Marcus' Model Railway Journey

The COSS recorded that the team was able to access the lines under possession at 01:11 hrs on the night of the incident.

Witness and documentary evidence shows that the COSS then gave a site briefing which included a description of the safe system of work, and identified the six-foot rail of the Up Trent Valley Fast line as the boundary of the safe area.

The team were instructed by the COSS to remain on the eastern side of this boundary.

The COSS also appointed a site warden. The work then commenced as planned, with everyone apart from the site warden and the CRSA supervisor actively involved in the task of levelling ballast.

The team was working from north to south, towards the direction from which the train would later approach. By the time the incident train approached the team, at 01:29 hrs, forward-facing CCTV shows that the team had split into two distinct groups which were, by then, approximately 55 to 60 metres apart.

Given the splitting of the team, the curvature of the track and the dark conditions, the site warden, who was in the group furthest away from the approaching train, could no longer adequately monitor the position of staff working very close to the boundary.

This meant that the COSS received no warning from the site warden to step back when he moved over the boundary and towards the open line on which the train was approaching.

When working in a separated safe system of work, a distance of at least two metres must be provided between the site of work and the nearest running rail of any open line.

The standard width for a six-foot is 1.97 metres (measured from running rail to running rail).

This is why the six-foot rail of a closed line is often considered to be an acceptable boundary.

However, witness evidence and analysis of photographic images indicate that the six-foot at this location is narrower than this standard distance, being approximately 1.6 to 1.8 metres.

This meant that the choice of the six-foot rail of the Up Trent Valley Fast line as a boundary did not meet the requirements of the relevant rules.

This also meant that a team member stepping over the boundary was more likely to be in the swept path of an approaching train.

The risks involved with an inadequate separation distance are further increased at this location due to the high speed of approaching trains (up to 125 mph, 201 km/h).

16th March 2023

West Midlands Metro extension in line for £60 million cash boost​

West Midlands Metro

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has been awarded £60 million towards completion of the next phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension.

The project was part of the bid that TfWM made for government funding last October.

The Government cash was announced with the region's Deeper Devolution Deal, and TfWM intends to use it as a springboard to secure the remaining funding needed to build and open the section of the route between Dudley town centre and Brierley Hill.

TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), reports that it will now look in detail at further funding opportunities and options available to get the project over the line.

Last year, as a result of rising construction costs and reduced fare income during the Covid 19 pandemic, the WMCA Board decided to split the extension in two, with phase one the section between Wednesbury and Flood Street in Dudley.

This is currently under construction and due to open to passengers next year.

Phase two will continue the line, including a stop at Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

This rapid transit service will support local businesses and offer residents improved links to jobs and leisure opportunities in Dudley, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

The WMCA Board is to revisit phase two and consider funding options at its meeting in June.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA, said:

“A number of public infrastructure projects are facing understandable cost challenges given the prevailing winds of inflation and supply chain pressures. Metro extension schemes are also subject to this wider context so we took the difficult decision last year to pause work on phase two whilst retaining our commitment to delivering the scheme.

“In our subsequent efforts to seek out the necessary funding, our newly negotiated Devolution Deal has provided a breakthrough. This additional £60 million from Government acts as a springboard for the completion of the scheme as it now puts us in a strong position to secure the remaining funding required to get this extension finished at the earliest opportunity.”

Cllr Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, added:

“Today's announcement by the Chancellor is fantastic news for the borough, and hugely welcomed by this authority.

“We have always been absolutely committed to completing the Metro extension in full, and this £60 million will give us a real springboard to secure the rest of the cash we need to make the second phase a reality. It will also see cash come in to create jobs and breathe new life into the areas around the Metro routes.

“I've always been a big advocate in giving local politicians, who know their areas best, the power to make their own decisions regarding funding. The Deeper Devolution Deal announced today is a huge step in the right direction in that regard.”

16th March 2023

Visiting locomotives announced for Epping Ongar Railway galas​

The Epping Ongar Railway has announced that it will have guest locomotives at both its steam and diesel galas later this year.

