RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
The return of the railway between Duffield and Wirksworth is facing a
crisis due to changes to the railway inspection process that come into
effect in September. If they cannot get the line to a state where it can
be inspected before this change, the new rules will mean it could take at
least another year and consume many thousands of pounds for them to follow
the new regime. They have launched the "One-last-push" campaign to secure
the funding needed - please help by spreading the word about the campaign
and, even better, contributing to the fund to finish the job.
http://www.one-last-push.org/
facebook:
http://tinyurl.com/32ehlgr
============
I mentioned the guided walks through Chesil Tunnel, Winchester, last week,
and having gone on the Saturday afternoon walk myself, I can thoroughly
recommend them. Remaining dates are 6th July (evening), 27th July
(evening), 28th August (morning and afternoon). Tickets can be purchased
on the day from the Tourist Information Centre, but best to phone first,
as last Saturday's walks were both sold out (capacity is 25 people per
walk) - 4.50 adult, 1 child. Details:
http://tinyurl.com/2vaa2yw
Ron Strutt did the morning walk, and followed up in the afternoon with a
walk to Shawford Viaduct/Junction and back up to Winnall. His photographs
are here:
http://ronstruttsrailwaypics.fotopic.net/c1827279.html
As part of Winchester Bike Week, there is a Bygone Railways cycle ride
organised by the CTC on Saturday 26th June. It starts at 2.00pm and lasts
for 2 hours, taking in all the places visited on the walking tour, with
the addition of Hockley Viaduct. The distance is 12 to 15 miles with an
optional stop for tea. Booking is essential on 01962 864479 or email to
winchester@southhampshirectc.org.uk
http://southhampshirectc.org.uk
============
A useful Web guide to the panoply of Rail Rover tickets:
http://www.railrover.org
A photograph of Hawker Siddeley "Kestrel" in Russia in 1985. Rumours
abound that more of this locomotive might have survived than was
originally thought, but you'll need to brush up your Russian to glean
much from this site:
http://www.parovoz.com/newgallery/pg_view.php?ID=235774
Yeovil 150 - a celebration arranged to mark 150 years of the LSWR opening
Yeovil Junction station to connecting Yeovil to London & Exeter will be
held on 17th/18th July:
http://www.yeovilrailwaycentre.org.uk
Quality archive photographs from Southern-Images:
http://www.southern-images.co.uk
A webpage about Whatstandwell station (Midland Railway) by Glynn Waite:
http://www.crichparish.co.uk/webpages/whatstandwellstationhistory.html
Recent explorations of Well Heads and Queensbury (not Clayton as stated)
tunnels:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50847
Exploration of the Hull & Barnsley at Drewton, and news of a possible new
use for the line (but please look at the date this was posted!):
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50939
http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/news/rebirth.html
Some pages about the railway in and around Ross-on-Wye start here:
http://www.ross-on-wye.com/index.php?page=ross_530The_Railway&pg=3
Tim Fenton's transport and travel pictures from the UK and Europe:
http://tim-fenton.fotopic.net/c1856487.html
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
The GCRS wall calendar for 2011 (and the one for 2010) is available to
download:
http://www.gcrsociety.co.uk/Forward.html
More on the subject of the longest station platform in the UK...
Raildate for 28th May mentioned that the combined length of Gloucester's
platforms 1 and 2 is 494m compared to the 467m of Cambridge's platforms 1
and 4 combined, as reported in Raildate of 26th February. The longest
single platform was given as Darlington platform 4 at 458m, but Richard
Maund points out that the Eurotunnel Shuttle platforms at Cheriton eclipse
all of these as they approach 800m. Although used by "passengers", they
are not normally used by "pedestrians", of course!
============
Stations for sale...
Cowbit station, three miles south of Spalding on the former GN & GE joint
line to March, and now a four bedroomed home, is on the market for
155,000. It is said to be in need of refurbishment but my latest info
shows that the property includes platforms, signal box complete with frame
and goods shed plus two signal posts. (via Ralph Rawlinson)
http://tinyurl.com/36lvshq
Mindrum station, Northumberland:
http://tinyurl.com/2u849rk (via Richard Buckby)
North Cave station at Brough in the East Riding of Yorkshire:
http://tinyurl.com/37e8udp
============
The Yosemite Gateway Railway Museum is being formed at Merced, California
to celebrate the rail history of Merced County, and particularly the
Yosemite Valley Railroad.
http://www.yosemitegatewayrailwaymuseum.org/
============
Exciting news from Olivia Trains of Sheffield, who have approached Heljan
to produce an "00" gauge model of the Blue Pullman. Reported as being
produced initially as two power cars, with trailer cars being produced
later, the plan is cover both Midland and Western sets in all liveries.
