Sam Hewitt

EARLY steam market leader Beamish Museum has recreated a LNWR ‘Crewe tractor’ road-rail vehicle. Based on over 130 vehicles adapted by the LNWR at Crewe works in 1916-17, the project at the County Durham museum is the first phase in a multi-part programme of restoration work on three Ford Model Ts. The inspiration for the…

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Eight years ago, at York station, he officially named new Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado 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, January…

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DESPITE the continued general lack of motive power, Steam Dreams’ chairman Marcus Robertson has managed to book enough locomotives to fulfil his ‘Cathedrals Express’ demands until May when Flying Scotsman is set to begin another season of excursions. Steam Dreams’ programme begins on Wednesday, March 1, with a St David’s Day trip to Chester and…

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By Cedric Johns Pathfinder Tours 40th anniversary event with Class 52 diesel-hydraulic D1015 Western Champion has been put on hold because the loco is temporarily out of action with engine problems. As reported last issue, Pathfinder’s ‘Western Glory’ trip has been organised to mark the withdrawal of the 52s in February 1977. Then, BR(W) ran…

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By Geoff Courtney A series of previously unreported political U-turns and manoeuvrings in the Westminster corridors of power that culminated in the unexpected decision to keep open the Settle to Carlisle line – one of the most popular railways in the UK today for steam train operators, enthusiasts and linesiders – has been revealed in…

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By Don Benn Eastleigh engineman Roy Sloper passed away on December 19 – he was 95 years old. He had a long railway career which started as a cleaner on the Isle of Wight, where he was born. He moved to the mainland soon after the outbreak of the war – being encouraged to make…

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THE Leighton Buzzard Railway has carried off Britain’s top heritage sector award after opening its new £386,000 station at Page’s Park. The Heritage Railway Association confirmed at its board meeting on December 10 that the 2016 Peter Manisty Award for excellence would go to the 2ft gauge Bedfordshire line. This award is named in memory…

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By Geoff Courtney THE quiet Bedfordshire village of Stevington is to get its own station… nearly 150 years after being ignored during the Victorian railway boom. The settlement of some 700 souls was located literally within sight and sound of the railway that linked the county town with Northampton, but the line’s nearest station was…

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