Marcus' Model Railway Journey

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The large white building in the centre is the Imperial Hotel, which was constructed from houses dating back to the 1830s.

The hotel is built partially on top of Tenby’s ancient medieval town walls.

The small blue structure on the right side of the street is a showcase that displays model buildings and serves as a collecting box for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

This scene is located on The Esplanade, overlooking Tenby's South Beach.


Cleo's birthday. 15/5/26
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Spotted this Common Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus), identified by its distinctive white neck patch, pinkish breast, and grey plumage.

It is the largest and most common pigeon species found in the UK, frequently seen in gardens, parks, and woodlands.

Adults are easily recognized by a bold white patch on their neck and white patches on their wings that are most visible during flight.

They have a flexible diet consisting mainly of plant material such as leaves, seeds, grains, and fruit, often feeding on brassica crops like the yellow flowers shown in the image.

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19th May, 2026

Welsh railway hold Oktoberfest event​

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Ffestiniog's ‘Iron Stein Summer Oktoberfest’ 2026


Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway will turn Tan y Bwlch into a German-style beer hall for its ‘Iron Stein Summer Oktoberfest’, with long communal tables, premium lager, and a sociable evening atmosphere.

Guests attending the event can expect themed surroundings, music, and a three-course German-inspired meal designed for sharing.

The menu will include giant pretzels, bratwurst, and Black Forest gâteau, alongside oompah-style music and a selection of beers served throughout the evening.
 
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Ffestiniog’s ‘Iron Stein Summer Oktoberfest’ 2026


Entry tickets will be available at the door at Tan y Bwlch, priced at £20 per person.

Admission pricing includes all food served during the event, although drinks are not included.

Passengers holding a three-day Event Rover or Saturday Day Event Rover ticket will be able to travel free of charge on Shuttle Trains operating between Porthmadog and Tan y Bwlch.


The same tickets will also be valid on other Saturday event trains serving the location.

Visitors without Rover tickets can purchase standalone Shuttle Train tickets for £29 per person.

The event is intended to combine railway travel, traditional food, and beer hall entertainment in a relaxed setting.
 
19th May, 2026

Luxury train hire service launched, from £45,000 per day​

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The Chairmans Train with 90002 at the helm


Locomotive Services Group has announced that The Chairman’s Train is now available for hire, making it the UK’s first fully private heritage train, with a choice of steam, electric and diesel power.

The season will begin in July 2026, with a five-day West Highland Experience, with another trip in August.

From 2027, The Chairman’s Train will expand to offer bespoke private charters.

The train has drawing rooms, fine linens, walk-in showers and panoramic observation cars.


For multi-day itineraries, Class 121 Flora will be used to venture along remote branch lines, with guests staying onboard or at hotels along the route.

All 2026 departures will start at London Euston, with future journeys having the flexibility to depart from other terminals and stations around the country.

The Chairman’s Train is designed for groups of between 2 and 16 and is fully personalised, with a choice of locomotive, destination and duration.

A full day’s journey will start at £45,000, with each additional day costing an additional £25,000.


‘The Chairman’s Train represents something truly special for Britain’s railway heritage and for luxury travel alike. We have taken immense pride in restoring these remarkable carriages with absolute respect for their history, while reimagining them for a new generation of travellers who value privacy, craftsmanship and authenticity.’

Tony Bush, Managing Director, Locomotive Services Group


‘The Chairman’s Train is the UK’s first fully private heritage train for exclusive use. Designed for intimate groups of two to sixteen it offers a personalisation unmatched in modern travel. Whether your passion is cathedrals, castles, gardens or golf courses then, together with our off-train colleagues, we can make it happen! Every element from route planning, dining configurations, entertainment and pace is individually tailored. For five years now we have been investigating the art of the possible from St Ives to John O Groats, from quiet overnight stops to places of interest throughout Britain. Journeys can vary from single day escapes to multi-night odysseys, across Britain’s unique and evocative railways.

Jeremy Hosking, Chairman, Locomotive Services Group
 
20th May, 2026

Brighton Pride to have additional train services​

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Pride Thameslink train at Brighton


Govia Thameslink Railway has confirmed that it will once again run an enhanced service for Brighton Pride, now in its 35th year, on the 1st and 2nd of August.

There will be longer trains to increase capacity for services to and from London Bridge, London Victoria and coastal routes on the 1st August.

Additional Trans will also run during peak times to ensure crowds can use transport safely.

GTR is prompting people to start thinking about their journeys and keep an eye out for further information, which will be released closer to the event.


