Marcus' Model Railway Journey

27th June, 2025

Celtic Travel to operate TrawsCymru T4 service​

TrawsCymru T4


Mid Wales-based bus operator Celtic Travel has been awarded a contract to deliver the TrawsCymru T4 service between Merthyr and Newtown from September.

The popular route has been operating for 14 years and is well used by commuters, students, residents, and tourists accessing Bannau Brycheiniog, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, and many of the lovely towns and villages along the route.

Celtic Travel, based in Llanidloes, Powys, has been delivering reliable transport services across Mid Wales and the surrounding areas since 2006.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “It’s good to see Celtic Travel join the Traws network and deliver the T4 from September this year. This is an important route linking towns and villages in mid Wales.”

Phyl Davies, Director of Celtic Travel, commented: “We’re excited to be taking on this new contract and will be working with our colleagues at Williams of Brecon to ensure we deliver an improved level of service and reliability for T4 customers using our many years of experience delivering coach and bus services to the people of Powys.

“It’s great to be part of the TrawsCymru network, and with our knowledge of the local road network and an appreciation of the geography of this area, we feel we can bring a great deal to this service.”

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at TfW, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Celtic Travel to provide this service. We will be developing the timetable and improving services where we can, including the introduction of new vehicles in March next year.

“This is a fantastic example of how small and medium-sized operators can work in partnership to bid for tenders and take on new contracts.”

The TrawsCymru T4 will continue to be operated by Stagecoach until the end of August, then from September Stagecoach will launch a new X4 service between Merthyr and Cardiff with buses operating up to every sixty minutes, Monday to Saturday.

The new X4 service will serve Treforest Industrial Estate, offering improved connections to places of work, education, and leisure.

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For further information, please visit

Transport for Wales - medium to long distance bus travel in Wales

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TfW Celtic Travel Coach Holidays Days Out Airport Transfers Private Hire

For more information about the new X4 service and other network changes, please visit www.stagecoachbus.com

27th June, 2025

Inspiration Sets Off!​

Inspiration Railway 200 Exhibition Train


After launching yesterday (26th June), the Railway 200 exhibition train ‘Inspiration’ is now open.

The train starts its year-long tour at the Severn Valley Railway today. From there, it will visit 60 locations to celebrate 200 years.

The family-friendly exhibition will be promoting railway careers and innovation, and celebrating an invention that changed the world.

Over 160 people joined an event at London Paddington to signal the start of the tour.

The Inspiration train is the only exhibition train on the UK rail network and was designed in partnership with Network Rail and the National Railway Museum in York.

It features a blue livery with the words ‘Past, Present, Future and Together’ across four distinctive carriages.

Each carriage has its own theme, including ‘Railway Firsts’, ‘Wonderlab on Wheels’, ‘Your Railway Future’, and ‘Partner Zone’.

The interactive Wonderlab on Wheels carriage


The train has been supported by a £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and further funding from Porterbrook.

Over 200,000 are expected to visit the free-to-enter train; however, charges may apply at private sites and railways where it is being held.


Booking is still available at some of its stops, and can be booked online.


“I’m proud to be celebrating our heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway; to this day our railway network is the backbone of our economy, driving economic growth, jobs and homes.

“With this train, we’re not just looking to the past, we are inspiring the diverse next generation of engineers, drivers, conductors and technicians, and shining a light on what the railway is delivering today and what it can do in future, alongside bringing services back into public ownership, laying the foundations for Great British Railways, and building a railway we can all be proud of.”

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy

27th June, 2025

Ffestiniog Railway shines with special centenary gala​

Railway 200 cavalcade across the Cob


Recently, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway held its ‘Railway 200 – FR Platinum Jubilee Weekend’.

The highly anticipated event ran over four days from June 19th – June 22nd and marked 70 years of passenger trains on the Ffestiniog Railway.

They kicked off the event with a re-enactment of the first passenger train, originally taking place on the 23rd July 1955.

Locomotive Mary Ann ran two trips across the Cob with carriage 23 and van 12 and performed a ‘chain shunt’.


On the second day, Upnor Castle ran the Early Bird train to Blaenau Ffestiniog, followed by Britomart with Vans 11 and 12.

Mary Ann, Prince, and Merddin Emrys gathered at Harbour Station for a memorable moment and photo opportunity.

