Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Lilac Astilbe

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18th June 2023

Inside The Train Shed

Well I've had a great Fathers Day so far. :D

Neonlake made me a nice cup of coffee when I got up from a lovely lie in.

I then spent a day in the Train Shed, pottering about, my head full of future plans.

Then I had a couple of pints reclining in the garden, a lot cooler today so it was very comfortable.

Neo is 'streaming' tonight, so we've arranged to meet up in Cardiff town after he's finished work, on Tuesday, with Cleo, and hit the cocktails. :yaay:

The Train Shed after a bit of a clean up today

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19th June 2023

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NetworkRail:

Network Rail provides behind-the-scenes look at recent Severn Tunnel track upgrades as vital link between South Wales and England reopens​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Severn Tunnel track renewal​

Here’s how engineers installed 3.2km of new track, 5,200 new sleepers and 13000 tonnes of ballast -over a ten-day period - in one of the most challenging environments on our railway.

The railway between Monmouthshire and South Gloucestershire has reopened this morning (Monday 19 June) following a ten-day closure to improve reliability of the line through the Severn Tunnel.

Teams worked a collective 17,000 hours, night and day, to replace the worn and corroded track, which will make journeys more reliable and reduce the need for emergency repairs.

During the project, Network Rail and train operators kept passengers moving by using a diversionary route through Gloucester, with buses replacing trains between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.

Originally built around 150-years-ago, the Severn Tunnel is one of the most challenging environments Network Rail maintains, due to the harsh salt-water conditions, which make for a corrosive environment.

This means the track, that usually lasts 25 years, needs to be replaced every ten.

The new sleepers will be coated in tin to extend their life.
 
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NR haulage with sleepers​

Mark Dix, project manager at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “The Severn Tunnel is a vital rail link for passengers and freight between Wales and England - around 32,000 trains travel through the tunnel each year.

“Although working in the 150-year-old-tunnel presents some unique challenges, such as water and corrosion, we are determined to continuously maintain the railway to keep trains running.

“As always, I would like to thank passengers and operators for their patience while we safely carried out this essential work.”
 
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Cutting track​

The main bulk of the renewal has been complete with one more closure on Sunday 25 June.

Here is how services between South Wales and England will be impacted on 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
 
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19th June 2023

Great Western Railway to provide more trains for Harry Styles concerts​

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Castle Cary station​

To get music fans home from Cardiff after this week's Harry Styles concerts at the Principality Stadium, Great Western Railway are running 26 trains which together will provide nearly 15,000 seats

Thirteen 13 services will run from Cardiff Central station after tomorrow night's concert, Tuesday, 20th June, and another 13 services will run again on Wednesday night, 21st June.
 
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Harry Styles​

The Principality Stadium is just a very short walk from Cardiff Central Station, and despite the additional trains and extra seats, the services are expected to be very busy as thousands of concertgoers travel home after the gigs.

Each night there will be five services to Swansea from 2255, and eight to Newport from 2230, which will continue to either Bristol Temple Meads, Bristol Parkway, or Swindon.
 
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Great Western Railway train at Cardiff Central​

As is normal practice for events at The Principality Stadium, such as the recent Beyoncé and Coldplay concerts and rugby internationals, for people travelling east towards Newport a queueing system will be in place on the square in front of Cardiff Central station, instead of from Riverside Car Park.

Transport for Wales is currently carrying out infrastructure upgrades across the Core Valley Lines network in preparation for the South Wales Metro and on both Tuesday, 20th and Wednesday, 21st June buses will replace rail services all day between Pontypridd and Treherbert, and between Mountain Ash and Aberdare.

On both days, doors to the Principality Stadium will open at 1700 and the concerts are expected to finish around 2215.
 
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Electric train at Cardiff Central​

Where possible, additional capacity will be provided on routes in/out of Cardiff but services are expected to be very busy, so extra time should be allowed for journeys.

The latest travel information is available at www.tfw.wales or on the Transport for Wales new app.

GWR Customer Service & Operations Director, Richard Rowland, said: “After both the Beyoncé and Coldplay concerts our trains were extremely busy, so people will again need to queue outside the station following these Harry Styles gigs.

“Safety of our customers is of the uppermost importance and we're doing our best to help with additional trains alongside our normal timetable services.

“But please do check journey times and allow sufficient time to queue to board trains safely.”
 
20th June 2023

New look coronation liveried locomotive for DB Cargo UK​

The freight operator has revealed Class 66 66023's brand new look, which celebrates King Charles III's coronation.​

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DB Cargo UK unveils new look coronation loco

In order to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, rail freight operator DB Cargo UK has given a new look to Class 66 locomotive 66023.

The company's annual event saw the unveiling of the locomotives striking new livery on Saturday the 17th of June at Toton Traction Maintenance Depot.

Toton Depot Manager, Matt Manson, undertook the unveiling with over 800 colleagues and rail enthusiasts who had been specially invited to watch.

The locomotive now wears a stunning royal blue livery which features a billowing Union Jack alongside the official coronation logo, which includes emblems from across the UK including a rose, a thistle, a daffodil and a shamrock.

The locomotive's new livery was completed at Toton TMD's paint shop.

Chief Executive Officer Andrea Rossi said:

“DB Cargo UK has a long and proud relationship with the Royal Family, holding the Royal Charter for the maintenance and operation of the Royal Train. It seemed fitting to mark His Majesty the King's coronation with a colourful tribute of our own. It is a striking addition to our fleet of liveried locomotives and I'm sure will be a source of pleasure for the rail enthusiast community,”
 
20th June 2023

New Locomotive for ETHNON RAIL :)

When I popped into Cardiff today, I bought a second hand loco to join the fleet........

Lima L205134 Class 52 D1003 'Western Pioneer' in BR green

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20th June 2023
Trip into town

Well today I'm having a late Fathers Day celebratory meal and cocktails in Cardiff courtesy of Neonlake. :yaay:

The city was very busy with Harry Styles fans, but we managed to find places to drink despite the crowds.

Cleo and I found a table at 'The Gatekeeper' and I had a couple of pints and she had a jug of 'Pornstar Martini'.

Jug of Pornstar Martini at 'The Gatekeeper' Wetherspoons
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Great Western Railway (GWR) Class 43 (HST) High Speed Train

On 25 November 2022, GWR announced it would be retiring their ‘Castle’ fleet. :(

The withdrawals are expected to take place over a two-year period.

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Transport for Wales class 231 Flirt at platform 6

The British Rail Class 231 is a class of eleven diesel-electric multiple units of the FLIRT family, which have been built for Transport for Wales by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.

The first units entered service on 18 January 2023.

I photographed this train from platform 4, you would assume that the train is standing at platform 5, wouldn't you?

There is no longer, despite signage in the subway, a Platform 5; this was a west-facing bay platform situated between Platforms 3 and 4 which was removed in the 1960s. :blink:

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From platform 3, I noticed these two flags flying above the main station building.

The two flags are the British Railways House Flag and the Pride Flag

Sadly the Pride Flag was not hung correctly or had become loose.

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I started to drink this before taking a photo. :lol:

SCREWBALL: Absolut Raspberry Vodka, Mouse Kingdom Blue, Bubblegum, Apple, Lime, White Choc Creamy Foam.

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