RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
Further to last week's piece about the removal of a Peak Rail discussion
group, there now appear to be two independent groups:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/peakrail-enthusiasts/
and:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Peakrailgossip/
The Bygone Lines discussion group is for discussion about lost railway
routes:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bygone_Lines_UK/
To discuss closed or abandoned railway infrastructure on otherwise open
lines there is now an additional group:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Britlostrlyinfra
An interesting commentary on the Manchester Metrolink:
http://mancunian1001.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/metrolink-the-next-generation/
A new BBC series looks at India's hill railways:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qzk9r
The Catherals Express 2010 Brochure online:
http://tinyurl.com/yzddagz
============
Videos...
Mitcheldean Road station in 1959:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeL0uYzH2hY
A lot of interesting old film here:
http://www.eavb.co.uk/library/index.html
Riding New York's A-train:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8500662.stm
The GCR Spring gala in three parts. (Spring comes early on the Great
Central!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqx2F4fcm8A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t-g7OS4VsM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jTdQ7Q03U8
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Irish Railways:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0203/nationwide_av.html
(Spotter: Ralph Rawlinson)
============
Ralph Rawlinson Railway Roundup
TOCs
At present National Express market the London Tilbury & Southend franchise
under the name c2c. However, when it is re-let next spring it will be
known as 'Essex Thameside'.
Rocked by staff and timetable problems the Thameslink franchise, marketed
by owner First Group as 'Capital Connect', could be seized back by the
Government.
To reflect the planned electrification, Manchester/Liverpool-Preston, DfT
Rail wants to switch some of its services to a new franchise after 2013.
When the TransPennine Express franchise comes up for renewal in February
2012 it is likely that the new franchise will be created based on the NW
corridor from Lancashire to Scotland.
Spean Bridge
The Railway Herald reports that Network Rail has applied to demolish Spean
Bridge box on the West Highland line, the former junction of the line to
Fort Augustus. First Scotrail, however, has agreed to fund a scheme for
it to be used by the community. Photos at:
http://www.railbrit.org.uk/images/1000/1158.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/ygon9n9
Rochdale Area
Phase 3b of the Metrolink conversion of the Oldham Loop will see services
extended to Rochdale town centre in 2012. This will be via a new flyover
to be constructed east of Rochdale station requiring the removal of the
present Rochdale box. Network Rail is believed to be planning to build a
new box at Castleton (on the opposite side of the line to the present
BR-built box) to replace the existing ones at Vitriol Works, Castleton,
Rochdale and Smith Bridge. Castleton would then replace Smithy Bridge as
the fringe box to Preston and Vitriol Works as the fringe box to
Manchester North (located at Salford Crescent).
Docklands Light Railway
Study launched into extending the DLR to Eltham and Kidbrooke south of the
Thames
http://tinyurl.com/ydh4k46
London Crossrail
For information on Crossrail and related Tube station improvements, the
Crossrail Visitor Centre at 16-18 Giles High Street (near Tottenham Court
Road Underground) is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12noon-2000.
Somerset
Councillors and business people have visited the site of the GWR's former
Wellington station (closed 5th October 1964) to assess its potential for
reopening.
http://tinyurl.com/yk8dmwp
East Lancs Railways
Oldham Mumps station on the line being converted for Metrolink use is to
be demolished in a few weeks' time. The ELR would like to purchase the
platform canopy but 50,000 is required to ensure that the contractor
dismantles it sympathetically.
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
A route survey is being undertaken with a view to extending the railway
into Bodmin town centre. The results should be known early in 2011.
Glasgow
Plans for the Scottish government to invest in a modernisation programme
for the Glasgow subway have been dropped as no additional funding is
available from central government.