Saturday saw them switch from the preservation era to the deviation.

Taliesin kicked off the day, followed by Merddin Emrys hauling a good train featuring 200 wheels up to Blaenau Ffestiniog, where the wagons returned down the line as a gravity train.

Railway 200 cavalcade across the Cob


Sunday is where the event really shone, with their ‘200 Wheels on the Cob’ cavalcade.

The entire Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway fleet made its way onto the Cob.

Most of the locomotives were assembled in order at Minffordd station, with the Welsh Highland locomotives assembling at Boston Lodge.

Locomotives appeared in the order that they entered service, and each engine had a story of its history told by Tim Dunn and Anthony Coulls.

Prince began the cavalcade with a special banner where Railway 200 was celebrated with 234 wheels on the Cob and 25 engines lined up.


“I was the refreshment manager that day – I had a folding table, a huge pile of boxes of Smith’s crisps, the ones with the blue paper wrap of salt, and crates of pop. I was also told by Allan Garraway not to sell any tickets until I saw him coming over the Cob – I think there were a lot of very late nights to keep PRINCE in service that first summer. I can’t believe that we have now arrived at the 70-year anniversary – and what a huge place this has become. I am so very grateful to be able to say I was there.

Rob Smallman, who worked on the first train

27th June, 2025

Hastings diesel-electric multiple unit to visit East Yorkshire in July​

Hastings diesel-electric multiple unit


A Hastings diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) will make a rare appearance at Goole in East Yorkshire on Saturday, 19th July, with the Branch Line Society’s The Salt and Pepper Shaker rail tour from Hastings in East Sussex.

Operated thanks to GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Hastings Diesels Limited, the tour will traverse several sections of rare track, including Goole Guardian Glass, Selby Potter Group, Brayton Sidings, and Goole Up and Down Goods Loop.

Starting from Hastings at 06:10, the tour will pick up at Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Bromley South, Willesden Junction High Level, and Peterborough.

Hastings diesel-electric multiple unit


The provisional outward route is via St Leonards Warrior Square, Crowhurst, Battle, Etchingham, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Orpington, Bromley South, Kent House, Herne Hill, Factory Junction, Kensington Olympia, Mitre Bridge Junction, Willesden Junction High Level, West Hampstead, Gospel Oak, Harringay Park Junction, Harringay Junction, Welwyn Garden City, Hitchin, Peterborough, Claypole Loop, Newark, Carlton-on-Trent Loop, Retford, Doncaster, Knottingley South Junction, Knottingley East Junction, and Rawcliffe, where there will be a short photo stop.

The return journey from Goole is via Goole Up and Down Goods Loop, Guardian Glass, Goole, Gilberdyke, Selby Potters Junction, Selby Potters, Selby Potters Junction, Selby, Brayton Sidings, Selby, Doncaster, Retford, Newark, Peterborough, Conington Loop, Hitchin, Welwyn Garden City, Copenhagen Junction, Camden Road, West Hampstead, Willesden Junction High Level, Mitre Bridge Junction, Kensington Olympia, Factory Junction, Herne Hill, Kent House, Bromley South, Orpington, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Etchingham, Battle, Crowhurst, and St Leonards Warrior Square, with arrival back at Hastings at 22.02.

Hastings diesel-electric multiple units were built in the late 1950s, and specially designed narrow bodies because of unusually narrow tunnels on the line to Hastings.

Profits from the tour will be donated to Martin House Children’s Hospice at Boston Spa near Wetherby in West Yorkshire.

27th June, 2025

Special Photo Charter on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway​

Jurassic and Peter Pan at the LBLR in 1986


The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway (LCLR) is presenting a unique opportunity for photographers to take part in a special charter.

The railway’s resident locomotive ‘Jurassic’ will be appearing with visiting locomotive ‘Peter Pan’ for the first time since 1986.

They last appeared together at a gala at the Leighton Buzzard Railway, but will now be making a comeback together, marking the first time two steam locomotives have worked on the LCLR.

Peter Pan is currently on a tour of railways around the UK and Belgium, but will be making a special stop on the 29th August.

There will be two sessions across the day, the first starting around 10:30 am; however, participants are welcome to arrive beforehand and stay after the second session.

The first session will focus on the depot, yard, Walls Lane and the first curve.

The second will start from their new station, Seathorne Bank, working their way along the line, with a bit of double heading occurring.


