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Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Monday 26 Jan 2026

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Passengers urged to check before travelling ahead of major track renewal work between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Track renewal Machynlleth 2025


Buses will replace trains between Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 February while Network Rail carries out essential upgrades to help keep the railway safe and reliable for the future.

As part of ongoing investment on the Cambrian Coast Line, engineers will install new track between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction during this period.

Teams will work continuously to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.

Track renewal involves replacing key components of the railway, including rails, sleepers, switches and crossings, and sets of points.

These are critical to ensuring trains can run safely and reliably and help reduce future disruption caused by faults or speed restrictions.

Alongside the track renewal, engineers will also carry out vital maintenance on the railway and level crossings along the route, as well as inspections of bridges, helping to ensure the long-term safety and resilience of the railway.

Train service alterations​

During the closure, rail replacement buses will operate between Machynlleth and Pwllheli from Saturday 14 February until the line reopens on Monday 23 February.

Trains will continue to run as normal between Birmingham International Airport/Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for journeys.

The latest travel information is available at: https://tfw.wales/plan-a-journey

Road closures at level crossings​

For safety reasons, temporary road closures will also be required at the following level crossings while work takes place:

Llwyn Cadwgan level crossing - Station Road
Saturday 14 February: 6pm – 6am (Sunday 15 February)
Tuesday 17 February – Friday 20 February: 7pm – 7am (each evening)
Friday 20 February – Saturday 21 February: 8pm – 8am

Bennar Fawr level crossing - Ffordd Isaf
Sunday 15 February – Monday 16 February: 11pm – 11am
Tuesday 17 February – Friday 20 February: 7pm – 7am (each evening)
Friday 20 February – Saturday 21 February: 8pm – 8am

Mark Dix, Lead Portfolio Manager at Network Rail Wales and Borders said, “This work is part of our ongoing investment to keep the Cambrian Coast Line safe and reliable for the people who depend on it. By renewing the track between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction, and carrying out essential maintenance on our level crossings and bridges at the same time, we can make the most of the closure and reduce the need for further disruption in the future.

“We know this will impact journeys while the line is closed, and we apologise for the inconvenience. We’re asking passengers to check before they travel and allow extra time, and we’d like to thank local communities and road users for their patience while our teams complete this important work as quickly and safely as possible.”
 
26th January, 2026

Half-term Berwyn Explorer service at Llangollen Railway​

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DMU leaving Berwyn


For the February half-term, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway is launching its Berwyn Explorer to encourage people to explore local landmarks and walks.

On the 14th, 15th, 18th, and 21st February, 5 return Berwyn Explorer services will run, providing visitors with the flexibility to enjoy a train journey and the outdoors.

These services will be operated by a vintage diesel railcar, with passengers being able to enjoy the scenic journey and see the driver at work.
 
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DMU leaving Berwyn for Llangollen


Tickets allow passengers on any of the 5 services, with tickets costing £10 per adult, £5 per child, and £3 per dog.


“The Berwyn Explorer is about opening up the landscape around us and making it easy for people to enjoy it, especially during the school holidays. Berwyn Station is a fantastic starting point for some truly special walks, including routes to the Horseshoe Falls, and travelling by train adds to the sense of adventure. Being recognised as the most beautiful station in the UK only reinforces what a special place this. Our beautifully restored station is an attraction in itself; from its open coal fire to its wonderful little tearoom, which will be open on Berwyn Explorer days.”

Peter Dickinson, Station Master at Berwyn Railway Station
 
26th January, 2026

Northamptonshire Railway offers cream tea Mother’s Day​

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Mothers' Day


Northampton and Lampton Railway is inviting mums and their families to celebrate Mother’s Day on its special Cream Tea trains.

The annual day in appreciation of mothers takes place on Sunday, 15th March this year.

The Cream Tea trains will see passengers travel in first-class carriages, with a cream tea served with either coffee, tea or a soft drink.

The journey will be a round trip of four miles through the Northamptonshire countryside, after the Railway completed an extension three years ago.
 
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The Railway’s ‘Grand Opening’ March 1996


Mums travel free when accompanied by a full-fare-paying passenger.

The steam-hauled services will depart from Pitsford and Brampton station every hour from 10 am until 3 pm.

The return journey will take around 40 to 45 minutes.


