Marcus' Model Railway Journey

X1 76DEF007 Land Rover Defender "British Rail" OO Gauge (1:76 Scale)
X1 OR76ROR003 Land Rover Defender 110 with posable rail wheels - "British Rail" - non-motorised

X4 SL-95 Right hand medium point - insulfrog
X3 SL-96 Left hand medium point - insulfrog

X24 ST-200 Setrack standard straight
X24 ST-201 Setrack double straight
X24 R601 Double straight -335mm

20th April 2023

Marcus's Garden - Camera Test

Malus floribunda Siebold ex Van Houtte

Japanese flowering Crabapple

Bluebells budding around the Ash tree.

This perennial weed grows in my garden and in the walls.

We call it 'Mother of Thousands'.

Cymbalaria muralis P.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.

Ivy-leaved Toadflax

The Ferns are unfurling.

Those Dandelions get around don't they?

More Bluebells!

My Ash tree.

21st April 2023


TRANSPORT FOR WALES

TfW customers urged to check before travelling​

Rail passengers are being urged to plan ahead and check before they travel for the rest of April as infrastructure upgrades take place across the Wales and Borders network.

South Wales

Transport for Wales (TfW) will be carrying out infrastructure upgrades across the Core Valley Lines network for the South Wales Metro, resulting in buses replacing rail services on some routes.

Buses are replacing trains between:

• Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay from Saturday 15 April to 12:30 on Sunday 30 April.
• Pontypridd and Aberdare from Sunday 16 April to Friday 12 May.
• Cardiff Central and Radyr via the City Line from Monday 17 April to Friday 21 April, and from Monday 24 April to Tuesday 2 May.
• Cardiff Central and Radyr via Cathays from Tuesday 25 April to Tuesday 2 May.
• Radyr and Pontypridd from Tuesday 25 April to Friday 12 May
• Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil from Saturday 29 April to Tuesday 2 May
• Pontypridd and Treherbert from Saturday 29 April to early 2024

Services between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale will be replaced by buses on Sunday 23 and Sunday 30 April.

For more information visit https://tfw.wales/projects/metro/service-changes

North Wales

Elsewhere on the network, engineering work will take place on a number of lines over the weekend of Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April.

The North Wales Coast Line will be closed between Rhyl and Bangor and the Conwy Valley Line will be closed throughout. Replacement buses will be in operation across these routes.

West Wales

The following weekend, buses will be replacing trains between Carmarthen, Milford Haven and Fishguard Harbour on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April.

Current services

TfW is continuing to advise customers that those services which are running will continue to be very busy while their ongoing maintenance programme on the Class 175 trains continues.

The number of trains available for use has increased, allowing TfW to reinstate services on nearly every route across the Wales and Borders network, including the Borderlands Line between Wrexham and Bidston, services between Chester and Liverpool via Runcorn, and the Conwy Valley Line.

However, some services may still be running with reduced capacity, and services between Newport and Crosskeys remain paused.

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Chief Operations Officer at Transport for Wales, said:

“We’d like to thank our customers for their continued patience while the vital transformation work takes place on the Valleys lines and as we continue to work to resolve the issues with our Class 175 trains.

“Our Class 175 trains have been receiving urgent safety checks and engine repairs, after a number of recent incidents. This has left us with a temporary shortage of rolling stock across the network and has meant we have had to redistribute rolling stock to affect the minimum number of passengers possible.

“As the rolling stock shortages have eased, we have been able to restore much of our timetabled service. However, some services are still being operated by different trains with less capacity than usual, so we’re continuing to work through the repair programme on the Class 175 trains. As soon as each train is repaired and passes the safety checks, it is brought back into passenger service.”

21st April 2023

Alstom to supply new trams to Strasbourg Eurometropole​

The Eurometropole of Strasbourg and the Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS) has chosen Alstom to build its new generation trams.​

The Eurometropole of Strasbourg and the Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois (CTS) have chosen Alstom to supply the new trams for the Strasbourg network in a contract worth a maximum of €250 million.

The first order will include twelve Citadis trams, with ten further trams to follow in the second phase.

Eurometropole may order more trams during the eight-year period of the framework agreement if it needs to them to deliver its service.

Alstom will deliver the first trams in March 2025 and the trains will enter service at the end of the same year.

