Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2022 i The Railway Magazine

AFTER problems emerged about a year ago with cracking on the Hitachi-built Class 800 fleet – which was later discovered on the company’s other Class 80x types and, to a lesser extent, on Classes 385 and 395 – a plan has been devised to fix the issue that led to mass cancellations of services and widespread disruption when first discovered. An in-depth report by the Office of Rail and Road (see page 6) found a prevalence of cracks close to the yaw damper bracket and anti-roll bar fixing points in the area where the load of the vehicle is transferred to the bogie. This fatigue cracking followed from the area experiencing greater loads than allowed for in the original design, with other factors possibly contributing to the stress. It is…

Report into WCML speeding incidents THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has conducted a preliminary examination into three overspeeding incidents at Stafford, Crewe and Warrington on February 21, 2020, when Blanket Emergency Speed Restrictions (BESRs) were imposed during Storm Franklin. The incidents show examples of three different mechanisms that resulted in the intent of the BESRs not being met, and thus trains potentially travelling too fast for the prevailing conditions. The RAIB has decided not to carry out any further investigation of the incidents, but has highlighted previous recommendations that seek an improvement to the BESR notices provided to drivers and a review of the methods used to implement blanket emergency speed restrictions. RAIB has written to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and sent copies of the letter…

EASTERN Rail Services (ERS) is offering readers the chance to obtain a one-off piece of modern image railwayana, in the form a metal roundel from a former European Passenger Services (EPS) generator van, through a sealed bid charity auction. All you have to do is submit your bid (by post or email) by the deadline of 17.00 on Friday, May 27, 2022, and the highest bidder wins. The steel roundels, known affectionately as ‘Polo mints’ by enthusiasts, were carried on traction and rolling stock belonging to EPS, the company that was originally due to launch night trains through the Channel Tunnel in the 1990s. Although that project was cancelled, five generator vans were converted from Mk.3 vehicles and all five are now owned by ERS. The roundel kindly donated comes…

“The brand was transferred in May 2018, and will soon become part of the Elizabeth Line with penetration through central London, thus assuming prime position for ‘airport to East London’ journeys” PADDINGTON station remained in the throes of Elizabeth Line construction at the end of January 2022. Heathrow Express, the headline operator for access to Europe’s busiest pre-pandemic airport, made its impact with the strapline ‘Famous for Fifteen Minutes’. That Andy Warhol-inspired four-word slogan managed to convey the key message of a 15-minute core frequency and 15-minute journey time from Paddington to Heathrow Central (Terminals 2/3). Competitors had an uphill fight to counteract its effect. The stopping service, originally branded as Heathrow Connect, has six intermediate calls and takes 28 minutes (27 minutes net) to Central. The brand was transferred…

PAGE 97 of the February 2012 edition of The Railway Observer features a photograph of First Great Western Class 43 HST power car No. 43041 at King’s Cross, having arrived with the 12.25 from Newcastle. It was on hire to East Coast from First Great Western. At the time, the HSTs represented front line diesel power for express passenger workings on the East Coast Main Line, the Midland Main Line, West of England and South Wales workings from Paddington, not to mention North East to South West cross-country services. The introduction of HSTs in 1976 represented something of a revolution, with permanently coupled train sets with what was essentially a locomotive at each end, which had no other duties apart from their express passenger work. The Class 43s and their…

Jubilee on the Jubilee LMS ‘Jubilee’ No. 45596 Bahamas is due to visit the Nene Valley Railway from June 4-10. During this time the locomotive will work a Jubilee Special service on Sunday, June 5 as part of the NVR’s Jubilee event. The 4-6-0 will also undertake main line running while at the NVR. Ivatt tank to help mark S&D anniversary BR Ivatt ‘2MT’ No. 41312 is to visit the Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton in September. The line has confirmed that the 2-6-2T is booked to haul passenger trains over the weekend of September 17/18 as part of the 60th anniversary commemorations of ‘The Last Pines’. The event is expected to be popular and tickets will entitle the holder to one trip behind No. 41312 at an…

A PAIR of Hunslet 0-6-0STs that are being converted into side tank form as part of ongoing restoration/overhaul projects, are edging closer to completion at two separate sites less than 40 miles apart. At the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre’s (BRC) Quainton Road headquarters 16in-cylindered Arthur (3782/1953) is being de-saddled as part of its first preservation restoration. The former Markham Main Colliery locomotive has been at Quainton since 1979, but it was not until 2016 that the project to return it to steam began. After stripping down that year the frames were grit-blasted, new front and rear bufferbeams made and the rear frame stretcher replaced. Additional work has involved having the cylinders bored and sleeved, boiler and firebox repairs including new sections in the firebox, and a new smokebox made. The ‘new’…

