Marcus' Model Railway Journey

22nd January, 2025

Update

Second-hand Rolling stock Acquired

Mainline 37428 7 plank wagon, 'Emlyn' 813

BACHMANN 33-602 12 TON VENTILATED VAN G.W.R. GREY WOLVERHAMPTON

23rd January, 2025

Railway 200 launches in Aberystwyth

Railway 200


Wales is geared up to mark 200 years of passenger rail travel this year as the UK marks the historic anniversary of the advent of the modern rail.

As part of the celebrations, a launch event is being held in Aberystwyth today, kicking off a year of events around the country.

Dr Louise Moon, Transport for Wales’ Railway 200 Programme Lead said it was exciting to be showcasing Wales’ history as well as promoting the innovations that are taking place now.

She said: “We’re incredibly excited to be sharing so much of our history across Wales within our communities, telling the stories of innovation, grit and determination.

“Railway 200 celebrates so much of our social and cultural history and how the railways transformed our country and made it what it is today.

“Towns like Aberystwyth grew massively with the arrival of the railway so it’s great to be launching the year of events here.

“We want to inspire a new generation not just with our proud history but through science, technology and innovation that is taking place right now as we are going through the next major transformation of our network which will connect future generations within Wales.”

While the milestone marks 200 years since the first passenger steam journey on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in September 27, 1825, Wales can rightly claim a huge part in the build up to that historic journey.

In 1804 Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick designs the Pen-y-Darren locomotive which pulled 10 tonnes of coal 10 miles from the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon.

And then in 1807, the Swansea and Mumbles Railway saw the world’s first fare paying passengers, with horses pulling their carriage along the rail tracks, proving a widely popular experience.

Transport for Wales is writing its own chapter in that history electrifying the core valley lines in south east Wales, building new stations and depots, and making an £800 million investment in new trains.

As part of the wider plans to tell the story of Railway 200 across the UK, four main themes will be explored.

· Skills & Education

· Innovation, Technology & Environment

· Heritage, Culture & Tourism

· Celebrating Railway People For more information visit https://tfw.wales/railway-200

23rd January, 2025

Midland Pullman HST to pass over Glenfinnan Viaduct this Saturday​

The West Highland Line Midland Pullman passing over Glenfinnan Viaduct on October 26, 2024


The Midland Pullman HST will pass over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct this Saturday as part of The Winter West Highland Pullman.

On the 25th of January, the striking HST will depart Fort William at 10:15 and will pass through Banavie (10:22), Loch Eil Outward Bound (10:34), Glenfinnan (10:56), Arisaig (11:39) and Mallaig at 12:30.

After time in Mallaig, the HST will depart at 14:10 and will pass through Morar (14:23), Arisaig (14:36), Glenfinnan (15:33), Banavie (16:09) and Fort William at 16:17.

23rd January, 2025

Corris Railway to celebrate Railway 200 with May Gala​

No. 7 and 10 at Maespoeth


The Corris Railway will celebrate Railway 200 with an intensive timetable at this year’s gala.

Taking place on the 24th May 2025, the gala will give visitors a chance to see older locomotives alongside Falcon No. 10 and No. 11 ‘Vlad’.

There will also be a chance for society members to ride on the gravity train – you can become a member now ready for the gala via the Corris Railway website.

The railway hopes to use No. 5 ‘Alan Meaden’ to take visitors down the Southern Extension.

The workshops will be open to the public, with a chance to see behind the scenes with work taking place on carriage No. 24.

23rd January, 2025

Storm Eowyn travel update


Cardiff central info screens

Transport for Wales and Network Rail are urging all customers to check before they travel on Friday morning and into the weekend with weather warnings in place across the country.

With Storm Eowyn set to hit Wales and winds reaching 90mph on Friday morning, customers should expect disruptions and are strongly urged to check before they travel.

There will be alterations to rail services, replacement road transport on certain routes and blanket speed restrictions at some locations, meaning journeys could take longer than usual.

Stand by buses are being planned at key locations around the network in preparation for travel disruption.

Across Wales and the Borders, Network Rail have positioned response teams to address any storm related problems to keep disruption to a minimum.

TfW Operations Director Sarah Higgins said: “It’s so important for our customers to plan ahead when looking to travel this Friday.
“While we’ve made a number of changes to our services based on detailed forecasts, storms can still be unpredictable.
“We’ve seen the impact storms can have, with damage to trains and infrastructure sometimes taking weeks or months to repair, so our cross-industry approach will hopefully limit that and keep our colleagues and customers safe. We apologise to customers for any disruption to their journeys as a result.”

