Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Caledonian Works No. 1219


Caledonia Works 1219, built by Andrew Barclay in Kilmarnock, worked for many years at Stewarts and Lloyds steelworks in Motherwell, Scotland.

In 2016, it underwent restoration at Williton on the West Somerset Railway, and this will be its last public appearance before withdrawal from service for another major overhaul.
 
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Also attending the weekend is LSWR T3 4-4-0 No. 563


Great Western Railway No. 813 was built to perform shunting and local freight work for the Port Talbot Railway in South Wales.

It was displaced by the GWR’s 57xx Class 0-6-0 pannier tanks, with five being sold to South Wales collieries whilst 813 was acquired by Robert Stephenson and Company in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which refurbished it and sold it to a colliery service near Newcastle.

When Britain’s coal mines were nationalised, 813 passed into the fleet of the National Coal Board, and was the only surviving locomotive from the Port Talbot Railway.

With the decline of the coal mines, 813 was withdrawn from service but was saved from scrap by the GWR 813 Trust.

During the weekend, on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th, 813 will work demonstration freight trains with wagons owned by the Trust. On Sunday, the 19th, it will operate some passenger trains between Minehead and Blue Anchor.

The other steam locomotives appearing at the weekend are London and South Western Railway T3 Class No. 563, GWR Castle Class No. 5029 Nunney Castle, GWR Manor Class No. 7828 Odney Manor, and GWR Mogul No. 9351, which will all be operating trains between Bishops Lydeard and Minehead.

At Bishops Lydeard, the Taunton Model Railway Group’s club room will be open for visitors, whilst at Washford, visitors can view progress on the Heritage Carriages Project.
 

New UK Definitive Stamp Issue​

2025 October Tariff​

A new definitive stamp representing the new international postage rate for letters up to 100g, introduced by Royal Mail, effective 6 October 2025.

2025 (September 30 2025)
Definitive

Size 39mm (h) x 30mm (v)
Printed by Cartor Security Print
Print Process Gravure
Perforations 15 x 14.5
Gum Self Adhesive

Dark Green​

£3.40
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Wednesday 15 Oct 2025

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff

We first popped into 'The Great Western' for a couple of drinks.

I tried a pint of 'Root and Branch Black IPA'

Then we went to my model railway shop and I bought a few things.

Then we went to 'The Gatekeeper' for a few drinks.

I had a few pints of 'Plum Porter'

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 254, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZJ
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Wednesday 15th October 2025

4917


ETHNONRAIL UPDATE

ROLLING STOCK &( FLEET UPDATE


Today, I bought a - second-hand - X1 PGA aggregate hopper, X3 Regional Railway Coaches, X1 Class 20 and X2 Class 37 Locomotives.


Lima L305636a2 50T PGA aggregate hopper - ARC Amey Roadstone AR 14228​

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15 Oct 2025

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Rail Industry in Wales prepares for winter​


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TfW South Africa Minister of Transport Taffs Well


Transport for Wales (TfW) has recently welcomed South Africa’s Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy to the new South Wales Metro depot at Taff’s Well.

The visit was part of a wider UK engagement on learning from international best practices in rail and transport infrastructure. TfW provided a detailed insight into how a devolved nation manages and delivers a major integrated transport project.

The Minister Barbara Creecy was hosted by TfW Chief Infrastructure Officer Dan Tipper and Policy Director Sam Hadley, alongside the South African Department for Transportation's Deputy Director General, Ngwako Makaepea.

Members of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) also joined the visit, travelling with the group on a brand new Class 756 train to Taff's Well depot.

The visit included a tour of the £100 million depot facility where they were shown the brand new Class 398 Tram trains, which will be entering service on the Core Valley Lines next year.

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TfW South Africa Minister of Transport Taffs Well


Dan Tipper, TfW Chief Infrastructure Officer said: “It was an honour to welcome Barbara Creecy and her team to show the progress we are making on the South Wales Metro.

“It's great to share Internationally how TfW, as a publicly-owned entity, is delivering a modern, sustainable, and reliable transport system for the people of Wales.”
 
15th October, 2025

First of Chiltern Railways New Mark 5A Trains Unveiled​

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Chiltern Mark 5A train launch


Yesterday (14th October), Chiltern Railways showcased their Mark 5A trains.

Once introduced, these trains will add an extra 10,000 seats each weekday.

They are set to be introduced from 2026 between London and the West Midlands and will offer better journeys for customers.

The 13 trains are the newest fleet from Chiltern, replacing their oldest, which dates back around 50 years.

The fleet will also feature improvements to the passenger experience, including USB ports and sockets and WiFi.

There will be better storage for bikes and luggage, as well as air conditioning.
 
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Inside a Mark 5A train


These trains will also improve accessibility for those with accessibility needs, featuring fully accessible toilets and better seating and boarding arrangements.

At an event at London Marylebone station, a newly liveried train was unveiled, and Rail Minister Lord Hendy toured it with Chiltern Managing Director Richard Allan before heading out on a journey to Birmingham.


