Marcus' Model Railway Journey

16th March, 2026

Northern predicts record number of passengers travelling on iconic line in 2026​

Passenger numbers on the scenic Settle to Carlisle Line are expected to top one million this year as the route celebrates its 150th anniversary, an anniversary which Michael Portillo has supported.

A programme of events is planned to mark the 150-year milestone, organised by the Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company.

Celebrations will include a chartered steam train running between Carlisle and York on 25 May.

Northern also plans to release thousands of £1.50 promotional tickets for travel on the route.

Operator Northern recorded 995,000 journeys on the line between Leeds and Carlisle in 2025, with August being the busiest month, with around 96,000 trips.

The 72-mile line is a major tourist attraction, offering views of the Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Eden Valley, and also features the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.

A Northern Service between Carlisle and Settle – Ribblehead Viaduct


Completed in 1875 after a huge engineering project involving around 6,000 workers, the line opened to passengers on 1 May 1876.

It was saved from closure in the 1980s after a major public campaign.

The line was also used as a recent diversionary route during upgrades.


“It’s easy to see why this line is so popular and we’re confident we will see more than 1 million journeys this year.

“Customers can enjoy miles of breathtaking scenery, which changes throughout the year, and there are plenty of opportunities to get off and explore.

“We’re delighted to see that it’s been rightly recognised as one of the most scenic trips in Europe and we’re looking forward to the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary.”

Alex Hornby, Northern’s Commercial and Customer Director.


“The Settle-Carlisle line is unique, connecting communities from Yorkshire through to Cumbria, and also providing a sustainable and beautiful way for visitors to explore the Yorkshire Dales, Westmorland Dales and Lake District.

“In our special anniversary year, we are working closely with communities along the line to provide a host of events for visitors and locals to enjoy, and all accessible via our award-winning line.”

Pete Myers, chair of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company.

16th March, 2026

Banbury Depot to be celebrated with a special passenger service​

Twilight drone shot of new sidings at Banbury depot


Banbury Depot is a major facility operated by Chiltern Railways and received a £9.4 million upgrade in early 2023 to expand its maintenance capabilities.

Chiltern Railways and the Branch Line Society have partnered up for a special service.

On Sunday, 3rd May 2026, a special visit to Banbury Depot on a service titled ‘The Banbury Mountain Climber’ is set to depart from Banbury railway station shortly after 11:00 am.

Participants will travel into the depot on either a Class 165 or Class 168, with plans to cover all available roads before returning to the station at around 1:00 pm.

The event will raise money for a Chiltern Railways team taking part in the Three Peaks by Rail Challenge, with all proceeds supporting Railway Children.

A souvenir track map will be included for attendees.

Drone shot of the entire Banbury train depot from the air


The project to upgrade the depot has delivered four additional sidings and around 950 metres of new track, enhancing the site’s role in train maintenance, stabling and cleaning.

The depot also supports the rollout of new Mark 5 trains on the London to West Midlands route and includes improved accommodation for staff working there.

Had a coin hunt today and found more 50p' for the collection.

1998 NHS 50th Anniversary​

Goalball Olympic 50p Coin 2011 – London Paralympic Games​

2011 Olympics Tennis​

2017 Jeremy Fisher​

2018 Representation of the People Act​

Royal Mail celebrates 25th anniversary of Lord Of The Rings films with stamp set​

Royal Mail is releasing a set of Lord Of The Rings stamps to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first film in the hit trilogy.

The fantasy and adventure series began as a series of novels with the same name, written by JRR Tolkien and published in the 1950s, which was adapted into the award-winning film series – which has since spawned a string of spin-offs.

The main collection of eight stamps celebrates characters including Sir Ian McKellen as wizard Gandalf, Orlando Bloom as elf Legolas and Elijah Wood as hobbit Frodo Baggins.


A view of the eight Lord Of The Rings stamps showcasing the characters


Also featured in the collection are characters such as Pippin Took, played by Scottish actor Billy Boyd, hobbit Merry Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan) and wizard Saruman, who was played by the late Sir Christopher Lee.

Presented in a miniature sheet, a further four stamps feature locations from the fictional world of Middle-earth, where the series is set – including The Shire, Mount Doom, Rivendell and Argonath.

The stamps also include hidden messages only detectable under a UV light written in the shape of a ring in Elvish, referencing the language used by the elves in the series.

Each stamp in the collection, which was created in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), features the Lord Of The Rings logo used in the epic fantasy film series.


Four additional stamps showcase locations from the popular film franchise


Lord Of The Rings was first adapted into its first film, titled The Fellowship Of The Ring, in 2001 – and its global success led to the prequel film trilogy, The Hobbit, among other spin-off film and TV series.

In 2022, the franchise was adapted into ongoing TV series The Rings Of Power, starring Morfydd Clark and Bafta-winner Robert Aramayo.

Lord Of The Rings is also set to return to cinemas next year with the Andy Serkis-directed film, titled The Hunt For Gollum.

David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: “The Lord Of The Rings ranks as one of the most iconic and beloved film series of all time, and we’re delighted to celebrate its enduring popularity with this set of Special Stamps.

