HPMRS RAILDATE 30 Jun 06

News

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

NETWATCH

A campaign to save Bristol Carriage Works:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A12666846

The July 2006 edition of "West Somerset Express", the unofficial online newsletter of the West Somerset Railway is now available at:

http://trainsferriesbuses.co.uk/westsomersetexpress.htm

Paul Biggs' pictures of D212 "Aureol" working on Sunday 25th June at the Midland Railway Centre:

http://paulbiggsmrcentre.fotopic.net/c1002891.html

Memories of Staffordshire railways (BBC video):

http://tinyurl.com/qtzze

Thanks again to Neil Kearns for several snippets this week, amongst which...

The Mid-Hants Railway website now lists visiting locos for their September Gala - 4160, 4936 (Kinlet Hall) and E4 32473 from the Bluebell Railway.

71000 "Duke of Gloucester" is due to arrive on the Mid-Hants on 4th July, staying until mid-August, and working trains on 22nd and 23rd July.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk

Statement about Sharman Wheels...

Sharman Wheels - message from David Stapleton

As you are probably aware Sharman Wheels have been experiencing some difficulty in supply, particularly, over the last 6 months or so. This has been caused due to severe problems, that were beyond our control, within an associate company. This has unfortunately meant that 95% of our time and effort has been directed at getting this associate back up and running, consequently we have almost "run out" of stock and as many of you may have noticed this is helping neither you nor us.

We have therefore taken the decision to withdraw Sharman Wheels from the market place for a period of between 6 and 9 months, to allow us the time to build up stocks. We feel that this is better than keeping customers on a string. But please note that it is our intention to be at SCALEFORUM 2006.

The website will be taken offline for rebuilding and will be uploaded again once we can supply wheels.

Ralph Rawlinson European news:

Malaga - Fuengirola: I first used the Malaga - Fuengirola line in 1979 just after it had been electrified and modernised; it proved to be a very quick and convenient way of getting into Malaga. I wouldn't normally report on minor lines abroad but the Costa del Sol is very popular with British tourists and the extension will evetually reach Algeciras and perhaps crystalise the talk of a tunnel under the Straits of Gibraltar! Plans to extend this line along the coast to Algeciras in two stages began to emerge in 2002. Currently major work to realign so as to go (underground) into the Malaga Airport terminal is underway and a new interchange at Benalmedana incorporating the urban bus net, cable car station and a projected new monorail down to the Playa is also getting underway.

The route details for the extension from Fuengirola have now been announced: preliminary drilling is underway to establish rock strata, etc, with fall works being expected to commence early in 2007 with a two year completion target for stage one. The line will become double "international gauge" suitable for AVE trains. This would perhaps suggest that there will be a trailing junction near the current airport alterations to enable through running from the north. It is unclear at this stage whether the existing line will switch from broad gauge prior to completion of the extension.

From Fuengirola, the line will be in tunnel as far as Mijas (station near the racecourse not the larger station further inland). Underground, further stations will be constructed at La Gala de Mijas and Calahonda. The next station will be near Las Dunas de Artola where the line runs on the surface as far as Los Monteros before the major tunnelling exercise, right under Marbella with stations at the centre, west and where Puerto Banus begins, through to a terminus at San Pedro de Alcantara.

The next extensions (scheduled for completion by 2012) may cause the biggest problems. Mainly surface, some provision has been made alongside the main road, but beyond Estepona, there have already been protest meetings at possible "land grab"'. It seems more likely that the new line will join the existing Ronda to Algeciras line in the Castellar de la Frontera area than hug the coast. Once completed, the line will provide an alternative freight route to the existing but tortuous line to a major port.

The Double LL Club - a club for historic machinery and collectors in the Hants/Sussex area

http://www.doublellclub.co.uk

Photos from the bus rally at Chatsworth Park, held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Chesterfield 123 Preservation group and the 30th anniversary of Transpire, the Chesterfield Bus Society:

http://matthew9559.fotopic.net/c1002262.html

A day in St Peter Port, Guernsey circa 1973: http://stuartdbell4383.fotopic.net/c1002959.html

A day in St Helier, Jersey circa 1973: http://stuartdbell4383.fotopic.net/c1003448.html

IN THE NEWS

Kings Cross closure chaos: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5117264.stm

Interior of 140mph train revealed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/5108088.stm Video: http://tinyurl.com/qa48p

UK train leasing companies face probe: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5123898.stm

Weardale Railway turns to diesel power: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5122362.stm

Row over new penalties on trains: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5118102.stm

Next train will be in two years: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/5131042.stm

Highland rail times "can be cut": http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/5121000.stm

Hopefully this South African practice won't catch on here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/5117318.stm

Montgomery Canal news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/5117176.stm

Helicopters used in rebuilding paths on Snowdon: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/5115186.stm

TV and Radio

Events

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