HPMRS RAILDATE 13 Nov 09

News

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

Next week's Raildate might be a little earlier - Thursday night rather than Friday.

NETWATCH

Last week I mentioned a piece about the Patriot class that had been broadcast on Five Live. The "Listen Again" has now expired, but someone has captured the whole item and placed it here: http://tinyurl.com/yjtb3nu

The related BBC article is here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nmz45

And this week there was more from Up All Night. British railways in WW2 - another lovely bit of radio hidden away at 4.30am! Go here, pick Chapter 3 and start at 3hr 34min: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nsfwj#-

The same kind soul who naughtily captured the original Patriot broadcast has also made this latest one available for download here: http://tinyurl.com/yaf52jx

A website on the Dursley branch: http://www.dursleyglos.org.uk/html/dursley/railway/staff/staff.htm

Wonderful video of the Severn Railway Bridge and its demolition http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AImpaQ-7E1M&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJcddsFIDPA&feature=related

And film of the demolition of Lydbrook Viaduct: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30BfWflS0aE&NR=1

Exploration of Euroclydon Tunnel, Herefordshire: http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=17096

Old video of the Alnmouth-Alnwick branch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3D8tQly7c&feature=related

Ernie's Northumbrian Railway Archive: http://erniesphotos.fotopic.net/

Most of the above from the Bygone Lines discussion group: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bygone_Lines_UK/

The Derbyshire railways discussion group: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/derbyshirerailways/

A discussion group covering LMS carriages and wagons: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/LMS_wagonshops/

Manchester Metrolink - free travel next week http://www.metrolink.co.uk/free_travel.asp (Spotter: Richard Maund)

See comprehensive details on any station's facilities: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/ (Spotter: Richard Buckby)

£3.8m cycle trail across Peak District: http://tinyurl.com/yzkfl45 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/8354657.stm

Comment here: http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/contactus.htm

Article about the "Art Deco Icons" programme on the Orient Express: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ntrs5

New Dehli railway station - by Terry Farrell (and partners). A novel piece of railway design: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=679280&page=11

(Spotter: Nick Wheat)

ModelRailBook Answers a new questions and answers website for the model railway and model railroad community: http://answers.modelrailbook.com/about

An alternative to brick paper? Download free textures here: http://www.mayang.com/textures/

This site attempts to record all extant steam locomotives in the world, although there are some omissions like Russia (for instance) and it relies on unconfirmed sightings. Also, some of the locomotives are believed to be cut up, but nevertheless it is an interesting site: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/index.cfm

A 360-degree view of an Airbus A380 flight deck: http://www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/cockpit1.htm (Spotter: Tom Baldwin)

Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup

Rail user groups - a list of groups throughout Britain http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Key%20rail%20user%20groups

News from user groups http://tinyurl.com/yd7ml2z

Heathrow BAA has confirmed that planning permission for a third runway will not be sought until after next year's General Election. This follows a firm commitment from the Conservatives that, if elected, they would focus on high speed rail and increasing the capacity of regional airports.

Docklands Light Railway The Mayor of London has reinstated proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Dagenham Dock, and also to enlarge the tram network. The new stance indicates a u-turn from Boris Johnson's original preference for buses, although a new Routemaster is still being planned. http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/metro/2009/10/12-light-rail-is-back-on.html

Nottingham NET Nottingham City Council is looking for a new operator capable of taking over the city's existing line and designing, building and operating the two new lines. The 6-mile line to Clifton is likely to have 13 stops and carry 3.9 million passengers a year whilst the 4¾ mile line to Chilwell is expected to have 15 stops and carry 5.1 million passengers.

Manchester Metrolink After six months closure for upgrading, cross-city services between Manchester Victoria/Piccadilly and St Peter's Square resumed as planned on Monday 2nd November 2009.

Blackpool Trams Due to the refurbishment work, which is going to be carried out over the winter months, the whole of the tramway system will be closed from Monday 9th November until April 2010. http://www.blackpooltransport.com/services/divTram.html

Edinburgh trams The first Edinburgh tram has been completed at CAFs works near San Sebastian in Spain. It will undergo testing at the company's premises then early next year it will be despatched to Croydon where it will accumulate mileage.

Chorley Work is to start in early in 2010 on a new station at Buckshaw between Chorley and Euxton Junction on the Manchester-Preston line. It will serve a fast expanding village on the site of the former Euxton ROF which, until 1965, was itself served by an unadvertised station. Completion is promised by the end of 2010.