Further information and booking can be found on their website.

28th June, 2025

South Western Railway unveils new plaque celebrating Sir Rod Stewart​

Sir Rod Stewart plaque at Twickenham


Sir Rod Stewart soon takes the stage at Glastonbury Festival in the Sunday teatime legends slot.

South Western Railway is marking his success with a new plaque at Twickenham station.

This is the station he used to busk at in the 1960s, where he was ‘scouted’ and his career took off.

While performing on the station, he was discovered by Long John Baldry after he had attended one of Baldry’s gigs at Eel Pie Island.

He began playing to pass the time until his train arrived, unbeknownst to him, Baldry was spectating and offered him a gig.

Sir Rod Stewart plaque at Twickenham


The new plaque reads “Music legend and train enthusiast, Rod Stewart, started his career at Twickenham station in 1964”.

It highlights the station’s history and its connection to Sir Rod Stewart’s beginnings.

It is also well known that Stewart has a passion for trains, having constructed an intricate model railway set and made donations, so the plaque is a perfect way to pay homage to his love for trains and his musical beginnings.


“It’s so fitting that the railway station – the first port-of-call for most visitors to Twickenham – should have this plaque. It acts as a harmonica fanfare for a most historical and still vibrant music neighbourhood.

“I lead music history tours all over London. The most common question I am asked? “Why isn’t there a plaque here?” Well at Twickenham Station, there is now. Thanks and well done South Western Railway. And congratulations Sir Rod!”.

Adam Scott, a tour guide who offers music history tours all over London

TfW Custom Illustration – Welsh City​

Princess Weiyoung (2016)​

30th June, 2025

Steam locomotive 35006 to visit the Severn Valley Railway​

The Severn Valley Railway has announced that 35006 Peninsular and Oriental S N Co will be visiting them for their Autumn Steam Gala.

It will be 35006’s first visit to the heritage railway, which will also reintroduce overnight running on the Friday and Saturday of the event, which takes place between the 18th and 21st September.

Six members of the SVR home fleet will be in action, 4930 Hagley Hall, 7714, 7802 Bradley Manor, 13268, 75069 and 1450, the latter operating as an Autotrain.


"It’s especially exciting for us to make this announcement, as 35006 has never visited us before. We’re grateful to both the 35006 Locomotive Company Ltd and the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway for agreeing to its appearance at our event.

‘It’s particularly pleasing to be able to bring back overnight running at our autumn steam gathering. This will see the railway operating continuously for a 60-hour stint, from early Friday morning to mid-evening on the Sunday. We’ll have two services in operation, and these will stop at all stations. Mounting this sort of operation is a huge undertaking, and we can only do it from time to time. However, the SVR’s 60th anniversary is one of those special occasions, and we can’t wait! ‘For this event of course, we’ll have the full line open again, something we are very much looking forward to seeing, following the repair of the landslip towards the northern end of the line. And we hope to be able to make a further guest announcement soon."

SVR managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster

30th June, 2025

Cardiff Bus Interchange welcomes two million passengers in its first year​

TFW CBI


More than two million passengers have used the new Cardiff Bus Interchange in its first year since opening.

The interchange, which opened on 30 June 2024, is now serving between 8,000 and 9,000 passengers a day and has 58 bus services an hour operating from its city centre location.

Following the addition of 14 more routes in September 2024, the number of services using the interchange has increased from 1,830 to 3,476 each week.

WATCH VIDEO




Gavin Hawkins, Bus Interchange Operations Manager, said: “Celebrating the first anniversary of Cardiff Bus Interchange, we’re proud to see the vision come to life — with a growing number of services and a significant rise in customer use.

“This milestone reflects the dedication of our team and the trust of the bus operators and customers, in helping make the interchange a key part of Cardiff’s transport network, for seamless and sustainable travel.”

Features of the Cardiff Bus Interchange include live customer information screens for bus departures from the interchange and rail connections, a Starbucks coffee shop, free water stations, tactile flooring and accessibility maps, a Changing Places toilet, fully accessible toilets, individual unisex toilets and a fully equipped family room.

From my book of 'British Railway Locomotives'
ER Class B1, 4-6-0 No.61139

1st July, 2025

Eurostar power car set for Greatest Gathering appearance​

Eurostar 3999


Alstom has confirmed that a Eurostar power car, number 3999, will appear at The Greatest Gathering event in Derby.