At the steam gala, to be held from 23rd to 25th June, Western Region 0-6-0 pannier tank No. 9466 will be visiting the railway from the West Somerset Railway courtesy of Jonathan Jones Pratt.

It will operate services alongside Epping Ongar Railway's own steam locomotives, including Great Western Hall Class No. 4953 Pitchford Hall and prairie tank No. 5521, which will be painted in London Transport livery as No. L150.

The diesel gala from 22nd to 24th September will see recently overhauled Class 25 diesel locomotive No. D7659 visit the railway from Peak Rail, courtesy of its owners, the Waterman Locomotive Trust.

During the gala, D7659, which was originally numbered 25309, will operate services with the railway's own class 25 No. D7523, which was formerly numbered 25173.

D7659 was built in 1966 and until its withdrawal from British Rail service, it worked mostly on the London Midland region allocated to Cricklewood depot in London.

After withdrawal, it had been out of service for over 23 years until it started running again in late 2021.

D7523 has been undergoing a comprehensive overhaul away from the Epping Ongar Railway but is expected to return in time for the gala, where it be working its first services for nearly ten years.

The railway's other fleet of locomotives, including 03170, 08114, 20001, 31438, 37029, and 47635, are also expected to be in service during the diesel gala.

4953 Pitchford Hall in action on the Epping Ongar Railway

The railway hopes to announce that other visiting locomotives will be in operation at the galas, with details to be announced closer to the events.

An intensive timetable will operate during the galas, with services running into the evening on Saturday. Tickets for both galas will soon be on sale on the railway's website at www.eorailway.co.uk

Marco Carrara, member of the Railway's Management Committee and diesel gala organiser said of the visit of D7659:

“We are delighted that D7659 is able to join the line-up for our diesel gala. With the return to traffic of D7523, it will be the first time two class 25 locomotives have appeared at the Railway at the same time, and it will reunite the locomotives that double-headed a service out of St Pancras station in August 1980”.

Tony Goulding, Rolling Stock Manager, said about the visit of 9466:

”We are thrilled that 9466 is able to make a visit for the steam gala. It is a rare opportunity for it to be put through its paces on our challenging gradients.”

16th March 2023

Adams T3 Class 4-4-0 No. 563 celebrates its 130th birthday​

This month marks 130 years since T3 Class 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. 563 was built by the London & South Western Railway.

The locomotive is now in the care of the 563 Locomotive Group at the Swanage Railway, which is in the process of restoring it to full working order.

Thanks to the public's generosity through donations and standing orders, just £65,000 is needed to complete the restoration so that 563 can once again be seen running, hopefully in only a few months' time.

As part of its restoration, the longitudinal stays have been refitted to the boiler along with the boiler tubes, and are in the process of being expanded at the Flour Mill works in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

London & South Western Railway crests have been hand painted on the splashers, whilst the tender frames have undergone a great deal of preparation, the first coat of gloss paint has been applied to the tender, and the steam brake cylinder has been fitted.

No. 563 was one of 20 LSWR T3 express passenger that were designed by William Adams for the London and South Western Railway and constructed between 1892 and 1893.

Although all engines passed to the Southern Railway at the1923 Grouping, they started to be withdrawn in 1930 and by the end of 1933 only three remained, with 563 being the last T3 operational until it was withdrawn in August 1945 and set aside for preservation.

Between May and October 2011, 563 was used in a production of The Railway Children in Toronto, Canada, and again from December 2014 to January 2017 at King's Cross in, London.

The locomotive was transferred to was transferred to the Swanage Railway Trust on 30 March 2017, since when it has been undergoing a full restoration programme.

The Swanage Railway Trust is keen to raise the necessary funds to complete the restoration, and donations can be made online at the Swanage Railway Trust's website at www.swanagerailwaytrust.org/t3-appeal or the 563 Locomotive Group website www.563locomotivegroup.co.uk

16th March 2023

Wensleydale Railway to host 3 days of big and small trains over the May Bank Holiday weekend​

The heritage railway will be holding a 3-day Model Railway Weekend from the 29th of April to the 1st of May at Leeming Bar Station​

Wensleydale Railway is delighted to announce that its 3-day Model Railway Weekend is returning for 2023 and will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday the 29th, Sunday the 30th of April and Monday the 1st of May and will take place at Leeming Bar Station.

