News

MORE than four decades after it closed to passengers, a train has run into Slaggyford station on Cumbria’s Alston branch again. The 2ft gauge South Tynedale Railway celebrated the accomplishment of a major goal on the morning of Monday, July 24, when it opened its 11/4–mile northern extension from Lintley. The extension was opened by…

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By Geoff Courtney A fascinating photograph of a brand-new Class 31 diesel more than 550 miles from home, wheel-to-wheel with a still operational 73-year-old steam loco, has been unearthed by former Stratford driver Dave Brennand, whose new book on London’s East End steam was featured in the June issue of Heritage Railway. The photograph shows…

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STEPHENSON’S Rocket is to return to the city of its birthplace for the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018. Rocket’s owner, the Science Museum, where the locomotive is on public display, has confirmed that it will be loaned for the showpiece event in Newcastle-on-Tyne and Gateshead. Built in 1829 by Robert Stephenson and Company…

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By Hugh Dougherty ENNISKILLEN Library is marking the 60th anniversary of the closure of the Fermanagh town’s railways on September 30, 1957 with a special photographic exhibition. Railways in Ulster’s Lakeland, which runs from September 11 to October 7, features the work of American photographer Anthony Burges, who visited and photographed the Great Northern Railway…

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THE East Lancashire Railway marked the 30th anniversary of its first service with a special train for members and staff past and present. On the evening of July 22, a special was hauled by former Manchester Ship Canal No. 32 Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T No. 680 of 1903 Gothenburg from Bury Bolton Street to Ramsbottom. It…

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By Hugh Dougherty STEAM returned to the normally diesel-operated Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway over the weekend of July 29-30. Nick Williams and his support crew brought Andrew Barclay 0-4-0T Jack from the locomotive’s base at the Leighton Buzzard Railway to tackle the climb to Hillend summit. The summit, at Glengonnar Halt, stands at 1498ft above…

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By Maurice Burns ALBERT Hawman, hailed as Britain’s oldest BR steam driver, died in Darlington on July 15 at the age of 104. Born in 1912 he saw as a 12-year-old boy the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1925, and later became an engine cleaner then fireman at Shildon, Ferryhill,…

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NORTH Norfolk Railway-based WD 2-10-0 No. 90775 is to be named after the county regiment with full military honours. At noon on Saturday, September 9, at Sheringham station, recently overhauled No. 90775 will be named The Royal Norfolk Regiment, It will be the first main line steam, diesel or electric locomotive to bear this name.…

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Volunteers at the Leighton Buzzard Railway received their prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis on Friday, July 28. The award, given in the 50th anniversary year of heritage operations, was accepted by one of the railway’s longest serving members, Peter Hodges, and one of its youngest, Jamie Randall.…

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THE Llangollen Railway’s Project to build a new station in the centre of Corwen has been given an unexpected boost by the donation of a school building. The redundant demountable classroom will provide the passenger facilities when Corwen Central station opens. In mid-July, railway officials heard that the classroom was available for recovery at short…

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