Marcus' Model Railway Journey

22nd April, 2025

Steam locomotive 35028 Clan Line to visit Kent this Thursday​

35028 Clan Line


35028 Clan Line is set to pass through Kent this Thursday (24th April 2025) as it hauls a Belmond British Pullman train.

Departing London Victoria at 10:59, the train will pass through Denmark Hill (11:10), Bellingham (11:23), Swanley (11:42), Rochester (12:09), Rainham (Kent) (12:19), Canterbury East (12:56) and Dover Priory at 13:20.

After half an hour in Dover, the train will depart back to London at 13:51 and will pass through Headcorn (14:32), Tonbridge (14:56), Orpington (15:18), Kent House (15:47), and London Victoria at 16:11.

22nd April, 2025

Deltic locomotive to visit Yorkshire for special gala weekend​

55009 on August 14, 2022


The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has announced that 55009 Alycidon is to visit them for their Diesel Gala weekend.

Taking place between the 19th and 22nd June 2025, Alycidon visits thanks to The Deltic Preservation Society.

This will be the first time 55009 has visited the 5-mile-long heritage railway and will appear in its Finsbury Park ‘white cab’ livery.

Other locomotives to visit for the gala will be 47714, courtesy of the Wensleydale Railway and a Colas Rail Class 37.

Tickets are now available on the KWVR website.

A timetable will follow nearer the event.

22nd April, 2025

£25,000 appeal launched to overhaul Jurassic steam locomotive​

Jurassic in steam for its 2025 annual boiler examination


The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historic Vehicles Trust has opened an appeal to raise £25,000 to overhaul its historic locomotive, Jurassic.

Jurassic is an 0-6-0ST built in 1903 by Peckett and Sons for Kaye and Company’s cement works quarries at Southam in Warwickshire, which later became Rugby Portland Cement Company.

It now needs the boiler to be lifted out of the frames so it can be examined and the boiler tubes replaced.

Rugby Portland Cement Company switched to road transport in 1956, and Jurassic was stored out of use until 1961, when it was purchased for £50 by the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway for use at the railway’s original site in Humberston, south of Cleethorpes.

Running occasionally until 1985 when the Humberston site closed, Jurassic operated for a year on the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway until being returned to Lincolnshire and placed in store with other Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway equipment.

The locomotive remained there until the railway moved to a new site at Skegness Water Leisure Park in Walls Lane, Ingoldmells, when that line was rebuilt from 1992.

Jurassic in steam for its 2025 annual boiler examination


Following the award of a grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Jurassic underwent a full overhaul and statutory 10-year-examination and return to service in 2017.

The current appeal is needed to fund another overhaul and statutory 10-year examination, with the hope that the work can be completed over the winter of 2026/2027.

In 2023, the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway was awarded a grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to build a new station and interpretation centre at its southern terminus beside Skegness airfield, where passengers couldn’t disembark.


“There’s been a most encouraging start to the appeal. One of the first letters I opened contained a cheque for £1,000. Many of our members are contributing £25 a month. We’ve asked various grant-giving bodies, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, to help us with a grant, but we know there’s great competition for these, so donations from the public will be essential to enable us to complete the work on time .”

Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historic Vehicles Trust’s Appeal Co-ordinator, Geoff Hankin

22nd April, 2025

Midland Pullman HST to visit Scarborough this Thursday​

43055 with its partner 43046 on July 4, 2024


The Midland Pullman HST is to visit Scarborough this Thursday, 24th April 2025.

Departing Paington at 06:05, the train will pass through Torquay (06:09), Newton Abbot (06:21), Dawlish (06:32), Dawlish Warren (06:38), Exeter St Davids (06:55), Tiverton Parkway (07:12), Taunton (07:27), Bridgwater (07:48), Bristol Temple Meads (08:33), Bristol Parkway (08:55), Cheltenham Spa (09:54), Barnt Green (10:21), Tamworth (10:49), Derby (11:15), Moorthorpe (12:10), York (12:58), Malton (13:23) and Scarborough at 13:48.