STATFOLD Barn Railway’s March 19/20 Enthusiast Weekend featured 13 locomotives in steam, supplemented by the return of main line passenger rides in the ‘Goose’ railcar and the ex-Burton & Ashby tram, taking passengers over the 3ft gauge line to Oak Tree Halt. The weekend’s theme was ‘Last Days of Penrhyn Steam’ with the operating fleet including six ex-Penrhyn slate quarry locos, staring Martyn Ashworth’s Avonside 0-4-0T Ogwen following its March 13 private launch in Penrhyn form (RM, April) and Bressingham’s visiting Hunslet 0-4-0ST Gwynedd. Unrestored Hunslet 0-4-2T Seaforth (HE1026/1910) was displayed in public for the first time since repatriation from Australia, while ex-Woolwich Arsenal 18in gauge 0-4-0+0-4-0 Hunslet diesel Carnegie (4524/1954), restored to operation last year (RM, October 2021) was displayed in the tram shed following repainting. The hardcore base…

BURE Valley Railway (BVR) is to install remotely operated full barrier systems at Spratts Green and Belsugh level crossings. Austrian Pinysch-Barmag barrier machines will be utilised, powered by a solar and wind turbine bank. Work has started on the groundworks and the CCTV monitoring system could be live shortly. Completion of the project is likely to take around two years. BVR’s Winson-built ‘ZB’ 2-6-2 No. 7 Spitfire has returned to service following an overhaul which included fitting a new boiler constructed by North Bay Railway Engineering Services. The overhaul of Winson/Keef 2-6-4T No. 10 Mark Timothy was due to be completed by Easter, while 2-6-4T No. 1 Wroxham Broad has been withdrawn for overhaul.…

A 2ft gauge 0-10-0T Orenstein & Koppel (works number 10956) with Luttermöller articulation to the outer axles, arrived at ‘Workshop X’ for restoration on March 29. The loco has been purchased by Matt Dolby from Preston Services in Kent. The locomotive was one of several of the type which Preston Services have had for sale. Four of the type (works numbers 10956, 10957, 12470 and 13101) were imported in 2006, joining 11309/1927 which had arrived previously. They came from the Ingenio San Martin del Tabacal sugar mill in Argentina and superficially appear to be 2-6-2Ts but have a flexible geared drive on the leading and trailing wheels, making all axles powered and thus actually 0-10-0Ts. This articulation system was developed during the First World War by O&K chief engineer, Gustav…

■ VISITING locos for the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway’s (RH&DR) May 14/15 95th Anniversary Steam and Diesel Gala (RM, April) have been confirmed as Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society’s 0-8-2 River Irt and reconstructed Heywood 0-4-0T Katie, which being too tall to pass under RH&DR bridges will steam in the vicinity of New Romney Station. Night running of two locos between New Romney and Hythe will be the first RH&DR night trains since the 15in gauge line’s 90th anniversary event in 2017. ■ IN addition to the Sutton Collection of locomotives and stock from the Sutton Coldfield Miniature Railway having been purchased in 2001 for display at the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway as referenced in The RM March, reader Peter Brackenbury has reminded us that following arrival at…

THE 10¼in gauge 4-4-2 at the Eastleigh Lakeside Steam Railway (ELSR) has received an eye-catching new livery. It had run in Southern green since October 2005, when named Ernest Henry Upton. Not strictly a Marsh ‘Atlantic’, it now looks like one, with its authentic LBSCR 1911 umber livery with gold lining and lettering, but carrying the same number as before, 1908. Built in 1937 by G&S Engineering and named Sir A. Montgomery, it ran at Dudley Zoo before the war. After changing hands a few times it was acquired for the ELSR in February 2002.…

DIESELS are set to dominate the North Norfolk Railway’s June 10-12 Mixed Traffic Gala. An 11-strong line-up is scheduled to include a variety of steam and diesel locos, DMUs and shunters – including performances by guest modern traction from the heritage and main line sectors alike. Among the stars will be a loco drawn from the Direct Rail Services stabling point at Stowmarket – details of which will be confirmed nearer the event. Waterman Railway Heritage Trust-owned Class 25 No. D7659 will be visiting from its Peak Rail base – making its first appearance as a gala visitor following a rebuild that was completed late last year. Haulage The line’s home fleet will also be out in force with Class 31 No. D5631 (31207) and Class 37 No. D6732 (37032),…

A RAILTOUR using two pairs of Class 20s in top and tail mode over some rare track under the title of the ‘Chopper Topper Returns’ has been announced by Pathfinder Tours. Planned for July 2, the tour will start at Burton-on-Trent (c06.30), calling en route at Coleshill Parkway, Barnt Green, Worcestershire Parkway and Gloucester, where the train will reverse direction. After stopping at Cheltenham Spa, the tour will run via the Cheltenham High St and Eckington loops and up the Lickey to Birmingham New Street for a late morning pickup. From New St, the tour will visit the Hams Hall reception line, then traverse the Sutton Park line and via Walsall and Wolverhampton in order to visit the Donnington freight terminal, subject to final approval. After Donington, it’s through Wellington…

