News

MARKET-leading heritage steam and diesel charter operator, West Coast Railways, stepped into the breach after problem-hit operator Northern Rail cancelled all of its services on the Oxenholme to Windermere branch, delivering an unexpected bonus of a loco-hauled shuttle service. Passengers across the north of England have endured thousands of cancellations and delays on services run…

Continue reading »

By Paul Appleton THE scheduled intermediate overhaul of Churchward 2-8-0 No. 2857 was completed on time for it to star in its own 100th birthday event at the head of a loose-coupled freight during the Severn Valley Railway’s Goods Train Gala over the weekend of June 2-3. At the same time, the locomotive’s comeback helped…

Continue reading »

THE Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society – which is attempting to build a copy of Britain’s first main line diesel – has launched an appeal for £40,000 to buy and restore a pair of the correct bogies. The group was formed in 2011 to fill a major gap in modern traction preservation, by building a new…

Continue reading »

After many years out of use, one of the 15in gauge Atlantics built at Rhyl in the 1920s finally has a secure future and is set to return to steam. The Rhyl Miniature Railway was built by Miniature Railways of Great Britain Ltd which had been founded in 1904, with W J Bassett-Lowke as managing…

Continue reading »

EXCLUSIVE By Geoff Courtney A controversial survey by an MP who opposes plans to link two heritage railways has revealed a deep divide between her and a neighbouring Member of Parliament who is fully supportive of the £4½ million project. The email survey was carried out by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd, the Conservative MP…

Continue reading »

A RARE opportunity has arisen to acquire a restored carriage from the Glasgow underground system after the owner’s plans for it fell through. Built in 1896 by Hurst Nelson, the 4ft gauge car is currently located in Southam, Warwickshire and sits on its bogies on a short length of track. Kevin McLuskey, its owner, said:…

Continue reading »

By Gareth Evans THE Talyllyn Railway clocked up several feats at its Anything Goes gala on June 16, pulling in the crowds both on the ground and online with a special live broadcast on social media. The line’s marketing co-ordinator Daniel King said: “For the first time in many years, all of our available steam…

Continue reading »

A gauge one electric model of Union Pacific Big Boy class No. 4005 will dominate in every sense a Vectis model train sale on June 15. One of a limited production of four made by Samhongsa of South Korea for the American retailer Row & Co, the model of the articulated 4-8-8-4 is 4ft 1in…

Continue reading »

A major GWR collection may be set to take centre stage at GW Railwayana’s July 14 auction, as reported in last month’s Heritage Railway, but other companies and locations will also be adding their weight. The headline items from the collection are nameplates County of Oxford, St Mawes Castle, Fringford Manor and Runter Hall (Nos.…

Continue reading »

Fifteen inches was considered to be the minimum practical gauge for a full-size as opposed to a miniature steam locomotive. Mark Smithers recounts the story of a pioneering engine of this gauge that barely survived but has now returned to steam. In the 19th century, Sir Arthur Percival Heywood attempted to gain commercial acceptance for…

Continue reading »