The new Citadis trams will be 45 metres long and 2.40 metres wide, with eight double doors of 1.30 m per side, including at each end, to make it easier for passengers to get on and off.

They can carry 286 passengers and are equipped with glass-panelled doors to enhance the feeling of comfort and safety for passengers.

In compliance with the PMR (Persons with Reduced Mobility) legislation, the trams are equipped with door opening buttons at the correct height, wider seats and areas reserved for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

The trams are air-conditioned and equipped with a dynamic passenger information system as well as a video protection system.

The trains are cross-border in nature and will be approved in accordance with BOStrab, the German federal regulation on the construction and operation of trams in Germany.

The trams will reduce energy consumption by at least one fifth compared to the current equipment, thanks to new motorisation, efficient management of climatic comfort and 100% LED lighting.

The trams are eco-designed, 95% recyclable and 99% reusable.

Alstom expects the Citadis trams to reduce maintenance operations by 30% during their thirty years of commercial operation.

Maintenance requirements have been taken into account with a lower number of spare part references, improved accessibility of components and sensors distributed throughout the tram to enable remote diagnosis of the equipment.

This is expected to anticipate and optimise periods of downtime and offer optimum availability for commercial service.

Nine Alstom sites in France are involved in the manufacturing of these Citadis trams:

• La Rochelle, for design and assembly,
• Le Creusot, for the bogies,
• Ornans, for the engines,
• Villeurbanne, for on-board electronics and cyber security,
• Aix-en-Provence, for the tachometric units,
• Sens, Gennevilliers and Saint-Florentin, for brake discs and linings,
• and Saint-Ouen, for design.

To date, Alstom has sold more than three thousand vehicles from the Citadis range in seventy cities in twenty countries around the world, including Cologne in Germany, Athens in Greece, Dublin in Ireland, Kaohsiung City in Taiwan, and twenty-three cities in France.

Citadis trams have covered over one billion kilometres in ten billion passenger journeys since the first tram entered service in 2000.

Jean-Baptiste Eyméoud, President of Alstom France, said that the company “is very proud to supply the Eurometropole's new trams and to participate in the development of a greener and more innovative urban transport network. These new energy-efficient trams will also provide greater comfort for passengers. We would like to thank the Eurometropole of Strasbourg and the CTS for their renewed confidence in our latest generation Citadis tram solutions.”

21st April 2023

Disruption in Walsall area due to emergency track repairs​

West Midlands Railway service at Bromsgrove

Emergency engineering works will cause severe disruption today and tomorrow to rail passengers in the Walsall area while urgent track repairs are carried out.

Because of these emergency engineering works, West Midlands Railway is running a reduced service to some stations, including Walsall, Cannock, and Rugeley Trent Valley.

However, there will be no trains to Bescot Stadium station, with rail-replacement buses being provided in place of trains.

The disruption has been caused by a damaged set of points, which Network Rail engineers are currently working to repair.

Because of the extent of the damage, it is expected that rail services through the area will continue to be impacted throughout today Friday, the 21st and tomorrow, Saturday, the 22nd of April.

Anyone intending to travel through the affected area should check live travel information before they travel by visiting www.wmr.uk/plan

Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said:

“I would like to thank our passengers travelling through the Walsall area for their patience while Network Rail carries out these urgent track repairs.

“A reduced service is expected to be in operation throughout today and tomorrow as some routes are not available. Rail replacement transport is in operation and passengers should leave extra time for their journeys.

“I apologise for the inconvenience to our customers. Any passenger whose journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more as a result of the disruption should claim compensation via the Delay Repay scheme.”

21st April 2023

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway reveals full timetable for the Cotswold Festival of Steam ​

The event takes place from the 12th to the 14th of May and is set to be a real treat for rail enthusiasts with a fantastic array of steam locomotives to enjoy​

4079 'Pendennis Castle' at Didcot Railway Centre

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has now released the full timetable for the Cotswold Festival of Steam, which will take place from Friday the 12th of May to Sunday the 14th of May.

There's going to be plenty to see and do at the event, as the heritage railway has put together a fantastic array of locomotives for visitors to enjoy, including a daily afternoon non-stop express hauled by the stunning Pendennis Castle!

The Cotswold Festival of Steam takes a nostalgic look back at the golden era of steam in the Cheltenham and Gloucester area inspired by its fast expresses, interregional trains from lines closed in the past, local workings and industrial networks.

