RAILDATE - your free weekly guide to what's happening, what's new and
what's on
NETWATCH
Snow-covered Ribblehead viaduct
https://is.gd/JLvBtt
Network Rail snow clearance
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-our-winter-fleet/
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/?p=4068
West Highland Line cab ride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzOK8dnmXCo
Photos of construction of the West Highland Extension Railway to Mallaig
https://is.gd/hgZOI6
Fife Circle Cab ride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5TpdPUsGNU
Mid Hants review of 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pjSoiokY9M
The last days of the Newfoundland Railway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eC2iJJoswQ
Halton County Radial Railway near Toronto
https://hcry.org/
Christmas 2019 event on the Halton County Radial Railway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY2OGtgZu44
The changing shape of future aircraft designs
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51751984
Dutch main road underpass installed in one weekend
http://bit.ly/3k7H9js
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)
Southern Railway 4-6-2 34070 Manston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr_kdZYs-5I
British Steam Locomotives in 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2eB23JJN2E
A Cab ride from Chesterfield to Deepcar - Part of the Original Woodhead
route
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwOfCAfgSdc
Twa Dale Estates Model Railway Layout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_I7FBKS7o
Hornby 2021 Range Launch - Amazing New Model Trains Announced!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opSxKLGMlaA
Fresh from Overhaul - Weathering an Express Locomotive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBMEpnZu2QI
C&DR - 2021 New Year specials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALUVc-GwQGk
Little Bytham Model Railway in 1938: the year Mallard broke the World
Speed Record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrORyGN3pk
The Big Red Bus - History of the Routemaster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DHHu9Nj-i0
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Trailblazing Peterhead Prison railway line ferried criminals to a place
of hard labour
https://tinyurl.com/y5o7rcst
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
The Bennett Brook Railway near Perth, Australia, has a YouTube channel
that includes videos of their regular service trains and also some
excellent vintage railway films from Australia and the UK
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvC6HLg_c4XzTp62BICdtg
(Spotter: Malcolm Smith)
Beyer-Garratt at Chinley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIlth4xl4I8
(Spotter: Barry Knapper)
Sunset Of CNR Steam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q-S2KWyrX8
(Spotter: Bob Gibbens)
The First Turboprop in the World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHf_rsEl9V8
The B-29's Fatal Flaw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuKceC2Nxbo
Floating Paradise Lost: Chasing MARGARITA L
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1y0tOxwgS8
(Spotter: Alan Rushworth)
Sneak peak of new west Japan station complex shows grand waterfall amid
rich local nature
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201225/p2a/00m/0dm/039000c
(Spotter: Andrew Nummelin)
Model Railroading with Jack Burgess Proto:48 Scratch Built Weed Burner Train
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcZ6fFVWZhk
If you want to start at Episode 1 - Model Railroading With Jack Burgess
- Get Organized
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2eEnMaQnfY
============
BOOK NEWS
A new album of photographs by the late Peter Gater of Matlock contains
nearly 100 pages of black and white photographs printed on high quality
gloss art paper, most of which have never been published before.
