Marcus' Model Railway Journey

4th April, 2026

Branch Line Society to run The North-South Connection this May​

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The Branch Line Society are inviting passengers to join its stock move, The North-South Connection, on Friday, 1 May 2026, ahead of the Welsh Dragon fixture the following day.

The HST rolling stock (2+7 formation) is expected to be running as a Class 1 train, in place of the more usual Class 5.

The movement is set to be a one-way journey, picking up from Manchester Victoria.

Following this, the ECS movement is set to follow the mainline towards Watford Junction (1:30 pm), and onto the Great Western Mainline, where the stock will be left at Reading (3:00 pm) to be prepared for the following day’s main event.

Timings are all approximate, with confirmation with Network Rail due closer to May.

Onboard passengers can enjoy refreshments and snacks from the buffet counter, which can be located in Coach F.

125 Group will be providing a selection of merchandise from Coach C.

4th April, 2026

Porterbrook’s Converted Box Wagons enter service​

MWA-C box wagons


Porterbrook’s new converted MWA-C box wagons have entered frontline service following a 14-month programme which was undertaken in Mansfield at the WH Davis Factory.

The MWA-C box wagons have been converted from seventy-six HHA hopper wagons. The MWA-C use much of the same equipment as on the former HHA hoppers, including the bogies, brake gear and system, along with other reusable components.

The new difference is the robust, stronger, durable box body design, which sits on the frames and has a greater capacity compared to the hopper wagons.

Porterbrook HQ


The project, which began in December 2024 in partnership with Heavy Haul Rail Limited, was aimed at prolonging asset life. It is expected that the box wagons will have a 30-year service life.


In their new state, the box wagons are more flexible in the duties they can perform, as they can now carry a greater variety of goods than they would have done if they were still hopper wagons.


“We are pleased to have partnered with Heavy Haul Rail Limited on this sustainable initiative, transforming these assets into market leading boxes with an important role to play delivering volume across the network for many years to come.

“This highlights our ongoing focus to drive growth in the freight industry, and support the increased movement of heavy goods and materials by rail.”

Max Ordish, Head of Freight and Commercial Projects at Porterbrook


“It is great to see these 76 converted coal wagons now delivering for customers across the UK, as part of our long-term plan to meet growing customer demand for bulk freight.  Delivering materials by rail offers significant carbon reduction and fuel savings compared to road freight because it would take 140 lorries to replace one of our jumbo heavy haul trains.

“Giving the wagons a new lease of life was not only the more sustainable option, but it also supported the local economy because they were converted at UK based firm WH Davis.”

Dave Penney, CEO of Heavy Haul Rail Limited

5th April, 2026

Steam locomotive 4709 moves into Tyseley workshop​

Chassis inside the workshop


The 4709 Group says that the chassis for No. 4709 has been relocated to the workshop at Tyseley.

The priority will be to assemble the chassis into a rolling chassis.

The assembly work for the pony truck is now nearing completion and will be finished when the wheelset is fitted.

The cylinder block and extension frames are now approaching becoming a single unit.


4709’s compensating beam is approaching completion for machining, and the new equalising beam brackets have been cast and are awaiting machining.

4709 driving wheels


The next job is to fit the buffer beam, which will allow for a new centre stay to be machined, which can then be fitted to the front end assembly.

The eccentric sheaves now need to be refurbished and refitted to the main driving wheel set.

Donor loco, 4115, only provided three driving wheelsets, so a new trailing driving wheelset will require a balance weight, which has been cast but needs lead filling before being used.

With the chassis moving into the workshop, work will proceed quickly. However, to complete the rolling chassis, £30,000 needs to be raised, and donations can be made via the 4709 website.

6th April, 2026

TV star travels on Welsh railway to publicise town’s Comic Con convention​

Chris Barrie shovelling coal


Television comedy star Chris Barrie, best known for his role in Red Dwarf and the BBC sitcom The Brittas Empire, travelled on the Llangollen Railway on Easter Saturday, 4th April, to publicise the start of Wales Comic Con.