Network Rail Wales & Borders Operations Director Rachel Heath added: “Our priority is always keeping safe everyone who travels and works on the railway.
“Unfortunately, there will be some delays and cancellations on Friday, as trains will not run on some lines and there will speed restrictions on other parts of the route.
“We are working closely with our train operator colleagues to ensure we can safely reopen affected lines as quickly as possible and urge passengers to check before they travel.”

Rail service changes:

• No services to run on the Conwy Valley Line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
• No services to run on the Heart of Wales line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
• Speed restrictions at various locations around the network, meaning some journeys will take longer than usual. These include:
• 50mph speed restrictions imposed from 0200 to 1500 Friday on the North Wales Coast – Bodorgan to Llandudno Junction.
• 50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Carmarthen to Kidwelly.
• 50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Neath and Swansea.
• 50mph restrictions from 0100 – 0800 between Newport and Llanwern.

Customers who have connecting tickets for the following operators who have suspended services due to the adverse weather conditions, we’ll honour tickets dated 24 January on either Thursday 23 January or up to and including Tuesday 28 January.

• London Northeastern Railway
• LUMO
• TransPennine Express
• Northern
• Grand Central
• Avanti

23rd January, 2025

New colour vision test for train drivers​

The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) have announced a new two-step approach when assessing colour vision deficiency (colour blindness)

Until now, the commonly used Ishihara test has been used to assess train drivers and other safety-critical roles. This test uses a series of coloured plates with numbers or patterns in dots.

This test can identify colour vision deficiency, but not what the level of colour loss is.

Following new research, a new detailed Colour Assessment (CAD) test will now be taken by anyone failing the Ishihara test.

The new CAD test will determine the degree of deficiency, and could allow up to 47% of those who fail the Ishihara test to be able to a safety-critical role.


“For years, people with minor colour blindness have not been able to work in safety critical jobs on the railway.

This could be discriminatory, breaching equality law, by preventing capable people from being considered for employment.

“Our research has identified a more thorough testing process to establish if someone with colour blindness can safely perform a role. We are now changing medical Standards to implement this new fairer testing system, giving more people an opportunity to join the railway family.”

Luisa Moisio, RSSB’s Director of Research

23rd January, 2025

National Railway Museum reveals plans for double celebration year​

NRM Turntable


The National Railway Museum in York has announced its plans for two anniversaries this year – its own fiftieth birthday and the bicentenary of the railway.

Station Hall​

The Museum’s Station Hall, which has been closed for refurbishment since 2023, will reopen in September.

The exhibition space will play a central role in a 50th birthday weekend event on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September.

The open weekend will include the chance for visitors to see behind the scenes at the museum.

Station Hall was previously a goods station and has Grade II listed building status.

It takes up about one-third of the museum’s exhibition area. Its refurbishment has included refreshing interior decoration and installing a new roof, fitted with solar panels.

It also has some new collection items, as well as continuing to display items such as the royal carriages.

Visitors will be able to book afternoon tea in Station Hall.

They will eat aboard a former London & South Western Railway, built in 1907 and restored by the National Railway Museum.

Railway Firsts CGI2

Exhibitions​

A new exhibition at both the Museum in York and the Locomotion museum in County Durham.

The exhibition, Railway Firsts, will run from 8 February.

Shortlisted entries to the Young Railway Photographer of the Year competition will be on display at both venues from June until December.

The competition has a theme of the railway’s bicentenary.

People aged 25 and under may enter until Friday 31 January.

The museum’s interactive engineering gallery, Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery, will open a brand-new show in February’s half-term break.

The exhibition, ‘Ultrasonic’, will show modern technology that detects faults on railway lines.

Wonderlab


The museum’s golden jubilee campaign, NRM50, will include photographs of the museum taken by visitors during the last half-century.

Railway 200​

The two museums are part of Railway 200, which celebrates two centuries since the first fare-paying, locomotive-hauled passenger journey.

This took place on 27 September 1825 on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and is widely seen as the start of the modern railway.

The National Railway Museum opened on the same date in 1975. It was the first national museum to be located outside London.

The National Railway Museum is co-curating ‘Inspiration’, a four-carriage touring Railway 200 exhibition train.

It will travel around Britain for a year from this summer, with the aim of promoting innovation and careers on the railway.

‘Inspiration’ will visit both the National Railway Museum and Locomotion during 2025.

Flying Scotsman will return to the track in 2025

Iconic locomotives​

Flying Scotsman will returning to the track this year, with both static display and operational trips.

The museum includes a Flying Scotsman Story exhibition and Flying Scotsman Virtual Reality Experience.

Other locomotives at the museum include Mallard, and the Japanese bullet train Shinkansen.

“I stepped on board as Director at the start of one of the most exciting years in the history of the railways.

