Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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So after a few pints and cocktails it was time to hit the road back to the hotel.........

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Reached the 'old town' and proceeded to our favourite cocktail bar - Nova.

I was so happy to see that the 'Singapore Sling' had appeared on their menu.

They still had the offer of two cocktails for €12, as long as they were the same, so we took full advantage. :yaay:

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Round 4 [yes, round 4!]

The poor waitress didn't know what to think. :lol:

My friend, Alex said, it's OK. Saying I could handle it.

Cleo looked to the heavens as I made my last order of two more cocktails...............

X2 SINGAPORE SLINGS!

Gin, Cherry Brandy, Benedictine, Triple Sec, Zombie Syrup, Lime Juice, Aromatic Bitters, Pineapple Juice, Cherry Foam, Gold Dust

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14 Oct 2025

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Rail Industry in Wales prepares for winter​


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TfW Class 197


Transport for Wales and Network Rail are working together to keep people moving this autumn and winter.

The changing seasons of autumn and winter bring unique challenges to the railway across the UK.

Cold, wet weather and autumnal conditions can have a direct impact on rail infrastructure and train services.

The rail industry in Wales has invested and worked in partnership to prepare for challenges ahead.

Diseased Tree and Vegetation Management

Network Rail is carrying out an extensive vegetation management programme that involves regular trackside clearance, removing trees and vegetation.

Additionally, it will be using railhead treatment trains (RHTT) across the network to maximise adhesion between the train wheels and the steel rails.

These trains use high power water jetting to remove leaf contamination from the rails and, at targeted locations, a solution that can provide additional grip.

Rail head treatment will operate across 1500 miles of track for 17-21 hours a day, 6 days a week between 1 October and 6 December.

Also, this year, new high-definition railhead cameras on trains are being used to proactively identify rail head contamination and carry out preventative treatment.

New wheel repairing facility in North Wales

TfW is opening a new train wheel repairing facility in Holyhead this month, which will speed up the train repair process and keep trains running.

Train wheels can become worn and uneven during winter months and the new wheel lathe will be able to reshape worn wheels to keep them safe and smooth for travel.

£1.4 million resilience work on Conwy Valley Line

The Conwy Valley line has experienced more than 500 days of closure due to storm-related damage, making it one of the most affected routes on the Wales and Borders Network.

Transport for Wales and Network Rail have invested £1.4 million this year to prepare for the winter season including the clearing of trees and thick vegetation that pose a risk during bad weather.

Network Rail is trialling an innovative new solution for treating the rails on the Conwy Valley line this autumn.

In collaboration with Interflon and Irish Rail, a UK first vehicle-borne applicator has been designed to allow the latest Interflon Leaf Guard product, to be applied to the rails, to break down leaf contamination, forming a protective barrier to keep the rails clean for longer.

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Nick Millington, Wales and Borders Route Director said: “Safety is our always our priority and our teams work tirelessly across 1,500 miles of track to keep passengers and freight running.

As the impacts of climate change become more apparent, we're working harder than ever to protect the railway against extreme conditions, such as using our specialist trains to keep the tracks clear and safe, as well as working closely with Transport for Wales to make sure the network is ready, whatever the seasons bring.”

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said: “The changing weather presents the rail industry in the UK with many challenges and over the last few years we’ve seen this intensify over the autumn and winter seasons.

“We’re working in partnership with Network Rail to ensure that we’re well-prepared for the months ahead and our main priority is always safety.

“We want to keep people moving and rail services running across our network for the seasons ahead and continue to encourage people to use sustainable transport.”
 
Tuesday 14 Oct 2025

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Rail Industry in Wales prepares for winter​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

train.jpg

Autumn treatment


Transport for Wales and Network Rail are working together to keep people moving this autumn and winter.

The changing seasons of autumn and winter bring unique challenges to the railway across the UK.

Cold, wet weather and autumnal conditions can have a direct impact on rail infrastructure and train services.

The rail industry in Wales has invested and worked in partnership to prepare for challenges ahead.

Diseased Tree and Vegetation Management

Network Rail is carrying out an extensive vegetation management programme that involves regular trackside clearance, removing trees and vegetation.

Additionally, it will be using railhead treatment trains (RHTT) across the network to maximise adhesion between the train wheels and the steel rails.

These trains use high power water jetting to remove leaf contamination from the rails and, at targeted locations, a solution that can provide additional grip.

Rail head treatment will operate across 1500 miles of track for 17-21 hours a day, 6 days a week between 1 October and 6 December.

