Marcus' Model Railway Journey

The first of these trains entered service between Birmingham and Shrewsbury in October, which was followed by a period of route testing and driver training.

Next month, the new trains are due to begin carrying passengers between Hereford, Worcester, Bromsgrove and Birmingham for the first time.

Earlier this month, local primary school children named one of the trains The Graiseley Wolves.

Later this year the Class 196 fleet is due to enter service on WMR's Leamington to Nuneaton route, serving communities including Coventry, Kenilworth and Bedworth.

Passenger benefits of the fleet include:

• more seats and tables with improved under-seat storage
• improved accessibility, including at least one accessible toilet per train
• more bicycle storage, enabling up to three bikes to be carried
• clear luggage racks to avoid passengers leaving items behind
• smart new digital screens featuring live journey information
• plug and USB sockets at every seat
• intelligent air-conditioning which reacts to the carriage environment
• free WiFi

For more information on the fleet, click this link.

West Midlands Railway Class 196 at Shrewsbury Station

Ian McConnell, West Midlands Railway managing director, said:

“I am delighted our passengers in Hereford and Worcester will soon be travelling on these brand new trains. This fleet brings a much-improved passenger experience, including smart air conditioning which adapts to the carriage environment and power points at every seat.

“Communities are at the heart of our business and the fact that our colleagues have chosen to name one of the trains which will serve this new route after an iconic local figure is testament to that.”

Tom Painter, executive director of West Midlands Rail Executive, said

“As a local resident and regular user of the line between Worcester, Hereford and Birmingham, I am delighted to see the introduction of these brand new trains.

“With all their modern features, they will offer customers a journey experience worthy of this beautiful and historic part of central England and the Welsh Marches.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

“I'm delighted that more customers will soon get to benefit from these brand new trains, as it's vital that we have rail services across our region that are fit for the future and able to support our ambitious plans for growth and prosperity.”

26th March 2023

Yorkshire heritage railway launches Fish and Chip train​

Wensleydale Railway has announced the introduction of the ‘Wensleydale Fryer', its new lunchtime fish-and-chips dining train to Leyburn.

Passengers can experience a scenic journey through the Yorkshire Dales whilst enjoying locally-supplied fish and chips, mushy peas, bread and butter plus unlimited tea or coffee served at your table.

As an alternative to cod and chips, there will also be the option of sausage and chips and gluten-free fish and chips.

The service will begin on Saturday 22 April, with the heritage diesel-hauled train travelling from Leeming Bar to Leyburn.

Passengers will be seated in an open coach at their own table, set for between one and four people.

Larger parties will have two tables each side of the centre aisle.

The railway's volunteer staff will serve the food and a bar service will also be available.

On arrival at Leyburn, passengers will have time for a short comfort break and to stretch their legs before boarding the train for the return journey to Leeming Bar.

The train will depart Leeming Bar at 13:30, with the journey lasting around two hours.

Unfortunately the railway's vintage coaches do not currently have access for wheelchair users. If you have mobility impairments, please let staff know at the time of booking and they will do their best to allocate a table close to the access door.

The Wensleydale Railway is a heritage railway serving the local community, offering tourists, families and transport enthusiasts a day out in the Yorkshire Dales.

It operates heritage diesel train services between Scruton in the Vale of Mowbray and Leyburn on the outskirts of the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park.

It has award-winning, restored historic stations where visitors can learn more about 1900s railway life, and offers free guided tours with costumed living history interpreters.

The cost is £30 per adult and £12 for children and includes the rail ticket. Places are limited and booking is essential.

For more information and to book:

• visit the Wensleydale Railway website
• email admin@wensleydalerailway.com
• phone 01677 425 805

Martin Cleaver, Director of Wensleydale Railway plc, said,

“We are always looking for ways to showcase our railway to visitors and provide a great day out for all the family. Combining traditional fish and chips with a train journey through spectacular Dales scenery, the Wensleydale Fryer is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!”

26th March 2023

Inside The Train Shed

It was a bit cooler in the shed today, 13 °C.

Completed another baseboard and attached a couple of freshly sawn legs.