THE £82 million transformation of Coventry railway station was completed towards the end of March – and the facility is becoming one of the fastest growing stations, in respects of passenger numbers, outside London. An official opening is planned for May 7, The RM understands, and this will be 60 years on since British Rail completed the rebuild of the station as part of the West Coast Main Line electrification scheme (May 1, 1962), with four platforms replacing the original two. In 1995 the station was awarded Grade II listed status, one of several BR 1960s style buildings to receive the accolade. The then modern concrete and glass structure was described in the citation as “Outstanding architecturally, particularly for its spatial qualities and detailing”. Looking at what has been achieved…

A KEY phase in the restoration of the historic train shed roof at Bristol Temple Meads started on April 12, when Network Rail and its contractor Tasker began the grit-blasting process. The Grade I listed roof is part-way through a restoration spanning several years, and this phase will remove any old paint, dirt and surface contaminants from the metal parts of the structure ahead of repairs, repainting and reglazing. Work will take place in stages, each section encapsulated, so no dust or debris reaches the platforms. Grit-blasting will take place overnight, but noise levels will be monitored. The roof refurbishment is due to be completed in the summer of 2024. At the station a separate project is underway to upgrade the station’s electrics, bringing the power supply for lighting, passenger…

A £6.55m investment by Network Rail and GWR will see the construction of three new maintenance sidings in Penzance. Ponsandane sidings will be built to the west of Long Rock depot to accommodate nine-car trains. Funded by £4.8m from Network Rail and £1.75m from GWR, construction started in April and is expected to be completed within a year. This latest funding announcement comes after a recent £1.14m upgrade of the St Ives branch line has provided platform extensions at St Erth and Lelant stations to allow GWR to run longer trains in high summer, providing an extra 2000 seats per day.…

Maritime agrees lease MARITIME Transport has agreed a 30-year lease which will allow a major expansion of its depot at the Port of Liverpool, supporting both rail freight activities and road haulage. The deal with Peel Ports Group signals the start of a multi-million pound project which will see the depot site more than double in size, from four to 10 acres. It will include a storage yard for loaded containers and create capacity for off-peak loading, which should help ease the flow of goods on site, as well as via routes serving the port. Soton development site available A 22-ACRE site close to Freightliner’s Southampton Maritime Terminal is being marketed for potential business use by Associated British Ports. The land, which has Freeport tax site status following the successful…

Jubilee Line ‘Night Tube’ returns FROM Saturday, May 21, ‘Night Tube’ services will return to London Underground’s Jubilee Line, for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. There will be trains throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays from this date. The ‘Night Tube’ is due to resume on the Northern and Piccadilly Lines in the summer. ‘Night Tube’ services on the Central and Victoria Lines restarted in November last year. Blackpool trams return to Talbot Road THE evening of March 16 saw a tram turn under its own power onto Talbot Road in Blackpool for the first time since the 1960s, as testing began on the new stretch of line connecting the current tram system with Blackpool North station. A new terminus is being built on…

Jim Wrinn JIM Wrinn, editor of Trains magazine in the USA for more than 17 years, has died at the age of 61 after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. As editor-in-chief, Jim served generations of readers who grew up on the print magazine while at the same time broadening the magazine’s appeal to a new digitally oriented audience. Jim oversaw numerous initiatives that took Trains in new directions, including online news coverage; podcasts; digital video programming; and a schedule of Trains-branded tours, excursions and events.…

AVANTI West Coast’s No. 390125 has become the first of the 56-strong fleet to be released back into traffic as part of a £117 million upgrade programme. The work includes new seats, a revamped shop, and better on board customer information. Additional luggage space will be provided, while every seat will have a power point. There are new carpets throughout, and the toilets fully refurbished. A major change is that one First Class carriage in each of the 35 11-car sets will be converted to Standard. The upgrade programme will run until 2024 at Alstom in Widnes. Since their introduction in 2002, the ‘Pendolino’ fleet is estimated to have clocked up more than 270 million miles – equivalent to 500 return trips to the moon.…

THE 880 metre-long viaduct that will carry HS2 trains across the flood plain of the River Thame, near Aylesbury, will use what HS2 Ltd describes as “pioneering prefabricated construction methods”, which will see the structure “slotted together like a giant Lego set”. With its underside only three metres above the ground, the viaduct will consist of 36 even spans taking the high speed route over the river and adjacent wetlands. The extension of the piers almost to the parapet edge is designed to enhance its light and narrow appearance. It is estimated that the prefabrication process will reduce the embedded carbon of the structure by 19,000 tonnes. Its carbon footprint is calculated to be 66% lower than that of the original design. It was changed to allow all major elements…

