Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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Miniature Sheet​

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21 March, 2026

Footplate Experiences Announced for Branch Line Gala​

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Llangollen MPD


The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is turning up the heat this spring with a limited run of exclusive footplate experiences at its highly anticipated Branch Line Gala, running between 10 and 12 April 2026.

Offering a rare cab ride alongside a driver and a fireman, the experiences promise an immersive glimpse into the art of steam on a rural heritage line.

Guests can step aboard two headline locomotives, pannier tank No. 7754 and freight engine No. 3802, with options ranging from shorter runs to full-length journeys.

Beyond the footplate, the gala will showcase an intensive timetable of steam and diesel services, freight demonstrations, brake van rides, shed tours, live music, and station-side refreshments, making it a must-visit event for enthusiasts and families alike.
 
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Llangollen’s Steam Pannier 7754


Organisers say the initiative is designed to bring visitors closer to Britain’s railway heritage through hands-on, memorable encounters.

Tickets are available online.


“Footplate experiences are one of the most exciting and authentic ways to experience a heritage railway. They offer a completely different perspective on the operation of these historic locomotives and allow participants to appreciate the teamwork, concentration and skill required to run a busy branch line service.

“With an intensive gala timetable, visiting locomotives and a strong Great Western theme, the 2026 Branch Line Gala is already shaping up to be one of our most ambitious events in recent years. Adding a programme of footplate rides allows us to offer something truly special for enthusiasts and visitors who want to get even closer to the action.”

Iain Ross, Organiser of the Branch Line Gala.
 
21 March, 2026

New appeal to support Class 313​

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A class 313 train en route to Fife


The Alternating Current Multiple Unit (ACMU) Society has launched The 313 Club, which it describes as “a dedicated support initiative for continued preservation and promotion of Class 313121”.

Class 313121 are small, yellow maintenance locomotives.

The ACMU Society was formed last year through a merger of The Class 315 Preservation Society and The Clacton Express Preservation Group.

The new fund builds on the ACMU Society’s partnership with the Fife Heritage Railway, which started last year as a promotion and collaboration agreement.

The Railway, which is run by The Kingdom of Fife Railway Preservation Society and was formed in 1992, has already worked on Class 313.
 
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Fife Heritage Railway


People wishing to support the work by joining The 313 Club can do so via the official ACMU Society website.

Members will benefit from exclusive restoration updates; behind-the-scenes progress reports on unit 313121; discounts at the Society Shop; limited-edition merchandise with a 313121 theme; and volunteering opportunities.

They will also be invited to work parties to help with the cosmetic and mechanical upkeep of the unit.

Class 313 will celebrate its Golden Jubilee this August, so the core team at the Fife Heritage Railway will be preparing for this, as well as continuing with weatherproofing and cosmetic restoration work.
 
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Class 313


The ACMU is supporting this work by setting up the 313 Club as a dedicated fundraising channel.

It hopes that this will ensure that enough money is available to complete further work on the locos in time for this summer’s celebration event.

A dedicated web page contains further information on the Class 313 project, about upcoming events, and about the rest of the ACMU fleet.


“The launch of The 313 Club represents a very positive development in our relationship with the Fife Heritage Railway. Following the successful collaboration between the two organisations since 313 joined the ACMU, we are excited to build upon this by fundraising for and directly financially contributing to 313121, ensuring this unit gets the additional support it needs to continue thriving in preservation.”

Lakshman Pathak, ACMU Society Director
 
21st March, 2026

Giants of Avon Gorge statue unveiled at Bristol Temple Meads​

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The Giants of Avon Gorge at Bristol Temple Meads


A new statue of the Giants of Avon Gorge has been unveiled at Bristol Temple Meads station, marking the launch of Great Western Railway’s latest campaign to bring local myths to life.

The installation celebrates the tale of two giant brothers whose rivalry for a giantess is said to have carved the dramatic Avon Gorge.

The unveiling coincides with English Tourism Week (March 13–22), as GWR encourages families to explore the landscapes behind the region’s most enduring stories.

Central to the campaign is The Line to Legend Land, a refreshed collection of 11 myths from the South West and Wales, reimagined for a new generation.
 
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he Giants of Avon Gorge at Bristol Temple Meads, pictured with Sheila Hannon, Visit England Tourism Superstar Award finalist, and Jon Chamberlain, Visit West head of marketing.


The book features a brand-new story and introduction by former Children’s Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo, best known for War Horse.

To help keep these tales alive, GWR has also donated copies to 500 primary schools across its network.

The Giants statue is one of several appearing at stations, alongside Excalibur at Castle Cary and the Mermaid of Zennor at St Ives, with more mythical figures set to follow.