The popular model rail show will feature plenty of layouts in an array of gauges for all to enjoy on a smaller scale.

The weekend will also see the railway operate its entire heritage diesel fleet at different times throughout the weekend.

Fans of heritage diesel will no doubt be excited to learn that a one-off, special double-headed train will run to Leyburn, hauled by the railways class 37 and class 33 locos.

The model rail event is going to be larger than 2022 and will be taking place inside the engine shed at Leeming Bar and there will also be a marquee in the car park.

An array of layouts will be displayed from N to O gauge and will be exhibited amongst the standard gauge locomotives such as the ex-Tyne and Wear locomotive No. WL 4 and a partly rebuilt steam locomotive.

The event is ideal for all the family with activities for children too.

Activities include:

• Children's rides on a 5¼ inch-gauge steam and diesel railway by the Leeds Society of Model and Experimental Engineers with 145 feet of track in the car park.
• A traction engine will be in steam and displayed in the car park
• Visitors get a chance to drive a class 03 diesel shunter locomotive for just £5.

There will be plenty of food and drink available including:

• A real ale bar
• Wood-fired pizza
• fast food and sweet stalls.
• Other stations will also have refreshments available.

Trains will be operated right through the weekend between Scruton and Leyburn with all-day rover tickets available to purchase.

The event will run from 10 am to 4.30on on the 29th and 30th of April and 10am to 4pm on the 1st of April.

Tickets are available for:

• Model railway show only
• All-day rover ticket with show entry
• Train travel only on all trains

To buy tickets online please visit: https://wensleydale-railway.co.uk/ or purchase at the event.

Terry Larder, Director, Trustee and event organiser, Wensleydale Railway said:

“We held our first-ever model railway show in 2022 and it was very popular with visitors. This year's event will have more layouts on display, more trade stands and vendors and also see us showcase and operate our entire heritage diesel fleet at various times over the weekend. It's not to be missed!”

16th March 2023

Explore Hidden London’s secrets with London Transport Museum​

London Transport Museum is now taking bookings for this year's exclusive Hidden London tours that provide access to locations that are normally off-limits to the public.

The Kingsway tram tunnel was once the most important stretch of tram track in London, linking together extensive tram networks in north and south London.

It closed in 1952 but over half of the subway still exists, complete with original features.

This tour takes visitors on a journey through the remaining tunnels and reveals how the former Holborn tram station served London.

Throughout the roaring twenties, Frank Pick's Piccadilly Circus was London's busiest.

Going behind secret doors, visitors will see deserted passageways, original Edwardian design features and lift shafts, and learn about successive renovations that have taken place over the last century.

Visitors can walk under Trafalgar Square to explore exclusive areas of Charing Cross station that are not accessible to the public.

Disused parts of the station will be visited, including the Jubilee line platforms that were closed in 1999 but have since featured in many famous movies and TV productions including Skyfall, Paddington Bear, TV's Killing Eve, and A Spy Among Friends.

Discover Aldwych's abandoned ticket halls, original lifts, tunnels, abandoned platforms, and inter-connecting walkways, while learning about its varied history, from providing shelter to Londoners during the Blitz to being used for film and TV including The ABC Murders, Darkest Hour, Sherlock, and Atonement.

Down Street station on the Piccadilly line only had a short life as a working station from 1907 to 1932, but became critical to winning the Second World War when covertly transformed into the Railway Executive Committee's bomb-proof headquarters.

Visitors can experience the maze of narrow tunnels where the nation's railways were coordinated, and where Prime Minister Winston Churchill secretly took refuge at the height of the Blitz.

Shepherd's Bush was once the busiest station on the network, as the original western terminus of the Central London Railway, today's Central line.

Visitors will how the station has changed since it opened in 1900, how a then-new ticketing system became an ancestor to the present-day Oyster card; and view original Central line design features that remain frozen in time.

