HPMRS RAILDATE 30 Jan 09

News

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

NETWATCH

A Hursley connection with the 1910 Hawes Junction accident...

If you have read any works on railway accidents (Rolt's "Red For Danger", for instance), you might recall William Henry Bunce - the Station Master at Hawes Junction, who was a witness at the BOT enquiries into both the Hawes Junction smash on 24th December 1910 and the Ais Gill sequel on 20th September 1913. The report on the former contains the immortal quote from signalman Alfred Sutton to his relief, "Will you go to Station Master Bunce and say that I am afraid that I have wrecked the Scotch express".

Glynn Waite has been doing some research into Midland Railway station masters and recently learned that Bunce was born at Hursley c1852. In the 1871 census he is a bricklayer's labourer, still living at Hursley, but by the following census in 1881, his career on the railway was underway in the Sheffield area, the indications being that he was at Dronfield in some capacity from at least 1875/76.

It would be interesting to know how a bricklayer's labourer, born and bred in Hursley, found himself working for the Midland Railway in Yorkshire!

The Rhyl Journal is running a competition in which six copies of "Lost Railways of North Wales" are up for grabs. Closing date is 4th February: http://http://tinyurl.com/dy3bzm. (Spotter: Ralph Rawlinson)

When pantographs fail: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XgCPPeYmyKw&feature=related http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=te1F8dL1k0w&feature=related

Meanwhile, Bombardier has announced the first catenary-free and contactless operating tram: http://tinyurl.com/anmqqd

A list of British Railways shed codes - not guaranteed 100% correct: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_Railways_shed_codes

The 2M Group is a collection of local London Councils representing 2 million constituents and who are opposed to the Third Runway at Heathrow. It is proposing new local rail links and high speed lines using Heathrow as a rail hub: http://tinyurl.com/crh9cn

(Spotter: Richard Buckby)

Surely no self-respecting enthusiast and Flying Scotsman fan would want to be without the ultimate in kitsch: http://tinyurl.com/dl39mx

Similar must-have Flying Scotsman "memorabilia" available here: http://www.bradfordco.uk/index.php/cat/c43_Flying-Scotsman.html

A website to search Hansard from 1805 to 2005 for debates on bills in the House of Commons - it also includes some committee reports. The site is still "work in progress" but it's one to keep an eye on: http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/

First public train to Swanage off the main line since the branch was closed by BR. UK Railtours, in association with Past-Time Rail, are running a diesel-hauled railtour from Waterloo to Swanage on 1st April 2009. This will be a leisurely transit via a circuitous route because you only get 2 hours in Swanage! http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/index.php/news.html

Railways through Europe - maps of railway-networks: http://www.bueker.net/trainspotting/maps.php

Going to Germany? Nick Wheat received this...

We hope you don't mind us contacting you. We are an English couple who own and run a small hotel in the Black Forest, Germany. As someone who is interested in railways, we thought you may like to know that holidaymakers in this area automatically receive free train and bus travel throughout the Black Forest for the duration of their stay (excluding steam trains). As well as a regular and efficient train service covering the main tourist attractions and towns/cities of the Black Forest, we have a local steam train which operates on alternate Sunday?s during the summer. For a wonderful day out there is the Sauschwänzle Bahn railway and museum in Blumberg ( http://www.sauschwaenzlebahn.de). In addition we offer a free drop-off and pick-up service to and from our nearest railway station, approximately 2km away.

Our hotel, Pension Williams, is located in the beautiful village of Seebach, nestling in the Acher Valley and ideally placed for exploring the Black Forest and surrounding areas. We have single, twin, double and family rooms, all with en-suite, TV and most with south facing balconies with wonderful views of the valley. Our prices start at 22 euros per person per night for bed and breakfast in a single room and 25 euros per person per night for a double room. Reductions are available for children under 12 years old. We also offer reductions for groups. We have private parking and we offer snacks and locally produced wine, beer and schnapps. The Pension is open all year.

Other days out in the area include the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (a beautiful route through the northern Black Forest and just 5 minutes away), Strasbourg (France), Baden-Baden, Triberg (where you can visit the largest cuckoo clock in the world and Germany's highest waterfall), Basle (Switzerland), Europa Park theme park and Karlsruhe Zoo to name but a few. Or you may prefer to have a day walking or relaxing - Seebach has many kilometres of marked paths for all abilities, whether you prefer a quiet stroll or a more strenuous hike. From the end of November until Christmas you can visit the wonderful Christmas Markets of Germany, France and Switzerland from Seebach - please contact us if you are interested in our special offers for the 2009 Christmas Markets.