“It’s fantastic that the legend of the Bristol Giants is featured in this campaign from GWR. Pictures of the Avon Gorge, with the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge above, are instantly recognisable as Bristol but now visitors can learn about how the Gorge was (allegedly) formed.

“We hope people will travel by train to see the statues as well as visiting the Gorge, to take a walk, visit the Bridge and Clifton Observatory, and stop for a drink and bite to eat on the terrace at Hotel du Vin Bristol Avon Gorge as well as exploring the wider city – all inspired by the legends of the Bristol Giants!”

Jon Chamberlain, Visit West head of marketing.
 
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ATTACK! Pro Wrestling
(21.03.2026) ATTACK! 15 Year Anniversary - Online Stream @ The Great Hall in Cardiff, Wales, UK
  • SIngles: Tommy Vril defeats Cara Noir
  • ATTACK! Tag Team Title Tornado Four Way: Greedy Souls (Brendan White & Danny Jones) defeat The Freshnas (Fabio & Martin Steers) (c) and Legion Of Bloom (Lil' Johnny The Sunflower & Sonny The Sunflower) and Sunshine Machine (Chuck Mambo & TK Cooper) - TITLE CHANGE !!!
  • ATTACK! 24:7 Title: Sean Smith (w/Hudson) defeats James Ellis (c) - TITLE CHANGE !!!
  • Courtroom Brawl Tables: Mark Andrews defeats Josh Holly (w/Hunter Maul)
  • Flash Morgan Webster & Paul London defeat Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II)
  • Extreme Rules: ECDrew defeats Nico Angelo
  • Weird & Wonderful Rumble: Leon Cage defeats AJ Nox and Beachball Bechannon and Create-A-Wrestler and El Sapo and Larry The Caddy and Love Making Demon and Matt Gatlin and Old Poppa Sunflower and Oliver Sudden and Simon Miller and The Tab and Visage and Vivika
  • ATTACK! Title: Dani Luna defeats Kanji (c) (17:33) - TITLE CHANGE !!!
 
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22nd March, 2026

Special statues unveiled at South Wales railway stations​

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Cardiff Central Dragon and Swansea station Faerie of Pennard Castle


Myth and magic have arrived at South Wales stations, as Great Western Railway (GWR) launches an imaginative new campaign inviting families to step into the stories behind the landscape.

At Cardiff Central railway station, a striking statue brings to life the legendary Red Dragon, Wales’ enduring symbol of strength and protection.

Meanwhile, travellers passing through Swansea railway station can discover a mystical faery inspired by the enchanting tales of Pennard Castle.

These installations are part of The Line to Legend Land, a revived collection of 11 myths from across Wales and the South West.

The book features fresh storytelling, including a new contribution from acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo, designed to spark curiosity in a new generation of readers.
 
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Red Dragon statue at Cardiff Station


But the campaign goes beyond storytelling. It also celebrates the 50th anniversary of Farms for City Children, founded by Morpurgo and his wife Clare, which has long connected young people with the countryside through hands-on farm experiences.

With 500 primary schools receiving copies of the book, and more mythical figures appearing across the network, Great Western Railway is turning everyday journeys into gateways to adventure, where folklore and real-world exploration meet.
 
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The Faery statue at Swansea station


“The Red Dragon has been a symbol of Wales and Welsh nationhood since the ninth century. It has played a special part in our history, giving us an identity and sense of nationhood over the centuries.

“This statue reminds us of the fascinating history of the Red Dragon among poets and storytellers of Wales since the Middle Ages.”

Helen Fulton, a professor at the University of Bristol.


“The Red Dragon and The Faeries of Pennard Castle are just two of the many captivating stories across the region we serve, and by taking these statues out to some of our most popular destinations, we’re aiming to inspire families to venture out on the train and discover the legends for themselves.

“We’ve been thrilled by the reaction to our new Line to Legend Land book and our goal was to create a truly immersive world where these myths step out of the stories and onto our stations, bringing the legends to life for everyone who travels with us.”

Dan Panes, GWR Head of External Communications.
 
22nd March, 2026

ACMU Society announces new additions to Meet The Fleet Initiative​

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ACMU Society logo


The Alternating Current Multiple Unit (ACMU) Society has announced the newest additions to its Meet The Fleet initiative.

The two new vehicles are the last two survivors of Class 311, unit 311103.

This Society sees this partnership with the Sumerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life as a milestone in achieving its core mission, which is to bring unity to Overhead Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) preservation.

The Museum will continue to own the Class 311s, which will remain based at the Museum.

The Society will support the Museum under its umbrella of preserved AC Electrical Multiple Units (EMUs).


