Marcus' Model Railway Journey

Avanti West Coast Pendolino, Glasgow Central

Chiltern Railways train at London Marylebone

9th March, 2026

Whitby steam trains postponed with reduced timetable announced​

2238 & 65894, NYMR Steam Gala, Goathland, 27th September 2019.


The North Yorkshire Moors Railway has announced that the bridge work on Bridge 42 will not be completed in time for the opening on the 28th March 2026.

Bridge 42 allows trains to travel over the River Murk Esk and requires propping to allow for trains to run over it without disruption.

The bridge is just outside Grosmont station, which means that Whitby trains cannot run, and also means that Grosmont cannot be served.

A reduced service will see trains run between Pickering and Goathland only until the 25th April at the earliest.


With propping completed for the 2026 season, a full repair programme will take place in 2026/27 and this will restore the bridge for the long term.

A major appeal has been launched to cover costs of propping the bridge as well as complete the repairs needed.

More information can be found on the NYMR website.

Northern 331s stand at Preston

Sutton Station Skyline

A train leaves Chichester station

9th March, 2026

Easter family fun at North Yorkshire Moors Railway​

B1 61264 near Goathland on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway


61264 designed by Edward Thompson, the B1 was a wartime utility mixed traffic locomotive for general passenger and freight duties, travelling towards Pickering North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) will host its Annual Steam Gala from Friday 28th September to Sunday 30th September, with a combination of guest locomotives and home fleet engines in steam over the weekend.

Experience this year's Steam Gala which will be unlike any other as the railway celebrates 100 years of the railway's Q6 locomotives along with the 100th anniversary of the RAF.

Don't miss out on the celebration! The NYMR's own Q6 locomotive is 100 years old and additionally preserved locomotives of the same age will join the railway for the celebration.

The railway has invited 2857 from the Severn Valley Railway and Locomotive number 6 Douglas from the Talyllyn Railway (which is also an ex RAF engine and painted in RAF plant blue to mark the centenary) which will travel on a flat wagon as part of the railway's demonstration goods train.

Bullied SR 4-6-2 'Battle of Britain' Class Pacific design, 34081 92 SQUADRON will also join the NYMR from Nene Valley Railway.

Owned by The Battle of Britain Locomotive Society the class pacific locomotive was named after the famous Spitfire squadron based at Biggin Hill during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Entering service from Brighton works in September 1948, her all-too-brief mainline career ended when she was withdrawn from Eastleigh shed in August 1964 and subsequently sold to Dai Woodhams scrap yard at Barry Island in South Wales.

The Q6 will be operating alongside its NELPG (North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group) sister the J27 which returned to service in early 2018.

This year’s gala will be one of the railway's biggest galas to date with potentially 10 locomotives on show.

During the weekend stations along the line will be hosting exciting events of their own such as the Autumn Steam Gala Beer Festival which sees Levisham and Goathland offering a wide selection of real ales from local breweries such as Brass Castle, Helmsley Brewing Co, Baytown and many more.

• The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a not for profit charitable trust providing memorable experiences for visitors and fulfilment for volunteers and staff through the operation of Britain’s most popular heritage railway between Whitby and Pickering.
• NYMR recently launched the Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey appeal, which aims to raise £2,500,000 over the next five years for maintenance and repair that is vital to ensure that the railway remains operational. To find out more about the appeal and pledge your support, visit nymr.co.uk/ymj
• NYMR have recently been the stars of Channel 5 documentary ‘The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard’
• The NYMR cares for operating and developing the railway it owns from Pickering to Grosmont. The heritage railway operates over Network Rail from Grosmont to Whitby.
• The charity provides a high quality, safe and authentic evocation of the steam age for the public.
• The NYMR is an Educational Charitable Trust. Providing education for all ages.
• The railway is a fully accredited museum.


Running between 28 March and 12 April, North Yorkshire Moors Railway is set to host a range of family-friendly activities at its historic stations in Pickering and Goathland.

Visitors can look forward to fun-filled days where special activities blend play, learning, and creativity, while supporting the railway’s Bridge 42 Appeal.

Young visitors and their families can take part in an Easter Scavenger hunt, where colourful easter eggs can be discovered around Pickering and Goathland stations.

Each egg reveals a mystery letter, with visitors who can solve the puzzle up for a chance to win an Easter Egg.

Happening between 28 March and 12 April.

Bridge 42


Under 5’s have the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed Station and Play session, with foam blocks, tunnels and train tracks, musical train toys, and a Cosy Corner sensory area with space for quiet play and stories.

Station Storytime invites families to enjoy a reading of Apil Jones’ 21 Elephants and Still Standing, the true story of P.T Barnum leading 21 elephants over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Following the story, children are invited to explore and create different types of bridges.

Station Storytime is free to join, but booking is advised.