Had a bit of a tidy up and cut up some cardboard for future use on the layout.

Did you know that the best thing I found useful to cut up cardboard, was a bread knife?

It worked very well.

A very useful tool - The Bread Knife

The line of baseboards on the left looks good.

27th March 2023

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway launches urgent £1.5m appeal​

GWR ‘Modified Hall' Locomotive No. 7903 ‘Foremarke Hall' crossing Stanway Viaduct

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Trust (GWRT) has launched an appeal to raise £1.5m to undertake urgent repairs to the iconic 120-year-old Stanway Viaduct.

The structure has carried passengers through the valley between Toddington and Broadway since 1904.

GWRT is an independent charity which aims to support and maintain the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway as a living museum.

The fifteen-arch brick-built structure has been suffering from the effects of water penetration over many decades.

The GWRT appeal hopes to address the structural problems in two phases: installing a new waterproof layer and repairing brickwork subsequently damaged by water ingress.

This work is vital to prevent continued deterioration of the structure, which if left unchecked would leave the viaduct no longer able to safely carry the railway's trains, which would sever the link to Broadway and result in trains having to terminate at Toddington.

GWR ‘Modified Hall' Locomotive No. 7903 ‘Foremarke Hall' crossing Stanway Viaduct

Stanway Viaduct – a brief history of the structure

Stanway Viaduct is the largest and most iconic structure on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

The gently curving viaduct was built for double track use in 1903 using Staffordshire blue brick and is 656 feet (200 metres) long with fifteen arches.

It is almost 50 feet (15 1/4 metres) high at its highest point above the valley it spans.

Local trains from Stratford and Honeybourne to Cheltenham and Gloucester crossed the viaduct from around 1904 to 1960 when they were withdrawn and station platforms demolished.

Through trains from the Midlands to the West Country crossed the viaduct between 1908 and 1968.

The line remained open for freight and diverted passenger trains until 1976.

After the closure of the line in 1976, the track was removed from the viaduct in 1979.

In 2005, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) began re-laying the track and in November that year, an engineering train became the first to cross the viaduct since closure.

The first GWSR passenger train crossed the viaduct in 2010, when the railway opened as far as Laverton.

Through hard work and determination of GWSR volunteers, the railway finally reached Broadway in 2018.

GWR ‘Modified Hall' Locomotive No. 7903 ‘Foremarke Hall' & BR Class 45 1 Diesel Electric Locomotive No. 45149 crossing Stanway Viaduct

Stanway Viaduct – the structural problem

Dr Graham Plant, GWSR plc Civil Engineering Director, explains that,

“The viaduct carries static and dynamic loads via the brick arches acting in compression and then transferring those loads to the piers and hence to their foundations. The structure was built including a waterproofing layer of asphalt below the ballast. Water percolating through the ballast should enter catch pits and then via drainage pipes exiting within the arch soffits.

In 2020 the catch pits and drain pipes were cleaned out and the stone around them replaced but funds were not available to undertake more extensive works. Recent evidence shows that the waterproof layer has failed and so the structure has suffered from the effects of water penetration over many decades especially on the brick piers causing some spalling.

Brickwork on half of Pier 8 was repaired in 2021. The brickwork of Piers 5, 6 and 7 together with associated adjacent spandrels was repaired, with a grant from GWRT, in 2022. All these repairs to brickwork are necessary to maintain the viaduct's strength.

However, whilst this work is essential it is not addressing the root cause of water penetration from above. This will only be achieved with a new waterproof layer under the track ballast. Providing this new waterproof layer, at an estimated cost of £300,000, will form Phase 1 of the project.”

This requires the track and ballast to be removed; the deck to be cleaned; a concrete layer placed to ensure water flows towards the catch pits; the application of two waterproofing layers together with protection; and then replacement of the ballast and track.

Phase 2, which if funding allows could start as early as 2023, is to commence the repair of all the brickwork for the whole structure.

This includes the remaining nine piers, associated spandrels, the balance of pier 8, the arch soffits and the parapets.

These works cannot easily be carried out in a single year as they require skilled bricklayers, so the intention is to spread the work over about three years.