There are also many motor related museums in the area - all within 45-90 minutes away: Sinsheim Auto and Technik Museum (also has a steam collection) Schlumpf Collection Museum Porsche Museum Mercedes-Benz Museum Carl Benz Museum Unimog Museum

Our nearest airport is just 35 minutes away at Karlsruhe-Baden. Ryanair offer very cheap flights there from Stansted and Dublin. Alternatively British Airways fly into Stuttgart, about 90 minutes away.

Our website address is http://www.pension-williams.com if you would like more information. Thank you for your time and wishing you all the very best from the Black Forest.

Kind regards, David and Angela Williams.

Nick also reports that if you want to ring Bachmann, their website only offers an 0870 number (expensive on a mobile). The website www.saynoto0870.com offers a mobile-friendly landline alternative: 01455 841756.

IN THE NEWS

Stewarton (Kilmarnock) oil train derailment and fire: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7852787.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7856326.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7853530.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7852941.stm (6B01 0520 Mossend - Riccarton. 66067 & 10 x 100 tonne tank cars)

East Midlands Parkway opening: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7849786.stm

First Capital Connect - proposed cut in ticket office opening hours: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7854851.stm

Northern Rail strike threat: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7857848.stm

ORR ruling on ECML access published: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/ecml-cap2_propdec.pdf

Southern services to Milton Keynes - start delayed http://www.southernrailway.com/news.php?id=217&u=index.php

Swindon-Kemble redoubling after all...? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/gloucestershire/7848436.stm

Graffiti damage to Bath Spa station: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7849911.stm

Fare dodger head-butted conductor: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/derbyshire/7859220.stm

LH Access Technology and Border Rail and Plant each fined £240,000: http://tinyurl.com/bcf6g8

Whitehall puts five train operators on financial critical list: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/jan/24/rail-travel-transport

DLR strike threat over new rosters: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7856449.stm

New DB Schenker livery for UK locos unveiled at Toton: http://www.todaysrailways.fotopic.net/c1641955_1.html

Forest fans damage train: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/7855767.stm

King's Cross Underground entrance to close http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/2333.aspx#entrance

Dog bites ticket inspector: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/7856733.stm

Residents fear village will become suburb of Bury St Edmunds: http://tinyurl.com/d7cwox

Sandhills station (Liverpool) reopened following £7m upgrade: http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5524

Landslip between Fairwood Road Jn and Westbury: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7851291.stm

Virtual musuem celebrating historic Rainhill trails launched: http://tinyurl.com/7ge7ln http://www.rainhilltrials.com

Couple discover £20,000 of railway signs used as floorboards: http://tinyurl.com/bsbzg4 http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2163050.ece

Trespassers on the Welsh Highland Railway: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/7853542.stm

End of the line for Barry Island Railway Company: http://tinyurl.com/czzyjk

Month long series of events for enthusiasts is to be staged in Durham: http://tinyurl.com/c2ljcm

RAIB report into locomotive struck by runaway train from quarry: http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Bulletin%2003-2009.pdf (The damaged switcher is under repair and has an extra emergency brake valve in the cab)

RAIB report into Ely derailment June 2007: http://www.raib.gov.uk/cms_resources/090127_R022009_Ely.pdf

RAIB report into 4 x 4 on WCML near Congleton December 2008 http://www.raib.gov.uk/publications/current_investigations_register/081218_n orth_rode.cfm

Feasibility study into railway connecting Armenia with Iran: http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1779_january_23_2009/1779_econ_two.html

Railway forced to drop Thomas: http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaruherald/4826497a6010.html

Road closures in Edinburgh for tram works: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7846817.stm

New ferry terminal planned at Stranraer: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7853845.stm

Accident on Stranraer ferry: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7857643.stm

Airbus accident at Toulouse: http://www.airlineempires.net/blog/2007/11/26/airbus-a340-meets-wall-airbus-loses/

Virgin Atlantic complaint letter: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/editors_corner/article/11975/

Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Ralph Rawlinson

TV and Radio

Events

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