RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
BOOK NEWS
Northumberland & Durham Railway Pictorial, 1948-1967
by Brian J. Dickson
This pictorial review shows the changing railway scene in the adjoining
counties of Northumberland and Durham from Nationalisation until the end
of main-line steam in 1967. It contains well-captioned photographs of
British Railways, National Coal Board and other private railways, laid out
in date order to show the progression from almost exclusive steam working
to total diesel working during this brief period of only 19 years.
Traffic was generated by the major industries of the region ? steel, coal
and shipbuilding. In addition, there were rural branch lines serving farms
and communities in an era when mass car ownership, although on the way,
was still a thing of the future. Both types of traffic, freight and
passenger, found their way to the major routes connecting the towns and
cities of the two counties with the East Coast Main Line to Edinburgh,
Leeds and London.
There are three parts to the book. The three years from Nationalisation
up to December 1950 take the story to the eve of the introduction of BR
Standard locomotives. This is followed by the period before the
introduction of DMUs and main-line diesel locomotives around December
1956. Finally, ending in September 1967, we witness the decline and
total phasing-out of steam traction in the area.
Softback: 96 pages with over 180 photographs
273 x 215mm
978-1-905505-20-3
14.95 (post-free, UK)
http://kestrelrailwaybooks.co.uk
NETWATCH
============
An interesting blog about the Lincoln & District Model Engineering Society
forwarded by Ron Ransom:
http://ldmesunofficially.blogspot.com/
Nigel Bird is offering all new books post-free (UK) until 2nd July for
orders from his website:
http://www.nigelbirdbooks.co.uk
Recent pictures of the Swindon & Cricklade Railway by Dave Bowles:
http://www.steamrailwayprints.co.uk/gallery_300392.html
Photography by Rick Eborall:
http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/
Kew Bridge Steam Museum:
http://www.kbsm.org
Hayling Seaside Railway:
http://www.haylingseasiderailway.com
Exploration of Devonport Park and Ford tunnels, Plymouth:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=29014
A page about the railway at Amesbury, Wiltshire:
http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/railway.html
The Larkhill Military Light Railway:
http://www.wellho.net/share/ratfyn.html
By rail to Stonehenge:
http://www.savestonehenge.org.uk/byrail.html
Restoration of SECR Birdcage brake number 3363:
http://extension3363.fotopic.net/
The Railway Children at Waterloo International:
http://www.railwaychildrenwaterloo.com/home/
Railway in Hungary run by children:
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/831570-railway-in-hungary-run-by-children
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
============
Live map of trains in the UK - pick a station of your choice as your hub:
http://traintimes.org.uk/map/
Live Underground map:
http://traintimes.org.uk:81/map/tube/
Worldwide shipping movements can be viewed on:
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/
Movements in the Solent area are here:
http://www.ais-live.co.uk/aismap/AIS%20Maps/solent.html
Aircraft movements:
http://www.heathrow-london.co.uk/airport/live-air-traffic-radar
http://www.flightradar24.com/
============
Videos...
A couple of videos from the early days of Class 40 preservation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEKeSmDorDo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L5k3jHVKQw
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
A large selection of railway videos from around the world, including some archive
American gems amongst the modern stuff (with the odd BTF title sneaked in too!):
http://www.youtube.com/user/PoathJunction
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
1960s British film - probably not BTF... but what...?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LnDhMy-axw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JxYXfF03YU
(and many others)
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Famous train revived? (Listen carefully!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kymqE3altu4
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
London Underground
Victoria underground station is to be completely rebuilt. Work will start
in 2011 on a new entrance and North Ticket Hall and continue with
enlarging the Victoria line ticket hall plus new lifts and escalators.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2359.aspx
The revised closure programme for the Northern Line upgrade will see the
High Barnet branch north of East Finchley (with replacement buses) and
Camden-Kennington via Bank both closed from 21.30 Monday-Thursday from 5th
July 2010.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx
GNR Luton-Dunstable
BAM Nuttall, the preferred contractor, has begun tracklifting as the first
step towards building the guided busway now costed at 89m.
Eurostar
SNCF and London & Continental Railways Ltd have been cleared to jointly
own Eurostar, subject to facilitating access to new train companies
accessing the route.
Switzerland
Bombadier has won a $1.6bn contract to supply 59 double-deck trains for
SBB intercity travel. Delivery will begin in 2012 with the first trains
in operation from December 2013.
http://tinyurl.com/32quaol
Libya
On 11th June 2010, Russian Railways opened a rail welding plant in the
village of Ras Lanuf part of the plan to help Libya create its own modern
rail network. The new plant is part of a contract for the construction of
a 342-mile line between the towns of Sirte and Benghazi. Initially trains
will travel at 100mph but after electrification it will increase to
155mph. Around 1000 artificial structures are to be built, 30 rail and 23
road flyovers, and six major stations along with 24 minor stations.
http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/06/16/9923842.html
Russia
Hysterical translations on the menu of the Russian Railways dining car.
http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/Menus+lost+translation/3161958/story.html
Kazakhstan
Alstom, Transmashholding and Kazakh Railways (KTZ) have signed an
agreement for the creation of a joint venture company to produce electric
locomotives in Kazakhstan.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/06/ktz-20100620.htmlIran-Uzbekistan
Iran says that if Uzbekistan continues to retain Uzbek wagons, Teheran
will block the transit of Uzbek goods through Iran.