A particular, and expensive, challenge is to provide safe access for the bricklayers to reach all parts of the structure.

The estimated cost of this work on the viaduct's brickwork is £1.2m over the three years, giving a total estimated project cost of £1.5m to be raised by GWRT via this public appeal.

GWR ‘Modified Hall' Locomotive No. 7903 ‘Foremarke Hall' crossing Stanway Viaduct

Every donation, big or small, will help preserve this historic monument.

Donations can be made either through the online donations portal on the GWRT website, by visiting the Trust Office at Toddington station, or by filling out an appeal leaflet.

All monies donated to the Viaduct Appeal will be held by GWRT in a restricted fund, used to pay out against invoices provided by contractors to the GWSR plc.

GWRT is an independent charity which aims to support and maintain the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway as a living museum.

In the event that the appeal raises funds exceeding the target of £1.5m, any remaining balance following work completion will be ringfenced for other infrastructure work on the railway.

If less than the target funding is achieved, the focus of the repairs would be on Phase 1 (the waterproofing), as this will prevent further deterioration of the viaduct structure.

The remedial work on the viaduct will be carried out by specialist contractors working for GWSR plc, except for the track work, which will be undertaken by the railway's track volunteer maintenance team.

Philip Young, GWRT Chairman, commented:

“The Stanway Viaduct is an integral part of the living museum and we are therefore delighted to be able to run this appeal in support of the GWSR. I would like to thank everyone who is able to donate, however small, as your generosity will help us secure the future of this iconic structure. If you are a UK tax payer, please consider adding Gift Aid to your donation.”

Richard Johnson, GWSR plc Chairman, commented:

“The necessity of securing funding to undertake the necessary remedial work to this structure is apparent from the detail above and statements made by our Civil Engineering Director. We cannot delay; the work needs to be undertaken as soon as possible so please do support the appeal.”

27th March 2023

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley takes next step to returning to mainline in BR Blue​

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley passes Waterside heading for servicing before heading back down to kingswear to take the train back to Woking on April 10, 2014

Trevor Camp from the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust has sent a photo of steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley at Crewe undergoing a steam test.

It is the first time since the locomotive returned to steam last year, at the Severn Valley Railway Spring Steam Gala, that the locomotive has been in steam in its BR Express Blue livery.

The livery choice was voted for by Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust Members and was completed at Locomotive Services Group in Crewe.

It is now expected that 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley will be ready for the move to the Nene Valley Railway, which is expected to take place on the 5th April.

27th March 2023

Severn Valley Railway announces third visiting steam locomotive for Spring Steam Gala​

BR Standard 2 No. 78018 is to visit the Severn Valley Railway for their Spring Steam Gala.

The Spring Steam Gala, taking place between the 14th and 16th April 2023, will feature an intensive timetable.

The locomotive visits thanks to its owners, The Darlington Railway Preservation Society, its custodians, The Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group, and its home railway, the Great Central Railway.

78018 was built in 1953 at Darlington, running with BR until 1966, and will run at the GWR-themed event, with home fleet members 4930 Hagley Hall, 7812 Erlestoke Manor, 7714, 34027 Taw Valley (as 21C127), 43106 as well as visiting locomotives 4079 Pendennis Castle, and 4555.

“This is a solid branch line loco,” said Duncan Ballard, the SVR's head of steam engineering.

“It brings a more modern twist to our event, in comparison with another of our guests, GWR Small Prairie 4555. It's going to give us some variety and interest on our smaller formation services.

“These are economical and modern locomotives which are very at home on the SVR, and with 78018's last BR shed being Shrewsbury, our Gala sees the loco returning to Shropshire after a number of years away.”

For more information and to book tickets, please visit svr.co.uk

27th March 2023

TransPennine Route upgrade reaches halfway point in Greater Manchester​

Major upgrades at Stalybridge

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is celebrating its halfway mark at Stalybridge, bringing passengers a step closer to fully electrified trains.

Over the last two weeks, engineers have been working day and night in Stalybridge to deliver the biggest piece of work of the programme so far.

