Marcus' Model Railway Journey

27th May 2023

Inside The Train Shed

I have been filming for the next ETHNON RAIL YouTube video.

One of the stars running for the last time on the soon to be dismantled test circuit baseboard will be Thompson Class O1, 2-8-0 in BR Unlined Black.

27th May 2023


TANGENT MAN STRIKES AGAIN!
Just when you thought it was safe to be informed only on railway topics!

Marcus's Garden!

My beautiful Laburnum Tree!

Companula in flower

Valerian

Land Snail

Return of the Fly!

A Hoverfly

This is Nala, my neighbours cat.

She's a little older than Lulu and, like Lulu, she has only just started to go outside, so she's a bit shy.

28th May 2023

Alstom’s Chinese partner demonstrates new generation traction system​

Alstom's Chinese joint venture, Alstom NUG Propulsion System Co. Ltd has recently demonstrated a train in China powered by a new generation of silicon carbide and a permanent magnet motor propulsion system.

The train was demonstrated with passengers on Line 7 in Chengdu and was the first in China to combine a silicon carbide traction converter with a permanent magnet synchronous motor.

The new generation propulsion system combines silicon carbide power devices with high-frequency, high-junction temperature, low loss, and high-efficiency permanent magnet synchronous motors.

By using these technologies, there is a 30% reduction in traction power requirements.

During the converter's design phase, special attention was given to ensuring reliability when going to single axle control.

The design of the new converter took into account the need to make maintenance operations more convenient.

It is also lightweight, has a significant reduction in noise index, environmentally friendly, reliable, and cost-effective.

Alstom is addressing the need for green, intelligent mobility with its new Vasteras TC1500 traction chain, which has been specifically designed to accommodate full silicon carbide integration and has undergone testing in Stockholm.

The new generation of silicon carbide and permanent magnet motor traction system as used in the Chengdu demonstration train features:

• a high frequency, miniaturised, and low-loss axis-controlled full silicon carbide power inverter module;
• a high-efficiency permanent magnet synchronous traction motor;
• a new generation of highly-reliable control units and new digital gate drivers;
• sensorless speed control technology for permanent magnet motors;
• a more energy-efficient and noise-reducing cooling system.

Ming Geng, Managing Director of Alstom China, said “Thanks to the recognition and trust of Chengdu Metro, the success of this project represents a new milestone in Alstom's development in China. In the future, we will work with ANP to continuously track the operation of the first silicon carbide permanent magnet motor demonstration project, innovate new technologies and processes to save energy and reduce consumption.”

28th May 2023

GB Railfreight honours Lord Peter Hendy with loco renaming ceremony​

Class 66, 66718, previously “Sir Peter Hendy CBE,” now bears the name “Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire.”

On Wednesday, May 24, a significant event occurred at London Waterloo Station, capturing the attention of railway enthusiasts and transport industry insiders alike.

GB Railfreight, one of the UK's leading rail freight companies, hosted a ceremony to rename one of their Class 66 locomotives in honour of the distinguished Lord Peter Hendy.

This momentous occasion was a testament to Lord Hendy's outstanding contributions to the transport sector and celebrated his recent appointment to the House of Lords.

Lord Peter Hendy, a highly regarded figure in the transport industry, has been instrumental in shaping and revolutionizing Britain's transportation systems.

With an illustrious career that spans decades, his expertise has been honed through his roles as Commissioner for Transport for London and his current position as Chair of Network Rail, among numerous other senior roles within the sector.

Lord Hendy's remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the UK's transport infrastructure.

66718 “Sir Peter Hendy CBE”

GB Railfreight, under the leadership of CEO John Smith, expressed their admiration and respect for Lord Hendy's accomplishments by renaming one of their Class 66 locomotives.

The locomotive, previously known as 66718 “Sir Peter Hendy CBE,” now bears the name “Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire.”

This renaming ceremony was a fitting tribute to Lord Hendy's recent appointment to the House of Lords, a distinction announced in late 2022.

To commemorate this remarkable occasion, John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight, presented Lord Hendy with a special acknowledgment before the train embarked on a symbolic journey.

The locomotive, resplendent with its new name, embarked on a route that included a stop in Richmond, allowing Lord Hendy and company to seize a memorable photo opportunity.

John Smith, CEO of GB Railfreight said “Almost 10 years ago to the day, we unveiled the Sir Peter Hendy at Victoria Station and today at Waterloo Station I am proud to rename this loco the Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire. This is to celebrate Lord Hendy's appointment to the House of Lords, which he thoroughly deserves for a lifetime of dedication to the transport industry.”

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, of Imber in the County of Wiltshire said; “While it is my name on the locomotive, the truth is that you never get anywhere in life without the brilliant people who work for you. The railway is a wonderful place to work, in which people put in enormous effort every day. This honour is not solely down to me, it happened because of the thousands and thousands of people who give so much every day.”

29th May 2023

Alstom to provide integrated metro system for city in Romania​

Alstom has secured a contract with the city of Cluj-Napoca in the Transylvania region of Romania to construct a new metro line in the city.

The company has formed a consortium with civil works companies Gulermak and Arcada to construct Line 1 of the Metro in a state-of-the-art €1.8 billion turnkey project, with Alstom having a €400 million share in the project.

Line 1 will be 21 kilometres long with 19 underground stations, and construction is due to take eight years.

