Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Bright!

Fleabane giving me issues!

Bellflowers

The last Azalea flower

Pink Valerian

Ooh!

I've got a Red Valerian growing in the wall too.

A little Sparrow in next doors conifer

9th June 2023

Inside The Train Shed

I have been photographing scenes (when Tess lets me ) for the next ETHNON RAIL YouTube video.

Phil & Bobs team have arrived to cut the power to the tracks!

The track clearing team has also arrived in the background

Work to disassemble the layout has started

The track is now being lifted

Phil and Bob supervise the lifting operations next to the crane

10th June 2023

Vertical boiler locomotive arrives at new home in Wales​

‘Nutty', the only surviving narrow-gauge Sentinel steam locomotive, has moved from Stonehenge Works on the the Leighton Buzzard Railway to its new long-term home at Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway (WLLR).

The locomotive previously had a spell at WLLR in the 1960s and '70s.

The chain-driven locomotive (works no. 7701), which has four wheels and a vertical boiler, will feature on static display at the railway's '60 Years of Preservation' celebration next weekend (Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 June), and then remain on long-term loan.

Nutty is a one of three locomotives built in the 1920s for the London Brick Company at Peterborough, and was originally 2ft 11in gauge, which is mostly used for light urban rail networks, industrial and agricultural railways.

It was named after ‘Nutty' Rowell, the driver/fitter who kept it in service for thirty years.

In 1964, ‘Nutty' was donated to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum (NGRM) Trust, which re-gauged it to 2ft 6in and loaned it to the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway where it worked on shunting duties until it was taken out of service in the 1970s and moved to Tywyn.

It was stored in a gunpowder store building, and later moved to a temporary building behind the Old Museum.

In 1991, ‘Nutty' was loaned to Whipsnade Zoo for restoration, but once dismantled, the work ceased.

In 1994, it moved to Peterborough's Railworld, and in 1996 moved again to a nearby engineering works where it was re-assembled and restored, before being loaned to the Leighton Buzzard Railway in 2012 where it was on public display until now

The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway was keen to bring ‘Nutty' back to its former home, and the Museum Trust agreed the transfer with both the railways involved.

Keith Theobald, Chairman of the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust, said: “It is good to see this unique loco going to Welshpool with which it has strong historical links, and where it will gain a fresh audience. We are very grateful to our friends at the Leighton Buzzard Railway for looking after “Nutty” so well for the last 11 years.”

Terry Bendall, Chairman of the Leighton Buzzard Railway, said: ”It has been a privilege to give ‘Nutty' a home for more than 10 years, creating extra interest for our visitors, and we are glad to see it go now to another equally suitable location on another of Britain's brilliant narrow-gauge railways.”

James Brett, General Manager of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway, said “It is great that we have been able to get ‘Nutty' back in Welshpool for this year's big celebrations. We are grateful to the Museum Trust for agreeing to the loan, and to the people at Leighton Buzzard who have worked very hard to make the physical move possible so quickly.”

11th June 2023

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

Back in the garden

Side view of Bellflower

Photobombed!

Astilbe starting to flower

Another Astilbe in flower

11th June 2023

Inside The Train Shed

I have been photographing scenes for the next ETHNON RAIL YouTube video.

It was over 30°C in the shed today!

Phil & Bobs team have carried on with their work.

Class 97 departmental locomotive, formerly a class 37, was responsible for delivering the large crane earlier and now the track clearance/removal crew.

Class 97, 97302 'Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway' brings in the Crew/tool and generator coach.

Phil & Bobs pet crane

The Land Rover defender with Road Rail equipment.

In real life these cars access the track via a crossing or purpose built ramp.

The hydraulics position the rail style wheels into position, leaving the rubber tyres touching the track.

At which point the driver operates the car as normal with the rail wheels acting as a guide to the vehicle.

12th June 2023


TRANSPORT FOR WALES

Better Transport Week launched in Wales​

Today is the start of Better Transport Week – a week-long celebration of sustainable transport focusing on different transport themes each day.

‘Rail Day’ was launched in Wales by Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters and representatives from the Campaign for Better Transport were given the opportunity to see and hear about the railway revolution in Wales.

Transport for Wales (TfW) has started to introduce three types of new train to the Wales and Borders network this year, as part of a £800 million investment into new rolling stock.

The Class 197 train was the first and will become the backbone of TfW’s services across the length and breadth of the network.

The Class 231 Fast Light Intercity and Trains (FLIRTs) were second, signifying the start of the South Wales Metro and following this was the introduction of the Class 230s in North Wales.

The billion-pound South Wales Metro project, that will electrify the South Wales valley lines, is also well-underway, with the first phase of electrification having started this month.

Over the coming weeks, the new tram-trains will be tested and these will become the first light rail vehicles in Wales providing greener and faster travel.

The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said: “I am pleased to be welcoming Campaign for Better Transport to Cardiff today. Our transport system is entering a period of transformational changes and I am delighted to be able to showcase some of the work that is taking place to create a more sustainable transport network across Wales."

Silviya Barrett, Director of Policy and Research at the Campaign for Better Transport, said: “We’re really pleased to be here in Wales today to launch Better Transport Week. Wales has forged ahead with transport policies that champion sustainable transport to improve lives and we are delighted to be here in Cardiff, celebrating sustainable transport through the first ever Better Transport Week.

“The sheer number of partners that have pledged support for the week, from central and local government, industry and business, to NGOs and passenger groups, shows just how important and valuable sustainable transport is.”

Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer said: “Better Transport Week is a focus on sustainable transport and within Wales we’re implementing a programme of transformational change that will create a more sustainable transport network.

“We’ve now started to introduce brand-new trains to our network as part of our commitment to improving the journey experience for our customers. Over the coming months and years, we’ll continue to progressively introduce more, and this will totally transform our rail network. Within a few years, 95% of journeys on our Wales and Borders network will be on a new train."

12th June 2023

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

Back in the garden

The Manuka is flowering very well.

Astilbe

Hosta flower buds

12th June 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Track removal continues

Note: The blue wagon is being used to collect the track fixing screws.

I prefer using these screws as using track pins can damage the track when removing them.

A nice shot of the crane