Marcus' Model Railway Journey

4th May 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Well, I've started work on the next ETHNON RAIL YouTube video.

Phil and Bob will have a starring roll.

As we say goodbye to the Test Running baseboard.

Phil: Yes, me and the boys are looking forward to getting that baseboard wrecked

Bob: Ha, ha, yes!

We're still getting tea breaks though, aren't we Bob?

Bob and Phil can't wait to dismantle the TR Baseboard

The TR Baseboard needs to be dismantled to make room for the final baseboard assemblies for the main layout.

The materials and track will be recycled and used for the main layout project.

Test Running baseboard

4th May 2023

Farewell tour to UK’s oldest trains raises £25k for children’s charities​

Hundreds of rail enthusiasts joined Southern Rail for a charity tour in one of the coastal Class 313 trains that will be retired from service on 20 May.

The Branch Line Society helped to organise the trip, which ran from Brighton via Bognor, Littlehampton, Three Bridges, Ore and Newhaven.

Organisers expect that together with the 313 tickets sold, raffle and on-board auction, they will have raised around £25,000 for Sussex children's hospice Chestnut Tree House and Railway Children, a charity for at-risk youngsters.

To see how Chestnut Tree House cares for local children and families, visit its website.

Railway Children has been fighting for children alone and at risk on the streets for over 25 years. During that time, it has reached more than 275,000 children in India, the UK and East Africa.

The 47-year-old Class 313s are the country's oldest mainline electric trains. Southern will be replacing them with 21st century Electrostar trains.

These are three times more reliable and will transform passenger travel along the coast between Portsmouth, Brighton and Lewes.

The modern Class 377/387 Electrostar trains already operate with great success across the Southern network, including the coast, and feature air-conditioning and accessible toilets.

On the busiest route to Portsmouth, the modern trains will run with a fourth carriage, creating one-third more space for passengers.

The two units used to form up the train for the farewell tour were 313201 (the first and oldest Class 313 unit, painted in the British Rail heritage livery) and 313213.

Also along for the ride was rail enthusiast TikTok and Instagram sensation Francis Bourgeois who has more than 3.5 million followers.

Tour organiser and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) Duty Network Operations Manager Antony Yandell said: “The 313s have been operating for over five decades, helping people to get around and building special memories for train crew, passengers, and customers.

“Over the past six years GTR has arranged other farewell tours to mark the withdrawal of our older fleets and with this latest tour now complete, we have raised £75,000 for charity. Arranging these tours takes a lot of work and I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who has played a part.”

Ouse Valley viaduct

Ella Pilkington at Chestnut Tree House said: “There are hundreds of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in our local community who require specialist care, and even more parents and family members who need help and support.

“It is thanks to the kindness and generosity of individuals and companies like Southern and its parent company Govia Thameslink Railway that Chestnut Tree House can be there for each family on their journey – now and in the future. On behalf of everyone at Chestnut Tree House, I'd like to say a huge thank you for your support.”

4th May 2023

Harry Potter Broadway wrap for Amtrak locomotive​

Passengers travelling by Amtrak to New York City can now travel on a train that has been specially wrapped – themed in a Harry Potter design and at the same time earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

Amtrak is the official rail transportation partner for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” which is now playing at the Lyric Theatre on Broadway in New York.

In collaboration with the show and Audience Rewards, the official rewards program for Broadway, Amtrak Guest Rewards members, Broadway theatre-goers, and Harry Potter fans can earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points and redeem them on tickets to the show.

Amtrak Guest Rewards members can register for free with Audience Rewards.

Between the 28th of April and the 25th of June, four specially-wrapped Amtrak locomotives will operate the Northeast Regional service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C. and Boston.

The trains' wrap features the show's iconic logo with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy and the next generation of wizards: Albus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy and Rose Granger-Weasley.

A swirling clock will give you an impression of time travel as passengers ride through the illustrious landscapes of the Northeast Corridor, although the train won't be stopping at Platform 9 ¾,

In Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Harry's head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, which sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all and has the power to change the past and future forever.

The show's audience will experience a race through time with spectacular spells and an epic battle, brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage.

The entire theatre has also been transformed with surprises to discover around every corner.

4th May 2023

Nine heritage diesel locomotives to appear at this month’s Swanage Railway Gala​

Nine heritage diesel locomotives are set to appear at this month's Diesel Gala and Beer Festival at the Swanage Railway.

