News

EXCLUSIVE By Cedric Johns Steam Dreams has announced that its annual ‘Cathedrals Express’ nine-day tour is to be revived on the UK’s shores for the first time since 2014, when Flying Scotsman headlines its ‘Highlands & Islands Explorer’ in May next year. After three years of running in Ireland, the last trip including the Isle…

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By Cedric Johns and Brian Sharpe Saturday, April 14, was a big day in the history of main line steam preservation, as Saphos Trains’ first steam railtour, the ‘North Wales Coast Express’ made its historic journey from Crewe to Holyhead hauled by LMS 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot. This was the first time for many…

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Since the announcement was made that Duke of Gloucester would be joining Tyseley’s locomotive line-up, Vintage Trains has reported that its website has registered over 400 hits from enthusiasts wanting to learn more about BR’s unique three cylinder 8P express 4-6-2. “It’s quite remarkable,” commented the locomotive’s managing trust chairman, Trevor Tuckley. “When we announced…

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By Cedric Johns Friday, April 13 – considered unlucky for some – turned out to be a red letter day for those planning future developments of the Swanage Railway, when Maunsell 2-6-0 No. 31806 successfully ran to Weymouth and Yeovil with a loaded test train to gain its main line ticket. “It was a highly…

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With steam running throughout from King’s Cross to Victoria via Scarborough, Ais Gill, Kyle of Lochalsh, Llandrindod Wells and Swanage, using seven different steam engines, this year’s ‘Great Britain’ tour was as ambitious as its predecessors. As Brian Sharpe reports, the 11th trip in the series was again a great success, if not quite as…

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AN INVESTIGATION into a level crossing collision on the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway involving original Beyer Peacock 0-6-0T No. 823 Countess and a car is underway. The collision occurred 11.50am on Thursday, April 5, on the level crossing at Cyfronydd station. The driver of the red Chevrolet Spark – a local man in his…

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THE Ffestiniog Railway’s ground-breaking new-build double Fairlie Earl of Merioneth has been withdrawn from service to make way for a replacement locomotive. ‘The Earl’, affectionately known as The Square due to its angular appearance, has reached the end of its 10-year certificate and needs a new boiler, a new boiler cradle, smokeboxes, chimneys and water…

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A SPECIAL celebration is to be held on the Talyllyn Railway to mark the 100th birthdays of Barclay 0-4-0WT No. 1431 of 1918 No. 6 Douglas and also that of the Royal Air Force which once owned it. On June 1-3, Douglas – which has already been repainted in RAF Traffic Blue – is to…

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By Hugh Dougherty and Robin Jones CONTROVERSIAL EU-funded £27 million plans to redevelop Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian-era station have been given the go-ahead despite public opposition. Translink’s proposal will see the redevelopment of Londonderry’s Grade B listed Waterside station – despite nearly 50 letters of opposition and a petition organised by rail lobby group…

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