HS2 noise worries FORMER Railway Magazine columnist Lord Berkeley wanted to know what steps the Department of Transport (DfT) will take to reduce train noise that is measured independently during the initial operation and testing of trains on HS2 phase one, if it is found to be in excess of Environmental Minimal Requirements. Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: “To avoid a scenario where railway noise would lead to a non-compliance with the project’s Environmental Minimum Requirements, HS2 Ltd is developing integrated requirements, specifications and tests for each component of the railway that contributes to the end-state noise. As part of these integration activities, HS2 Ltd monitors planned performance against requirements and compliance against its noise commitments.” HS2 Information Paper F4 explains the project’s framework for monitoring operational noise…

THE centrepiece of this year’s ‘Railtech’ exhibition, held at the NEC Birmingham between May 21-23, was the unveiling on the opening day of a full-size mock-up of a Class 332 ‘Heathrow Express’ vehicle. The full 23m long mock-up was produced in the Spanish factory of CAF, in which the fleet of units (12 three-car sets and two four-car sets) are currently under production in an order valued at £40m. The trains will be finished in an aesthetically-pleasing silver/black, offset by a broad band of black along the bodysides where the ribbon glazing is located. The front end, while based on the ‘Networker’ style, is quite different, with a new design of curved front screen. The style of ‘Heathrow Express’ name shown on the original drawings some months ago has gone,…

AFTER withdrawal by BR, the last in March 1987, Class 25s proved themselves useful to heritage lines as a small but powerful diesel, and 20 of them have been preserved on lines stretching from the South Devon Railway to the Caledonian Railway (Brechin). Unsurprisingly, due to their relative youth and the recent work that had gone into them, four machines were preserved from the Class 25/9 fleet: Nos. 25901 (25262/ D7612, currently at the South Devon Railway), 25904 (25283/D7633, in store at a private site in Stoke-on-Trent with a view to returning it to main line under HNRC), 25909 (25309/D7659, at Peak Rail) and 25912 Tamworth Castle (25322/D7672, at the Churnet Valley Railway). The latter was also famously reactivated long after the rest of the fleet was withdrawn, at first…

WHEN British Rail stopped using the BRUTEs (British Rail Universal Trolley Equipment), Newton Abbot was one of the places where they were congregated, in the former depot, for disposal and scrapping. But not all met the fate of the cutter’s torch and they appeared in considerable quantities in the local trading estates, while a number became the property of the Newton Abbot Market Committee – and these are still used on Saturdays to bring the goods for sale in from the nearby roads to a pedestrian only area. Present-day users probably have no knowledge as to where they came from. David Hunt By email…

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4 Bradford Railway Circle. Bradford Mechanics’ Institute Library, 76 Kirkgate, Bradford BD1 1SZ. 19.30. ‘Switzerland Narrow Gauge East of Geneva’: Ray Wilkinson. THURSDAY, MAY 5 Great Central Railway Society (Sheffield branch). Farm Road Sports & Social Club, Farm Road, Sheffield S2 2TP. 19.30. ‘The Railways of Mexborough, Swinton and Wath’: John Law. Lutterworth Railway Society. Lutterworth Bowls Club, Coventry Road, Lutterworth LE17 4RB. 19.30. ‘Railways of Northamptonshire — Part 5: SMJR’: Barry Taylor. FRIDAY, MAY 6 Railway Correspondence & Travel Society (RCTS). St Teresa’s Church Club, 71 Gloucester Road North, Filton, Bristol BS34 7PL. 19.30. ‘BR in Blue Era’: John Day. Stephenson Locomotive Society (SLS). Newport Community Hub, Union Street, Middlesbrough TS1 5NQ. 19.00. Centre annual meeting followed by ‘The Grimsby and Immingham Tramway’: Peter Worsley. Slough Railway…

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THANKS to support from well-wishers for its recent ‘Put The Brakes On’ fund, the Class G5 Locomotive Company’s project to construct an 0-4-4T has purchased the components for the brake gear. These include hangers, shafts, rods, shaft cranks, lever, turnbuckles, hanger carriers and pins. The parts are now at various stages of painting and fitting. While the main focus has been on the brake gear, the two rear sandboxes have been fabricated and they are also now located at the group’s unit on Hackworth Industrial Park, Shildon DL4 1HF ready for viewing during open days held on the first Saturday of the month, 10am-1pm. In addition, Boro Foundry has recast the replacement wheel for the trailing wheelset and the testing process is ongoing. Moving towards a rolling chassis, the spring…

New livery for Bo’ness ‘Austerity’ No. 19. THE Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway’s ex-Comrie Colliery Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST Fife Area No. 19 (3818/1954) has received a new livery in time for the 2022 season. The locomotive has had its long-standing green livery replaced by a new coat of gleaming black, with the tank lettered in traditional National Coal Board style. Swordfish leaves Swindon for Quainton ANDREW Barclay 0-6-0ST Swordfish (2138/1941) has been sold by the Denton family and left its restoration base at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway to take up a new home at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre (BRC). The 14in-cylindered former Stewarts & Lloyds (Glendon North Quarry) No. 84 has been purchased by a BRC volunteer and was due to take part in the Spring Steam Gala…