After time in Scarborough, the Midland Pullman HST will depart at 16:30 and will pass through Seamer (16:34), York (17:18), Doncaster (17:51), Swinton (South Yorks) (18:01), Derby (18:51), Tamworth (19:17), Birmingham New Street (19:53), Longbridge (20:22), Ashchurch for Tewkesbury (20:48), Bristol Parkway (21:33), Bristol Temple Meads (21:51), Bridgwater (22:21), Taunton (22:34), Tiverton Parkway (22:49), Exeter St Davids (23:06), Dawlish Warren (23:25), Dawlish (23:48), Newton Abbott (23:59), Torquay (00:12) and Paignton at 00:21.

22nd April, 2025

REMINDER: One week to go - Vital maintenance work taking place on the Ebbw Vale line this month​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Stock picture of track renewal


Rail passengers are reminded that essential maintenance work will close the Ebbw Vale line at the end of April.

Starting from midnight on Sunday 27 April a replacement bus service will be in place between Cardiff Central, Newport, and Ebbw Vale Town stations.

Rail services will return to normal on the morning of Friday 2 May.

The closure will allow teams to renew sections of the railway in the Crosskeys station area.

As well as complete other tasks along the line, such as management of trees and plants to maintain visibility for train drivers and users of level crossings.

Drainage maintenance to manage water levels next to the track, as well as lubrication and testing of the tracks to keep the railway efficient.

By doing lots of work during one closure, disruption will be kept to a minimum for passengers and people who live close by.


Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We are working really hard to improve train service punctuality and this essential work 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 the renewals 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.”


Passengers are advised to visit the Transport for Wales website for the latest travel updates

22nd April, 2025

Introducing the new fflecsi app​

TfW Fflecsi Conwy


Transport for Wales is pleased to launch a new fflecsi app, bringing bus passengers a seamless and convenient way to pay for their journeys.

Passengers using fflecsi bus services will now benefit from a simpler and more consistent fare system.

As part of a recent update, fares have been aligned across the majority of fflecsi schemes in Wales, establishing a new distance-based structure that mirrors the established TrawsCymru fare system.

This change has been designed to offer customers with a more user-friendly experience when using the fflecsi bus service.

Key features of the new fare system:

Unified fare structure: All North Wales zones now follow the same distance-based fare structure, making it easier for passengers to understand and predict their travel costs (with the exception of Pembrokeshire and Blaenau Gwent).

Pay-through-app function: Passengers can now pay for their journeys through the fflecsi app, with the cost calculated and displayed upfront. This feature is available across all schemes, providing a convenient and modern payment option.

Fare Table: The new fare structure is based on the following distance-based pricing, with single tickets starting from £1.50 for adults, £1 for children and capped at £4 for adults and £2.65 for children.

Please note that Concessionary passes are still valid on the buses

1bws Tickets: Both paper and digital 1bws tickets purchased through the Arriva or TrawsCymru app remain valid on all North Wales schemes.

The transition to a distance-based fare system represents a significant change from the previous zonal flat fare system.

While some single fares may be lower than before, return fares will no longer be available, with only single fares offered – you can still pay on board and your journey will count towards your daily and/or weekly Tap On Tap Off cap.

This change ensures that fare calculations are transparent and reflect what customers expect when booking their journeys through the app.

Pembrokeshire has increased their fares in accordance with the Local Authority uplift.

Huw Morgan, Head of integrated transport and bus network development at Transport for Wales said:

“We are excited to relaunch all fflecsi bus services under one unified system, having already successfully launched in Conwy in August 2024.

“This will make fares easier to understand and payments will be simpler and quicker for our customers.

“We appreciate your support and feedback as we continue to improve our services.”

For more information, please visit our website - https://tfw.wales/fflecsi

---

fflecsi bus schemes in Blaenau Gwent and Pembrokeshire are not yet included in the distance based fares.

Zonal flat fare applies.

Transport for Wales is committed to providing flexible and convenient transportation solutions across Wales.

Our goal is to enhance the travel experience for our passengers through innovative technology and customer-focused services.

New fflecsi app launched on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Stamps

Here are the commemorative stamps that were issued here in the UK in 1962.

National Productivity Year​

November 14 1962
Commemorative

Units of Productivity, 2½d, National Productivity, 3d, 'Unified Productivity', 1s3d

Meanwhile....In Ireland, my Nan was selling these stamps to her customers.

DEATH CENTENARIES OF O'DONOVAN AND O'CURRY (scholars).

March 26 1962
Commemorative

John O'Donovan and Eugene O'Curry ~ 3d Carmine, 1 shilling 3d Purple

EUROPA

17 September 1962
Commemorative
“Tree” ~ 3d Carmine-red, 1 shilling 3d Turquoise

Here is a print of an aircraft that I actually worked on between 1984 and 1987.