The power car was built by Alstom in France and will visit thanks to Eurostar, with 3999 spearheading the ‘high speed’ lineup.

“We are excited to welcome the Eurostar power car to The Greatest Gathering.

It’s not just a remarkable feat of engineering, it’s a symbol of international cooperation and a reminder of what the railway industry can achieve through ambition and partnership,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director at Alstom UK and Ireland.

The event will take place at Alstom‘s Derby Litchurch Lane Works between the 1st and 3rd August.

The locomotives confirmed to attend are (Alstom have also noted that examples from the same class may substitute):

Steam

• LNER A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley – courtesy of the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust and Locomotive Services Group
• SR Merchant Navy No. 35018 British India Line – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co
• LMS 6P No. 46115 Scots Guardsman – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
• LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas – courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
• SR Merchant Navy No. 35028 Clan Line – courtesy of the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society
• LMS Black 5 (specific loco TBA) – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
• Furness Railway No. 20 – courtesy of The Furness Railway Trust
• Coal Tank No. 1054 – courtesy of the Bahamas Locomotive Society
• GWR Hall No. 4930 Hagley Hall – courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway
• LMS Stanier Mogul No. 13268 – courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway
• GWR King No. 6023 King Edward II – courtesy of the Didcot Railway Centre
• LMS No. 46203 ‘Princess Margaret Rose’ – courtesy of the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust
• BR Standard 5MT No. 73129 – courtesy of The Midland Railway – Butterley
• BR 9F No. 92214 – courtesy of the Great Central Railway
• Locomotive No. 1 – courtesy of the National Railway Museum
• Midland Railway No. 1000 – courtesy of the National Railway Museum
• LMS Jubilee No. 45699 Galatea – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
• George England ‘Prince’ – courtesy of the Ffestiniog Railway
• Trangkil No. 4 – courtesy of the Statfold Barn Railway
• Anne – courtesy of the Perrygrove Railway
• Katie – courtesy of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
• LNER A3 No. 60103 Flying Scotsman – courtesy of the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam Operations
• LNER A1 No. 60163 Tornado – courtesy of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

Diesel

• BR Class 37 No. 37501 ‘Teesside Steelmaster’ – courtesy of Rail Operations Group
• Class 50 No. 50049 Defiance – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
• Class 57 – courtesy of Direct Rail Services
• Class 66 No. 66301 – courtesy of GB Railfreight
• Class 69 – courtesy of GB Railfreight
• Class 60 – courtesy of DCRail
• Class 108 DMU – courtesy of the Severn Valley Railway
• Class 47 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co
• Class 50 No. 50033 ‘Glorious’ – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
• Class 35 D7076 – courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway and Bury Hydraulic Group
• Class 55 No. 55009 “Alycidon” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
• Class 55 No. D9015 “Tulyar” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
• Class 55 No. 55019 “Royal Highland Fusilier” – courtesy of Deltic Preservation Society
• Class 40 No. 40106 – courtesy of the Class 40 Preservation Society / Severn Valley Railway
• Class 43 No. 43159 (2+4 Formation – other powercar TBC) – courtesy of The 125 Group
• Class 33 No. 33012 – courtesy of 71A Locomotive Group
• Class 31 No. 31108 – courtesy of A1A Locomotives Ltd
• Class 57/0 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
• Class 26 No. 26007 – courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
• Class 58 No. 58023 – courtesy of Edward Stevenson
• Class 20 No. 20007 – courtesy of Michael Owen
• Class 20 No. 20205 – courtesy of Michael Owen
• Class 70 No. 70008 – courtesy of Freightliner
• Class 42 No. D821 – courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group
• Class 47 No. 47715 – courtesy of Rail Engineering Solutions
• Class 67 No. 67005 ‘Kings Messenger’ – courtesy of DB Cargo UK
• Class 52 No. D1015 ‘Western Champion’ – courtesy of the Diesel Traction Group
• Class 66 No. 66004 – courtesy of DB Cargo UK
• Class 44 No. 44004 ‘Great Gable’ – courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company Ltd
• Class 66 – courtesy of Freightliner
• Class 37 – courtesy of West Coast Railways
• Class 23 No. D5910 – courtesy of The Baby Deltic Project
• Class 142 No. 142013 – courtesy of Midland Railway – Butterley
• Class 40 No. D213 – courtesy of Shaun Wright / Andania Engineering
• Class 43 HST Powercars x2 – courtesy of RailAdventure
• Class 37 No. D6700 – courtesy of the National Railway Museum, Great Central Railway and Heavy Tractor Group
• Class 50 No. 50035 Ark Royal – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
• Class 50 No. 50044 Exeter – courtesy of the Class 50 Alliance
• Class 47 No. 47593 Galloway Princess – courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd
• Class 45 No. 45118 The Royal Artilleryman – courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd
• Class 57 No. 57003 – courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd
• Class 24 No. D5054 – courtesy of the East Lancashire Railway
• Class 56 No. 56301 – courtesy of DC Rail / Cappagh Group
• Class 37 No. 37401 ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ – courtesy of Locomotive Services Group
• Class 17 No. D8568 – courtesy of Diesel Traction Group
• Class 46 No. 46045 – courtesy of Peak Locomotive Co Ltd
• Class 57/3 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
• Class 55 No. D9000 – courtesy of Locomotive Services Group
• Class 37 No. 37418 – courtesy of Loram UK
• Class 37 No. 37508 – courtesy of Loram UK
• Class 150 No. 150235 – courtesy of Transport for Wales
• Class 121 No. 55022 – courtesy of Locomotive Services Group

