Marcus' Model Railway Journey

19th September, 2025

Steam adventure this weekend at the Epping Ongar Railway​

34072 257 Squadron


This weekend (19-21st September) is the Epping Ongar Railway Southern Giants Steam Gala.

This gala sees three days of steam action, with three visiting locomotives joining 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’.

34072 ‘257 Squadron’ visits courtesy of Southern Locomotives Ltd, and 926 ‘Repton’ will be making the visit from North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Finally, Hunslet 3781 will visit for the weekend courtesy of The Watercress Line.

926 Repton


An intensive timetable will be in operation, with trains running into the evening on Saturday.

With parking limited at both stations, the railway will be running a fleet of vintage London buses to provide connections to Epping Underground and Shenfield railway stations.

Want more out of the day? The railway is running footplate passes throughout the weekend as well as various exhibitions at Ongar station and a display of Malcom Root’s artwork.

For an additional charge, you can also travel in the Shark Brake Van, which will be attached to one of the coaching sets.


A timetable can be found by clicking here, and tickets for the weekend can be booked here.

19th September, 2025

Myfanwy diesel locomotive to visit Tanfield this weekend​

Myfanwy diesel locomotive to visit Tanfield


Myfanwy, a striking yellow and black locomotive, will be making an appearance at Tanfield Railway’s ‘Diesel Pioneers’ event this weekend (20th and 21st September).

The locomotive is usually based at the Foxfield Railway and underwent a full restoration in 2019.

This is an interesting locomotive to have at the event due to its history.

Construction on three identical locomotives, including Myfanwy, began in 1961 by W.G. Bagnall, the firm, shortly after stopping their construction.


These parts were sent off to Darlington and completed by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns in 1962.

The work done here was less known due to each of the locomotives keeping their ‘Bagnall’ builder’s name on the front.

Myfanwy diesel locomotive to visit Tanfield


Myfanwy is the only remaining survivor and spent time at Royal Ordnance Factory at Pembrey in South Wales, and had an industrial career on the Jubilee line tube extension project in London.

Myfanwy will be joining three of Tanfield’s own diesel locomotives – Ribblesdale Cement No. 6, Tyne Improvement Commission No. 35, and Reyrolles No. 2.


Trains will run from 9 am til 4 pm, with tickets available in advance on Tanfield’s website and on the day.


“The North East pioneered commercial locomotive building. During 140-years or so the region built engines of all different shapes and sizes for railways across the globe. But Myfanwy is one of the most unusual stories.

“We’re here to celebrate the North East’s railway history, so it’s great to be able to tell Myfanwy’s story here in the North East where it was actually built … despite appearances.”

“Everyone knows the North East played a pioneering role with steam locomotives, but in reality the region also had a massive part to play in the early development of diesel and electric railway locomotives too”

Tanfield Railway General Manager David Watchman

19th September, 2025


One of Greater Anglia's new Alstom trains

19th September, 2025


A Greater Anglia train