Tours of Moorgate will relive the early days of the Tube's construction when the first tunnels were dug, Moorgate's original glass tiles, abandoned tracks, and a complete Greathead shield from 1904 still in situ.

Underneath Euston stations is a labyrinth of dark and dusty passageways where visitors will be able to view a gallery of vintage advertising poster fragments that have been concealed for over 50 years that have been preserved and learn about the newest innovations to the station that serves over 42 million passengers each year.

Beneath Clapham South station visitors will see a secret subterranean shelter from the dark days of the Second World War where south Londoners found refuge during the blitz.

These underground passages were built to accommodate over 8,000 people and had several canteens, medical stations, and sleeping quarters.

It was also a temporary home for the first Caribbean migrants after having arrived in Britain on the HMT Empire Windrush.

Above ground, visitors can discover hidden parts and little-known facts about Covent Garden, Kingsway, Lincoln's Inn Fields and Victoria Embankment, and there will also be tours of Holborn, York Road, and Elizabeth line stations at Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street.

At last year's Tiqets' Remarkable Venue awards, the Hidden London tours were named ‘Best Hidden Gem in the World'.

Tours will run from 29th March until the end of August and all tours can be booked online at www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london

Anyone who wishes to know more about the subterranean world beneath London's streets can do so until July at the Hidden London exhibition in the Global Gallery at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.

The exhibition tells the history of some of London's most secret spaces belonging to the oldest subterranean railway in the world and features many archive photographs, objects, artworks, diagrams, and heritage posters about London's disused stations.

17th March 2023

Train operator LNER leads the way with growing passenger numbers​

LNER Azuma

Publicly-operated London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is boasting that it “continues to lead the way when it comes to passenger growth and usage”, as it tops the table for franchised operators for the seventh consecutive quarter.

Between October and December 2022, passenger journeys were at 96 per cent when compared with the same period for 2019, according to new data published today by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

The figures include eleven days of strike action and several consecutive days of engineering upgrade works at both Newcastle and York, affecting the number of services LNER could run.

During the quarter, LNER recorded 5.4 million passenger journeys, an increase of 15 per cent on the same period in 2021.

LNER data shows that more than 23 million passenger journeys were made on its services between March 2022 and the beginning of February 2023.

Fridays and Sundays are now proving to be the most popular days for people to travel.

Meanwhile, LNER maintains its lead over the share of the air market with more than 50 per cent of journeys between Edinburgh and London, as people increasingly look to travel in a more sustainable way.

The ORR data has been published just ahead of English Tourism Week. LNER is proud of the many destinations it serves along the 956-mile East Coast route which stretches between London and Scotland.

LNER's ongoing investment and digital innovations means hundreds of thousands of tickets have already been put on sale for travel up to 8 September 2023, enabling more customers to plan ahead for great value fares for their summer getaways.

Exclusive research revealed by LNER shows memory-making leisure travel is still high on the agenda this year, despite the rising cost of living.

The survey conducted for LNER by Ipsos, shows that travel remains top-of-mind with 65 per cent of people planning to take a leisure trip within the UK during 2023.

LNER Train at Lincoln on Tuesday 25th May 2021

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said:

“Our investment, innovation and dedication in putting our customers first, doing everything we can to ensure they enjoy the best possible experience, have been key to our success in attracting more and more people back to travel with LNER over the past couple of years. We have invested in our fleet and in improvements across our stations, added new destinations introduced new services and have pioneered a digital revolution, making travel smarter, simpler, accessible, and attractive. Our award-winning app enables customers to book journeys, reserve their seat and sign up to live journey updates and One-Click Delay Repay, while enjoying the benefits of our LNER Perks loyalty scheme – all at the touch of their fingertips.”

LNER Azuma at Edinburgh

VisitEngland Director, Andrew Stokes, said:

“With spring upon us, the Easter break just ahead and as we come together to celebrate English Tourism Week, it is timely to highlight the ease and convenience of rail travel to access the outstanding visitor attractions and destinations here on our doorstep, and in an environmentally friendly way too.”