Iran-Armenia
Iran pledges support to Armenia in construction of an Iran-Armenia railway.
http://www.arka.am/eng/transport/2010/01/29/18526.html
Iran-Iraq
Iran builds railway to Iraq.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117410§ionid=351020108
Nigeria
The Nigerian Federal Government has secured a loan from China's EXIM Bank
to rebuild the 700 mile Lagos-Kano railway.
http://tinyurl.com/yedau4h
Angola
Over 310 miles of railways in Benguela province have been rehabilitated
and modernised.
http://tinyurl.com/yj352yz
India
Indian Fare classes explained.
http://tinyurl.com/yhfzqsg
China
Work started on the high speed line between Zhengzhou and Xi'an in
September 2005 and the first revenue earning train completed the 312-mile
journey on Saturday 6th February 2010. Eventually trains from Xi'an will
continue on to Beijing in four hours a reduction from the previous eleven.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/06/content_9439526.htm
Tokyo
The world's most sophisticated railways.
http://tinyurl.com/yb5kxz2
============
And finally... British Pathe Corner...
Goodbye to steam - 6-minute film with some great shots:
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=35345
============
IN THE NEWS
WCML delays (16000 minutes delay and counting...)
http://tinyurl.com/ybyxb9o
Leicestershire rail travellers left trapped:
http://tinyurl.com/y99fn97
Man pushes stalled van away from train:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8509776.stm
Drunk guard ignored red light and refused to let passengers off:
http://tinyurl.com/ye26g99
Nuclear train driver gets the sack because he is colour-blind:
http://tinyurl.com/ybauonm
Former Railtrack training centre burnt out:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8503820.stm
Swansea High Street station improvements:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/wales_politics/8502979.stm
Office blaze railman jailed:
http://tinyurl.com/ykt3r72
Delays to Airtrack:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8499734.stm
RMT dispute with Scotrail:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8506515.stm
Fishbourne Road level crossing proposals, Chichester:
http://tinyurl.com/ygt2nrn
Top job - Manager needed at Snowdon Summit station:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8500255.stm
South Devon Railway completes purchase of the Buckfastleigh Branch:
http://www.sdronline.org.uk/Latest-News.php
Didcot Railway Centre to get Railmotor shed:
http://tinyurl.com/yauhz3a
Tornado & Prince Charles visit MOSI:
http://tinyurl.com/ydscccb
Train failure, Country Antrim:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8508394.stm
Amphibious bus for Glasgow:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8506154.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8505770.stm
Changes to Stranraer-Larne ferry service:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8506750.stm
No second runway at Gatwick:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8503942.stm
Ice caused Heathrow crash on Jan 2008:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8504734.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps
TV and RADIO
13/02/10 BBC4 2000-2100
"Bombay Railway" A look at the Indian city's railway 2/2
14/02/10 BBC4 0310-0410
"Bombay Railway" A look at the Indian city's railway 2/2
14/02/10 BBC1 1100-1200
"Country Tracks" A trip through the Welsh Borders
14/02/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Indian Hill Railways" 1/3 The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
14/02/10 BBC1 2225-2255
"Great British Railway Journeys" Portillo at Liverpool
15/02/10 BBC4 0050-0150
"Indian Hill Railways" 1/3 The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
16/02/10 BBC4 1930-2000
"Hidden Histories" A WW1 training trench in Wales
19/02/10 Five 1930-2000
"Building the Ultimate" Racing cars
EVENTS
For up-to-date information on many of the tours mentioned in Raildate (and
others) often with timings, see the Steam Tours pages at:
http://www.uksteam.info/index.shtml and also
http://railwayherald.co.uk/railtours/
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge. No responsibility is
taken for inaccuracies or changes.