Alongside visiting locomotives, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's home fleet will also be out in action for the festival.

Visiting Locomotives:

• 78019 BR Standard Class 2 – During the 1960s, a small number of these locomotives worked in the Gloucester area on light passenger and goods working operations. 78019 is visiting with thanks to Great Central Railway, the Loughborough Standard Locomotive Group and the Charles Newton Trust.
• 31806 SR ‘U' Class – Known as ‘U-boats' these Southern Railway moguls were a regular feature on the Cheltenham rail network operating services from Andover to Southampton using the old Midland and South Western Junction Railway route. 31806 is visiting courtesy of Swanage Railway and JMB locomotive services.
• 4079 Pendennis Castle GWR Castle Class – Another regular sight, Pendennis Castle hauled express trains including the ‘The Cornishman' which ran over the heritage railways line as well as the ‘The Cheltenham Flyer'. 4079 is visiting straight from overhaul and after her preparation from Australia thanks to Didcot GWS.
• 75014 BR Standard Class 4 – Often seen in Cheltenham & Gloucester, these locomotives operated mixed traffic duties in the area from the late 1950s including working local goods from Andover and semi-fast services between Birmingham and Cardiff. 75014 is visiting courtesy of Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Dinmore Manor near Lavaton on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway's home fleet includes:

• GWR Manor Class 7820 Dinmore Manor
• GWR Modified Hall Class 7903 Foremarke Hall

The event has an array of exciting activities available with every station offering something to do, alongside an intensive timetable operating the full line, including goods trains, local stopping services and none-stop expresses.

Broadway:

• See the progress of the heritage railway's latest station
• Visit the Friends of Broadway fundraising shop
• Broadway Station Tea Room
• The festival offers a rare chance to visit Platform 2 at Broadway, with a special opportunity to visit the brand new build signal box.

‍Toddington:

• Locomotive sheds will be open for visitors
• Trade stands
• Goods train brake van rides
• Footplate rides
• Franchised Flag & Whistle Café
• Traction engines
• Narrow gauge operating steam train rides
• Visit the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railways Office for a chance to learn more about supporting the railway through membership and volunteering.

‍Winchcombe:

• Carriage & Wagon workshops open to visitors
• Viewing area beyond the Carriage & Wagon workshops
• Griddle & Coffeepot Tea Room
• Pug will be providing shunting demos between service trains
• Traction engines
• Discovery coach and model railway coach

Gotherington:

• Private station grounds will be open for the event
• Ride on the pump trolley
• Enjoy the view of passing trains

Cheltenham:

• Steam loco cab visits
• Connecting bus service to Cheltenham Spa
• Original 1912 ticket office open
• Snacks available from Tracks refreshments
• Goods train brake van rides
• Footplate rides

Tickets are now available to purchase prior to the event and include a choice of 1-day to 3-day tickets for the well-attended event, please note that tickets usually sell out and it is advised to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Footplates rides are also available to buy now!

Tickets to the event can be purchased on the days of the event subject to availability.

For further information or to book tickets, please visit their website here.

To see the timetable please click here.

21st April 2023

Emergency timetable for South Western Railway’s diesel services​

South Western Railway train at Waterloo Station

Because of problems linked to the fuel used by its diesel trains, South Western Railway has introduced a temporary timetable on its West of England Line between Basingstoke, Salisbury, and Exeter St Davids, and between Southampton and Salisbury via Romsey, until further notice.

On Wednesday, 19th April, a small number of trains based at the railway's Salisbury and Exeter depots began to report performance problems.

Yesterday, Thursday, 20th April, the problem was traced to the trains' fuel, which prevented those trains from reaching their normal top speeds.

The issue is now under investigation, and until it is resolved, the trains affected have been taken out of service for inspection and maintenance.

As a result, with fewer trains available, South Western Railway is unable to operate its usual number of services on the West of England Line, in the Romsey area, and other destinations west of Salisbury.

The revised timetable will see the following changes:

• Between Basingstoke and Salisbury, there will be one train per hour;
• Between Salisbury and Exeter St. David's, there will be one train every two hours;
• Between Southampton Central and Salisbury via Romsey, there will be one train every two hours;
• There will be no trains to Westbury and Yeovil Pen Mill.