The Gala is now in its sixteenth year and will take place from Friday, 12th to Sunday , 12 to 14th May.

The beer festival is being organised and operated by Purbeck Kitchens and will be held at Corfe Castle station.

Class 17 No. D8568 “The Clayton”

Throughout the three days, there will be an intensive three-train service and will be the first time that a Class 17 heritage diesel will have hauled trains on the line.

A nostalgic 1966 ‘push-pull' 4TC four-carriage set, courtesy of London Transport, of the type that operated between London and Swanage from 1967 to 1969 and on the main line between London and Weymouth from 1967 to 1988 will also be in operation.

The Gala will feature two Class 33 diesels, including No. 33 111, which hauled the last 4TC ‘push-pull' carriage set to Corfe Castle and Swanage on a Poole Grammar School railway society enthusiasts' charter train in September 1971, and No. D6515 Lt Jenny Lewis RN, which hauled the last train through Broadstone to Wimborne after British Rail closed the line to freight trains in May 1977.

For the Gala trains will operate along the whole length of the railway from Swanage to past Norden station and beyond Furzebrook to the River Frome.

A special Diesel Gala preview event will be held on Thursday, 11th May when diesel and steam trains will operate between Norden, Corfe Castle, and Swanage, including Class 17 heritage diesel No. D8568. The railway's 1950s Class 117 diesel multiple unit will also be running through to Wareham on the Thursday, but the Wareham service will not be operating during the three days of the Gala.

On the Friday and Saturday evenings, special ‘Beerex' diesel trains will operate, with Class 33 No. 33 111 and the 1966 4TC four-carriage set on Friday evening and Class 40 No. D345 on Saturday evening.

Class 40 No. D345

Subject to availability, the following locomotives will be visiting the Gala:

• Class 17 No. D8568 The Clayton courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group.
• Class 40 No. D345 courtesy of the Class 40 Preservation Society.
• Class 45 No. 45108 courtesy of the Peak Locomotive Company.
• Class 47 No. 47 830 courtesy of Freightliner.
• Class 50 No. 50 021 Rodney or Class 50 No. 50 026 Indomitable.
• Two Class 73 electro-diesels courtesy of GB Railfreight.

Admission to the beer festival will be free but a token system will be in operation for the purchase of drinks.

Full details of the Gala including timetables and fares are available from the Swanage Railway's website at www.swanagerailway.co.uk.

Reduced-price tickets are available if purchased online in advance.

Class 47 No. 47830

Event organising team member Dan Bennett said: “Our annual diesel gala and beer festival is an important and popular event in the Swanage Railway calendar while there is an ever-growing national following for heritage diesel locomotives, particularly among younger rail enthusiasts.

“Over the past 16 years, our diesel gala and beer festival has grown in popularity to become one of the most highly regarded annual events of its type in the country.

“A lot of detailed organisation by a small team of enthusiastic Swanage Railway volunteers and staff goes into planning the diesel gala with planning beginning in earnest four or five months before the event,” added Dan who lives in Wareham and has been a dedicated Swanage Railway volunteer since he was a teenager.

4th May 2023

£22,000 raised for charities by Greater Anglia Class 321 Farewell train!​

The charity charter completed took place on Saturday the 29th of April and will see the funds raised split between three charities​

Class 321 at Clacton-On-Sea

The Greater Anglia Class 321 Farewell charity charter has been a resounding success, raising £22,000 which will be shared between three charities.

Taking place on the 29th of April, the charter marked the approaching withdrawal of Class 321s from the rail operator's network.

The event was created for rail enthusiasts and saw funding raised for the following charities:

• East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) has hospices in Milton in Cambridgeshire, The Nook in Norfolk and The Treehouse near Ipswich in Suffolk.
• Havens Hospices which supports families in Mid and South Essex
• The Railway Mission is a charity which offers friendship and a listening ear to those connected with railways such as staff, customers or the wider public supporting people through times of loneliness, stress, depression, bereavement or ill health.

The charter saw 300 people purchase tickets, which supported the funding raised for the three charities and a raffle held during the event.