12/02/10- Brighton Modelworld 2010
13/02/10 The Brighton Centre, Kings Road (the seafront), Brighton
1000-1730 daily
Adult: 8, Seniors: 6.50, Children: 5
http://www.brightonmodelworld.com/
12/02/10- Keighley & Worth Valley Railway: Steam Gala Weekend
14/02/10
http://www.kwvr.co.uk
13/02/10 Newbury Model Railway Exhibition
Park House School, 238 Andover Road, Newbury, RG14 6NQ
1000-1700
http://www.newburymrc.co.uk
13/02/10 Staines Transport Collectors Fair
Hythe Centre, Thorpe Road, Staines
Vintage bus service 441C from Staines railway station
1030-1530
http://gallery62603.fotopic.net/
13/02/10- Swanage Railway: Half-term Fun Week
21/02/10
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
13/02/10- Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers and Friends
14/02/10
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
13/02/10- Festival of British Railway Modelling
14/02/10 Doncaster Exhibition Centre, DN2 6BB
Free courtesy bus from Doncaster railway station
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1630 (Sun)
http://www.brmodelling.co.uk
13/02/10- Mid-Hants Railway: Ivor the Engine
21/02/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
17/02/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Barney Buffers and Friends
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
20/02/10 Severn Valley Railway: Classic Transport Day
http://www.svr.co.uk
20/02/10 Slide Show: Hull & Barnsley Railway by Mick Nicholson
The former Carnegie Library, Anlaby Road/Walton Street, Hull
Starts 1400 but doors open earlier
20/02/10- Bluebell Railway: Branch Line Weekend
21/02/10
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
20/02/10- East Lancashire Railway: February Steam Spectacular
21/02/10
http://www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk/
25/02/10 Greater Manchester: Transport Films from North West Film Archive
Buses, trains and trams in Greater Manchester from 1914 to 1992
The People's History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, M3 3ER
1845-2115 - admission is FREE, but by prior reservation only
Availability is limited - deadline for bookings is 16th February
To reserve a seat, email Debbie.Worsley (at) gmpte.gov.uk
Or telephone 0161 244 1818 between 0900 and 1600, Mon-Thur
27/02/10 Solent Railwayana Auctions
Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham, Hants, PO17 5AL
http://www.solentrailwayana.com
27/02/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
27/02/10- Eastleigh Model Railway Show
28/02/10 Fleming Park Leisure Centre, Passfield Ave, SO50 9NL
1000-1730 (Sat), 0930-1630 (Sun)
http://www.eurotrack.org
27/02/10- Chasewater Railway: Winter Steam Gala
28/02/10
http://www.chaserail.com
05/03/10- Mid-Hants Railway: Spring Steam Gala
07/03/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
05/03/10- Severn Valley Railway: Spring Steam Reunion Gala
07/03/10
http://www.svr.co.uk
06/03/10 Abingdon Model Railway Show
White Horse Leisure Centre, Audlett Drive, OX14 3PJ
1000-1700
06/03/10 Romsey Signal Box Open Day
Extra opening in connection with Romsey Model Railway Show
Admission free (donations welcome!)
1000-1700
ex-Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey
Car park in old school grounds
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
06/03/10 Abingdon Model Railway Show
White Horse Leisure Centre, Audlett Drive, Abingdon, OX14 3PJ
1000-1700
http://www.admrc.org.uk
06/03/10 Stafford Railway Collectors Fair
GEC, St Leonards Avenue, Stafford, ST17 4LX
06/03/10- Romsey Model Railway Show
07/03/10 Crossfield Hall, Romsey, SO51 8GL
1030-1700 (Sat), 1000-1630 (Sun)
http://rdmrs.hampshire.org.uk
06/03/10- Macclesfield Model Railway Exhibition
07/03/10 Tytherington High School, Beech Lane, Macclesfield, SK10 2EE
1000-1700 both days
http://www.macclesfieldmrc.org.uk
07/03/10 Romsey Signal Box Open Day
Admission free (donations welcome!)
1000-1600
ex-Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey
Car park in old school grounds
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
07/03/10 Indoor Transport Fair
Cosham Community Centre, Wootton Street, Cosham, PO6 3AP
1030-1600
Photos, models, books, videos, magazines, etc
Free bus rides (subject to vehicle/crew availability)
Cheers, Howard.
editor (at) raildate.co.uk (spam-proofed)
Previous issues of Raildate are at:
http://www.raildate.net
This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in
previous editions of Raildate.
(C) Howard Sprenger and Hursley Park Model Railway Society 2010.
The external edition of Raildate may be freely distributed without
permission as long as no changes whatsoever are made to the original
document distributed by the Editor. You can subscribe to the external
edition here:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/RAILDATE/
