Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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21st January, 2026

Tickets go on sale for Branch Line Gala at Llangollen railway​

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From the 10th to the 12th of April, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway is hosting its Branch Line Gala.

Tickets have now gone on sale for the three-day event.

The Gala features an intensive timetable and an exciting locomotive line-up.

Visiting locomotives for the gala include Great Western Railway Small Prairie No 4555, with a second visitor to be announced in the next week.

The visitors will join resident locomotives 2-8-0 “Heavy Freight” locomotive No 3802, GWR Pannier Tank No 7754 and Class 14 D9525 in the final running days of its visit.
 
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7754 stands at Carrog, Llangollen Railway


Tickets will allow unlimited travel, allowing passengers to hop off anytime, and brake van rides will also be available.

Tickets can be bought for the number of days visitors would like to spend at the railway, with one day costing £36, two days costing £65 and three days costing £86 for adults.

During the event, there will be free heritage bus service shuttles running, shed tours and station stalls.


On Saturday, Chris Greve will be performing at the Llangollen marquee from 7 pm until 11 pm.

Further information on tickets and the gala can be found on their website.


“Branch line galas are all about atmosphere, variety and running trains the way they were meant to be run, and that is exactly what we are planning for April 2026. With an outstanding mix of Great Western steam, visiting diesel power and intensive services along the full length of the line, this gala will showcase the Llangollen and Corwen Railway at its very best. I have been involved with our railway from a very early age, and I am delighted to be so heavily involved in this amazing showcase for our railway.

“The final running days of Class 14 D9525 make this event particularly special, and we are delighted to be welcoming the 1924-built Small Prairie No 4555 back to the Dee Valley for the first time in more than sixty years. With its strong links to Machynlleth and Pwllheli on the Cambrian Coast, it feels entirely at home in North Wales.

“Importantly, we want this to be an event that families can enjoy together, with children’s tickets available from just £6 and unlimited train travel included, making it great value for a full day out. Add in brake van rides, live music, heritage buses, shed tours and great food and drink across the railway, and there will be something for everyone, whether you are a dedicated enthusiast or visiting for the first time.”

Iain Ross, Event Organiser for the Branch Line Gala
 
21st January, 2026

Steam locomotive 71000 Duke of Gloucester to appear at Severn Valley Railway Gala​

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71000 'Duke of Gloucester' during one of its test runs at the Severn Valley Railway in mid-2025


Severn Valley Railway is hosting its Spring Steam Gala from the 16th to the 19th of April.

They have announced that BR 71000 Duke of Gloucester will be visiting for the event, marking the first time that the Class 8P has appeared for public service on a heritage line.

This year’s Gala also marks 50 years since the railway held their first Spring Gala.

Across 2025, the locomotive undertook test runs at the railway before it received a fresh coat of paint.
 
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Following its overhaul, 71000 underwent testing at the Severn Valley Railway in mid-2025


For the gala, the Duke will appear with resident locomotives such as 4930 Hagley Hall, 7714, and 7802 Bradley Manor.

Further visiting locomotives will be announced soon.


“It’s an honour for the Severn Valley Railway to be chosen as the first heritage railway to host Duke of Gloucester. We’re extremely grateful to the BR Class 8 Steam Locomotive Trust and Locomotive Services Group for making the visit possible. ‘Unique’ is an over-used word, but in this case it’s entirely justified. It’s the only one of its type ever built, and the odds against it surviving at all were overwhelming. Its appearance will be a major draw for our gala.

“It’s especially pleasing for us to host 71000, as the current Duke of Gloucester, HRH Prince Richard, is the SVR’s Patron, and takes a keen interest in everything we do. The locomotive was named after his father.”

SVR managing director Gus Dunster
 
21st January, 2026

Rare railcar approaches end of 25 year long restoration​

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Outside of the GWR Railcar


The 25 year long restoration of GWR Railcar W20W is now approaching its final stages.

W20W was built in 1940 and is one of just two GWR Diesel Railcars with the Razor-edge design to exist.

