News

THE North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway has restored a coach which was built for a special line at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924/25. The body of the 2ft-gauge vehicle was retrieved from Teddington Fields, next to the A46 between Tewkesbury and Teddington Hands, by members of the narrow gauge line based at…

Continue reading »

By Geoff Courtney Michael Portillo, one of the highest-profile names in the world of railways, has become president of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line. A former Conservative MP, government minister and close friend of Margaret Thatcher, he will be welcomed into the fold of the scenic Cumbrian line’s many supporters because of his reputation…

Continue reading »

On July 19, 1908, a votes for women rally was held in Manchester’s Heaton Park. Present was Manchester-born Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, the political activist who led the British suffragette movement She stopped a tram to highlight the issue, and a photograph was taken as a record of the protest. The modern-day Heaton Park Tramway Company…

Continue reading »

THE controversial move of the National Collection’s GWR 2-8-0 No. 2818 to Swindon’s STEAM museum was due to have taken place on Tuesday, August 21. The National Railway Museum was criticised in some quarters for gifting the 113-year-old Churchward heavy freight locomotive to the museum, after it has been on static display at the Locomotion…

Continue reading »

THE opening of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railways’ northern extension to the tourist honeypot of Broadway has seen passenger numbers soar by 52% at the halfway stage of the season. Figures revealed that by the end of June, nearly 72,000 passengers had travelled between Cheltenham Racecourse and the newly opened station at Broadway. That compares with…

Continue reading »

EXCLUSIVE By Robin Jones The second weekend of the Great Central Railway’s special gala to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of BR steam not only saw BR Britannia Pacific No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell in action hauling a ‘remake’ of the legendary ‘Fifteen Guinea Special’ – but for one train only, it carried the…

Continue reading »

EXCLUSIVE By Robin Jones TYSELEY Locomotive Works will be celebrating 50 years since its first open day on September 29-30 – and among the many star attractions will be two traction items from Birmingham’s legendary Sutton Miniature Railway. The 15in gauge line in Sutton Park was adored by tens of thousands of children for nearly…

Continue reading »

THE BATTLEFIELD Line is holding a gala in October to celebrate the 90th birthday of GWR 2-6-2T prairie No. 5542, which has been operating on the railway this season. The all-steam event on October 13-14 looks set to feature a decidedly GWR theme. Confirmed attendees so far include GWR Pannier No. 6412 and autocoach No.…

Continue reading »

A Danish steam locomotive at the Nene Valley Railway that has not run for more than three decades is now being returned to action by a group of primarily younger volunteers. Work to overhaul the Danish State Railways Class F 0-6-0T has resumed at Wansford shed after receiving the go-ahead from the Board. Withdrawn in…

Continue reading »

By Phil Marsh A LAST-ditch attempt to save the historic Wolverton Works from the bulldozer has failed. However, the future of the site is again enshrouded in uncertainty following a ‘surprise’ sudden sale. The London & Birmingham Railway opened the works on September 17, 1838 and it is likely to be under new ownership for…

Continue reading »