Electric

• Class 507001 – courtesy of the Class 507 Preservation Society
• Class 390 Pendolino No. 390119 in its Pride livery – courtesy of Avanti West Coast
• Class 91 No. 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – courtesy of London North Eastern Railway
• Class 331 – courtesy of Northern
• 4VEP No. 3417 – courtesy of the Bluebell Railway
• Class 91 No. 91101 Flying Scotsman – courtesy of London North Eastern Railway
• Class 465 No. 465908 James Green – courtesy of Southeastern
• Class 720 No. 720506 – courtesy of Greater Anglia
• No. 12 Sarah Siddons – courtesy of Transport for London
• Class 350 – courtesy of London Northwestern Railway
• Class 92 No. 92011 – courtesy of DB Cargo UK
• Class 323 No. 323221 – courtesy of Porterbrook
• Class 90 No. 90040 – courtesy of Freightliner
• Class 85 No. 85006 – courtesy of AC Locomotive Group
• Class 83 No. 83012 – courtesy of AC Locomotive Group
• Class 730 – courtesy of London Northwestern Railway
• Class 87 No. 87002 – courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd
• Class 86 No. 86101 – courtesy of Locomotive Services Ltd
• Class 86 No. 86401 – courtesy of West Coast Railways Co.
• Class 313 No. 313201 – courtesy of Peter Spokes / 400 Series Preservation Group
• Class 373 power car No. 3999 – courtesy of Eurostar

Bi-Mode

• Class 93 – courtesy of Rail Operations Group
• Class 755 – courtesy of Greater Anglia

Hydrogen Power

• Class 799 Hydroflex No. 799201 – courtesy of Porterbrook

Coaches / Wagons

• JNA-T Wagon – courtesy of DCRail and Cappagh Group
• Gold IIA-D wagon – courtesy of Drax Group
• Railway 200 Exhibition Train – courtesy of GBRTT / National Railway Museum / Railway 200 Team
• LMS Saloon No. 45029 – courtesy of Transport for London
• 4 car 4TC set – courtesy of Transport for London
• Inspection Saloon 975025 ‘Caroline’ – courtesy of Loram UK
• RGX Rail Grinder – courtesy of Loram UK

Locomotive Groups

• Front bogie and pair of driving wheels for 72010 Hengist – courtesy of The Standard Steam Locomotive Company

Other / Non-Rail Based Exhibits

• G-NLSE, a Aerospatiale AS355F2 Ecureuil II – courtesy of Network Rail
• Train Sim World Exhibit – courtesy of Dovetail Games
• Thomas the Tank Engine: An Unlikely Fandom Premiere

1st July, 2025

End of the line for the Royal Train as withdrawal announced​

Royal train at Dawlish station


The Royal Family has announced that they plan to withdraw the Royal Train from 2027, when the contract expires.

Decommisioning of the train will commence during the year, and the decision has been made due to the cost of storage and maintenance versus the level of use it gets.