W20W is the only one left to be fitted with a dual-range gearbox, which originally meant it could operate on both branch lines and out on the mainline.

Fast forward to 1974, and W20W made history when it formed the first public passenger train to depart Tenterden Town on the line’s reopening day.


In 2022, the Association for Industrial Archaeology awarded the project a £20,000 grant, and this was matched by the railway’s board.
 
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Inside the GWR Railcar


This, in turn, inspired the 20 for 20 appeal that was launched in memory of KESR Director, Andrew Webb, who led the project until he sadly died in 2019.

Since the grant funding, a range of tasks have been completed:
  • Roof panels and saloon glazing have been installed to ensure a waterproof shell
  • Both cabs have been rebuilt by a specialist fabricator.
  • New insulation, ceiling panels, lighting and luggage racks, alongside remanufactured upholstery, make for an authentic experience
  • A new diesel-fired hot water heating system has been installed to replicate the layout of the original system. This replaces the original steam heat boiler, which was beyond economic repair
  • Both engines have been overhauled, with testing underway
Before the railcar can be handed over to the Operations Department for testing and commissioning, a few more tasks need to be completed, including final wiring inside the cab, windscreen installation and drive-train coupling.


The railway says that the completion of W20W will support the KESR’s future sustainability, as well as support the extension to Robertsbridge.
 
22nd January, 2026

Steam locomotive 34070 Manston set for Cotswold trip​

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Battle of Britain Class No. 34070 'Manston


The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has announced that Battle of Britain No. 34070 Manston will be visiting them for an extended period in 2026.

The locomotive will be on hire from the end of April until early July, which means that the locomotive will feature at the Cotswold Festival of Steam in May!

The gala will take place between the 23rd and 25th May 2026 and will see an action-packed weekend of steam.

The locomotive visits thanks to the Swanage Railway and Southern Locomotives Ltd.


More details about the gala will be released soon.
 
22nd January, 2026

New wagon for the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway​

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New wagons delivered to the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway


The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway have some new additions following a recent delivery featuring a newly constructed wagon.

The wagon features a pair of bogies from the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway, and these have been refurbished ready for use.

Meanwhile, the upper section of the wagon is brand new but follows the design of wagons in use at the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Railway.

There is another wagon due to be added to the railway after they invested in a vacuum-braked PWay fleet.
 
22nd January, 2026

Tickets remain frozen at 2024 prices at Yorkshire Railway​

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47714


The Wensleydale Railway’s first services begin on the 14th February, with their first event being their Valentine’s Day Lunch Train.

Despite rising costs, the railway has kept its prices unchanged from 2024 for the 2026 season, which they did last year.

They will have trains running during the February half-term, with three trains a day until their full timetable comes into effect at the end of February.

They will also be running numerous dining trains, including the Wensleydale Fryer and afternoon tea trains.

Galas and the model railway show are set to return for 2026, along with its first Classic Vehicle Rally in May.

Towards the end of the year, the Polar Express will also return to the railway, which was a sell-out success last year.

Full details and updates on events can be found on their website.


“We have, once again, made the decision not to increase our scheduled train ticket prices. We remain conscious of the financial pressures that our visitors face and hope that this price freeze continues making a visit to our volunteer-led railway a great value day out.

We will also continue offering a range of value-for-money options for our customers. Our ‘kids-for-a-quid’ travel offer returns this year. This allows children aged 3-15 to travel for only £1.00 on all our normal scheduled train services (excluding special events). We also offer a 25% travel discount to local residents and a 50% discount to members of our charitable Trust.”

“In addition to our comprehensive list of events planned this year, we plan to run diesel locomotive-hauled services on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July to mid-September. Every weekend that has a catering train will also be loco-hauled all day. Our home fleet of diesel locomotives are very popular with railway enthusiasts and it’s great to be able to offer visitors more opportunities to enjoy our preserved locos and travel in our recently refurbished heritage coaches.”

