Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i The Railway Magazine

OUR ever-changing railways are illustrated no better than by three of our feature articles this month that cover something old, something new, and something being reborn. The ‘new’ is the incredible work being done at Calvert, Buckinghamshire, that was until recently a railway backwater served only by trains to the waste terminal, but is now a key location on two new main lines. Historically, it was where the Great Central Railway crossed the London North Western Railway’s ‘Varsity’ Line – but soon it will be where HS2 passes under East West Rail, and is also the location for a future HS2 maintenance depot. The scale of construction is already impressive, but we will be back over the months and years to keep tabs on progress until the first trains start…

ANGEL Trains, Gemini Rail Services at Wolverton Works, and South Western Railway are offering readers the chance to buy a one-off piece of modern traction railwayana in the form of a Class 442 EMU driver’s seat. The ‘Wessex Electric’ fleet has been in service since 1988, mostly on the main line routes out of Waterloo to Weymouth and Portsmouth, but also out of Victoria and London Bridge to Gatwick and Brighton. Based on British Rail’s iconic Mk.3 coach bodies, these third-rail EMUs are arguably the most stylish ever built, and are widely admired by enthusiasts and passengers alike. Now, however, the post-Covid world sees no further use for them and so, after more than four decades of service, they have been taken out of service permanently and are been consigned…

RAIL Sidings Ltd has applied for permission to use part of the mothballed Ministry of Defence site at Eastriggs, near Gretna, for rolling stock storage. The company is marketing Eastriggs, which is connected to the Glasgow & South Western Gretna Junction-Dumfries-Glasgow route, and Westwood Yard in Peterborough as potential warm and cold secure storage facilities. A series of applications are expected to be made to Dumfries & Galloway Council regarding plans for Eastriggs. The first, which has already been submitted, concerns change of use for 1.59 hectares of land, including the rail network connection and borders the B721 road west of the village. It is securely fenced with grassed areas at either side and incorporates two principal lines and sidings. The application states the intention to utilise the land “for…

AS PEDANTS will enjoy pointing out, the real end of BR steam took place at Mountain Ash Colliery in South Wales. Various published reports suggest it was at the end of 1974, perhaps a little later. What is certain is that when the author caught up with Pannier No. 7754 in February 1975, it was definitely dumped out of use and parked at the back of the shed behind other engines, still with what appeared to be its ex-BR smokebox numberplate. The 0-6-0PT had already become an unpopular engine because of its unreliability and being too heavy for the poor track. Its life apparently ended when a loose piston blew off a cylinder cover, and the repair was beyond the expertise of its loyal former GWR steam fitter Howard Griffiths.…

Thompson Myths IF researching Edward Thompson for the last decade has taught me anything, it is that railway history is littered with examples of things being repeated without source, and therefore over many years being established as fact. Robin Russell’s response to the Thompson debate is welcome (July issue) but falls into this same trap. In the 10 years I have been collecting and examining evidence towards my book, I am yet to find any that shows there was anyone in Scotland who criticised the rebuilding of the Gresley P2s to their ‘Pacific’ format at the time of the rebuilding or directly afterwards. In fact, the opposite is true: I have collated a number of reports and statistics from the National Archives at Kew (which hold the LNER’s original archives,…

THE Railways in Parliament section of July’s Railway Magazine includes a question from an MP about “what steps DfT is taking to ensure all stations have a self-service ticket machine”. While this was a commitment for all stations in the Northern franchise that began in April 2016, sadly the provision has not been entirely successful. The arrival of a machine at my local unstaffed station, Humphrey Park, in the Manchester suburbs, saw it repeatedly vandalised (picture taken in December 2018). After several expensive repairs, the decision was taken to remove it. The same happened at Trafford Park, the next station along, and, I understand, at a number of other stations in the region after similar incidents of vandalism. While saddened that this is how locals treated such a useful provision,…

100 YEARS AGO AUGUST 1921 New tea room for Waterloo TRAVELLERS will appreciate the new tea room at Waterloo Station, London, opposite the escalator, opened during the second week in July by the London and South Western Railway. The room is handsomely furnished and splendidly equipped, and one feature is an American Soda Fountain. The decorative scheme of the walls is in cream, with mirrors, giving an agreeable impression of coolness, brightness and cleanliness. The floor is of polished oak parquet, and the counter fittings are of mahogany. The arrangement of the kitchen suggests that a speedy and efficient service will be provided. 50 YEARS AGO AUGUST 1971 Warning lights for slow-speed diesel locomotives SOME Class 47 locomotives equipped with slow-speed automatic remote control for loading and unloading “merry-go-round” coal…

Scotsman’s duties NO. 60103 Flying Scotsman is to be on public display at Locomotion Shildon until August 17. The A3 will be positioned outside the main visitor hall between 10.30 and 16.00 daily. A free ticket available at www.locomotion.org.uk is required for all Scotsman activities. After hauling The Railway Touring Company’s York-Carlisle‘The Waverley’on August 22, the 4-6-2 is due to run at the East Lancs Railway on August 29/30, plus September 3-5. See eastlancsrailway.org.uk or call 0333 320 2830 for details. Darlington tours THE A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has reopened its Darlington Locomotive Works to the public on the first and third Saturday of each month. All visits must be prebooked online at www.a1steam.comor by calling 01325 460163. Tours depart every 30 minutes – the first being at 11.00 and…

