Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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2nd June 2023

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TRANSPORT FOR WALES

100 Free Rail Tickets - Transport for Wales team up with Coldplay to promote sustainable travel​

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Coldplay x TfW​

Transport for Wales have teamed up with world famous band Coldplay to promote sustainable travel.

Coldplay are playing at the Principality Stadium on June 6 and 7 next week as part of their ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour and have partnered with TfW to encourage sustainable train journeys to Cardiff.

TfW are offering 100 free return rail tickets to Cardiff for the special occasion and if customers would like to take part in the free prize draw they can enter at www.tfw.wales/coldplay.

Coldplay will be promoting the offer to all their fans as they share the same passion as TfW in wanting to encourage more people to travel sustainably.

Marie Daly, Chief Customer and Culture Officer for Transport for Wales said:

“At TfW we’re on a mission to transform public transport and encourage people to travel more sustainably.

“We’ve invested in brand new trains and started to introduce them to our network and we’re currently building the South Wales Metro to provide faster, cleaner and more efficient public transport.

“It’s great that a world-famous band such as Coldplay share the same passion for sustainable transport and we’re offering customers the opportunity to win a free return rail journey to Cardiff for the event.”

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2nd June 2023

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TRANSPORT FOR WALES

Valley Veterans Community Garden officially opened​

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A new sensory and memorial garden funded by Transport for Wales has opened in Ton Pentre providing support for local veterans.

The garden serves as an integral part of the Valley Veterans community hub, offering mental health support and community to veterans.

Valley Veterans was founded over 10 years ago, initially as an informal support group for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it now helps more than 140 active participants.

The project has been funded by TfW’s Community Habitat Creation programme with support from the Craidd Alliance and showcases TfW’s commitment to actively engaging with communities and helping them thrive.

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Paul Bromell, CEO of Valley Veterans explained, “The work that TfW have done has been amazing.

Everyone has come together to build the garden and the amount of support we’ve received has been great.

We’ve trained people here to go out into the community and help others; making sure that whenever people need help, it’s here.”
 
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Danielle Hopkins, a Community Rail Ambassador at TfW said, “This has been an amazing opportunity for us as a rail operator to have a proactive impact in the community.

We’re not just running transport services; we’re engaging with local communities and helping them to achieve their goals.

The work that Valley Veterans does plays a vital role in the community, and we are thrilled to continue supporting them.”
 
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Leyton Powell, TfW’s Safety, Sustainability and Risk Director, commented “This project has given us the opportunity to promote sustainability while enabling people to live and work better and enjoy their spaces.

It’s been a privilege to be involved in the project and it’s been lovely to be able to recognise all the work that’s been put into the garden and hear directly from the people who will benefit from it.”

The Craidd alliance is a partnership between Transport for Wales, Amey Infrastructure Wales, Alun Griffiths Ltd, Balfour Beatty and Siemens Rail delivering the Core Valley Lines Transformation project.
 
2nd June 2023

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NetworkRail:

Passengers between South Wales and Bristol reminded to check before travelling ahead of essential upgrade works in the Severn Tunnel​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Working inside Severn Tunnel to renew the track​

Trains will be diverted or replaced by buses between Friday 9 and Sunday 18, and on Sunday 25 June, as Network Rail works around the clock to renew the tracks in the Severn Tunnel.

Engineers will replace 3.2km of old track, as well as 5,200 sleepers (track supports) and 14,000 tonnes of ballast (supporting stone) over a ten-day period.

Salt-water makes for a corrosive environment inside the tunnel and track that would usually last 25 years needs to be replaced every ten.

The new sleepers will be coated in tin to extend their life.

In 2022, Network Rail replaced 3km of track on the Monmouthshire side of the tunnel.

This June, the track will be replaced on the South Gloucestershire side.

The new track will ensure more reliable journeys for passengers as well as reducing the need for emergency closures for track repair work.

Network Rail engineers will be working 24/7 over the ten days to reduce the length of the disruption.

Here is how services between South Wales and England will be impacted:

On Friday 9 June, Monday 12 to Sunday 18 June and Sunday 25 June:
  • Trains between London and South Wales will use a different route between Swindon and Newport, and will not call at Bristol Parkway
  • Trains between Cardiff Central and Portsmouth Harbour will run between Bristol Parkway and Portsmouth Harbour instead
  • Trains between Cardiff Central and Taunton/Penzance will run between Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton/Penzance
  • No trains will stop at Patchway or Pilning
  • Replacement buses are planned between Bristol Parkway Newport. Passengers who wish to avoid using a rail replacement bus can use their tickets to travel to Gloucester or Cheltenham Spa using CrossCountry or Transport for Wales services
Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 June:
  • Trains between London and South Wales will be unable to use the diversionary route on this weekend, so buses will replace trains between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central
  • Shuttle train services will run between Cardiff Central, Swansea, Carmarthen or Pembroke Dock
  • No trains will stop at Patchway, Pilning, Newport or Severn Tunnel Junction
  • Buses will also replace CrossCountry and Transport for Wales trains between Newport and Cardiff Central
Network Rail advises all passengers check National Rail Enquiries or Great Western Railway before travelling.