Starting at London Liverpool Street, the train visited Clacton, Walton, Harwich Town, Stowmarket, then back to Shenfield and onto Southend Victoria before returning to London and Liverpool Street. The special day saw the train tour routes traditionally travelled by the Class 321s during their working life.

Rail enthusiasts were also treated to trips over several loops and sections of tracks, which are not usually used by passenger trains.

The electric Class 321 units have seen service in East Anglia for nearly 30 years, operating both suburban and commuter services.

Greater Anglia is currently replacing the units with its brand-new Class 720 trains, which feature many improvements for passengers, such as:

• More seating
• Plug and USB points
• Enhanced performance
• Improved accessibility

Charity specials by Greater Anglia aimed at rail enthusiasts have seen tours take place during 2016 using Class 37 locomotives, in 2017 with Class 68 locomotives, and in 2019, once again with Class 37 locos.

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia said: “We're delighted that our special Class 321 Farewell trip was such a success. It was a great way to mark the impending withdrawal of Class 321s from use at Greater Anglia, as the full rollout of new trains onto every single GA service is now imminent. We're glad to be raising funds for three charities with strong links to the Greater Anglia network – EACH, Havens Hospices, and the Railway Mission. They are all extremely worthwhile causes focused on the region we serve and supported by many of our employees. Our thanks go to everyone who joined us on the day, who helped generate such a significant sum for charity and to everyone at Greater Anglia, Network Rail, Eversholt Rail and others in the rail industry, who helped organise and operate such an excellent tour.”

4th May 2023

TransPennine Express names train in honour of King Charles’ coronation​

To celebrate this Saturday's Coronation of King Charles III, yesterday, Friday, 4th May, at Edinburgh Waverley station a TransPennine Express (TPE) Class 802 Nova 1 train was named Palace of Holyroodhouse.

At the beginning of each summer, the late Queen Elizabeth II spent one week in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Before her passing last year, Her Majesty had granted permission for TransPennine Express to use the name and imagery of the Palace on one of its trains.

Edinburgh Waverley Station is just a stone's throw away from the 16th-century palace.

After naming, the train set off on its inaugural journey to the swirl of pipes played by the Border Piper, Sandy Mutch, who was clad in a full highland dress and serenaded Palace of Holyroodhouse with The Badge of Scotland as it started its maiden journey with its new name.

The newly-named Nova 1 will operate TransPennine Express services along the Anglo-Scottish routes connecting Edinburgh/Glasgow with Newcastle and the North West of England.

Matthew Golton, Managing Director for TPE, said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate our new King by naming one of our Nova 1 trains in His Majesty's honour.

“We wanted to pay homage to the extensive royal history that Scotland has to offer, and it seemed only fitting to name one of our trains after King Charles III's official residence in Edinburgh – the Palace of Holyroodhouse.”

Matthew added: “It's a great honour and privilege to have been granted permission from Queen Elizabeth II before she passed.

“It seemed fitting to unveil the newly named train at Edinburgh Waverley Station and even more apt to send the train on its first journey across the country to the sound of bagpipes.”

Damian Briody, Head of Rail Projects and Technical Services for Transport Scotland, said: “It's an honour to have witnessed the unveiling of the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Edinburgh Waverley.

“With such a steep royal history, it seemed only fitting to unveil the train in Edinburgh, less than a mile from the royal palace itself and I'm looking forward to seeing passengers enjoy riding on the newly named train.”

4th May 2023

London to Swansea train journey to have new name in honor of Coronation​

Great Western Railway (GWR) is pulling out all the stops to commemorate the Coronation with a special named train service fit for a king.

Starting Friday, the 0848 London Paddington to Swansea service will be known as the ‘Flying Carolean'.

The train an Intercity Express Train class 802 numbered 802103 will feature King Charles III's official Coronation logo, which will be applied live on the platform at Paddington following its arrival at 07:59 from Cheltenham.

‘Carolean' refers to the name Charles and marks the new Carolean era, while GWR chose this service to pay homage to the King's 59 years as the Prince of Wales.

GWR is not only providing a special train service for the Coronation but also advising passengers to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

With an estimated 1.2 million people expected to line the streets of London on Saturday 6 May for the procession to Westminster Abbey, GWR will provide extra early morning trains from South Wales, Devon, and Cornwall, as well as in London and the Thames Valley, to take customers into central London.

An hourly, overnight service is being provided on Friday into Saturday.

