Liverpool - Scarborough, 10 September 2022

46115 Scots Guardsman is scheduled to haul this weekend’s Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express.

Running on the 11th February 2023, 46115 is set to haul the Carnforth – Carlisle – Preston section.

The tour will depart London Euston at 06:54 behind an electric locomotive and will then pass through Watford Junction (07:09), Milton Keynes Central (07:35), Rugby (08:08), Nuneaton (08:34), Stafford (09:11), Crewe (09:34), Preston (10:20), and Carnforth North Junction at 10:48.

From here, 46115 is added to the train. Departing at 11:27, the train will head through Oxenholme Lake District (11:42), Penrith North Lakes (12:22) and Carlisle at 12:43.

After time in Carlisle, the train will depart at 14:23 and will pass through Appleby (15:07), Garsdale (15:43), Hellifield (16:14), Clitheroe (17:01), Blackburn (17:27), Preston (18:05 – electric hauled from here), Crewe (19:27), Nuneaton (20:34), Rugby (20:52), Milton Keynes Central (21:24), Watford Junction (21:56) and London Euston at 22:20
 
9th February 2023
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TANGENT MAN STRIKES!
Just when you thought it was safe to be informed only on railway topics! :hysterical:
Here's one for all you philatelists out there........

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Royal Mail Stamps have revealed their new ‘every day’ stamp featuring The King.

The image is the same as the effigy which will feature on coins.

The stamp will be available from 4 April 2022.

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9th February 2023

More Rolling Stock Ordered Today for ETHNON RAIL :)

As you probably remember, I am a great fan of the Blue Pullman in all it's guises.

I have just purchased the following...........

ManufacturerProduct codeTitleScaleQty
HornbyR40172Midland Pullman, Mk3 First Open, M41176OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)1
HornbyR40169Midland Pullman, Mk3 First Open, M41108OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)1
HornbyR40175Midland Pullman, Mk3 Trailer Guard Standard, M44078OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)1
HornbyR40174Midland Pullman, Mk3 Trailer Buffet, M40802OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)1
 
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