This includes a full junction remodelling, allowing trains to move between different lines at higher speeds, as well as important signalling upgrades and works for future electrification.

Major upgrades at Stalybridge

The work is set to be completed by 6 April 2023, and will see over 2km of new track, 25 new signals, 54 new switches and crossing components, and overhead line equipment installed.

This work will increase the reliability and speed of trains passing through the area.

The work forms part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, which is set to revolutionise rail travel in the North, better connecting towns and cities through more frequent, faster trains, running on a cleaner, greener and more reliable railway.

Having warned passengers in February that there would be disruption in March and April, Network Rail is urging passengers travelling across the Pennines to allow extra time and plan ahead using the National Rail Journey Planner or their train operator's website.

Major upgrades at Stalybridge


Detailed travel information

Rail replacement buses will keep passengers moving between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield, Manchester Airport and Huddersfield via Stockport, and Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.

Trains between Marsden and Leeds via Huddersfield will run as normal, calling at all intermediate stations.

Northern:

Trains which run between Southport / Wigan North Western and Stalybridge will start / terminate at Manchester Victoria.

Rail replacement buses will run between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge.

TransPennine Express: 

No trains will run via Stalybridge.

A limited service will run on alternative routes between:

• Liverpool Lime Street – Newcastle.
• Manchester Victoria and Saltburn.
• Marsden and Leeds (stopping service).

Replacement buses will run between:

• Huddersfield and Manchester Piccadilly (fast and stopping)
• Huddersfield and Manchester Airport via Stockport.

Major upgrades at Stalybridge

Hannah Lomas, Industry Programme Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said:

“It's fantastic to see the amount of progress that has been made over the last two weeks at Stalybridge. This package of work is the largest to date on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, so it's a huge milestone for both the project and the programme as a whole.

“I'd like to take this opportunity to thank passengers for bearing with us while we complete these major upgrades. We do appreciate that there's no ideal time to close the railway, but we hope that our work so far highlights just a small part of the long-term benefits that the Transpennine Route Upgrade is set to bring to rail travel.

“Diversionary routes and rail replacement buses will continue to keep passengers moving until the line re-opens on 6 April 2023, so in the meantime I'd encourage people to check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or their train operator.”

Chris Nutton, Major Projects Director for TransPennine Express, said:

“It's fantastic to see the work being carried out at Stalybridge as part of the TRU programme, bringing us one step closer to delivering a railway fit for the 21st Century.

“I want to thank our customers for their cooperation during the work so far and to continue to check the latest changes to our services before they travel on our website.”

27th March 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Well, I didn't get work started 'til much later due to medical issues and shopping.

It was lovely and warm in the shed today 22 °C!

The smell from the warm shed structure reminded me of a sauna, lovely.

I did manage to do some sawing and started to assemble some legs to a baseboard.

Stopped work for the day, still light outside and it's 1830hrs.

Not sure if you've seen Cleopatra's Palace, Place , area of the Train Shed.

All the mod cons, kettle and radio.

28th March 2023

Restoration of the Great Western Railway Diesel Railcar W20 takes an impressive step forward​

The Kent and East Sussex Railway's '20 for 20' appeal has now exceeded its original target and will enable its restoration to move forward​

The Kent & East Sussex Railways volunteers who are undertaking work on the historic GWR Diesel Railcard W20 have now achieved two impressive milestones.

The first achievement is the return of W20 to the Carriage and Wagon shed at Tenterden which will allow its restoration to continue which will get underway with the installation of a brand new heating system.

January saw the railcar temporarily leave the workshop in order for winter maintenance to be carried out on the Wealden Pullman set.

During this time minor work for W20 continued and saw preparatory work on components including prop shafts and enabled the heating refit to get underway in early March.

As time was lost whilst the railcar was out of the workshop, the team are looking for ways to make up the lost time in order to meet the schedule and achieve full restoration for February 2024.

The second milestone is the success of the '20 for 20′ appeal which has significantly exceeded its target with an incredible current total of £58,000!