“We have a truly exciting programme of activity ahead, and through our partnership with Railway 200, we are thrilled to be at the heart of a national celebration of the past, present and future of the railways.

“I can’t think of a better 50th birthday present than a restored and revitalised Station Hall. I know how keen our visitors are to see the results of our hard work inside the space – with plenty of surprises still to reveal as we approach the reopening.”

Craig Bentley, Interim Director of the National Railway Museum

24th January, 2025

Storm Eowyn – Latest train travel advice​

Northern 195 at Oxenholme Lake District with a Windermere train


Gale force winds are being felt across the country today and train operators are having to cancel and amend services.

High winds can bring debris onto the track as well as power loss, meaning trains cannot operate.

Trains that do run may be extremely busy or severely delayed.


Please check with your train operator for the most up to date information.
Here is what we know so far:

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24th January – 09:30 am

Great Western Railway says that lines Newton Abbot and Plymouth have now reopened. Trains may still be cancelled or delayed by up to 50 minutes. Disruption is expected until 10:30 am.

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24th January – 08:55 am
Northern says that the following routes will be closed until Sunday, 26th January 2025

• Barrow/Windermere / Oxenholme – Manchester Airport
• Carlisle – Barrow/Lancaster – Manchester Airport (Cumbrian Coast)
• Heysham Port – Morecambe – Lancaster
• Leeds – Settle – Carlisle
• Leeds – Lancaster/Morecambe

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24th January – 08:45 am

• Avanti West Coast – Do Not Travel warning for north of Preston (Lancs)
• Caledonian Sleeper – No Service
• CrossCountry – Do Not Travel north of York
• Grand Central – Do Not Travel north of York and amendments for its services to Bradford Interchange
• London North Eastern Railway – Do Not Travel north of York
• Lumo – Do Not Travel north of Newcastle
• Northern – Do Not Travel – 14 routes listed yesterday are closed, with the new addition of Leeds – Skipton / Ilkley / Bradford Forster Square and Ilkley / Bradford Forster Square – Skipton
• ScotRail – Do Not Travel – No service on entire network
• South Western Railway – Revised service in some areas due to emergency speed restrictions being enforced
• Southern – Emergency speed restrictions in place meaning some services will terminate early. Minor delays at Normans Bay and between Cooksbridge – Lewes – Seaford due to level crossing issues.
• TransPennine Express – Do Not Travel on some routes
• Transport for Wales – Some routes are closed

24th January, 2025

Here’s how to get a FREE behind the scenes look at Ffestiniog Railway’s Boston Lodge Workshop​

Wagon area on the Boston Lodge Tour


The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway is giving visitors the rare chance to take a tour behind the scenes at the Boston Lodge works.

The tours are being held as part of the National Lottery Open Week as a thank-you for the contribution National Lottery players have made to the railway’s Interpretation and Boston Lodge Project.

Aerial view of Boston Lodge


Work to restore the buildings at Boston Lodge works started in 2022 and was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust, and the Ffestiniog Railway Society.

The rebuilding work provided training and volunteering opportunities for people in both Porthmadog and the wider area, and the overall project was designed to attract more visitors to the railway.

The tours are being held on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of March 2025, and are open to anyone who brings a National Lottery ticket or scratch card with them.

Boston Lodge Works


On each day there will be morning and afternoon tours, with scheduled shuttle buses taking visitors from Porthmadog’s Harbour station to Boston Lodge works.

Morning tours will leave Harbour station at 10:10 and afternoon tours will depart at 14:00, but all participants should arrive 30 minutes before scheduled tour time.

At Harbour station, participants will be met by their tour guide and receive a visitor vest.

The weather is likely to be unpredictable, so visitors should wear warm clothes and bring a waterproof coat, and all visitors must wear stout shoes, preferably walking boots.

Anyone wearing unsuitable footwear, such as sandals or open-toed shoes, will not be allowed to take part in the tour.

At Harbour station, Spooner’s will be open for refreshments, and before leaving for Boston Lodge the Tour Guide will give a safety briefing.

Unfortunately, children under the age of 10 will not be allowed to take part, and children aged from 10-15 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Applications for a place on the tour can be made online at https://www.festrail.co.uk/free-tours-of-boston-lodge/

24th January, 2025

Steam locomotive 35011 General Steam Navigation to leave Wiltshire home​

35011


The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Society has announced that they will be leaving the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

This is due to the railway telling the society that a Merchant Navy locomotive does not align with the future vision and business plan.

Positive discussions have taken place with potential contractors, Leaky Finders Ltd, and it is hoped that the locomotive will be relocated in the latter half of 2025.

Following on from the National Heritage Lottery Fund bid being rejected, no decision has been made on a revised application, but more information will be released when discussions have been completed.