Panavia Tornado GR1 ZA324 'B-02'
She came into service in 1980 and was scrapped by 2006.

23rd April, 2025

Shakespeare Express steam train to mark 40th Anniversary​

7029 Clun Castle at Hagley with the first departure of 2025


The mainline steam service, Shakespeare Express, run by Vintage Trains, is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year.

The Shakespeare Express began running as part of the celebrations of the Great Western Railway’s 150th anniversary (GWR150) in 1985.

The plan was to run a weekend of Shakespeare Express trains from Birmingham to playwright William Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

The weekend’s services were to form part of the then Birmingham Railway Museum’s GWR150 celebrations.

Operator Vintage Trains is a subsidiary of the Birmingham Railway Museum Trust.

7029 Clun Castle with the Shakespeare Express at Stratford-Upon-Avon


Eight Shakespeare Express trains ran on the inaugural weekend, on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June 1985, meeting conditions set by British Rail:

• two locomotives would be provided
• BR would provide the set of Mark 1 carriages (repainted into chocolate and cream for the anniversary year)
• there was no limit on the number of trains that the museum could run.

The weekend’s train services cost sixteen thousand pounds.

WATCH VIDEO:

The Shakespeare Express 2025​

During the years that followed, Shakespeare Express services ran on several weekends as ‘one-off’ charters.

The last services to run before British Rail was privatised were in April 1990, and were led by 6024 ‘King Edward I’ and 5080 ‘Defiant’, which between them hauled eight weekend trains.

This was the last occasion on which The Shakespeare Express operated with wooden body coaches.

From 1999, Shakespeare Express services ran on regular ‘Summer Sundays’, hauled by 4965 ‘Rood Ashton Hall’.

These still run on every Sunday in August, with steam trains running between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon.

On occasions of extreme hot weather, the service has used diesel locomotives.

7029 Clun Castle emerges from a tunnel


The Shakespeare Express now runs on Sundays between April and November, including every Sunday in August.

Last year, the operator added new routes to its schedule, with departures from Derby, Leicester and Worcester.

The service sometimes uses guest steam locomotives, including 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ in 2006.

Last year, 45596 ‘Bahamas’ hauled the service’s second ever departure from Derby.

The Shakespeare Express services include onboard dining in authentic 1960s Pullman Cars.

23rd April, 2025

Update on construction of steam locomotive No. 2007 Prince of Wales​

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has issued an update on progress to build P2 Class 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

The trust has been concerned about the condition of the cannon box castings, and has reviewed the castings’ patterns to investigate what improvements could be made to make them more robust.

Proposed improvements included increasing the thickness of the walls or flanges to increase their strength, increasing the thickness of the walls around the mounting bolts, and ensuring the internal web positions matched those on the drawings.

The project team also looked at what allowance had been made during machining to clean up the mating faces and bearing locations, as well as the diameters of the castings.

The castings are the same as will be used on the new-build Class B17 4-6-0, so an extra pair of castings will be ordered by the B17 Trust to provide an economy of scale.

A meeting will now be arranged with the pattern designers and William Cook Cast Products, which is producing the castings, to determine the feasibility, timing, and cost of the proposed modifications.

The next major item to arrive at Darlington Locomotive Works will be the boiler, which has been delayed because of the pandemic.

Further checks are also being made to make sure its quality is up to standard, which was a concern after issues had been discovered with the overhauled boiler on Tornado.

Although frustrating, it is necessary to ensure that the boiler is constructed in line with the requisite standards and approved by TÜV Thuringen, the independent certification body.

It also protects the Trust’s investment, and is doubly critical when a pressure vessel is moved to another country.

Further complications have arisen because there have been changes in legislation since Tornado’s boiler was first built, and there have been further changes since Brexit.

DB Meiningen and TÜV Thuringen have now agreed on a way forward, with just a few items to be completed.

Although that should take no more than two weeks, there will be a further delay because of new cranes being installed in the boiler shop at DB Meiningen, which will delay completion by another two weeks.

The Trust expects to receive the boiler at Darlington sometime this month.

The Trust recently received a donation of a pair of Stones Lamps to be fitted on the rear of 2007’s tender.

These were fitted at the front and rear of most ex-LNER express locomotives.

