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Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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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​

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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!​

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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​

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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
3rd February, 2026

Severn Valley Railway freezes fares for 2026​


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'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​

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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
 
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Wednesday 4th Feb 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.

Onwards to 'The Central Bar' for a couple more drinks

Then we went to a home store and Cleo bought some throws and cushion covers.

Arrived at 'The Gatekeeper' for a few more drinks and some food.

Then it was the bus home.


The bus into Cardiff and back was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 265, ADL Enviro200, CN64 FWO
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I had a couple of pints of Abbots and a Five Arrows but the highlight of the day was a couple of pints of Lurcher.

A very pleasant stout!

Lurcher Stout is rich smooth stout, a roasty dark ale with mature blackcurrant in the aroma and fruity, hoppy bitterness in the taste quickly giving way to a long, sweetish aftertaste. :toast:

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4th February, 2026

Talyllyn steam locomotives to take part in special Vintage Trains tour​

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Cambrian Coast Express Railtour


This year, the Talyllyn Railway is celebrating its 75th anniversary and has announced another event to mark the year.

The railway has partnered up wth Vintage trains to run the first Cambrian Coast Express Railtour.

This is planned to run on the 17th April 2026, from the Midlands to Tywyn & Pwllheli.

Both No.1 ‘Tal-y-llyn’ and No.2 ‘Dolgoch’ will haul a special service between Tywyn Wharf and Nant Gwernol as a double header, with Class 37 No. 37240 hauling the train on the mainline and Class 97 joining at Shrewsbury.


The tour will help to celebrate not just the anniversary year but the connection between the railways Preservation Society’s first secretary, Pat Whitehouse, who later founded the Vintage Trains Charitable Trust

Further information on the tour and bookings can be made online.
 
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4th February, 2026

Steam locomotive 60103 Flying Scotsman set for 2026 tour​

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BR Eastern Region 60103 'Flying Scotsman'


The National Railway Museum has announced dates for Flying Scotsman’s 2026 tour.

From February, the world-famous locomotive will be taking to the tracks on a tour of the UK, running a number of mainline excursions as well as visiting heritage railways.

The tour will be managed by Northern Steam Operations Limited and will allow rail fans across the UK to experience the locomotive.

As well as heritage railways, Flying Scotsman will also be on display at the National Railway Museum in York from the 28th March until the 24th April.

Locomotion at Shildon will also play host to the locomotive between the 4th and 31st August 2026.

First up, though, will be a visit to the Midlands to operate a number of trains over Half Term with Vintage Trains.

Then, between the 16th and 31st May, Flying Scotsman will visit the Great Central Railway in Nottingham, and this will be the first time in 25 years that Flying Scotsman has operated on a heritage railway in the East Midlands.

In June, Flying Scotsman will make a visit to the East Lancashire Railway for a mix of passenger trains (5-7th and 13-14th June) and static displays (3,4,10 and 12th June).


Further heritage railway visits and mainline excursions are in the planning stages, with details set to be released later in the year.


“We’re delighted to be working with Northern Steam to ensure as many people as possible have a chance to see and be driven by this incredible locomotive. It really is an unforgettable experience; whether you are an ardent follower of heritage rail or it is your first ever time aboard a steam train, the experience never gets old.”

Andrew McLean, Head Curator at the National Railway Museum
 
5th February, 2026

Steam locomotive 34067 Tangmere set to haul Cumbrian Mountain Express​


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34067 Tangmere heads The Northern Belle through Oxenholme Lake District


34067 Tangmere is to visit Carlisle this Saturday (7th February) as it hauls The Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express.

The train starts at London Euston with Class 86 No. 86259 Les Ross. It will depart at 06:49 and will pass through Watford Junction (07:04), Milton Keynes Central (07:28), Rugby (07:54), Nuneaton (08:15), Crewe (09:16), Warrington Bank Quay (09:37), Preston (10:10) and Carnforth North Junction at 10:41.

Here, 34067 is added to the train. Departing at 11:25, the steam locomotive will head to Carlisle via Oxenholme Lake District (11:41), Penrith North Lakes (12:21) and Carlisle at 12:43.

After time in Carlisle, 34067 Tangmere will steam out of the city at 14:26 and will pass through Kirkby Stephen (15:25), Ribblehead (15:54), Hellifield (16:16), Clitheroe (17:02), Blackburn (17:28) and Preston (Lancs) at 17:47.

Here, the steam makes way for electric in the form of 86259 Les Ross.

The classic AC locomotive will depart Preston at 18:26 and will head back to the capital via Crewe (19:26), Nuneaton (20:30), Rugby (20:46), Milton Keynes Central (21:24), Watford Junction (21:56) and London Euston at 22:22.
 
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