Mark Dix, project manager at Network Rail, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we carry out track renewal in the Severn Tunnel, this summer.

“Owing to the environmental conditions within the tunnel, we have an enhanced programme of track renewals, which includes replacing worn sections of track every 10 years, as opposed to every 25 years for less challenging environments.

“This renewal is therefore part of an ongoing maintenance schedule which is more cost effective than multiple weekend closures and vital to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of train services along this busy route.”

David Bailey, GWR’s Customer Service Manager for South Wales, said: “These upgrades in the Severn Tunnel form part of an ongoing programme of work that will enable us to maintain services for those travelling to or from South Wales.

“We’ve been working with other train companies to provide alternatives to ensure that our customers can still complete their journeys during this engineering work.

“Customers for Newport may prefer to travel by train via Gloucester on the weekend of 10/11 June instead of a replacement bus from Bristol Parkway.”
 
2nd June 2023

Steam locomotive 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley to pass through Dawlish this Saturday​

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60007 Sir Nigel Gresley runs around it's train at Nene Valley Railway​

60007 Sir Nigel Gresley is to haul a tour to Kingswear this Saturday (3rd June 2023).

The tour originates at Slough with diesel locomotives beginning the journey.

Departing Slough at 07:40, the diesel locomotives will pass through Maidenhead (07:48), Reading (08:06), Newbury (08:34), Hungerford (08:56), Pewsey (09:14), Westbury (09:43) and Taunton at 10:31.

Here, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley takes over the train. Departing Taunton at 11:00, the train will pass through Tiverton Parkway (11:16), Dawlish Warren (11:52), Dawlish (12:04), Newton Abbot (12:16), Paignton (12:34) and Kingswear at 13:09.

After time in Kingswear, 60007 will depart at 16:35 and will pass through Paignton (17:21), Dawlish Warren (17:55) and Tiverton Parkway at 18:44.

Just outside Taunton, 60007 will make way for the diesel locomotives.

The diesel locos will head back to Slough via the same outbound route, passing through Westbury (20:07), Pewsey (20:30), Hungerford (20:47), Newbury (21:08), Reading (21:33), Maidenhead (22:03) and Slough at 22:15.
 
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2nd June 2023

Llangollen Railway steams into Corwen​

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Austin 1 at Corwen​

The culmination of years of hard work came to fruition as the Llangollen Railway steamed into Corwen's new station.

The Llangollen Railway invited RailAdvent to Wales today (2nd June) to be on one of the first ‘invite only' trains to travel on the extension.

Today's event started at Carrog, the current terminus – trains have been running here since May 1996.
 
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68067 and Austin 1 at Carrog​

Passengers then took a ride on the train to Corwen on the extension.

Previously, the railway has run to a temporary Corwen East station, but the permanent station was in place with its canopy, water tower and run round loop.
 
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Corwen station​

After paseengers had arrived at Corwen, they had a chance to look around the new station, meet the staff who will be working there, and also watch as the locomotives broke through the banner arriving into the station.
 
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Austin 1 and 68067 officially open Corwen station​

Performing the opening ceremony was Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Chairman of Network Rail and the Heritage Railway Association).

Lord Hendy had the pleasure of unveiling a new plaque to mark the full opening of the new station.
 
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The new Corwen plaque​

Working the opening special was Kitson 0-4-0ST ‘Austin 1', which operated the first Llangollen Railway opening special to Carrog in 1981.
 
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Austin 1 at Corwen​

Austin 1 operated with visiting Austerity No. 68067, which is normally based at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire.

The project to build Corwen station has reused a number of other station materials, such as the platform edging on the ‘Bala' bound platform being taken from Liverpool Lime Street.

The canopy is a marvel in its own right, and the platform features two platforms, a water tower, signal box, waiting room and a ticket office.
 
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Corwen's new stairs and stair lift​

Its great to see purposeful looking ramp for wheelchair users.

After the opening ceremony was over, passengers returned to Carrog after a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Following the media event today, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June will see a gala event with an intensive three-train service, with each train working two return trips to Corwen each day.

Locomotives and railcars are expected to be drawn from Austerity 68067, Class 31 No 31271, Class 47 1566 and Classes 104, 108 & 109 DMU.
 
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Corwen station​

What are our thoughts on the new station?

Well, we think it has a top quality finish, the canopy provides shade from the sun, and rain (well we are in wales…!).

It is nice to see a lot of facilities and ample amount of car parking.

LR Trust Manager Tom Taylor said, “This represents the culmination of many years of hard work by a small, but extremely dedicated team of volunteers. We are all very proud of what they have achieved through some very challenging circumstances. We are also very grateful to all those who have supported the project financially, including grants from the Welsh Assembly and UK Governments. Our local authorities and MPs have also supported us from the get-go. From the 3rd of June, all our services will be running to Corwen and we look forward to welcoming passengers, friends and volunteers to our superb new station as well as putting Corwen back on the railway map, where the town very much deserves to be”.
 