PLANS for the new Heritage Rail Safety and Standards Board (HRSSB) have moved a step closer, says the industry’s trade body, the Heritage Railway Association (HRA). Heritage rail is the only sector within the rail industry that does not have a specific safety and standards board and will be the first to set one up voluntarily. The HRA said the current main line standards set by the Rail Safety and Standards Board for the national network are not always appropriate for use within the heritage sector as it operates in a less arduous environment and there is a predominance of volunteer staff. The result is that organisations within heritage rail follow a variety of standards and guidance which can vary widely. Hence the need for dedicated and consistent sector-wide standards…

A POPULAR member of the Nene Valley Railway fleet is on course to rejoin the roster after being stopped for boiler repairs. It is hoped the Battle of Britain Locomotive Society’s (BBLS) Bulleid Pacific No. 34081 92 Squadron will return to traffic this month. The loco was sent to Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough on April 30 after thinning was discovered on top of the inner box by the thermic syphons. New fusible plug inserts and stays have been made and fitted, while platework has been cut out and replaced. The hydraulic test was due to take place as this issue went to press. After the 4-6-2 returns to Wansford, it will remain at the NVR, allowing the BBLS to keep an eye on it following the boiler repairs. The…

The Churnet Valley Railway (CVR) resumed operations on July 10, having not run since the second Covid-19 lockdown. Among the enhancements carried out is a facelift of Froghall station, improving its 1950s ambience. The interior has been redecorated and all lighting enhanced. The booking office and tearoom have been made more inviting places to sit and take in the atmosphere, with an increase in the number of railway-themed artefacts on display around the whole building from the CVR supporting charity, the North Staffordshire Railway Company (1978) Ltd archive collection. The full length of platform one has been covered with Tarmac. The lamps have been rewired and a new security system installed. Provision has been made for the eventual restoration of the original North Staffordshire Railway water crane once at the…

THE LMS-Patriot Project’s new-build loco No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior has suffered a setback with the discovery of cracks in all six driving wheels. Following the discovery of defects in one driving wheel when remedial repairs were being undertaken, it was decided to test them all. After shotblasting, the inspection was undertaken by British Engineering Services (BES) using magnetic particle testing at Riley & Sons in Heywood. Three members of the LMS-Patriot Project Team attended the premises of Riley & Son (E) Ltd in Heywood to witness the inspection, joined by a senior director from the Boro Foundry which cast the driving wheels in 2010/11. A report received from BES has confirmed that all five driving wheels tested in June have widespread serious cracking. After discussions with the loco’s certification…

THE new-build project constructing BR Standard Class 6 Pacific No. 72010 Hengist continues to progress at CTL Seal in Sheffield. Work has been proceeding steadily with the production of small components for the bogie lubrication system, ready for assembly to commence once all the machining work is completed on the main central casting. The rear extensions to the frame have been ‘black bolted’ to the main frame structure. Some minor machining issues have been identified and are in process of being corrected. Once complete, this will enable the frame extensions to be correctly aligned using laser measuring equipment in the same way that the main frames were previously aligned. That done, and the permanent bolting torqued up to the specified values, it should be possible to move on to riveting…

August 6-8: Bluebell Railway: 60 Plus 1 diamond anniversary event August 7-8: Mid-Norfolk Railway: Railway at War August 7-8: Severn Valley Railway: Vintage Transport Extravaganza August 8: Mid-Suffolk Railway: Steam Railway and Classic Vintage Bus Day August 14-15: Great Central Railway: Railways at Work Gala August 15: Lincolnshire Wolds Railway: Teddy Bears’ Day August 21-22: Nene Valley Railway: Bahamas Enthusiast Weekend August 22: Epping Ongar Railway: Dinosaurs at the Railway August 22: Mid-Suffolk Railway: Steam Railway and Steam Punk August 28-30: East Somerset Railway: The Way We Were August 28-30: Nene Valley Railway: Bahamas Fabulous Fifties Summer Spectacular August 29: Epping Ongar Railway: Classic Car Rally August 29-30: Mid-Suffolk Railway: Model Mania and Hornby Collectors’ Club September 3-5: Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Steam in the Valley September 3-5: North Norfolk Railway:…

FOLLOWING the introduction of limited post-lockdown services, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways (Ff&WHR) has expanded operations to cover the full lengths of both lines. Tagged as new ‘experiences’, from July 27 ‘Back to Blaenau’ trains commenced from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog for the first time in more than 18 months. Trains over the full length of the Welsh Highland Railway restarted on Fridays and Saturdays from the end of July, the ‘Snowdonia Star’ starting from Caernarfon while ‘The Harbourmaster’ runs from Porthmadog Harbour. Ff&WHR services during May and June brought in 85% of the traffic income earned during pre-Covid June 2019, although this was achieved at lower cost, with trains covering just 60% of the timetabled service mileage in June 2019. June 2021 generated an encouraging £440,000 of traffic…

LANCASHIRE Mining Museum’s new passenger carrying 2ft gauge railway at Astley Green, opened on May 30 (RM, July), is to introduce steam-hauled trains. Graham Fairhurst’s ex-Minas de Utrillas O&K 0-4-0WT 2378/1907 Utrillas will be relocated from West Lancashire Light Railway (WLLR) – where it has been resident since importation from Spain in September 1984 – imminently as this RM went to press. It will stay for the remaining two years of its boiler ticket. Amid Covid-19 lockdowns and with Hunslet 0-4-0ST Irish Mail and Kerr Stuart ‘Joffre’ 0-6-0T+WT Joffre (2405/1915) available for WLLR service, Utrillas has seen little use in recent times. Moreover, O&K 0-4-0WTT Montalban and Bagnall 0-4-0ST 1760/1906 Sybil are in the latter stages of overhaul and restoration respectively at WLLR. In addition to regular use, it seems…