Malcolm Roughead, VisitScotland Chief Executive, said:

“The return of rail travel and growth in LNER passenger numbers is welcome news for Scottish tourism as our industry continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

“Providing a direct route between London and Scotland, and many parts of the UK, rail provides a convenient and sustainable way to explore a variety of destinations in Scotland from the rural Highlands and seaside towns on the North East coast to our vibrant cities.

“Rail travel is a central part of helping Scotland to become a sustainable tourism destination and it is fantastic to see growing demand from visitors to travel in this way.”

17th March 2023

Severn Valley Railway to hold an Open House Weekend in April​

The popular heritage railway will host the event on the 1st and 2nd of April providing a very special opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes​

Severn Valley Railway will host its Open House Weekend on Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of April and will see members of the public given ‘access all areas' during the special event which will reveal how both staff and volunteers keep the golden era of travel alive.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a step back in time with a journey on the stunning line from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth.

The weekend will reveal how carriages are made ready for service and how skilled engineers build, maintain and repair steam locomotives.

The event will also provide access to off-limits areas.

The Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley will also feature a collection of ‘resting' engines alongside the Royal Saloon and travelling post office.

Volunteer guides will also be available to chat and will be glad to share their passion and the hidden stories of the Severn Valley Railway.

The weekend will also see attendees given the amazing chance to win a footplate ride by entering a raffle.

The weekend will also give visitors a chance to:

• Look inside the cab of a diesel locomotive
• Look inside one of the railways signal boxes
• Enjoy a brake van ride

The event may also provide visitors with a chance to catch a look at the railways ‘purple loco' which has recently been re-painted in a wartime black livery.

Michael Dunn, head of commercial and visitor services, said:

“Open House Weekend is an absolute must for those who want to discover more about what makes the SVR tick. It's packed with fascinating opportunities to see what really goes into making a heritage railway run. Everything is included in your ticket price, although donations for guided tours and the brake van rides will be very welcome!”

The Open House Weekend will also see Severn Valley Railway services operating its entire length from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth for the first time this season.

March has seen services restricted from Kidderminster to Highley due to engineering work.

Why not make a saving of 22% by purchasing tickets in advance when compared to on-the-day prices?

All tickets booked online include a voucher for a free return visit.

Severn Valley Railway is also holding a number of Mother's Day treats over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of March

To find out more about the Open House Weekend or to book tickets, please visit: the Severn Valley Railway website

17th March 2023

New data reveals that around 1/4 of TransPennine Express trains cancelled​

The figures reveal that the rail operator had pre-cancelled approximately one-quarter of services from the 5th of Feb to the 4th of March​

Lowton Junction, TPE 397007 1M87 (12.04 Glasgow Central - Liverpool Lime Street) on April 2, 2021

The Office of Rail and Roads' latest statistics have revealed that TransPennine Express has continued with its pre-cancellation issues with around a quarter of services cancelled.

The figures show that over a four-week period from the 5th of February to the 4th of March that the rail operator's score had worsened significantly from 7.2% to 23.8% after adjustments were made to include pre-cancellations caused by a shortage of available train crew.

“Pre-cancellation” is also referred to as “P*-coding” and is a general informal term used for cancellations which are made prior to the day when the train is removed from a timetable.

The latest figures show that TransPennine Express have fully pre-cancelled or P*-coded a massive 1,093 and partially pre-cancelled 532 trains.

The Office of Rail and Road has informed the rail industry that it has to change how ‘pre-cancellations' are recorded in order to offer a more passenger-friendly and transparent practice when the need arises to make late service changes.

At present, a plan suitable for this purpose is still yet to be implemented and until this usage of pre-cancellations ends, the regulator will publish data in order to provide complete transparency.

The data recorded covers pre-cancellations made because of the availability of train operator staff or rolling stock only.

Further types of pre-cancellation such as severe weather or major continual infrastructure unavailability, are not included as part of this data.

Feras Alshaker, Director, Planning & Performance, said,

“Until we are satisfied that official statistics reflect passenger experiences, we will make sure that information on service reliability is available for passengers and stakeholders.

“We acknowledge that ongoing strike action has led to a refocusing of resources elsewhere, but this should not deflect from the fact that this needs to be sorted as a matter of urgency.