23rd April, 2025

Steam locomotive 6880 Betton Grange set for extended stay at the Severn Valley Railway​

6880 'Betton Grange' during the SVR's recent Spring Steam Gala


The Severn Valley Railway has announced an extended stay for 6880 Betton Grange.

The GWR Grange appeared at the Spring Steam Gala over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.

However, 6880 is now set to haul services for the remainder of the Easter break on the 23rd April as well as 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade.

This provides an excellent opportunity for people who missed it at the gala to have a ride before it heads back to its home railway, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

23rd April, 2025

WATCH: Network Rail begins painting railway track white​

Hundreds of Network Rail workers will be painting the tracks white in preparation for the hot months ahead


1,500 litres of white paint are being painted onto railway tracks ahead of the summer months to keep passengers and freight moving.

Sections of the network will be painted white to reflect the sun and reduce overheating.

2024 was Europe’s warmest summer on record, and the heat can cause a serious challenge for the railway, including buckling rails and overheating.

Buckled rails due to heat caused more than 350,000 delay minutes for passengers between the 1st April 2023 and 31st March 2024.

Network Rail says that a rail painted white is 5°C to 10°C cooler than one left unpainted.

Click link to watch video: "https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/zv5ur5e170"


Lisa Angus, Industry Weather Response Director, Network Rail said: “Soaring temperatures on the railway can put a huge amount of pressure on our infrastructure. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent we’re working hard to keep passengers moving through the summer months ahead.

“Last year we announced plans to invest £2.8 billion over the next five years to make the network more resilient to the issues caused by climate change; helping to keep our railway safe, improve performance and minimise disruption.”

Wednesday 23 Apr 2025

REMINDER: Two weeks to go - Essential maintenance work to maintain safety and reliability on the Heart of Wales line​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Standard image various works


Network Rail will be carrying out essential maintenance work on the Heart of Wales line between Llanwrtyd and Pantyffynnon from Tuesday 6 May to Friday 23 May.

Teams are working hard to complete lots of tasks during the closure, which means less disruption to travelling passengers and homes nearby in the future.

The work sees engineering teams installing a new cattle grid, as well as undertaking important bridge and river defence wall repairs.

The planned works will also include management of trees, plants and hedges to maintain visibility for train drivers and prevent obstructions to signals, while drainage improvements will reduce the risk of flooding during severe weather.

Graffiti and fly-tipping along the stretch of track will also be removed.

This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and reliable railway.

The track maintenance and infrastructure repairs will support smoother, safer journeys for passengers.

To allow this work to be carried out safely, buses will replace trains between Carmarthen and Swansea to Llandrindod for the duration of the project, so please allow extra time for journeys.

Route director Nick Millington said: “We’d like to thank passengers and local communities for their patience and understanding while we carry out this vital work on the Heart of Wales line.”

Passengers can check the latest information on the Transport for Wales website.

Stamps

Here are the commemorative stamps that were issued here in the UK in 1963.

Freedom from Hunger Campaign​

March 21 1963
Commemorative

Campaign Emblem and Family, 2½d, Children of Three Races, 1s3d

Paris Postal Conference Centenary​

May 7 1963
Commemorative

Paris Conference, 6d

National Nature Week​

May 16 1963
Commemorative

Posy of Flowers, 3d, Woodland Life, 4½d

Ninth International Lifeboat Conference, Edinburgh​

May 31 1963
Commemorative

Rescue at Sea, 2½d, 19th-century Lifeboat, 4d, Lifeboatmen, 1s6d

Red Cross Centenary Congress​

August 15 1963
Commemorative

Red Cross, 3d, Red Cross, 1s3d, Red Cross, 1s6d

And just seven days before my 2nd Birthday.........

Opening of COMPAC (Trans-Pacific Telephone Cable)​

December 3 1963
Commemorative

Commonwealth Cable, 1s6d

Meanwhile....In Ireland, my Nan was selling these stamps to her customers.

Freedom from Hunger
21 March 1963
Campaign Emblem ~ 4d. deep violet, 1s.3d. scarlet

Europa
16 Sept 1963
“Co-operation” ~ 6d. carmine, 1s.3d. blue.