THE 7¼in gauge Wootton Electric Tramway was created by Howard C. Burford and ran in his Isle of Wight garden for nearly 40 years. Howard claimed it was unique ‘in the Northern Hemisphere’, being the only known tramway of this gauge powered through an overhead wire. It was also operated as a portable line visiting local events and many sites on the mainland, such as London Transport Acton Depot and Crich. All was conveyed by Land Rover and a specially adapted caravan, but later, a much converted Bedford VAL single-deck bus, including family accommodation. Howard died on January 4 aged 90. He had been unwell for the last couple of years and made provision for the tramway, including cars Nos. 27 and 96, to be donated to the Heaton Park…

MANCHESTER’S Heaton Park Tramway has launched the first in a series of fundraising campaigns to help it make progress with work on restoring vehicles which are currently out of use. Its initial appeal, launched in early July, has a target of £15,000 to return Blackpool Works Car No. 1 (formerly numbered 752) to working order. No. 1, which has been out of service for a number of years, requires motor repairs, rewiring, waterproofing and painting. Although much of this can be done by the tramway’s volunteers, the money is needed to cover the cost of specialist attention to the motors and the purchase ofmaterials for the car’s refurbishment. Acquired in 2008 by Manchester Transport Museum Society, No. 1, which dates from the 1920s, had been used as a rail grinder…

VOLUNTEERS resumed the restoration of Glasgow Coronation Tram No. 1245 in June after temporary postponement due to Covid-19. Work on the 1939-built double deck vehicle, which is based at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life at Coatbridge began a decade ago and has involved a complete rebuild. The upper deck seats are ready to be refitted following the renewal of flooring. The tram’s exterior steps have been modified so that they can be removed in order to lower the tram sufficiently for it to leave the workshop. The knock-on effects of repairs having to be carried out on Glasgow No. 1017 and more recently the Covid-19 pandemic have put the project almost three years behind schedule.…

THE Caledonian Railway, Brechin, Angus, has taken delivery of two three-car Class 205 ‘Berkshire’ DEMUs, previously stored at Meldon Quarry, Devon, on the Dartmoor Railway (RM April, p71). Set No. 205032 (1132) (DMBSO No. 60150, TSO No. 60677 and DTC No. 60831), in BR green livery, is to be put into service as soon as the required checks have been undertaken. Set No. 205028 (1128) (DMBSO No. 60146, TSO No. 60673 and DTC No. 60827), in faded Connex yellow and white livery, is in need of a comprehensive restoration. It is to become part of a project with Aberdeen University for operation with alternative fuel experiments calling for major modifications, so will not be entering passenger service for a long while.…

THE Class 40 Preservation Society (CFPS) is appealing for funds to undertake urgent bodywork repairs on No. 40145. The ‘Whistler’ is on a year’s hire to Locomotive Services Ltd, Crewe, for main line operation. However, it has had to be withdrawn from use on empty coaching stock and charter trains. Initially, this was for repainting in BR green with small yellow warning panels, but the bodywork’s condition was found to be worse than expected and requires repairs. The additional work needed before the repaint can begin is estimated to cost £10,000, a figure the CFPS had not budgeted for, hence the urgent appeal. When complete, it will return to the main line with LSL, which is operating sister loco BR green No. D213 Andania, also currently on hire. For details…

AFTER a gap of many years, a ‘Western’ hydraulic will return to the main line on September 25, when No. D1015 Western Champion will head a Pathfinder railtour – and over its old stamping ground, too. One of seven survivors of a class of 74 locos built between 1961 and 1964, Western Champion is owned by the Diesel Traction Group (DTG) and based at the Severn Valley Railway, and first ran on the main line in preservation in 2002. This new tour will feature Western Champion in blue livery, hauling the ‘Champion Torbay Express’ from Gloucester to Kingswear. The train starts at Eastleigh (c06.00) and will call at Basingstoke, Reading West, Didcot Parkway, Swindon, Kemble, Stroud, Stonehouse and Gloucester, where the ‘Western’ will take over the train, which will make…

JUST as the last issue had gone to press, the extended lockdown to July 19 forced Pathfinder Tours to change some of its tour dates. The ‘Blue Boys Merrymaker’ from Eastleigh to Crewe, which uses a combination of DRS traction (Classes 37, 57, 66, 68 and 88) has been brought forward from August 10 to August 7, and only a few seats in first class remained available in mid-July. A steam and diesel tour featuring Merchant Navy No. 35028 Clan Line hauling the ‘Man of Kent’ on July 3 will now run on September 15, while the popular annual ‘Mazey Day Cornishman’ tour, which will include a pair of Class 50s from Gloucester to Penzance and back, originally planned for June 26, has moved to September 18. Pathfinder has also…

AN £82 million project to improve passenger capacity and accessibility at Coventry station is about to enter its final stages. Key to the project is the construction of a second station entrance building, with entry points from Station Square and Warwick Road. There will be five retail units and new waiting rooms and toilets. Above the new building sits a new 633-space multi-storey car park. The existing Grade II listed station dates from 1962 and left little scope for modernisation and improving facilities, hence the new structure. In addition to the extra entrance, a second footbridge connecting all four platforms via stairs and lifts has been built into the new ticket hall. Platform canopies are also being extended. Outside there will be a new taxi loop and passenger drop-off area,…

