Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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26th February 2023

Digital Rail System Safety Developer – The Signalling Company has been acquired by Škoda Group​

The rail transportation company now holds a 93.9% stake in the company which specialises in rail safety software and signalling systems​

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Modern train at the station,Barcelona,Spain

The Škoda Group has now obtained a 93.9% stake in Belgian-based – The Signalling Company.

The digital rail system safety developer creates safety software and signalling systems for the rail industry.

The remaining 6.1% stake in The Signalling Company is held by the company’s two executives Stanislas Pinte and Frederic Du Jardin.

The acquisition is part of Škoda Group’s ongoing expansion strategy which will see them move into mobility systems.

The group also saw a takeover of the Austrian operations of Molinari Rail which is a technical engineering and design company.

The Signalling Company creates state-of-the-art Level 4 safety software which is compatible with the European Train Control System standard and can also be utilised with autonomous mobility.
 
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Škoda Group – New Signalling Team​

CEO of Škoda Group, Didier Pfleger said:

“Expanding our portfolio with our own signalling solutions, especially ETCS, is important to the Group’s success in European markets, especially in Western Europe. This sector has great potential, and we’re looking forward to developing new solutions to improve rail transport safety, efficiency and sustainability,”

The acquisition of The Signalling Company will increase Škoda Group’s competitiveness with European train manufacturers and will enable it to offer a vast range of products and facilities to rail operators across Western Europe, especially in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

At present, The Signalling Company is equipping 110 locomotives with European Train Control System for Linea which is Europe’s biggest private rail freight operator.

Škoda Group will integrate The Signalling Company’s 38 employees within its own business line ‘Signalling’ and will be set up under the care of Stanislas Pinte who has become Vice President for Signalling.

Mr Pinte will oversee the full development of the current signalling solutions alongside the development of new technologies in this field.

Vice President Signalling at Škoda Group, Stanislas Pinte said:

“With the entry of a large and successful partner into our company, there are further great opportunities for growth in the signalling business. Thanks to Škoda Group’s investment and the connection with such a major European rolling stock manufacturer, we will gain access to the European market,”
 
26th February 2023

New level crossing gates on the Wensleydale Railway​

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Crakehall crossing gates
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A new set of historic level crossing gates have been installed on the Wensleydale Railway at Crakehall station near Bedale in North Yorkshire.

Whenever the heritage railway is operating trains, a volunteer Crossing Keeper is needed to operate the crossing gates manually.

Over the years, the previous four light-metal gates proved quite a challenge, especially during high winds, as when the gate catches were released, the gates would swing of their own free will and the lone Crossing Keeper would struggle to control them.
 
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Crakehall station and one set of the original crossing gates​

The swinging gates led the railway’s volunteers to affectionately call it “the Crakehall Dance”, which might have been entertaining for spectators but was very off-putting to the Crossing Keepers.

Now, the Crakehall Dance is no more as the Wensleydale Railway has replaced the four old gates with two new ones.

The new gates were made from wood by the Gayle Mill Trust from Hawes in North Yorkshire, which is a local commercial wood business and registered charity, whilst the gate support posts are metal.
 
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A new level crossing gate at Crakehall station.​

Crakehall railway station was opened in 1856 by the Bedale and Leyburn Railway, which later became part of the London and North Eastern Railway.

The last scheduled passenger traffic ran in 1954 and it closed to goods traffic in 1992.

The station building is now owned by the Wensleydale Railway.

The gates were donated to the railway by Bob Coombs, who is a long-time supporter of the railway.

He said:

“I have been a volunteer for 11 years and in that time I have done various jobs, including Crossing Keeper and I have experienced the Crakehall Dance.

“I decided that if I could ever afford it, I would pay for new gates.

I was left a legacy that meant I could not only afford new gates but that I could take the opportunity to get some good ones that were in keeping with a heritage railway.

The gates are in memory of my Uncle who made it possible.”