Centenary of Red Cross
2 December 1963
Centenary Emblem ~ 4d. red and grey, 1s.3d. red, grey and light emerald

23rd April, 2025

Progress update for construction of steam locomotive No. 82045​

Construction of 82045 in progress


According to the latest update from the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust, construction of Riddles 82000 Class 3MT 2-6-2 tank engine No. 82045 is progressing steadily.

Progress since the previous report in February has seen a coating of Rustoleom protective paint applied to the boiler, and work has continued with turning lengths of steel strip into crinoline bands that will be used to support the boiler barrel cladding.

Vacuum pipes under the left-hand tank


To allow the boiler to fit into the chassis, the water tanks will need to be removed, a task that is scheduled for the near future.

While the water tanks are off the locomotive, they will be shot-blasted to provide a good surface for when they are painted.

Before the tanks are removed, work will continue to complete the removal of the vacuum pipework where the pipes are routed under the left-hand tank before emerging inside the main frames.

A similar convoluted path is used to route the carriage warming pipe under the right-hand tank.

However, that pipework will not be removed until after the tanks have been painted and refitted to the locomotive.

Sections of crinoline to support the boiler cladding


It is hoped that if construction of 82045 is successful, construction of a Riddles 2-6-0 77000 class will follow, which, like the 82000 Class, would be well-suited to service on today’s heritage lines.

23rd April, 2025

Two visiting diesel locomotives announced for Severn Valley gala​

57003 and 47593 pass Heamies Farm as 0Z48 Eastleigh Arlington to Crewe H.S. on 10 April 2025


The Severn Valley Railway has announced two diesel locomotives which will be visiting for their Spring Diesel Festival.

57003 is due to visit for all four days of the gala thanks to Locomotive Services Group and a Class 69 will visit on the Saturday and Sunday of the gala thanks to GB Railfreight.

Along with these locos will be a pair of Colas Class 56s, a pair of RailAdventure HST Powercars, a Class 66 and 70 from Freightliner and the home fleet of Classes 17, 20, 33, 37, 40, 42, 46, 50 and 52.

An intensive timetable is expected to feature throughout the weekend of 15th – 18th May 2025.


'Our spring diesel event is always about gathering together examples of the best heritage and modern diesel traction. With today’s announcements, we’re swelling the ranks of both categories, and we’re extremely grateful to LSL and GBRf for their continuing support.’

SVR’s managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster

24th April, 2025

Where to see steam locomotive 35028 Clan Line in Wiltshire this Saturday​

35028 Clan Line


35028 Clan Line will be visiting Wiltshire this Saturday, 26th April, as it hauls Day 1 of The Great Britain XVII tour.

Departing London Victoria at 08:44, the steam loco will pass through Brixton (08:52), Wimbledon (09:11), Woking (09:42), Haslemere (10:12), Fareham (11:28), Southampton Central (11:58) and Salisbury at 12:33.

After a break in Salisbury, 35028 will depart at 14:55 and will pass through Warminster (15:18), Westbury (15:26), Bath Spa (15:58) and Bristol Temple Meads at 16:18.

Guardian of Freedom by Tim O'Brien

25th April, 2025

Where to see the Midland Pullman HST as it heads to Scotland this Saturday​

Blue Pullman set, pass through Bromfield at sunset on March 24, 2025


The Midland Pullman HST is heading to Scotland this Saturday, 26th April 2025, and will pass through a number of places on its way.

Departing Leicester at 06:11, the trian will pass through Loughborough (06:20), East Midlands Parkway (06:33), Ilkeston (06:53), Alfreton (07:09), Chesterfield (07:24), Doncaster (08:49), York (09:20), Thirsk (09:46), Northallerton (09:57), Darlington (10:27), Newcastle (11:21), Berwick-upon-Tweed (12:49), Reston (13:42), Drem (14:13), Edinburgh (14:32), Inverkeithing (15:03), Ladybank (16:02), Perth (16:27), Pitlochry (17:07), Dalwhinnie (18:05), Carrbridge (19:02) and Inverness at 19:43.

25th April, 2025

Where to see steam locomotive 45212 in South Wales this Sunday​

LMS Black 5 No. 45212 will be in South Wales this Sunday, 27th April 2025, as it hauls Day 2 of The Great Britain XVII tour.