The train will pause for a short time at Boughton station before continuing its journey back to Pitsford and Brampton.

Passengers may choose to stay at Boughton and take a later train back.

The Railway’s Souvenir Shop is located at Pitsford and Brampton station, and stocks a wide selection of gifts, books, toys and other items.

The station has toilets, including an accessible toilet.

The station also welcomes passengers to its Platform 3 Buffet, where they can purchase hot and cold drinks, snacks and freshly-made hot food.

For those wishing to imbibe something stronger, the Brampton Halt public house is next to the station.
 
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Pitsford Sidings


There is free parking at the Pitsford and Brampton stations, but not at Boughton station, which is, however, easily accessible by regular buses from Northampton.


Boughton station has a small booking office, a shop and a seating area, which are housed in a buffet coach stabled in the bay platform.

It has one unisex toilet cubicle.

The Railway’s trains have an accessible carriage, which can accommodate wheelchair users.

The Northampton and Lamport Railway, which celebrates its thirtieth anniversary this year, is based at Pitsford and Brampton station, near Pitsford and Chapel Brampton villages, which are around five miles north of Northampton.

It is a standard-gauge heritage railway that runs both steam and diesel trains.

Passengers must book in advance, before midnight on Sunday, 8th March, which is International Women’s Day.


Standard train rides are also available all day.

There is no need to book these in advance, but discounts apply to those who do.
 
26th January, 2026

Bridge 42 Appeal launched to ensure Yorkshire railway’s future​

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Bridge 42


A new appeal has been launched by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to help raise funds for a bridge between Grosmont Level Crossing and the tunnel.

The Bridge 42 Appeal will help to repair the Grade II, which is celebrating its 180th anniversary this year.

The stone and brick arch masonry is in urgent need of repair following inspections, which highlighted the extensive work required.

To complete these repairs, they will need to install scaffolding and remove the track, and then strengthen the bridge against water damage and repair the arch.


This will call for specialist contractors and materials, which are costly.

Any donations made will help secure the railway’s future and an important piece of heritage.

The appeal is open online, with any donation amount greatly appreciated.


“The repair of Bridge 42 is vital for the future of the NYMR, and as a complex project it is a costly one which is why we are asking for generous support to ensure that we can continue running and secure the future of our much-loved railway. The NYMR is much more than a tourist attraction – it is a vital heritage, economic, and community asset that boosts the regional economy, protects railway heritage, and supports local livelihoods. We hope you will support our future by donating to the Bridge 42 Appeal.”

Laura Strangeway, CEO at NYMR
 
26th January, 2026

First Northern Belle trip of the year announced​

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Northern Belle Class 57s at Blackburn


The Northern Belle is set to take passengers from London Paddington to the Cheltenham Gold Cup race in March.

This will be their first trip of 2026, where passengers can enjoy a three-course champagne brunch on the 13th March.

At Evesham, passengers will transfer onto a steam train to be taken to Cheltenham Racecourse via the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

After the race, the journey home will see passengers served a 5-course meal.


“This will be our first trip of the year and, as always, has proved very popular.

“It might be Friday the 13th, but it’s bound to be a lucky day for those fortunate to be on board.”

A Northern Belle spokesman
 
27th January, 2026

Hogwarts Express locomotive to visit Essex Railway Gala​

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Painted in a red livery for a filming contract, Great Western Railway modified Hall class locomotive, 6989 "Wightwick Hall" is pictured at Sheffield Park with a train for East Grinstead. [1 Jan 2026]


The Epping Ongar Railway is hosting its Annual Steam Gala this April.

They have a very exciting lineup planned for the 17th-19th April.

They have now announced that their first locomotive will be 6989 Wightwick Hall, appearing in its red livery.

The locomotive has recently become very popular, or rather well known, due to its new role as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter TV series.


Wightwick Hall will join their home fleet, including 4953 “Pitchford Hall”, to create a Great Western Workhorses theme.

Further information on visiting locomotives and ticket sales is expected soon, which will appear on their social media or on their website.
 
27th January, 2026

World Witnesses Largest Railway Celebrations in 2025​

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The Railway 200 celebrations, which took place in 2025, were the largest railway-related celebrations ever seen across the globe.

