Marcus' Model Railway Journey

30th July, 2025

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

We went to 'The Great Western' for a couple of drinks.

I popped into my model railway shop afterward, nothing of interest today.

Then we went for lunch at 'The Flight Club'.

It was our first ever visit, so we had a good exploration of the three floors there, which included the roof-top bar.

We tried some burgers. Tasty!!

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was a Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 253, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZH

The bus home from Cardiff was a Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 251, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZF

It was Cleo's and my first ever visit to 'The Flight Club'.

If you ever wondered why it got it's name from, well...........


Every inch of Flight Club Cardiff is filled with unexpected, ridiculous, joy.

Throughout all three floors, you'll find nods to the wonderful city, lights that dance in time to the music, Bella and Astrid, our fairground horses, and incredible bars to enjoy a cocktail or three at.

And that's not all!

You're guaranteed to feel like the Champion of the World on our heated roof terrace that's fit with cosy cabins and a traditional caravan.

Oh, and did we mention the disco phone box?

Give it a ring; you never know who might answer!

1st August, 2025

Mid Hampshire railway to welcome Class 150 Sprinter​

Class 150 in its original livery


The Watercress Line in mid-Hampshire is to become the UK’s first heritage railway to add a Class 150 Sprinter train to its running fleet.

The second-generation ‘Sprinter’ Diesel Multiple Unit dates back to 1987 and has its engines and seating all within one structure.

Leasing company Porterbrook has donated the unit, numbered 150231.

It is currently at ‘The Greatest Gathering’ in Derby, a ‘Railway 200’ celebration of railway heritage.

The team at Greatest Gathering team has organised for the unit to return to its original 1987 external livery.

Northern class 150 train


For its second generation of diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), British Rail considered two designs: the lightweight ‘Pacer’ type using mainly bus technology, and the more substantial ‘Sprinters’.

One of the most significant changes from the first generation DMUs was the replacement of traditional ‘slam doors’ by power sliding doors.

British Rail Engineering Ltd built a total of 137 Class 150 units at York works between 1984 and 1987.

Each coach has a six-cylinder 286hp Cummins 4-stroke diesel engine, driving a Voith transmission. the units have a top speed of 75 mph.

Class 150s are still in use with Transport for Wales, Northern and First Great Western.

However, they are being withdrawn as replacements enter service

TfW Class 150 at Cardiff Central


During its career, 150231 worked from Manchester and then Norwich, a brief spell on ‘Silverlink’, Central Trains and Arriva Trains Wales in November 2007.

Its last working day was Wednesday 9 July 2025, when it worked 2V30 18:35 Shrewsbury to Swansea and then empty stock 5V30 23:03 Swansea to Cardiff Canton Depot.

The unit will now enable the Watercress Line service to fill a gap in its service, enabling it to offer an earlier departure from Alton than the current 11.50 steam service.

The Class 150 will arrive at The Watercress Line for operational induction and training at the end of the summer.

It will enter service later in the year.


“Since our previous multiple unit, the Class 205 ‘Hampshire Unit’ came out of service in 2004, we have been looking out for an opportunity to fill in the service for our visitors from the Alton and London end of the Watercress Line. We hope to start restoration of the 1959 ‘Hampshire Unit’ to be our mainstay for the Alton service, with this Class 150 in support.”

Rebecca Dalley, CEO, Mid Hants Railway – The Watercress Line

1st August, 2025

65 years of Class 37s to be celebrated at North Yorkshire Moors Railway​

37264 near RAF Fylingdales


To celebrate 65 years of the legendary Class 37 diesel locomotive, in August, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is running a series of special Sunday services hauled by one of Britain’s most iconic engines.

Since first appearing on the British railway scene in 1960, the rugged and reliable Class 37s have been a firm favourite on Britain’s railways.

To mark their 65 years of service, on Sundays 17th, 24th, and 31st August 2025, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway will be running a series of scheduled services with trains hauled by Class 37 locomotives, both single and double-headed.

The special celebratory services are:

• 10:50 Grosmont to Whitby: No. 37688 Great Rocks.
• 13:15 Whitby to Grosmont: No. 37688 Great Rocks.
• 13:50 Grosmont to Pickering: double-headed with No. 37264 leading and No. 37688 Great Rocks.
• 15:20 Pickering to Grosmont: double-headed with No. 37688 Great Rocks leading and No. 37264.

37688 Great Rocks


No. 37688 Great Rocks was built at the Vulcan Foundry in 1963, and originally numbered D6905.

During its mainline career, it operated throughout Wales and Scotland until being withdrawn in 2017.

Now owned by D05 Preservation Ltd, Great Rocks is now based at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where it has since seen active heritage service

37264 at the annual Diesel Gala


No. 37264 was also built at Vulcan Foundry, emerging in 1965 as No. D6964.

Its BR service saw it operating in South Yorkshire and East Anglia until being withdrawn from mainline operations in 1999.

Since 2010, 37264 has been based on a long-term loan at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.


“The Class 37s are more than just locomotives; they’re legends of British engineering. This anniversary is a great opportunity for us to honour their lasting impact and give passengers the chance to relive an unforgettable era of rail travel.”

Nick Simpson, Head of Mechanical Engineering at the NYMR