“We have several photos of gates on the Wensleydale Railway from years gone by and I decided that we should see if we could make gates to a similar design. I purchased the book “A History of North Eastern Railway Signalling” published by the North Eastern Railway Association, which had details of the gates they used in the 19th century.”
 
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The second new level crossing gate at Crakehall station​

Replacing the Crakehall level crossing gates is just one of many on the Wensleydale Railway, including relaying track so that passenger trains can once more run to Redmire.

Anyone wishing to donate to the railway can do so at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/returntoredmire

Further information about the railway can be obtained online at https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/
 
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26th February 2023

OO Gauge Model Railway News Announcements

Accurascale OO Gauge Class 66 - New Announcement​


Accurascale have taken over the Hattons Originals Class 66 tooling in OO gauge, and plan to produce 6 new models for Q1 2024!

These new variants are enhanced for 2024 and feature numerous updates such as a lift off roof section for adding a decoder, improved axle box design and more.

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The Class 66 has become ubiquitous across the British railway network and 2023 see’s the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the class.

The Class 66 is a six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive, somewhat based on the earlier Class 59 locomotives.

The class has proved to be highly successful with a total production run of 480 in the UK (with additional locos imported from overseas following this) and alternative versions of the loco being marketed to Europe as the EMD Class 66.

Upon privatisation, a number of newly-privatised rail freight companies; Transrail, Mainline, Loadhaul, Railfreight Distribution, and RES were bought out and became EWS. EWS inherited a fleet of 1,600 mostly diesel locomotives, including many Class 47s which had to be overhauled every 7 years at a cost of £400,000.

In an effort to reduce their operating costs, EWS approached Electro-Motive Diesel to build new locomotives based on the Class 59 bodyshell but with a different engine and traction motors to enable higher speed running - leading to the commissioning of the Class 66.

EWS ordered 250 Class 66 locos, in what was termed "the biggest British loco order since steam days".

Further orders were placed by Freightliner, GB Railfreight, and Direct Rail Services in later years.

66779 was the last Class 66 to be built as the design could no longer meet the stringent stage 3b emissions regulations.

The locomotives have proved to be extremely reliable and adaptable, being used for across a huge spectrum of UK freight operations.
 
27th February 2023
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Train operators welcome TSSA settlement​

Dispute ends ++

The white-collar TSSA union has accepted a two-year pay deal from 14 train operators in England, bringing the prospect of further strikes by more than 3,000 of its members to an end.

The offer is worth a 5 per cent increase or a minimum increase of £1,750 whichever is the greater in year 1, and a further 4 per cent increase in year 2.

Compulsory redundancies are ruled out until the end of next year, but the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme will continue.

Although the dispute is over, the union said it will continue to oppose ticket office closures.

The Rail Delivery Group said the settlement is a ‘positive breakthrough’, and the Department for Transport agreed, adding that the decision involved reforms which were ‘vital’ to get the railway ‘back on a financially sustainable footing’.

However, the TSSA warned that it would ‘continue to hold the train companies and the government to account as we go forward because Britain needs a fully functioning rail network at the heart of our green industrial future, and as a means of rebuilding our economy in the wake of the Covid pandemic.’

Meanwhile, four more RMT walkouts still set to be staged on on 16, 18 and 30 March, and 1 April.

Metro vandalism ++

The first new train for Tyne & Wear Metro was daubed by graffiti vandals before it reached Tyneside.

The unit has been built by Stadler in Switzerland, and arrived in Britain via the Channel Tunnel.

Metro operator Nexus said the damage had been done somewhere in southern England, because the defaced train was seen passing through Peterborough on its way north.

Nexus said: ‘This kind of pointless vandalism is sadly part of modern life,’ and that the graffiti would be removed at the new Gosforth depot.'
 
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27th February 2023

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Train striking debris at Yarnton​

Investigation into a train striking debris from a failed bridge wingwall at Yarnton, near Hanborough, Oxfordshire, 10 February 2023.​


Published: 27 February 2023

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Yarnton Road (also known as Cassington Road) bridge, following partial failure of a wingwall.
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At around 18:40 hrs on Friday 10 February 2023, the 17:34 hrs Great Western Railway service from London Paddington to Hereford struck some brick rubble on the single line at Yarnton, between Oxford and Charlbury.

