RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
Next week's edition of Raildate (13th August) will be the last until after
the Editor's Summer holiday. Raildate will resume on 10th September.
NETWATCH
============
No sooner had last week's Raildate been published than more news about the
various Blue Pullman models emerged. Given Bachmann's announcement that
they are to produce a model, Olivia's Trains of Sheffield have decided to
abandon their proposed Heljan model. However, it seems that Hornby are
still seriously considering their own version, but word is that their's
will be aimed more at the junior market. Interesting times...!
Isle of Wight Railway Restoration is through to the finals of the National
Lottery Good Causes Awards, having been in the top 3 in the semi-finals.
If they win, they will use the prize to complete the restoration of 107-
year-old former LBSCR carriage 2403, which is being adapted for passengers
in wheelchairs. The winner will be announced on a special BBC1 TV
programme on 4th September. You can now vote for them to win (by noon on
13th August) at:
http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/shortlist.cfm?id_category=5
http://tinyurl.com/35x2ozm
An interesting selection of signal box diagrams:
http://www.lymmobservatory.net/railways/sbdiagrams/sbdiagrams.htm
A rather rambling website full of, well, stuff! Largely based around
the Plymouth area, it has tons of historical information and photos,
including railways!
http://www.cyber-heritage.co.uk/
Photographs of steam locomotives past and present:
http://www.steamlocomotives.photos.gb.net/
Headhunters Barber Shop & Railway Museum (no, really...)
http://www.headhuntersmuseum.com/
Railway poster slide show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10790303
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Pertinent words from "The Fact Compiler" regarding the statue of Terence
Cuneo st Waterloo:
http://railwayeye.blogspot.com/2010/08/cuneo-and-mouse-that-roared.html
============
Videos...
The view from the front of an engine travelling to Ilfracombe in 1898
(the line opened in 1874):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyZZiwYTE10
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Turkish 8F and others locos on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-2M6kljl-Y
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Barry Knapper's video of Bellerophon at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway
on 1st August:
http://vimeo.com/13819644
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
London Underground
1973 stock will have to soldier on in service on the Piccadilly Line for
at least another eight years following cancellation of new stock for the
route.
Gatwick
The upgrade project for the inter-terminal transit system (usually
referred to as a rubber-tyred people mover) at Gatwick Airport was
completed on 30th June 2010. Bombardier's USA plant supplied six new
Innova 100 automated vehicles for the upgrade.
Watford-St Albans
The conversion of the six-mile Watford-St Albans branch into a tram line
came a step closer in July with Herts CC calling on contractors to
register an interest in designing, delivering and operating the line.
WCML
First TransPennine Express has reintroduced direct trains between Glasgow
and Blackpool 18 years after they last ran. The new service started on
2nd July, outwards from Glasgow at 12.54 on Fridays or 10.10 Saturdays.
From Blackpool it returns at 13.15 Saturdays and 17.30 Sundays until 5th
September.
Wakefield
The former GN/L&Y Wakefield Kirkgate station, one of the most criticised
on the network, now has better facilities. These include improvements to
the subway and CCTV as well as a refurbished entrance lobby. A resurfaced
car park now allows a local free bus to call at the station.
York
The National Railway Museum tells the rail story of the Great British
Holiday.
http://tinyurl.com/35gyua9
Republic of Ireland
The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) underground project consists of a
7.6km tunnel linking the existing northern DART line at Clontarf Road to
Heuston main line station. It will have five underground stations in the
city centre plus a new surface station at Inchicore west of Heuston.
Iarnrd ireann has prepared a Railway Order to gain planning permission
and it is hoped that work can start in 2012/13 with services running by
2018.
France-Switzerland
The reconstructed Haut-Bugey line from Bourg en Bress to Bellegarde
reopens in December 2010. It will be used by Paris-Geneva TGVs diverted
away from the longer southern route via Culoz (between Bellegarde and
Bourg).
France/Spain/Portugal
The French, Spanish and Portuguese governments have agreed to coordinate
the planning and development of high speed lines planned or under
construction that will eventually connect the three countries. The
creation of a multi-national operating company (involving the state
railway companies SNCF, RENFE and CP) based on the Thalys model was also
agreed as the preferred way of operating future international services.