Anyone intending to travel on the affected routes should check their journey before travelling at https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/live-times-and-updates

Stuart Meek, SWR's Chief Operating Officer, said: “We're very sorry for the disruption that will be felt by our customers on the West of England Line, in the Romsey area and other destinations west of Salisbury. Over the last two days, some services have suffered delays due to a fuel problem and so we have had no choice but to withdraw the affected trains.

“With fewer trains available and a risk of delays, which would have a knock-on effect on the wider network, we have had to make the difficult decision to operate an amended timetable. While we appreciate it is frustrating that fewer services will be operating, this timetable does give our customers a service they can have confidence in.

“We really appreciate our customers' patience and advise them to check before travelling. We will provide an update when we know we can reinstate the usual timetable and run services as normal.”

21st April 2023

Locomotive changes for West Somerset’s Spring Steam Spectacular​

34027 “Taw Valley”

The West Somerset Railway has announced some last-minute changes to the locomotives it had lined up to appear at next week's Spring Steam Spectacular from Friday, 28th April to Monday, 1st May.

Unfortunately, repairs to Manor Class No.7822 Foxcote Manor will not be complete in time for the locomotive to operate during the event despite the best efforts of the railway's engineering staff at Minehead.

Although that means there will no longer be three Manors operating at the event, an Evening Photographic Shoot will still go ahead with 7822 Foxcote Manor lined up with 7812 Erlestoke Manor and 7828 Odney Manor.

7828 “Odney Manor”

There have also been problems with another visiting locomotive, as the Epping Ongar Railway has had to cancel the visit of Hall Class No.4953 Pitchford Hall, as that railway needs to hold on to it to ensure they have cover for their own services.

Although the West Somerset Railway realises that the above may be disappointing, it's not all bad news, as the Severn Valley Railway has stepped in to supply an alternative locomotive.

4953 “Pitchford Hall”

Instead of 4953 Pitchford Hall, West Country Pacific No. 34027 Taw Valley will take its place.

Taw Valley has not been seen on the West Somerset Railway since the early 2000s, and will make a striking sight in its new Southern Railway wartime black livery running as No. 21C127.

This will be the first time Taw Valley has left the Severn Valley since its overhaul in 2015.

There is also further good news as the railway's Mechanical Engineering Department has completed work to repair 94XX Pannier Tank No. 9466, and it will be in service during the Spring Steam Spectacular working goods and local passenger trains.

This will be the first time in over 18 months event that 9466 has steamed in public.

For those intending to visit the Spring Steam Spectacular, the locomotive diagrams for the event have been confirmed and are available online here.

21st April 2023

Cambrian Heritage Railway welcomes Grant Ritchie steam locomotive​

No. 272

To supplement its fleet of steam locomotives, Cambrian Heritage Railways based at Oswestry in Shropshire has borrowed a unique 0—4-0 saddle tank steam locomotive from the Ribble Steam Railway & Museum at Preston for all of this year's operating season.

The locomotive is number 272, and was the 14th loco built by Grant Ritchie at Kilmarnock in Scotland in 1894, and is the manufacturer's sole surviving 0-4-0 saddle tank.

Grant Ritchie was formed in 1876, following a disastrous fire at the Caledonia workshop of Andrew Barclay in Kilmarnock. Thomas Grant was Andrew Barclay's works manager.

He bought up a small engineering business in Kilmarnock where, together with another Barclay employee, William Ritchie, they set up in business together and started building steam locos just down the road from the Andrew Barclay works.

After completion by Grant Ritchie, No. 272's first owner was Kinglassie Colliery at Leslie in Fife, where it carried the running number 21.

In 1949 it went to Cowdenbeath Central Workshops, then to Mary Colliery in Fife in 1951, back to Cowdenbeath in 1955, to Fordell Colliery in 1957 and moved to Rothes Colliery in 1966, where it spent its last working days.

On 25th November 1969 No. 272 was sent for scrap to Thomas Muir's scrapyard in Easter Balbeggie in Fife, but escaped its fate and over the years it was joined by a further ten Industrial steam locos, including Ribble Steam Railway's No.6 Andrew Barclay No 2261 which was restored by the Ribble Steam Railway.

No. 272's first appearance in traffic will be on Sunday, April 30th.

The railway operates trains from Oswestry to Weston Wharf and runs every weekend from April until September, some mid-week and evenings, and on Bank Holidays.