Also, this year, new high-definition railhead cameras on trains are being used to proactively identify rail head contamination and carry out preventative treatment.

New wheel repairing facility in North Wales

TfW is opening a new train wheel repairing facility in Holyhead this month, which will speed up the train repair process and keep trains running.

Train wheels can become worn and uneven during winter months and the new wheel lathe will be able to reshape worn wheels to keep them safe and smooth for travel.

£1.4 million resilience work on Conwy Valley Line

The Conwy Valley line has experienced more than 500 days of closure due to storm-related damage, making it one of the most affected routes on the Wales and Borders Network.

Transport for Wales and Network Rail have invested £1.4 million this year to prepare for the winter season including the clearing of trees and thick vegetation that pose a risk during bad weather.

Network Rail is trialling an innovative new solution for treating the rails on the Conwy Valley line this autumn.

In collaboration with Interflon and Irish Rail, a UK first vehicle-borne applicator has been designed to allow the latest Interflon Leaf Guard product, to be applied to the rails, to break down leaf contamination, forming a protective barrier to keep the rails clean for longer.

Nick Millington, Wales and Borders Route Director said:

“Safety is our always our priority and our teams work tirelessly across 1,500 miles of track to keep passengers and freight running.

As the impacts of climate change become more apparent, we're working harder than ever to protect the railway against extreme conditions, such as using our specialist trains to keep the tracks clear and safe, as well as working closely with Transport for Wales to make sure the network is ready, whatever the seasons bring.”

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said:

“The changing weather presents the rail industry in the UK with many challenges and over the last few years we’ve seen this intensify over the autumn and winter seasons.

“We’re working in partnership with Network Rail to ensure that we’re well-prepared for the months ahead and our main priority is always safety.

“We want to keep people moving and rail services running across our network for the seasons ahead and continue to encourage people to use sustainable transport.”
 
14th October, 2025

Steam locomotive 92134 set for Great Central Winter Gala​

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92134


Following its successful Autumn Diesel and Steam Galas, the Great Central Railway has announced the first guest locomotive for its Winter Steam Gala in January.

The Winter Steam Gala is one of the UK’s largest railway shows, and will take place from 22-25 January at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire.

The guest loco is BR Standard Class 9F No. 92134, and it will appear courtesy of the Self family and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

It was built at Crewe Works in June 1957, is one of only nine surviving 9F locomotives.

Most notably, it is the only surviving single chimney 9F.

The 9F class, designed as a heavy freight engine, was one of the most powerful steam locomotives to operate in Britain.
 
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92134


The loco was withdrawn from service in December 1966 from Birkenhead depot, and was sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard in Barry, South Wales.

In December 1980, it left the yard to be rescued for preservation, the 116th locomotive to do so.

After nearly thirty years of work to restore it, 92134 returned to steam in 2019.

The Great Central Railway’s Winter Steam Gala will include both passenger and freight trains, which will run throughout the day, hauled by both guest locos and the Great Central’s home fleet.

Frequent services will run from all the GCR’s heritage stations.

The Railway will announce further guest locomotives and details of the event over the coming weeks.

Tickets for the event will be available soon, and enthusiasts will be able to purchase them from the Railway’s website.

The Great Central Railway was set up in 1969 by a group of volunteers.

Today, it continues to operate as a visitor attraction which aims to educate, entertain and bring value to local communities.
 
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92134


“We’re excited to welcome 92134 to our Winter Steam Gala and are very grateful to the Self family
and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for making this visit possible. The 9Fs represent the pinnacle
of British steam freight design, and seeing one in action on our main line is something truly special
for enthusiasts and visitors alike.”

Malcolm Holmes, General Manager at the Great Central Railway
 
14th October, 2025

Three industrial steam locomotives at West Somerset Railway’s Autumn Steam Weekend​

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GWR 813 hauling a brake van


This weekend’s “Autumn Steam Weekend” at the West Somerset Railway will feature three locomotives that spent much of their lives in industrial service.

From Friday, 17th, until Sunday, 19th October, Boots No. 1, Caledonia Works 1219, and Great Western Railway No. 813 will be the gala’s star attractions.

Boots No. 1 will perform demonstration movements in the yard at Minehead. It is the last surviving working example of a fireless locomotive in Britain, which was used in hazardous locations, where a live fire or spark would be dangerous.

Steam to fill the boiler and power the locomotives was stored in a tank, which was charged with high-pressure steam created elsewhere on the site, well away from flammable materials.
 
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