RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
The "Making Tracks" exhibition marks the centenary of the opening of the
GNR railway line from Grange Park to Cuffley on 4th April 1910. It will
be held at the Forty Hall Museum from the 28th April to 20th June 2010,
Wednesday's to Sunday's: 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.
Forty Hall, Forty Hill, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 9HA Tel: 020 8363 8196
North East Rail Enthusiasts Group web site:
http://www.c60pg-forum.com/login.forum?connexion
A revised London Underground/Overground map, which includes the 'new' East
London Line, which started running service trains on 27th April:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Southern Region publicity:
http://www.srpublicity.co.uk/brs/index.htm
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)
The Country Bookshop, based at Hassop Station in Derbyshire closed at the
beginning of January and went into administration. However, it is to
re-open under new management (possibly at the end of May) as a book shop,
caf, and cycle hire place. Embryonic website here:
http://www.hassopstation.co.uk/
(Spotter: Glynn Waite)
A new series, "Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank" begins on
the National Geographic Channel (Sky 526) on Wednesday 5th May at 9pm.
http://natgeotv.com/uk/great-railway-adventures
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
============
Videos...
My lad's video on the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway with Captain
Sensible for the Guardian - nice one Rich!
http://tinyurl.com/2cmsggw
Luton bridge replacement - the movie:
http://www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/cms/pages/home
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Acrobatics with a Liebherr digger (remember the JCB ballet dance?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=RobaJKGMMiE
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
Great Central Railway 24th April:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URbmXFG2NWQ
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Ferrybridge No3 at Wirksworth on 24th April:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN3d8cmKO50
Videos of work on the Bluebell Railway on YouTube, all recorded by Chris
Dadson from the rear cab window of class 73 No 73136 during March 2009
when he was the train guard:
1. Loading inert spoil at Imberhorne Lane:
http://www.youtube.com/user/24105314#p/u/2/oePQ0x8RD2M
2. A spoil train departs Imberhorne Lane on its journey to Horsted Keynes:
http://www.youtube.com/user/24105314#p/u/1/EQBbe8nJ6nY
3. The train passes through Kingscote Station on its journey:
http://www.youtube.com/user/24105314#p/u/0/vbBiMreSBL0
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
London Crossrail
Network Rail (responsible for the parts of Crossrail that are on existing
track) has issued the first design and build tenders for the line's Kent
spur, a two mile stretch from Plumstead terminating at Abbey Wood. Tenders
are also being invited for a new dive-under at the west end of Acton
Freight Yard to allow freight trains heading west to leave the yard
without affecting passenger trains. When completed Crossrail will run for
73 miles from Maidenhead in the west through new twin-bore 13 mile long
tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
East Coast Main Line
Grand Central is planning to launch its Class 180 operated 'West Riding'
services on 23rd May 2010. Its Bradford - London trains will call at
Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield Kirkgate, Pontefract Monkhill and Doncaster.
Departures from Bradford Interchange are at 06.51, 10.22 and 15.22,
returning from King's Cross at 10.50, 14.20 and 19.48.
http://www.grandcentralrail.co.uk/westridingupdate
ASLEF (the drivers' union) says it wants to take over the ECML and show
how services could be improved without spending more money.
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1697969?UserKey=#ixzz0lg77eL9V
Cotswold Line
About 70m will be invested over the next two years to transform the North
Cotswold line with the redoubling scheme leading the way. A new platform
will be constructed at Evesham to accommodate terminating services from
Worcester and just west of Evesham a new junction (single line to double
line) will be provided. Three new platforms will be built at Honeybourne,
two main line and one looking ahead when the G/WR reaches there from
Broadway. During the summer all the semaphore signals will be replaced by
colour lights.
Chesterfield
Network Rail has started on the 2.8m project to add a third platform to
the station. Work is expected to be completed by the end of summer 2010.
West Yorkshire
The timetable for the new station due to open at Low Moor on the Bradford-
Halifax line in 2013 indicates two train per hour in each direction (two
to Leeds and one each to Manchester and Wakefield).
http://www.wymetro.com/news/projects/projectdetails/lowmoor
There may also be some progress at last on the long-proposed station at
Elland between Halifax and Huddersfield. It is likely to be included in
West Yorkshire's RailPlan7.
http://tinyurl.com/364avfr
Tyne & Wear Metro
Tyne & Wear PTE (Nexus) wants to extend the Metro beyond South Hylton,
looping back along the Leamside line through Washington to Pelaw.
http://tinyurl.com/35wbr99
Plockton
The Inverness-Kyle line station has been converted to self-catering
accommodation.