Cambrian Heritage Railways General Manager, Andy Green, said: “We are grateful to Ribble Steam Railway And Museum for the loan of Grant Ritchie 272 for our new operating season which started in April.

“We operate a relatively small heritage railway operation, therefore this type of steam locomotive is an excellent addition to our fleet and I'm sure it will prove extremely popular with our visitors and staff.”

Further information about the railway can be found at www.CambrianRailways.com, and tickets can be booked online at https://cambrianrailways.com/chr/tickets/

21st April 2023

East Somerset Railway confirms that loco 46447 is staying​

Isle of Wight Steam Railway signs further ten-year running agreement​

The East Somerset Railway (ESR) and Isle of Wight Steam Railway have announced that Ivatt class 2 No.46447 will be overhauled again at Cranmore, followed by a further ten-year running agreement at the ESR.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's General Manager Steve Backhouse says “We're very happy to continue our strong working relationship with the East Somerset Railway. This agreement is in the best long-term interests of 46447 and will see the locomotive continue steaming for a further period.”

The East Somerset Railway's Engineering Manager Steve Masters says “It seems like only yesterday that the ‘Barry' restoration back to full working order was completed, but in reality, the ten-year boiler ticket expires as soon as next year! The loco has been fantastic for the ESR for both the staff and the public who enjoy coming to see and ride behind her. We are extremely pleased to have agreed this extension to our very good working relationship between the two railways.”

21st April 2023

Clacton Express Preservation Group reveal new Class 321 project​

The special project will see the first complete Mk3 Electric Multiple Unit preserved in the UK​

A Class 321 train

The Clacton Express Preservation Group have now made an agreement in principle to take on a donated complete 4-car ‘Classic' Class 321 in order to preserve it.

Once preservation work is complete, the Mk3 EMU will be the first complete vehicle of its kind to be preserved in the country and will be used in a static display at a new site in Harwich.

The 4 vehicles will take on a new purpose providing space for a Community Cafe, Events Space and Museum.

All proceeds made from the vehicles will go on to fund the Clacton Express Preservation Group and will support the upkeep of its heritage vehicles.

The group is also continuing to work through difficulties with the ‘Clacton' class 309 after the main benefactor supporting the preservation elected to step back for personal reasons.

The class 321 project will provide support for the group's future plans, which include the aim to create a safe base alongside a small level of steady funding to maintain both sets.

The proposal to take on 321 has been underway since January 2021 prior to the recent issues facing 309, it is hoped that the class 321 project may help to support the group move through this challenging time.

Fundraising is now underway in order to maintain the work of the Clacton Express Preservation Group and to help cover some initial sundry costs in order to get the planned site off of the ground and finalise the agreement, which includes insurance quotes and transportation costs for the track which have been kindly donated already.

To find out more about Clacton Express Preservation Group please visit their website or search for their Facebook page.

22nd April 2023

Bressingham prepares for May Day weekend Steam Gala​

Norfolk's Bressingham Steam Preservation Company is preparing for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend and one of its most hotly anticipated events of the year – the Heritage Steam Gala.

The gala takes place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April, and Monday 1 May, and aims to operate all four railways (three narrow gauge, one standard gauge).

The gala is aiming to feature twenty road steam engines, steam farmyard demonstrations and a mixture of stationary and portable engines running.

The Fen Railway will have ex Penrhyn Avonside ‘Marchlyn' and new-build quarry Hunslet ‘Jack Lane' visiting from the Statfold Barn Railway.

This will enable one of the oldest quarry Hunslets, ‘Gwynedd', to appear with the newest, Jack Lane, in steam together for the first time.

There will be an intensive timetable on the Fen Railway with a total of five steam locomotives running a mixture of passenger, freight and double headers throughout each of the three days.

This takes place alongside the fabulous Bressingham Gardens, Victorian Gallopers, museum and exhibition buildings, plus the opportunity to see progress on current restoration projects.

Season Ticket holders do not need to book, and may just turn up.

Everyone else can save money and time by booking online in advance on Bressingham's website.

Visitors can choose from entry-only or ride-inclusive tickets.

The Company says, “Now, if you thought a Steam Gala was only for steam enthusiasts then you'd definitely be wrong! Sure, our ardent steam fans might get excited about each wonderful nitty-gritty detail of the event but who doesn't love seeing big steam engines up close?