They are also commissioning Heljan to produce models of Woodhead class 76
(EM1) and class 77 (EM2) locomotives.
http://www.oliviastrains.com
============
Videos...
Gloucester Warwickshire Railway GWR175 Event, 2nd June:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=xPzkC--B4dE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxu0w3uT-Mo
Stanway Viaduct:
http://steamtube.ning.com/video/over-the-viaduct
http://steamtube.ning.com/video/3717-city-of-truro-stanway?xg_source=activity
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Exeter West signalbox filmed at work at Crewe Heritage Centre on Saturday
5th June 2010 during a testing session of a new computer simulator (in
four parts):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQGY-thyjaI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIsWqOvSWk4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-FjwhGymLU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n32SXdj8GK4
8F 2-8-0 8624 has recently arrived on the Churnet Valley Railway from
Peak Rail (via the East Lancashire Railway). It is seen here running
round at Leekbrook on Saturday 5th June:
http://vimeo.com/12390201
We've had the upside-down model railway before, but it's definitely worth
repeating:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7694255.stm
(Spotter: Ralph Rawlinson)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
From the Archive
The last day of 3rd Class on BR 4 June 1956:
http://tinyurl.com/34mczja
Ipswich-Felixstowe
The Port of Felixstowe has obtained permission to double four miles of the
single line 13-mile-long Felixstowe Dock branch. The section in question
is between Levington and Trinley, but they are obviously a long way from
starting the work as a request has been made for a 5-year date extension
to 2018!
Serbia
A Russian loan is expected to be used for two major reconstructions ? the
railway from Valjevo to Loznica in the west of the country, and the
Belgrade railway hub.
http://tinyurl.com/39d5j8b
Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya
Representatives of railway companies from these five Maghreb countries met
to discuss high-speed train projects, recommending the creation of an
institution tasked with exchanging information and sharing expertise. It
was confirmed that the extension projects linking the Libyan city of
Tobruk to the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott are still among the Maghreb
unification projects and the Tunisian share of the high-speed line will
cover 780km with costs estimated at 8bn dinars.
http://www.tunisiaonlinenews.com/?p=40080
Angola
The Moamede Railways (CFM) covering the provinces of Namibe, Huila,
Kuando Kubango and Cunene will gain new trains and first, second and third
class coaches this year. They will initially operate from Lubango,
southern Huila province, as part of Angolan Government?s railways
rehabilitation and modernisation programme.
http://tinyurl.com/39vp6ug
Turkey-Iran-Pakistan
The cargo rail system between Turkey, Iran and Pakistan will begin regular
operations on 1st August 2010 when Turkey launches the first freight train
between Istanbul and Islamabad.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=129220§ionid=351020102
India
The possibility of running fast services on Central Railway's Harbour line
is to be examined. Under MUTP-II, six tracking of the Central Railways
corridor between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus up to Kurla and Thane up to
Diva is due to be completed by 2015. Under the second phase,the sixth
track of the Mumbai Central-Borivli corridor of the Western Railways will
also be laid. This would mean that the total length of suburban rail will
go up by 88km from the existing 790km. 96 new nine-coach rakes will also
be added to the fleet and it is intended to make all the CR, WR trains 12
coaches long.
http://tinyurl.com/27g39e5
The proposed world class station planned for Bhubaneswarthe, state capital
of Orissa, is in a limbo, thanks to the seemingly unending row over the
selection of a site. With China Railways, consultants for the project,
bent on upgrading the existing station and not prepared to consider the
alternative site at Barang on the outskirts of the city, the mega-project
has been pushed into a blind alley.
http://tinyurl.com/34oxp66
The increasing frequency of attacks by some rogue bulls in Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh, has forced the temple town's railway authorities to remove them
from the station premises. These bulls have made the platform their abode
but, with the help of the local municipal workers, will now be removed and
rehabilitated in neighbouring forests.