This had fallen onto the track from a failed wingwall that was adjacent to the line, and which formed part of a bridge carrying a local road over the railway.

The train was travelling at around 55 mph (89 km/h) when the collision occurred.

The train sustained damage but did not derail.

There were no injuries reported to the traincrew or passengers on the service.

Although Network Rail initially reopened the line on Sunday 12 February, it was closed again after a few hours.

It remained closed for a further nine days while an adjacent embankment was stabilised.

Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events which led to this accident. It will also consider:
  • the history of this structure including modifications to the affected wingwall, and any repair work undertaken
  • the findings of inspections undertaken of the structure and the responses to them
  • a report of cracking in the road approaching the structure on the adjacent embankment which was made before the failure occurred
  • any underlying management factors.
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation.
 
The train involved in the incident is allegedly 800318.

British Rail Class 800 Intercity Express Train or Azuma

Here she is seen undamaged, last year at Cardiff Central

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800318 runs empty out of Cardiff Central after arrival with the 1B06 service from London Paddington on 21st July 2022.​
 
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27th February 2023

Southeastern names train ‘Spirit of Ukraine’ to mark anniversary​

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‘Spirit of Ukraine’​

To mark one year since Russia attacked Ukraine, yesterday, Friday, 24th February, train operator Southeastern named one of its Class 707 (001) City Beam trains Spirit of Ukraine.

The naming came after a minute’s silence at an event at London’s Cannon Street station and included performances from the Canterbury 4 Ukraine Women’s Choir.

The train’s Spirit of Ukraine name marks the friendships and connections that have formed between Ukrainians who have settled in the communities that Southeastern serves, and the people who have welcomed them.
 
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The naming ceremony for Spirit of Ukraine

Spirit of Ukraine also acknowledges the tremendous efforts by Ukrainian Railways to keep the country moving during the most difficult of times, by evacuating people from dangerous areas and keeping the country on the move faced with almost impossible circumstances.
 
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Canterbury 4 Ukraine Women’s Choir​

Southeastern operates services in Kent, East Sussex, and southeast London where the Class 707(001) trains have recently been introduced.

In the communities served by Southeastern, since February last year over 4,000 people from Ukraine have been welcomed into people’s homes, including those of some of the company’s staff.
 
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Guests at the naming ceremony​

Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of the Passenger Company of Ukrainian Railways said:

“The Ukrainian Railway hasn’t stopped since our country was attacked a year ago and we’ve evacuated four million people to safety including one million children.

“We are touched that the community in Kent, Sussex, southeast London and across the United Kingdom have welcomed our people and that they now honour the spirit of the Ukrainian people who keep standing their ground unbent and unbroken”
 
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Jonny Holdcroft, Communications Director at Southeastern Railway said:

“We are very proud to name this train Spirit of Ukraine to mark the connections that have been made between Ukrainian people who’ve settled in the community we serve and the people who’ve welcomed them including from Southeastern.

“At the same time, we want to recognise the enormous efforts of our Ukrainian Railways colleagues whose bravery, ingenuity, and sacrifice also embodies the Spirit of Ukraine.

“While today we mark a sombre anniversary we are pleased we can do so by celebrating the strong connections between Ukraine and Kent, Sussex & South east London.”
 
27th February 2023

New Business Model announced by Mid Norfolk Railway to assist with ‘financial difficulties’​

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Class 33, 33202 approaching Thuxton

A new business model has been announced by the Mid Norfolk Railway to help address its financial difficulties.

This news follows on from the recently announced management restructure, with the railway saying the new business model is ‘urgently required’ due to the current financial climate, adding that the current revenue levels does now allow for the railway to keep up with the deterioration of the railway infrastructure.

