Sam Hewitt

In auction terms, it was close to a dead-heat. In sporting terms, it was two similarly talented rivals running neck-and-neck as they approached the finishing line. In economic terms, it was a success. Two West Country Pacifics were in the spotlight in the Railwayana.net internet auction from May 15-20, and eventually the nameplate, coat-of-arms and…

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If the diesel brigade wants to reinforce its message that the new order is on the march, it need look no further than Talisman Railwayana’s May 12 auction at Templecombe. The message will be nearly 4ft long and 10in wide, made in aluminium, look distinctly unsteam-like, and carry the name Implacable. You’ve got it –…

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HEREFORD may have been at the heart of GWR territory, but the cathedral city joined forces with the LMS at Great Central’s June 2 sale at Stoneleigh Park to demolish the opposition, when nameplate City of Hereford from Princess Coronation No. 46255 sold for £22,000. The plate from the 1946-built Pacific was the only five-figure…

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The appearance of Flying Scotsman at London’s Victoria station sparked controversy when smoke detectors triggered fire alarms which resulted in the station being closed and passengers evacuated as a safety precaution. The alarms sounded on Thursday, May 31, when after working a Steam Dreams’ luncheon train to Oxford, Scotsman was booked to head an evening…

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By Cedric Johns and Robin Jones FOR the first time since British Rail axed though trains from Waterloo to Swanage in 1969, a new service inaugurated by South Western Railway has restored the railway’s main link with London and towns in Wiltshire, north Dorset and the fringes of Somerset. Now built into the working timetable,…

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DENT station – the highest on the English main line at 1150ft above sea level – is on the market for £425,000. Situated on the Settle and Carlisle route within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and four miles away from the village of Dent, it is only the third time since 1877 that the Grade…

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In terms of steam operations, West Coast Railways is unique in as much that it can usually rustle up a diesel locomotive at short notice to assist a stranded steam-hauled charter train when things go wrong on, or in front of, the footplate. This ability was demonstrated on Tuesday, June 11 when Jubilee 4-6-0 No.…

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FOLLOWING on from the appearance of GBRf Class 66 No. 66763 Severn Valley Railway during its namesake’s Goods Gala on June 2-3, the EMD Co-Co diesel electric stayed on Severn Valley Railway (SVR) metals for a series of corporate events provided for Network Rail and GBRf during the ensuing week. Delegates were able to enjoy…

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