■ TWO Wingrove & Rogers battery electric locos were delivered to Talyllyn Railway in late March. Acquired from a private owner, they last worked on the Heathrow Terminal 5 construction project. One is fairly complete and seems to only need regauging and the addition of batteries to run, the other is likely to be stripped for spares. The core use is expected to be as a yard shunter around Tywyn Wharf and Pendre. ■ IN exchange for a donation to the Railway Children charity, the old glass fibre cab from Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Funkey-built Bo-Bo diesel Castell Caernarfon/ Caernarfon Castle has gone to the ‘Cab Yard’ at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway where it will become part of a railway-themed children’s play area. ■ GLYN Valley Tramway…

TWO rare 18in gauge ex-Tunnequip Ltd (of Horsham, Sussex) battery-hydraulic locos have arrived at the Steeple Grange Light Railway (SGLR). One has been purchased, the other being donated to the line. They became available when SGLR member Ian Ashby retired from running a horticultural business near Evesham where he had laid 2ft and 18in gauge tracks known as the Valley Nurseries Railway. A quantity of track and two wagons have also arrived at the SGLR. The diminutive locos are understood to date from around 1980 and were designed to operate in very confined spaces. They were purchased by Ian Ashby in March 2009.…

THE 10¼in gauge Leek & Rudyard Railway (LRR), formerly the Rudyard Lake Steam Railway, has secured 0-4-0ST+T Lady Jane Gray for the season. This will be its first working on pubic trains for nearly 20 years. A sister to Bressingham’s Alan Boom (RM September p80), it was built there in 1996 by Gray Engineering. It ran briefly on the Wells & Walsingham Railway but went into store at the Royal Victoria Railway, Hampshire. Following sale, it was used on a private railway and the owners have agreed for its use on the LRR. Visit www.rlsr.org/timetable.html for details.…

A GRANT of £22,500 from North Lanarkshire Council will help fund work required to complete the restoration of Glasgow Corporation No. 1245. Steady progress is being made with the tram at Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, where it has been undergoing work since 2011, having arrived at the visitor attraction in Coatbridge nine years earlier. Built by the Corporation at its works at Coplawhill in 1939, the double deck ‘Coronation’ tram, one of four of the type to survive into preservation, was withdrawn from service in 1962. It spent 35 years at what was to become the East Anglia Transport Museum and then four years at Rigby Road depot in Blackpool, before arriving at its current home. Early phases of work concentrated on the refurbishment of the trucks and…

Class 03 donated to Llangollen Railway WIRRAL Metropolitan Borough Council Museum Service Class 03 No. 03162 (D2162) has been gifted to the Llangollen Railway Trust. This follows discussions around safeguarding the loco’s future. The locomotive was donated to the council by BR, and was initially stored at BR’s Chester depot, from March 1989. That October, it was sent to the Llangollen Railway where it has been ever since. Now in trust ownership, an overhaul can be undertaken, hopefully completed for its 65th birthday in 2025. Last used on Corwen extension ballast trains in 2014, it is complete, but with wear in the final drive. ‘Grid’ to leave Ruddington A new home is being sought for privately owned Class 56 No. 56097, which has been at the Nottingham Heritage Railway (formerly…

FORMER Steel Company of Wales, Bo-BoDE No. 804 (Alco 77778 of 1950) has been broken up at Railworld Wildlife Haven, Peterborough. It was one of only two locos at the venue, which adjoins the Nene Valley Railway’s (NVR) eastern terminus – the other being a Danish 4-6-2. Both locos have been on static display for many years. A spokesman said: “A number of parts had been stolen making it impossible to bring No. 804 back to working order, so it was decided there was no other option but to scrap it.” This was one of five such locos which worked at Port Talbot steelworks until 1983 and now leaves No. 801 (Alco 77120 of 1950), owned by Northumbria Rail, but based at Overton on the NVR, as sole survivor in…

HOPES of another summer of HST charters over the Settle & Carlisle line have been dashed after Rail Charter Services (RCS) took the difficult decision to cancel the entire programme for 2022. The all first class ‘Staycation Express’ was first launched in 2020 in a bid to escape the ‘lockdown blues’ with three trips during the summer between Skipton, Settle and Appleby. One of the reasons for the excursions was because of so many restrictions on foreign holidays due to Covid-19. With a modest success, the trains returned in 2021 running six days per week using a dedicated HST set painted in dark green, and were also extended to Carlisle. However, in early April, RCS, led by transport consultant Adrian Quine, decided trips in 2022 were not viable against a…

ANOTHER unusual destination for Class 20s is planned for August 29 when InterCity will utilise the green LSL locos Nos. 20096 and 20107 (D8096/8107) on a day trip from Crewe to Scarborough. Taking the single line south east from Cewe, the ‘Scarborough Spa Ramble’ will call at Kidsgrove, Stokeon-Trent, Uttoxeter, Derby and Chesterfield, arriving in Scarborough around lunchtime where passengers can enjoy a three-hour break in the popular East Coast resort. The train will also call at York, allowing a longer break time. The train will feature first class seating throughout as well as a buffet bar for the purchase of hot and cold drinks, light refreshments and alcoholic drinks. Fares are £129 per person, with a guaranteed seat at a table for two attracting a £30 supplement. Book online…

