RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society: http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
A list of the "50 Best Railway Journeys" was recently published in the Independent on Sunday. There are one or two errors though, such as a trip to Skye on the Bluebell Railway!: http://tinyurl.com/5fqhed
Richard can personally recommend the Bergen-Oslo line, and has put up some pictures of it: http://picasaweb.google.com/5n2aax
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Lincoln & District Model Engineering Society has its 75th Anniversary open weekend on Sat/Sun 20th/21st September 2008, and has many attractions including miniature traction engines and steam trains. The Society is located at North Scarle Playing Fields LN6 9 (also shown on OS maps just west of Lincoln). The track is ground level and is approximately 2000ft long in 7.25in & 5in gauges, with unloading and steaming bay, club house and a three-track station. The Society is running regularly every other Sunday morning from 3rd August between 0900 and 1230; there is also a car boot sale on at the same time. http://www.lincolnmes.co.uk/
The Permanent Way Institution: http://www.permanentwayinstitution.com/
Bristol Harbour Railway running dates: http://tinyurl.com/6xnbyt
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)
World news from Ralph Rawlinson
Scottish station to reopen:
Laurencekirk, which lies between Montrose and Stonehaven on the East Coast
route, is to be reopened. This former Caledonian station was closed on 4th September 1967 but some of its 1840s-vintage platform and structures survive. Working on behalf of Network Rail, contractors Galliford Try will refurbish the building, construct a new up line platform and install a footbridge. Reopening is scheduled for the end of this year.
West Coast Main Line:
The on-off lengthening of the West Coast Pendolino units has finally been given the go-ahead. The agreement clears the way for Alstom to begin the building of 62 additional carriages, which will be used to extend 31 of the 52 sets from 9 to 11 cars. An additional four all-new 11-car sets will be built, expanding the fleet to 56 sets. Implementation of the new trains will take until December 2012, nine months beyond the end of the existing Virgin franchise on 31st March 2012. There is also an option to procure a further 42 carriages by early 2013 to meet rising passenger demand. This would mean lengthening the remaining 21 9-car sets to 11 cars. This option has to be exercised by 2010 and would provide further additional capacity, with train lengthening completed by early 2013.
High speed in Spain and China:
The Spanish are planning to raise the line limit on the Madrid - Barcelona
line from 186mph (300kmh) to 217mph (350km/h) in the Autumn. However the Chinese have got there before them - the new Beijing-Tianjin High Speed Line opened on 1st August with a maximum speed of 217mph, the first commercial conventional rail service travelling at more than 200mph (the previous fastest was LGV Est 320kmh or 199mph). The train covers the 75 mile* journey in 30 mins (unfair but interesting to compare this with the 79 miles from Waterloo-Southampton which takes about 80mins.. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7536576.stm
New high speed train for Italy:
Introduced by Alstom in February, the AGV high-speed train has just started its first dynamic tests at the Velim Rail Test Centre in the Czech Republic one of only a handful worldwide where trains are permitted to travel at 125mph. On completion the train will embark on new test sessions in France, taking it to its maximum commercial speed of 225mph (360kph). The articulated architecture in the AGV design will give operators flexibility, with the ability to vary the length of trains from seven to 14 carriages, providing between 250 and 650 seats depending upon demand. The AGV also incorporates the latest ERTMS signalling standards so it can run on all European lines. During 2009 it will also travel on the Italian rail network as part of the approval process for delivering the e650 million order for 25 train sets placed by the Italian train operator NuovoTrasportoViaggiatori (NTV). Delivery of the first production sets will commence in 2010.
New Zealand renationalises railways:
New Zealand has reversed its rail privatisation. From 1st July 2008 all rail operations were transferred from Toll New Zealand to the Government and will now be run under the banner of KiwiRail. Finance Minister Michael Cullen said privatisation of Tranz Rail in the 1990s had not worked. "From asset-stripping to trading scandals, our experiment failed to produce much-needed investments. Our government paid NZ$655m (£243m) to acquire the assets and plans to transfer more freight to rail", he added.
