RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
BOOK NEWS
"The Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway" by Nigel Bray
The Salisbury & Dorset Junction Railway was built to consolidate the
LSWR?s domination of Hampshire and south Dorset, and to keep the GWR away
from Bournemouth. It also gave Salisbury businessmen a more direct route
to Poole and Weymouth. Almost half of the 18-mile route was in Dorset,
with less than five miles apiece in Wiltshire and Hampshire. Passing
through three counties, it traversed contrasting landscapes and served a
wide if thinly populated agricultural area.
The water meadows between Downton and Fordingbridge produced cattle, milk
and watercress. South-west of Fordingbridge, the clay soil had given rise
to brick and tile manufacture centuries before the coming of the railway,
enabling these industries to expand and distribute their wares over a much
wider area. Year-round passenger traffic on the line was at best erratic,
but the line provided a useful diversionary and holiday route.
In the circumstances, it is not surprising that the line became a victim
of the Beeching axe in 1964, but since then the population of the towns it
served has grown considerably. If it had remained open, the line would
now be very useful, particularly for travel to Salisbury and the
Bournemouth-Poole conurbation.
Softback: 128 pages with 150 photographs
273 x 215mm
ISBM: 978-1-905505-19-7
17.95
http://www.kestrelrailwaybooks.co.uk/
NETWATCH
============
Virtual footplate of a GWR 28xx:
http://www.gwsr.com/footplate/VirtualFootplate.html
Unofficial Post Office Railway website:
http://www.mailrail.co.uk
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwRBrUwhdio
An interesting and informative article about the first person to be
murdered on Britain's railways.
http://www.socyberty.com/History/Britains-First-Railway-Murder.362997
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Railways of Marple:
http://www.marple-uk.com/railways/c04_01.htm
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
A free file of preserved rolling stock in the UK is available here:
http://www.preservedrailwaystocklist.org.uk
The owner, Steve Best, has also started a Yahoo group that works hand-in-
hand with the project:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/PreservedRailwayStockList/
List of Rob Foxon's film show schedule:
http://www.warwickshireias.org/pdf%20docs/RF%20Film%20Diary%202010.pdf
Wrightway Rolling Stock - custom-built passenger rolling in Gauge 1:
http://www.wrightwayrollingstock.com
More pictures of the Knaresborough poster hoard - it's been suggested
that modellers could print these to scale and use them on their layouts:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8537539.stm
============
Videos
A new Internet-based railway 'TV Station' has recently been launched by
the Railscene team. The idea is to provide railway enthusiasts with a
'centre of excellence' to which they can turn to see quality railway
programmes provided by a team of railway enthusiasts at any time they
wish. It is a subscription service, but for a limited period, you can
watch for free!
http://www.TheRailwayStation.tv
(Spotter: Andy Sollis)
Detonators in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2neuHr4bwI&NR=1
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Unused footage from the BTF film 'Let's Go to Birmingham':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ3ZxT6dD08
A Sentimental Journey (Whitby-Scarborough, 1966)
http://tinyurl.com/yfbeee8
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Transport films in the North West Film Archive:
http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk:591/onlineclips/transport.htm
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Recent Severn Valley Railway footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPbi4JPryFg
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Duchess of Hamilton on video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_KF-mBppxk
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
West Cork Railway:
http://disusedtube.ning.com/video/west-cork-railway-courtesy
(Spotter: Ralph Rawlinson)
USA Pullman car on YouTube - owned by the Dover Harbor Club
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0X-nl0LAhU
Train versus flood in Buenos Aires. The train wins - pedestrians get a
free wash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzGwUhIXLDk
(Spotter: Mike Morant and others!)
============
Thanks to those who replied about the model bus for 1.99 post-free.
