HPMRS RAILDATE 19 Nov 09

News

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

NETWATCH

A "new" tramway and a record-breaking steam car in the New Forest are described in the latest episode of "Coast and Country". Listen while you can: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/country (Spotter: Nick Wheat)

See also: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8363692.stm

Reproductions of selected SR-related Railway Magazine articles: http://www.semgonline.com/RlyMag/index.html (Spotter: Neil Kearns)

Black 5 returns to service on the GCR - including shots with the beavertail observation car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-34V_v_EQUU (Spotter: Ted Millward)

Updated gallery showing work being undertaken at Duffield on the Wirksworth Branch: http://wyvernrail-plc.fotopic.net/c1778909.html (Spotter: Neil Ferguson-Lee)

A walk along the Cromford Canal: http://tinyurl.com/yb9anj3

Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Lifton, Devon: http://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/

Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup

Docklands Light Railway South Quay station on the Lewisham line was closed on Friday 23rd October because its platforms, built on a curve, could not be extended to accommodate longer trains. Its replacement, built immediately to the east, was opened on Monday 26th October. http://tinyurl.com/y9zvlws

LSWR Main Line The line will be closed between Yeovil Junction and Honiton from 28th November to 6th December 2009 for the final phase of the route resignalling programme.

Southeastern Trains The new timetable effective from 13th December 2009 brings about the biggest changes for over 40 years. An entirely new service pattern will be introduced throughout parts of Kent, East Sussex and SE London. http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/index.php/cms/pages/home

Kent & East Sussex Railway The Rother Valley Railway has applied for planning permission to rebuild 400 yards of railway over Udium Farm to the B2244 (made possible by change of ownership of the farm). This will form an extension to the 1200 yards already in place west of Bodiam station.

Hertfordshire The Government and Hertfordshire CC have announced that the 6-mile Watford to St Albans branch railway is to be converted into a tram line to allow for more regular and frequent services. http://tinyurl.com/ycnspul

Cycleways Cycling Towns and Sustrans share £10 million. The six Cycling Demonstration Towns, which share £3 million, are Aylesbury, Brighton & Hove, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster. A survey showed 27% more trips by bike being made there and growth in the number of new cyclists. http://tinyurl.com/ylhwn2c

Oswestry The Cambrian Railways Trust is objecting to plans to demolish large sections of the former Cambrian Railways works and engine shed for a development, which will include a Tesco store and cinema. http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/10/08/trust-fears-for-heritage/

Todmorden The study into reinstating the west to north curve, which Burnley Borough Council has commissioned Network Rail to carry out, is due for completion by the end of 2009. If installed it would allow direct commuter services to run between Manchester and Burnley via Copy Pit.

Ireland's Western Rail Corridor Commencement of the new passenger service between Limerick and Galway is on target for 13th December 2009 timetable change. The line between Ennis -Athenry-Claremorris has been rebuilt as part of Ireland's Transport 21 programme.

Belgium The new station at Liège Guillemins was officially opened opened in September 2009. Its five island platforms serve nine tracks and are covered by as glass and steel dome. The layout of the old station was too complicated for fast transit and will now be demolished.

India Indian Railways are building, or are planning to build, four mega river bridges: over the Ganga (Ganges) at Patna and Munger, over the Brahmaputra at Bogibeel and at Nirmali over the Kosi.

IN THE NEWS

Train fares set for lowest rise: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8362167.stm

Britain's worst railway stations: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8364380.stm http://tinyurl.com/yk92ton

Ticket barriers abandoned at York: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/8359164.stm

Class 70 at Newport and Stoke Gifford: http://chrisperkins.fpic.co.uk/c1779220_1.html

High-speed route discussions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/politics_show/8361131.stm

Armed men threaten railway staff: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8366349.stm

Accident on Felixstowe branch: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/8357184.stm

Rail accident sparks safety call: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8366643.stm

Bridge collapse at Feltham (line should be open on 23rd Nov with track slewed onto formation of Feltham Yard reception lines): http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/engineeringwork.aspx http://tinyurl.com/yedultw

Rail crash site signs ignored: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/8367236.stm

Train drivers continue slow-downs: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8364943.stm

Bonus bonanza for LT staff: http://is.gd/4Wd8U

Strike ballot over rail rosters: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/8363776.stm

Booking office dispute at Virgin Trains: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8368010.stm

Possible strikes on London Underground: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8367775.stm

Oyster cards on national network services: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8364001.stm

Passengers struck by part of an underground train: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8366005.stm

Steam returns to Tanat Valley Light Railway: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8349191.stm

Pannier Tanks at Ironbridge 14/11/2009: http://david1984.fotopic.net/p62092610.html http://railways.mjspencer.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3188

Steam Dreams loco roster for 2010: http://www.steamdreams.com/content/view/50/47/

IoW ferry late after door flies open: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8367254.stm

Super capacity airbus ordered: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8364983.stm

EE Lightning fatal crash in South Africa: http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/local/article194296.ece

Proposed memorial to Sir Sidney Camm: http://tinyurl.com/y9dujnd

New Forth Road crossing images: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8364294.stm

Possible staff reductions at Alexander/Dennis: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8356759.stm

Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Mike Price

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