HPMRS RAILDATE 20 Oct 06

News

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

* * * There will be no RAILDATE next week. Next edition - 3rd November.

NETWATCH

Chatham Dockyard had an extensive railway laid in the roads of the shipyard that was operated by various shunters (saddle-tank steam and then Barclay diesel). See here for more details:

http://www.kentrail.co.uk/Chatham%20Dockyard.htm

An article in The Times about reopening lines closed in the 1960s, the idea being that house developers would pay a levy on each house built towards reopening the rail link:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2399599.html

And it's being put into practice in the Borders:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6058708.stm

There's a wide range of photographs here. The search facility is not very "user friendly", but does work, once you understand the way you use the different fields to refine your search:

http://www.30937.co.uk/

For Southern Railway stuff, there not much that beats John Wills' website:

http://www.southernrailway.net

If you want to let off steam about rail services, try going here:

http://trainblog.co.uk/web_index.php

Memories of World War II

War service on the Southern Railway: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/55/a3700955.shtml

Bombs targetted for Wymondham railway line: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/51/a3882251.shtml

Doodlebug hits Charlton railway station: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/53/a2365553.shtml

Midnight train from Darlington to Ferryhill: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/80/a2473580.shtml

The Burma Railway: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A1057619 http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/92/a3126692.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/05/a4042405.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/62/a1946162.shtml

Tony Pearce has updated his fotopic site with some pictures from the Bluebell Railway including the visit of "City of Truro": http://tony-pearce.fotopic.net/

Roger Bailey's photographs of the 2006 West Somerset Railway Autumn Gala: http://rogersrailwayphotographs.fotopic.net/c1107457.html

Paul Ferbrache has uploaded pictures of 1198 working at The Dartmoor Railway Diesel Gala: http://www.cepsandbeps.fotopic.net/c1112640.html

Paul Biggs has added photos of 86228 at Coalville: http://modernrailways.fotopic.net/c1113653.html

Chris Dadson has photos of visiting West Country class locomotive 34028 "Eddystone" at the Bluebell Railway on 18th October. Apparently, the engine failed its test run, and was returned to the works for further attention: http://gallery74781.fotopic.net/c335746_41.html

850 "Lord Nelson" working on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October: http://www.wsr.org.uk/locos.htm

South West Trains Class 159/1 Preview

The Southern Electric Group is privileged to have received a preview of 159102 at Wabtec's works in Doncaster from the legendary photographer Brian Morrison:

http://www.southernelectric.org.uk/

With thanks to Neil Kearns:

A new rail freight link to Battleship Wharf at the Port of Blyth, north of Newcastle, has been brought into use on schedule. Constellation Energy Group is aiming to transport two million tonnes of coal every year out of Battleship Wharf at the port to serve the power stations in the Aire Valley. In order to transport the coal away from the port, Network Rail provided facilitation and asset protection for the installation of a new connection to the North Blyth branch by Port of Blyth.

The first train ran over the new connection on Monday 18th September just 11 months after the first meeting was held with the port. The rail terminal was officially opened by the Mayor of the District of Wansbeck, on Monday (16th October). New facilities at Battleship Wharf include a 155 metre quay extension and the purchase of a new harbour crane, which further complement the development of 10,000 sqm of bulk storage over recent years. Freightliner Heavy Haul has been awarded the contract to convey the traffic and will run three daily trains midweek and two on Saturdays.

Following the success of last year's vintage bus running day on Ensignbus' commercially-operated X80 service, it has been decided to repeat the event but on a larger and extended basis, and yes there will be a number of RMs in service! The service this year will be extended so that it will run from Gravesend, Kent to Grays, Essex, both within the boundaries of the old London Transport Country Area, and will follow Ensign's newly-added routes 77-83 and 66, from Lakeside to Grays. The full route will include stops at two of Europe's largest shopping centres, Lakeside and Bluewater and in the run up to Christmas will hopefully provide a chance for some to make their Christmas shopping a little more enjoyable (or at least more enjoyable getting there!)

The service frequency has also been upped, from last year's hourly, to a half-hourly service starting from just before 0900 with the last bus returning after 1800, thus allowing some after dark runs, which are always popular. As last year, the buses will be subbed throughout the day to make sure there is a constant variety of vehicles in service, which will include London, provincial, guest vehicles and of course (subject to many things!) an Ensign surprise vehicle.

The dates are Saturday 25th November and Saturday 2nd December. Local X80 fares will apply, or alternatively an enthusiast special day pass will be available for £6 that will be valid on both heritage vehicles and Ensign local buses for the day. The money raised will all go back into the restoration fund to help preserve, repatriate and maintain the various projects, both on the go and planned.

There will shortly be a downloadable timetable on their website, and if any further information is required, email info@ensign-museum.com or phone 01708 865656

http://www.ensignbus.com/

All you want to know about tractors... any tractors...

http://www.tractordata.com/

IN THE NEWS

Double-decker trains plan for Sussex: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6060338.stm

Landmark ruling for Thameslink: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6061960.stm

Train network to adopt Tube zones: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6065874.stm

GNER owner makes "Chapter 11" move: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6054090.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6052770.stm Video: http://tinyurl.com/ybrzta Video: http://tinyurl.com/w7ps4

"Vital" rail services to be cut: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/6061678.stm

New call for high-speed rail link from West Midlands to London: Video: http://tinyurl.com/yktldc

Full steam ahead for Weardale Railway: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6060630.stm

Grapes growing along c2c route! http://tinyurl.com/y4m29q

Train punctuality "improves 30%": http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6057196.stm

Major revamp of north-east rail: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6057962.stm

Doubts over town's railway centre: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/6063190.stm

Chaos at airports boosts Eurostar: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6054406.stm

Rome Metro crash: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6057876.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6062678.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6058338.stm

Luxemburg takes rail crash blame: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6053204.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.