Longstanding Kent & East Sussex Railway volunteer Derrick Bilsby, who has led the fundraising campaign said:

“We are delighted by this response. Having slowed over the Christmas and New Year period, donations picked up rapidly afterwards. However, we were taken aback by the sheer volume of new pledges and donations.

“Consistent with the stated aims of the appeal, the amazing sum raised will not only enable the completion of the restoration but will also provide a secure fund to ensure its continued conservation so that it can operate at the K&ESR for many years to come.”

Kent & East Sussex Railways General Manager, Robin Coombes said:

“We would like to thank everyone who has so generously donated to the Appeal, especially in these challenging times.”

“I think Andrew Webb, in whose memory the Appeal is dedicated, would have been astonished by the scale of the response but, like us, would see it as confirmation of the iconic nature of W20 and how well-loved it is by heritage railway enthusiasts everywhere.”

The '20 for 20′ appeal will stay open due to some donors opting to pledge regular amounts over a set period.

Any further donations to this wonderful project will go on to ring-fence the conservation fund.

28th March 2023

Northern joins discount scheme offering 25% savings for key workers​

Northern Trains has entered a partnership with the discount scheme operator, Network, that from today will provide members of Network's discount scheme members a massive 25% saving on Advance Purchase tickets for all of Northern's 2,500 daily services.

Network provides discount schemes for key workers in the NHS and healthcare workers, the education sector, paid and unpaid carers, and charity workers.

Staff who sign up for the scheme can access hundreds of offers and codes from over 1,600 brands across fashion, retail, holidays, insurance, mobiles, motoring, and more.

In England alone, there are 1.2 million full-time equivalent staff working in NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups, 827,000 charity workers, and over 560,000 teachers.

Network's discount scheme is free to join, and anyone wishing to apply for a discount should use the relevant website:

• Health Service workers can apply for discounts at the Health Service Discounts website;
• Education sector staff can apply for discounts at the Discounts For Teachers website;
• Carers can apply for discounts at the Discounts For Carers website.
• Charity workers can apply for discounts at the Charity Worker Discounts website.

Further information about discount schemes, and how members can save up to £188.50 per month can be found here.

Health Service Discount members can also earn cashback on purchases at over 80 retailers with the Ode Card, which is a Money Saving Expert recommended Visa Prepaid card, that can be used online or in-store to earn cashback at retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury's, Argos, Boots, Primark and many more.

According to official figures, there are over 4.7 million unpaid carers in the UK.

Storm Postlethwaite, Managing Director at Health Service Discounts added:

“With the rising cost of living impacting so many people right now, we're really pleased to be able to offer big discounts like this one, that can make a real difference to our members every day. Whether travelling with Northern as part of a daily commute, or for a day out or holiday, this is a significant price saving.”

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, added:

“We're really pleased to get this partnership off the ground and help thousands of key workers save money on the cost of their journeys.”

28th March 2023

London Transport: What’s running and what’s not over Easter​

Lightboxes restored at Earl's Court station

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it will run most of its services during the Easter holidays but is advising passengers to plan journeys ahead due to planned works on some parts of its network.

TfL's Journey Planner or the TfL Go app will help passengers avoid these closures and navigate any last-minute service changes.

Walking and cycling routes, Victoria Coach Station, Santander Cycles, rental e-scooters and taxi and private hire services will be available throughout the Easter period.

TfL had planned to run a full service on the IFS Cloud Cable Car, but the service is now likely to close due to strike action by RMT members over pay rates in two of the companies involved in its operation.

The strike will take place over four days, from Friday 7 until Monday 10 April (inclusive).

Essential signalling and software upgrades will impact Elizabeth line services with a reduced service between Paddington and Maidenhead between Friday 7 and Monday 10 April.

There will also be no service between Paddington and Abbey Wood during those dates, with services from Shenfield terminating at Liverpool Street mainline station and services from Reading and Heathrow terminating at Paddington mainline station.

There will be no Jubilee line services on Friday 7 April until 14:00 to also facilitate signalling and software work.

From 14:00 on 7 April to 10 April there will be no service between West Hampstead and Stanmore, but services will run on the rest of the line.

There will be no service on the Metropolitan line between Aldgate and Harrow on the Hill from Friday 7 April to Monday 10 April.