Chris was greeted by dozens of fans at Corwen railway station as he boarded a special heritage service to travel through the Dee Valley to Llangollen, where he was to have a busy day at the Wales Comic Con convention to be held at the Llangollen Pavilion.

Chris Barrie meets Angie Turner, Corwen Station Master


Chris’s visit marked the start of a new partnership between the railway and Wales Comic Con, bringing together heritage, popular culture and tourism.

This was just the start of the collaboration, with more joint events between Wales Comic Con and the Llangollen and Corwen Railway planned for the future.

Chris has also been invited to attend the railway’s Branch Line Gala next weekend, when a full programme of steam and diesel services will be operating, so that visitors to the convention can travel on the railway as part of their Comic Con experience.

Chris Barrie meets volunteers who work at Corwen Station


During his time at the railway, Chris met some of the volunteer crews and stepped onto the footplate to discover first-hand what it is like to be on a working steam locomotive.

Chris commented that he had a fantastic time on the railway, and it was great to meet so many fans.

It was something special to be on the footplate, shovelling coal and experiencing a real working steam engine, and he gave a huge thank you to everyone for such a memorable experience.


“It has been absolutely fantastic. It was so great to welcome Chris Barrie to the railway. He was a brilliant guest – a great sport and incredibly knowledgeable about steam trains. You could really see his passion for heritage railways, and it meant a lot to both our volunteers and the fans who came along to see him.”

Paul Bailey from the Llangollen Railway, who welcomed fans at Corwen Railway Station

6th April, 2026

Amtrak to upgrade its oldest station in Pennsylvania​

Lewiston Station


Amtrak is to carry out substantial improvements to Lewistown Station in Pennsylvania, the oldest station served by Amtrak.

Upgrading Lewistown Station is set to begin on Tuesday, 7th April, and will include:

• A boarding platform to improve passenger access to trains.
• Updated LED lighting and signage for better visibility and improved safety.
• Better access to the station through a new passenger drop-off zone and two parking bays compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Upgraded waiting room and toilet facilities.
• A new air conditioning system in the station waiting area.

Lewistown also houses the extensive collection of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society.

Dave Evans president of the society and owner of the station building, commented that the society supports the updating of the oldest remaining Pennsylvania Railroad train station.

Lewistown is one of 134 station designs and 68 station construction projects being funded by Congress through the Federal Railroad Administration.

Together, they form Amtrak’s ADA Stations Program to provide accessibility, with a target completion date of 2029, using funds provided by Congress through the Federal Railroad Administration.


Across the Amtrak network, 19 stations were brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in the twelve months ending 30th September 2025.

Another 50 stations are expected to be completed by 30th September this year, with a forecasted investment of $311 million.

Kevin Moore, board member of Western Pennsylvanians for Passenger Rail, added that Lewistown will enjoy more rail travel options with Amtrak’s plans to double the frequency of its Pennsylvanian service beginning in Fall 2026.

These station improvements will ensure the safe and continued use of this valuable historic building.

As well as its programme of station improvements, Amtrak is introducing a fleet of new trains that will provide greater comfort, reliability, and more contemporary amenities, and more dining options on its long-distance trains.


“As Amtrak continues modernizing stations across the country, improving the customer experience remains at the heart of our efforts. The station and platform enhancements at Lewistown will create a more welcoming and functional environment for those traveling with us for years to come.”

Dr David Handera, Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility


“Since 1849, the Lewistown station has prominently shaped the transportation network of railroads, roadways and historic canals in the Keystone State, from a bustling trade center to an essential hub for freight and passenger rail in Rural Pennsylvania. This transformative investment in one of the nation’s oldest depots will honor the legacy of Lewistown and improve overall access, safety and accommodations in anticipation of the second Pennsylvanian passenger train this year.”

Senator Judy Ward, Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee

Cleo's Flower Arranging