Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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And like the Silver Dollar all the tables have different designs.

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Pictures taken in Benidorm 8 October 2024

Back at Surprise Attack!

Av. de Filipinas, 10, 03503 Benidorm, Alicante

An extremely original venue inspired by the 1940s.

Surprise Attack will catch you from the very first moment: pin-ups, navy style, post-war American atmosphere… you’ll have the feeling of travelling back in time!

It's even got a Spitfire mounted over the terrace!

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15 Oct 2024​


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Driver training progressing well for the introduction of new trains​

Driver training for Transport for Wales’ brand-new tri-mode trains is progressing well ahead of their planned introduction later this year.

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TfW Class 756​


Driver training for Transport for Wales’ brand-new tri-mode trains is progressing well ahead of their planned introduction later this year.

The Class 756 trains, built by Stadler, are now regularly being seen on the network in South Wales as drivers complete their final training ahead of their introduction into passenger service over the coming months.

They have the ability to run on Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) or battery power, or as a diesel/battery hybrid.

Steve Paramore, Driver Integration Manager at TfW said: “We’ve been rolling out our driver training programme to our qualified drivers. The course involves some theory work in a classroom and an introduction to the controls of the Class 756 with the simulator.

“Then they get hands on with the vehicle, visiting the depot and driving the train like they would for passenger service. It gives them experience of the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) and working in battery mode with the train.

“The drivers have really enjoyed the new trains and we have got a busy schedule ahead to get a good number of drivers ready so these can be introduced over the next few months.”

The Class 756 trains will initially be introduced onto the Merthyr to Aberdare loop, followed by the Treherbert line shortly afterwards.

Matt Franklin, who’s been a train driver with TfW for seven years, added: “They are fantastic, really quiet and the seating is comfortable and a big improvement on the older trains.

“It’s a game-changer and will be great for our passengers.”

Details of a launch event and media visit for the introduction of the Class 756 trains will be announced next month.

The transformation of the Core Valley Lines for the Metro has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and will enable faster, more frequent services between Cardiff and the heads of the valleys. 
 

76BUG001 Oxford Diecast 1:76 Scale Bond Bug Orange​

I can remember these cars from when I was kid in the early 70's/

I used to walk past a parked one on the way to junior school. :)

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The very quirky Bond Bug into the 1:76 scale series of Oxford Automobiles is classed as a microcar and designed by Tom Karen of Ogle Design. The Bond Bug was a small British two-seater, three-wheeled vehicle manufactured by the Reliant Motor Company firstly at the Bond Cars Ltd factory but subsequently at Reliant’s Tamworth works. It featured a wedge-shape and instead of doors, it had a lift-up canopy and side screens, earning it an unusual canopy door coupe title. The engine comprised a Reliant 700 cc 14, later increased to 750 cc and it had a 4-speed manual gear box. Length was 2,794 mm; width 1,397 mm; height 1,270 mm; wheelbase 1.956 mm. In addition, it only weighed 373 kg.

Our model is based on the Bond Bug 700ES which offered more ergonomic seats a well as more padding over the engine cowl, twin mud flaps, an ashtray and rubber front bumper and a spare wheel. It makes its 1:76 Oxford debut registered SMW 898J from 1970, the first year of production.

Decorated in the orange and black of the original, there is also some silver trim to the sides and the Bond Bug 700 ES lettering appears vertically above the side wheel arch and also across the back There is also an interesting instruction printed in white round the petrol filler cap – 95 OCTANE MIN 95 PSI. The interior is black too.

The Bond Bug was promoted as being fun to drive with the low seating position giving a similar exaggerated sense of speed as you would in a go-kart! However, its popularity lasted no longer than Reliant’s enthusiasm for producing it. At a cost of £629 – slightly more than the popular Mini, production ended in 1974, during which time 2,270 were made. They were all orange and black apart from six white ones produced for Rothmans, the cigarette giant.

The Bug is certainly unique.
 

17 Oct 2024​


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Passenger numbers up 1.6m at Transport for Wales
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Transport for Wales passengers
Transport for Wales (TfW) recorded the largest rise in passenger numbers out of all the UK’s train operators this spring, up 27% on the previous year.

Newly published data shows that between April and June this year, 7.6 million journeys were made on TfW services compared to 6 million in the same period the previous year.

Chief Executive Officer James Price said: “If you look at the numbers, we’re seeing a rise in lots of different communities, not just one or two areas.

“That’s down to the hard work of so many people to deliver a consistent and reliable service.

“We’ve also introduced a large number of brand-new trains as our £800 million commitment to upgrading our fleet continues.

“We’re doing what it takes to make the Welsh transport network the best it can be, and it’s encouraging to see more and more people using it for their everyday lives.”

The rise can be attributed to multiple factors including:
  • Introduction of brand-new trains (In April 2023, TfW had introduced 26 brand new trains to the network. By April 2024, the figure was at 57).
  • Additional services on the Wrexham to Bidston line and brand-new services from Ebbw Vale to Newport.
  • Improved performance in terms of punctuality (+8.1% improvement) and reliability (cancellations reduced by 3.2%), compared to the April - June period in 2023.
  • Extension of Pay As You Go roll out in south east Wales making it even easier to travel by rail.
  • Introduction of cheaper Advance fares across much of the network, available up to and on the day of travel.
  • Reopening of the Treherbert line in February 2024 (contributed approx. 316,000 journeys compared to the previous year).
Key major events in Cardiff have also contributed to the rise with Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift all putting on concerts in the capital city between May and June of this year.