THE Tarmac cement sidings at Dunbar on the East Coast Main Line will play host to a nine-month trial of moveable overhead electrification, allowing trains to arrive and depart on electric power – but also retract to allow for safe loading and unloading. Led by London-based engineering firm Furrer+Frey GB, the initiative aims to show the potential for reducing the use of diesel traction at freight terminals, and is one of 30 projects that will share a total of £9 million from FOAK. Others include a scheme to re-engineer a Class 66 locomotive to operate on biogas and hydrogen (see also Traction & Stock news), a seating and carriage layout that can be reconfigured according to passenger volume and needs, and electromagnetic technology to make braking more predictable when railhead…

Troon station fire THE Railway Heritage Fund has offered £500,000 towards the cost of repairs following a fire that severely damaged the Victorian Category B listed Troon station on the Ayrshire Coast line, forcing its temporary closure and the suspension of train services. Firefighters were called at about lunchtime on July 17. The blaze had broken out in the ticket office and it took several hours to bring it under control. No one was injured, but much of the building on platform one was destroyed. Following an assessment of the damage, engineers installed specially-designed props on both platforms to support beams over the track carrying the overhead cables. The cables were replaced and repairs carried out at track level. Services resumed on July 23, with the station itself reopening to…

AVANTI West Coast has begun a £117m upgrade of its 56 Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ units, which it says will return them to ‘as new’ condition and create over 2000 extra standard class seats across the fleet. Following what is described by the operator as the UK’s biggest ever train fleet upgrade, the upgraded trains will feature a cafe bar, improved lighting, new carpets and information screens, refurbished toilets, additional luggage space and power points at every seat. First unit The first to be refurbished will be 11-car No. 390125, which arrived at Alstom’s Widnes rolling stock modernisation centre on July 18 and is expected to re-enter service towards the end of the year. It will be used as a ‘pre-series’ trial unit to give Alstom time to test the new…

East West Rail pioneers RICHMOND Park MP Sarah Olney asked about the potential merits of alternative fuel sourced trains for East West Rail (EWR). Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “EWR will operate an interim fleet for the first services in Connection Stage 1 (Oxford to Milton Keynes) and Connection Stage 2 (Oxford to Bedford) to ensure the benefits of EWR for passengers can be realised as soon as possible. “For its long-term fleet, EWR is developing its procurement strategy that will outline how long the new fleet will be in operation. “EWR is taking into consideration the feedback received on what future customers of EWR want from their on-train experience at the non-statutory consultation. This will ensure value for money for the taxpayer and an efficient and effective operation for…

T HE margin between ‘normal’, ‘good’ and ‘exceptional’ runs is narrowing. In the past, the difference could be magnified by excessive speed or, in the days of steam, brief and exceptional power outputs beyond the ambit of technical specifications. Since around 2009, British train performance has been moderated by the use of On-Train Monitoring Recorders (OTMR), ‘black boxes’ that can highlight every driving transgression. I would also add it could equally support the driver in a case of conflicting evidence from technical or signalling staff. Driver recruitment and training over the last 20 years has been based on compliance – enforced by random reviews, uploading of data, and now the availability of ‘auto analysis’ reviews of performance. Drivers must obey every nuance of every rule all the time, conserve energy,…

IN CONTRAST to the North West in August 1968, there were few witnesses to observe Collett 0-6-0PT No. L90 (ex-7760) leave London Transport’s Lillie Bridge depot just after midnight on June 4, 1971 with a permanent way train over the District and Piccadilly Lines to Ealing Common, Rayners Lane, and then along the Metropolitan to its home shed of Neasden. It was not a glorious farewell, because it is frequently recounted that the Pannier had to be towed home by a battery engine after dropping a fusible plug. The final working of all was a much more public affair, and hundreds lined the platforms of the Widened Lines’ stations from Moorgate to Farringdon and Barbican. They wanted a glimpse of No. L94 (ex-7752) and its short rake of engineering vehicles,…

WITH the gradual easing of Covid-19 restrictions, driver experience courses have resumed at some of our heritage lines. If being at the controls of a locomotive is on your bucket list, you should do it – it is unforgettable. Driver experience courses come in a variety of forms in both steam and diesel traction – including a locomotive on its own, an engine with a solitary carriage or a whole train of coaches – and from more humble locos to larger, powerful main line machines. A little different, however, is the opportunity to not only drive a loco hauling a freight train but also to experience a range of operational roles – including guard and signalman – at a price which does not run well into three figures. This package…

ONE of the strengths of the RCTS is that it has branches across the length and breadth of the country, from the Solent in the south to Scotland in the north, and from Ipswich in the east to South Wales in the west. Unsurprisingly, the distribution tends to reflect the density of population, with London and the south having more than the more sparsely populated areas such as Wales and Scotland. Yorkshire has three branches (the West Riding, Humberside and Sheffield) while the Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales branch covers a very large geographical region. Many branches, such as the West Riding, fostered excellent relations with their local British Railways regional managers and locomotive inspectors, which permitted unusual itineraries and schedules that could produce exceptional running. The Railway Observer always…

