HPMRS RAILDATE 13 May 05


News

RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society: http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/

ONLINE RESOURCES

The 24th February edition of RAILDATE published a list of online resources for researchers that had originally appeared in "HMRS News", the newsletter of the Historical Model Railway Society. As I said at the time, I intend to maintain this list, and I welcome any additions and corrections. The first update has come from Geof Sheppard, editor of "HMRS news". I'll include an updated version of the whole list here in a few weeks' time. Thanks Geof...

In the West Midlands, the Windows on Warwickshire service includes a photograph search: http://www.search.windowsonwarwickshire.org.uk/engine/search/default.asp

Keith Harcourt came across a website whilst doing some research into coal transport by rail in South Wales. It has some great statistics on it, and for those interested in wider social history the rest of the site has a wealth of detail. The Rhondda site gives a succinct history of the lines mentioned, something that many books fail to do. Highly recommended as a starting point for research into an accurate historical model of any of the lines mentioned: http://www.therhondda.co.uk

In addition to the 1901 census on the National Archive site: http://www.1901census.nationalarchives.gov.uk an earlier census – that from 1881 – can be searched by name on the Family Search website: http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/default.asp

NETWATCH


Last week's RAILDATE included details of a BBC4 documentary in two parts about the Indian Railway system entitled "Monsoon Railway" (you can still catch part 2 in the early hours of tomorrow morning - see below). Nick Wheat spotted the following information on the BBC website about the programmes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/monsoon-railway.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/features/photogallery/indian_rail1.shtml


Further details about the Churnet Valley Railway's Diesel Gala Weekend (20th to 22nd May) from Andy Sollis:

It will no doubt be to a special timetable, so I would suggest that anyone wishing to travel for the event checks the CVR website in advance:

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

(I am advised as the operating manager for Froghall that Friday will kick off around 9am.)

The three day event will include the relaunch in preservation of 47192 in original BR two-tone green as D1842, the final appearance of 73110 in Dutch livery, the return to traffic of Class 20 D8154, Class 104 DMU, and the final scheduled appearance of 33102 before it is withdrawn for major overhaul.

ELR-based Class 24 D5054 is booked to spend a period of time with us and will also feature at the gala. In addition, we hope to have the sole surviving British Industrial Sands Oakamoor Depot shunter "Brightside" on display at Cheddleton.

The opportunity is also being taken to display the remainder of the line's "non-operational fleet" including Class 25 D7672 "Tamworth Castle", Class 37s 009 & 211, Class 20 D8007, and what will be the last appearance on the line of Class 33 33056 "Burma Star".


Steam - the Museum of the Great Western Railway:

http://www.steam-museum.org.uk


Richard Buckby's railway friend in Bangor, Maine sent him this link - some very good animation:

http://members.bellatlantic.net/vze2qppc/abby/m03_nolocal.html


Nick Wheat spotted Tomcat Twilight:

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2005/tomcat/tomcat.htm


And finally... from Renaud (Ron) Olgiati...

Heard somewhere on London Underground:

Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the delay, but there is a security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass some time together. All together now... "Ten green bottles, hanging on a wall...."


IN THE NEWS

The "Mail on Sunday" on 8th May reported that a number of trainspotters were arrested and searched by Hampshire Police under the Prevention of Terrorism Act at Basingstoke station! Conversely, British Transport Police apparently take the view that trainspotters are useful in the fight against railway crime. (As someone remarked... a fair cop?)

Six-figure bonus for rail bosses: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4541331.stm

Railway stations to be WiFi enabled: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4533789.stm

Mowlem suspended for track blunder: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4534009.stm

Born again fare dodger payes up: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4540047.stm

Snowdon railway farm for sale: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4515005.stm

Mines tap LOTTO cash seam: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4537441.stm


TV and Radio

Discovery's programmes are no longer included, but their daily schedules are here: http://tinyurl.com/3fczf
Sat May 14 0035-0125 BBC4 'Monsoon Railway' A look at the Indian railway system (2/2)
Sat May 14 0310-0400 BBC4 'Monsoon Railway' A look at the Indian railway system (2/2)
Sat May 14 1900-2120 Channel 4 'The Dam Busters' Classic 1954 wartime drama
Sun May 15 1730-1830 Channel 4 'The Airships' Second of a documentary series
Mon May 16 2000-2030 Five 'Massive Machines' Tanks
Tue May 17 1900-2000 BBC2 'Britain's Best Buildings - Hardwick Hall'
Tue May 17 1915-2000 Five 'Pevsner's Cities with Gavin Stamp' Liverpool
Tue May 17 2000-2100 BBC2 'Fred Dibnah's Made in Britain' Fred starts earlier this week!
Tue May 17 2300-2400 BBC4 'Himalaya with Michael Palin'
Wed May 18 2250-2350 BBC1 'Imagine...a Short History of Tall Buildings' 2/3

Events

See Mainline Steam Tours page for up-to-date info on many of these tours, and others, often with timings.