“We’re excited to be working with event organisers and other local partners for the 35th anniversary of Brighton Pride. We will have plenty of services running throughout the day on Saturday 1 August to help people get to and from the event, but would advise leaving plenty of time to get there as some of our services will be much busier than usual. As per previous years, we’ll have a queueing system in place at Brighton station to manage crowds and ensure people leaving the city can do so safely. We look forward to welcoming people on board!”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director at GTR
 
20th May, 2026

Father’s Day steam special at Welsh railway​

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3802 leaves Berwyn


Ahead of Father’s Day on the 21st June, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced a new Father’s Day Ploughman’s Pint Special.

The specially created steam-hauled service runs twice, once at 12:20 pm and again at 3:15 pm and has 60 spaces per journey.

Passengers can enjoy a scenic journey paired with a Ploughman’s Lunch, produced by Powell’s Pies of Whitchurch.

Tickets for the special are priced at £40, with kids travelling for just £6 and include the journey, lunch, a complimentary pint and a branded glass.


“We wanted to create something that felt relaxed, traditional and really good value for Father’s Day. Working with Powell’s Pies is a perfect fit for us because, like the railway, they are passionate about heritage, quality and keeping traditional skills alive.

“The Dee Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the country to enjoy a steam train journey, and adding fantastic local food and a pint makes this the ultimate Father’s Day treat.”

Jordan Edge, Catering Manager at the railway
 
20th May, 2026

‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ steam locomotive confirmed for Cotswold Festival of Steam!​

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45110 at the Engine House


The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has confirmed its mystery guest for its upcoming Cotswold Festival of Steam.

LMS Black 5 No. 45110 will be visiting for the gala courtesy of West Coast Railways

45110 hauled The Fifteen Guinea Special back in 1968 to mark the end of steam on the mainline.

45110 joins 34070 Manston, 229 ‘Coffeepot’, 419, 78022 and GWR Railcar No. 22 alongside 3850, 2807 and 6880 Betton Grange.
 
20th May, 2026

First Great British Railways branded train unveiled​

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Class 387 in GBR colours


The first Great British Railway-branded train will be unveiled tomorrow in Brighton, marking a milestone for the Government’s vision for the rail network.

The Class 387 has been rebranded into GBR colours to mark Govia Thameslink Railway joining the publicly owned network on Sunday 31st May.

Additionally, it also marks the first anniversary of South Western Railway entering public ownership.

GTR’s transfer will mean around eight in ten passenger journeys will be made on publicly owned train services.


The transfer will mean that Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern, Gatwick Express will join West Midlands Trains, Greater Anglia, c2c, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, London North Eastern Railway and South Western Railway in being managed by DfT Operator Limited.

From next Sunday (31 May), Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services will enter public ownership.

GTR joins West Midlands Trains, Greater Anglia, c2c, Northern, TransPennine Express, Southeastern, LNER and South Western, which are currently managed by DfT Operator Limited (DFTO

Chiltern Railways will be next to transfer on 20 September 2026, followed by Great Western Railway on 13 December 2026.


“The unveiling of the first GBR‑branded train in Brighton today makes the future of Britain’s railways a reality.

“It represents all of the work being done by staff up and down the country to fundamentally reform our railway.

“This isn’t just a paint job – it’s an important step towards building a more joined‑up, publicly-owned railway that puts passengers first, delivers better services and leaves the frustrations and fragmentation of the past behind.”

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander
“We’re very pleased to be the first train operator to have a Great British Railways-branded train on our network, and I’m proud of how hard colleagues have worked to get us here.

“It’s a significant milestone for everyone at GTR, which reflects our readiness for change and the improvements we’ve already been delivering for customers.

“As we move closer to our transition to public ownership on 31 May, our priorities remain providing safe and reliable services every day, with customers, colleagues and communities at the heart of everything we do.”

John Whitehurst, Chief Operating Officer for GTR
 
21 May 2026

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Transport for Wales renews supports for the Urdd’s ‘Cronfa Cyfle i Bawb’ (Fund for All)​

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Mr Urdd Train


Transport for Wales (TfW) has renewed its support for Urdd Gobaith Cymru’s ‘Cronfa Cyfle i Bawb’ (Fund for All) initiative ahead of Urdd Eisteddfod in Anglesey.

For the second consecutive year, TfW is backing the initiative to provide children from all backgrounds across Wales the opportunity to attend the Urdd residential centre’s summer camps.

As the Urdd Eisteddfod, Europe’s largest youth arts and culture festival arrives at Anglesey Showground from 23 May – 29 May, this partnership ensures that cultural milestones and the celebration of the Welsh language are accessible to all.

Passengers travelling to the Eisteddfod next week are encouraged to look out for the iconic Mistar Urdd train.

The specially branded class 197 train has become a beloved sight for passengers since its launch last year.

TfW will also be on the Maes and will share its stand with infrastructure partners Network Rail where visitors will be able to learn of the benefits to recent timetable changes and the importance of railway safety.

Lowri Joyce, Head of Welsh Language at Transport for Wales said: "We are thrilled to be back at the Maes for another year.