“You can't fail to be impressed by their size and power, and to be mesmerised by their wonderful rhythmic action.
Breathe deep that wonderfully evocative smell of steam and your heart will beat a little bit faster and your smile will grow a lot wider. Before you know it, you'll be as hooked as we are! It can happen at any age – young or old!”

22nd April 2023

West Somerset Railway to run further test running this weekend ahead of its Spring Steam Spectacular!​

The heritage railway has revealed that the testing will offer a nice preview of the main event and will take place on Sat 22nd, Sun 23rd and Wed 26th April​

West Somerset Railway has revealed that it will be running some further steam testing today (Saturday the 22nd), Sunday the 23rd and Wednesday the 26th of April.

The testing comes ahead of its Spring Steam Spectacular which is set to take place over the early May bank holiday from the 28th of April through to the 1st of May.

Saturday the 22nd of April:

Testing of No. 9465 will take place at around 14.20 with a run from Williton to Minehead – this will be an empty stock move and is therefore not for passengers.

Sunday the 23rd of April:

Testing of No.2999 ‘Lady of Legend' double-heading with No.9351 on the 14:40 departure from Bishops Lydeard as well as the 16:30 departure from Minehead.

‘Lady of Legend' will be turned at Minehead and will be smokebox first both ways. Standard tickets can be used for this service.

Wednesday the 26th of April:

Testing of No.9466 double-heading with No.9351 on the 12:20 departure from Minehead and 14:40 departure from Bishops Lydeard.

For both runs, the engine will be facing Taunton. Standard tickets can be used for this service.

Why not get down to the West Somerset Railway to enjoy a nice preview of the Spring Steam Spectacular the following weekend?

The Spring Steam Spectacular promises to be a fantastic event with an intensive timetable operated by the railways home fleet and three special guest locomotives, including:

• Manor Class 4-6-0 no.7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor'
• GWR Saint Class 4-6-0 no.2999 ‘Lady of Legend'
• Pacific no.34027 ‘Taw Valley'

To find out more about the Spring Steam Spectacular or to book tickets, please visit: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/spring-steam-spectacular-2

22nd April 2023

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway looks forward to July Diesel Gala​

Resident fleet and visiting loco to star in Summer Heritage Diesel Gala​

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway will host its annual Summer Heritage Diesel Gala between Friday 7 and Sunday 9 July this year.

The Gala is the flagship event for the railway's resident diesel locomotive fleet, and the Railway will also confirm a visiting locomotive for the weekend event in due course.

Following a successful Gala last year, this year's the three-day diesel spectacular offers visitors and enthusiasts of all ages the chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of classic heritage diesel traction from the heyday of British Rail.

Trips will take passengers through the beautiful Cotswold countryside, featuring the railway's iconic structures of Stanway Viaduct and Greet Tunnel, with stops at picturesque period stations.

During the Gala, up to ten trains will operate each day between Broadway and Cheltenham Racecourse, with additional trains running between Toddington and Cheltenham Racecourse.

A full 28-mile round trip can be experienced on most services. Passing loops at Toddington, Winchcombe and Toddington will allow a 45-minute service all day.

At Toddington, the diesel locomotive shed will be open to visitors offering the chance to see ongoing restoration and maintenance projects, including 1959-built Class 26 No. D5343 and Class 20 No. 20228 which are currently undergoing overhaul.

Subject to availability, the following home traction will be in service operating trains:

• Class 20 No. 20137
• Class 24 No. 5081
• Class 45 No. 45149
• Class 117 No. L425

The following home traction will be on static display:

• Class 20 No. 20228
• Class 26 No. D5343
• Class 122 No. W55003

Diesel traction came to the fore with the end of steam during the mid-1960s, by which time many of the railway's fleet had entered service hauling trains all across the country.

Diesel and electric traction could be found on a multitude of services, from fast expresses on the East Coast and West Coast Mainlines, inter-city services, cross-country workings and heavy freight operations, as well as the popular summer holiday excursions to seaside resorts, which were often hauled by freight locomotives not normally used on passenger services.

When steam ended in the Western Region (WR) in 1965, the Honeybourne to Cheltenham route continued to see freight and passenger traffic (albeit at a declining rate and predominately for diversions) until a final train to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, operated on 14 March 1976, hauled by a Brush Type 4 (Class 47) diesel.

