HPMRS RAILDATE 31 Jul 09

News

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

NETWATCH

Sandown Railway Enthusiasts Club: http://www.bradinglines.org

Excellent footage of the Great Central Railway's "Mail by Rail Gala" on 25th July, including mailbag pickup at speed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9byBMEOxiYE (Spotter: Ted Millward)

Mike Irlam's Railway History: http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/home.html (Spotter: Ted Millward)

A look to the future, General Motors' 'Aerotrain': http://www.carofthecentury.com/the_aerotrain.htm (Spotter: John Hillmer)

The Lost Days of Steam - railwaymen's reminiscences and folk songs: http://tinyurl.com/kt6uyv (Spotter: Richard Buckby)

Watch Dutch railways on your computer screen: http://www.railcam.nl (Spotter: David Canning)

After the mapping links last week, Richard Maund sends these...

"Vintage" OS maps of various dates - but fiddly to use: http://www.old-maps.co.uk/

Modern maps: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/

A range of 1925-1945 1" maps (most seem to be older than the New Popular Edition). Set transparency to 100% to cut out the modern overlays - and vice versa! http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html

C&L Finescale: http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php

Check out Hobbytec on eBay (bluejt2000 is his eBay seller ID). All sorts of items 'buy it now' fixed price, including posters, street signs, road signs and so on. At the time of writing, his website is down for maintenance, but you can find him on ebay http://www.hobby-tec.co.uk/ http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/bluejt2000

It seems that the paddle steamer PS Ryde is up for sale following the former owners going into administration. There is, however, no mention of the sale on the official website: http://psryde.co.uk/default.aspx

Information about this, and many other "at risk" vessels, including the Calshot Spit Light Vessel can be seen here: http://www.transportbritain.co.uk/risklist.html

Sutton's (Surrey) transport history: http://www.friendsofhoneywood.co.uk/Transport/1960s.htm

Dave's pictures: http://gricing.fotopic.net/c1728827.html

Into roads...? http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/

IN THE NEWS

Strike on National Express East Anglia: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8175785.stm

Discount fares on SWT: http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/SWTrains/News/_midsummermadness.htm

MPs urge rail franchise reforms: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8169529.stm

Rail firms reject fares criticism: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8171009.stm

Frinton level crossing fault halts town traffic: http://tinyurl.com/lfduu8

More on the Great Western electrification: http://tinyurl.com/ly3x2a

New carriage plans under review following electrification plans: http://tinyurl.com/lzekj9

Adonis criticises Network Rail about state of Wakefield Kirkgate: http://tinyurl.com/lwvhzu

Chipping Camden Tunnel, Cotswold Line redoubling: http://tinyurl.com/m6fnqp

Inverness-Wick/Thurso journey times could be cut by 25 minutes: http://tinyurl.com/lu4fgv

Hornsey - new Thameslink depot: http://tinyurl.com/m3aw2w

Waterloo to Heathrow: http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/news/story?id=6102

London robots fight rail line side fires: http://www.railway-technology.com/news/news60737.html

UK gets new recyclable station: http://www.railway-technology.com/news/news60636.html

Near miss at Llanbadarn crossing (isn't that a "near hit"?): http://tinyurl.com/nk8wwz

Welsh Highland Heritage Railway wins town crier competition: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8172337.stm

Strike on Nottingham tram system: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/8169212.stm

Capitalism blamed as rail failure re-divides Berlin: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/658bacf4-7a45-11de-b86f-00144feabdc0.html

How not to provide assistance at a train de-railment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFKc7NfTabw&NR=1

Hong Kong rail project: http://www.railway-technology.com/news/news60439.html

Honolulu rail system go-ahead: http://www.railway-technology.com/news/news60438.html

Restoring a historic railroad tugboat in the USA: http://www.wabi.tv/news/6595/winterport-man-restoring-historic-tugboat

Dibden Bay proposal renewed: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8171616.stm

Communist plane becomes luxury hotel: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8164639.stm

Sunderland Airshow: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/8168703.stm

Vulcan flypast: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8169496.stm

Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, John McCrickard, 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.