Taking place on 8 April, 10:30 – 11:30 am.


The Build a Bridge Challenge allows young visitors to show off their engineering skills with the challenge of constructing a bridge strong enough to allow a model train to pass below.

The event runs between 3 and 9 April, 9:30 to 4:30.

Booking is advised to ensure a spot at the activities, with ticket fees and donations going towards the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s efforts to restore its 180 year old grade 2 listed rail bridge.


“Our Easter activities are designed to bring families together through play, storytelling, and discovery. Whether visitors are exploring our stations as part of the scavenger hunt or taking on an engineering challenge inspired by real railway heritage, there is something for everyone. There are several events to support the ongoing Bridge 42 Appeal, helping visitors connect with the railway’s preservation work in a creative and engaging way.”

Rhiannon Hope, Learning & Interpretation Lead at the NYMR.

9th March, 2026

Llangollen to refresh Afternoon Tea on the Dee experience​

DMU leaving Berwyn


Following customer feedback, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway is introducing a fresh new format to its popular Afternoon Tea on the Dee experience.

Under this new arrangement, all guests are automatically assigned their own dedicated table, eliminating shared seating and offering a more private and comfortable experience.

The heritage railway will also operate two afternoon tea services on running days: a 12:20 pm departure returning at 2:30 pm, and a 3:15 pm departure returning at 5:04 pm.

A special Mother’s Day service is also scheduled.

Afternoon Tea on the Dee includes a full return journey between Llangollen and Corwen, paired with a traditional afternoon tea served in a heritage carriage.

Guests can enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches, fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, cakes and other sweet treats, accompanied by tea or coffee, with the option to upgrade to sparkling wine.

Afternoon Tea by the Dee


These changes are part of the railway’s wider efforts to enhance the visitor experience while increasing revenue from existing services, supporting ongoing investment in infrastructure, rolling stock and visitor facilities.

Demand remains strong ahead of the first run on 25 April, with the 12:20 pm service already sold out and only limited availability remaining on the later departure.

Visitors are advised to book ahead for the one-of-a-kind afternoon tea experience in the Dee Valley.


“We have spent time reviewing guest feedback and discussing how we can improve the overall experience. Sharing tables can sometimes feel awkward for guests who don’t know each other, and it also creates practical challenges when serving food, particularly where dietary requirements or allergens are involved.

“By moving to fully private tables and introducing a second sitting, we can deliver a more relaxed, comfortable and premium experience for everyone, while also increasing capacity in a sensible and manageable way. It’s a positive step for our customers and for the railway.”

Jordan Edge, Catering Supervisor at the Llangollen and Corwen Railway.

9th March, 2026

Railway Oscars win for new Lincolnshire heritage railway station​

Three of the volunteers working on completion of Seathorne Bank take a breather


Lincolnshire Light Coast Railway has announced that Seathorne Bank Station, the new terminus of the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway in Skegness, has been named runner-up in the prestigious Station of the Year category at the Heritage Railway Association Awards, often dubbed the Railway Oscars.

Opened in June 2025 by Jimmy Brooks, Mayor of Skegness, Seathorne Bank station sits within the Skegness Water Leisure Park.

A standout feature of the site is the carefully relocated Victorian-era Great Northern Railway coal office from Skegness station.

The building later served as offices for the contracting firm Ellis Bros Ltd. from 1947 until just a few years ago, before being given a new life as part of the heritage railway’s latest development.

The new station gets a final lick of paint before its opening


Seathorne Bank station received the accolade at the ceremony held on 7 March 2026.

The award was ultimately won by Oswestry railway station on the Cambrian Heritage Railways.

Fellow runners-up included Blue Anchor railway station on the West Somerset Railway and Sheringham railway station on the North Norfolk Railway.

The recognition continues a strong run of national awards for the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway.

In 2023, the railway won the Morgan Award for Rolling Stock Preservation for restoring the historic “Queen Mary” carriage from the Nocton Estates Railway, once used to carry potatoes and sugar beet across the Lincolnshire Fens between Nocton and Bardney.

Earlier honours include a runner-up placing in 2021 for the restoration of the Simplex diesel locomotive “Fred,” a survivor of the North Sea Flood of 1953 that later worked on sea defences and at brickworks in Mablethorpe and Skegness.

The railway also shared a national award in 2009 for reopening its line alongside the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway.

Further recognition came when the railway’s rare First World War ambulance van was restored and displayed at the Museum of Army Transport, earning both a grant and an award from the Transport Trust.

Together, the honours highlight the railway’s ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate Lincolnshire’s rich railway heritage.


“This is an extraordinary accolade for everyone who made Seathorne Bank station possible. We were up against strong competition from the other stations short-listed for the award and from the other many excellent entries.