Freight traffic came to a sudden end during the same year with the derailment of a Toton to Severn Tunnel Junction coal train at Winchcombe hauled by a class 45 locomotive, close to the B4632 bridge, causing considerable damage to the track.

During the 1960s and 1970s, diesel workings on the route included Classes 20, 25, 35, 37, 40, 45, 46 and 47.

With many of the Railway's resident diesel locomotive fleet now approaching sixty years old (5081, 37215, 45149 and 47105 are either sixty years old or over), the summer diesel festival is an event not to be missed.

The weekend will be a celebration of these locomotives, which came from a very different time in our railway history, a time of great change, technological and mechanical advancement, and modernisation for British Rail.

The Railway has recently been working to promote itself to the local community, businesses and politicians, in order to build working relationships.

Tickets for the summer diesel gala will be available to purchase online, via the GWSR website, from Monday 24 April 2023.

Discounts are available for tickets purchased online, with one-day adult tickets from £28.

Multi-day rover tickets offering substantial savings are also available, but must be booked in advance.

Tickets can also be purchased on the day, with adult tickets costing £30.

23rd April 2023

Jamaican advisors visit Birmingham, finding facts for restoring rail​

Plans are being made to bring back the island's railway, closed in 1992.​

Academics advising the Jamaican government on plans to reinstate its disused railway network have visited Birmingham to meet rail industry experts and view progress on the construction of new stations.

The team from Jamaica's University of Technology (Utech) are working with the country's Ministry of Transport and Mining to restore the island's rail network. Services stopped in 1992.

Their plan includes upgrading Kingston railway station and opening a three-and-a-half mile route through the city.

The station has been mothballed since the rail service stopped.

Last year, they formed a transatlantic partnership with the University of Birmingham's (UoB) Centre for Railway Research and Education to gain expert advice on the latest construction methods and technologies to deliver an efficient zero-carbon rail line.

Restoration of the historic Kingston station and line will help the island's capital to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility and boost tourism.

The team visited Birmingham for three days, during which with viewed work to restore parts of the West Midlands' rail network.

This included taking a closer look at the £61 million Camp Hill line project being led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).

While Jamaica's railway restoration is still in the planning stage, work is already underway on the construction of three stations on the Camp Hill Line in south Birmingham – restoring passenger rail services to Mosely Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road for the first time in more than eighty years.

The School of Engineering at Utech Jamaica has been at the centre of engineering education in the country for almost sixty years.

It has provided Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the world with high-performance engineers who have gone on to make significant contributions in a variety of sectors.

The group also visited University station where the new buildings are currently being fitted out ready to open this autumn.

Construction of the Camp Hill Line and University station is being carried out by Volkerfitzpatrick on behalf of TfWM.

Oneil Josephs, head of the School of Engineering, said: “This strategic technical rail tour of Birmingham is an opportunity to build on the Government of Jamaica's intention to rehabilitate rail in the country. This partnership with the University of Birmingham is what the country needs to find a rail solution to the broader transport challenges we face and provide the basis for development across the sector. We look forward to the positive outcomes of this UK tour and our continued partnership with the UoB. Seeing the development of new stations here in Birmingham and how passenger services are coming back after decades, gives us the encouragement to achieve a similar outcome in Jamaica.”

Liam Brooker, project sponsor for the WMRE and TfWM, said: “Restoring railway stations and improving public transport in our towns and cities will better connect our communities, reduce reliance on private cars and cut traffic jams, helping us meet the climate challenge and support economic growth. Although Kingston and Birmingham are far apart, we have the common aim of benefitting our citizens by investing in rail. We are making great progress on building our new stations and we were delighted to share our experience with our guests and take the opportunity to learn from their reflections.”

Prof Clive Roberts, director of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education at the University of Birmingham, said: “We are proud to host our Jamaican colleagues in Birmingham and to share our knowledge and experience with them. At the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education we seek to find ways to share our research and innovation activities with the global rail industry, and this collaboration is an excellent example of that.”

23rd April 2023

Watch: Merseyrail transported thousands of racegoers to Grand National​

Merseyrail has reported that more than 105,000 journeys were made by racegoers travelling to and from The Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse last weekend.