The greatest issue that needs tackling is the Permanent Way around Crownthorpe Brige and the weigh beams.

The track needs replacing immediately to allow trains to run to Wymondham as the deterioration of the infrastructure has accelerated since the last six month inspection, meaning the bridge and track are currently unusable.

This means that an emergency appeal will soon be launched to raise funds to allow the railway to reopen to Wymondham.

Additionally, this means that a change in services has been announced.

Originally, the railway was reopened on the 4th March, but now reopening has been delayed until the railway is confident it can run a service, which initially will be a 12 mile round trip to Thuxton – details of which will be announced soon.

The new business model means that new revenue streams must be found to run alongside the ever-popular Polar Express – this will require more working members to allow the railway to grow.
 
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Thuxton bound 33202 departs Dereham May 2022​

The current Chairman of the Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust Charlie Robinson said:

“The MNR has not been immune to the financial pressures that the sector has been under, our costs have risen dramatically and therefore to achieve the ambitious objectives that the railway set itself, when the Trust was set up we have to pull together as an organisation and find ways to grow the business so we can raise the funds that are needs not just to stand still, but carry out the projects that have long been aspired to.”

“the railway is a significant contributor to the regional economy and as such we are very aware of our responsibilities to maintain that contribution, but to do so we also ask for the support of the business community and people of the region to ensure the long term future of the railway.”

Graham Watts a new Trust Council member, who after a career culminating in being a senior manager in local authority leisure services, has now taken on the railway’s commercial portfolio.

He said:

“From a commercial perspective the railway has a significant portfolio of activities already, but what we must do is be ruthless in driving our costs down to increase the profit element of the revenue we already generate and introduce new services that grow the business.

“Key to that is also to growing the working membership. We need not just people interested in railway activities but also people with the skill sets any business needs including administration, Information technology, marketing, human resources management and many more.”
 
27th February 2023

Essex heritage railway appoints a new General Manager​

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New General Manager, George Saville driving the iconic 'Flying Scotsman' locomotive​

The Epping Ongar Railway, based in Essex, has announced that George Saville has been appointed as its new General Manager, following the decision of the previous General Manager to stand down at the end of last year.

George Saville joins the Epping Ongar Railway from the Mid Norfolk Railway where he was most recently its General Manager.

He brings to the railway extensive knowledge and experience of heritage railways and has joined the railway today, 27th February, on an initial interim contract throughout the 2023 operating season.
 
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56xx class 0-6-2T 5619 arrives at Kidderminster Town Station with a passenger service on 17 March 2019. The 56xx class was originally designed for work in the South Wales coalfields but with the gradual fall in coal production, members of the class found their way to other parts of the GWR. 5619 was built in 1925.

New General Manager, George Saville said:

”I am honoured to be joining the Epping Ongar Railway, a heritage railway which has been such a success and has so much future potential.

“As the Railway’s new General Manager, I look forward to leading and serving the dedicated and loyal volunteers and staff of the Epping Ongar Railway and helping them build on the success they have already created.”
 
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Steam train arriving at Ongar on the Epping Ongar Railway​

Roger Wright, Managing Director, said:

“We are delighted to have George join us at short notice and look forward to him helping us further develop one of Essex’s major leisure destinations. We would like to thank Dean Walton our previous General Manager for all the hard work he has put into the Epping Ongar Railway to help us to where we are today.”
 
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Easter Egg Hunt on the Epping Ongar Railway​

The Epping Ongar Railway‘s first special event of the year is an Easter Egg Hunt that will be held from 7th to 10th April.

Children will be asked to find all the eggs that the Easter Bunny has hidden all along the length of the railway track from Ongar to Coopersale, which is equivalent to 131,579 eggs placed end to end.

However, to find them all egg hunters will need to hop on and off our steam and diesel trains.

Children will be given a sheet of clues and asked to find as many numbered eggs as possible to help them find the eggs that Bertie will have hidden around the railway.

At the end of their visit, children can return their sheet of clues to the gift shop at either Ongar or North Weald and receive a special Easter treat.
 