“We'll continue to publish pre-cancellation data until we're satisfied and should we not have a satisfactory plan from the industry by the end of April, we will consider imposing a change in the way these services are recorded.”

Eight train operators out of 24 in Britain have reported the recording of resource availability shortage (P*-coded) pre-cancellations are part of The Office of Rail and Roads statistics which were published on the 17th of March.

Both Northern Trains and ScotRail have detailed substantial numbers of full pre-cancelled services because of a shortage of available train crew with figures of 380 and 159 respectively.

Transport for Wales has also reported 98 full and 159 part pre-cancellations because of a shortage of available trains.

Due to the inclusion of pre-cancellations in the data, an increase in the national cancellation score of 0.4% points has seen it rise to 3.3%.

17th March 2023

First phase of Carstairs Junction remodel nears completion​

Service disruptions for the next three months as work moves to next phase​

Carstairs south junction renewal

Network Rail is advising passengers of changes to their journeys as the first phase of its work to upgrade Carstairs Junction nears completion. This follows several months of disruption already as the work as been undertaken.

Following a sixteen-day closure of the West Coast main line, phase two of the programme will see part of the junction re-opening to allow some trains to run directly to Edinburgh – and via diversion routes to Glasgow – on weekdays.

During the three-month programme, which will run until June, trains will be diverted and journey times extended on services between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Carlisle.

The work is part of a £164m Scottish Government investment to modernise this key junction for passenger and freight services on one of Scotland's two cross-border routes.

Work on this strategically important junction is complex and challenging and Network Rail, alongside contractor partners, developed the staged programme to manage the effect on services in the least disruptive way.

Engineers are working day and night to simplify and upgrade the track layout to clear an existing bottleneck on the network, making it more reliable and better able to cope with increasing passenger and freight demands.

WATCH:

Click link to watch video: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/efwzi8upm4

The first sixteen days of the work focused primarily on completing the south junction: installing and upgrading the track, signalling and overhead line equipment to enable passenger and freight services to connect to Edinburgh and to add an additional diversionary route for services to Glasgow.

The closure of Carstairs junction impacts on cross-border operators including Avanti West Coast, Caledonian Sleeper, CrossCountry Trains and TransPennine Express, which are operating via diversionary routes or offering alternative journey options during this time.

Services operating on the East Coast main line during this time are also likely to be busier than normal.

Passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator for the alternative travel plans for their route.

During the first phase of the project, between Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 19, there are no direct services to Glasgow Central or Edinburgh on the West Coast main line through Carstairs.

Phase two of the work, taking place between Monday March 20 and Friday April 21, will see part of the junction re-opening, allowing some trains to run directly to Edinburgh and via diversion routes to Glasgow.

On weekdays, however, journey times will be longer than normal.

The final phase, between Saturday April 22 and Sunday June 4, will see most services return to normal during weekdays.

The junction will be fully closed each weekend with no direct services between Glasgow Central or Edinburgh and Carlisle on the West Coast main line.

There will be no ScotRail services to or from Carstairs for the full three-month period.

ScotRail will run a range of alternative journey options throughout with Carstairs station re-opening on Tuesday May 30.

Carstairs Junction sits 26 miles south-east of Glasgow on the West Coast main line. Currently, the junction requires regular maintenance work as much of the infrastructure through the area is reaching the end of its operational lifespan.

Speed restrictions are often imposed, which can affect performance.

The layout of the junction is no longer suited to today's pattern and volumes of service with over two hundred services passing through the junction on an average midweek day.

Enabling works for the project have been underway since 2020 and the work delivered during the line closure will see over two hundred engineers working to upgrade the junction.

The new power supply being installed will allow engineers to switch off the overhead lines remotely to carry out maintenance, reducing the amount of time the railway is closed in future.

The improvements will also bring reduced overall journey times through the removal of a 50mph speed restriction.

WATCH:

Click here to watch video: https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/ectygc5g5d

Jim McCleary, Network Rail's programme manager for the Carstairs Junction remodelling project said:

“Although the weather has been challenging, work has been progressing well. As we near the end of the first stage of work, we have delivered new track, signalling and overhead lines all across the junction.