For the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, GWR will operate as many trains as possible on the Windsor branch line, between Slough and Windsor, for ticket holders.

Three services will run per hour, with an extra carriage providing an increased 33% capacity per journey. Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend the concert within the castle grounds.

Once again, GWR will operate extra late-night/early morning services between Windsor and Slough and between London Paddington and Reading.

However, those traveling are being warned to expect to have to queue in the designated area to board trains safely.

This naming follows on from TransPennine Express naming one of its Hitachi trains after the Palace of Hollyroodhouse

Rail Minister Huw Merriman, who will help to unveil the Coronation logo, said: “This tribute will take pride of place on our railway as we approach the Coronation celebrations and pay our gratitude to the King.

“It's an honour to unveil the sign today and particularly fitting it will adorn a service to Wales – a country both His Majesty and Great Western Railway have served for many years.”

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “We're incredibly excited about the Coronation and have been working hard to ensure we have everything in place to carry passengers in and out of London.

“We want to pay our own special tribute to King Charles III and name a train service which not only reflects the new Carolean era, but also celebrates his long association with Wales, where we are incredibly proud to serve as part of the GWR network.”

Network Rail Interim Western Route Director, David Davidson, said: “We've been working closely with our train partners and others to prepare for the Coronation weekend. We've decked out Paddington station, have volunteers on hand across our stations and will be doing everything possible to give passengers a great experience this weekend.”

For more information please visit www.gwr.com/coronation.

5th May 2023

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway diesels to pair up on summer Sundays​

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has announced that its trains will be ‘doubling up' on 7 May, 6 August and 3 September.

They will be double-heading and ‘top ‘n' tailing' train services, giving visitors and diesel enthusiasts the full ‘Brush' and ‘English Electric' experience on these summer Sundays.

They will operate in these pairs:

GWR's resident Brush Type 4 (British Rail Class 47) Co-Co diesel-electric locomotives Nos 47105 and 47376

English Electric Type 3 (British Rail Class 37) diesel-electric locomotives Nos D6948 and 37215

Five hundred and twelve Brush Type 4 / British Rail Class 47 locomotives were built between 1962 and 1968, with construction carried out at Brush Traction's Falcon Works in Loughborough and British Railways' Crewe Works.

With the decline of steam, and with diesel-hydraulics falling out of favour (having become synonymous with the Western Region), the Class 47s quickly became the workhorse of the new diesel-electric era.

The Brush Type 4s are fitted with powerful 2,750-brake-horsepower Sulzer 12LDA28-C engines (which were later de-rated to 2,580 bhp to aid reliability), and could be found operating both freight and passenger services across the railway network.

Many of the class took charge of express passenger workings which had previously been the preserve of prestigious steam locomotives.

The locos had a route availability of 6 and 7 (RA6/7) and many had colourful and interesting careers wearing a myriad of liveries.

Subclasses were developed to meet the changing needs of British Rail and the privatisation era which followed in the mid-1990s.

Between 1998 and 2004, Brush Traction rebuilt thirty-three locos, fitting them with EMD 12-645 engines and reconditioned alternators, which became the British Rail Class 57s.

Class 47 proved popular with rail operators and enthusiasts alike, and over seventy still exist, some in active mainline service, others in long-term storage or in preservation.

Brush Type 4 Class 47 No. 47105 'Steve Tucker'

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway currently has two members of the class in its home fleet which are both permanent residents.

• 47105 (D1693) was built by Brush Electrical Machines Ltd at Loughborough in 1963. The loco was accepted into traffic on 6 December 1963 as D1693 and operated for nearly thirty years before being stored as unserviceable on 1 November 1993. It was withdrawn from service on 13 December 1993 and was bought by the Brush Type 4 Fund on 24 January 1994. The locomotive was transported to the GWR in April 1994 and started for the first time in preservation one month later. Since then, a large amount of work has been carried out on the 47, including the reinstatement of its steam heat boiler, making 47105 the first Class 47 to steam since 1987. The loco returned to passenger service on 16 July 2021 after a ten-year overhaul, including a full repaint into British Rail Blue livery.
• 47376 (D1895) was built by Brush Electrical Machines Ltd at Loughborough in 1965 and accepted into traffic on 1 September 1965 as D1895. It operated for nearly thrity-six years before its last working on 8 June 2001. Whilst operating the Southampton freightliner (4O07) in the Oxford area, a piston dropped into the engine sump, writing off the Sulzer 12LDA28-C engine, with the train assisted to Southampton by a Class 57. The Class 47 was purchased by The Brush Type 4 Fund in November 2002 and transported to the GWR in 2003 after receiving a replacement engine at Ashchurch from sister loco No. 47295. The engine swap took place on 21 June 2003 following 47376's arrival from Southampton Maritime. 47376 was the first locomotive to wear the Freightliner Triple Grey livery.