Fire on Arriva Cross Country Train at Birmingham NS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7548207.stm
All Scots trains to be painted in new Saltire livery...? http://tinyurl.com/6oa89y
Perth - Inverness rail trip to be cut by 35 minutes: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7543044.stm
Borders railway finally going ahead...? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7546103.stm
Improvements to road and trail routes to Inverness: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7543044.stm
Campaign to reopen a station at Lenton: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7541188.stm
Blackfriars tube station to close for 3 years: http://tinyurl.com/6a2h8r
New regulations on hard hats: http://www.deathbyhealthandsafety.co.uk/safetyvalve/allwhite.html (The Rogues Gallery is worth a look too)
Woman pushed onto railway tracks at Farningham Road: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7544748.stm (Two men were later arrested and will be charged with attempted murder)
Extra seats to (and from) Skegness: http://tinyurl.com/5da9lc
Locals man rail crossing after lights fail: http://tinyurl.com/6jjk6w
Man guilty of rail track thefts: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7434084.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7542046.stm
South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society is 25 years old: http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/news/1.214106
Tornado: http://tinyurl.com/5n8bml http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=t0w06rSXTYg
Fatal train fire in India: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7536563.stm
Bus driver buys bus: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7546093.stm http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article1508382.ece
Aircraft collide at Manchester Ringway: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7543241.stm
RAF Tornado overshoots runway at Newcastle: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7543846.stm
Braille application form for Air Traffic Control job: http://tinyurl.com/69mztu
Mobility scooter driven along A27 near Havant: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7544509.stm
c2c station improvements: http://tinyurl.com/5zox9e
Chiltern Railways December TT consultation: http://tinyurl.com/5d8ffe
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Keith Gunner, Neil Kearns, Mike Morant, Reg Nerps, Nick Wheat
| Sat Aug 09 | 1730-1830 | BBC2 'Coast' South-west Scotland |
| Sun Aug 10 | 2100-2200 | BBC1 'Britain from Above' 1/3 |
| Sun Aug 10 | 2200-2300 | BBC2 'Britain from Above: The City' 1/3 |
| Sun Aug 10 | 1100-1200 | Five 'Monster Moves' A house factory |
| Wed Aug 13 | 1930-2000 | Five 'Massive Speed' Motorcycles |
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 and also http://railwayherald.co.uk/railtours/ | ||
| All details are correct to the best of my knowledge. No responsibility is taken for inaccuracies or changes. | ||
| Fri Aug 01 - Sat Aug 23 | 1030 |
Workington Transport Heritage Trust: Steel Steaming Exhibition
Helena Thompson Museum, Park Road, Workington Open every day except Mondays between 1030 and 1630 Free admission A collection of photographs, models and film marking 40 years since the end of steam on British Rail, 130 years of rail making in Workington, and Workington railways yesterday, today and tomorrow |
| Thu Aug 07 - Sun Aug 10 | ? | South Devon Railway: August Fair http://www.southdevonrailway.org |
| Sat Aug 09 - Sun Aug 10 | 1000-1700 |
Bexhill MRC Exhibition
St Peter's Community Centre, Church Street, Old Town, Bexhill 1000-1700 |
| Sat Aug 09 - Sun Aug 10 | ? | Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Double-headed Weekend http://www.steamtrain.co.uk/ |
| Sat Aug 09 - Sun Aug 10 | 1030-1730(Sat) 1000-1700(Sun) |
Railwells 2008 and Scalefour Southwest
Wells Town Hall, Market Place, Wells, Somerset 1030-1730 (Sat), 1000-1700 (Sun) http://www.railwells.com/ |
| Sat Aug 09 - Sun Aug 10 | 1000-1730(Sat) 1000-1600(Sun) |
Plymouth & District MRC Exhibition
Plymouth Guildhall, Royal parade, Plymouth 1000-1730 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun) http://www.plymouthmrc.co.uk/ |
| Sat Aug 09 - Sun Aug 10 | ? | Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway: Vintage Train http://www.wllr.org.uk/ |
| Sat Aug 09 - Sun Aug 17 | ? | Mid Hants Railway: Day Out With Thomas http://www.watercressline.co.uk/ |
| Wed Aug 13 | 1030 |
Rowsley Historic Walks - guided walks of the Rowsley area
Meet at Rowsley Old Station near Matlock Derbyshire at 1030 Walks take about 3 hours - lunch available at Rowsley South station Opportunity to travel on 1356 Peak Rail service £3.50 including 24-page illustrated guide book http://www.rowsleyassociation.org.uk/walks |
| Fri Aug 15 - Sun Aug 17 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Vintage Train Weekend http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Sat Aug 16 | 1000-1630 |
Wittering Model Railway Exhibition
The memorial Hall, Elms Lane, West Wittering, West Sussex 1000-1630 |
| Sat Aug 16 | ? | Talyllyn Railway: Race the Train http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ |
| Sat Aug 16 - Sun Aug 17 | ? | Isle of Wight Railway: Folk Weekend http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ |
| Sun Aug 17 | ? |
Hayling Island Model Railway Exhibition
East Hayling Light Railway Workshops/Station (behind Beachlands Fun Fair) HPMRS member, Derek Gillkerson will be present with his Zwiesboden layout http://www.haylingseasiderailway.com/ |
| Mon Aug 18 - Fri Aug 22 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Anniversary Week http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Thu Aug 21 | ? | Talyllyn Railway: Children's 'Duncan' Day http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ |
| Fri Aug 22 - Mon Aug 25 | ? | Isle of Wight Railway: Island Steam Show http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ |
| Sat Aug 23 - Mon Aug 25 | ? | Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Day Out with Underground Ernie http://www.steamtrain.co.uk/ |
| Sat Aug 23 - Mon Aug 25 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Recreation of Works Open Day http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Sat Aug 23 - Mon Aug 25 | ? | Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Bank Holiday Operating Weekend http://www.e-v-r.com/ |
| Sun Aug 24 | ? | Talyllyn Railway: Series 1 Land Rover Gathering http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/ |
| Sun Aug 24 - Mon Aug 25 | ? | South Devon Railway: 50s and 60s Weekend http://www.southdevonrailway.org |
| Sun Aug 24 - Mon Aug 25 | ? |
Leawood Pumphouse Steaming Weekend
Cromford Canal, Derbyshire http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk |
| Sat Oct 25 | ? | Churnet Valley Railway: Ghost Train http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk |
| Cheers, Howard. editor at raildate.co.uk (spam-proofed) | ||
|
Previous issues of Raildate are at: http://steam.to/raildate
This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in previous editions of Raildate. | ||
| (C) Howard Sprenger and Hursley Park Model Railway Society 2008. | ||
| The external edition of Raildate may be freely distributed without permission as long as no changes whatsoever are made to the original document distributed by the Editor. You can subscribe to the external edition here: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/RAILDATE/ | ||