Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Azuma train passing by Newcastle

Alstom Coradia Max train for PKP Intercity Poland

Why? You may ask.

Sunday 16 Nov 2025

Storm Claudia – Hereford – Newport update​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Pandy 16 Nov 25


Since Friday 14 November, alongside our colleagues at Transport for Wales, we’ve worked tirelessly to re-instate the track between Hereford and Newport, where the overflow of water from the River Monnow, which was announced as National Emergency, saw the river reach its highest ever recorded levels.

This washed away the track stone near a level crossing at Pandy, leaving the railway tracks suspended by a two metre void.

Storm Claudia 16.11.25

Storm Claudia 16.11.25

Storm Claudia 15.11.25

WATCH VIDEO

To watch video click link https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/r3oznxln47


The rock armour in place from our resilience work in 2021, saw several boulders which alone weigh eight tonnes each, moved by the sheer force of the water from River Monnow, which you can see in the pictures attached, however the £4 million investment on this line in 2021 to reduce extreme weather impacts has held true to its commitment, preventing further spread and damage to the area.

To add to intricacy of the situation, many local roads have also been flooded, which meant moving materials to site using arctic lorries to deliver specialist plant and 500 tonnes of ballast (track stone) is an enormous and very complex challenge.

Our teams continue to work around the clock, with over 100 skilled people in attendance, we have already re-laid 150tonnes of ballast, with another 300tonnes to go.

Thank you to all our passengers and freight operators for your patience while we do all we can to get the railway open again as quickly and safely as possible for passengers and freight – we’re working towards the line re-opening by Tuesday 18 November.

Transport for Wales travel update -

The railway between Newport and Hereford remains closed until at least Tuesday, with limited rail services running between Hereford and Shrewsbury, and limited replacement road transport so we cannot guarantee customers can reach their destination.

Conwy valley line has now reopened

Passengers with tickets dated 14, 15. 16 and 17 November can travel at no extra cost on Tuesday 18.

Please continue to check your travel plans http://journeycheck.com/tfwrail/ and @national rail

17th November, 2025

Colas Rail to operate and maintain New Measurement Train fleet​

43277 hauling the New Measurement Train


Colas Rail UK’s Freight division has announced that they have been awarded a contract with Network Rail.

The contract includes the operation (which they have already been doing) and maintenance of the New Measurement Train (NMT) fleet.

These trains help to monitor and record track conditions at high speeds to identify faults before they cause any safety issues.

The contract begins next month, and while Colas has been involved with the fleet since 2015, they will now be responsible for carrying out light and heavy maintenance duties, as well as operating the fleet.

The fleet includes two Class 43 Power Cars and five Mark 3 coaches, which allow it to complete the analysis as it impacts the track, just like a standard passenger service.

A previous maintenance contract was held with Loram UK.


“This contract is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of Infrastructure Monitoring services for Network Rail.

“The award of this contract demonstrates Network Rail’s confidence in our ability to deliver top-notch Infrastructure Monitoring services.

“It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.”

Speaking on the success of the contract award, Freight Operations Director, Sep Semsarzadeh

17th November, 2025

Volunteers sought ahead of working party on steam locomotive Una​

Una at the Mseum


Wales’ National Slate Museum (Amgueddfa Llechi Cymru) is offering an opportunity to volunteers to work on repairs to its quarry engine, Una.

The engine is currently at Boston Lodge in Minffordd, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ engineering works, undergoing essential repairs, and help is needed to get it back into good condition.

Boston Lodge Works


The Museum is keen for Una to return in time for its reopening. It closed for refurbishment a year ago, on 4 November 2024.

The refurbishment will conserve and renovate the Museum’s Grade 1 buildings and will improve facilities for visitors, adding new play areas, learning centres, a shop and a café.


The National Slate Museum is located at Gilfach Ddu, workshops built in the 19th century for the now disused Dinorwic quarry. It is located within the Padarn Country Park in Llanberis in Gwynedd.

The museum preserves and displays relics of the slate industry in Wales.

Una is a Hunslet engine that was built in 1905 by the Leeds-based company.

It worked at Pen-yr-Orsedd quarry until around 1960, where it was mainly used to haul wagons of rubble within the quarry.

The National Slate Museum is used as a base for the locomotives that operate on the Llanberis Lake Railway, which is currently running shorter journeys than usual because of work being done as part of the National Grid’s ongoing essential electricity cable replacement project.

Una failed its safety tests a few years ago, so it has been out of action, which the Museum says has been disappointing for both staff and visitors.

Una’s nameplate


The Museum has released the following information about the volunteering opportunity:

• Location: Boston Lodge works, Minffordd.
• Minimum age for volunteers: 16
• No previous experience required

There is a limited number of places for volunteers.

More information is available here.

Volunteers can reserve a place by contacting chloe.ward@museumwales.ac.uk by 9 December.