The locos had a low axle load and a route availability of 5 (RA5), meaning that they could travel nearly anywhere on the national railway network, making them particularly useful for operating services on branch lines.

Their reliability led to the development of subclasses designed to extend their lifespan.

Over ninety of the locomotives exist today, some in active mainline service, others in long-term storage or in preservation.

Much like the Class 47s, the Class 37s have a big following with rail enthusiasts and are known to many as ‘Tractors' because they sound quite similar to the agricultural vehicles!

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway currently has two members of the class in its home fleet which are both permanent residents.

• 37215 (D6915) is a 37/0 owned by The Growler Group and was built at Newton-le-Willows in 1963. The loco operated for nearly twenty-nine years before being taken out of service in 1992. The Type 3 was preserved in 1994 and arrived at Toddington that summer. It was restored to full working order in 1998, and this year reached the milestone of twenty-five years of active preservation service. In 2007, 37215 was repainted in to a high standard in BR blue livery as worn by the class during the 1970s and 1980s.
• D6948 (37248) is a 37/0 owned by four individuals who are members of The Growler Group. The loco, built at Newton-le-Willows in 1964, came to Toddington in 2010 wearing West Coast Railways livery and carrying its TOPS running number of 37248, having been restored to operational condition at Carnforth by West Coast Railways as part of a loan agreement which expired in 2009). Under preservation, the Type 3 underwent refurbishment over several years to restore it to its original condition. This included the provision of steam heating and a return to BR green livery with small yellow warning panels (GSYP). Having spent the past three years out of service, the locomotive returned to active service earlier this year, and will return to a Diesel Gala for the first time since summer 2019.

The sound of a 2,580 bhp Sulzer 12LDA28-C or a 1,750 bhp English Electric 12CSVT diesel engine rumbling through Greet Tunnel is hard to beat, especially when there are two of them at work!

Tickets for ‘Double Up Sundays' are available to purchase here.

5th May 2023

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla record a special announcement to welcome rail passengers​

The special message will be played over the coronation weekend at stations all over the country including London Underground​

Railway stations across the country will play a special announcement recording by Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, including London Underground from Friday the 5th to Monday the 8th of May 2023.

The special message will be played at 2570 railway stations across the UK and was recorded at Highgrove earlier in 2023, especially for the rail industry and Transport for London.

The announcement includes Their Majesty's best wishes to passengers ‘wherever you are travelling' and the King reminding passengers to ‘mind the gap'.

The message is:

‘The King: My wife and I wish you and your families a wonderful Coronation Weekend.

The Queen Consort: Wherever you are travelling, we hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.

The King: And remember, please mind the gap.'

If you are heading out on the rails this coronation weekend, why see if you can hear the special message whilst travelling during this historic occasion?

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer at Rail Delivery Group, said: “The Coronation is a rare and exciting event and we very much look forward to welcoming passengers with this special message. It's wonderful that Their Majesties are including rail passengers as part of this historic moment.”

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: “Our station colleagues are pulling out all the stops to welcome people to London for the Coronation and it's fantastic that they will also be welcomed by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.”

Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “With less than one day to go before the Coronation, we look forward to hosting Londoners and visitors from across the globe. We are honoured to support the celebrations with a special station announcement across our network from Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.”

Travel advice for passengers

For those travelling over this historic weekend, the best way to do so is by using public transport. However, passengers should know some services and stations will be extremely busy and feature queuing systems to efficiently manage extra capacity. Passengers are therefore advised to check their travel plans ahead of making their journey, leaving plenty of extra time and checking live updates whilst on the move.

Advice for those with tickets for the Coronation Concert at Windsor, which takes place on Sunday the 7th of May, is to plan their journey well ahead both to and from the event.