Predictably you are asked to sign up for several more at monthly intervals
but you can cancel at any time. Reports suggest that cancelling is not
difficult, so as long as you remember to do so (should you wish to) you
can indeed get this model for a very good price.
http://www.atlaseditions.co.uk/p/291581/Buses.html
Thanks also for the feedback on "Hogwarts Castle" - real identity "Olton
Hall" (5972 of course, not 4972 as I said last week). Opinion seems to be
coming round to the fact that it is indeed a fibre-glass replica. It can
be seen at 36 seconds in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flV0sbzJ70s
(Spotter: Laurie Webb)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
Fawley branch
The freight only Fawley branch (opened by the Southern Railway in 1925)
was one of the lines that, last year, ATOC proposed for reopening as far
as Hythe. Now a new group called the Waterside Community Rail Partnership
has been formed in a bid to keep the 3m project on track. They are also
exploring the possibility of extending the service to Fawley and building
a new station.
http://www.dharrison.org.uk/index.php?entry=entry100211-172328
GWR Newbury-Winchester
The site of Sutton Scotney station has been earmarked for a 33-home
development with the goods shed converted into a pair of cottages and a
section of the trackbed adopted as an access road.
ECML
The new timetable to be introduced from May 2011 will see most existing
services from Glasgow to King's Cross running instead to Leeds and
Sheffield. In addition Network Rail has agreed to facilitate, (within two
years) a reintroduced Flying Scotsman covering the 393 miles between
King's Cross and Edinburgh in less than four hours.
ECML Belford
Work on a 600,000 platform at Belford between Alnmouth and Berwick is
expected to start early next year. The original Newcastle & Berwick
station closed on 29th January 1968, but the magnificent station building
survives as a residence. Several past and present pics at:
http://tinyurl.com/ylcm25u
Tyne & Wear Metro
The long-awaited renovation of the grade II listed Tynemouth station has
suffered a setback. North Tyneside Council has refused planning
permission for a supermarket on the site, but it looks as though
restoration of the ornate iron canopies can go ahead, as 3m has been
secured from the Government and English Heritage.
http://www.nect.org.uk/index.php?page=tynemouth-station-north-tyneside
Peak Rail
Restoration of the MR-design ex-Luffenham signalbox is making good
progress at Darley Dale ready for its final installation.
http://tinyurl.com/yzd7erd
Birmingham
A new entrance has been built at Snow Hill station that will give access
into Livery Street.
Manchester Hub
The highlights of Network Rail's 530 investment package are a new Ordsall
Lane curve linking Piccadilly and Victoria stations (remember SELNEC in
the 1970s?) and two new through platforms at Piccadilly alongside
platforms 13 and 14.
Switzerland
The Berninabahn linking St Moritz, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, and
operated by the Rhtische Bahn, first carried passengers across the Alps
via the Bernina Pass in 1910. At 7392ft asl this is the highest non-rack
line in the Alps. It also one of the steepest adhesion railways in the
world and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. A
special programme of events will be held throughout 2010 to celebrate its
100th anniversary.
Hungary
Despite sporadic closures since the 1980s, the national rail opertator MAV
still operated passenger services on most lines in the country, including
three ng systems. This changed on 26th December 2009 when the Hungarian
government, under strong pressure from the European Union to make cuts in
public expenditure, closed 26 lines.
Ghana
The Chairman of the newly established Ghana Railway Development Authority
(GRDA) claims that about 100 railway companies have expressed interest to
operate Ghana's railways.
http://tinyurl.com/yewrnjp
Tanzania
The 25-year management agreement with the Rail India Technical Economic
Services (RITES) proves too costly to revoke.
http://www.busiweek.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3138&Itemid=1
Russia
Raildate informed its readers about the new high speed service between
Moscow and St Petersburg two months ago but this site also includes news
that Russian Railways hopes to launch a high-speed link between Moscow and
Nizhny Novgorod in June 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/y93q6bl
India
Indian Railways will soon undertake an engineering-cum-traffic survey for
building the ambitious south freight corridor covering Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.
http://www.vattal.com/railways-to-soon-begin-survey-for-south-south-corridor/
Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa said on 27th February that
he had directed Railway officials to complete the surveys in the State for
15 new railway lines announced in the 2010-11 Railway Budget, within six
months, so that the routes found viable could be included in the next
budget.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/28/stories/2010022850420100.htm
http://www.littleabout.com/news/75151,railways-survey-south-south-corridor.html
Pakistan
Pakistan Railways has withdrawn electrically hauled services between
Lahoreand and Khanewal.
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=1024979
Indonesia
A good example of frighteningly effective advertising effort from
Indonesian Railways.
http://www.directdaily.com/?p=7159
============
And finally... British Pathe Corner...