“We are thrilled for customers that we are replacing our oldest coaches with much newer trains, and as a result we plan to provide 10,000 more seats on our network every weekday from the end of 2026.

“The unveiling of the first of our newest trains at London Marylebone is a positive, tangible sign of better times ahead for customers. There are better on-board facilities and more services planned from the end of 2026, subject to the usual rail industry approval processes.

“We are making good progress with our vision and plan to modernise and decarbonise Chiltern; the next stage is to continue working with Network Rail and the Department of Transport on the business case to replace our 35-year old diesel trains with battery-electric trains.”

Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways
 
16 Oct 2025

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Discover the Railway Heritage of Fishguard Harbour​


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Fishguard Harbour station


South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership (SWWC CRP) are delighted to be collaborating with Stena Line to host a heritage event celebrating the history of Fishguard Harbour railway and the port.

The event which has been supported by Fishguard community run heritage centre ‘Ein Hanes – Our History’, will take place on the afternoon of Saturday 18 October at the Stena Line ferry terminal, bringing together local voices, stories and history to highlight the importance of the railway and port to the region.

This event is part of the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of the modern railway.

The event is free to attend, thanks to funding from Transport for Wales (TfW) and Great Western Railway.

The day will feature a lively programme of talks, with contributions from local authors, historians and commentators of all ages, including short story slots for residents to share their own memories.

Alongside the talks, there will be:
  • A brand-new exhibition exploring the history of the railway and port
  • Model railway layouts showcasing West Wales modelling
  • Live ‘in situ’ theatre performances, with actors in early 1900s costume bringing history to life
  • Music from local musicians and prizes for the best visitor costumes
Stalls will feature local products, such as history books, vintage sweets, and apothecary items from nearby shops.

Refreshments will be served in a volunteer-run café, operating on a donation basis, with proceeds supporting charitable outreach.

Philip Merchant, Project Officer at SWWC CRP said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the foundational contributions of the railway visionaries coming to West Wales and the subsequent building of the significant port which opened up a gateway to Ireland and America!”

A spokesperson for Stena Line said: “Stena Line is proud to support the railway heritage event at Fishguard Harbour by providing our facilities for this important celebration of history and transport. We believe in preserving our shared heritage and connecting communities, and we look forward to welcoming visitors as they explore the rich legacy of rail travel at the harbour.”

Dr Louise Moon, TfW’s Railway 200 Programme Lead said: “This year has seen events and activities take place across Wales and borders, and we are delighted to have one focusing on the important story of Fishguard Harbour. It is great to see railway heritage bringing communities together, and for more stories about our railway past to get the recognition that they deserve.”

Visitors are encouraged to travel to the terminal by train from Fishguard & Goodwick and beyond, making the journey part of the experience.

With parking at the ferry terminal limited, attendees are encouraged to arrive by train, on foot, by bike or through car sharing.

If you would like further information or have a story to tell or historical photographs or memorabilia, please e-mail philip.merchant@southwestwales.co



This event will be taking place from 12:30 to 4:30.

We encourage visitors to travel by train on the 12:43 service from Fishguard & Goodwick railway station and return on the 16:00 train service from Fishguard Harbour.

This event is part of the nationwide Railway 200 celebrations, marking 200 years of the modern railway.

It is a year-long, partnership-led campaign aimed at celebrating the history of railways while inspiring a new generation to consider careers in the rail industry.

1. Community rail is a grassroots movement spanning Britain that is made up of community rail partnerships, which work along whole railway lines or in specific regions, and volunteer station ‘friends’ or ‘adoption’ groups to connect communities with their railways.

There are more than 75 community rail partnerships and 1,300 station friends volunteer groups across Britain.

2. South West Wales Connected is an accredited Community Rail Partnership (CRP), awarded by the Community Rail Network, Department for Transport and Welsh Government.

The CRP works to connect communities to their railway along the rail routes from Port Talbot to Swansea, Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire.

As a Community Rail Partnership our aims are to provide a voice for the community, promote sustainable, healthy, and accessible travel, bring communities together and supporting diversity and inclusion and supporting social and economic development.

3. 4theRegion are the host organisation for the CRP. 4theRegion is a not-for-profit company, founded in Swansea in January 2018.

They are a membership alliance working for social, environmental and economic change in Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

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Thursday 16 Oct 2025

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Don't forget to book your ticket for ‘Inspiration’ Railway 200’s unique exhibition train at Llandudno station​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Inspiration Train Railway 200


Bookings are still open for visits to Llandudno station this November 15-18 to see the unique Exhibition Train ‘Inspiration’ as part of Railway 200, this year’s national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the modern railway.

Visitors are invited to secure their tickets to the exhibition train when it arrives at Llandudno on 15 November.

The schedule for the train, named Inspiration, now covers 27 locations across England, Scotland and Wales to the end of the bicentenary year.

The train is travelling across Britain for 12 months, visiting 60 locations and showcasing rail’s past, present and future.

