RAILDATE - your free weekly guide to what's happening, what's new and what's on
NETWATCH
A recent exploration of Riccarton Junction:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=61697
The train that ran between Harrow and Wealdstone station and Stanmore was known locally as "The
Rattler". You can join a guided walk along the line on the second Saturday of every month
until October. Details here (scroll down to the Saturday walks):
http://www.harrowpct.nhs.uk/Health_walks_service.html
(Via David Moore)
End of the Line - withdrawn & stored locomotives in the UK:
http://www.wnxx.com/
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
The Breakdown Crane Association:
http://www.bdca.org.uk/
A wonderful collection of old photographs:
http://www.howtobearetronaut.com/
Bombay Railway History Group:
http://bombayrailway.blogspot.com/
Bachmann have launched a website for their Collectors Club:
http://www.bachmann-collectorsclub.co.uk/index.php
============
Videos
The classic BBC documentary "Engines Must Not Enter the Potato Siding":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea52T1klf-Q
Portrait of an Engineer (1954):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLr2G-1WPTI
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Flight 1549 ditching in the Hudson - digital reconstruction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tE_5eiYn0D0
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
Cycling
The Welsh Government has made worldwide history by becoming the first Government to introduce a
Cycling Bill to make it a legal duty for local authorities to provide cycle routes.
http://tinyurl.com/422cm8c
London Underground: Victoria line
The current edition of Branch Lines News carries a brief report that commissioning of the new
Victoria Line signalling took place north of Tottenham Hale over the Spring Bank Holiday
weekend 2011. It goes on to say that this new distance-to-go signalling system is the full
upgrade which should help reduce journey times, and help with automatic regulation of trains.
Thameslink Resignalling
Phase 1 of the Thameslink resignalling project is due to be commissioned in September 2011.
Stage 1A (an enablement stage in preparation for Phase 1) was commissioned by Invensys Rail on
Monday 25th April 2011. It included alterations at West Hampstead Signalling Centre, Kentish
Town relay room and various existing apparatus cases; and the commissioning of new signals,
track circuits and associated track equipment in the Kentish Town area. The Easter possession
was also used to install two of the thirteen Relocatable Equipment Buildings (REBs) which are
being deployed on this project.
Surrey
Smitham station was opened by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway Companies Joint Management
Committee on the 1st January 1904. The first station on the Tattenham Corner branch where the
line swings away westwards from the Brighton main line, it was renamed Couldson Town on 22nd
May 2011 to make it more recognisable as a stopping place.
http://tinyurl.com/6bat2x4
Reading remodelling
Network Rail has announced that the work at Reading will now be completed in 2015, a year ahead
of schedule. The new timescale will see new station platforms and the relocated DMU depot
brought into use in 2013, whilst remodelling of the western approach, including the flyover,
will be completed by 2015.
GWR/LSW Easton branch
Latest update from the Dorset Echo on the missing bridge over Newstead Road.
http://tinyurl.com/6g64x6r
GWR Moretonhampstead branch
This South Devon branch lost its passengers service in 1959, whilst
Heathfield-Moretonhampstead, the northern half, had closed to all traffic by 1970. The last
train to visit the Gulf Oil Siding at Heathfield was on 1st July 1996, but it was 23rd April
2009 before the line was taken OOU. In most peoples' minds it was just another branch ready to
join the long list of permanent closures. Now, however, Branch Line News reports that some
clearance of vegetation has taken place between Newton Abbot and Heathfield in connection with
the proposed use of the branch by Colas Rail for timber traffic. It is understood that this is
due to commence this summer with loading taking place at Teigngrace.
LSWR Meldon Jn - Bude
In April Graham Cornish, Devon project manager for the National Cycle Network, revealed that
Coles Mill Viaduct is the only hurdle left to be tackled before Holsworthy is connected via the
Ruby Way Cycle Path with neighbouring towns such as Hatherleigh. It is claimed that the Ruby
Path, when finished, will be the longest traffic-free walking/cycling /horse-riding route in
the UK, and it is ultimately hoped to link with the Tarka Trail at its eastern end and to Bude
on the coast in the west. An additional two mile section of trackbed approaching Hollacombe
from the east is shown as proposed for conversion, but none on the nine miles between
Holsworthy and Helebridge.