“Delivering work in the southern section enables the first section of the new layout to re-open and from Monday (March 20) passenger and freight services will begin to again run to Edinburgh and will also enable an alternative diversionary route for services to Glasgow.

“There is no pause for the team however and the next stage of work focuses on the West Coast main line section of the new layout, building it to be more resilient and reliable with the aim of reopening in late April.

“We are grateful for the support and cooperation of the travelling public and for the patience of the local community thus far as we deliver this massive investment our railway.”

17th March 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Good productive day today.

Temperature in the shed, 18°C!

Finished off the the baseboard from yesterday and sawed some more legs and started to assemble baseboard #2.

I bought myself some fingerless gloves, they are made from leather and they are great for stopping wood splinters getting into my hands.

Wish I had bought them sooner.

18th March 2023

Steam locomotives looking for new home as Powys railway assets go up for sale​

The Rhiw Valley Light Railway was conceived in the late 1960s by Jack Woodroffe, a former professional musician who spent most of his working life in the retail musical instruments business.

Jack was a great railway enthusiast and built many railways during his life in gauges ranging from OO to 15”.

The railway was always Jack Woodroffe’s passion and the current owner has been privileged to continue to develop and operate his legacy.

Circumstances have led to the decision that the end of the journey has now been reached.

Rhiw Valley Railway is offering for sale its locos, carriages, wheelsets and tools (an offer has been accepted for all the trackwork).

Items for sale include the following.......

Locomotives​

Jack is an 0-4-0 tender steam engine designed by Jack Woodroffe, Alec James and Neil Simkins.

Built by Jack Woodroffe and TMA Engineering 2003; Current Boiler ticket expires 04/2025; Israel Newton boiler (1999).

Steam Brake on loco; mechanical handbrake on tender.

Hackworth Valve Gear.

Powys is a 0-6-2 coal fired steam tank engine designed by David Curwen and built by Severn Lamb in 1973; Boiler ticket expires 08/2028.

Rebuilt with new Hackworth valve gear 2016-18.

Monty is a Diesel Outline Loco, 850cc BMC A Series Petrol Engine, driving gearbox and chain drive to both axles.

Built c1985 Jaco Engineering, Major rebuild 2021.

18th March 2023

First new Tyne and Wear Metro Class 555 train unveiled​

The first of Tyne and Wear Metro's new Class 555 trains has been unveiled at a special event hosted by Nexus, the public body that owns and manages Metro, and Stadler, who are building the trains at their factory in Switzerland.

The event was a chance to step inside the new train to view its bright, clean, and modern new interior.

Over 23,000 people were consulted as part of a seven-year design process through award-winning virtual reality and digital engagement created by leading academics at Newcastle University's Open Lab to understand and respond to the needs of customers.

Tyne and Wear Metro's new Class 555 train

The new fleet is a bespoke design for Metro, and Stadler is in the process of supplying 46 of the new trains, with the first two already delivered and expected to arrive later this year.

Before entering service, the new trains will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they interface correctly with Metro's signalling systems and other infrastructure, whilst Metro drivers will undergo training at the controls of the new trains.

Among the train's features are air conditioning and automatic sliding steps at every door to make travel easier for wheelchair passengers and people with children's buggies, luggage, or bicycles, and assistance buttons are clearly marked.

Throughout the trains, priority seating is clearly marked and positioned opposite real-time digital information screens, with clear modern audio systems and next-stop displays.

Easy accessibility on Tyne and Wear Metro's new Class 555 train

An open plan layout provides a sleekly modelled interior with linear seating, and charging points and security features including over 40 CCTV cameras.

The driving console was designed through extensive consultation with employees, and monitors enable drivers to view cameras throughout the train and speak directly with customers if necessary.

The new trains have adaptive traction control and built-in rail sanding to cope with the toughest autumn and winter conditions and are projected to be 15 times more reliable than their predecessors.

They will start to enter service at the end of this year, and progressively replace the current 43-year-old rolling stock up to 2025.