FOUR major heritage lines have announced details of their forthcoming steam gala weekends. Overnight trains are to return for the Severn Valley Railway’s September 16-19 Autumn Steam Gala on the Friday and Saturday hauled by BR 2-6-0 No. 43106 ‘The Flying Pig’or GWR heavy-freight No. 2857. Negotiations are underway to secure up to three visiting locos. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s September 23-26 Annual Steam Gala will include up 13 locos in steam. Visiting traction will comprise No. 60163 Tornado and Great Central Railway-based LMS ‘8F’ No. 48305, plus another loco yet to be confirmed. A beer festival is to be held at Goathland and Levisham stations. Subject to confirmation, the Great Central Railway’s September 30-October 3 Autumn Steam Gala will include two visiting locos – GWR 2-8-0 No. 3850…

THE Nene Valley Railway’s (NVR) restoration of Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST Derek Crouch (1539/1924) has received a significant cash boost following the awarding of a £20,000 grant by the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA). The project is being undertaken by the railway’s Small Loco Group, which had previously completed a full cosmetic overhaul of the ex-Wissington Light Railway loco, and which recently completed a similar project on former Nassington ironstone Hunslet 0-6-0ST Jacks Green. Since the restoration was green lit by the NVR board, the Small Loco Group has been working hard to get the locomotive back in steam in time for its 100th anniversary in 2024. Currently the loco is in a stripped-down state in the NVR’s Wansford workshops; a recent milestone being the removal of the loco’s cylinder block,…

HAVING secured approval of its Expression of Interest submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) last year (RM, May 2020), the Talyllyn Railway (TR) has submitted its Development Phase bid for £1.3million of grant assistance. The bid encompasses construction of a Heritage Storage Facility at Tywyn Wharf to house the TR’s original carriages and wagons (RM, December 2019), demolition of the current North Carriage Shed at Tywyn Pendre and replacement with new workshops, and construction of new carriage sheds and works facilities on the adjacent ‘Orchard’ land purchased in 2019. Also included in the bid are alterations to the first floor of the building at Tywyn Wharf and conversion of Trefri, the house adjacent to the station purchased in 2019, into a volunteer hostel to supplement the existing hostel…

HUNSLET 0-4-2T Seaforth (HE1026/1910) is joining the Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust (SNGMT) collection. Constructed for the Australian sugar industry, its name derives from the Seaforth sugar estate in North Queensland. In 1935 it was working at Pleystowe mill and out of use by 1960. Its condition deteriorated while displayed on a plinth and it was sold privately in 2013, going into storage until acquired for the Statfold collection last year. It was expected to arrive in June but bad weather delayed shipping. SNGMT has also confirmed plans for an extension to the 2ft-gauge Statfold Barn upper field railway, which will turn the majority of this line into a large balloon loop. The extension will branch from the existing line just beyond the Burton & Ashby tram shed and climb…

THE private 10¼in gauge Stapleford Miniature Railway, at Stapleford Park, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, usually holds two open weekends each year, but this year the only public event is on August 28-30. This is expected to feature the latest addition to the fine stud of resident steam locos, which is a scale model of LNER P2 class 2-8-2 No. 2001 Cock O’ the North. Completed earlier this year by John and Lis Wilks, it recreates the loco in its original form with Lentz rotary cam valve gear. Visit https://fsmr.co.uk for more details of the event.…

LONDON Transport Museum is offering tours of the disused Kingsway tram subway, which once formed an important connection between networks north and south of the River Thames. Built by London County Council and opened in 1906, the tunnel was part of an ambitious renewal programme for Holborn and Aldwych. Features Despite a working life of only 46 years, it was given several major upgrades and more than half of the structure, which retains original features, is still in existence today. Visitors will be able to explore the remains of the tunnel and underground tram station. The new tours will run Thursday-Sunday from August 12-September 26.…

AFTER more than 60 years of steam-only passenger operation, the Bluebell Railway has taken delivery of Class 33 No. D6570 Ashford for use on the railway. This is the first main line diesel to be permanently based on the East Sussex line, although there have been a couple of shunters for use ‘behind the scenes’. One of these, Class 09 No. D4106, which has been called on for ‘Thunderbird’ duties in the past, is owned by B350 Ltd, which has now bought the ‘Crompton’ from the Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR). The group comprises long-standing BR loco department volunteers. The Class 33 is an appropriate type for the railway as it was a common sight across the Southern Region on passenger and freight for more than 30 years, including…

THE Rail Trolley Trust has taken another step in making all items in its collection accessible for public viewing. The trust has been aware for some time that its fleet and associated collections, which continue to grow, cannot all be housed at one location. It has been looking for a second railway where some vehicles could be accommodated, in addition to Chasewater. An agreement has been signed with the Tanat Valley Light Railway (TVLR), at Nantmawr, near Oswestry, to base some items there. A variety of items will be moved to Shropshire later this year, which will be referred to as The Rail Trolley Trust’s Shropshire Collection. Thanks are due to Mark Hignett and the TVLR Board for providing this opportunity (see website www.tanatvalleyrailway.co.uk). The trust continues its very positive…

DIESEL operations on the West Somerset Railway are the subject of constant change, but the situation in mid-July was as follows – and could change again. The Seaward Way level crossing replacement project has run late due to issues beyond the WSR’s control. Rail access to Minehead station is not possible until at least late September. Trains will terminate at Dunster with a dedicated bus connection between there and Minehead. As there is no passing loop at Dunster to allow loco run-round, a‘shunt release’ manoeuvre will be used to allow the loco to reposition at the other end of the train. This involves the use of another loco, either the WSR’s Class 03 No. D2133 or one of the DEPG Class 33s, to move the coaching stock forward while the…