Exhibitions, gatherings and activities took place across five continents in over 180 countries, telling the history of the railways and how they have shaped the modern world over the last two centuries.

There was also a look to the future showing how they may evolve in the years to come.

The events attracted a huge profile through the media, online, on TV and in newspapers.

Over 9,000 positive campaigns were detected by media monitoring records, which collectively reached 20.6 billion people worldwide.

Here in the UK, a public summary of last year’s Railway 200 events will be released later this spring.

Early figures have already shown that railway celebrations across the UK were the biggest ever seen in the UK in a single calendar year.


2025 began with a whistle-up across the many preserved railways on New Year’s Day, which has been described by the HRA as the biggest heritage rail participation event seen in Britain.

The Royal Mint also released a limited edition two-pound coin marking the event.

March saw the launch of S&DR 200 events.

April saw the first tickets for the Inspiration Train go on sale, before it made its debut on the Severn Valley Railway.

Since then, it has travelled across the country, visiting many stations and heritage railways.

The train had attracted over 60,000 people by the end of 2025, and encouraged 100,000 young people to consider a job in the rail industry.

It has also gained a 9 out of 10 recommendation rating from visitors, and the Inspiration Train will continue its tour of the country until June 2026.
 
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The Railway 200 exhibition train, Inspiration, has been a hit with children


A railway 200 Community Rail Week took place in May 2025, while the three-month ‘Railway 200 @ at the Bluebell Railway’ event began in June.


August saw the Greatest Gathering at Derby Litchurch Lane, where over 42,000 people flocked to see trains that had graced the UK rail network over the last 200 years.

Later that month, a Great Western Railway battery-powered train set a world record for travelling over 200 miles on a single charge.
 
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Railway 200 celebrated diversity and inclusion in the railway


September hosted the anniversary date of the first train to run on the Stockton and Darlington on the 27th of the month.

The build-up to the event was highly anticipated, with documentaries being shown on TV, including Michael Portillo’s two-part series ‘200 Years of Railways’.

The crowning highlight, held on the anniversary weekend, was a replica of Locomotion performing a re-enactment run from Shildon to Stockton along much of the route that the original Locomotion took in 1825.

The event was witnessed by thousands of people who turned out both day and night to witness the pioneering replica on its short train.

In one week, over 100,000 people visited Shildon, and the museum at Hopetown also saw very high visitor numbers.
 
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Replica Locomotion on Skerne bridge on 27th September 2025


The Poet Laureate launched a commemorative poem, seven sites were listed by Historic England as part of Railway 200, and Royal Mail launched its Railway 200 stamps.


October saw a blue plaque unveiled on Thomas the Tank Engine’s creator, Rev Awdry’s, former home, and the new station at Ashington won the World Cup of Stations.

The first industry-wide remembrance service took place in November, which was attended by HM The Queen.

A Railway 200 contingent is to participate in the march past at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday to remember the fallen.

The year of events finished in December with the burying of a Railway 200 time capsule at Deby College, and Railway 200 winning the ‘Contribution to Tourism’ award from Visit England.


“By any measure the bicentenary celebration was an unqualified success, thanks to the many people and organisations who became history-makers by getting involved. It brought the rail industry together, inspired people to re-evaluate rail’s role and showcased the railway as a varied and rewarding career open to all. It helped to build considerable goodwill towards, and restore pride in, a British invention that changed the world.

The legacy of the campaign is being evaluated for the industry to build upon, but has included new progressive partnerships, new public artworks, new career pathways, and stronger links between mainline and heritage railways. Railway 200 has set the standard for other countries’ national rail celebrations in the years ahead.”

Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200
“The campaign is a case study in collaboration. It’s been amazing to see what was only a notion two years or so ago develop into an international campaign with scale, substance and significance.

Thanks to our many partners, the campaign realised its ambition of becoming the UK’s biggest rail story told by the UK’s biggest rail partnership. It’s a privilege to have been involved.”

Alan Hyde, who led marketing and communications for the Railway 200 national team
 
Wednesday 28th Jan 2026

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

We went 'The Great Western' and had a couple of drinks.

Popped into my train shop and I bought some items.

Then we went to the indoor market and then onto 'The Gatekeeper' for a few more drinks.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 270, ADL Enviro200, CN64 FWU
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