http://tinyurl.com/26adz9a
China
China currently has the most high-speed lines in the world with trains
travelling at speeds of up to 500kph, over more than 6,500km of track. By
2012 it will take between one to eight hours to reach most major cities in
China from Beijing.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/travel/2010-06/04/c_13333096.htm
Tawain
After being out of service for nearly 12 years, the Sanyi and Taian
Township section of the Old Mountain Railway between Sanyi in Miaoli
County to Houli in Taichung County, was due to reopen on 5th June 2010.
http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1277197&lang=eng_news
Vitenam
Vietnam and Japan have agreed to make a detailed survey to find out
whether the Hanoi-Noi Bai railway can be upgraded into an express rail,
using Japan's HS technology.
http://tinyurl.com/32b3zr4
South Korea
A landmark in the history of the Korean railways was the launch of the
KTX trains in 2004, modelled after the French TGV. Running at 300km/h,
the KTX-II will begin services in 2010 on the KTX Honam high-speed railway
between Seoul and Mokpo in South Jeolla Province. Since 1899, Korea's
trains have become faster but the railway infrastructure has remained
largely unchanged despite some additional lines. The total length of
railways is 3,383km, only slightly longer than that during the 1910-1945
Japanese colonial rule.
Mongolia
Two railways will cross north China's East Ujimqin Plain in Inner Mongolia
to break a bottleneck on trade across the China-Mongolia border in the
next two years. The lines totalling more than 1,300km will start from
Fuxin, of Liaoning Province, and Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, and end at
Zhuengadabuqi an inland port for China-Mongolia trade. A 700km line from
Linhe in western Inner Mongolia, to Ceke, on the Sino-Mongolian border,
opened at the end of 2009, and another line connecting western Inner
Mongolia's Jinquan to Ganqimaodu with a length of 135 km, is also included
in the 2010 plan.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=502915
============
IN THE NEWS
Oban line derailment:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/10251545.stm
Video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/10253725.stm
Video:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/10256892.stm
http://tinyurl.com/2vhq4xk
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/10258291.stm
Peter Tatlow reminds me that there was a time when this line had a
succession of double-sided semaphore signals held off by a network of
wires, which if hit by a boulder, set the signals to danger.
Cornwall trains suspended in freight derailment:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/10271965.stm
Toxic trains at Marylebone...?
http://tinyurl.com/2e997uh
Exploring England's England: 175 Years of Steam Rail in Britain:
http://tinyurl.com/2dfdqq5
New use for Millers Dale station:
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/news/news-display-page.htm?id=21991
Contractor appointed for upgrade of Victoria underground station:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10279962.stm
Crane boost for train track plan in North Wales:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west_wales/10258886.stm
Fatality in Belfast:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10269921.stm
6024 on display at Taunton:
http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#n1255
Leekbrook-Cauldon work begins:
http://tinyurl.com/393anos
Swanage Railway 44871 departure to Bury:
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news658.htm
Overhauled Llangollen steam loco back on track:
http://tinyurl.com/2wzl2ru
New South African high speed train:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/10259619.stm
Gosport to Fareham railway bus link appeal dismissed:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/10286668.stm
Edinburgh Tram update:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_east_and_fife/10259275.stm
Cardownie in pledge to poll-axe Edinburgh trams:
http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Cardownie-in-pledge-to-poll.6346921.jp
Crich tram celebrates World Cup:
http://crichtramwayvillagenews.blogspot.com/2010/06/world-cup-tram.html
Guide dog puppy trainers free travel:
http://tinyurl.com/3ad2rev
New terminal at Bournemouth Airport:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/10273799.stm
Council rips of canal society:
http://waterwaywatch.org/2010/06/07/local-council-rips-off-canal-society/
Delay to Swansea-Ilfracombe ferry service:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west_wales/10276165.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Andy Sollis
TV and RADIO
12/06/10 Five 1100-1200
"Britain's Greatest Machines" Chris Barrie 6/8
13/06/10 BBC2 1915-2005
"Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections" 6/6
14/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Buxton-London - 1
14/06/10 Five 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" Building excavators
15/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Buxton-London - 2
15/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Buxton-London - 3
16/06/10 BBC Radio 4 2130-2200
"In Living Memory: Oil in Dorset"
16/06/10 BBC2 1900-1930
"The Beauty of Maps" Maps of London
17/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Buxton-London - 4
17/06/10 Five 2000-2100
"Britain's Greatest Machines" Chris Barrie 7/8
18/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Buxton-London - 5
18/06/10 BBC2 1900-1930
"The Beauty of Maps" Dutch cartography
EVENTS
For up-to-date information on many of the tours mentioned in Raildate (and
others) often with timings, see the Steam Tours pages at:
http://www.uksteam.info/index.shtml and also
http://railwayherald.co.uk/railtours/
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge. No responsibility is
taken for inaccuracies or changes.
