Marcus' Model Railway Journey

BR Black 5 No 44806​

BR Black 5 No 44806 at Grosmont Station 19/7/26

Middleton Railway, Leeds 19 July '26​

Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd, 2387, Brookes No.1 was at work despite the dry conditions. The warm sunshine meant that exhaust was minimal.

7029 "Clun Castle" at Derby's platform 1 with Vintage Trains' "The White Rose", 4/7/26

20 July 2026

New Cardiff depot facility speeds up train repairs and servicing​

Canton bogie drop - Pictured Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Transport for Wales and Mark Hooper, Deputy Minister for Transport
A new £12 million bogie drop has been installed at Canton rail depot in Cardiff to help maintain and service Transport for Wales’s fleet of new trains.

The new facility, funded by the Welsh Government through Transport for Wales, allows engineers to remove, repair and replace the wheel and underframe equipment beneath train carriages more safely and efficiently than before.

Trains that previously had to be sent elsewhere on the network for specialist maintenance can now be serviced on site, meaning they return to service faster.

The announcement was made by Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper during a visit to the site.

He said: "This investment at Canton is part of our commitment to building a modern, resilient transport network - one that performs well for the passengers who depend on it every day.

"By maintaining more of our fleet locally and efficiently, we can get trains back into service faster and continue to improve reliability and punctuality for passengers across the region."

Canton depot maintains trains serving communities across south Wales.

The facility will be particularly important during autumn, when leaves on the line and adverse weather increase the demand for swift maintenance turnarounds.

This investment reflects the Welsh Government's policy choice to prioritize in-house, Welsh-based rail maintenance capacity, reducing reliance on facilities outside Wales and building long-term resilience into the network.

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Dan Tipper Chief Infrastructure officer at Transport for Wales said:

"We are delighted to see the new bogie drop facility officially in service at our Canton depot. This £12 million investment is a fantastic milestone in our journey to transform rail services across Wales and the Borders.

"By bringing this specialist maintenance capability in-house, we can significantly speed up repair times, improve daily reliability, and ensure we keep more trains running for our customers and the communities we serve."

Log Monday 20/07/2026​

Cardiff IAP ..runway in use 12 ..to 30 14:53

Air Bohemia Cessna 560 Citation Excel OK-DMK landing at Cardiff 20th July 2026

Boards Monday 20/07/2026​

Cardiff Airport Scheduled Arrivals

Westjet Boeing 737MAX C-GSWJ arriving at Cardiff from Toronto 20th July 2026

Scheduled Departures

20th July, 2026

Hitachi Rail wins Ecovadis Platinum Medal for sustainability management​

Rolling stock and railway signalling company Hitachi Rail has revealed that it has won the Ecovadis Platinum Medal.

Ecovadis is the world’s largest provider of sustainability ratings for businesses, and its award places Hitachi Rail in the top 1% of businesses around the world that Ecovadis has assessed over the last year.

The Platinum Medal was awarded to Hitachi Rail in recognition of the company’s sustainability management system, which was assessed to show strength and maturity.


Hitachi Rail believes that the award “reflects the company’s continued commitment to responsible business practices, environmental stewardship, ethical conduct, and supply chain transparency”.

Hitachi Rail’s HMAX-fitted train on the Copenhagen Metro in Denmark


Assessments carried out by Ecovadis evaluate companies in four areas: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

Based on the assessments, Ecovadis awards various levels of accreditation, of which the Platinum Medal is the highest. Last year, Ecovardis awarded ÖBB Rail Cargo Group its Gold Medal.

Hitachi Rail believes that its receipt of the Platinum Medal underscores its “commitment to transparency and responsible practices across its value chain”.

The company explains that it works closely with suppliers and stakeholders, and by doing so, promotes high sustainability standards.

These apply throughout the company’s operations and business relationships, which helps it to work towards its ambition to enhance sustainability by developing innovative rail technologies, digital solutions and transportation systems that are environmentally responsible.


The company recently reported on progress with installing environmentally-friendly digital signalling systems in Queensland, Australia.

