HPMRS RAILDATE 13 Mar 09

News

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

NETWATCH

Ian Morgan has put a video of "Bournemouth in the Blue/Grey Days" on to YouTube and Google Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfyIFZzLTgc http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-7785424177552822990

There is some very good film of lines in the South West, including the Callington branch and the Okehampton to Plymouth line in the South West Film & Television Archive: http://www.swfta.org.uk/

A huge collection of old film taken in the North, including some interesting Woodhead material: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/location/north/ (Spotter: Ted Millward)

Pictures of disused lines: http://philtpics.fotopic.net/c943840.html

For sale by a colleague

N Gauge ex-display 6'6" x 2'6" layout of "Carmel" (British outline) which was originally designed to sit alongside a sales display stand. Features two circular loops, four station platforms, goods yard, engine shed, tunnels and a fiddle yard. The layout has been added to, there is a town scene, church and upper level. With four working engines, 8 carriages, and approximately 20 other wagons going with the layout. Ideal "complete" starter package. Buyer collects from South Hants.

Offers invited.

(Contact the editor of Raildate in the first instance - I will put you in touch with the seller...)

Abingdon Model Railway Exhibition - an exhibitor's view by HPMRS member, Derek Gillkerson, creator of Zwiesboden:

Had a really enjoyable day at Abingdon despite it being a 140-mile round trip. The highlight was mid-afternoon, I was increasingly interested in a couple who were speaking in a foreign language and looking and pointing to the layout. Turns out that they live in the UK at the present time, but used to live in Zwiesel, and go skiing at Bodenmais! Well, it was a good job that I had my colleague with me or else the layout would not have been operational as I had a good ten minutes chat with this couple and really enjoyed that time. They were very astonished, amazed, that they should see their station and surrounding area in model form be it over a 1000 miles from the real location! http://213.232.93.59/ss/hpmrs/dg2.html

Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup

Melrose - Supporters of the failed Friends of Riccarton Junction project have transferred their interest to relaying a short section of track alongside the canopied platform of Melrose station.

Oxon/Glos/Worcs - Final design stages of the £50m scheme to re-double 20 miles of the Cotswold line are underway. Work will begin this summer between 18th July and 30th August with the slewing of the existing single lines from Charlbury to Ascott-under-Wychwood and from Moreton-in-Marsh to Evesham.

Northants - Four miles (or 6,700 metres) of new rail is being laid between Harrowden Jn and Kettering. This will give a third continuous bi-directional track all the way north from the end of the quadruple track at Sharnbrook Jn to Kettering North Jn where the single line to Corby leaves the Midland Main Line. The £11.5m project includes new signalling and will boost both passenger and freight capacity.

France - Harry Beck - the Paris connection: http://www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/harry-beck-the-paris-connection/

Norway - The Society of International Railway Travellers has voted the Bergen Line and the Flċm Railway as two of the top 25 Railway journeys in the world, with snow capped mountains, sparkling lakes and thundering waterfalls: http://tinyurl.com/8754o2

Philippines - A website showing the different locomotives and rolling stock used on the Philippine National Railways, along with information, news and sightings: http://tinyurl.com/9xhxj5

China - It is claimed that the new Beijing-Shanghai high-speed line, nearing completion, will create two world records. With a total distance of 1318 km (819miles) it will be the longest, and with trains travelling at 350kph (217mph), to complete the journey in under five hours, it will be the fastest: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/06/content_10959266.htm

However, Spain are also planning to raise the speed on their Madrid- Barcelona line to 217mph, whilst China also have plans for a 280mph, 109-mile magnetic levitation line between Shanghai and Hangzhour. The distance record will also pass to Vietnam when it open its 1555 km (966 mile) HS line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2020.

Mike McCormac's Top Ten Railways Photos 2008: http://tinyurl.com/88y32s

Neville Knight reports that the present work at Sandhills appears to be complete. The roof of the station from the ground looks very futuristic in the form of an elevated ramp. At ground level it is intended to install a bus station, but this has not been started, and remains fenced off, possibly awaiting funding.

A short course on British Documentary films (including the BFI) is offered at Birkbeck College next year: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/ce2009/modules/FFME052H4.html

The Canadian Southern Railway - interesting website complete with photos, maps and timetables: http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/home.htm

Tony Blews is plotting all current and former canals/navigations in Google Earth: http://www.coobeastie.co.uk/gecm

An interesting programme about tin mining in Cornwall that I missed earlier in the week, but is available for a few more days on BBC iPlayer. Tin Men - Jolyon Jenkins explores the story of the last working tin mine in Cornwall, South Crofty near Redruth, which has re-opened for business but is not yet producing ore. There is a slideshow promoting the programme: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7933355.stm

The BBC mining collection: http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/mining/

After the cloud appreciation society and the pylon enthusiast site, there is a wheelie bin website...! http://wheeliebinphotos.fpic.co.uk/ (Spotter: Neil Kearns)

IN THE NEWS

Alloa line gets a boost: http://tinyurl.com/dehaok

Train takes the strain at Forres: http://tinyurl.com/b6dhjg

Bolton station to be revamped: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7931167.stm

Bow East freight Depot http://www.rail.dbschenker.co.uk/services/olympics.html

Sustainable transport plan for Cardiff: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7936127.stm

Intercity Express Programme - Hitachi Super Express Technical data: http://www.agilitytrains.com/assets/pdf/AT-090205-Key_Facts-Released-1_5.pdf

In the wake of the Japanese contract for IEP - support for Bombardier: http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/ http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Bombardier/

Ewell 150: http://www.ewell150.co.uk/

Manchester Victoria buffet criticised: http://tinyurl.com/dzzla2

Coventry Ricoh rail link back on track: http://tinyurl.com/d8ppdu

Network Rail targets level crossing misuse in Stroud: http://tinyurl.com/8bwnfp

Network Rail propose job cuts in York: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7934297.stm

Butterley Company placed in administration: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/7927034.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7929443.stm

Historic railway factory to close: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/7933903.stm

DLR derailment: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7934613.stm

Flange lubricator problems at Bank station: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7937678.stm

Bombardier orders for Belfast (formerly Shorts): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7939344.stm

First train operated across the Britannia Bridge, Porthmadog (a stock movement in the early hours): http://tinyurl.com/aqn76a

Race the train: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/7928424.stm

Allan Pegler's boost for Flying Scotsman appeal: http://tinyurl.com/9ptw9a

Mountsorrel Railway to preserve part of Leicestershire quarry line: http://tinyurl.com/8h4a74

New miniature railway for Derby: http://tinyurl.com/crr3l8

Fatal trespass incident in Paris: http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0308/paris.html

EU investment in Croatian railway infrastructure: http://www.girodivite.it/Seenews-news-report-of-06-03-2009.html

$1.8 billion contract for of railway infrastructure in Saudi Arabia: http://tinyurl.com/bg2vfn

Delays in construction of Iran-Azerbaijan railway: http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1807_march_5_2009/1807_econ_three.html

Angola - Moçamedes railways to reach Menongue in July: http://tinyurl.com/aabyq8

Pakistan Railways to be privatised: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=166284

Thailand and Laos open historic rail link across Mekong River: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/03/05/national/national_30097244.php http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7925422.stm

Bad landing for Hurricane at North Weald: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/7938210.stm

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

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