Marcus' Model Railway Journey

At the Centre of it all


Other heritage railways in Visit Peak District and Derbyshire’s area region include the Churnet Valley Railway and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.


Being at the centre of it all isn’t just a feeling here, it’s a fact.

Cara Thompson, Nottingham’s first Nature Poet Laureate

2nd February, 2026

Gala and event tickets go on sale at Cornwall railway​

2026 events at the Bodmin Railway


Tickets for numerous events across the 2026 season at the Bodmin Railway have been released.

Included in these events are an Escape Room Evening, Murder Mysteries, Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Trains, and Teddy Trains return for Easter.

Popular events such as their steam and diesel galas and dining trains will also be returning.

Don’t miss out on the fun and adventures, and make sure you book popular events before they sell out.

Further information on the events, dates and tickets can be found on their website.

2nd February, 2026

Tickets for Chinnor Diesel Gala go on sale!​

Class 26 No. 26043


The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway is hosting their Annual Diesel Gala on the 20th to 22nd March.

Visiting locomotives include a Class 66 and Class 26 ‘26043’, with 26043 providing driver experiences.

These will join 37227, 47715, D1501, D2069 (brake vans), and 08825 (brake vans), which will feature in the gala.

Tickets have now gone on sale, with online prices starting at £22 for a 1-day rover.


2-day and 3-day rover tickets can only be booked online, which can be done so here.

2nd February, 2026

Centenary tribute to closure of Northern Ireland tramway​

Kitson steam locomotive no. 3 with a passenger car and luggage van at Portstewart station


The Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire has issued a tribute for the centenary of the closure of the Portstewart Tramway in Northern Ireland.

Last Friday, 30th January, marked 100 years since the tramway closed.

The tramway, opened on 14th June 1882, was the first roadside steam tramway in Ireland, and served the seaside resort of Portstewart in County Antrim.

Train waiting at the Parade in Portstewart with a tramcar in Northern Counties Committee livery


After a railway opened to the fishing village of Portrush, it blossomed into a thriving holiday destination, but because a local landowner refused to sell the land needed for the railway to reach the nearby hamlet of Portstewart, the railway company built a station to serve Portstewart, 1¾ miles from the hamlet.

To connect Portstewart railway station to Portstewart village, a 3-foot gauge steam tramway was laid alongside the highway.

Rolling stock comprised of a 0-4-0 steam locomotive, built by Kitson’s of Leeds, one single-deck carriage, and one double-deck 4-wheel passenger carriage.

A smoking carriage was provided by adding seats and a window to a four-wheel luggage van, all supplied by Metropolitan-Cammell of Birmingham.

Later, two more locomotives and two open-topped double-deck bogie passenger cars were purchased.

Heavily laden passenger car pictured in Victoria Terrace in Portstewart with a tramcar in Northern Counties Committee livery


In 1897, the tramway was taken over by the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway (BNCR), which added extra rolling stock, built a new depot, and re-laid much of the track.

Six years later, in 1903, the Midland Railway absorbed the BNCR and delegated its management to the “Northern Counties Committee” (NCC), based in Belfast.

By the time of the Grouping of Britain’s railways in 1923, revenues of the tramway were in decline, and the infrastructure was showing signs of its age.

These factors, as well as competition from motor buses, led to the tramway’s closure on 30th January 1926, with most rolling stock being sold at auction.

However, two locomotives were preserved, being initially stored at the NCC’s locomotive works at York Road, Belfast.

In May 1939, one locomotive was moved to the Hull Streetlife Museum, which at that time was Britain’s only Transport Museum.

Steam tram locomotive No. 2 survived air raids during April and May 1941 that almost destroyed York Road station, and is now housed in the Ulster Transport Museum.

Work is taking place in Northern Ireland to restore an NCC Class WT 2-6-4T steam locomotive, which is based on the LMS Fowler 2-6-4 tank engines, and the Downpatrick & County Down Railway is also restoring other items from Ireland’s railway heritage.

45118 "The Royal Artilleryman" near Ely North Junction, Saturday the 25th​

Cleopatra

3rd February, 2026

Severn Valley Railway freezes fares for 2026​

'Black 5' 44932


Avid visitors to the Severn Valley Railway will be pleased to hear that the railway has committed to offering a great value experience.

For the 2026 season, they have frozen their fares at 2025 prices, including day rovers and freedom of the line tickets.

The railway hopes that this will help make the railway more accessible for everyone and encourage families to visit and inspire younger people to get involved in railways.

This will also help the railway have repeat visitors and spontaneous trips, which will help keep the railway running.

They have plenty of events planned for the year, including their Spring Steam Gala and Step Back to the 1940s weekends.

Full details for 2026 can be found on their website.


“We’re pleased to share that fare prices will be frozen for the coming season. In a busy and highly competitive tourism market, this decision reflects our commitment to offering great-value experiences for our visitors.

“We know that affordability can play a big part in planning a day out, especially for families. Holding our prices helps ensure the Severn Valley Railway remains an accessible and enjoyable option throughout the season. It also supports loyalty and repeat travel, whether people are visiting for a full day or just hopping on for a shorter journey.”

Lewis Maddox, visitor engagement manager at the Severn Valley Railway

3rd February, 2026

Severn Valley Railway and Vale of Rheidol Railway to swap GWR steam locomotives​

9017 Earl of Berkeley on display at the Vale of Rheidol Museum


A new deal will see a locomotive exchange between the Severn Valley Railway and the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

SVR based GWR Manor No. 7819 Hinton Manor will swap places with GWR Dukedog No. 9017 Earl of Berkeley.

The locomotives will swap for two years starting from Spring 2026.

7819 Hinton Manor has been at the SVR’s Engine House at Highley since March 2019, with visitors able to climb onboard its footplate.

9017 Earl of Berkeley, which is owned by the Bluebell Railway and loaned to the Vale of Rheidol Railway, has gained fans across the UK.

It has visited the SVR back in 2008 for the line’s Autumn Steam Gala.

Both locomotives will be on static display at their new homes until Spring 2028.


“We are thrilled to announce this unique locomotive exchange with our friends at the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Hinton Manor has been a much-loved part of the Engine House collection and has attracted a wide range of visitors, from local families to steam enthusiasts. In turn, we’re delighted to welcome Earl of Berkeley to the SVR. The historically significant’ Dukedog’ perfectly complements our own GWR heritage.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vale of Rheidol Railway and to the Dukedog’s owners, the Bluebell Railway, whose support and cooperation have made this swap possible. This partnership brings these remarkable locomotives to wider audiences and strengthens the bonds between heritage railways across the UK.”

Judith Meredith, the chair of the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust


“We are extremely grateful to the Bluebell Railway for the loan of the ‘Dukedog’, a locomotive with strong historical links to Aberystwyth and the former Cambrian lines. It has been a privilege to display the engine at the Vale of Rheidol and to give visitors the opportunity to reconnect with an important chapter of local railway history.

“We’re also very thankful to the Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust for agreeing to the loan of Hinton Manor. The Manor class worked many of the prestigious Cambrian Coast Express services during the 1960s, making Hinton Manor a regular visitor to Aberystwyth in BR days. The locomotive last visited the town on a special charter in 1991, so its return more than three decades later is particularly significant.”

Llyr ap Iolo, CEO and chief engineer at the Vale of Rheidol Railway

Network Rail carrying out track renewal at Warrington - Dallam Junction

The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express.​

Preston station taking on water and a cabbing frenzy.

Close of up new track panels before installation at Ardwick Junction