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
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge. No responsibility is taken for inaccuracies or changes.
Sat May 14 ? German Railway Society & Austrian Railway Group EuroRail 2005
Overton Grange School, Stanley Road, Sutton, Surrey
Sat May 14 - Sun May 15 1000-1700 Bill Targett Memorial Steam & Vintage Rally
Highbridge, Colden Common, B3354, north of Eastleigh 1000-1700
Adult: £3.50, Child: £2.00, Family £9.00
Proceeds in aid of Wessex Cancer Tust
Vintage cars and motorbikes, fairground organs, trade stands, steam engines, preserved tractors, arena events, childrens rides, refreshments, beer tent
Sat May 14 - Sun May 15 ? Merstham Garden Railway Show, Redhill
Rod Blakeman's rebuilt Southdown layout will be in attendance
Sat May 14 - Sun May 15 ? Didcot Railway Centre: Steamdays http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Sat May 14 - Sun May 15 1030-1800(Sat) 1030-1700(Sun) EM Gauge Society 'expoEM 2005'
The Leisure Centre, Princes Way, Bletchley, Milton Keynes 1030-1800 (Sat), 1030-1700 (Sun)
Sat May 14 - Sun May 15 0930-1630 Richmond Vale Railway Museum Model Railway Exhibition
Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia 0930-1630 both days http://www.richmondvalerailwaymuseum.org
Sun May 15 ? Kew Bridge Steam Museum: Historic Fire Engine Rally http://www.kbsm.org
Sun May 15 ? Dean Forest Railway: Vauxhall Classic car Rally, Norchard
http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Sun May 15 ? Crich Tramway Village: Morris Minor Day http://www.tramway.co.uk
Fri May 20 1400 Paddington Films presents British Transport Films
The Picture House, Windsor Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon
What a Day (1960), The Heart of England (1954), Train Time (1952), Fully Fitted Freight (1957)
Performance commences 1400
For more information, e-mail paddingtonfilms@aol.com http://www.britishtransportfilms.co.uk/stratford
Fri May 20 - Sun May 22 ? Swanage Railway: Swanage 120
Celebrating the 120th anniversary of the opening of the branch http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Fri May 20 - Sun May 22 ? Churnet Valley Railway: Diesel Gala http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk
Sat May 21 ? Main Line Steam - Cathedrals Express
Oxford & Worcester & return ('King Edward I')
mailto:info@steamdreams.co.uk http://www.steamdreams.co.uk
Sat May 21 - Sun May 22 1030-1630(Sat) 1000-1600(Sun) Salisbury & South Wilts Railway Soc Model Railway Exhibition
Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton, Salisbury 1030-1630 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
Sat May 21 - Sun May 22 ? Didcot Railway Centre: Steamdays http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Sat May 28 ? Crich Tramway Village: 50th Anniversary Cavalcade http://www.tramway.co.uk
Sat May 28 - Sun May 29 1030-1730(Sat) 1000-1700(Sun) Risborough & District MRC RAILEX
Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Harvey Road, Aylesbury Bucks 1030-1730 (Sat), 1000-1700 (Sun) http://www.rdmrc.nildram.co.uk
Sat May 28 - Mon May 30 ? Didcot Railway Centre: Spring Holiday Activity Steamdays http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
Sat May 28 - Mon May 30 ? Great Central Railway: Day Out with Thomas http://www.gcrailway.co.uk
Sat May 28 - Mon May 30 ? Churnet Valley Railway: Whit Bank Holiday Service http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk
Sat May 28 - Sun Jun 05 ? Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Day Out with Thomas http://www.steamtrain.co.uk
Mon May 30 1330-1700 Woodbine Cottage Garden Railway
Church Lane, Off Danes Road, Awbridge, near Romsey (Grid reference: SU 320326) 1330-1700
Entrance and unlimited train rides: £2.00
Teas and stalls including books, bric-a-brack, produce and bring and buy
Proceeds to Cancer Research UK
Cheers, Howard. editor@raildate.co.uk

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