To find out more about travel during the Coronation weekend, please click here.

5th May 2023

Liverpool Lime Street travel advice as the ‘Big Eurovision Welcome’ event approaches​

Eurovision 2023's opening ceremony sees passengers advised to plan journeys carefully if travelling through Liverpool Lime Street​

‘The National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome' will take place outside of St. George's Hall on Sunday the 7th of May.

The ticketed event will see 25,000 people attend the opening ceremony, which will mark the start of the iconic song contest.

Due to the number of people heading to the event, Network Rail is offering advice and tips to passengers:

• Plan your journey in ahead by checking www.nationalrail.co.uk
• Allow more time for travel – queueing systems will be in operation at Liverpool Lime Street during Eurovision at the busiest periods with extra staff on hand to support visitors, find venues and help people get to and from station platforms safely. In order to efficiently manage capacity, the queue will extend out of the station on Bolton Street.
• Travel light – as trains will be extremely busy, it is best to keep luggage and bags to a minimum.
• Know exactly how to get home – The event will finish at 10pm and passengers are urged to plan their journey home ahead instead of relying on catching the last mainline rail services.

Kyla Thomas, Network Rail Liverpool Lime Street station manager, said: “You can feel the excitement really building in the city with Eurovision almost upon us, and we have good plans in place to make people's journeys through Lime Street station as smooth as possible.”

“On the opening night this Sunday, I'd urge people to plan their route home carefully, allow extra time for journeys, and not rely on the last trains as they will be extremely busy.”

Merseyrail has also revealed it will operate late-night services for Sunday the 7th and Saturday the 13th of May for the Grand Final.

Late-night services on Sunday the 7th into the early hours of Monday the 8th of May will operate on Northern and Wirral lines and will call at all stations using a Sunday timetable which will see services run every 30 minutes to support event goers get home.

During the event, some city-centre stations will be closed or only open for exiting purposes during the busiest times:

• Liverpool Lime Street Low-Level station will be closed for the entire day on Sunday the 7th of May. This is because of the station's proximity to the event.
• James Street station will be closed at 20:00.
• Passengers who need to travel from Liverpool city centre using the Wirral line after 20:00 will need to use Liverpool Central Station only.
• Passengers who need to travel on the Northern line after 20:00 must use Moorfields station only.

To find out more about extended services during Eurovision, please visit: http://www.merseyrail.org/plan-your-journey/eurovision

Jane English, Merseyrail's acting managing director, said: “Merseyrail will be running services until after midnight on Sunday 7 May to help get everybody home after the Eurovision Big Welcome event.”

“We've worked closely with our partners and stakeholders to be able to provide the extra services that will be needed as this huge event gets underway in the city centre.

“We urge passengers to carefully check their journey plan, allow plenty of time, and to be patient as our stations and trains are likely to be very busy. It's important that passengers use the correct city centre stations depending on what service they are using. Wirral line passengers must use Liverpool Central, while Northern line passengers must use Moorfields station.”

Passengers are asked to follow the advice given by their individual train operators if heading to Liverpool on Sunday the 7th of May.

Chris Jackson, Northern regional director, said: “We know the network is going to be extremely busy over the course of the Eurovision event–particularly so this Sunday, where demand is likely to outstrip capacity. Anyone planning to travel in or out of Liverpool Lime Street should allow extra time for their journey and have a Plan B in mind.”

“We will have extra staff on duty–but customers should be aware that it is likely to be a very challenging situation.”

Simon Brooks, Avanti West Coast station manager at Liverpool Lime Street, said: “With the stage set for the Eurovision Song Contest and our plans in place, we're excited to play our part in welcoming fans to Liverpool for what promises to be a brilliant spectacle.”

“As the week's festivities begin, we'd like to remind anyone attending the opening ceremony to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys, be aware of their last train home, and check the Avanti West Coast website for the latest travel updates.”

Kathryn O'Brien, TransPennine Express customer experience and operations director, said: “As we eagerly anticipate the world's biggest singing competition, it's very important we keep the increased number of customers travelling to Liverpool Lime Street as safe and happy as possible.”

“We will have TPE staff out and about across the network over the coming week and into next weekend to provide help and advice to our customers and we will do all we can to keep people on the move.”