Northumberland Heatherslaw Light Railway, a 15-in line located on the Ford & Etal estate east of Coldstream, has been handed cash for new steam locomotive and rolling stock. http://tinyurl.com/yj4ng6f

Eurostar prepares for competition Eurostar are looking at where they go beyond Paris and Brussels and the obvious and most attractive destination is Amsterdam. "Thalys will begin high speed operations on HSL-Zuid in December but Eurostar would need to buy some new trains to run through because we can't adapt our trains to ERTMS signalling. In the UK in the longer run we need to think about running our trains beyond London." says their C.E. http://tinyurl.com/y9zr5qu

Spain Spain's high speed network is due to grow by 320 miles next year. Routes from Madrid to North and NW Spain, including the Basque, are to receive 2.15bn euro whilst 1.8bn euro has been allocated to the route to Valencia, Alicante and Murcia. 2010 should also see the opening of the Madrid- Cuenca-Valencia route. High speed services to Valencia will terminate at a temporary facility now nearing completion. Comprehensive remodelling of the rail network includes construction of a station beneath the existing terminus, with two standard gauge and four broad gauge tracks on a new north-south through route under the city. http://tinyurl.com/yg6h732

Israel Israel Railways has resumed construction work on the Ashkelon-Beersheva line, following the settlement reached last week between the Ministries of Finance and Transport. http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000512399&fid=942

Venezuela The China Railway Group are building a US$7.5bn, 293-mile long line in north Venezuela. After the completion in 2010 it is estimated that the double-track electrified railway will carry 5.8 million passengers at up to 136mph and 9.8 million tons of freight per year. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2624221/

New Zealand The TranzAlpine is part of the TranzScenic line of railways that operates on both islands of New Zealand. http://tinyurl.com/yzj3ext

India On 28th October 2009, Indian Railway opened the last 11 miles of the 74-mile long line from Baramulla to Quazigund in the Kashmir Valley. The section which is already operational from Baramulla-Anantnag has proved to be very popular with more than 5000 passengers travelling daily. http://tinyurl.com/yg5vw9m http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_Railway

And finally, a bit about buses...

The Stagecoach bus group has been ordered to sell off the Preston Bus Co. It was taken over in 2007 after prolonged bus wars between the two companies. A report by the Competition Commission says the merger has reduced competition and could harm the interests of passengers. http://tinyurl.com/y95x8r2 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8354043.stm

Also in Preston the bus station is due to be demolished to make way for a John Lewis store as part of the city's £700m Tithebarn regeneration. A new, smaller bus station is set to be built in Manchester Road. http://www.lep.co.uk/travel/39Station-bid-is-a-tactic.5811443.jp

IN THE NEWS

Shortage of Sunday volunteer drivers on FCC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8347363.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8348929.stm

Strike vote by FCC drivers: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8354862.stm

Class 70 diesels arrive in the UK: http://www.jackboskett.fotopic.net/c1778331.html (70001 reported at Lawley Street and 70002 at Stoke Gifford on Thursday)

Lobby for improved local services around Bristol: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8356238.stm

Opposition to Bearstead International Freight terminal: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8355776.stm

Network Rail uses the bus: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8354358.stm

London commuters baffled by steamy broadcast: http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE5A546Z20091106?rpc=401 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8347408.stm

RAIB report on a derailment at East Somerset Jn in 2008: http://tinyurl.com/yfvxsnz

Memorial garden to Ufton Nervet accident: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/8345918.stm

Clan Line passing through Warminster on 11th November: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPW9yGGBYCY

Old tracks in Wales could see trains again: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8346748.stm

Petition organised by teenagers for better train service to Fishguard: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/8346263.stm

Platform improvement at Aberdyfi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8349355.stm

Unease over low fine for level crossing accident: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8349470.stm

Glasgow to London East Coast trains to be axed: http://tinyurl.com/ybt5abh http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8348133.stm

Tanat Valley progress: http://www.tvlr.co.uk/pages/default.aspx http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/8348213.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8349191.stm

Pink Uniform day on Isle of Wight Steam Railway: http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/index.htm

Vacancies on WSR: http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1067

Strathspey Railway extension progress: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8351637.stm

End of line for Orient Express...? http://tinyurl.com/yavhlpb http://tinyurl.com/yktomnt

BBC - From our own correspondent (European railways): http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8346744.stm

Lego model of the 5AT projected loco: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/20520

Passenger Information removed from South African Transport web site: http://tinyurl.com/ycv9v5r

Sandstone Estates web site (South Africa): http://www.sandstone-estates.com/index_sht.html

Boston Subway near miss: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8352198.stm

Indian wrestlers discourage ticket-less travel: http://tinyurl.com/yza7nxp

Upgrade of Blackpool Tram system: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8349959.stm

Cruise ship refit at Swansea: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8342831.stm

Wales as a cruise ship destination...? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8345090.stm

Boy pulls plug on aqueduct: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8350930.stm?ls

Gravesend pier reopens: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8348142.stm

Enhanced bus service for Snowdon walkers: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8352149.stm

Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps

TV and Radio

Events

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

Santa Specials