Portugal-Spain
The Portuguese section of the Lisbon-Madrid route will go from the suburbs
of Lisbon, via a new bridge over the Tajo Estuary, to the Spanish border
near Badajoz (including a station to serve Evora). Assuming agreement is
reached on funding for the Spanish section the intention is to complete
the new line in both countries by 2013. Through services will make the
Lisbon-Madrid journey in 2h 45m; currently the only direct rail connection
is an overnight hotel train that takes over 9 hrs!
Czech Republic
Work on a 6km extension of Prague Metro Line A to the residential suburb
of Motol started in April. It will have three intermediate stations and
is due to open in 2014. A further 6.9km extension to the international
airport is planned by 2021.
Norway
The first phase of the 9.8km Bybanen light rail project between Bergen
town centre and Nesttun was opened on 22nd June 2010. A 2.5km extension
to Radal has been agreed and future extensions to the network are planned.
Israel
A Russian Consortium wins the tender to build a 7km tunnel and other work
on section B of the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem high-speed line.
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000578356&fid=1725
India
Completion of of the 2km long rail bridge carrying the East Central
Railway over the Kosi at Nirmali in North Bihar (close to the border with
Nepal) is 2-3 years behind schedule.
http://tinyurl.com/34o45u4
Sri Lanka
The Government has accelerated the construction on the first phase of the
proposed Matara-Kataragama line from Matara to Beliatta.
http://www.slrfc.org/
However, local signal engineers snubbed in deal with Chinese.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/08/01/locals-snubbed-in-railway-deal/
China
Whopping cost of China's high-speed railway system.
http://china.globaltimes.cn/society/2010-07/557577.html
Japan
A visit to the Railway Museum in Saitama city:
http://lipikazuo.blogspot.com/2010/07/railway-museum.html
============
IN THE NEWS
Teenager injured in fall at Swaythling:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-10866964
Historic Furness Railway buildings to make way for marina:
http://tinyurl.com/39nrdo7
Rail staff 'banned from London Olympics volunteering':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10837058
Robert the Engine gets makeover for London 2012 transport investment:
http://tinyurl.com/33u6sw4
Funding crisis delays decision on Swindon-Kemble line:
http://tinyurl.com/28c2pz7
Traffic increase on West Country branch lines:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10876860
Arriva Trains Wales stock refurbishment:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-10846495
Concerns over north Scotland to London rail links:
http://tinyurl.com/3alfm5u
RAIB report - derailment at Windsor and Eton Riverside station:
http://tinyurl.com/2arlr3g
RAIB report - Overhead line failure at St Pancras International:
http://tinyurl.com/38c7nlw
RAIB report - Meridian unit broken axle Market Harborough Feb 2010:
http://tinyurl.com/yarygh5
Isle of Wight locomotive No 24 "Calbourne" back in service:
http://tinyurl.com/25ymtlq
Lyd has moved under its own steam
http://tinyurl.com/26snado
Enthusiast buys 9F steam locomotive:
http://tinyurl.com/2fqeedm
Forgotten Eurotunnel passengers taken back to England:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-10863075
World's oldest steam locomotive to chug again:
http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article544272.ece
Fast rail link risks derailing Franco-German relations:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cb3d9b84-9b32-11df-baaf-00144feab49a.html
High Speed Rail development in China:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10792465
Ultra Light Rail for Bristol...?
