RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
Back in June 2008, members of the Hursley Photographic Society visited our
layout to practise their close-up and macro work. This does tend to show
the layout "warts and all", and to be fair, it probably wasn't exactly at
its best when they visited, but the results are interesting nevertheless:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/hursleymodelrailway/
Volcanic ash doesn't affect trains... unless they're jet-powered...?
http://tinyurl.com/2vxagv
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Graveyards of the inanimate...!
http://www.oddee.com/item_96631.aspx
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Article about the Midland Railway Goods Depot at Wolverhampton:
http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/articles/MidlandGoods/GoodsDepot.htm
(Via Lynn Stratton)
Some images of the LNWR, GCR and GWR in Buckinghamshire:
http://www.meadwaypark.co.uk/Calvert/
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Cambrian Heritage Railways:
http://www.cambrianrailways.com
Nigel Bird's latest catalogue (No 69) is available:
http://www.nigelbirdbooks.co.uk/html/catalogue.html
The Isle of Wight Bus Museum:
http://www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk
Webcam at Plattling station, Bavaria:
http://webcam04.deg.net
(Via Derek Gillkerson)
============
The Preserved Railway Stock List is now online as a DB search facility.
To get the most out of this search facility it's highly recommended you
subscribe to one of the two options available. This will enable you to
possess the free lists and with the lists as a reference you will be able
to determine how the data is displayed, and will greatly assist you in
fine-tuning your search criteria.
Option 1 - You can subscribe to a quarterly email update where you can
select a single category choice. Details can be found here:
http://www.preservedrailwaystocklist.org.uk/
Option 2 - You can join the Yahoo group. This choice will make available
all the category selections, free to download from the files section of
the group. Details of all changes will also be reported on the group.
Details can be found here:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/PreservedRailwayStockList/
There will be a few extra fields not available on the lists. Movements,
History & Statistics. These are currently mostly blank, and although the
info is to hand it will take years to fill all of these.
There will be a photo link. Photos will not be kept on the DB but linked
to an external site. This will open in a new window as you enter an
individual record.
There are still a couple of things need changing but the search facility
is now up & running.
http://www.uklocos.com/stevebest/index.asp
============
Some highlights from the Editor's recent excursion to the West Coast of
America...
An interesting museum dedicated to the streetcars of San Francisco:
http://www.streetcar.org
Loads of steam locomotives and other interesting stuff at Railtown 1897:
http://www.railtown1897.org
Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City (closed at the time,
unfortunately):
http://www.nevadasouthern.com/
Tehachapi Railroad Museum opening later this year:
http://www.tehachapidepot.com/
The Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad - a truly wonderful trip behind a
Shay locomotive up a logging route into the mountains:
http://www.roaringcamp.com
We were also privileged to visit the home of Jack Burgess to see his
magnificent layout depicting the Yosemite Valley Railroad:
http://www.yosemitevalleyrr.com/vrtltour.htm
Not visited on this trip...
Sonoma Traintown:
http://www.traintown.com
Sutter Creek Gold Country:
http://www.suttercreek.org
============
Videos...
Gloucester-Warwickshire Railway, 10th April:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKpEiIga4xI
44871 and 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" on the Lickey Incline, 8th April:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlOmjffUjR4
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Pakistan Railways fast express trains connecting Karachi City with
upcountry destinations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW5br00nO6Y&feature=player_embedded
(Spotter: Ralph Rawlinson)
The westbound "Bristolian" at Twyford on 17th April:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAooDu2aYP4
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
Bedford
Will get a new station as part of the 5.5bn Thameslink project. The plans
submitted to Bedford Borough Council include a new station building and
platform lA extended to accommodate 12-car trains.
http://tinyurl.com/2fwlxbf
Tipton
Tipton station, on the Wolverhampton-Birmingham New Street main line and
closed since last summer, reopened on Sunday 28th March
http://tinyurl.com/y7tzd3o
Darlington
Edward Pease, 'Father of Railways,' honoured at last.
http://tinyurl.com/23mbl4y
Republic of Ireland
For travelers 66 years or older, Tourism Ireland is offering a Golden
Trekker Pass: four days of unlimited free train travel on Irish Rail.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2010/0412/1224268134096.html
Netherlands
NS Hispeed plans to increase the number of Thalys trains to ten in each
direction during 2010. The interim Fyra-Amsterdam-Rotterdam service will
also runs at weekends and be extended to Breda and Brussels.
Italy
Direttissimma trains between Milano and Napoli no longer have to reverse
at Roma Termini following the opening in December 2009 of the new Roma
Tiburtina station.
Finland
The first of four 220kph Alstom 'Pendolino' seven-cart EMUs has arrived in
Finland for running trials. Upgrading of the infrastructure and the new
trains will reduce the journey time between Helsinki and St Petersburg by
a third from December.