Central Wales line
The 78 mile-long Central Wales single line between Craven Arms and Pantyffynnon is worked under
the NSTR (No Signalman Key Token Remotely Controlled [unattended crossing loops]) and is
supervised by Pantyffynnon located at the Llanelli end. At Llandrindod Wells station the
listed LNWR type 4 signal box on the platform is the former No 2 box originally located at the
level crossing, but now moved to the site of the original No 1 box. Since 1990, it has been
looked after by the town council and is open to the public at weekends until 28th August and
throughout the Victorian Festival week, 20th-28th August. For details call 01597 829036.
Leicestershire
A contract has been signed with Network Rail for a 1-mile rail link to the new Marks & Spencer
Distribution Depot being built on the site of the former Castle Donington power station on the
Sheet Stores Jn-Stenson Jn line.
http://www.fhp.co.uk/news/news.php?news_id=887
GWR Dudley - Wolverhampton
The Wolverhampton Express and Star of 27th May carried a report that the 377yd long tunnel
(located on the southern approach to Wolverhampton Low Level station) is to be infilled in at a
cost of 460,000 after the owner, Wolverhampton City Council, secured government funding.
Electrification, North West
Castlefield Jn - Lowton Jn will be the first section to be completed by the December 2013
timetable change, enabling Manchester Airport - Glasgow/Edinburgh services to be diverted this
way from that date, and operated by electric trains throughout. This in turn will allow
existing Class 185 dmus to be cascaded to other TPEx services to ease overcrowding.
York IECC
Invensys Rail successfully commissioned the resignalled areas of Hickleton, Moorthorpe Station
and South Kirby at 0300 hours on 31st May 2011. This Type B Network Rail scheme covered 52
signalling equivalent units and saw the transfer of both the Moorthorpe and Hickleton
signalling control areas to a new Westlock computer-based interlocking at York IECC, with
transmission provided by Westronic 1024 over the Fixed Telecoms Network (FTN). The work also
included lineside renewals, installation of a number of new relocatable equipment
buildings/location cases and migrating from conventional LED signals to lightweight VMS.
Northumberland
Network Rail has loaned the services of six graduate engineers on work experience to carry out
improvements to the Woodhorn Railway, a 2ft (610mm) narrow gauge railway at the Woodhorn Museum
in the Queen Elizabeth II Country Park at Ashington. There are two preserved locomotives - one
is a German Schoma and the other is a Hunslet, built in 1975 for work at Vane Tempest colliery
in Seaham.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1590396
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1590492
============
IN THE NEWS
MP blames Labour for exporting massive railway contract overseas:
http://tinyurl.com/6g8qc3n
Advertising for HS2:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13844169
MPs find HS2 benefits uncertain:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13848599
Staircase thrown on railway line at Tapton Junction:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-13893466
RAIB report into staff accident at Stoats Nest Jn:
http://tinyurl.com/5sasyn2
Thameslink stock order announced:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13792510
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-13791214
Heathrow Express strike cancelled:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13875253
RMT cancels London Underground action:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13896546
A different view of the McNulty report:
http://www.rail.co/2011/06/20/mcnulty-backs-rail-ingenuity/
Olympics train services:
http://www.rail.co/2011/06/20/olympic-timetable-under-starters-orders/
Southend Airport station opening 18th July:
http://www.southendairport.com/
Devon cycle path includes Brunel tunnel and 2m viaduct:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-13829313
http://tinyurl.com/6ewetu4
Bam left as sole bidder for 300m Borders Railway:
http://tinyurl.com/6hf5jr8
Sandford railway's history celebrated at reopening event:
http://tinyurl.com/6ypd8rh
Bristol M shed museum opens:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13806184
New Bluebell Railway museum at Sheffield Park:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-13886634
Newburgh station campaign gathers steam:
http://tinyurl.com/3nck8cj
30,000 toy train theft at Conwy Railway Museum:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-13813324
Visitor gifts enable museum to bring in shunting engine:
http://tinyurl.com/6dpc2y6
Riverside Museum: locomotive returns to Scotland to become museum highlight:
Video:
http://tinyurl.com/6jjnpzj
Excursions using LT 1938 tube stock:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13823498