2nd June 2023

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

Marcus's garden

Laburnum Tree, I must take a photo of this tree everyday! :)

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3rd June 2023

Goole Swing Bridge’s major refurbishment gets underway​

The iconic bridge will be given a new lease of life as the vast project sees substantial renovations made to the historic structure.​

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Goole Swing Bridge​

Goole Swing Bridge will see extensive refurbishment work carried out, delivering an array of upgrades to the 154-year-old structure, including the renewal of the operating plant, including:
  • The hydraulic turning and jacking systems
  • Control system
  • Electricity supply
  • Navigation lights
The project will get started on the iconic bridge this Saturday the 3rd of June and will be ongoing until Sunday the 2nd of July.

Since the bridge opened in 1869, it has supported rail freight, passengers and river users travelling between Doncaster and Hull, allowing them to continue their journeys across the River Ouse.

The historic structure also marks one of the largest and oldest surviving rail swing bridges in the country and also one of Network Rail's oldest signalling structures.

The bridge still uses most of its original hydraulic machinery from when it was first built, which is due to its Grade II listed status and this major refurbishment will support its ongoing use, keeping both rail and river traffic on the move for decades to come.

Due to the essential work, there will be some disruption to Northern services travelling between Doncaster and Hull and therefore passengers travelling this route are advised to check their travel plans using either National Rail Enquiries or via Northern's dedicated webpage.

Rail replacement buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Hull on the following dates:
  • From Saturday 3 June until Monday the 5th of June
  • Saturday the 17th of June and Sunday the 18th of June.
Rail replacement buses will replace trains between Goole and Hull on the following dates:
  • From Tuesday the 6th of June until Sunday the 2nd of July, not including Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of June.
 
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WATCH:

Goole Swing Bridge​

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Goole Swing Bridge

Our historic, operational infrastructure doesn’t get much more impressive than Goole Swing Bridge in Yorkshire.It was Grade II* listed 35 years ago and st...
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Our historic, operational infrastructure doesn’t get much more impressive than Goole Swing Bridge in Yorkshire.

It was Grade II* listed 35 years ago and still works hard each day to keep you and freight operators moving:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories...
 
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Goole Swing Bridge​

James Wright, Senior Portfolio Manager at Network Rail, said: “This bridge has reliably served passengers travelling between Doncaster and Hull for over 150 years and is rightly considered one of the finest swing bridges in Britain, so I'm incredibly excited to see it benefit from much-needed upgrades.”

“The crucial project will ensure that the structure can continue to operate safely and reliably, bringing it into the 21st century whilst retaining its rich heritage. I'd like to thank passengers for their patience whilst we push ahead this work and I look forward to the improved bridge reopening next month.”

Tony Baxter, Regional Director at Northern, said: “Improvements like these at Goole are essential and we'd like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while the work is carried out.”

“Replacement bus services will be running between Goole and Hull, and we urge passengers to check before they travel.”

Further work will take place later this year in order to refurbish and recommission the bridge's turning engines.

To find out more about Goole Swing Bridge's history, please click here.
 
3rd June 2023

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

Spider!

This is one of the biggest spiders I have ever seen in my garden. :shock:

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I felt a bit braver and got in a bit closer.

I took the automatic flash off the camera.

Identified the spider as a........

Giant house spider Tegenaria gigantea​

A large brown or grey spider with a leg span of up to 8cm.

It's chevron marked body maybe an impressive 16mm (incl head). :ermm: (this one seemed to be about 25% larger)

It makes an untidy web with tubular retreat behind furniture or loose skirting, but also under logs and in hollow trees – its original habitat.

Can scuttle up to 50cm per second! :unsure:

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4th June 2023

Ffestiniog Railway installs new play train at Tan-y-Bwlch station​

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New kids train at Tan-y-Bwlch​

Tan-y-Bwlch station has a brand new attraction for children to play on – a wooden train in the popular play area beside its Tea Room.

The Friends of Tan-y-Bwlch commissioned the train, and gained sponsorship from the Ffestiniog Railway Society.
 
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Mock up of locomotive controls ​

The construction process prioritised using recycled materials.

Renowned sculptor and designer Howard Bowcott and his assistant Ed Dance made the train from windfall oak, rather than from the pine or plastic from which such play trains are usually built.

The cab roof and van roof are both made of recycled-plastic sheet, and the wheels are old Ffestiniog Railway Telegraph posts.
 
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Sandra's nameplate​

The train's locomotive is named ‘Sandra' after the Tea Room's Manager, Sandra Bond, and resembles Quarry Hunslet locos, such as ‘Britomart'.

The train also features decorations to enhance children's play, including around a dozen small, engraved pictures (about 2x3ins) of local birds and wildlife, and many sculpted details carved or installed on the loco and wagons, including a kettle, mugs, oil cans and flag.
 
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A steaming kettle!​

The train is already proving popular with young visitors.

The next stage of the project will be to build a station platform between the train and the stone wall behind it.

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (F&WHR) Infrastructure Department will supply old railway sleepers for the base, which will be boarded and finished with a station fence against the wall.

The train is one of several attractions at Tan-y-Bwlch, which is the principal intermediate passenger station on the Ffestiniog Railway.

Visitors can reach the station by train, on foot or by car.
 
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