27th February 2023

175-year-old Staffordshire railway tunnel to be upgraded​

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Reliability upgrade through 175 year old Staffordshire tunnel this March

Train services between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent will be suspended between Sunday, 5th and Sunday, 12th March whilst Network Rail carries out a £2 million project to upgrade railway tracks through Meir railway tunnel.

Meir tunnel, which is between Longton and Blythe Bridge stations, was originally constructed in 1848 by the North Staffordshire Railway and runs parallel to the A50 and a busy road tunnel of the same name.

The tracks through the tunnel haven’t received any major work since 1968.

This project will replace almost 1.6 kilometres of rail and supporting ballast and sleepers along both tracks through the tunnel, which will help ensure the reliability of trains between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent for the next 50 years.
 
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Meir railway tunnel, which has connected passengers between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent for 175 years​

During the closure, buses will replace trains between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent, but passengers should plan ahead and check before they travel with National Rail or East Midlands Railway.

Normal services will resume on Monday, 13th March.

Steve Hopkinson, East Midlands Operations Director for Network Rail said:

“This tunnel holds so much history and is a vital part of the railway in Staffordshire, and these upgrades will make sure that passengers can continue to travel through it reliably well into the future.

“To do the work safely, we inevitably need to close the tunnel so there will be some changes to services and I’m sorry if this impacts people’s plans. Our best advice is to allow some extra time and to check your journey before setting off.”
 
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Tracks through Meir railway tunnel in Staffordshire are being upgraded this March​

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director for EMR said:

“Between Sunday 5 and Sunday 12 March we will be running a replacement rail service between Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent.

“We are asking customers to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to carry out their journeys and we would like to thank them for their patience whilst Network Rail carry out work along the tracks.”

Claire Sandys, Community Rail Officer for the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership, said:

“We are pleased to see upgrade works take place at this critical point on the Crewe to Derby route where passengers rely on a quick and punctual service for work, leisure and education purposes.”
 
27th February 2023

Leicestershire test run completed for steam locomotive 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe​

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5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe on test

Vintage Trains has confirmed that, after a successful test run, 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe has joined the operational fleet.

Last Friday, the GWR ‘Castle’ Class completed a light engine movement to Stratford-upon-Avon, with its support coach, before heading round the ‘Leicester Circle’ with six coaches and a Class 47 locomotive, making around a 9-coach load in total.

The Leicester Circle is a route designed to test performance of a locomotive up hill and at 75mph for a sustained period of time.

The results from the test run is that 5043 performed perfectly and will double head with 7029 to Didcot on Saturday 4th March 2023.

A Vintage Trains’ spokesperson said

“Last Friday she ran loco and support coach to Stratford with no issues, then took a loaded test train of six coaches and the 47 (about nine coach load) round the Leicester circle, a route designed to test performance up hills and at 75mph for a sustained period. She performed perfectly”
 
Jake Bonner was out to see both the Light Engine test run as well as the loaded test run, and has produced the following video:

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www.youtube.com

The Earl Is Back! 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' Test Runs - 24/02/2023

After spending nearly six years out of action, Friday 24th February saw the much anticipated return to the mainline of 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' followin...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

The Earl Is Back! 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' Test Runs - 24/02/2023

After spending nearly six years out of action, Friday 24th February saw the much anticipated return to the mainline of 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' following her ten year overhaul.

In this video we capture the engine out on test as she undertook two test runs, the first being a light test run over the North Warwick Line from Tyseley to Stratford-upon-Avon with support coach, and the second being a loaded test run to Leicester via Nuneaton, returning via Castle Donnington and Burton.

We start off at Yardley Wood as 5043 is seen coasting through tender first on her way down to Stratford.

Our second shot takes us to Danzey as she returns chimney first to Tyseley.

After a lot of confusion to whether the loaded test run would go ahead following the cancellation of the path on Realtime trains, we headed over to Salisbury Drive Foot Crossing, just North of Water Orton station as 5043 is captured powering away from a speed restriction.

