News

DESPITE the continued general lack of motive power, Steam Dreams’ chairman Marcus Robertson has managed to book enough locomotives to fulfil his ‘Cathedrals Express’ demands until May when Flying Scotsman is set to begin another season of excursions. Steam Dreams’ programme begins on Wednesday, March 1, with a St David’s Day trip to Chester and…

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By Cedric Johns Pathfinder Tours 40th anniversary event with Class 52 diesel-hydraulic D1015 Western Champion has been put on hold because the loco is temporarily out of action with engine problems. As reported last issue, Pathfinder’s ‘Western Glory’ trip has been organised to mark the withdrawal of the 52s in February 1977. Then, BR(W) ran…

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By Geoff Courtney A series of previously unreported political U-turns and manoeuvrings in the Westminster corridors of power that culminated in the unexpected decision to keep open the Settle to Carlisle line – one of the most popular railways in the UK today for steam train operators, enthusiasts and linesiders – has been revealed in…

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By Don Benn Eastleigh engineman Roy Sloper passed away on December 19 – he was 95 years old. He had a long railway career which started as a cleaner on the Isle of Wight, where he was born. He moved to the mainland soon after the outbreak of the war – being encouraged to make…

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THE Leighton Buzzard Railway has carried off Britain’s top heritage sector award after opening its new £386,000 station at Page’s Park. The Heritage Railway Association confirmed at its board meeting on December 10 that the 2016 Peter Manisty Award for excellence would go to the 2ft gauge Bedfordshire line. This award is named in memory…

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By Geoff Courtney THE quiet Bedfordshire village of Stevington is to get its own station… nearly 150 years after being ignored during the Victorian railway boom. The settlement of some 700 souls was located literally within sight and sound of the railway that linked the county town with Northampton, but the line’s nearest station was…

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By Roger Melton SUNDERLAND City Council is offering three Pullman coaches for sale along with a BR Mk.1 TSO. The coaches formed part of the Pullman Lodge Hotel at Seaburn and the site has recently been acquired by the local authority. The three Pullmans – Rosalind and Padua with six-wheel bogies and Sapphire with four-wheel…

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By Geoff Courtney Nostalgia takes many forms, and at its core are many subjects. It may be memories of family or friends, perhaps a long-remembered incident, a former family home, or a beloved pet. It is about recalling what once was, but may never be again. For many railway enthusiasts, at its heart is the…

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By Hugh Dougherty STRATHCLYDE Partnership for Transport has turned out Glasgow Subway car No. 101 in a mock, historic livery as original car No. 55, complete with simulated trellis gates on the doors, to mark 120 years of the 4ft gauge system. The specially-liveried car joined in the celebrations on December 14, the exact 120th…

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