Classes 20, 25, 31, 37, 40, 45, 46, 47, 50, 56, 58 and 60 all feature
plus several DMU types and a few steam specials for good measure! All
royalties from the sale of the book will go to Ashgate Hospice near
Chesterfield who provided invaluable palliative homecare to Peter and
also supported his wife for nearly 2 years after his death. In
addition, £1 will be donated to the Class 40 Preservation Society’s
40135 crankcase appeal for each copy purchased direct from the
publisher’s website:
http://www.pynotpublishing.co.uk/index.html
Also, a new book about Porton station and light railways
https://is.gd/Sg3FpN
============
IN THE NEWS
Crossrail 2 "paused"
https://enfielddispatch.co.uk/crossrail-2-officially-paused/
Service cuts due to low passenger numbers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55654126
The GB Railfreight Class 69 project explained
https://is.gd/d0PU0N
Alstom publish report as to how the UK can decarbonise the railways
https://is.gd/7JRYFx
Train formations being shown for SWR services
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/?p=77692
Nine Elms bridge collapse, 29th December 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c908j7oWK_g
RAIB report on derailment at Bognor Regis October 2020
https://is.gd/9u647f
A bronze statue to commemorate Penge East station cat
https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/?p=117659
Ash level crossing to be replaced by a bridge
https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/level-crossing-ash-station-replaced-19601746
Engineering works for lengthened freight trains to Western Docks and
Maritime Container terminal
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19007743.southampton-train-lines-close-temporarily-works/
Isle of Wight bids farewell to vintage trains
https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2021/01/04-isle-of-wight-bids-farewell.html
https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2021-01-03/end-of-an-era-as-island-lines-1938-stock-finally-retire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWuebB1zO18
http://wig.ht/2oag
Bring in the WaveWalker
https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/bring-wavewalker
Torquay signal box for sale
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-87877405.html
Grade separation work at Werrington Jn, Peterborough
https://is.gd/spzJX0
Vital work continues on East Coast Upgrade
https://is.gd/e1cbNF
A UK engineering first as 11,000 tonne tunnel is installed
https://is.gd/Iqtlds
Reduced service announced on West Midlands Railway services
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/?p=80483
Agreement reached to integrate Old Curzon Street Station into new HS2
terminus
https://is.gd/VYnL1X
State-of-the-art signalling to be installed at Birmingham New Street
https://is.gd/kKp2Z5
Council leaders urge Government to back HS2 Eastern Leg in response to
NIC report
https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/?p=49943
RAIB report on runaway wagon at Clitheroe March 2020
https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/report-16-slash-2020-runaway-and-derailment-of-a-wagon-at-clitheroe
TikTok level crossing stunt 'staggeringly stupid'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55666013
Man, 60, dies after being struck by train
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/man-60-dies-after-being-19630798
Major overhaul for Lancaster’s listed footbridge
https://railuk.com/rail-news/major-overhaul-for-lancasters-listed-footbridge/
ScotRail to cut more trains as passengers slump by 90 per cent
https://is.gd/dnRrYK
Work begins on Montrose station facelift
https://is.gd/12IEvc
‘We need realistic proposals’: Fife Council’s transport spokesman
responds to Greens’ Forth tunnel idea
https://tinyurl.com/y3wxdw7d
Nairn Men’s Shed gets new platform to grow after lockdown
https://tinyurl.com/y2j8gclm
RAIB notes on trains not observing emergency speed restrictions near
Aberdeen
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/overspeeding-trains-between-laurencekirk-and-portlethen
ScotRail train breakdown - passengers on Glasgow-Inverness train stuck
in ‘freezing’ carriages
https://is.gd/9Pl7mk
Glenfinnan road-over-rail bridge works to start in 2022
https://is.gd/CYdrLm
Community rail plan for narrow gauge line to Bridport
https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/19009071.group-plans-introduce-zero-carbon-railway-bridport-area/
Vintage Trains purchase three pacer units
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/?p=77619
Retirement of Vintage trains driver Ray Churchill
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/?p=80279
Wensleydale Railway reveal plans for their new Pacers - including bike
trains and James Herriot tours
https://is.gd/5l0MM7
ECTS upgraded on Railpool TRAXX locos
https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/116096/railpool-bombardier-traxx-etcs-upgrade/
Stadler to build seven diesel locos for Uruguay
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/?p=77151
Stadler to build new trains for Centovalli line in Switzerland
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/?p=80013
Hydrogen strategy for Canadian Railways
https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/locomotives/cp-embarks-on-hydrogen-locomotive-pilot