A Gold Coast Train, which runs on a route with digital signalling technology installed by Hitachi Rail


Earlier this year, Hitachi Rail highlighted its contribution to reducing carbon emissions through its operations in Scotland.


“Sustainability is not an ambition alongside business – it is increasingly integrated into how business creates value. Achieving EcoVadis Platinum reflects the progress we are making in embedding sustainability into the way we operate, make decisions, and manage risk. It also reflects the commitment of colleagues across our business who are strengthening performance, building resilience, and creating value every day.”

Dr. Maiya Shibasaki, Chief Sustainability Officer of Hitachi Rail.

20th July, 2026

Partnership between Siemens and Stadler to build new trains for Berlin​

Train on Berlin's S-Bahn network


A major contract for new rolling stock for the S-Bahn in Berlin, the capital of Germany, has been awarded to a consortium comprising Siemens Mobility and Stadler Deutschland.

The contract award includes long-term operation and maintenance as the basis for a modern, high-performance and customer-focused service for passengers in Berlin and Brandenburg for decades to come.

Included in the contract are 350 four-car, fully walk-through trains for the Berlin S-Bahn system with 30 years of maintenance and 15 years of operation of the North–South and Stadtbahn sub-networks.

Train on Berlin's S-Bahn network


The new trains are based on advanced versions of existing stock that Siemens and Stadler have supplied to the Berlin S-Bahn ring network, and since entering service, have performed reliably for more than 120 million kilometres.

Trains for the Stadtbahn and North–South sub-networks will incorporate an updated driver’s cab, better fire protection, and cybersecurity measures.

While the distinctive design of the S-Bahn trains is unchanged, their energy-saving traction system will be upgraded for better energy efficiency over their entire service life.

Stadler will be responsible for building the vehicles, which will have a newly designed multi-purpose area with a wheelchair space, a height-adjustable seat, and additional options for people accompanying passengers with reduced mobility.

A redesigned air-conditioning system using an environmentally friendly, halogen-free refrigerant and innovative chilled-water technology to keep the car interiors cool, even at high temperatures. USB-C charging ports will be provided at every second seat.

Siemens Mobility will be responsible for the maintenance of the new S-Bahn trains, with high availability ensured through the use of predictive maintenance from the company’s Railigent X system, which manages maintenance through a central digital platform.

Train on Berlin's S-Bahn network


Siemens will also use its Railigent-X system for the maintenance contract of 61 battery-powered trains it is supplying for service in Westphalia, Germany.

Siemens Mobility and Stadler are also participating in a consortium to build 226 fully automated, four-car train sets for Denmark’s state-owned railway, DSB.


“Berlin deserves a high-performing, sustainable and future-oriented S-Bahn system. As a technology company with Berlin roots, we have been connected to this city for generations. Together with our partners, we are making an important contribution to advancing mobility for millions of Berliners in the future as well. We are laying the foundation for strong and future-proof S-Bahn services in Berlin with digital technologies, intelligent maintenance and sustainable mobility solutions.“

Michael Peter, CEO, Siemens Mobility


“I am extremely pleased about this important contract, which Stadler will now implement together with our partners at S-Bahn Berlin and Siemens with full commitment and great enthusiasm. During the negotiations, I personally advocated for Berlin to receive as quickly as possible the modern S-Bahn trains that this great city deserves. With this contract, Stadler will in future manufacture all modern U-Bahn and S-Bahn trains for Berlin. The 350 trains will be built in Berlin and for Berlin.“

Peter Spuhler, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Stadler Rail AG

20th July, 2026

Diesel trains replace steam trains at the Talyllyn Railway​

Talyllyn at Tywyn Wharf


The Talyllyn Railway has announced that all trains are to be diesel-hauled to start the week due to the tinder-dry conditions.

Steam trains that were planned to depart Tywyn Wharf on the 20th, 21st and 22nd July 2026 will now be replaced by a diesel locomotive.

The railway is following advice from Tywyn Fire Brigade to avoid operating steam engines.


"Due to Lineside fires cause by ongoing dry conditions, all departures will be diesel hauled 20th – 22nd July 2026.