Alstom will provide the system integration, signalling, and telecommunications, power supply and track work, platform doors, security and control centre, and also implement proven cybersecurity throughout the system.

The line's first section totalling just over 9 kilometres with nine stations is due to be completed in four years, and will incorporate an above-ground depot.

Finance is to be provided by Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

For the first time in Romania, the system will incorporate communications-based train control (CBTC) supporting the highest grade of automation 4 (GoA4), using Alstom's proven, high-capacity CBTC signalling solution Urbalis.

Once the line is in operation it will be Romania's first fully automated metro line.

Alstom's turnkey metro system will feature an integrated control centre, and Urbalis CBTC technology will support the system's driverless operation and high-capacity service at 90-second intervals.

A state-of-the-art cybersecurity platform will bring frequent, reliable and energy-efficient operation to the west-east connection and greatly improve green mobility across the city.

Alstom has been in Romania for almost 30 years, with a state-of-the-art digital rail control system, completion of infrastructure and electrification projects, and metro and mainline rolling stock.

It is also contracted to carry out the long-term maintenance of Bucharest's metro fleet.

Alstom's experience with CBTC is supported by its urban signalling solutions in service on 145 lines worldwide, including Madrid, Milan, Lyon, Lausanne, Paris, and Amsterdam.

It is currently being installed on Line 5 of the Bucharest Metro.

Gian Luca Erbacci, President of Alstom Europe Region, said “I am extremely proud that Alstom will take part in the construction of the Cluj-Napoca Metro. It is another milestone in Alstom's long-standing presence and expertise in Romania. This is a very ambitious and innovative infrastructure project for the country.

“Cluj-Napoca Metro is one of the biggest turnkey projects in Europe, covering a solid portfolio of signalling and infrastructure solutions that showcase Alstom's leadership in sustainable urban mobility.

“Furthermore it provides an exciting opportunity to innovate in the Romanian market with the driverless metro – our international track record gives us the unique expertise needed for such a pioneering project.”

29th May 2023


TANGENT MAN STRIKES AGAIN!
Just when you thought it was safe to be informed only on railway topics!

A Walk To Penarth Front!

So it's off the train at Penarth Station and a walk to Alexandra Park

Alexandra Park is a well-preserved Edwardian public park in an attractive location overlooking the Bristol Channel, retaining many of its original features.

The park was laid out in 1901-1902 and was extremely popular from the beginning.

In 1924, the Cenotaph, by Cardiff-born sculptor and medallist Sir William Goscombe John, was erected in memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War.

Also in this decade, the Garden of Remembrance and topiary work were added.

The original octagonal bandstand was removed in the 1950s and a square wooden shelter survived until 1994, when it was replaced with the present structure.

Some of the seating, the park gates and boundary fencing are original.

The initial intention was to make the planting of botanical interest but this was not achieved and planting was sparse at first.

Many of the conifers, such as the pines (pinus nigra), Lawson cypress (chamaecyparis lawsoniana) and Monterey cypress were planted just before or after the First World War.

The entrance to Alexandra Park.

Beautiful flowers on the tree!

The Cenotaph erected In 1924 by Cardiff-born sculptor and medallist Sir William Goscombe John, was erected in memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War.

You can see the black roof of the bandstand and in the distance you can see the Bristol Channel, England is the far shore.

Topiary work

Sat in the bandstand.

There's some fish in the pond.

The pond.

Damselflies!

The height of the Pines is pretty impressive.

Penarth Pier

Opposite the pier is the old public swimming baths building.

The concept of public swimming baths was much discussed in Penarth in the 1870s, and took its first step to become a reality in October 1881 when the local Board of Health made the decision to proceed.

Initial ideas for an open-air pool developed into something much more grand so that, when the Public Baths were opened to the public in 1884, the extensive facilities were housed within the rather magnificent building shown below.

It's now been converted to private accommodation.

I can remember back in the 90's when it was a pub/restaurant, it was called 'Inn At The Deep End'!

At the end of the pier, looking towards Cardiff.

Past Penarth Head you can see a part of Cardiff Bay and Mermaid Quay.

On the right is Cardiff Docks.

Looking back at the Pier Pavilion building.

Looking along the coast from the other side of the pier.

In this direction is a place named Lavernock Point.

Lavernock Point is now a nature reserve, but in 1897 it hit the headlines when equipment here received the world’s first wireless transmission across water.

The remains of a Second World War gun battery nearby are a scheduled ancient monument.

Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian inventor, had moved to Britain in 1896 seeking help with his experiments in sending messages with wireless equipment.

He came to Wales at the instigation of his mentor, Caernarfon-born Sir William Preece, a pioneer of wireless telegraphy as the General Post Office’s chief engineer.

In May 1897 Marconi set up his transmission equipment on Flat Holm, the lower of the two islands you can see from here.

A zinc cap was fitted to a pole, some 27 metres in height, to receive the signal on the clifftop at Lavernock.

The experiment failed, but the pole was later moved down to the beach.

This entailed running out more cable – which helped the equipment to receive Marconi’s message in Morse Code.

The slip recording the message is preserved by the National Museum of Wales.

Marconi later created Britain's first long-wave wireless transmitting station on a hillside near Caernarfon.

Looking across the Bristol Channel at the islands of Flatholm and Steepholm.

I think you can which island is which.