http://enews.ferghana.ru/news.php?id=1746&mode=snews
India
National Geographic video The Great Indian Railways Part 1 of 5 (excessive
steam and the overdubbing can be irritating):
http://tinyurl.com/36slh9w
Uganda
The Government intends to build a standard gauge railway to connect
Kampala and its border at Malaba where it joins the Kenya Railways. This
follows an announcement made by its railway partner Kenya last year for a
'high speed standard gauge railway' to be built between Mombasa and Malaba
border with Uganda.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201006151027.html
Mongolia
At a recent meeting between the Mongolian Ambassador and president of the
Russian Railways, (holder of half the shares of Ulaanbaatar Railway) the
need to extend the UB network and modernise its operations was agreed.
http://www.business-mongolia.com/?p=6118
============
Hotel on wheels:
http://patrickoneill204.fotopic.net/p65441259.html
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
============
IN THE NEWS
NetworkRail bonuses criticised:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10403255.stm
Newport station roof:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/10346749.stm
Level crossing misuse at Llanelli:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west_wales/10366871.stm
Spy-in-van camera to target rail crossings:
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1793226?UserKey=
Cable theft at West Drayton:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10398387.stm
RAIB report on collision at Exeter St David's in January:
http://tinyurl.com/3aa5mmc
Translink Fare increase
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8754856.stm
West Highland Tourist rail route hits the buffers
http://tinyurl.com/392dhma
Cash boost for Vale of Rheidol Railway:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid_wales/10396002.stm
Record-breaking steam locomotive visits County Durham:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/10387107.stm
Volunteers in Manchester restoring locomotive:
http://tinyurl.com/2fz8okt
Spanish train kills 12 on track:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10399126.stm
Derailment in Austria:
http://www.redrockrail.com/Braz/EntgleisungE.html
Sleeper thieves de-rail South African train:
http://tinyurl.com/2cbmuof
http://tinyurl.com/2a25xna
Heat might have caused Knoxville derailment:
http://tinyurl.com/2vvrafw
Singapore to cane Swiss man for graffiti terrorism
http://tinyurl.com/29ogcdx
Edinburgh Tram funding:
http://tinyurl.com/2d43t8p
Light aircraft crash at Staverton:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/10382234.stm
Teignmouth-Shaldon ferry sold:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/10389030.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Mike Price
TV and RADIO
27/06/10 BBC2 2100-2200
"How to Build... a Nuclear Submarine" 1/3
29/06/10 C4 2100-2200
"The Untold Battle of Britain" Polish fighter pilots
29/06/10 BBC2 2320-0020
"How to Build... a Nuclear Submarine" 1/3
30/06/10 Five 2000-2100
"The Titanic Conspiracy: the True Story" (Allegedly)
30/06/10 BBC4 2000-2100
"The Golden Age of Liners" 1/3
30/06/10 BBC4 2330-0030
"African Railway" The Tazara railroad, East Africa
01/07/10 BBC4 2000-2100
"Glamour's Golden Age" Between the Wars 1/3
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.
26/06/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
26/06/10 New Forest Book Fair
The Community Centre, High Street, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
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/
01/07/10 Talyllyn Railway: Victorian Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
03/07/10 Bodmin & Wenford Railway: Cornish Branch Line Day
http://www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
03/07/10 Train Collectors Society: Sandy Exhibition
Sandy Upper School, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1BL
http://www.traincollectors.co.uk
03/07/10- West Somerset Railway: Days Out with Thomas
04/07/10
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
03/07/10- Leawood Pump Steaming Weekend, Cromford Canal
04/07/10
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
03/07/10- Talyllyn Railway: Have-a-Go Gala & Wharf Garden Railway
04/07/10
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
04/07/10 Romsey Signal Box Open Day
Admission free (donations welcome!)
1000-1600
ex-Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey
Car park in old school grounds
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
04/07/10 Twyford Waterworks Models and Miniatures Open Day
1100-1600
http://www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk/
04/07/10 North Norfolk Railway: Vintage Transport Festival
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
04/07/10- North Norfolk Railway: Quad-Arts Week
11/07/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
06/07/10 Guided walks through Chesil Tunnel, Winchester
1830-2000
Purchase tickets on the day from the Tourist Information Centre
4.50 adult, 1 child
http://tinyurl.com/2vaa2yw
07/07/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Summer Evening Scenic Pass Service
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
08/07/10 Talyllyn Railway: Victorian Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
10/07/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
10/07/10 Shaftsbury Book Fair
United Church Hall, Bell Street, SP7 8AR
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
10/07/10 Bodmin & Wenford Railway: Cornish Branch Line Day
http://www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
10/07/10 DRS Crewe Gresty Bridge Open Day
http://www.directrailservices.com/OpenDay/Default.aspx
10/07/10- Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre: Railway Gala Weekend
11/07/10
http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
10/07/10- Peak Rail: Anything Goes Weekend
11/07/10
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
10/07/10- Crich Tramway Village: Edwardian Weekend
11/07/10
http://www.tramway.co.uk/
10/07/10- Golden Valley Light Railway: Narrow Gauge Gala
11/07/10
http://www.gvlr.org.uk/
11/07/10 Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Summer Steam Gala
http://www.steamtrain.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/