http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/events/vehicles-on-the-move
Ulster Transport Minister visits new Translink DMUs:
http://tinyurl.com/66zllcd
Information on 4000 series DMUs:
http://www.translink.co.uk/NI-Railways/New-Trains/
Translink level crossing safety booklet:
http://tinyurl.com/6zsnnt2
And support from DB Schenker:
http://tinyurl.com/5u9kbly
Minister pledges to open Dublin station:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0618/hansfield.html
CP Rail police in Level Crossing safety campaign:
http://tinyurl.com/5r4ox32
Curtains down on heritage Indian railway bridge:
http://tinyurl.com/6grmsz9
Hidden railway art goes on show:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-13874097
Scrapping Edinburgh trams would cost 750m:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-13878300
Cambridge guided bus timetables published:
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/around/thebusway/timetables/
Malta's colourful vintage buses bow out
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/9520210.stm
Paris Airshow:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13835810
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Richard Maund, Reg Nerps, Mike Price, Ralph Rawlinson
TV and RADIO
26/06/11 BBC2 2100-2200
"Coast" 2/6 Devon & Cornwall (postponed from 12th June)
27/06/11 BBC2 2100-2200
"Made in Britain" 2/3 Britain's manufacturing industry
27/06/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" Electricity cables
27/06/11 BBC Radio 4 2300-2330
"Off the Page" The pain and pleasure of public transport
28/06/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" A submarine becomes an artificial reef
28/06/11 BBC4 1930-2000
"Art Deco Icons" The Orient Express
28/06/11 BBC4 2200-2300
"Glamour's Golden Age" The Luxe Experience
29/06/11 BBC4 1930-2000
"The Beauty of Maps" 2/4 London city maps
29/06/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"Maps, Power, Plunder and Possession" 2/3 Spirit of the age
29/06/11 BBC4 2100-2200
"Timeshift: Hotel Deluxe" Luxury hotels
30/06/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" Keeping Edmonton airport open
30/06/11 Channel 5 2000-2100
"Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers" 7/8
30/06/11 BBC4 2100-2200
"The Maharajas' Motor Car: the Story of Rolls Royce in India"
01/07/11 Channel 5 2000-2100
"Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers" 8/8
EVENTS
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.
25/06/11 Manchester Victoria signalling school layout operating day
National Railway Museum, York
http://www.nrm.org.uk/
25/06/11- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Duffield carnival Open Days
26/06/11 Also VW Meet (both days) and Austin-Healey Meet (26th)
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
02/07/11 Train Collectors Society Sandy Exhibition
Sandy Upper School, Sandy, Befordshire, SG19 1BL
1030-1700
http://www.traincollectors.co.uk
03/07/11 Romsey Signal Box Open Day
Admission free (donations welcome!)
1000-1530
To be followed at 1530 by the AGM
ex-Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey
Car park in old school grounds
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
03/07/11 Twyford Waterworks: Miniature Steam & Models
http://www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk/
02/07/11- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Classic Transport Event
03/07/11
http://www.e-v-r.com/eventinfo/
02/07/11- Peak Rail: Matlock Station Festival Reopening
04/07/11
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
03/07/11 Leawood Pumping Engine Steaming Day, Cromford Canal
Engine in motion 1200-1700
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
03/07/11 Middleton Top Winding Engine, Cromford & High Peak Rly
Engine in motion 1300-1630
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
03/07/11 Churnet Valley Railway: Strawberry & Steam Sunday
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
04/07/11 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch) Slideshow
The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery Street, Sheffield S3 8GG
Reedy's Railway Rambles, Gordon Reed
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/SheffieldBranch
06/07/11 Churnet Valley Railway: Scenic Evening Passenger Service
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
09/07/11- Churnet Valley Railway: UK Paper Brass Band
10/07/11 Sunday: Velocipede Rally
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
10/07/11 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Morris Minor Meet
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
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Issues of Raildate up to and including 18th December 2009 are at:
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This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in previous editions of
Raildate.
(C) Howard Sprenger 2011.