The operation's success was largely down to a dedicated train strategy with Merseyrail running a seven-and-a-half-minute service throughout the Festival.

Other initiatives introduced by the company to ensure the success of its operations, were giving away 4,000 pairs of its famous Merseyrail flip flops, putting on live music and entertainment to passengers at Aintree station, and introducing extra services to the racecourse during the Festival.

Merseyrail ensured that train travel was the easiest way to get to and from the racecourse by doubling the capacity and frequency of trains to Aintree and reinstating its popular seven-and-a-half-minute service.

Extra staff were deployed at Aintree, Liverpool Central, and Moorfields stations to support passengers, as the network delivered a reliable and punctual service throughout the festival.

A number of charities benefitted from the generosity of racegoers, with a total of £4,200 raised by charitable collections at the station, for woodlands Hospice, SWACA (Sefton Women's and Children's Aid) and The Paper Cup Project.

Jane English, acting Managing Director at Merseyrail, said: “We were delighted and proud to deliver a brilliant customer experience and train service during the Grand National Festival.

“Despite some mixed weather and disruption, which was expertly managed, we safely transported over 105,000 attendees to and from the racecourse. It was great to get feedback directly from passengers, who were so impressed how organised everything was, regardless of where they travelled from.

“It's a tribute to the professionalism and expertise of the Merseyrail staff in both the pre-planning and delivery over the three days.

“There are more huge events planned for the Liverpool city region over the next few months, and I am in no doubt that the same organisation and planning from Merseyrail will support and enhance the public's enjoyment.”

WATCH:

Grand National 2023​

23rd April 2023

Isle of Wight Steam Railway releases Gala timetable​

Fenchurch ‘Yellow Ochre'

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's Gala timetable is now live on its website.

The Gala weekend, from 23 to 25 June, will celebrate the centenary of the Southern Railway. Until 1923, the Island's railways were run by three independent local companies.

The creation of the Southern Railway on New Year's Day 1923 brought about many changes, including larger locomotives, longer bogie carriages, and modernisation of the track and stations.

With the Isle of Wight busy with holidaymakers, this was a golden era for the Island's railways, which the Railway intends to celebrate during what it describes as an “action-packed” weekend.

The Railway's flagship locomotive W24 Calbourne will be in action, plus resident ‘Terrier' W11 Newport, both resplendent in their Southern Railway liveries, plus visiting ‘Terrier' Fenchurch from the Bluebell Railway.

The A1 ‘Terrier', built in 1872, has recently been overhauled and is now resplendent in ‘Stroudley Improved Engine Green' (a yellow ochre).

The loco will make a dramatic and colourful sight when running coupled to Victorian and Edwardian wooden carriages.

Fenchurch is normally resident at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, and the Isle of Wight Railway is very grateful for Bluebell's support in bringing this popular locomotive to the island.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is this year's Heritage Railway Association Railway of the Year.

Island Line 484 Train 10

Friday 23 June

Friday is Terrier Day, with W11 (Newport) sharing duties with visiting locomotive 72 Fenchurch.

Saturday 24 June

The day starts with W11 (Newport) hauling a demonstration goods train along the full length of the line.

During the day, visitors can see loco W24 Calbourne with Edwardian bogie carriages, 72 Fenchurch with Victorian four-wheelers, and W11 (Newport) with the popular push-pull set.

Late in the afternoon, the two ‘Terriers' will come together for a double-headed special, with Fenchurch continuing into the early evening.

At 16:00, all three locomotives will line up at the end of Havenstreet station (the viewing area outside Train Story is a great vantage point), allowing photographers to capture a classic shot.

Sunday 25 June

W24 Calbourne will once again be in charge of the Railway's bogie carriages, and the two ‘Terriers' will take turns with its Edwardian four-wheeled carriages.

Visitors will look out for the Railway's heritage goods train, before another Terrier double-header rounds off the afternoon.

Throughout the Gala

• Other locomotives will be on display in the Train Story Discovery Centre, or around the station.
• Free birds of prey displays will take place at 11:40 and 13:40 each day.
• A real ale bar will be open at Havenstreet station.
• The Railway is providing a Lineside Photography Guide for details of vantage points along the line, including popular spot Ashey halt.
• Regular services will run on Island Line, providing an opportunity to travel on the new Class 484 units.

Ryde Pier Head station and line will be open in time to help visitors get to the Gala.