Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Cleo and I bought our poppies last week.

Waiting at Cardiff station with poppies to Paddington
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New UK Stamp Issue​

Christmas 2025​

November 4 2025
Commemorative

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

Archangel Gabriel​

2nd

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Bethlehem Wales Postmark

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Bethlehem is a tiny farming village in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales, lying in the Tywi Valley northeast of Llandeilo and southwest of Llangadog but on the opposite side of the river from the busy London to Haverfordwest road, the A40.

The centre of the village is approximately in front of the six houses opposite the village hall, with other houses, the Primary School, and a former Post Office scattered up and down the hill.

The Nonconformist chapel after which the village was named is on a side road that follows the western edge of the Brecon Beacons.


Bethlehem is overlooked by Carn Goch, a significant Iron Age hillfort with great heaps of stones remaining from the original ramparts.

Bethlehem is around six miles (10 km) from Dinefwr castle, capital of the pre-Norman Deheubarth kingdom and around six miles (10 km) from the important and majestic Carreg Cennen castle that arose later.


William Morgan translated the Bible into the Welsh language in 1588, and translated the Aramaic name for Christ's birthplace into the name we are familiar with.

The village chapel was given the same name. Previously known as Dyffryn Ceidrich (valley of Ceidrich), the village came to be known by the name of the chapel, probably during the great Welsh Methodist revival in Wales of the 19th century.


Every year, the village hosts a traditional Christmas market.

A major attraction is to post Christmas cards from the village to get a Bethlehem postmark, a practice that first gained national attention in about 1965.
 
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Wednesday 5 Nov 2025

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff

We went to my model railway shop and I bought some rolling stock.

I treated Cleo to some new perfume.

Then onto 'The Central Bar' for a few drinks, I had two pints of Sea Fury.

Then we went to 'The Gatekeeper' and we had something to eat.

I had three pints of Nog, a deep, ruby-red ale which has a rich, chocolatey taste, tucked away with liquorice and treacle.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 251, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZF
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5th November, 2025

London to Scotland trains resume after Cumbria train derailment​

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Landslip at Shap


Train services are running once again following the incident at Shap on Monday.

A suspected landslip caused an Avanti West Coast Pendolino to derail, with passengers being evacuated to a nearby hotel.

No one thankfully was significantly injured but the line has been closed whilst work was carried out to repair rail equipment.

Network Rail teams worked throughout the day and night to repair the equipment, in time for trains to run again..


Phil James, North West Route Director for Network Rail, said: “Services are now running again on this vital section of the West Coast Mainline.

“We thank passengers for the patience and understanding they have shown during the very complex repair programme.

“We have worked closely with train operators to ensure services are running this morning and we would urge you to check with them for the latest information.”


Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, Andy Mellors, said: “I would firstly like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding during what has been an extremely challenging time.

“Not only have our staff, industry colleagues and the emergency services been rightly praised by customers for their response to the incident as well as the disruption, but Network Rail as well as other industry partners have also been working hard to restore the infrastructure and clear the route.

“The advice remains that we strongly advise customers continue to check the Avanti West Coast website and National Rail enquiries for the latest travel updates.”
 
5th November, 2025

Cavell Van Returns to Dover after 105 years​

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Southeastern and Port of Dover Remembrance Event


As part of Remembrance Day and Railway 200, the historic Cavell Van returned to Dover.

The 1919-built luggage van brought fallen soldiers back home, and its namesake was Nurse Edith Cavell, who died in the First World War helping soldiers escape.

After her body was carried back in May 1919, this van type became known as a Cavell Van.

A few months later, in July, it transported Captain Charles Fryatt back.

By November 1920, it had made a significant journey carrying an Unknown Warrior, who later represented all who were lost and never identified.
 
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Southeastern and Port of Dover Remembrance Event


Today, over 300 people gathered at Dover’s Cruise Terminal 1 to see the van return to Dover (which had been held at the Kent & East Sussex Railway) after 105 years since it brought back the Unknown Warrior.


“To see the Cavell Van return to Dover after 105 years has been a truly emotional experience. This railway van was used in one of most poignant moments in our railway heritage – it carried home the body of the Unknown Warrior in 1920 who represented those who died in the war and have no known grave.

“As we mark Railway 200, it’s important we remember that railways have always been about more than just moving people and goods; they’ve played a vital role in our nation’s most significant moments.

“We are honoured to have worked with our partners to bring this piece of living history back to where it’s remarkable journey began, and to ensure that the sacrifices of Nurse Edith Cavell, Captain Charles Fryatt, and the Unknown Warrior are never forgotten.”

Steve White, Managing Director of South Eastern Railway
 
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