According to the Royal Family’s accounts, rail travel costs around £600,000 a year (including operating lease payments).

The Royal Train would also need a significant level of investment to keep it operational beyond 2027.

With this in mind, the Royal Family have deemed its two new helicopters as a reliable alternative.

The train is currently operated by DB Cargo UK, utilising its two Class 67 locomotives in their special Royal livery.

However, there have been times when other locomotives have hauled the Royal Train, including the recent trip with 60103 Flying Scotsman.

1st July, 2025

DB Cargo ‘privileged’ to operate Royal Train for 30 years as withdrawal announced​

1Z82 17:20 Scarborough – KX hauled by 67005 and conveying HM King Charles III at Joan Croft Jcn. 67006 was attached to the rear. 12 June 2023


DB Cargo UK has commented that it has been a ‘privilege’ to operate the Royal Train for more than 30 years, as the Royal Family has made the decision to withdraw the train.

The withdrawal will take place on or before the 31st March 2027, when DB Cargo’s contract expires.

DB’s CEO, Andrea Rossi, says that there is a great sense of occasion when the Royal Train is out, with enthusiasts and drivers all taking pride in seeing the train in operation.

The train is operated by DB Cargo UK using two Class 67s in a special Royal livery.

In a statement, a DB Cargo spokesperson said: “So, after more than 30 years’ of continuous service to the Royal Train, it’s almost the end of the line.”

“It’s been an absolute joy and a privilege for DB Cargo UK to maintain and operate this important and iconic part of the nation’s rail heritage.”

“Everyone at DB Cargo UK will look back at the last 30 years with great fondness and great pride.”

“When the day finally comes, we hope she is given the send-off she deserves and enjoys her well-earned retirement.”

“In the meantime, we remain at His Majesty’s service.”

1st July, 2025

Rail Gala Weekend at Amberley Museum​

Hunslet 3905/2008 0-4-0ST ‘Jennie’


Amberley Museum will see the return of its Rail Gala Weekend on the 19th – 20th July.

The annual summer celebration will be packed with diesel, steam and industrial action.

The gala will see two guest locomotives:

• W.G. Bagnall 2133/1924 0-4-0ST ‘Woto’
• Hunslet 3905/2008 0-4-0ST ‘Jennie’

The guests will join the resident locomotive ‘Peter’ in steaming through the weekend.

Visitors will be able to enjoy unlimited rides on the railway and witness locomotive demonstrations throughout the weekend.

W.G. Bagnall 2133/1924 0-4-0ST ‘Woto’


There will be model railway displays, the opportunity to get up close to locomotives and visit the Billingshurst Signal Box.

There will be brilliant photo opportunities across the weekend, and it will be a great event for enthusiasts and families alike.

Advance booking is recommended; tickets can be found on their website.

1st July, 2025

Work progresses on Bury-based steam locomotives​

Working on 80097


The Bury Standard 4 group has released an update on the work it is carrying out on two steam locomotives, numbers 80097 and 46428.

BR Standard 4 no. 80097 is still being fitted up for a steam test.

The work includes cutting lots of gaskets and making lots of flanges.

Three years ago, the team had to replace all the small steam tubes on the loco’s boiler, after a tube was found to have split.

80097 is a British Railways Standard Class 4 2-6-4 tank engine. It returned to service in 2022, but was withdrawn from service in October 2022 after it failed with a blown large boiler tube.

Previous to that, it had completed a 34-year restoration in 2018, but then suffered a cracked small boiler tube.

Brake bar on 46428


After completing its restoration, the locomotive underwent trials and was restored to service on 1st March 2019 at Bury on the East Lancashire Railway.

BR Ivatt Mogul No. 46428 is scheduled to have its boiler lifted in late July.

The group’s ex Mark 1 bogie is being prepared so that it can accommodate the boiler inverted, which will allow the boiler to be taken inside the workshop.

Once the boiler is inside the building, the work can be carried out regardless of the weather.

The Bury Standard 4 group hopes that being able to work in all weathers will speed up the restoration process.

The group expects that the work will take several years, as it is dependent on raising the necessary funding.

It plans to contract out each part of the work as it raises the money, or receives donations, that cover the cost.

80097 in steam


When the locomotive was brought to Bury, it had only one brake beam.

