RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society: http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
Droxford Station is for sale: http://www.countrylife.co.uk/property/details/property/274763
The repeats of various regional BBC programmes on the effects of the Beeching Report on BBC4 under the title "Beeching's Tracks" seem to have faltered. This week we had Nicholas Crane with the programme made for BBC East... next week... nothing. Hopefuly, normal service will be resumed.
Graeme Bickerdike recently wrote a piece for "Rail Engineer" magazine about Glenfield Tunnel charting the story of Leicester City Council's strengthening works. http://www.forgottenrelics.co.uk/tunnels/glenfield.html
Latest from the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway... "The Fighting Fund now stands at £12,000, so we have raised over 25% of our target but we still need more donations. These can be made either by going to www.justgiving.com/sklr or by sending cheques, made payable to SKLR (Fighting Fund), PO Box 300, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 2DZ." http://www.sklr.net/
The Trainspots website has details of over 1000 good trainspotting locations: http://www.trainspots.co.uk/index.php
Marlow & District Railway Society: http://www.mdrs.org.uk/
Fancy being a railway accident inspector...? http://tinyurl.com/6clz6k (Spotter: Richard Buckby)
All you ever want to know about lathes... and then some... http://www.lathes.co.uk/index.html
Genesis Kits: http://www.genesiskits.co.uk
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
Electrification: According to Dr Mike Mitchell, Director General National Networks at the DfT, a decision on whether Britain will embark on its biggest programme of electrification is expected to be made before the Spring.
Locomotives and Trains: Freightliner's has ordered 36 3,700hp Class 68 diesel locos from General Electric, the first time this American builder has supplied the UK market. Delivery is scheduled for late 2009.
The formal takeover of the freight company EWS by DBSchenker took place on 1st October. The new German owners are expeceted to fully rebrand the loco fleet and plan to refurbish about 30 of the remaining 50 Class 60s. The BR-built locos are their only true heavy-haul locos and its nearest equivalent to Freightliner's new Class 68s.
No longer constrained by the need to operate trains built to the UK loading gauge, Eurostar is considering replacing its Class 373s with a completely new fleet of TGV sized trains, once they become due for heavy overhall. The favourite is the AVG, Alstom's replacement for its now ageing TGV design.
The project to re-streamline LMS Duchess Pacific No 6229 "Duchess of Hamilton" has resumed at Tyseley after a delay while steel for the distinctive curved front cladding was ordered.
India - Check train running information: http://indiarailinfo.com/ or the current geographical location of any Indian Railways train: http://www.bloglines.com/preview?siteid=12736707&itemid=1199
Japan - Colourful gallery of the trams in Kumamoto city: http://snowowl-annex.blogspot.com/search/label/9202
A short video of improvements at Stratford Regional station: http://tinyurl.com/599dwf
Plan to extend Crossrail: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7721525.stm
Level crossing accident at Freshford (SWT unit159010): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7724407.stm
Geoff Hoon "a breath of fresh air" for the railway industry: http://tinyurl.com/5epnma
South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Draft Strategy: http://tinyurl.com/5mj6yu
Remembrance services Birmingham area: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7714858.stm
70013 renamed for remembrance ceremony: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7717387.stm
Chiltern Railways additional service for Remembrance Sunday: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/latest-news/remembrancesunday08/
Campaign to upgrade Conway Valley line: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/7724225.stm
Advance warning of engineering works at Christmas: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7716569.stm
£200m plan to safeguard Newcastle's locomotive legacy: http://tinyurl.com/6fcjgf
RAIB bulletin regarding freight train derailment in July 2008: http://tinyurl.com/6rrhlh Oddly, the report does not say where it happened
Unacceptable behaviour on a train: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=930905
Steam engine restoration starts on Mid Suffolk line: http://tinyurl.com/6xevwx
East Lancs Railway Christmas shopping service: http://tinyurl.com/5ep3flhttp://tinyurl.com/5ep3fl
Weardale railway progress: http://tinyurl.com/6xmdax
Auditor to probe Cairngorm railway finances: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7719258.stm
Second Furness Railway steam locomotive to be restored: http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/1.267246
Czech Railways expand despite losses: http://tinyurl.com/5uw2mo
UAE government funds 573-kilometre rail network: http://tinyurl.com/62bb5x
Germany to assist Ghana's railway sector: http://news.myjoyonline.com/news/200811/22484.asp
Australian firm hired to run Rift Valley Railways: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/220/658618
Indian Railways dedicates Kalka-Shimla rail track to nation: http://tinyurl.com/5davjl
Construction of Nanning-Guangzhou high-speed rail line started: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/09/content_10332002.htm
To be followed in 2009 on the Tianjin-Baoding high-speed railway: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/09/content_10330480.htm