“It’s the second accolade for Seathorne Bank. The construction of the station, incorporating the historic building, with a platform, access ramps, traditional lamps, benches and views across the fields to the Lincolnshire Wolds, was the winner of the Federation of Master Builders’ Small Renovation Project award in their Yorkshire & Trent Region”.

John Chappell, LCLR’s spokesman.

London Marylebone

Birmingham New Street concourse

Monday 9 Mar 2026

Essential track renewals to improve journeys between Newport and Cardiff​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders


Network Rail track renewal


The railway between Newport and Cardiff Central will close from late on Friday 20 March, and remain closed throughout the weekend, while Network Rail completes vital upgrades to the South Wales Main Line, with buses replacing trains.

Passengers travelling between Newport and Cardiff Central Station are being encouraged to check before they travel this March while Network Rail carries out essential track renewal work to maintain a safe and reliable railway for passengers and freight services using the route.

The work, taking place between Monday 16 and Sunday 22 March, will see teams replacing sections of track on one of the busiest parts of the railway in South Wales.

To safely carry out the upgrades, some changes to train services will be in place during the week, with a reduced number of tracks available between Newport and Cardiff Central.

This will affect services operated by Transport for Wales (TfW), GWR and CrossCountry.

The railway will be fully closed between Newport and Cardiff Central from 23:00 Friday 20 March to 05:00 Monday 23 March, when engineers will complete the most intensive part of the work. During this time, buses will replace trains.

Separate engineering work between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay on Sunday 22 March will also affect some Cardiff Valley Lines services, with rail replacement buses in operation on several routes.

Passengers are encouraged to check before they travel using the TfW app or website. The latest travel information is also available on the Great Western Railway and CrossCountry websites, as well as at nationalrail.co.uk.

Nick Millington, Route Director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said, “Renewing the track between Newport and Cardiff is essential to keeping this busy stretch of railway safe and reliable for the passengers and freight services that rely on it every day.

“We’ve worked closely with our train operating partners to keep services running during the week, with some timetable alterations, while carrying out the most intensive work over the weekend.”

“We know this will affect journeys and we apologise for the disruption it may cause. Our teams will be working as quickly and safely as possible to complete these vital upgrades, and we thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at TfW, said, "We’re encouraging all passengers travelling between Cardiff and Newport to check their journey in advance, as many of our services will be affected throughout the weekend. This includes trains to Manchester, Holyhead, Cheltenham, Ebbw Vale, Maesteg and some Valleys services on Sunday.

To help keep passengers moving, we’ll be running a comprehensive rail replacement bus service, with buses operating roughly every five minutes between Cardiff and Newport. Our teams will be on hand throughout the weekend to support customers and help them reach their destination.”

Kay Davies, GWR Station Manager for South Wales, said,“We apologise for the impact this work will have on customers, but this is a really important investment in the long-term reliability of our railway.

“Timetables have been amended for these dates to reflect the change to services, including a reduced train service between Cardiff Central and London Paddington.

“If your usual train is affected, replacement buses will be running, but please allow extra time as bus journeys will take a little longer than the train.”

10th March, 2026

Steam locomotive 419 set for Cotswold visit​

55189 in its CR livery


The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has announced that CR 439 Class No. 419 will be visiting them for their Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala.

The gala will take place from the 23rd to the 25th May 2026 and will see an intensive timetable in operation.

Already confirmed visitors are 34070 Manston and GER Coffeepot No. 229.

419 will be appearing in LMS Crimson Livery, number 15189, and will visit thanks to the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway and the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.

Tickets can be booked via the GWSR website

10th March, 2026

Tornado steam locomotive to join Flying Scotsman at Nottingham heritage railway​

LNER A1 60163 Tornado


LNER A1 No. 60163 Tornado will be joining A3 No. 60103 Flying Scotsman at the Great Central Railway in Nottingham this May.

Both locomotives will arrive via the Midland Main Line connection in Mid-May and will take turns in operating trains on the nine-mile-long railway, and will also appear on static display.

Tornado will also operate during the Model Railway Exhibition weekend on the 16th and 17th May 2026. Flying Scotsman will be on static display during the weekend.


“This is going to be an extraordinary moment for the northern section of the GCR. As we revive the line, our visitors will be able to see not one, but two incredible locomotives up close and ride behind them. These couple of weeks are going to be all about showcasing the potential of the line, the main line connection, new and reinvigorated facilities for servicing visiting locomotives, and of course, the Reunification project, which will bring the northern and southern sections of the GCR back together.”

“We are grateful to everyone who has helped make this great meeting of locomotives possible, including their owners and operators.”

Andy Fillingham of Great Central Railway (Nottingham)

10th March, 2026

East Somerset Railway steps back in time for special 40s recreation​

GWR Railcar W22 in 40s recreation shots


The East Somerset Railway has stepped back in time to the 1940s, to when their GWR Railcar W22 first ran along the line.