Our final shot saw us at Tamworth for what we thought we be a nice noisy shot from The Earl, however thanks to being looped at Branston behind a stopping passenger service, 5043 is captured coasting through Tamworth with D1755 (47773) appearing to be pushing from the rear making plenty of noise... ah well I suppose we can't have it all.
 
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27th February 2023

Boiler issues for steam locomotive 60163 Tornado​

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Boiler for 60163 Tornado​

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has announced that there have been some issues with the small tubes found in Tornado’s boiler.

When the boiler returned to the UK after being overhauled by DB Meiningen in Germany, British Engineering Services inspected the boiler and found that there was a concern surrounding the quality and installation of the small tubes.

Currently, it cannot be confirmed whether this is a material or welding issue, so it has been agreed that the best course of action will be to replace all small tubes in the boiler.

The Trust is now working hard to bring Tornado back to service, with the main focus being on Tornado’s planned visit to the North Norfolk Railway, ETCS testing and hauling the first Aberdonian on the 20th of July.

The re-tubing is covered under warranty, however, Tornado will now be away from the main line much longer than anticipated.

Tornado’s return was delayed in January due to a number of factors including the late arrival of the boiler back in the UK and the fitment of the in-cab signalling.
 
27th February 2023

Ticket plans announced for Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways​

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BLANCHE AND PRINCE AT TANYGRISIAU​

Tickets for the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ 2023 train services, which start running on Saturday, 25th March, go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, 28th February, at 10.00.

This year, visitors have the option to book a full return journey, a one-way ticket between stations, or depending on the train’s capacity and the service frequency, hop on and off trains.
 
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Palmerston now moves up towards the points and waits for Linda and Blanche to arrive back from Blaenau Ffestiniog

A notable addition to this year’s services is ‘The Quarryman’ which allows visitors to start and finish their journey at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

‘The Quarryman’ will follow the route of the old slate trains that transported their valuable cargo of slates from the quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour at Porthmadog.

After leaving Blaenau Ffestiniog, the train passes the impressive slate tips that are stark reminders of the town’s industrial past, before heading through the picturesque Vale of Ffestiniog to Porthmadog.

Here there will be time to explore the harbour town, visit the maritime museum on the quayside, or enjoy some refreshments, before the return journey to ‘the town that roofed the world’.
 
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Prince at Beddgelert ​

Among other changes to this year’s timetable, passengers can enjoy a full day in Beddgelert by travelling on the renamed ‘The Aberglaslyn’ service.

By booking a seat on the outward morning service and returning on the afternoon service, passengers can now have a longer break to explore all that the idyllic Beddgelert village has to offer.
 
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Caernarfon Castle at the end of Welsh Highland Railway​

This year’s journey options include:

Caernarfon to Porthmadog
  • Snowdonia Star                    
Porthmadog to Caernarfon
  • The Harbourmaster
Caernarfon to Beddgelert
  • Gelert Explorer
Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog
  • Mountain Spirit
Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog
  • The Quarryman (this is a new service for 2023)
Porthmadog to Tan-y-Bwlch
  • Woodland Wanderer
Porthmadog to Beddgelert
  • The Aberglaslyn (this service provides new opportunities)
Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu

The Cwellyn (this service only runs during school summer holidays)

Full details of the railway’s 2023 services or for more information and to book tickets can be found on the railways’ website at https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
 
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27th February 2023

Steam locomotive ‘Victoria’ to feature in Staffordshire Railway Enthusiast Weekend​

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'Victoria' with two Exmoor Steam Railway coaches at Mallard Halt​

Statfold Barn Railway has announced that their Enthusiast Day: Spectacle of Steam will feature resident locomotive ‘Victoria’ in steam on March 18th 2023.

‘Victoria’ is a 12 ¼ gauge locomotive was completed by Exmoor Steam Railway back in 2007.

The locomotive was built for the Tintern Steam Railway, however, the railway was never built.
 
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