Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Miniature Sheet Pack

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14 Jan 2026

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Travel advice for essential engineering works in Swansea area​

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TfW Swanea station


Passengers travelling in the Swansea area are advised to plan their journeys in advance as essential engineering work takes place later this month.

From Monday 26 January to Sunday 8 February, major structural and track upgrades by Network Rail on the Landore Viaduct will significantly affect train services between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea.

Services operated by Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway will be impacted, with buses replacing trains throughout the affected period.

Journey times will be longer than usual, and customers are strongly advised to check before travelling.

Key alterations
  • Rail replacement buses will run between Port Talbot – Swansea - Llanelli from Monday 26 to Friday 30 January. Arrangements will vary depending on the date of travel, particularly for customers using Gowerton. Services between Swansea and Llanelli/West Wales will resume from Saturday 31 January.
  • Great Western Railway services to and from London will start and terminate at Port Talbot, with amended timetables in place.
  • Heart of Wales Line services will operate to and from Carmarthen, with additional changes on 27 January.
  • Services between Llanelli – Carmarthen – Milford Haven / Pembroke Dock / Fishguard Harbour will run to amended timetables.
  • Swansea Station will remain open, with access to ticketing facilities, toilets and refreshments.
Additional weekend changes
  • Saturday 31 January – Sunday 1 February: Rail replacement buses will operate between Cardiff Central – Bridgend – Swansea. Maesteg – Cardiff services will call at all local stations between Cardiff and Bridgend.
  • Sunday 8 February: Rail replacement buses will operate between Cardiff – Bridgend – Port Talbot.
Transport for Wales encourages all customers to check their journey details before travelling, as journey times may be longer and connections may differ from normal.

Up to date information will be available via the TfW website, the TfW app, journey planners and station notices.

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales Planning and Performance Director, said: “These essential works by Network Rail are an important investment in making the railway more reliable for years to come.

“We know that any disruption can be frustrating, and we’re really grateful to our customers for bearing with us while this vital work is carried out.”

Nick Millington, Route Director at Network Rail Wales and Borders said, “We’re carrying out vital track renewal work and refurbishing Landore Viaduct near Swansea to improve the reliability of the railway for passenger and freight services.

“To complete this work safely, we need to close the railway between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February, and again all day on Sunday 8 February, with buses replacing trains during this time. This work has been planned well in advance, and we’ve been working closely with train operators to ensure alternative travel arrangements are in place for passengers.

“We’re sorry for the disruption this will cause and would like to thank passengers for their patience while we complete these essential improvements.”


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14th January, 2026

No. 92134 and 257 Squadron amongst visiting locomotives to Great Central Railway Gala​

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BR Standard 9F 92134 climbs into Goathland


Later this month, the Great Central Railway will be hosting its Annual Steam Gala, which will run from the 22nd to the 25th of January.

The railway has an exciting line-up of visiting locomotives which will join their home fleet.

There are three visiting locomotives, including BR 9F No. 92134 – renumbered as No. 92043 (courtesy of Self family and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway), 3809/18 Hunslet ‘Austerity’ (courtesy of Locomotive Maintenance Services), and No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’ (courtesy of Swanage Railway and Southern Locomotives Limited (SLL)).
 
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No. 34072 ‘257 Squadron’


No. 92134 will appear renumbered to mark an anniversary, with the gala taking place 60 years after the GCR’s principal locomotive depot in Nottinghamshire closed in 1996.

The 9F have a close link with the GCR’s history and is the only surviving single chimney 9F preserved today.

The four-day event will see an intensive timetable of both passenger and goods trains.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy refreshments at stations with both hot and cold food to help you warm up.


“The Winter Steam Gala is always a fantastic way to start the year, and we’re delighted to welcome three very special visiting locomotives to join our home fleet. With an intensive timetable, a real emphasis on goods workings, and the atmosphere you only get from steam in the winter months, it’s an event that offers something for everyone—whether you’re a lifelong enthusiast or visiting us for the first time.”

Malcolm Holmes, General Manager of the Great Central Railway
 
15th January, 2026

Welsh Highland Railway Society funding appeal launched to repair carriage​

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Carriage 2090


The Welsh Highland Railway Society is appealing for donations to help repair one of the Welsh Highland Railway’s carriages.

Carriage 2090 was one of the first carriages built for the railway and has been in daily use, providing additional toilet and brake van facilities for the journey.

Over the last 30 years, the carriage has endured the Welsh weather and now requires an overhaul.

The carriage’s interior also needs an upgrade, so they need funding to ensure that the carriage can return to service as soon as possible.

Around £100,000 is needed for the overhaul, and it will hopefully enter the works towards the end of 2026, when the carriage will be ready for service for another 30 years.
 
15th January, 2026

First visitor for Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Diesel Gala announced​

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Class 26 No. 26043


Earlier this month, the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway announced the dates for their Diesel Gala.

They have now announced that the first visitor will be Class 26 ‘26043’, courtesy of the Cotswold Mainline Diesel Group.

This is a new track for Class 26, as the Chinnor line has not previously hosted this class.

This visit would be a shame to miss, along with the rest of the gala.


Tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks, with an early bird offer available until just before the gala.
 
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