THE easing of coronavirus restrictions on July 19 has allowed railtour operator Steam Dreams to release additional seats on some of its most popular and previously sold-out tours, as well as on tours which were previously not on public sale. The first Steam Dreams tours to benefit were the ‘Royal Windsor Steam Express’ and ‘Sunset Steam Express’ services, which depart every Tuesday from London Victoria. In addition, there is a new option to passengers. Haulage From July 20, passengers will be able to board the train at Windsor for a direct journey to London, usually hauled by a diesel locomotive from a pool of locomotives including Class 33 No. 33207 Jim Martin, for just £25. A limited number of seats in standard class have been made available on the tours…

THE Rail Operations Group (ROG) and Barrow Hill Roundhouse are joining forces to provide a rail shuttle from Derby and Chesterfield to the historic loco shed for its real ale festival weekend on September 10 and 11. On both days, the morning departure will be routed via Sheffield and the ‘Old’ Road to Barrow Hill. Traction will be provided by Class 37 No. 37510 on the Friday and No. 37800 on the Saturday. At the rear will be a Class 57 to help with the various reversing moves in and out of Barrow Hill to the depot’s platform. ROG advises specific locomotives are subject to availability. Ticket prices are printed here, with and without admission to the event, as some may want the ride over non-passenger lines. Ticket prices are:…

Free wi-fi for Liverpool Street station users PASSENGERS at London Liverpool Street can now enjoy free and unlimited wi-fi that is fast enough to support video calls and streaming. Network Rail is working to offer seamless connectivity and single sign-on at all its managed stations by the end of 2021. Stations with the new wi-fi system include Bristol Temple Meads, Liverpool Lime Street, Paddington, Victoria, Euston, Waterloo, King’s Cross and London Bridge. Kidbrooke station officially opens NETWORK Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy officially opened the new station buildings at Kidbrooke, on the line between Lewisham and Dartford via Barnehurst on July 2. The station was funded by Berkeley Homes as part of a development of 5000 new homes in the vicinity of the station. Trespassing increase prompts warning NETWORK Rail…

A PROPOSAL by Midlands Connect will be taken forward to a full business case with the aim of reinstating direct rail services between Nottingham, Leicester and Coventry. Midlands Connect says the plan would vastly improve connectivity and also work towards decarbonisation. There were direct services until 2004, but with the removal of pointwork south of Nuneaton station as part of the West Coast Route upgrade, trains lost direct access into the platforms that are used to access the Coventry line. Present journey times can take between 54 and 78 mins, depending on connection times at Nuneaton, but with Leicester and Coventry just 25 miles apart and connected via the M69 motorway, it’s not surprising only 3% of all travellers use rail. Midlands Connect believes, backed by a public survey, that…

PASSENGER levels are currently 45% overall compared to pre-Covid February 2020, with short distance leisure travel at 75% and commuting/business travel at just 20%, according to Network Rail’s chief executive Andrew Haines in an industry briefing on June 23. Travel patterns have changed, he said, presenting a massive challenge and opportunity for rail. Many commuters want to use rail but, with working from home set to continue, commuting will have to change. For this reason Mr Haines was asked to set up a cross-industry Rail Revenue Recovery Group last December, and was ready to launch a marketing campaign to welcome people back once lockdown is fully abolished. Industrial relations Following a number of days of industrial action, Mr Haines said a framework agreement had been signed with the trade unions…

SIXTEEN preserved Collett ‘57XX’ Panniers is not bad going considering that the British Transport Commission did not consider an example worthy of a place in the National Collection. This is despite it being numerically the largest steam class ever to run in the UK, with 863 built between 1929-50, with a combined weight that almost matched the liner RMS Titanic. This total can be increased to well over 1000 if the design it closely copied is also counted – the ‘2721’ class introduced by William Dean in 1897, which in turn was a modernised version of other types dating back to the 1860s. The BTC decided instead to preserve the first-built example of Hawksworth’s updated ‘94XX’ (No. 9400), a type that entered service between February 1947 (only 11 months before…

➜ The NVR Wagon Group cares for the line’s goods vehicle fleet. The current focus is the Express Freight Train Project, which aims to re-create an authentic block van train typical of the 1950s/60s period. The group is self-financing, support coming from well-wishers and the proceeds of filming assignments, photographic events, driver experience courses and brake van rides. Visit nvrwagons.wordpress.com/or www.facebook.com/nvrwagongroup for more details. ➜ In addition to steam, the group offers a diesel freight course. ‘Peak’ No. 45041 Royal Tank Regiment was allocated to the July 16 course, for example. ➜ The next freight driver experience course is being held on Friday, August 13. Book online at nvr.org.uk or call 01780 784444.…

■ The formation illustrated in the July issue RCTS column was not a monitoring train; coach No. ADB977869 used to be for radio survey work, but is now the support coach for the ‘Winter Development Vehicle’ (No. 7095940141) coupled to it, which has been trying out new approaches to snow clearance. Andrew Royle ■ The July issue article on HS2 tunnelling made reference to a ‘plaque of St Barbara’ placed above the portals; however, this is not a plaque but a shrine. A plaque is defined as ‘an ornamental tablet’, whereas the photograph clearly shows a statue of St Barbara. John-Francis Friendship ■ One small error in the Woodhead article (July issue): the route crosses the River Don, not the River Wicker, at Sheffield Victoria Station and closely follows the…