“We urge customers to plan ahead carefully, consider their travel options and make other arrangements, where necessary if travelling to and from Eurovision.”

Johnny Wiseman, London Northwestern Railway customer experience director, said: “Eurovision Week promises to be a fantastic celebration for the whole country and we're looking forward to carrying thousands of passengers to and from Liverpool.”

“We're adding hundreds of extra seats to some of our most popular trains, but passengers should still expect services to be very busy and allow themselves plenty of time to complete their journeys.”

Passengers are also urged to be aware of upcoming ASLEF and RMT strike action taking place on Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th of May, and coincides with the Eurovision Grand Final.

Advice is given to check travel advice with individual rail operators throughout Eurovision week as revised timetables will be released via journey planners as soon as they have been confirmed allowing passengers to know which trains will be able to operate on the strike days.

Merseyrail services will not be affected by strike action on either date.

5th May 2023

TransPennine Express services for Eurovision likely to be disrupted​

Both ASLEF and RMT have planned strike action next Friday, the 12th and Saturday, the 13th of May, which will cause disruption for passengers across the rail network, especially those travelling to Liverpool for the Eurovision Song Contest.

On Friday, 12th May, ASLEF members plan to strike, resulting in no TransPennine Express services at all that day.

On Saturday, 13th May, the day of the Eurovision Grand Final, RMT members plan to strike which means TransPennine Express will only be able to operate a much-reduced service.

To help Eurovision fans get to Liverpool, on Saturday, 13th May TransPennine Express will operate the following services:

• From Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool there will be at least an hourly service between 7.50 am and 6 pm.
• From Huddersfield to Liverpool, there will be at least an hourly service between 8.15 am and 5.20 pm.
• From Preston to Liverpool, there will be five services between 9 am and 5.05 pm.
• From Sheffield to Liverpool, there will be four services between 9 am and 4.10 pm.

Full details of the timetable for Saturday 13 May can be found via the TransPennine Express website at https://www.tpexpress.co.uk or National Rail Enquiries at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Customers with tickets for travel on TransPennine Express services on Friday, 12th or Saturday, 13th of May can delay their journeys and travel up to and including Tuesday, 16th of May. Anyone who decides not to travel can claim a full refund via the TransPennine Express website.

Kathryn O'Brien, Operations and Customer Experience Director at TransPennine Express, said: “This next week should be a time of celebration for Liverpool and the wider North West region, as we have been given a unique opportunity to host the world's biggest music competition on behalf of those in Ukraine.

“Whilst we will do all we can to help make the event a success, sadly our customers need to be aware that the strike action will have a significant impact on our ability to run services to and from Liverpool.

“On Friday there will be no services at all and on Saturday when we know so many people will want to head into Liverpool to be part of the historic event, we will run all that we can – but even this will be a limited timetable, with no trains out of the city after 7 pm.”

“We will have TPE staff out and about across the network over the coming week and into next weekend to provide help and advice to our customers and we will do all we can to keep people on the move. But we need our customers to plan ahead carefully, consider their travel options and make other arrangements, where necessary, if travelling to and from Eurovision.”

6th May 2023

Work continues on 130-year-old steam locomotive No. 563’s tender tank​

The Swanage Railway Trust's 563 Locomotive Group has given an update from Herston Works following the arrival of locomotive LSWR T3 No. 563's tender tank.

Work has included refurbishing parts of the tank and replacing the its well section.

Coal rails have been fitted back to the tender for the first time since the 1960, when 563 underwent a cosmetic restoration at Eastleigh, when the T3 was last seen in its Drummond livery.

The Trust is still appealing for donations, and now needs less than £50,000 to complete the overhaul of the 130-year-old loco.

The Trust reports that “The frames looked wonderful out in the sunlight and we can't wait to see the tank get the same preparation and treatment by our staff and volunteers in the works before Phil Anderson comes back again to line it and apply the LSWR lettering.

“This is yet another great achievement and the job list is getting ever smaller as we continue to make further progress with the tender and engine and there's less than just £50,000 to raise to fund the work needed to complete the overhaul.”

6th May 2023

More visiting locomotives for Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival​

Class 37 37263

Severn Valley Railway has announced more guest locomotives for its Spring Diesel Festival between 18 and 21 May.

Class 37 37263 and Class 20 20189 are to join the ever-growing roster for the event.