Some of the lines that have seen strong growth include:
  • Chester-Manchester/Liverpool has contributed just under 11% of total volume growth YTD
  • Cardiff-Merthyr has contributed just over 10% of total volume growth YTD
  • Chester-Birmingham Int has contributed just under 10% of total volume growth YTD
  • Cardiff-Swansea has contributed just under 8% of total volume growth YTD
  • Crewe-Holyhead has contributed just under 6% of total volume growth YTD
TfW was the most improved train operator in terms of reliability and cancellations from April to June 2024 Passenger rail performance – April to June 2024 (orr.gov.uk)

This year has also seen a significant rise in passenger satisfaction, with Transport Focus’ Rail User Survey showing 88% of customers were satisfied – our highest score since the survey began.

The ORR figures showing the 27% rise for April to June can be found HERE

Based on the latest rail period (2025/P06) TfW Rail has continued to outperform the wider rail industry in terms of revenue, volume and yield recovery against the pre-COVID position (with TfW Rail 11 percentage points ahead in volume recovery terms).

TfW Rail also remains well ahead of the wider industry in terms of year-on-year growth in both revenue and volume, with TfW Rail 17 percentage points ahead in volume growth terms.

During April to June 2023, TfW were running 7071 services per week. In the April to June 2024 period that had increased to 7119.
 
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Stock picture of track renewal

Engineering work to affect train journeys between Swansea and Port Talbot in early November​

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

Passengers are urged to check before they travel between Swansea and Port Talbot next month, when Network Rail will be carrying out essential track renewals.

Buses will replace trains between Swansea and Port Talbot Parkway stations from Monday 4 November to Thursday 7 November inclusive.

Network Rail engineers will be replacing more than 400 metres of track, including switches and crossings (moveable sections of track that guide trains from one track to another and allow them to cross paths), at Landore, between Swansea and Llansamlet stations.

They will also be installing more than 3,500 tonnes of new ballast (track stone) and removing nearly 3,000 tonnes of waste material from site, using 10 engineering trains.

The work will be the first full renewal of that stretch of track since the early 1970s. Individual components have been changed in the intervening years, but this is the first full reset for more than five decades.

Transport for Wales (TfW) services will be replaced with buses between every station on the route, while Great Western Railway (GWR) will operate trains between London Paddington and Port Talbot Parkway, with buses replacing trains between Swansea and Port Talbot Parkway.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We are working really hard to keep the railway safe and improve train service punctuality. This essential work near Swansea is a part of our commitment to do that.

“We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway, but we have planned this track replacement work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“I would like to thank passengers for their patience and urge them to check their journeys before travelling.”
 
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Wrestling legend Rhino will be in a tag team with Wild Boar.

Welsh wrestling promotion Slammasters present Back to the Banking Hall 5 at Portland House in Cardiff Bay on October 20 featuring two local fighters.

The family-friendly event will feature pro wrestling legends Rhino, best known for his dominance in ECW, WWE, and TNA, and Eric Young, known for holding the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, X Division, and Tag Team titles, as well as his time in WWE where he led the faction Sanity in NXT.

In the main event, Rhino will team with "The Welsh Wrestler-Man" Wild Boar, from Blaina, known for his vicious style in NXT UK, to face 'The Brilliance' James Ellis, of Swansea, one of the UK's top young prospects, and 'The Whisky Chaser' Martyn Grant, of Caerphilly.

This will be Rhino’s first match for a Welsh wrestling promotion.

Promoter Jonathan Walker said: “Rhino was the last-ever original ECW World Heavyweight Champion before transitioning to WWE during the iconic Attitude Era, where he had incredible success.
"His career spans decades, and he continues wrestling at the highest level in TNA Wrestling.
"It’s an honour to have him on a Slammasters show, but Ellis and Grant may regret goading Wild Boar to the point where he brought in Rhino as his tag team partner.”

Also on the card, rising star Man Like Dereiss will take on Eric Young.
And another highlight of the night will be the Slammasters Women's Championship, which is the only active women's championship in Wales.
It will feature champion Lizzy Evo defending her title against Millie McKenzie.

Slammasters has grown from hosting shows at a local rugby club to running the historic Portland House.

Promoter Jonathan Walker, a lifelong wrestling fan, is on a mission to establish the biggest wrestling promotion in Wales. His vision combines bringing in top international talent with showcasing the very best of Welsh wrestling, creating exciting events that resonate with fans both locally and beyond.
 
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21 October 2024

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Two trains crash leaving one man dead in mid Wales​

  • A man has died following a low-speed crash involving two trains in Wales
  • Police say a further 15 people have been taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing
  • The crash happened near the village of Llanbrynmair, in Powys, at about 19:30 BST on Monday
  • The services involved were the 18:31 from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and the 19:09 from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury
  • The man who died was a passenger on the westbound train heading towards Aberystwyth
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A man died following a collision between two trains in mid-Wales on Monday evening
 
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