“Each design captures the epic storytelling, artistry and imagination that have made Middle‑earth such a treasured part of British and global culture.

We’re proud to bring these striking stamps to the nation’s letterboxes.”


Sir Christopher Lee as the White Wizard Saruman appears on the stamps


Rachel Wakley, senior vice president and general manager at WBDGCP, said: “We’re delighted to see this special stamp collection honour the 25th anniversary of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring.

“The film has left an enduring mark on audiences around the world, and this beautifully crafted set captures the spirit, artistry and cinematic legacy that continue to inspire fans a quarter of a century on.”

The stamps, and a range of collectable products, are available to pre-order from March 11 and go on general sale from March 20.

17 Mar 2026

18 lifesaving bleed kits installed at stations across Cardiff​

TfW BleedKit


Transport for Wales has partnered with Heartbeat Trust UK to support the installation of 18 bleed control kits to stations across Cardiff.

This is the first time equipment of this kind has been available in the capital.

The kits, donated by the Masonic Benevolent Fund of South Wales have been integrated directly into existing defibrillator cabinets to ensure they are clearly visible and accessible to the public in an emergency.

The project uses the Daniel Baird Foundation’s critical bleed control kit and is the principal model widely adapted across England.

It’s equipped with military-grade medical supplies that can be used by members of the public in an emergency.

The Cardiff rollout follows a successful programme in 2025, when Arthur Llewellyn Furniture stores generously funded kits for TfW stations in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot.

It forms part of a wider community safety programme established 18 months ago by Melanie James JP, former High Sheriff of West Glamorgan and Trustee of Heartbeat Trust UK, aimed at significantly improving access to publicly available critical bleed control kits across Wales.

Since its launch the programme has supported the delivery of more than 650 kits across Welsh communities, with strong backing from local authorities and emergency services.

BleedKit


Rebecca Davies, Station Manager for Cardiff Central said: “We’re proud to support this important community safety initiative and to be one of the first locations in Cardiff to host these lifesaving bleed control kits.

“Our stations are at the heart of the communities we serve, and having this equipment available could make a critical difference in an emergency.

“We’re grateful to Heartbeat Trust UK and all the partners involved for helping us make our stations even safer for the public.”

Melanie James JP, Trustee & Critical Bleed Control Champion added: “The installation of these bleed control kits across Cardiff represents a significant step forward in improving public safety. Our aim has always been to ensure that lifesaving equipment is available where it’s most needed, and working with Transport for Wales enables us to reach thousands of people every day.

“I am incredibly grateful for the continued support from TfW, Heartbeat Trust UK and all our partners who have helped make this rollout possible.

“These kits save lives, and their presence in Cardiff’s stations will give the public vital tools to act quickly in an emergency.”

BleedKit


The kits have been installed at the following stations:

• Radyr
• Llandaf
• Waun Gron Park
• Ninian Park (x2)
• Cathays
• Cardiff Queen Street (x2)
• Heath
• Llanishen
• Lisvane and Thornhill
• Birchgrove
• Rhiwbina
• Coryton
• Cardiff Bay
• Cardiff Central Station x3 (entrance to car park, on platforms 1 and 2 and the main entrance)

17th March, 2026

Great British Railways’ proposal to simplify Delay Repay​

GBR Logo


Plans for Great British Railways aim to deliver a simpler, fairer experience for rail passengers, with faster compensation for delays and tougher action on fare evasion.

Under proposed reforms, passengers would be able to claim Delay Repay compensation directly from the retailer they purchased their ticket from.

This means passengers who buy tickets through platforms such as Trainline will be able to submit claims there, instead of navigating multiple train company systems.

At present, passengers must deal with a complicated process involving 14 separate operators.

The government says bringing compensation together under a single service run by Great British Railways will make the system quicker, clearer and far easier to use.

The changes also follow recommendations from the Office of Rail and Road aimed at tackling fare evasion.

Officials estimate fare-dodging costs taxpayers at least £350 million every year, money that could otherwise be invested in improving the rail network.

There will be new measures to tackle fare dodging, for example, trials to ensure railcards are used correctly, and from April, unused tickets can only be refunded up to 23:59 on the day the ticket is valid for.

Ticket barriers


New rules will tighten refund policies and introduce trials to ensure Railcards are used correctly, potentially saving tens of millions annually.

Ministers say the reforms form part of wider efforts to rebuild trust in Britain’s railways and put passengers at the centre of a modernised network.


“Using the railway will be simpler and more reliable under Great British Railways. When services are delayed, passengers should be able to easily claim the compensation they’re owed.

Making compensation easier when you need it is a win for passengers. Wherever you buy your ticket, the focus must be on getting more people to choose rail. These future changes to Delay Repay have real potential to support that ambition and will be welcomed by millions.”

Jody Ford, CEO of Trainline.


“These necessary changes will ensure people can claim Delay Repay compensation more quickly and the industry can invest taxpayers’ money in the things that really matter for passengers; freezing fares and delivering train and station upgrades, rather than losing out to fare dodgers and fraud.”

Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary.