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A Peckett saddle tank, which once had the name Rocket painted on its sides, has appeared at the future northern terminus of HS2 Tyseley Locomotive Works-based W7 0-4-0ST No. 1 was taken by haulier Moveright International to Curzon Street station especially for the launch, conducted by Lord Mayor Carl Rice, during the September 8-18 Birmingham…

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By Andrew PM Wright SWANAGE Railway volunteers have marked the 50th anniversary of the last regular British Rail steam trains over the former LSWR branch to Wareham. On Sunday, September 4, 1966 the final timetabled steam-hauled passenger trains operated on the branch, giving way to a three-car ‘Hampshire’ DEMU the following day. The driver of…

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THE Isle of Wight Steam Railway is to hold its first diesel gala. The Shunter Shuffle will run from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2, normally a non-working weekend, to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of modern traction on the island. That first diesel – Class 05 D2554 – which arrived in…

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By Geoff Courtney ncludes a grandfather who was a clerk for the LNER and BR, and a father who was an LMS engineering pupil at St Rollox works in Glasgow, there was only one subject for Chris Ware to specialise in when he surprised colleagues by resigning from his role as a BBC journalist to…

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By Geoff Courtney ONE of the heritage railway movement’s youngest general managers is hoping that the tantalising prospect of running a station or being in charge of a steam locomotive will boost his volunteer base against a background of increasing visitor numbers and a sharp increase in dining train numbers. Earlier this year Jonnie Wesson…

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A LOCOMOTIVE that sank into Canada’s Lake Superior 106 years ago has been rediscovered. On June 10, 1910, Canadian Pacific Railway D10 4-6-0 No. 694, then just four years old, struck a rockslide, derailing the engine, tender, and two carriages, sending the train sliding down a 65ft embankment into Lake Superior, 45 miles east of…

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By Robin Jones IN 1970, I took my first ride from Buckfastleigh to Totnes on the then recently-opened Dart Valley Railway. When the train reached Ashburton Junction, the main line connection, the train paused and then reversed in push-pull manner, as there was neither access to Totnes station, or a station at the end of…

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