“Seeing the Mistar Urdd train out on the tracks always brings a smile to our passengers' faces, and we are equally proud to support the 'Fund for All' initiative for a second year. Ensuring that every child in Wales has the chance to participate in these cultural milestones is at the very heart of what we do."

TfW and the Urdd encourage visitors to choose sustainable travel options when travelling to the Eisteddfod at Anglesey Showground.

For more information visit: Travelling to Eisteddfod yr Urdd | Urdd Gobaith Cymru

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Castles​

May 21 2026
Commemorative

Eight First Class stamps showcasing the architectural brilliance and spectacular settings of eight castles from the nations across the UK.

Each se-tenant pair focuses on a different nation of the UK, with stunning photographs of castles in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.

Dunluce Castle​

1st
Castles played an important role in attempts by the English Crown to secure and colonise Ireland in the 17th century. Dunluce Castle was built in the 16th century by the MacQuillans, and in July 1604 a grant confirming Randal MacDonnell in possession of his lands in Ulster proposed the establishment of "a fort or garrison" there. The castle stands on a rock that projects dramatically into the sea. In 1611, a visitor reported that the encircling wall contained "a good house of stone with many lodgings" and the neighbouring town was "peopled for the most part with Scottishmen", colonists from across the sea.

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Dundrum Castle​

1st
Dundrum Castle was one of the first generation of castles built by Anglo-Norman adventurers eager to acquire territory in Ireland from the 1170s onwards. Set on a hill that commands a natural harbour with wide beaches to pull up boats, the castle was well-placed to secure communications with the west coast of England and Wales. The exact circumstances in which the castle was founded remain uncertain. It was probably established by John de Courcy but quickly passed to a rival, Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, who is thought to have built the circular keep that dominates the castle by about 1211.

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Castell Rhaglan | Raglan Castle​

1st
A royalist stronghold during the Civil Wars, Raglan Castle was deliberately destroyed after its surrender on 19 August 1646. William ap Thomas began building the castle around 1435, but it was his son, William Herbert - nicknamed the masterlock or effective regent of Wales - who made it a palace-fortress. The centrepiece was a tower of prodigious size that was known by the 17th century as the Yellow Tower of Gwent. In the 1580s, William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, further enlarged the castle and created extensive gardens around it.

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Castell Penfro | Pembroke Castle​

1st
The Normans were quick to extend their power into south Wales in the late 11th century, staking out their conquests with castles. Of these, Pembroke Castle, which commands a natural anchorage, was one of the largest and most important. The great drum-shaped keep that towers over the walls was probably begun in 1199 by William Marshal. He was one of the most celebrated knights of his age and was created Earl of Pembroke that year. The keep was originally crowned with a triple ring of battlements, a very unusual detail.

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Urquhart Castle​

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In about 1230, Alan Durward, the son-in-law of King Alexander II of Scotland, began to develop a castle at Urquhart, on the western shore of Loch Ness. The rocky peninsula on which it stood has a history of occupation that probably stretches back to the Iron Age. Over the course of the Middle Ages, the castle played a role in the violent internal politics of Scotland but ceased to be occupied as a residence by the early 17th century. It was last garrisoned in 1689 but was not besieged. Nevertheless, the buildings were damaged on this occasion and were never subsequently repaired.

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Stirling Castle​

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Dramatically set on an outcrop of rock above the floodplain of the River Forth, Stirling Castle commands a natural crossroads between the Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland. Two crucial Scottish victories in the wars of independence from England were fought within sight of its walls: the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) and the Battle of Bannockburn (1314). It was also here that King Edward I tested his massive catapult known as the war-wolf during a siege in 1304. Stirling remained an important royal residence throughout the Middle Ages, and its fine royal apartments, probably begun in 1538, have recently been recreated.

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Warwick Castle​

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Warwick Castle was built by William the Conqueror during the brutal military campaigns fought against the Anglo-Saxons that followed the Battle of Hastings in 1066. In 1068, William ordered its construction to control the town and, according to the Domesday survey of 1086, several properties were demolished to accommodate its fortifications. The castle became the seat of the Earls of Warwick, one of the greatest noble lines of the Middle Ages. They ambitiously redeveloped the building in stone from the 14th century and named its highest tower after the hero of chivalric literature, Guy of Warwick, from whom they claimed descent.

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Bamburgh Castle​

1st
Bamburgh Castle stands on a volcanic plug that was first fortified from 547 as the capital of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Bernicia. It was subsequently a castle of the Earls of Northumbria until 1095. A great keep, built on the rock in about 1120, established this as the northernmost royal fortress in England. The castle was last besieged in 1464 and fell into ruin during the 16th century. Curiously, it was repaired as a hospital and school in the 18th century by Lord Crewes Charity and then remodelled as a residence from 1894 by Lord Armstrong of Cragside.

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