• Class 37 37263 was built in 1965, and visits from Telford Steam Railway.
• Class 20 20189 will join classmate 20048 courtesy of Class 20189 Limited and Michael Owen.

The event will also feature locomotives on static display:

• Class 20 20142, also courtesy of Michael Owen
• A Class 73/9

The four-day festival will celebrate five decades of diesel preservation, and will also feature SVR home fleet, D821, the first diesel to enter preservation fifty years ago.

The confirmed list for the event includes fifteen different classes, both in preservation and currently in main line operation.

• D821 and Class 33108 will appear at the event in brand new liveries, following extensive overhauls.

Tickets, including money-saving multi-day rovers, are available from the SVR website.

Severn Valley Railway, which is based in Kidderminster, said, “We've worked hard to deliver a line-up that's worthy of such a momentous occasion as the 50th anniversary of diesel preservation. And I think everyone will agree, we've certainly delivered on that!

“This is a diesel event on a scale that hasn't been previously seen and we're looking forward to welcoming passengers from across the enthusiast fraternity to join us in celebrating the work and dedication of diesel preservationists over the years. Plus there's the chance to clock up some serious mileage behind our impressive selection of locomotives.”

6th May 2023



NetworkRail:

Network Rail starts crucial Cambrian line improvements in time for busy summer period​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Western | Wales & Borders


Passengers are being urged to check before they travel between Saturday 6 and Monday 22 May as Network Rail carries out vital track and viaduct work between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury on the Cambrian line.

A replacement bus service will be running throughout with refurbishment work taking place on Severn and Carno railway viaduct near Caersws, Powys,

The 70-metre-long timber viaduct was first constructed in 1860 and then reconstructed twice in 1906 and 1927.

It connects the Cambrian Line over where the rivers Severn and Carno meet, holding up the single-line railway with its eleven spans.

Network Rail and contractor, Amco Giffen, will completely replace timber beams on spans four, ten and eleven, while carrying out remedial work on the rest of the bridge, including the replacement of metallic straps and fixings.

Once complete, the work on the viaduct and the track will be done just in time for the busy summer period, ensuring regular passengers and those visiting the stunning area will experience reduced delays and ensure a safe, reliable service.

Preparation work has now started in Newtown and further west in Caersws before the work.

Network Rail engineers alongside contractors, Colas Rail, will be working continuously around Newtown station to remove and replace the track to help make passenger journeys more reliable.

It includes 2,000 metres of new track, five new sets of railway points (which allows trains to move from one track to another) and 300 metres of new drainage (to prevent washouts and flooding).

Road-to-rail vehicles and unloading trains will be travelling from Abermule to Newtown station throughout the work.

This work will help allow the new rolling stock from Transport for Wales to be able to use the station.

During the work at Newtown, the station car park will be closed for a month so that we can carry out the work safely.

Buses will be replacing trains between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth from Saturday 6 May to Sunday 21 May.

Passengers are being asked to check www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail/ before travelling during this time.

Work will continue after this 16-day-block in May, but will be carried out during the night when trains aren’t running.

Gareth Yates, project manager at Network Rail Wales & Borders for Severn and Carno viaduct renewal, said: “This viaduct is over 160 years old so further work is needed to strengthen and extend the life of the structure to prevent emergency closures of the line.

“This work has been planned before the busy summer period, to minimise disruption to passengers visiting the stunning scenery along the Cambrian line”

Bradley Wallace, project manager at Network Rail Wales & Borders for Newtown track work, added: “We know that there is never an ideal time to carry out work on the railway and disrupt passenger services and we would like to thank the local community in advance for their patience whilst we carry out this essential track work.”

“This is a significant investment to the Cambrian line, and I hope local residents will bear with us as they can expect more reliable passenger services after this work.”

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Chief Operations Officer for Transport for Wales (Rail Services), commented: “This work by Network Rail will help make the railway infrastructure on the Cambrian line more resilient and improve the reliability of our passenger services. New Class 197 trains have been ordered for the line, so this investment will help clear the way for the trains to operate successfully.

“We understand rail replacement services can be frustrating in the short term, but the overall benefits will be worthwhile for the future. We thank our customers for their understanding and patience while this vital work is taking place.”

Shift times for Newtown track work:


Shift times for Severn and Carno viaduct: