Sam Hewitt

  • James May makes another part for new P2

    James May makes another part for new P2

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    TV presenter James May has made a second part for the new Gresley P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales. The star of Top Gear and The Grand Tour had already applied his engineering prowess in crafting the first component for No. 2007 when he previously visited Darlington Locomotive Works in February 2013. Then he…

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  • Railcar of the Year award for Great Central set

    Railcar of the Year award for Great Central set

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    A THREE-car DMU set that runs on the Great Central Railway and is maintained by volunteers from the line has carried off a major national award. The set, comprising Metropolitan Cammell Class 101 vehicles Nos. 51427 and 50321 and unique Class 111 buffet car No. 59575, has been named Railcar of the Year by the…

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  • All clear for Middy extension

    All clear for Middy extension

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    THE award-winning Mid-Suffolk Light Railway has been given the green light to extend 400 yards to a new terminus, despite opposition from the local parish council. On January 25, Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to the line’s proposed 400-yard extension to a new terminus, Wilby Halt, taking the standard gauge line…

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  • Royal Scot at Grosmont dazzles the crowds at York

    Royal Scot at Grosmont dazzles the crowds at York

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    THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway has turned to the world of art to publicise its high-profile spring visit of Royal Scot. An artistic vinyl masterpiece measuring 4m x 3m and depicting LMS 4-6-0 No. 46100 arriving at Grosmont station has been created by London-based firm Graffiti Life and displayed in the heart of York. Passers-by…

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  • Manx horse trams: fight continues despite ‘U turn’

    Manx horse trams: fight continues despite ‘U turn’

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    CONSERVATIONISTS have vowed to fight on despite the Manx Parliament Tynwald making a U-turn on controversial plans to close part of Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. On January 17, Tynwald voted to keep the double tracks in place between Summerhill and Broadway. The previous scheme unveiled last year involved the closure of the iconic tramway between…

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  • Prince’s visit is the ‘jewel in the crown’ for Mountsorrel Railway

    Prince’s visit is the ‘jewel in the crown’ for Mountsorrel Railway

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    EIGHT years ago Prince Charles officially named new Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado at York station before taking a cab ride as it hauled the Royal Train. He later gave his permission for Tornado’s builder The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust to name new Gresley P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales. However, on Wednesday,…

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  • Green light for Flying Scotsman mural to stay

    Green light for Flying Scotsman mural to stay

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    A MURAL of A3 Pacific No. 60103 Flying Scotsman commissioned to celebrate the opening of the Borders Railway has been given planning permission to stay in place. Local Scottish Borders community organisation Energise Galashiels commissioned artist Chris Rutterford to produce the mural, which also includes around 500 portraits of local people, to fill wall space…

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  • Scotsman and Tornado set to reunite for £1.2 million relaunch of Barrow Hill

    Scotsman and Tornado set to reunite for £1.2 million relaunch of Barrow Hill

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    EXCLUSIVE: Robin Jones Flying Scotsman and Tornado are to head a four-day celebration to mark the grand reopening of Barrow Hill roundhouse following the £1.2 million Heritage Lottery Fund-backed restoration of the former Staveley Midland shed. The showpiece celebration between Thursday, September 21 and Sunday, September 24 will also feature the National Railway Museum’s working…

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  • Maunsell Q in GCR debut

    Maunsell Q in GCR debut

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    The Bluebell Railway-based Maunsell Q 0-6-0 No. 30541 was the star guest at the Great Central Railway’s winter steam gala, making its first-ever appearance on Britain’s only double track heritage main line, with nine other locomotives in steam, writes Robin Jones. Around 5000 people attended the Great Central Railway’s winter steam gala over January 27-29,…

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  • Magnificent Mountsorrel’s magical moment

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    The royal seal of approval given by HRH The Prince of Wales on January 25, was no less than the 10 years of hard graft by the volunteers of the Mountsorrel Railway deserved. Nearly 12 months after the Great Central Railway’s industrial branch was presented with the Heritage Railway Association’s Special Award in 2015, following…

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