There will be service changes on part of the London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and London Trams.

Planned works will also affect the National Rail network.

TfL is advising passengers to plan ahead by visiting National Rail's website.

In addition to the planned works on the Tube and rail network, there will be road works in place on Euston Road for HS2 works and at Old Street roundabout.

Glynn Barton, TfL's Chief Operating Officer, said: 

“We have ensured most of London's transport network will remain open over the Easter holidays to help everyone make the most of the city, but customers are still asked to plan ahead and check before they travel as some essential planned works will be taking place. We will do all we possibly can to ensure that everyone can travel safely and smoothly around the capital so they can enjoy the bank holidays.”

28th March 2023

Siemens Mobility wins £41.4m contract for the Carlisle resignalling scheme​

Passengers travelling on the West Coast Mainline will benefit from the upgrades as the mobility solutions giant introduces its state-of-the-art equipment​

Network Rail has awarded a £41.4 million contract to Siemens Mobility for the Kingmoor resignalling scheme which will transform travel for passengers on the West Coast Mainline.

The equipment used in the Kingmoor area has been in operation since the 1980s and the upgrade comes as part of a bid to modernise its legacy signalling system.

Kingmoor is located North of Carlisle and will see Siemens Mobility's trailblazing Trackguard Westlock computer-based interlocking and it's Westrace Trackside System installed.

Designed in York and manufactured in Chippenham, the state-of-the-art system will provide a lower whole-life cost alongside delivering faster processing speeds creating improved reliability.

When the delivery of the scheme is complete, both passengers and freight services will benefit from increased reliability across the North West and will lay the foundations for the implementation of future digital signalling.

Resignalling Work

Rob Morris, Managing Director of Rail Infrastructure for Siemens Mobility said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to further implement our modern signalling solution which has already proved itself in the UK, providing more reliable and more frequent journeys for passengers, s“We are transforming rail travel and transport for people across the UK, supporting the economy as well as delivering key environmental benefits. I'm proud that we're bringing the skills and jobs in York and Chippenham to deliver the project.”

The Carlisle Power Signal Box will also see work carried out with software updates made to its panels, reducing the need for new equipment and in turn, cutting the project's carbon footprint.

The technology has involved the skills of 250 people in York alongside its testing and manufacture in Chippenham.

The integration of the technology will be virtually tested initially which will need fewer people to be on-site and assuring right-first-time delivery which provides full safety and will keep any impact on the railway and its neighbours will be at a minimum whilst the work is completed.

The full system design is being completed at present with the final commissioning set to take place in January 2026 and will see a six-day blockage in place.

28th March 2023

Volunteer Metro engineers help out on Beamish Museum’s overhead lines​

As part of an annual Nexus volunteer day, a team of maintenance engineers from the Tyne and Wear Metro carried out essential repairs on the overhead power lines of the iconic tram network at the Beamish Museum in County Durham.

The engineers' knowledge and expertise were a great help to the world-famous open-air museum, which looks after a fleet of crowd-pleasing trams and trolley buses.

During the museum's busy summer season, thousands of visitors flock there to travel on the historic tramway, and these works were an important part of getting the tramway ready for this year's operations.

To help the engineers undertake the works, which involved the replacement of span wires and electrical insulators, they brought in advanced equipment that is normally used on the Metro system for nightly maintenance tasks.

The visit followed a similar exercise in December 2021 when Metro engineers carried out safety-critical inspections on the Beamish tramway.

The tramway at Beamish museum opened in 1973 with a single track from the depot at Foulbridge to the boundary of the Town site.

It provides transport for visitors around the site, as well as re-creating the experience and atmosphere of tramways from many years ago.

In 1975, the original route was extended into the growing Town, and then in 1988 extended beyond Foulbridge to the new Visitor Entrance, which created a mile-long route, with passing loops at all three stops.

A major extension was completed in 1993 with a circle from Town via Pockerley, with a further passing loop, up a steep gradient through Birch Wood, and then back to the Visitor Entrance.

The total route length is now one and a half miles, with four passing loops.