These include all surviving vehicles of units 309624, 315856, 313121 and 317345.

Each vehicle is owned by a separate organisation, but they are united under the auspices of the Society.
 
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BR Class 309 309624


The Society’s core Glasgow Electric Group team, which is based at the Summerlee Heritage Museum, is working on preparations for the Class’s diamond jubilee this May.

The ACMU Society is supporting the team’s work by sponsoring some key elements of the restoration.

This will ensure that the vehicles look their best in time for the celebration event.

The ACMU Society’s website has a page dedicated to the Class 311 project.

Supporters can use the page to make a donation, to find out about upcoming events, and to see information about the rest of the ACMU fleet.


Other work that the Society is involved with includes the restoration of Class 315 No. 315856, including a partial repaint.
 
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Class 315 No. 315856


“Bringing the Class 311 into our network perfectly aligns with our founding goals. Since our launch, we have been working hard to continue to forge more strategic partnerships with organisations to bring dedicated marketing, promotion, and financial support to a variety of AC EMUs. Following the incredible recent success of ‘Project Yellow Submarine’—which just saw our Class 315 DMS carriage unveiled in First Great Eastern livery at the Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway’s Spring Gala—we are eager to bring that same momentum to preserving this vital piece of Scottish railway heritage.”

Lakshman Pathak, Chair, Alternating Current Multiple Unit Society
 
22nd March, 2026

Tribute to local legend unveiled at St Ives​

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St Ives station Mermaid of Zennor


A striking statue of the Mermaid of Zennor has been unveiled at St Ives station, as Great Western Railway (GWR) invites families to discover the landscapes behind the South West’s most captivating legends.

The mermaid’s tale, of a local man lured by a mysterious sea creature, features in Great Western Railway’s newly refreshed story collection, The Line to Legend Land.

Released during English Tourism Week, the campaign encourages visitors to turn myth into adventure by exploring the region firsthand.

Originally published over a century ago, the updated collection brings together 11 traditional stories from the South West and Wales.

It includes a new introduction and an original tale by acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo, designed to spark young imaginations.
 
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St Ives station, Mermaid of Zennor


The unveiling was attended by cultural figures, including Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery’s collections manager, with a new myths and legends exhibition set to open later this month.

The initiative also supports Farms for City Children, founded by Morpurgo and his wife, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The charity has long connected young people with rural life across the very landscapes that inspired these stories.

To keep the magic alive, GWR is donating books to 500 primary schools, ensuring these timeless tales continue to inspire future generations.


“Cornwall’s legends, including the Mermaid of Zennor, are linked inseparably with the landscape we know and love. Such fireside stories have been passed down through the generations and form part of Cornwall’s strong regional identity – we explore all of this in the brand-new exhibition, Cornish Myths & Legends, which opens on 31st March.

“The resurgence of interest in folk traditions reflects the joy of reconnecting with nature and the seasons, of going on adventurous quests, and of feeding your curiosity and sense of wonder. So, grab your copy of The Line to Legend Land, jump on a train to Truro, and come and see the exhibition for yourself! We’re running a free family trail during the Easter holidays too for truly legendary days out.”

Jeni Woolcock, collections manager at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery.
 
23 Mar 2026

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100% electrification of the Core Valley Lines complete​

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OLE Cardiff Bay


Transport for Wales has completed the full electrification of the Core Valley lines, at the heart of the South Wales Metro, delivering one of Wales' most ambitious rail infrastructure transport projects.

The Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) on the final 800 metre section between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay has now been completed and tested as TfW prepares for the full electrification of the 170km network, completing a six-year transformation programme that began in 2020.

Dubbed the ‘Welsh Tube’, the £1bn project brought electric tri-mode trains to the South Wales Valleys for the very first time in 2024.

This spring, TfW will introduce the first of its 36 fully electric Class 398 tram-trains.

The new fleet will initially operate between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay, providing greener, more frequent services as part of the South Wales Metro.

Passengers are already benefitting from these improvements with the Core Valley lines being one of the most punctual and reliable networks in Great Britain over the past 6 months.

Since work began in 2020, TfW and its partners have delivered an intensive programme of specialist engineering which includes:
  • 281.5 miles of overhead wires installed
  • Over 3,100 steel posts and 8,200 small steel parts installed to hold the wires in place.
  • 14 railway track lowers completed to install wires under bridges.
  • Five substations installed.
  • Extensive vegetation clearance and fencing renewals to keep the network safe from trespass.
Working closely with partners Amey Infrastructure Wales, TfW introduced a world-leading Smart Electrification System that combines wired and wire-free sections made possible by innovative tri and bi-mode trains, capable of switching seamlessly between overhead electric power and battery.