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 Slough Railway Society. Zoom meeting at 19.30. TBA. Contact info@swrs.co.uk MONDAY, AUGUST 9 RCTS (Croydon branch). Zoom meeting at 19.30. ‘A Year In Lockdown’: Jack Boskett. Send an email to croydon.web@rcts.org to register your attendance. Southern Electric Group (Sussex branch). Deall Room, Southwick Community Centre, Southwick BN42 4TE (close to Southwick station). 19.30. ‘The Wonderful Southern Electric Multiple Units’: Michael Baker. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 Slough Railway Society. Zoom meeting at 19.30. TBA. Contact info@swrs.co.uk SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 Doncaster Omnibus & Light Railway Society. St George’s Church House, Doncaster. 19.30. Social meeting. MONDAY, AUGUST 16 RCTS (South Essex branch). Zoom meeting at 19.30.‘The Railways of Southern France’: Michael Bunn. Send an email to southessex@rcts.org.uk to register your attendance. TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 RCTS (Central branch). 10.00-16.00. ‘Archive and Library…

GWR ‘Castle’ No. 4079 Pendennis Castle is set to make its 21st century steam debut at Didcot Railway Centre’s August Bank Holiday Steam Up on August 28-30. The 4-6-0 last steamed in public back in October 1994 for then owner Rio Tinto in Australia. The 1925-built icon has been the subject of a thorough restoration by the Great Western Society (GWS) since it was repatriated from Australia in 2000. “The plan is for No. 4079 to make an appearance at our Bank Holiday Steam Up event,” said Drew Fermor, 4079 project manager. “The aim is for Pendennis to be in steam and if possible, move up and down yard – and hopefully put it on the turntable. It will not be pulling trains as we will not have had time…

THE West Somerset Railway (WSR) extended its services to Dunster from Watchet on July 16. Passengers can board vintage buses, two of which are open top, to complete their journey to Minehead. These buses will continue to run for most of the summer, but work on completing Minehead’s Seaward Way level crossing is proceeding well. A number of contractors, and the WSR’s own technical team, have been working for several months, and the main technical contractor, Amey Rail, is due to start work on the ground shortly. The new CCTV system is also due to be installed shortly. It is unlikely the crossing will reopen for passenger trains before the end of September. Trains are running weekends and Tuesdays-Thursdays in August. From July 19, the WSR opened all staffed stations…

LANCASHIRE & Yorkshire Railway Trust board members have given the green light for ‘Pug’ 0-4-0ST No. 19 to be returned to steam under contract by the East Lancashire Railway (ELR). This follows the loco’s dismantling over the past year and, most recently, the non-destructive testing of the boiler. A reasonable amount of work is required on the boiler, with many ‘industrial’ fittings applied during 30 years of private industry service requiring replacement. Furthermore, vacuum braking will need to be fitted. The trust is also seeking funds to complete repairs to bogies and body side bearers of Bogie Brake Third carriage No. 1474 at the ELR. It is hoped this will allow the coach to see more extensive use. The Worth Valley Railway does not have the facilities, so work is…

Lakeside progress FOLLOWING the removal of the wheels on Fairburn ‘4MT’2-6-4T No. 42085 (RM June 2021), Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway volunteers are now focusing on cleaning and surface prepping the frames, bogie, pony truck and the driving wheels. Further good progress has been made on the boiler of Chris Beet’s Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 46441 at Carnforth. The firebox wrapper lower sides have now been removed, and the throatplate will follow suit shortly to asimilar height. The rebore of the valves and cylinders is expected take place at Haverthwaite shortly. Completion of this task will free up space, allowing the main shed to be reopened to the public. Tender move HAVING been hauled from Grosmont to Newbridge Yard by Class 08 No. 08495 on July 2, the tender for WD…

First heritage era runs for ‘Marston No. 3’ JULY 4was a red letter day for the Foxfield Railway, seeing newly-overhauled Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST Marston, Thompson & Evershed No. 3 (3581/1924) make its first independent moves in 45 years. The former Burton-upon-Trent brewery locomotive made a number of runs around the yard at Caverswall Road, with members of the owning Mitchell family on hand to witness the historic occasion. The loco had passed its final steam test on May 10, and since then the Mitchells have completed piping up the loco and reassembled the motion. A period of running-in will now take place before the loco makes its much-anticipated return to Foxfield traffic ‘Austerity’ No. 22 to Lincs Wolds line… THE Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society’s recently overhauled Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST…

■ CONSTRUCTION of a third new ‘Quarry Hunslet’ has commenced at Statfold with erection of the frames. This is a Statfold Engineering Ltd project rather than Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust’s. The new loco will have a Hunslet works number and incorporate some components produced more than 15 years ago when 0-4-0STs Statfold (3903/2005) and Jack Lane (3904/2005) were constructed. The destination of the new loco is currently confidential. ■ TALYLLYN Railway (TR) trains carried black ribbons on July 2 marking the death of vice-president Winston McCanna. Born in 1936, his career included being chief mechanical engineer of the Army Railway Organisation in the 1980s while his 50-year involvement with the TR included periods as a fireman, chairman of the Preservation Society, a company director and latterly a Narrow Gauge…