The railcar is on a visit to the railway from Didcot Railway Centre as part of the line’s Spring Gala celebrations, taking place on 14 – 15 March 2026.

Aboard Railcar W22


A forerunner to modern multiple diesel units of today’s diesel-hauled passenger services, these railcars were first constructed for GWR in the 1930s.

East Somerset Railway’s recent filming brings to life a formative era for rail travel and brings to life scenes of the railcar’s heyday.

Among those featured in the video is Brian Pike (seen in the role of the gentleman carrying cases), a volunteer at the Railway from Cranmore.

Brian himself remembers vividly travelling on the railcar in his school days, regularly commuting to and from Shepton Mallet.

A new Class 555 Tyne and Wear Metro train

Tyne and Wear Metro Control Room, South Gosforth

Steam Tram 'Thomas Telford'

Telford Steam Railway is set to celebrate 50 years of the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust with its inaugural Narrow Gauge Gala on 6th–7th June.

The gala celebrates the trust’s pioneering narrow gauge work, which began in 1979 before standard gauge services.

10 Mar 2026

TfW raises over £17,000 for Seren Dwt charity partnership​

Mark 4 - Seren Dwt


Transport for Wales (TfW) customers and colleagues have together raised over £17,000 for Seren Dwt as part of this year’s charity partnership, supporting children born with Down syndrome and their families across Wales.

The total marks the culmination of TfW’s year‑long partnership with Seren Dwt, which was chosen as the organisation’s charity of the year for 2025.

Throughout the year, TfW colleagues across the Wales and Borders rail network organised fundraising events, took on challenges, and encouraged customer donations to help reach the impressive total.

To celebrate the partnership and raise awareness of Seren Dwt’s mission, TfW has also wrapped one of its premier service locomotives in the charity’s livery.

The colourful design will be seen as the train travels across the Wales and Borders network, helping to highlight the charity’s important work.

Mark 4 - Seren Dwt


Laura Thomas, Director at Seren Dwt, said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity shown by Transport for Wales staff and customers throughout this partnership.

"Raising over £17,000 is an incredible achievement and, as a charitable cause, these funds will make a truly meaningful difference to the children and families we support across Wales.

"We’re deeply grateful to everyone at TfW for believing in our work and helping us reach all the families across Wales who need, or want, our support.”

Fundraising activities included colleague‑led events, community initiatives and customer contributions through delay repay donations. The awareness generated through the partnership has also helped introduce Seren Dwt’s work to new audiences across Wales.

Lewis Brencher, Executive Director for Customer and Communications at Transport for Wales, added: “It’s been a privilege to work with Seren Dwt throughout the past year. Our colleagues chose the charity for the incredible support it provides to families, and we’re extremely proud to have raised funds to help them continue their work.”

TfW has now announced that its Charity of the Year for 2026 will be Alzheimer’s Society.

The new partnership will focus on supporting people living with dementia and their families across Wales, raising awareness of the charity’s vital work.

TfW colleagues will once again lead a range of fundraising and engagement activities throughout the year to support the cause.

Wednesday 11th Mar 2026

Marcus & Cleo Have Another Bus Adventure into Cardiff!

We went to 'The Great Western', a beer festival is on at the moment.

It would be rude of me not to partake.

Here I had pints of 'Bodebrown Tropical', 'Woodfords Voyager' and 'Brewed Awakening'.

Good thing we ate lunch before we came out.

Then it was onwards to 'The Gatekeeper' and I had further pints of 'Good Tides', 'Bourbon Vanilla Porter' and 'Coastal Confusion'.

Then it was the bus home.

I think I had hit my limit on ales.


The bus into Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 261, ADL Enviro200, CN64 FWJ

The bus home from Cardiff was Cardiff Bus/Bws Caerdydd No. 253, ADL Enviro200, CE63 NZH

11th March, 2026

Four more dates added to Inspiration tour​

Inspiration crosses Royal Border Bridge


Time is flying by, and the Railway 200 Inspiration train is fast reaching the end of its tour.

The interactive train has visited 44 locations so far, including The Greatest Gathering in Derby, with another month’s worth of visits announced today, following dates being added in January.

New dates include:


The train makes its first visit to Lincolnshire when it visits Skegness Station in May and returns to the Severn Valley Railway for the second time following their Greatest Gathering Legacy Event.



“Inspiration gets a fantastic reception wherever it goes and we’ve absolutely loved bringing the story of rail to towns and cities across Britain.

“These dates include fantastic new destinations, along with a return to Severn Valley Railway, which was a hit in 2025.

“Inspiration’s tour is coming to an end in  June and this will be one of your last opportunities to see it – so make sure you don’t miss out!”

Emma Roberts, Programme Manager for Railway 200