Departing Bristol Temple Meads at 08:23, the tour will first head to Pembroke Dock via Filton Abbey Wood (08:31), Severn Tunnel Junction (08:48), Newport (South Wales) (09:02), Cardiff Central (09:52), Port Talbot Parkway (10:42), Neath (11:22), Pembrey and Burry Port (11:59), Carmarthen (12:40 – diesel hauled from here with 45212 on the rear), Whitland (13:04), Tenby (13:31) and Pembroke Dock at 13:58.

45212 will then be on the front of the train again as it heads to Whitland via Tenby (14:31), Narberth (14:45) and Whitland at 15:10, where the train reverses once again. A diesel loco with 45212 on the rear will then head to Fishguard Harbour via Clunderwen (15:33) before arriving into Fishguard Harbour at 16:01.

Once again, 45212 will be on the front of the train to Clarbeston Road, departing Fishguard Harbour at 16:11, the train will arrive into Clarbeston Road at 16:31.

A diesel will then lead the train to Milford Haven via Haverfordwest (16:42), arriving into Milford Haven at 18:04.

The final leg of the journey will see 45212 lead the train to Cardiff Central via Haverfordwest (18:27), Whitland (18:48), Llanelli (19:33), Port Talbot Parkway (20:12) and Cardiff Central at 21:35.

25th April, 2025

Class 57 locomotive naming marks UK Railtours anniversary​

UK Railtours Managing Director Liz Morris and GBRf Account Manager Kev Adlam


Freight operating company GB Railfreight (GBRf) has named its Class 57 loco 57310 ‘UK Railtours‘.

The new name was unveiled at a ceremony at Southend Central station in Essex on Saturday, 12 April.

British Rail Class 57s are diesel locomotives. Brush Traction of Loughborough rebuilt the Class 57s from Class 47 locomotives between 1998 and 2004.

The renaming ceremony of the Class 57 locomotive took place during the layover of the ‘Thames Meanderer‘ tour operated by GB Railfreight.

The tour is celebrating fifty years since the first trip organised by UK Railtours’ founder, the late John Farrow, who died in 2020 after contracting Covid-19. In 2021, the ‘John Farrow Salute’ rail tour paid tribute to Mr Farrow.

That first tour back in 1975 was organised under the auspices of the Lea Valley Railway Club.

Three years later, in 1978, Mr Farrow set up Hertfordshire Railtours as an independent rail tour operator.

It ran services mainly from London terminal stations.

Twenty-nine years after its founding, in 2007, the company was reconstituted as UK Railtours.

UK Railtours organises mainline railtours around the country.

Its tours are hauled by both steam and diesel traction.

John Farrow’s widow and children attended the renaming ceremony.

Daughter Liz Morris is UK Railtours’ (UKR) Managing Director, and son Simon Farrow was previously the company’s Operations Director.

John’s widow, Clare, owns UK Railtours.

There are already three locomotives which have carried the name ‘Hertfordshire Railtours’.

However, 57310 is the first to carry the name ‘UK Railtours’.

57310 UK Railtours Brush Class 57 Co-Co GBRF


“In the 50th anniversary year of John Farrow’s first train, it is only fitting that GBRf has dedicated a loco to his charter legacy. It is also a tribute to the team who have carried that torch forward since his death in 2020. We remain a proud and committed operational partner of UK Railtours.”

Kev Adlam, GB Railfreight Account Manager

Friday 25 Apr 2025

Major disruption on Hereford to Shrewsbury Rail Line​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders



Rail services between Hereford and Shrewsbury are currently experiencing significant disruption following the collapse of an underground culvert.

As a result, the line will be closed in both directions to allow for emergency engineering works to keep the railway safe.

This will also affect services between Llandrindod and Shrewsbury on the Heart of wales line.

Network Rail’s engineering teams are on site, and initial estimates suggest repairs will continue into Tuesday 29 April.

However, this timeline may be subject to change once excavations have started and we better understand the scale of the damage beneath the tracks.

Replacement bus services for both lines are in operation and will remain in place for the duration of the disruption.

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales, Planning and Performance Director said: “We've had to close a section of the railway between Hereford and Shrewsbury on the Marches Line due to infrastructure issues. Network Rail teams are now on-site and working on fixing the problem.

“Rail replacement buses are available, but services will be disrupted. Please check before you travel. Thanks for your patience.”

Rachel Heath, Operations Director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and ask passengers for their patience while we carry out these critical repairs to keep the railway safe. Our teams are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.”

Passengers can check the latest information on the Transport for Wales website.