STEEPLE Grange Light Railway (SGLR) believes it is unlikely to resume passenger operations this year. The 18in gauge line did not run any public services during 2020 due to Covid-19, and plans to reopen in 2021 were disrupted by a February rock fall (RM, April). Contractors have been clearing vegetation and loose rock, with volunteers removing the resulting debris. A specialists’ report and quotations for further remedial work, including installing steel wire mesh on the rock faces above the railway, have been obtained. There are further cutting faces uphill from Darklane Quarry where rock de-scaling may be required, and about 30 ash trees potentially affected by ash dieback disease may need to be felled, plus the specialists’ report recommends biennial rock face inspections. While the SGLR has received grants which…

THE 7¼in/5in gauge Wythall Miniature Railway (WMR) is operated by Elmdon Miniature Engineering Society (EMES) at the Transport Museum Wythall (TMW), Worcestershire. A running day on August 21 features scale model BR standard gauge locos. These include an LMS ‘Black Five’, a GWR ‘King’, a dock tank, a 'Prairie' tank and a Southern Railway Q Class 0-6-0, plus others. Details of TMW opening times and admission prices can be found at www.wythall.org.uk,with railway information at the website www.wythallsteamrail.com…

SHIPLEY Glen Tramway in West Yorkshire is stepping-up its appeal for donations to help cover the costs of upkeep while it was unable to operate due to Covid-19 restrictions. The tramway, which resumed Sunday services on May 23 after a gap of more than a year, says essential maintenance and general refurbishment during the lockdowns cost around £9000. Details of how to donate via text message are available at www.shipleyglentramway.co.uk. Customers of online retailer Amazon can also select the Glen Tramway Preservation Company as their nominated charity when making purchases at smile.amazon.co.uk…

Note: All subject to Covid-19 restrictions in force at the time. Please check with railway before travelling. August  6-8 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway diesel gala 6-8 Ivatt DRS, Centenary Works, Wirksworth open days 6-8 Spa Valley Railway diesel gala 21 West Somerset Railway (WSR) Class 33 running 28 Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway ‘Pacer’ gala (tbc) September  3-5 Great Central Railway diesel gala 3-5 Ivatt DRS, Centenary Works, Wirksworth open days 10-11 Barrow Hill real ale and Class 37 shuttles 10-12 KWVR mixed traction gala 10-12 Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway diesel gala 16 East Somerset Railway DMU day 17-18 East Lancashire Railway (ELR) diesel gala 17-18 WSR mixed traction gala ■ Our thanks to contributors: Paul Auckland (B350); Josh Brinsford; Cambrian Heritage Railways; DEPG: Alistair Grieve; John Jolly (Mangapps); David…

WHILE the Head of Steam Museum, Darlington, is still reeling from the loss of historic loco Locomotion No. 1 (Stockton & Darlington Railway), albeit replaced by the 1975 replica formerly at Beamish, another historic loco is to join the collection at North Road station. This is Class 37 No. D6898/37198, which has been undergoing accident damage repair at Loram following its runaway collision with coaching stock at the Great Central Railway, Loughborough on May 12, 2014. It is currently in the yard of the Derby company with an all-over cocoon covering. It is destined for the Darlington museum as it was the last Class 37 to be built at Darlington Stephenson Works (English Electric 3376/Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns 8419 of 1964). It will be displayed in BR green with half…

AN experienced group of railwaymen have formed the Class 315 Preservation Society, with the aim of saving, preserving, restoring, backdating and operating a Class 315 EMU. The PEP design second generation AC Class 315s served London Liverpool Street over many years from their introduction in 1980. The 61 sets were built by BREL, York 1980-81. The intention is to save a full-length four-car train and restore it to original condition in BR blue and grey livery. When restored, it is intended that the train will be put to use, initially, as hauled stock on a heritage railway, worked by a former BR diesel loco. However, ultimately the group plans for the unit to be fully operational as a working, independent set. It is hoped that this will allow for its…

A1SLT – A1 Steam Locomotive Trust 01325 488215, www.a1steam.com BART – Bishop Auckland Rail Travel 01388 661394 BEL – Belmond 0845 077 2222 BLS – Branch Line Society www.branchline.uk CFPS - The Class 40 Preservation Society, www.cfps.co.uk CHSC – Carnforth Station Heritage Centre www.carnforthstation.co.uk 01524 735165 CR – Charity Railtours www.charity-railtours.co.uk ELR – East Lancashire Railway www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk GA – Greater Anglia https://railplus.greateranglia.co.uk LTM – London Transport Museum www.ltmuseum.co.uk NB – Northern Belle 0844 8404525 MP – Midland Pullman 0800 038 5360 NENTA – Nenta Tours 01692 406152 PT – Pathfinder Tours 01453 835414 RCS – Rail Charter Services 01768 353200 RPSI – Railway Preservation Society of Ireland 00 353 1 480 0553 (Dublin tours) or 028 9337 3968 RET – Retro Railtours 0161 3309055 RTC – Railway Touring Company 01553…

A BRIDGE on the Cambrian line, prone to flooding, has been lifted by a metre in an innovative £3.6 million project undertaken by Network Rail contractors AmcoGiffen. Black Bridge spans the River Dulas and lies just under mile east of Machynlleth. It has been closed 30 times in the last decade, 10 times in 2020 alone, for emergency repairs caused by flood water. A total of 360 engineers clocked up more than 32,000 hours to deliver the project in six weeks, with the line reopening on June 28. To ensure the 80-tonne bridge did not twist or buckle during the lift, engineers opted to use a block and chain method. Eight 20-tonne chains were used in total, and for every 10 metres of chain pulled, the bridge was raised just…