Superfast wi-fi at Waterloo SUPERFAST wi-fi has been rolled out at London Waterloo, which will allow passengers to make video calls or use streaming services. Coverage is provided in the concourses, platforms, forecourts, taxi ranks and mezzanines. Once logged on, passengers will automatically be connected when they arrive at any of Network Rail’s 19 managed stations across the UK. At the end of March, superfast wi-fi was also switched on at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley. Vandals damage lift A LIFT at Mills Hill station, Manchester, installed just 15 months ago as part of step-free access to platforms, has been damaged by vandals. The doors have been kicked so badly that they are misaligned and will need replacement at a cost of £10,000. Arch rededicated LONDON Waterloo station’s Grade I…

MIDLANDS Connect, the Subnational Transport Body for the Midlands which plans the strategic connectivity needs of people, has released an updated version of its master plan covering the next five to 10 years. In it are a number of proposals for new rail services and capacity enhancements across the East and West Midlands. Midlands Connect (MC) works with local authorities, executive transport bodies and the Department for Transport to identify and prioritise transport needs for the area, working partner organisations to achieve the aims. MC recognises rail connectivity to anywhere other than London is poor and wants to level up the region as well as driving growth and providing low carbon options. Proposals for modal shift with a two-trains per hour service from Leicester to Coventry (along with freight benefits)…

NETWORK Rail is to spend £2m on cleaning up graffiti eyesores along Britain’s railways, ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Regional Network Rail teams have identified problem areas and used additional funding which has been made available to remove and paint over stubborn spray-painted tags, also applying anti-graffiti paint where possible to deter people from targeting the same areas in future. More than 450 sites have been cleared of graffiti in the south east, including high-profile sites such as the Hungerford Bridge, the Bermondsey dive-under and approaches to Birmingham New Street.…

A LARGE programme of repairs, renewals and upgrades were undertaken by Network Rail engineers and contractors over the Easter Holiday in mid-April. While the work may have brought disruption for some, the projects will bring longterm reliability. Work was spread around the country, with major works taking place on the West Coast Main Line between Milton Keynes and Euston for track improvements around Watford Junction and outside Euston. There was also work between Coventry and Birmingham International (HS2 enabling work at Hampton-in-Arden, drainage work at Beechwood Tunnel near Berkswell, and a bridge replacement at Coventry South Junction) which meant Avanti services from Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street were diverted via Nuneaton using two five-car ‘Super Voyager’ sets. Other services from the North terminated at Milton Keynes, with passengers put on…

OF the big three American locomotive builders of the steam era – Baldwin, American Locomotive Co, and Lima – the Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW) was the longest established and had by far the greatest output. Founded by Matthias W Baldwin in 1831, it was for many years a slightly eccentric organisation to modern managerial minds. Until 1911, there was no Baldwin Locomotive Corporation as such, but instead a series of private partnerships that sold their products under the Baldwin trade name. Similarly, the original manufacturing plant was very much of the 19th century. When built in 1835/36, the works facing Broad St, Philadelphia, were practically out in the country on a former 18th century country estate called Bush Hill. By the end of the century, the 20-acre factory was surrounded…

‘Small Prairie’ photo help I AM seeking photographs of ex-GWR/ BR(W) 2-6-2T No. 4566, specifically the years 1924-1975, for a private collection. Of particular interest are the GWR years, the movement from Tavistock Junction to Barry (Woodhams Bros) via Gloucester (July 24, 1962), and the original restoration at Bewdley (SVR) between August 1970 and June 1975. I am happy to meet any reasonable costs if required and confirm that photographs will be shown copyright to the photographer/image holder. My contact details are email: cooky2carol@btopenworld.com or mobile: 07532 302036. David Cook 4566 Group ‘Hall’ allocation help IN 1952 I went up to St Edmund Hall at Oxford to read geography. As a railway enthusiast, I was told a story about locomotive No. 5960 St Edmund Hall, the truth of which I…

THE article ‘Return to Tavistock’ (April issue) was interesting in general, but having seen the before and after pictures on page 38, I do wonder what the specific plan will be for getting rail to and through Tavistock town? Andrew Harris Whitby, Ontario THE photograph accompanying the ‘Return to Tavistock’ article was very evocative. I was condemned to boarding school and served the last five years of my ‘sentence’ at a school in Tavistock. Fifteen times a ‘West Country’-hauled train carried me away from school, and the up platform was thus a place of great happiness! Nigel Bond Christchurch, Dorset…

100 YEARS AGO MAY 1922 Waterloo rebuild RANKING first in the list of largest railway stations in Great Britain by virtue of its 21 platforms, Waterloo now takes its place also as the most modern and up-to-date due to the fact that, within the last 12 years or so, it has been almost entirely rebuilt and reconstructed. So much so that few traces remain of the Waterloo which existed when the twentieth century opened. The huge reconstruction, which was formally opened by Queen Mary on March 21, includes also the provision of head office quarters which rank among the finest provided for the administration of the business of a railway company, with many points of interest, not the least of which is the magnificent ‘Victory Arch’ incorporated into the architectural…

NINE steam locomotives are set to be in action for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s June 3-5 ‘Somerset & Dorset Remembered’ themed Cotswold Festival of Steam, which will mark 60 years since the final ‘Pines Express’. Sponsored by Mortons Media Group, publisher of The Railway Magazine and a host of other sister titles including Heritage Railway and Rail Express, an event guide will be given free to every ticket holder. The gala is booked to feature five appropriate visiting locos operating alongside several home fleet favourites working an intensive timetable over the 14-mile line that will include double-heading, nonstop runs, demonstration freight trains and shunting at Winchcombe station. Visiting locos Making a welcome return to Toddington shed courtesy of the North Norfolk Railway and Friends of Black Prince will be…

THE Great Central Railway-based 5305 Locomotive Association, which is overhauling National Collection-owned SR ‘King Arthur’ 4-6-0 No. 777 Sir Lamiel is hoping to begin ordering materials in the coming months and is now appealing to well-wishers to help fund the necessary costs. Current material requirements include: new valve and cylinder liner castings £10k; copper bar for stay production £1k; boiler tubes – small £7k; boiler tubes – flue £3k; bottle ends for flue tubes £1.5k; and steel bar for set screws £1k. Alan Berck-May, the association’s chairman told The RM: “We have our initial materials shopping list. A growing concern is the rise in inflation and how that will impact our material costs. Although it will be a year before we need things such as tubes, we will be placing…

May 5-8 West Somerset Railway: Spring Steam Gala May 6-8 Swanage Railway: Diesel Gala & Beer Festival May 7-8 Spa Valley Railway: Peppa Pig May 8 Buckinghamshire Railway Centre: Emergency Services Day May 8 Isle of Wight Steam Railway: Island Heritage Train Day May 8 Yeovil Railway Centre: Steam Train & Pirate Day May 14-15 Isle of Wight Steam Railway: Spring Gala May 14-15 Spa Valley Railway: 34053 Sir Keith Park farewell event May 19-22 Severn Valley Railway: Spring Diesel Festival May 22 Didcot Railway Centre: Transport Rally May 22 Yeovil Railway Centre: Steam Train Day May 22 Mangapps Farm Museum: D2325 returns to work May 22 Isle of Wight Steam Railway: Festival of Transport May 22-June 5 Watercress Line: Days Out with Thomas May 22 Yeovil Railway Centre: Steam…

RICHMOND Light Railway’s (RLR) ex-Penrhyn Hunslet 0-4-0ST Elin returned to operation at the beginning of April, the first time it had run under its own steam since 1997. It will be the star attraction for the Kent line’s August 13 Charity Steam Fair. Other RLR projects in progress include restoration of a Hudson-built ex-RAF toast rack coach to its original form. The vehicle was purchased by RLR a while ago from Welsh Highland Heritage Railway where, clad in corrugated sheeting, it had formed part of the P/way train. Work at an off-site location has seen the vehicle stripped back to expose the original structure, which is being repaired along with refurbishment of the running gear. New seats will be made following original drawings. The only other original survivor of this…

May 1 8 Groudle Glen Railway diesel and electric day 14-15 Devon Railway Centre diesel weekend 14-15 Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway 95th anniversary gala 14-15 Westonzoyland Pumping Station steam on the levels 20-22 Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway The Beyer Bash 22 Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway Three Brazils Weekend 28-30 Fairbourne Railway gala June 10-11 F&WHR rail-ale festival 10-11 Statfold Barn enthusiasts’ weekend 25-26 Amerton Railway steam gala 25-26 Apedale Valley Light Railway diesel gala Like us facebook.com/TheRailwayMagazine Follow us @railwaymagazine Follow us therailwaymagazine…

ON April 1, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway announced via social media that S F Belge 0-8-0T (ex-No. 699.01) No. 10 Sir Drefaldwyn was to be completed in purple as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. On the same day, the Talyllyn Railway and Rhyl Miniature Railway announced they were experimenting with third rail electric power, the former stating its steam locos were being transferred to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum on an initial agreement to April 1, 2023. Be aware of the date!…

Further good news for Fylde fleet FYLDE Transport Trust has received what it describes as a “significant donation” which will allow it to plan the installation of new rubber suspension blocks, a full seat retrim and a complete external repaint of Blackpool ‘Coronation’ Tram No. 304, with the hope of recommissioning it this year. The Trust’s English Electric Railcoach No. 279 returned to Rigby Road on March 17, where the remaining work to return it to service will be completed. Chester tram on show VISITORS to an open day at a former airfield site on May 14, will be able to see for themselves the progress made with the restoration of Chester’s last surviving electric tram. No. 4, which dates from 1903, is being rebuilt undercover at Hooton Park near…