End of commercial passenger flights at Coventry: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/7718581.stm
Ryanair emergency landing at Rome: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7719716.stm
QE2 final visit to Southampton: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7720966.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Ralph Rawlinson
| Sat Nov 15 | 1200-1250 | Five 'Mean Machines of War' The Mosquito |
| Sat Nov 15 | 1410-1550 | ITV1 'The Ladykillers' Classic 1955 Ealing comedy |
| Sun Nov 16 | 2335-2435 | Five 'Danger Men' The Red Arrows |
| Mon Nov 17 | 1545-1600 | BBC Radio 4 'Lights, Camera, Landmark' Battersea Power Station |
| Tue Nov 18 | 2000-2100 | BBC4 'The Thirties in Colour' 1/4 |
| Thu Nov 20 | 1900-1930 | BBC2 'James May's 20th Century' Warfare |
| Thu Nov 20 | 1930-2000 | Five 'How Do They Do It?' Heathrow Aiport and printer cartridges |
| Thu Nov 20 | 2000-2100 | BBC2 'Ian Hislop Goes off the Rails' Hislop's take on Beeching |
| Thu Nov 20 | 2100-2200 | BBC4 'The Last Days of Steam' Time Shift documentary |
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. | ||
| Sat Nov 15 | 1000-1600 |
Winchester Book Fair
2nd hand, rare, antiquarian and collectable books, maps, etc
The Saxon Suite, Winchester Guildhall 1000-1600 |
| Sat Nov 15 | 1030-1700 |
White House Model Railway Group Model Show Rail 2008
The White House, 45 The Avenue, Hampton, Middlesex 1030-1700 |
| Sat Nov 15 | 1400 |
Railway and Canal Historical Society
Charles Clinker Memorial Lecture 'To encourage such as would travel a little, to travel more': History and the future of mobility To be given by Professor Colin Divall of the Institute of Railway Studies & Transport History in the Walker Suite of the NRM, York Starts 1400 Complimentary tea and coffee will be available from 1330 |
| Sun Nov 15 - Mon Nov 16 | 1000-1700(Sat) 1000-1600(Sun) |
Solent Model Railway Group Exhibition
Oaklands Community School, Fairisle Road, Lordshill, SO16 8BY 1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun) Adults: £2.50, OAP: £2.00, Under 16: £1.50, Under 5: Free Family (2+2): £6.00 HPMRS member Derek Gillkerson will be present with New Stanton Lees |
| Sun Nov 16 | ? |
Bursledon Brickworks Winter Steam Up & Christmas Crafts
Swanwick lane, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW Steam vehicles - tractors, rollers, etc Narrow gauge railway, steam-hauled trailer rides http://www.bursledonbrickworks.co.uk/ |
| Sun Nov 16 | ? |
Bluebell Railway Bus Running Day
Free Vintage Bus Services and visiting S&D 7F 2-8-0 locomotive No 53809 will be running in service on the Bluebell http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/ |
| Sun Nov 16 | ? |
Walk the coastal section of the West Somerset Railway
West Somerset Steam Railway Trust in conjunction with St Margaret's Somerset Hospice Walkers can give all the sponsorship to the WSSRT or to split between the Heritage Carriages Project and the Hospice http://www.wsr.org.uk/walk2008.htm |
| Mon Nov 17 | 1930 |
Peak Rail presents Rob Foxon's 'Railways Remembered' Film Show:
'Along Midland Lines'
The Library Theatre (near The Crucible), Tudor Place, Sheffield Doors open 1900, show starts 1930 Tickets: £5.50, concessions: £5.00 |
| Sat Nov 29 - Sun Nov 30 | ? | Swanage Railway: 1960s Weekend http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/ |
| Sun Nov 30 | 1000-1700 |
New Forest MRS Open Day
Brockenhurst Village Hall, Highwood Road, SO42 7RY 1000-1700 HPMRS member Derek Gillkerson will be present with Zwiesboden http://www.nfmrs.co.uk/nfmrs_home_page/ |
| Wed Dec 03 | 1400 |
Institute of Railway Studies & Transport History, York
British Railway Finances Before 1914 by Peter Fletcher (IRS&TH) and John Dodgson (LSE) Starts 14.00 All welcome, light refreshments will be served All workshops held in the NRM's Search Engine research and study facility |
| Sat Dec 06 | ? | Reading O Gauge Exhibition |
| Sun Dec 07 | 1000-1600 |
Romsey Signal Box Open Day
Admission free (donations welcome!) 1000-1600 Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey Car park in school grounds http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk |
| Sat Nov 22 - Sun Nov 23 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Santa Specials http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Sat Nov 29 - Sun Nov 30 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Santa Specials http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Thu Dec 04 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Santa Specials http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Mid Hants Railway: Santa Specials http://www.watercressline.co.uk/ |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Exbury Gardens Steam Railway: Santa Specials http://www.exbury.co.uk |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Isle of Wight Railway: Santa Specials http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Swanage Railway: Santa Specials http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/ |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Lynton & Barnstaple Railway: Santa Specials http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | South Devon Railway: Santa by Steam http://www.southdevonrailway.org |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway: Santa Specials http://www.gwsr.com |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Midland Railway Centre: Santa Specials http://www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk |
| Sat Dec 06 - Sun Dec 07 | ? | Peak Rail: Santa Specials http://www.peakrail.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/ | ||