Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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First shunt of GER No. 14


After restoration, the coach spent many years in service at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

The recent purchase and relocation to Suffolk is intended to mark a new chapter in the carriage’s long history.

Now back to the railway it once served, GER Coach No. 14 will take pride of place in the Middy’s collection, offering visitors the opportunity to experience a rare and authentic piece of Victorian railway history.

The 2026 season begins over the Easter weekend in April, where two steam locomotives (Illingworth and May) are set to be in operation alongside the new addition.
 
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Part of the interior of GER Saloon No. 14


“This is a great day for the railway and fills an important gap in our collection. We have been in discussion with the previous owner of the coach for some time, he is also a supporter of the railway, and we are all so pleased we have managed to come to an arrangement that secures the coach for the future.”

Ian Meigh, Chairman of the Railway.
 
23rd February, 2026

Farewell tour for mark III trains raises £20,000 for charity​

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From L to R - Paul Clewlow (Chiltern Railways), Andrew Cripps (Branch Line Society), drivers Matthew Shipp and Duncan Battersby (Chiltern Railways)


A farewell rail tour celebrating the iconic Chiltern Railways’ Mark 3 fleet has raised £20,000 for charity, marking the end of an era for trains that have been in service since the 1970s.

The special journey was organised by Chiltern Railways in partnership with the Branch Line Society to honour the much-loved coaches, which are due to leave the operator’s fleet at the end of March after 50 years of service.

The sold-out tour took place on Sunday, 22 February, running between London Marylebone and the West Midlands.

All 250 tickets were snapped up within 24 hours, with rail enthusiasts travelling from across the country to take part.

Crowds also gathered at stations along the route, and some passengers were given the rare opportunity to visit the driver’s cab before departure from Banbury.

Proceeds from the event were donated to Railway Children, supporting vulnerable young people in the UK, Tanzania and India.
 
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Chiltern Mk3 Farewell – Birmingham Snow Hill 22/02/26


“We are overwhelmed once again by the generosity of the railway family.

“Chiltern Railways are such dedicated supporters of our cause and these funds, from such a special occasion, will ensure some of the world’s most vulnerable children will wake up to brighter futures.”

Jack Miller, Group Director of Fundraising and Marketing, at Railway Children.


“I am delighted that £20,000 was raised for Railway Children, which is a charity close to my heart. It is the perfect way to celebrate these iconic coaches which have served our customers well for many years.

“I am looking forward to the future, as we are replacing these coaches with the modern, Chiltern Explorer trains, which will significantly improve journeys for our customers.”

Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways.
 
23 Feb 2026

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New fflecsi service to connect Llanarmon-yn-Iâl​

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Rhuthin


A brand new fflecsi zone serving Llanarmon, Denbighshire has been introduced today, providing Transport for Wales (TfW) passengers with flexible, on demand transport journeys.

Introduced in partnership with Denbighshire County Council, the service is designed around the needs of local communities and offers residents improved access to essential services, shops, education and employment by connecting Llanarmon directly to Ruthin and Mold*.

The Llanarmon zone will provide direct connections to the wider North Wales public transport network.

Passengers will be able to connect to the TrawsCymru T8 service offering convenient travel between Corwen and Chester.

Lee Robinson, Executive Director for Regional Transport and Integration at TfW, said: “We’re committed to helping rural communities feel better connected. The new Llanarmon fflecsi zone gives people more choice, more flexibility and a more reliable way to travel.

“We’re pleased to be working with Denbighshire County Council to bring this new option to local residents.”

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport at Denbighshire County Council, said: “This new fflecsi service strengthens public transport for our harder to reach communities.

“By offering a more responsive model, we’re helping residents access key destinations more easily.”

To book a trip on the new service download the fflecsi app or call the team on 0300 234 0300 .

Journeys can be reserved in advance or on the day, subject to availability.

The service operates 6 days a week, with hours tailored to local demand.

* Travel between Ruthin and Mold is not available, as these stops are connection points only.

​

1. The new Llanarmon-yn-Iâl fflecsi zone will allow passengers to travel within the zone or to a dedicated stop in Ruthin or Mold. Return trips from those dedicated stops back to the zone are also possible.
2. For passengers wishing to travel further afield, or directly between Ruthin and Mold, the TrawsCymru T8 offers travel between Chester and Corwen.

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Monday 23 Feb 2026

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Cambrian Coast Line reopens after major track upgrade to boost reliability for the future​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Cambrian line track renewal


The 9-day planned works saw Network Rail engineers deliver a major programme of track renewal and infrastructure improvements between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction.

Between Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 February teams renewed 1.4 miles of track, significantly improving the condition and reliability of the railway along the scenic Cambrian Coast Line.
 
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Cambrian line track renewal


Teams worked around the clock throughout the closure, often in challenging winter weather conditions, to complete the work safely and on schedule.