http://tinyurl.com/2awxaso
Bus service increases for Notts/Derby:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-10830931
On board announcements planned for Nottingham City Transport buses:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10590674
China's "Straddling bus" idea:
http://tinyurl.com/2efyqd3
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/04082010/36/incredible-bus-tunnel-0.html
Part of Leeds-Liverpool Canal closes to save water:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10835222
Southampton's Titanic museum plan gets green light
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-10845936
RAF Hawk training aircraft grounded:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-10846925
And then, flying ban lifted:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-10871330
Engine fire on Birmingham-Tenerife flight:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-10860160
WW2 flypast planned near Winchester on 20th August:
http://tinyurl.com/2vey74f
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Lawrence Hanney, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Ralph
Rawlinson
TV and RADIO
07/08/10 Five 1130-1230
"The Man Who Moves Buildings" An 1854-built church is moved
07/08/10 BBC2 1700-1800
"The Great British Home Movie Roadshow" 1/5
07/08/10 BBC2 1800-1900
"Coast" 2/8 Britain's south-west coast
08/08/10 BBC1 1800-1830
"Great British Railway Journeys" Portillo in the Borders
08/08/10 BBC1 1830-1930
"Antiques Roadshow" At Brooklands Motor & Aviation Museum
08/08/10 BBC2 2100-2200
"Coast" 4/8 Gower to Anglesey
10/08/10 BBC2 1900-2000
"Coast" 3/8 Brittany
10/08/10 Five 2000-2100
"Great Railway Adventures" With Dan Cruickshank
10/08/10 BBC Radio 4 2330-0000
"Tickets Please" Comedy set on a London-Exeter train 1/4
11/08/10 BBC2 2000-2100
"Coast" 5/8 Galway to Arranmore Island
11/08/10 BBC Radio 4 2100-2130
"Frontiers: Hydrogen for Transport"
12/08/10 Five 2000-2100
"Megastructures" The C-5 Galaxy
13/08/10 BBC2 2100-2200
"The Great British Home Movie Roadshow" 2/5
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.
06/08/10- Bluebell Railway: 50th Anniversary
08/08/10
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
07/08/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers on the Toyland Express
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
07/08/10- West Somerset Railway: Steam Fair & Vintage Vehicle Rally
08/08/10 Norton Fitzwarren station
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
07/08/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Steam Gala Part 2
08/08/10 Guest appearance by Haydock Foundry 0-6-0WT "Bellerophon"
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
07/08/10- Leawood Pump Steaming Weekend, Cromford Canal
08/08/10
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
07/08/10- Peak Rail: 1940s Weekend
08/08/10
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
07/08/10- Cleveland Model Railway Club 2010 Exhibition
08/08/10 Redcar & Cleveland College, Corporation Road, Redcar
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
http://www.clevelandmrc.co.uk/
07/08/10- Mid-Hants Railway: Day Out with Thomas
15/08/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
08/08/10 Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway: Annual Gala Day
http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
08/08/10 Bude Heritage Day, Bude Castle
Celebrating both the Bude Canal and the achievements of Sir
Goldsworthy Gurney
08/08/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers Teddy Bears Picnic
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
10/08/10 Talyllyn Railway: Floral Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
11/08/10 Didcot Railway Centre: Enhanced Steamdays
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
11/08/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers Mad Hatter's Tea Party
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
11/08/10 Historic Railway Walks of Rowsley
Start from Rowsley Old Station at 10.30am
Approximately 3 hours covering a distance of 2 miles
Advance booking required
http://www.rowsleyassociation.org.uk/
14/08/10 Shaftsbury Book Fair
United Church Hall, Bell Street, SP7 8AR
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
14/08/10 Wittering & District Railway Circle Model Railway Exhibition
West Wittering Memorial Hall, Elms Lane, W Wittering, PO20 8LW
1000-1630
14/08/10 Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway: Chinnor Wine & Dine
http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
14/08/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers on the Toyland Express
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
14/08/10- Crich Tramway Village: 1940s Weekend
15/08/10
http://www.tramway.co.uk/
14/08/10- Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Jack the Station Cat
15/08/10
http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/
15/08/10 Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Diesel Day
http://www.steamtrain.co.uk
15/08/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers Drum/Percussion Fun Day
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
18/08/10 Didcot Railway Centre: Enhanced Steamdays
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
20/08/10 WW2 flypast near Winchester
http://tinyurl.com/2vey74f
21/08/10 Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Lakeside Dog Fun Day
http://www.steamtrain.co.uk
21/08/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
21/08/10 Talyllyn Railway: Race the Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
21/08/10- Didcot Railway Centre: Enhanced Steamdays
22/08/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
21/08/10- Bluebell Railway: Vintage Transport
22/08/10
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
22/08/10 Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum: Railway Event
Swanwick Lane, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW
http://www.bursledonbrickworks.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/