This meant that the group had to arrange the manufacture of the extra two that the loco needs.

It now reports that the fabrication of the additional two brake beams is progressing well.

The group has obtained two pre-cut metal slabs and is welding the stub ends into place, sitting in the brake hangars on either side.

Work on restoring the locomotive began six years ago.

Last year, work on the locomotive focused on the fitting out of the external parts of the smokebox, which was then placed on the saddle and had a new number plate and shedcode attached.

1st July, 2025

Drainage Work to Affect Great Western Railway Services.​

Chipping Sodbury flooding


Network Rail will be carrying out planned drainage improvement work in the Chipping Sodbury area, which will affect Great Western Railway services.

From the 7th – 13th July and on 20th July, services between Swindon and Bristol Parkway will be disrupted while work is completed.

They will be carrying out tunnel drainage work and will be raising the track level to help prevent disruptions due to flooding, which has happened numerous times in the past few years.

On the first days of disruption (7th-13th), services between London and South Wales will run hourly using an alternative route, running via Bath.

This will extend services by 30 minutes.

There will be some additional services running Monday to Friday during peak times that will operate between London Paddington and Swindon.

On the 20th July, services between London and South Wales will run via Gloucester until 3 pm, which will extend services by an hour.

Further work to renew a section of track in the Patchway area will also affect services between Bristol and South Wales, meaning that Sunday’s diverted trains won’t stop at Bristol Parkway.

From 3 pm, services will divert to Bath instead of Gloucester, extending journeys by 30 minutes.

Those travelling between South Wales and Bristol can change at Cheltenham Spa or Gloucester for other services running to/from South Wales.

Archive photo showing flooding at Chipping Sodbury


There will be some replacement buses in place between Bristol Parkway and Newport, however, these are limited.

Additionally, valid rail tickets can be used on the m4 Metrobus services between Patchway and Bristol Parkway.


“This work forms part of an ongoing programme of investment, helping to ensure we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services.

“To maintain rail connections to and from South Wales, some of our trains will use a different route from normal – making journeys longer.

“Unfortunately, this also means the frequency of services between London and South Wales also has to be cut from half-hourly to hourly.

“However, we will provide some additional train services between London Paddington and Swindon Monday to Friday at peak periods.

“It’s important customers are aware the arrangements in place will extend their journey times, so please plan ahead.”

Marcus Deegan, Station Manager for Bristol Parkway

1st July, 2025

Class 73 E6040 Announced as the Final Kent and East Sussex Railway Visitor​

BR Class 73 E6040 (73133)


The Kent and East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) has announced its final visitor for its upcoming Diesel Gala.

The fourth and final addition will be Class 73 Electro-Diesel E6040 (73133), courtesy of the 73133 Supporters Group and the Bluebell Railway.

This locomotive will complete the Gala’s ‘Famous Four’ lineup for the long weekend event.

Already joining the Gala are Class 14 No. D9551 ‘Teddy Bear’, Class 205 No. 1118 ‘Thumper’, and Class 50 No. 50017 ‘Royal Oak’.

British Rail Class 205 ‘Thumper’ Unit 1118


Notable aspects of the weekend will include a cavalcade on Sunday morning, two Class 14s working together, and E6040 hauling ‘Thumper’.

Also occurring are cab visits at Bodian Station, a freight train with brake van rides and ‘Drive for a Tenner’ at Tenderden.

Alongside the final visitor announcement, the railway has already announced the theme, which is ‘The Farmers Line: a Network SouthEast revival’.

The theme takes its inspiration from the railway’s original nickname and a poem called ‘The Farmer’s Train’.

Class 14 D9551


The three-day Gala (18th-20th July) will bring the spirit of the mid-20th century to life.

The guests will join the railway’s home fleet for what they hope will be even bigger and better than last year’s Gala.

Further information and booking for this unmissable gala can be found on the railway’s website.


“We’ve worked hard to create a weekend that not only showcases an impressive and diverse line-up of diesel traction action, but one that also tells a deeper story about the heritage of the line and the evolution of British rail travel.

“Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast, nostalgic about the era, or just looking for a great day out, there’ll be something for everyone — from mainline heritage to hands-on activities and immersive touches like the lamp post ceremony and our ‘Farmer’s Line’ identity. We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors on board.”

Jack Marlow, Gala Joint-Organiser