12/06/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
12/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Rover Retro Weekend
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
12/06/10- South West Model Railway Show
13/06/10 Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset
1000-1700 both days
http://www.fleetairarm.com/en-GB/event/2.aspx
12/06/10- Swindon & Cricklade Railway: GWR 175 Steam Gala (1)
13/06/10
http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org
12/06/10- North Norfolk Railway: Ivor the Engine Weekend
13/06/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
12/06/10- demu Showcase 2010
13/06/10 Bretby Conference Centre, nr Burton-upon-Trent, DE15 0YZ
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
http://www.demu.org.uk
12/06/10- Churnet Valley Railway: Victorian Weekend
13/06/10
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
12/06/10- Bakewell Model Railway Show
13/06/10 Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell, Derbyshire
1000-1700 both days
http://www.wingfieldrailway group.co.uk
12/06/10- Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway: The Seaguill Has Landed
13/06/10
http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk
12/06/10- West Somerset Railway: Mixed Traffic Weekend
14/06/10 GWR 175 "Diesels in the West"
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
13/06/10 Minstead Model Railway Exhibition
Minstead Village Hall, Minstead, Lyndhurst, SO43 7FX
1000-1600
Adult: 3, Seniors & Children: 2, Family 8
Free Car Parking
Light Refreshments available - bar open 1200-1500
Supporting Diabetic for Solent & the British Heart Foundation
HPMRS member Derek Gillkerson will be attending with "New"
Stanton Lees in its newly-extended format
13/06/10 Chatsworth Bus Gathering
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
17/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Victorian Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
19/06/10 Solent Railwayana Auctions
Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham, Hants, PO17 5AL
http://www.solentrailwayana.com
19/06/10 100 Years of Flying in South Hampshire
Lecture: Amelia Earhart in Southampton June 1928
Lecture Theatre, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LP
(Use Art Gallery/Library entrance by fountain)
Starts: 1100
http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
19/06/10 100 Years of Flying in South Hampshire
Lecture: Women in Aviation
Lecture Theatre, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LP
(Use Art Gallery/Library entrance by fountain)
Starts: 1400
http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
19/06/10- Swindon & Cricklade Railway: GWR 175 Steam Gala (2)
20/06/10
http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org
19/06/10- Bodmin & Wenford Railway: Heritage Transport Festival
20/06/10
http://www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
19/06/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Teddy Bears Days
20/06/10
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
20/06/10 Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum: Emergency Vehicles
Father's Day Special & Tool Shed Sale Day
Emergency vehicles past & present, Hampshire Narrow Gauge
Railway, miniature railway, steam engine trailer rides,
blacksmith?s forge
Coal Park Lane, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW
http://www.bursledonbrickworks.co.uk/
20/06/10 Mid-Hants Railway: Father's Day
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
20/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Father's Day
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
24/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Victorian Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
24/06/10 Winchester Bike Week: Bygone Railways Cycle Ride
Starts at 1400, and lasts for 2 hours
12 to 15 miles with an optional stop for tea.
Booking essential on 01962 864479 or
winchester@southhampshirectc.org.uk
http://southhampshirectc.org.uk
26/06/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
26/06/10- Didcot Railway Centre: Enhanced Steamdays
27/06/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
26/06/10- Kent & East Sussex Railway: Diesel Gala & Bus Rally (27th)
27/06/10
http://www.kesr.org.uk
26/06/10- Crich Tramway Village: 1950s Weekend
27/06/10
http://www.tramway.co.uk/
26/06/10- Llangollen Railway: Heritage Railcar Gala
27/06/10
http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
Previous issues of Raildate are at:
http://www.raildate.net
This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in
previous editions of Raildate.
(C) Howard Sprenger and Hursley Park Model Railway Society 2010.
The external edition of Raildate may be freely distributed without
permission as long as no changes whatsoever are made to the original
document distributed by the Editor. You can subscribe to the external
edition here:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/RAILDATE/