https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/locomotives/hydrogen-strategy-for-canadas-railways
Tenders invited for electrification of Zaragoza-Valencia route
https://is.gd/uzVoEM
Vancouver man heads non-profit rebuilding SP&S 700 steam locomotive for
possible 2021 run
https://tinyurl.com/y27f95p5
China debuts bullet train that can operate in extremely cold temperatures
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/china-bullet-train-cold-weather-fuxing/index.html
Rebuilt Penn Central station opened
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55494146
https://www.railjournal.com/?p=46478
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/nyregion/moynihan-penn-station.html
Plan to Revitalize Cass Gilbert’s Abandoned Westchester Station
https://wp.me/pcAgGC-2mLd
Test trains run on Underground extension
https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2021/01/04-test-trains-run-on-underground.html
https://is.gd/hi8MDE
Virtual Reality used in design of new Tyne and Wear driving cab layout
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-55475500
Pet adoption coach on Moscow metro
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-55418334
Trent Barton bus named after pensioner who gives treats to the drivers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-55395019
NYC bendy bus left drooping from overpass in Bronx
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55673107
50 metre bridge beams installed for Macroom bypass in County Cork
https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2020/1219/1185495-bridge-macroom-cork/
Covid-19: Isle of Wight ferry companies given £6.5m by government
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-55662708
Wightlink to suspend weekend sailings Lymington to Yarmouth
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/wightlink-to-suspend-weekend-sailings-on-yarmouth-lymington-route/
Cowes floating bridge fails again
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/floating-bridge-breaks-down-at-east-cowes/
Cowes Floating Bridge: Council launches 'substantial' legal claim
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-55647751
'Milestone' hailed in project for long-awaited Gourock, Dunoon and
Kilcreggan ferry
https://is.gd/TaMKWZ
Call to snap up catamaran for Mull ferry route
https://tinyurl.com/yahsencs
End of an era: Last ferry from Zeebrugge to Hull sets sail
https://is.gd/f8xexN
Golden Ray Salvage Team Begins Second Hull Cut
https://is.gd/rZHdbr
Golden Ray Salvage: 2nd Cut Completed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR1tc3otfII
RAF training Swiss Airforce on night operations
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/how-the-raf-turned-the-swiss-air-force-into-a-24-7-force/
Buddha Air flight to wrong destination
https://simpleflying.com/buddha-air-wrong-destination/?utm_source=Bibblio
Norwegian to cut long distance flights
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-55660837
Aer Lingus Eyes Manchester-US Seat Sales
https://simpleflying.com/aer-lingus-manchester-us-seat-sales/
EasyJet secures new five-year $1.87bn loan with UK guarantee
https://is.gd/IZZGwA
Qatar Airways Completes First Flight To Saudi Arabia Since Blockade
https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-saudi-arabia-flight/
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Richard Maund, Reg Nerps, Nick Wheat
============
TV and RADIO
18/12/21 BBC4 1900-1930
"Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain" 4/12 Castings
18/12/21 Channel 5 1900-2000
"The World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys" Sicily
18/12/21 Yesterday 2000-2100
"Train Truckers"
18/12/21 Yesterday 2100-2200
"Train Truckers"
18/12/21 Yesterday 2200-2300
"Steam Train Britain"
19/12/21 BBC4 1900-1930
"Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain" 5/12 Water & Boilers
19/12/21 Yesterday 2000-2100
"The Architecture the Railways Built" New series
19/12/21 Yesterday 2200-2300
"James May's Cars of the People"
20/12/21 BBC4 1900-1930
"Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain" 6/12 Steel City
20/12/21 Channel 5 1900-2000
"The Yorkshire Steam Railway: All Aboard" 1/3
21/12/21 BBC4 1900-1930
"Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain" 7/12 Mechanics & Riveters
21/12/21 Channel 5 2200-2335
"Ten Mistakes that Sank the Titanic"
21/12/21 Channel 5 2335-0035
"WW1 Wrecks: Draining the Ocean"
22/12/21 Channel 5 2100-2200
"The World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys" Settle & Carlisle
============
EVENTS
While most events have been cancelled due to Covid-19, a limited number
of events will be included - if you would like to publicise an event
here, please contact the editor
A full list of forthcoming RCTS virtual meetings (Dec-May):
https://rcts.org.uk/branches/
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
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changes whatsoever are made to the original document distributed by the
Editor
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Issues of Raildate up to 18th December 2009 are archived at:
http://www.raildate.co.uk
This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in
previous editions
(C) Howard Sprenger 2021