The scale of the work included:
  • 105 skilled staff on site each day
  • 100 tonnes of ballast removed
  • 2,700 tonnes of new ballast installed
  • 3,660 sleepers installed
  • Two road level crossings renewed (Llwyn Cadwgan - Station Road and Bennar Fawr - Fordd Isaf)
 
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Cambrian line track renewal


Track renewal involves replacing key components of the railway, including rails, sleepers and ballast (the stones under the track).

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


Alongside the track renewal, engineers also used the closure to deliver a range of additional improvements across the route, including track maintenance to support smoother journeys, upgrades at level crossings to enhance safety for road users and pedestrians, and detailed bridge inspections to help protect the long-term resilience of the route.
 
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Cambrian line track renewal


A Network Rail Wales and Borders spokesperson said, “We’re pleased to have reopened the Cambrian Coast Line following this significant programme of work between Pwllheli and Dovey Junction.

“By renewing the track and delivering maintenance, level crossing upgrades and bridge inspections at the same time, we’ve made the most of the closure to improve reliability and reduce the likelihood of future unplanned disruption.

“We’d like to thank passengers, local communities and road users for their patience, and our teams and partners who worked around the clock to complete this major upgrade safely and efficiently.”
 
24th February, 2026

Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest locomtive nears return after major overhaul progress​

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No. 1744 with sidetanks fitted


The oldest surviving locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley, Gresley Class N2 GNR No. 1744, has taken a major step towards returning to service after being reunited with its superheater header, chimney, and sidetanks at the North Norfolk Railway (NNR) workshops in Weybourne.

Withdrawn in late 2018, No. 1744’s overhaul began in 2019 but was quick to prove more complex and costly than anticipated.

Delays caused by Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine extended the timeline, while stripping the locomotive revealed the scale of the work required.

The total restoration cost is expected to reach £800,000 by completion.

Recent milestones include fitting the superheater header to the overhauled boiler, refitting the chimney, and installing the refurbished sidetanks and the front of the cab.

Next, superheater elements will be added, and the locomotive will receive its signature GNR green livery.

Following weighing and spring balancing, the locomotive will undergo hydraulic and in-steam tests to complete the overhaul.
 
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No.1744 cab craned on


Since launching in November 2024, the Club has already raised nearly £45,000.

With the locomotive steadily taking shape, enthusiasts can look forward to seeing No. 1744 back on the rails in late spring 2026.


“The Gresley Society was created to preserve a working Gresley locomotive, and we owe it to our founders, and for the benefit and education of today’s generation, to maintain that vision. The latest progress on No. 1744’s overhaul at the North Norfolk Railway is one more step towards the return of Sir Nigel Gresley’s oldest surviving locomotive to traffic in late spring 2026 resplendent in its distinctive Great Northern Railway livery – hopefully in time for the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel’s birth on 19 June 2026.

“However, The Gresley Society is not yet out of the woods financially and launched a major £100,000 financial appeal with The N2 Overhaul Completion Club to fund No. 1744’s return to traffic which has already raised almost £45,000. I’d encourage all LNER lovers who want to see the class N2 paired once again with the Midland & Great Northern Society’s unique set of Quad-Art carriages on the North Norfolk Railway to get on board with our appeal!

Philip Benham MBE, Chairman of The Gresley Society.
 
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24th February, 2026

Taff Vale Railway coach finds new home for restoration​

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Taff Vale Railway (TVR) 3rd Brake No. 203.


The East Somerset Railway have an exciting new restoration project following the arrival of Taff Vale Railway (TVR) 3rd Brake No. 203.

The coach has a long history following being involved in the ‘Coke Ovens’ accident in 1911.

During this accident, both 203 and 266 were recovered with significant damage but with the chassis intact.

203 was sent to Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Works, where it was given a new body and a new high roof.

It ran for 16 years before Great Western Railway took over the TVR, with the chassis assumed to have been scrapped and the body becoming accommodation and later a cattle feed store.

The body was later discovered by volunteers from the Somerset & Dorset preservation site in Radstock in 1973, with plans to restore it.

A suitable chassis was located and shortened to fit the body after its relocation to the West Somerset Railway, and it remained at Frome station’s goods yard.

It later headed to Cardiff for further restoration and was later accepted by the Welsh Industrial & Maritime Museum.


The coach then ended up in storage, and as the now-called National Museum Wales sees no opportunity to restore it, they have agreed to give it to the railway for them to restore it.
 
at Ramsbottom Railway Station on the East Lancashire Heritage Railway for there ‘Small Engines 2026 Winter Gala, on a grey but fine morning on the 21st of February 2026.

There was a wide range of Small Engines’ in used and included brake van specials and normal passenger services pulled by combinations of Diesel and Steam Locomotives, this included British Railways 09024, 13594 & D2062, LMS 7138 & 11243, Manchester Ship Canal 4002 & 32, along with ’The King’ & ‘Willy.

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