THE Diesel & Electric Preservation Group’s (DEPG) Class 35 No. D7017 has been in need of bogie spring replacement for some time, and this has now been achieved. This was undertaken in the West Somerset Restoration shed at Williton, just across the yard from the DEPG depot. The loco was lifted on March 29 and the bogies rolled out. Here, ‘B’ bogie is being extracted. No. D7017 was lowered back onto the bogies on April 4 after all 32 of the coil springs had been replaced in the primary suspension system, plus two elliptical secondary suspension springs in the ‘A’ bogie. Completion of this work involves reconnecting the brake rigging and the cardan shafts. Following inspection and testing the loco will return to traffic shortly, during its 60th birthday year.…

Mercia Charters pulls the plug COVENTRY-BASED Mercia Charters has closed its business and was formally dissolved at Companies House on April 12. Incorporated in November 1996, Mercia specialised in European charters and during its existence ran 64 tours. It suspended trips in 2017 when the pound-euro exchange rate made it impossible to run tours at affordable prices. Enter Táilte Tours A NEW railtour company has started in Ireland. Táilte Tours is a voluntary-led organisation which aims to assist Ireland’s voluntary run heritage railways and museums by helping to raise extra funds for projects through tours. Its first tour is on August 20, a day trip from Dublin to Killarney and Tralee with a Class 201 loco. More at www.tailtetours.com Royal Scot Grey delays THE extensive restoration of ‘Deltic’…

EXTENSIVE repairs to the Cambrian Main Line between Welshpool and Newtown have been completed, allowing the line to reopen to services from mid-morning on April 2. After the storm damage in February, initially it was thought washout damage to the line was at 12 locations, but in fact this turned out to be 33 areas of damage in a half-mile stretch, meaning a far bigger repair job. The washouts happened after the River Severn flooded, with the water rising 3.9 metres above the normal level – just 9cm lower than the highest ever recorded level. It took 10 days for the river to fully recede before engineers could move in to repair the railway and it took engineers six weeks of 24/7 working in shifts alongside contractors AmcoGiffen to effect…

AS part of plans to build 12,000 new homes around Hoo over the next 20 years, Medway Council is seeking contractors to upgrade the existing freight-only line for passenger use. Passenger services on Grain ceased in 1968 and since then the railway has been used for aggregate or oil movements to Cliffe and Thamesport respectively. The council’s vision is for a station between Sharnal Street and Hoo St Werburgh, with contemporary living around the station aimed at young professionals. While the local authority is suggesting connections to London termini, it is too early to say whether this would be via a direct service or a connecting shuttle service to Higham using a new chord line, or perhaps Gravesend. The line on Grain would have a passing loop to cope with…

NEWTON Abbot’s Hackney Yard saw its second recent trial freight working on March 21, this time in the form of a train operated by DCRail, conveying aggregate recycled from the china clay extraction process. It was transported to the yard by road to fill a consist of 21 JNA-T wagons, which had arrived on March 17 from Kidlington in Oxfordshire. In ‘top and tail’ formation, Class 60 Nos. 60046 William Wilberforce and 60055 Thomas Barnardo worked the loaded train to its destination, Willesden ‘F’ sidings in London, for use in major construction projects in the South East of England. “We got to make sure the railhead worked well at Newton Abbot, which hasn’t been used for exporting stone before,” explained David Fletcher, rail director for DCRail’s parent company Cappagh Group,…

THE Supertram network in Sheffield will receive millions of pounds of investment after the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed a City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) of £570 million. Originally announced by the Government in last autumn’s spending review, £100 million will be used for the first phase of renewal work on the system. SYMCA cited May 5’s mayoral election as a reason for not giving further information, but it is understood the wider programme is planned to include around 30 trams, renewal of control, signalling and communications systems, an upgraded power supply, depot extension and refurbishment, track improvements and better passenger facilities. Integrated transport In Greater Manchester, a CRSTS worth £1.07 billion will help deliver the ‘Bee Network’, an integrated transport plan…

PROPOSALS have been released for the ‘dual fuel’ conversion of Class 37, Class 59 and Class 66 locomotives. SBL-Rail and G-volution have presented three concepts, all of which use diesel as one of the two fuels and combine it with either biomethane, biopropane or hydrogen. Conversion would involve removing the existing diesel tanks from the locos and using this space to accommodate both a smaller diesel tank and cylinders to contain the secondary fuel. Diesel engine On the Class 37, the companies propose the fitting of a Stage V emissions-compliant Cummins QSK50 diesel engine (in place of the original English Electric 12 CSVT power unit), while on the Class 59 and Class 66, the current EMD power unit could be replaced with either twin Cummins QSK50s or a Cummins QSK95…