Nick Keegan, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Wensleydale Railway
 
22nd January, 2026

Railway show to raise funds for Cadbury steam locomotive​

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Cadbury No. 1 at Tyseley works


A one-day model railway show is to raise funds for the cosmetic restoration of steam locomotive, Cadbury No. 1.

The model railway show will be held at St Francis Church in Bournville, which is next door to the world-famous chocolate factory that the locomotive once worked at.

Cadbury No. 1 was completed in 1925 and was delivered to Bournville, where it worked up until 1963.

In the mid-1980s, Birmingham City Council purchased the locomotive after spending time in Gloucestershire at various heritage railways

No. 1 is now on long-term loan to the Vintage Trains Charitable Trust at Tyseley.
 
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Andrew Christie with Cadbury No.1


Organiser Andrew Christie felt compelled to assist with the locomotive and started fundraising in 2024. The total fundraised so far totals £3,600.

Both Andrew’s father and grandfather worked at the Cadbury factory as electricians, with Andrew having a love for the railways, and this will be his first ever railway show!

10 layouts are booked to attend the show, as well as a 7.25″ gauge working model of Cadbury No. 6 and a Cadbury loco made out of LEGO!


Doors will open from 10am and will close at 4pm.

Entrance fees apply, with adults costing £5 and children between 5 and 16 years old costing just £2.50. Under 5s will go free.

Proceeds from the event, which will also feature light refreshments, will all go towards Tyseley Steam Trust for Cadbury No.1
 
22nd January, 2026

Derbyshire narrow gauge railway to construct a new carriage storage shed​

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Plans for a new carriage shed for the Golden Valley Light Railway


The Supporters Association of Golden Valley Light Railway, based at Butterley near Ripley in Derbyshire, has placed an order for work to start on constructing a new carriage storage shed.

The railway is a narrow gauge railway with a gauge of 2 feet (610 mm), and the new carriage storage shed will be built near the railway’s existing running shed on the Swanwick Junction complex of the Midland Railway-Butterley.
 
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Ex-Ashover Light Railway carriage No. 4


At the moment, the railway stores its carriages in the running shed, with there currently being three bogie coaches comprising ex-Ffestiniog Railway Nos. 118 and 119, and ex-Ashover Light Railway No. 4.

Space in the running shed is at a premium, and once the new carriage storage shed is completed, the carriages can be moved from the running shed into purpose-built accommodation.

The new carriage shed will also provide indoor space, when the railway is non-operational, for storing a rake of colliery manriders.

By storing them indoors, their serviceable lives will be extended, and the need for maintenance will be considerably reduced
 
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Train on the Golden Valley Light Railway


The Golden Valley Light Railway operates passenger trains with both diesel and steam haulage every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from the beginning of April to late October, except on days when the Midland Railway – Butterley is closed; trains also run on most days during the Easter, Whit and summer school holidays.

Access to the railway is via the Midland Railway-Butterley station.
 
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Storage sidings at the Golden Valley Light Railway


The need for secure carriage storage is emphasised by the adjacent Midland Railway Centre suffering two attacks by vandals in 2024.

The Midland Railway Trust at Butterley Station is offering railway enthusiasts the treat of a lifetime with the chance to experience driving a Pacer diesel multiple unit.
 
Northern Rail stock in Antigua.

These were actually wagons used to move sugar cane around the plantations back in the day!

The typical life span of slave, when they arrived at the plantation to work, was 17 to 18 days.

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NEW STAMP ISSUE IN THE UK

January 21 2026
The main set of eight stamps features stunning photography of the British Airways aircraft throughout its history, including its first and last commercial flights. One of the stamps uses photography of four Concordes flying in formation to celebrate 10 years of service.

A further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, include three previously issued stamp images and one never-before-seen design.

January 21 2026
Commemorative

Designed by Common Curiosity
Size 50mm (h) x 30mm (v)
Printed by Cartor Security Print
Print Process Lithography
Perforations 14 x 14
Gum PVA

Stamps​

British pre-production Concorde rolled out, 1971​

1st

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