Armenia
South Caucasus Railways (CJSC) has begun the reconstruction of Yerevan
railway station.
http://tinyurl.com/253svtu
Oman
The next phase in the development of the Oman Railway project, centred
initially on a 295-mile network in the northern part of the country, is
being prepared. Section 1 extends from Misfat near Fanja on the outskirts
of Muscat to Sohar. Section 2 is to go north from Sohar to Khatmat Malaha
on Oman's border with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Section 3 involves a
91-mile branch line from Sohar to Al Ain on Oman's north-western border
with the UAE.
http://worldofrail.com/railwaysafrica/2010/04/oman-railway-project/
Kenya
When completed, Nairobi's new commuter system will have a capacity to
carry at least 90,000 passengers daily, compared to the current 19,000.
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/04/nairobi-commuter-plans-2/
Uganda
Plans to revamp the Northern Uganda Railway, a 310-mile line from the SE
town of Tororo to Pakwach north of Lake Albert, is awaiting
recommendations from CANARAIL, a Canadian firm contracted by government in
September 2009 to study the railway and suggest ways to reopen it.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201004150331.html
USA
The State of California has signed preliminary cooperation agreements with
China to help it build a 465-mile, high-speed line connecting San
Francisco to Los Angeles to be in use by 2020 at an estimated cost of
$45bn (previously reported in Raildate February 2009).
http://tinyurl.com/2fky7a9
State and federal officials are working to save about 240 miles of
northern Maine lines slated for abandonment but deemed crucial to the
state's economy. Officials from the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway
(MMAR) and the Maine DoT are to discuss formal mediation efforts in
Washington. Three other companies, the Maine Eastern Railroad, Pan Am
Railways and St Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad are also based or operate in
Maine.
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/141243.html
Venezuela
Over the next three years, and in a joint venture with Russia, Venezuela
is planning to install 2,866 miles of railway.
http://tinyurl.com/282u36d
Pakistan
Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to curtail 20 uneconomic trains and
railway stations to reduce the deficit.
http://news.one.com.pk/2010/04/13/railways-to-curtail-20-uneconomic-trains/
Pakistan/Afghanistan
The feasibility study for rail link between Peshawar (Pakistan) and
Jalalabad (Afghanistan) has been cancelled.
Afghanistan
In 2006 Afghanistan began work on an Iranian-backed line to connect Herat
to the Iranian border at Sangan. 80% of the line is complete but work has
stalled due to lack of funds and border disturbances and a Reuters report
suggests that completion of the Iranian-backed line may still be a long
way off.
India
Indian Railways have started a new concept of 'Duronto' trains that are
non-stop between metro cities and other important cities and state
capitals.
http://www.travel.pushpi.com/duronto-express-trains.htm
As a result of damage caused by torrential rain the World Heritage-
protected Nilgiri Mountain metre-gauge rack railway in southern India
(featured in the recent BBC TV series) was closed on 8th November 2009.
Services on the upper section, operated by diesel locos, were restored on
5th January after a major bridge was rebuilt but those on the steam-
operated rack section remain suspended while three more bridges are
replaced. Reopening is planned for 15 May 2010.
Indian Railways' Vision 2020 aims at massive addition to its route
network, segregation of passenger and freight services into separate
double-line corridors, raising the speeds of passenger trains from the
current 80mph to 100-125mph on some routes, zero accidents and equipment
failures. Also envisaged is the implementation of at least four high-speed
rail projects to provide services at 155-217mph.
http://tinyurl.com/zda4z1
Update on the services between Alwabar-Siliguri and Siliguri-Bagdogra
http://tinyurl.com/y548mat
China
China has officially approved the construction of a 267mph magnetically
levitated railway between Shanghai and Hangzhou (the capital of Zhejiang
province) for completion in 2014.
http://tinyurl.com/y6umg4x
Overview of High Speed Rail in China.
http://rail-news.com/2010/04/15/dedicated-high-speed-rail-in-china/
New Zealand Kingston Acquisitions (KAL) owners of the Kingston Flyer, a
vintage steam train operating at the southern end of Lake Wakatipu in the
South Island were put into receivership in November 2009. A New Zealand
newspaper now alleges that the mortgage company supporting KAL was still
encouraging investment even when the railway was known to be in financial
trouble. Railmark, an American company, is again expressing an interest in
acquiring the company.
============
And finally... British Pathe Corner...
Great Northern main line steam in Greater London:
http://tinyurl.com/zda05p
============
IN THE NEWS
Arriva sold to DB:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8636503.stm
http://www.rte.ie/business/2010/0422/deutschebahn.html
Complaints about Longannet coal trains:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8629833.stm
Class 66 66729 named "Derby County"
http://modernrailways.fotopic.net/p64293847.html
http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2025373,00.html
Fort William is on track for capital service:
http://tinyurl.com/33z9fgx
Useful "ash" website - what is really happening:
http://tinyurl.com/y4e3afx
Great Britain 3 railtour at Wormit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8625015.stm
Isle of Wight Railway emergency exercise:
http://tinyurl.com/zdemml
Swanage Railway Vacancies:
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/n-volunteer.htm
Severn Valley Railway in record 6.25m turnover:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8594780.stm
South Africa train crash (Rovos Rail train in Pretoria):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8635303.stm
http://tinyurl.com/zdehoh
Blog about commuting on AMTRAK:
http://amtraktrack.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog
Commercial flight shutdown:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8626869.stm
Morwellham mining museum in Devon saved from closure:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8622449.stm
Air replacement ferry service:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8631528.stm
Resumption of flights:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8631326.stm
Living without aircraft...?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8630058.stm
Balloonists benefit from airlines shut down:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/8628229.stm
Light Aircraft crash near Andover:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8628373.stm
Thames foot tunnel refurbishment:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8628070.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Ted Millward, Reg Nerps
TV and RADIO
25/04/10 BBC4 2000-2030
"The Beauty of Maps" Medieval maps
25/04/10 BBC4 2030-2100
"The Beauty of Maps" London: city maps
25/04/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession" 2/3
25/04/10 BBC1 2225-2255
"Great British Railway Journeys" Preston to Kirkaldy
28/04/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"African Railway" The Tazara Railroad, East Africa
29/04/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession" 2/3
30/04/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Bombay Railway" 1/2 Pressure
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.
23/04/10- Llangollen Railway: Spring Gala
25/04/10
http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/
24/04/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
24/04/10 West Wales 0 Gauge Group: Open Day
Llanybydder Community Hall, Llanybydder, Nr Lampeter, SA40 9UE
Test track, traders and refreshments
1030-1630
Admission 2:00
24/04/10 Historic Railway Walks of Rowsley
Start from Rowsley Old Station at 10.30am
Approximately 3 hours covering a distance of 2 miles
Advance booking required
http://www.rowsleyassociation.org.uk/
24/04/10- Mid-Hants Railway: St George's Weekend
25/04/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
24/04/10- Epsom & Ewell MRC Model Railway Exhibition
25/04/10 NESCOT, Reigate Road, Ewell, KT17 3DS
1000-1730 (Sat), 1000-1700 (Sun)
http://www.eemrc.org.uk
24/04/10- Churnet Valley Railway: 1940s Weekend
25/04/10
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
25/04/10 Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre: Industrial Trains Day
http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
30/04/10- Week-end course: "Canals of the North Staffordshire Railway"
02/05/10 Wedgwood Memorial College, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent
Tutor: Basil Jeuda
http://tinyurl.com/yk34f43
30/04/10- Ffestiniog Railway: Quirks & Curiosities Weekend
03/05/10
http://www.festrail.co.uk/
01/05/10 American Model Railroad Group Mini Exhibition
St Mary's Parish Centre, Green Road, Alverstoke, PO12 2ET
http://www.freewebs.com/gosportrailroadgroup
01/05/10 The Monsal Trail Tunnel Walks
Walk commences at Bakewell and finishes at the site of
Blackwell Mill Halt - return by coach to Bakewell
For further details, send an SAE to the organiser:
Stuart Smith, 5 Sedgebrook Close, Oakwood, Derby, DE21 2DX
01/05/10- Kent & East Sussex Railway: Great K&ESR Gala Weekend
03/05/10
http://www.kesr.org.uk
01/05/10- Quantock Motor Services Running Days
03/05/10 Bishops Lydeard
http://www.quantockmotorservices.co.uk/qms-bus-rally/
01/05/10- Bodmin & Wenford Railway: Steaming Thru the '40s
03/05/10
http://www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
01/05/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: May Bank Holiday Open Days
03/05/10
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
01/05/10- Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway: Spring "Heywood" Steam Gala
03/05/10
http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk
02/05/10 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
02/05/10 Twyford Waterworks Spring Rally
Free vintage bus service from Winchester Broadway
1100-1600
http://www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk/
02/05/10- North Norfolk Railway: Altogether Now! Kids help run railway
03/05/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
02/05/10- Leawood Pump Steaming Weekend, Cromford Canal
03/05/10
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
02/04/10- Didcot Railway Centre: GWR 175 (second of four special events)
05/04/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
07/05/10- Swanage Railway: Beer Festival and Diesel Gala
09/05/10
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
07/05/10- Welsh Highland Railway: Real Ale Festival
09/05/10
http://www.festrail.co.uk/
08/05/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
08/05/10 Loddon Vale MRC Model Railway Exhibition
Arborfield Garrison Community Centre, Sheerlands Rd, RG2 9NN
1000-1700
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
08/05/10 Churnet Valley Railway: '60s Night
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
08/05/10- Portsmouth Historic Dockyard: A Celebration of Steam
09/05/10
http://www.celebrationofsteam.co.uk
08/05/10- Salisbury Model Railway Exhibition
09/05/10 Michael Herbert Hall, South Street, Wilton, SP2 0JU
1030-1630 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
08/05/10- Bluebell Railway: Branch Line Weekend
09/05/10
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
08/05/10- Severn Valley Railway: The Swinging '60s
09/05/10
http://www.svr.co.uk
09/05/10 The Isle of Wight Bus Museum: Island Vehicles Running Day
http://www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk
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/