Steam locos being scrapped in 1961:
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=1165
============
IN THE NEWS
Intercity trains upgrade postponed:
http://tinyurl.com/ybumckd
Arriva Trains Wales Marylebone service refused permission by ORR:
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/s22-atw-38sa-decision-letter.pdf
Services disrupted by fire in arch at South Bermondsey:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8546888.stm
http://tinyurl.com/yfxcujg
Pictures of East London Line progress:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/eastlondonline/pool/page2/
RAIB report on DLR derailment:
http://tinyurl.com/yjl78pc
Metronet/DfT financial failings:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8544491.stm
Lowestoft station move row continues:
http://tinyurl.com/yd4crjy
Station upgrading work at Haymarket:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8543509.stm
RMT/First Scotrail dispute:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8541805.stm
Avalanche on West Highland Line:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8547394.stm
Cairngorm railway finances criticised:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8545297.stm
Waverley Route update:
http://tinyurl.com/yb7znbm
http://tinyurl.com/ycdubyp
ORR rejected Aberystwyth-Marylebone service:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8547193.stm
Train slams into fire truck in Detroit:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/22705708/index.html
Accident and fire at Tehachapi spiral near Los Angeles:
http://tinyurl.com/yeqwj4l
Manchester Airport:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/8541933.stm
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/ConcordeViewingPark
Thames Estuary airport:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8545118.stm
Edinburgh Tram system update:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8548606.stm
Fatal bus collision in Co Durham:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/8548262.stm
Arriva North Wales buses pay dispute:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/8543312.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Ralph Rawlinson
TV and RADIO
06/03/10 BBC4 2000-2100
"Indian Hill Railways" 3/3 The Kalka-Shilma Railway
07/03/10 BBC1 1100-1200
"Country Tracks" A trip through West Wales
07/03/10 BBC1 1800-1900
"Countryfile" Hadrian's Wall
07/03/10 BBC1 1810-1900
"Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections" Taipei 101
08/03/10 Five 1930-2000
"Building the Ultimate" Spacecraft
09/03/10 BBC4 1930-2000
"Hidden Histories"
11/03/10 C4 2000-2100
"Country House Rescue" Riverhill House, Kent
12/03/10 BBC2 1900-2000
"Coast" Severn Estuary to Aberystwyth
12/03/10 Five 1930-2000
"Building the Ultimate" Fighter jet
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.
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- Didcot Railway Centre: Day Out With Thomas
07/03/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
06/03/10- Liskeard Model Exhibition
07/03/10
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)
07/03/10 Brookwood Cemetery Society
Guided walk of the railway line within the cemetery - 1400hrs
http://www.tbcs.org.uk/walks.HTM
11/03/10 100 Years of Flying in South Hampshire
RJ Mitchell Lecture by Jim French CBE (Chief Exec, Flybe)
University of Southampton
http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
11/03/10 North Norfolk Railway: Sheringham Level Crossing Reopening
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
12/03/10- North Norfolk Railway: Celebration Steam Gala
13/03/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
13/03/10 Portsmouth Model Railway Show
Admiral Lord Nelson School, Dundas Lane, Portsmouth, PO3 5XT
1030-1630
http://www.shmrc.org.uk
13/03/10- Basingstoke & North Hants MRS Annual Exhibition
14/03/10 Aldworth Science College, Western Way, Basingstoke, RG22 6HA
HPMRS member Derek Gillkerson will be attending with "New"
Stanton Lees
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
Adult: 5, Child/Senior: 4, Family: 14
http://bnhmrs.hampshire.org.uk
13/03/10- Swanage Railway: Railway at Work Weekend
14/03/10
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
14/03/10 Mid-Hants Railway: Mother's Day
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
14/03/10 Talyllyn Railway: Mothering Sunday
http://www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk
20/03/10 Transport Collectors' Market
Chiswick Town Hall
20/03/10- Kent & East Sussex Railway: Branch Line Weekend
21/03/10
http://www.kesr.org.uk
20/03/10- West Somerset Railway: GWR 175 The Standard Era (1)
21/03/10
http://www.svr.co.uk
20/03/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Railcar Gala Weekend
21/03/10
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
21/03/10 Talyllyn RPS Model Railway Exhibition
Ferneham Hall, Fareham
1000-1630
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/