News

THE Southern Railway main line between Exeter and Plymouth may be reopened as part of radical Government plans to expand Britain’s rail network, reversing Beeching cuts to increase network capacity and to boost housing opportunities. On November 29, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced a new and far-reaching rail strategy to boost the economy, and which,…

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MEMBERS of the public are invited to sponsor a component for the world’s market-leading standard gauge new-build steam project. For a limited time only, parts for giant new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales will be available for sponsorship to people who are not members of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s The Founders…

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THE Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway is on course for a passenger numbers record with more than 100,000 carried for the second year in succession. The figure is expected to soar next year following the opening of Broadway station on March 30. As we closed for press, the track on the northern extension from Laverton had reached…

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Mid-November traditionally sees most heritage lines running a minimum service, if at all, as they prepare for the intensive but profitable festive season. The Great Central Railway though ends the season with a bang, by staging a Last Hurrah of the Season enthusiasts’ gala with an intensive service running on double track that only the…

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By Geoff Courtney Designs for a tunnel under the Thames that were drawn up by two of the greatest railway engineers, Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel and personally signed by both, sold for £160,000 at an auction in central London on November 15. The Thames Tunnel was the world’s first successful…

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A LOCAL businessman has bought a key shareholding in BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76084 to ensure the locomotive stays on the North Norfolk Railway for the foreseeable future. As previously reported, 31% stakeholder John Oldcorn advertised his shares for sale in September, leading to speculation that the locomotive could be moved to another line.…

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THE Bala Lake Railway has launched a nationwide incentive-backed appeal to fund its £2.5 million extension into Bala’s town centre. As reported last month, the 2ft gauge railway now needs to acquire only another 80 yards to secure the trackbed needed to lay the extension into a prime town centre location. The proposed route will…

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By Geoff Courtney THEY were ubiquitous on tracks throughout the BR network, but generally ignored by passengers and trainspotters alike. They provided an essential service, but were accorded no accolades or recognition. They ground out the miles on the national network carrying personnel, but didn’t figure in the Ian Allan ABCs and were rarely photographed.…

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FOUR full-size steam locomotives took centre stage as the Warley National Model Railway Exhibition celebrated its 50th birthday. The Sandwell-based Warley Model Railway Club was founded in 1966, and held its first exhibition the following year. Around 15,000 people attended the event this year, in Hall 5 of the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Music…

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A STEAM outline locomotive, which featured on the closing credits of the Eighties TV holiday camp comedy series Hi de Hi, has returned to running order on the Groudle Glen Railway in time for Santa specials. Baguley diesel No. 3232 of 1947 once worked at Butlin’s Clacton holiday camp. Previously named Parracombe, it arrived on…

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