The approach has delivered carbon and cost reductions compared with traditional fully wired systems, while avoiding the need for lengthy and disruptive bridge closures.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “This is a landmark moment for rail in South Wales. We are finally seeing our ambition become a reality thanks to our unprecedented investment of more than £1bn to transform the CVL, with £800 million on new trains, and years of hard work and commitment from TfW.

“New, faster, modern trains, offering increased capacity and more frequent services helping to transform passenger experiences.

“This is another significant milestone on our mission to transform our railways.”

Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Transport for Wales, said: “Completing the electrification of the Core Valley Lines is a landmark achievement for our infrastructure teams and construction partners. This has been one of the most complex engineering programmes undertaken in Wales in recent decades and delivering it safely and efficiently is a testament to the skill and dedication of everyone involved.

“I’m immensely proud of the work delivered and the benefits it will unlock for passengers across the Valleys, with greener and faster services connecting communities.

“We’re hugely grateful to our communities who have at times been heavily impacted by the work. They will now be able to reap the benefits of the improvements through faster, greener, more frequent and reliable services.”

With the network electrified and live, TfW is reminding communities of the dangers of trespassing near the railway and urges passengers and residents to stay alert and report any concerns by texting 61016.

The Bay line transformation project, part of the wider Core Valley Lines transformation for the Metro, has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Programme timeline:
  • 2020: Work begins to install Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) across the Core Valley Lines.
  • 2023: First lines electrified through Aberdare, Merthyr, and Pontypridd to Cardiff
  • Early 2024: Treherbert line electrified following nine months of extensive engineering works.
  • 2025: Coryton and Rhymney lines electrified, marking 99% of the CVL network electrified.
  • 2026: Cardiff Bay section tested in preparation for 100% electrification of the CVL network.
  • The Core Valley Lines include the Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr, Coryton, City, Rhymney and Cardiff Bay lines.
  • The electrification supports the introduction of new Class 398 tram trains on the Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr and Cardiff Bay lines, alongside the introduction of Class 756 tri mode trains on the Rhymney, Coryton, Penarth, Barry Island and Vale of Glamorgan lines.
  • Through its No Second Chances safety campaign, TfW has already delivered rail safety sessions to more than 42,000 young people across the Valleys.
  • Once the rollout of new rolling stock is complete and final signal upgrades are complete, this will enable faster journeys and more frequent services across the Core Valleys Lines.

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Monday 23 Mar 2026

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Railway reopens after major upgrade to improve reliability for passengers in South Wales​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

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Cardiff-Newport track renewals March 2026 drone shot


The railway between Newport and Cardiff reopened on Monday 23 March following a week of vital track renewals to support more dependable journeys on the South Wales Main Line.

More than 150 engineers and specialist teams from Network Rail, alongside contractors Colas Rail UK and AECOM, worked around the clock between 16 and 23 March to deliver a major programme of track upgrades on one of South Wales’ busiest railway routes.

The improvements will help reduce the risk of track-related faults, meaning passengers can benefit from more reliable journeys and fewer delays.

To carry out the most intensive work, the line was closed on 21 and 22 March, with replacement bus services running to keep passengers moving.

Rail services resumed from the first service on Monday 23 March.
 
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Cardiff-Newport track renewals March 2026 drone shot


What the work involved

  • Replacing points (moveable rails at junctions which allow trains to switch safely between tracks)
  • Laying 1,120 tonnes of new track stone (ballast) to strengthen and support the railway
  • Renewing 400 metres of track, helping improve performance and reliability for years to come
  • Utilising one of Europe’s largest rail cranes - the Kirow - to lift and install the track components
This vital work forms part of continued investment to maintain a safe, reliable railway for both passenger and freight services using the route, while also laying the foundations for future service growth on the South Wales Main Line.
 
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Cardiff-Newport track renewals March - night working


Nick Millington, Route Director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said, “This has been a huge week of work on one of the busiest stretches of railway in South Wales. Our teams have worked around the clock to deliver vital upgrades that will help keep trains running safely and reliably for passengers and freight, for many years to come.

"I’d like to thank the teams involved for delivering this work safely and to schedule, and our passengers and local communities for their patience while we carried out this essential work.”
 
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Cardiff-Newport track renewals March 2026


Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said, “We’re pleased to see the railway between Newport and Cardiff reopen following this major programme of improvements. These upgrades will help deliver a more reliable service for our customers, and we’d like to thank passengers for their understanding during the disruption.”
 
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Cardiff-Newport track renewals March 2026


About Network Rail​

We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations.

We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network.

People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day.

Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
 
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