Further information about the museum can be found at www.beamish.org.uk

WATCH:

Beamish volunteer day 2023


The iconic tramway at Beamish Museum has had a helping hand from engineers at the Tyne and Wear Metro.

A Metro maintenance team, who were there as part of an annual Nexus volunteer day, carried out essential repairs on the Beamish tram network’s overhead power lines.

Their knowledge and expertise were a big boost for the world-famous open-air museum in County Durham, who look after a fleet of crowd-pleasing trams and trolley buses.

The works were vital as Beamish get ready for their busy summer season, when thousands of visitors flock there travel on the historic tramway.

Nexus, Metro’s operator, brought in advanced equipment which is normally used on the Metro system for nightly maintenance tasks, to undertake the works, which involved the replacement of span wires and electrical insulators.

The visit was a follow up from a similar event in December 2021 when Metro engineers conducted a safety critical inspection on the Beamish tramway.

Service Delivery Manager at Nexus, Malcolm Irving, said:

“It was great to be back at Beamish Museum as part of our volunteer day to help with some of the repairs on the famous tramway.

“We undertook some inspections in 2021 and there some small overhead line repairs which we carried out on this visit.

“Three teams of our engineers used our special mobile raised platforms to undertake the works. We replaced span wires, insulators, and did some other routine maintenance. This all helps Beamish to get ready for their summer season. Our team had a great day, and we were delighted to help them out.”

28th March 2023

Railfuture marks Beeching anniversary by campaigning for reopenings​

Class 150

Campaign group Railfuture is marking the sixtieth anniversary of the Beeching report by celebrating the efforts of campaigners to reopen closed lines and stations.

Hundreds of rail stations and thousands of miles of rail line were closed across Britain in the wake of the infamous report sixty years ago yesterday (27 March).

However, since then, scores of stations and hundreds of miles of track are being re-opened, mostly thanks to the efforts of dogged campaigners including Railfuture's members past and present.

The first Beeching station closure was Washington, County Durham, in early-September 1963, less than six months after the report was published.

The first, and without a doubt the fastest, re-opening of a Beeching station closure was Dunlop, East Ayrshire.

Closed on 7 November 1966, it reopened just seven months later on 8 June 1967, thanks to a storm of local protest and national press coverage!

The first brand new post-Beeching station was Garston, Hertfordshire, in February 1966.

Railfuture was known as the Railway Development Society until 2000, and before that, predecessor organisations campaigned against line and station closures in the immediate post-Beeching era, and more recently and for lines and stations to be opened or re-opened.

Railfuture is an independent, national and exclusively pro-rail, membership campaign.

Those strengths have now seen six decades of dividends paid with over four hundred stations and over one hundred lines and links restored or added to the national rail network.

Many marginalised communities have been reconnected, with improved travel choice and increased transport capacity, and reduced road congestion and carbon emissions.

Its work is supported by the government's New Stations Fund and more recently the Restoring Your Railway Fund. Through its fourteen regional branches and hundreds of individual and affiliated members, it boasts that it generates “personal activity and hands-on engagement in the often arduous yet ultimately rewarding processes of building a bigger better railway”.

Railfuture co-published ‘Expanding the Railways – how to develop and deliver a proposal', a campaigning guide endorsed by the Department for Transport.

You can register your support for Restoring Your Railway – line or station by clicking here.

28th March 2023

Inside The Train Shed

A chillier and wet day today.

Inside the shed was a cooler 10 °C, but I managed to assemble a four legged variant of the baseboard assembly.

I have enough wood left to make two more legs, the last.

Did I mention that the only power tool I use is the drill.

All the sawing and screwing is done by my own two hands.


The four legged baseboard assembly variant

As my current camera is becoming non functional I have ordered a new camera..........

It's a 2016 model but it's brand new and it was going for a good price.

Hopefully it will arrive tomorrow.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ80 Digital Camera

29th March 2023

Sitting in the eye of the rain.

29th March 2023

Independent report​

Urgent Safety Advice 01/2023: Passenger doors not centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew

Published: 29 March 2023

RAIB has today issued urgent safety advice addressed to heritage railways and other operators of trains who use passenger coaching stock which has passenger doors which are not centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew (principally slam door rolling stock).

1. Safety issue

Suitable arrangements may not be in place to mitigate the risks arising from the operation of passenger trains formed of rolling stock with doors that are not centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew (principally slam door rolling stock) where these trains are close to, or longer than, the length of station platforms.

2. Safety advice

Heritage railways and other operators of trains who use passenger coaching stock without doors which are centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew (principally slam door rolling stock) should review the risks associated with the use of train formations which may not be fully platformed or which are of a length close to that of the platforms being called at.

Duty holders should ensure that a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks is carried out and that any appropriate control measures identified are implemented.

These assessments should consider:

• the type and location of passenger doors on the relevant rolling stock
• the length of passenger trains compared to the platforms at which they may call
• the capabilities of the braking systems of the trains involved and the level of precision which is reasonably achievable by them when stopping
• the level of accuracy in stopping position required of train crew and if this is supported by relevant competency and assessment processes
• if the level of stopping position accuracy required of train crew aligns with the capability of the trains involved and the accuracy required at the relevant platforms
• the effectiveness of existing measures intended to manage the risk of passengers exiting a train that is not fully platformed or which may stop in line with areas not intended for public use, such as platform ramps
• the visibility from the cab of different traction units and the effectiveness of any stopping markers in place.

3. Issued to:

Heritage railways and other operators of trains who use passenger coaching stock which has passenger doors which are not centrally controlled and/or locked by train crew (principally slam door rolling stock).

4. Background

At around 11:49 hrs on 14 January 2023, a passenger lost their footing and sustained a serious injury while alighting from a train at Loughborough Central station on the Great Central Railway.

The Great Central Railway is a heritage railway and the passenger train involved was formed of historic slam door rolling stock.

The accident occurred just after the train had stopped and as the passenger was alighting from the leading door of the train’s leading coach.

The train stopped in a position which meant that this door was adjacent to the ramped part of the platform, which is not intended for public use.

The passenger lost their footing and sustained their injuries while they were stepping down from the coach and onto the platform ramp.

29th March 2023

TfW launch brand new South Wales Metro trains​

The first of the brand-new South Wales Metro trains were today (29 March) launched by Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS at a ceremony in Caerphilly, signifying the start of a new transport era.

The Class 231 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs), built by leading manufacturer Stadler, are part of the £800 million investment Transport for Wales is making in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

Providing increased capacity with more and improved seating, modern air conditioning, power sockets and passenger information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information, the new trains will transform the customer experience.

With the first one officially launched on the Rhymney Valley line today, TfW will continue to introduce 35 of these trains over the coming years throughout South Wales, along with 36 electric tram-trains.

Each train will have space for up to six bikes and automatic level boarding to assist those with limited mobility.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change, with a responsibility for transport, Lee Waters said:

“Travelling on these new carriages is such a different experience from travelling on the old ones. There’s more room, it’s much more comfortable and it is quieter and smoother. Come and give them a try.”

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said:

“This is another key milestone for TfW, these brand-new Class 231 trains will transform the customer experience and signify the first deliverable of the South Wales Metro. People are now starting to see transformation across our network with the introduction of brand-new, modern trains that will attract people to use public transport.

“We introduced our CAF Class 197 to the network at the start of the year and we’re proud today to launch another brand-new train in the Stadler Class 231 train. The South Wales Metro is a phased project and today signifies it is now starting to be delivered.”

Urs Bikle, Stadler’s Head of Engineering in Bussnang, added:

“Stadler is delighted to see the first of the 71 trains we are delivering for Wales and the Borders enter passenger service. Thirty-five of these are FLIRTs, our best-selling product, of which we have sold 2,500 in 21 countries.

“Designed with the passenger in mind, they enjoy high levels of comfort, operational performance, reliability and versatility. Level-boarding features throughout the train to make getting on and off easier for everyone, maintenance-friendly devices and components keep operating costs low, and lightweight aluminium bodyshells promote environmental efficiency.”

WATCH:

TfW launch brand new South Wales Metro trains