This is in line with advice from the Tywyn Fire Brigade to avoid Steam hauled trains.

We thank passengers for their understanding."

Talyllyn Railway spokesperson

20th July, 2026

Loco owners buy original numberplate at auction for £950​

42968 with its numberplate


The Stanier Mogul Fund has announced that they have won an original number plate for their locomotive at auction.

The auction took place at GW Railwayana auctions and saw the fund win the auction to purchase the British Railways era smokebox numberplate, numbered 42968.

The Stanier Mogul Fund owns 13269 / 42968, and it was deemed too good an opportunity to let pass.


Peter Holder, the SMF’s secretary, confirmed that their bid of £950 had secured the plate.


This plate was last worn by 13268 back in 1966 and will be reunited with the locomotive in the near future.

However, the fund has confirmed that there are currently no plans for it to be fitted to the locomotive, as it does not match the current LMS livery that 13268 currently wears.

20th July, 2026

EURO6000 locomotives approved to run in Belgium and Luxembourg​

EURO6000 in Antwerp station


Rolling stock manufacturer Stadler has revealed that its EURO6000 electric locomotive has been officially authorised to operate in Belgium.

This authorisation follows the loco’s approval to operate in Luxembourg, which was given at the end of last year.

EURO6000 locomotives already operate in France.

The company believes that the EURO6000 is one of the most versatile and efficient locomotives for rail freight operations across borders in Western Europe.

It also believes that reaching this latest milestone has further strengthened the loco’s position.


Stadler also manufactures and supplies FLIRT trains for passenger operation in several European countries.

New Stadler FLIRT train for Poland
New Stadler FLIRT train for Poland


EURO6000 is currently the only locomotive which operates along the North Sea – Mediterranean Corridor, which is a strategic freight route that connects Southern and Northern Europe through Spain, France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

More than one hundred EURO6000 locomotives are currently in service, with the fleet operating international freight services between France and Spain.


EURO6000 is a multi-system electric locomotive, which can haul freight trains weighing more than 2,000 tonnes on steep gradients.

It can do this in single-locomotive operation while maintaining the speeds required for competitive commercial services.

The locomotive has six axles and a power output of 6 MW, which gives it exceptional tractive effort.

The approval of EURO6000’s operation in Belgium is expected to strengthen cross-border logistics in Western Europe.

Stadler sees the approval received by EURO6000 as an achievement that reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting Europe in shifting freight haulage from road to rail.

It helps to do this by developing and supplying locomotives which it believes are innovative, and which combine high performance, operational flexibility, reliability and environmental sustainability.


“The authorisation in Belgium and Luxembourg opens new opportunities for rail freight operators seeking sustainable and competitive cross-border transport solutions.

“Designed for seamless international operations, the EURO6000 now enables uninterrupted freight flows between Barcelona and Antwerp—a vital axis of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).”

Iñigo Parra, Executive Vice President Division Spain, Stadler

20th July, 2026

Steam locomotive involved in incident as Severn Valley Railway release statement​

4930 Hagley Hall at Kidderminster


4930 Hagley Hall has been involved in an incident at the Severn Valley Railway, with the railway releasing a full statement.

The incident happened at Bridgnorth MPD on Sunday, 12th July 2026.

Thankfully, no one was injured, but a full investigation has been launched to find out what happened.


The Office of Rail and Road and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch have been informed of the accident.

The locomotive and its tender are now undergoing an assessment to find out the extent of the damage.

There is no timescale by the SVR for 4930 Hagley Hall’s return to traffic.


“An incident involving the Severn Valley Railway’s 4930 Hagley Hall occurred at Bridgnorth motive power depot on the evening of Sunday 12 July.

“The locomotive is currently awaiting assessment, and I’m pleased to report that no one was injured. We have begun a full investigation to establish exactly what happened and cannot comment further until that is complete. We have informed the Office of Rail and Road, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and our insurers.

“Once we know the extent of the damage to the locomotive and its tender we will commence repairs. As the damage is still to be fully determined, we cannot give a timescale for the locomotive’s return to service.”

SVR chief executive officer Gus Dunster