The tour for 2026 will be unveiled later this year.

Free tickets to board the train are still available to book and registrations of interest are open here for visits until 20 December 2025.

Those who register their interest will be the first to be informed when new bookings open.

Curated in partnership with the National Railway Museum, Inspiration will be the only exhibition train on the rail network and will help to attract the next generation of pioneering talent to the railway.

Inspiration will comprise four eye-catching carriages.

Rail’s pioneering pedigree will be explored in a ‘Railway Firsts’ coach, highlighting landmark moments in rail’s development.

Alongside will be a ‘Wonderlab on Wheels’, inviting visitors to test their engineering skills with hands-on exhibits.

Next will be a ‘Your Railway Future’ carriage, showcasing some of the more hidden roles in rail and encouraging people to join the railway to shape the next 200 years.

The final coach is a ‘Partner Zone’, offering free, flexible exhibition space.

There will also be a dedicated area showcasing how Transport for Wales work with industry partners, including a focus on Network North Wales.

The carriages have been supported by a £250k grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

More than 200,000 people from across the UK, including many schoolchildren, are expected to visit by prior booking.

Admission to the train will be free, but normal entry charges to heritage railways and private sites where it is located will apply.

The train will visit the North East of England in September - rail’s 200th anniversary month - as part of S&DR200, a nine-month international festival inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever.

No passengers will be carried on the train as it travels to its exhibition sites.

Booked visits will begin at 10am and the last entry will be at 4pm.

The train will close at 5pm.

Visits are expected to last up to an hour.

A virtual tour of the exhibition experience is planned for those who are unable to visit in person.

Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, a cross-sector, Government-backed bicentenary campaign, said: “This special exhibition train is set to become a new, national visitor attraction, providing an unforgettable experience for hundreds of thousands of people across Britain, including many schoolchildren. It will excite, enlighten, entertain and inspire them to take a fresh look at the railway, as part of its anniversary celebrations.”

To book and find out more about Inspiration visit www.railway200.co.uk/inspiration

For more on Railway 200 and how to get involved visit www.railway200.co.uk


About Railway 200

2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, a journey that changed the world forever.

Under the banner of Railway 200, nationwide celebrations are planned throughout the year, showcasing how the railway shaped Britain and the world and how its pioneering pedigree continues today and is shaping tomorrow.

Railway 200 encourages everyone to join in this once-in-a-generation opportunity, whether that’s by displaying the Railway 200 logo, organising events and activities, running competitions, or sharing rail stories.

About the National Railway Museum and Locomotion
  • The National Railway Museum in York has the largest collection of railway objects in the world and is the most visited free attraction in the region. It celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025.
  • Locomotion hosts the largest undercover collection of historic railway vehicles in Europe, showcasing highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in Shildon - the world’s first railway town.
  • The National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in County Durham form part of the Science Museum Group.
  • Admission to both museums is free and visitors are encouraged to book in advance, visit: www.railwaymuseum.org.uk and www.locomotion.org.uk
For information about S&DR200 visit www.sdr200.co.uk
 
16th October, 2025

Beamish donates two steam locomotives to heritage railway​

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Derek Smith, Tanfield Railway Trust Chairman accepting the name plates from Malleable No.5 from Paul Jarman, Beamish Director of Transport and Industry


Tanfield Railway’s two Victorian steam locomotives have a new future ahead of them following being handed over to the railway by the Beamish Museum.

Twizell has been on long-term loan to Tanfield Railway and recently underwent a £100,000 overhaul. meaning that the 1891-built locomotive is in full working order.

To celebrate the transfer of ownership, Twizel will be out at the railway’s end-of-year gala weekend (18th/19th October).
 
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Angela Pickering, Tanfield Trust Secretary handing over a painting of 1891 built Twizell to Paul Jarman, Beamish Director of Transport and Industry


The second locomotive now owned by the railway is Malleable No. 5, a 1873-built locomotive.

This locomotive was previously stored by Beamish at Marley Hill engine shed, which is now the Tanfield headquarters.

No. 5 moved across to Beamish and remained in-operational. Now at Tanfield, they plan to fully assess the locomotive and restore it.

As part of the transfer, three vintage coal hoppers (stored at Tanfield) will be formally handed over.


“The Tanfield Railway was created to showcase the history of the north east’s industrial railways. The unique history of Malleable No. 5 means it fills a major gap in the collection and Twizell has been a much loved part of our operations for several years.

“To secure them both is a massive boost, but to do so in the year we celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Tanfield Railway is really special.

“We’re really grateful to Beamish for entrusting the future of these vehicles in us.”

Derek Smith, Chairman of Tanfield Railway Trust
 
October 16 2025

UK stamps Issued today

Monopoly​

2025 (October 16 2025)
Commemorative

Designed by Hat-trick Design
Size 41mm (h) x 30mm (v)
Printed by Cartor Security Print
Print Process Lithography
Perforations 14.5 x 14
Gum PVA

Collect £200 salary as you pass GO​

1st

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