http://www.plocktonstation.co.uk/
GCR High Marnham-Pyewipe Jn
On 5th June, Fledborough Viaduct will be officially opened to cyclists and
walkers. The whole of the trackbed between High Marnham and Pypewipe Jn
is now a cycleway: NCN647 High Marnham-Harby and NCN64 Harby-Pyewipe Jn.
http://tinyurl.com/353fxjj
An excellent BBC video (that also includes the nearby Torksey Viaduct)can
be viewed at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7684561.stm
Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijani government is examining investors for reconstruction of
lines via the Russia-Baku-border with Iran (North-South transport
corridor) within the State Railway Development Program 2008-12.
http://abc.az/eng/news_24_04_2010_44476.html
Poland
A Spanish consortium led by Ingenieria IDOM has won a contract to build a
high-speed line in Poland. Initially the consortium is to undertake a
feasibility study.
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/04/high-speed-trains-for-poland/
The Polish government plans to begin building a high-speed railway in 2014
which it hopes to have in operation by 2018. Trains running up to 155mph
will link Warsaw, with Ldz, Poznan and Wroclaw.
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2009/10/high-speed-rail-for-poland/
In recent trials, a Siemens ES64U4 locomotive reached a speed of 235km/h
on the line between Psary and Gra Vlodovska - the highest recorded
anywhere on the Polish railway network.
http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2009/06/new-polish-speed-record/
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
The Yesvantpur (Bangalore)-Howrah Duronto express train was introduced by
the Indian Railways in January 2010. The super fast non-stop train runs
once a week and takes less time than any other express train on the route.
http://www.travel.pushpi.com/yesvantpur-howrah-duronto-express-train.htm
============
And finally... British Pathe Corner...
And very finally from Terry Bye - LION on Film at BR&CW, Smethwick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW9-s_J53N8
============
IN THE NEWS
Rock strike badly damages sleeper train:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8640837.stm
Royal Albert Bridge to get a makeover:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8645170.stm
East London Line officially opened (Clapham Jn engineering works are
planned for 2013, not 2012):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8620188.stm
http://tinyurl.com/28bs726
Wombling free...?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suburbanslice/4560861896/in/pool-eastlondonline/
Easter Bridge replacement at Norbiton:
http://tinyurl.com/36hcz7y
Blackfriars bridge work
http://rail-news.com/2010/04/28/blackfriars-spare-ribs/
Power cut at Birmingham New Street:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8641576.stm
Mobile internet speed checked by train
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8637241.stm
Landslip on Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Rly:
http://tinyurl.com/2wmhbko
Amtrak trials first cow-powered train:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/26/amtrak-cow-train-biodiesel
Refurbishment of Newport Transporter bridge:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8641192.stm
Land-speed hope for lawnmower:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/wales/8641240.stm
Direct Iraq - UK flights resumed after 20 years:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8643105.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Ralph Rawlinson
TV and RADIO
01/05/10 BBC2 1800-1820
"Coast" The Channel Islands
01/05/10 BBC4 1900-2000
"African Railway" The Tazara Railroad, East Africa
02/05/10 BBC4 1900-1930
"The Beauty of Maps" Atlas maps - thinking big
02/05/10 BBC4 1930-2000
"Cartoon Maps - Politics and satire"
02/05/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession" 3/3
04/05/10 BBC4 2030-2100
"The Boats That Built Britain" 1/6 The Matthew
05/05/10 BBC4 2000-2100
"Last of the Dambusters" Profile of "Johnny" Johnson
05/05/10 BBC4 2030-2100
"The Boats That Built Britain" 2/6 HMS Pickle
05/05/10 National Geographic 2100-2200
"Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank" 1/3
06/05/10 National Geographic 0100-0200
"Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank" 1/3
06/05/10 National Geographic 1700-1800
"Great Railway Adventures with Dan Cruickshank" 1/3
06/05/10 BBC4 1900-2000
"Bombay Railway" 2/2
06/05/10 Five 2000-2100
"Britain's Greatest Machines" Chris Barrie
06/05/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Maps: Power, Plunder and Possession" 3/3
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.
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
14/05/10- Talyllyn Railway: Founders Weekend, Tom Rolt Cent Gathering
16/05/10
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
15/05/10 Burgess Hill MRC 2010 Exhibition
Burgess Hill School, Keymer Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 0EG
1000-1630
http://www.burgesshillmrc.org.uk
15/05/10 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/
15/05/10- The EM Gauge Society expoEM 2010
16/05/10 Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road, Bracknell, RG12 9SE
http://www.emgs.org
16/05/10 Mid-Hants Railway: Watercress Festival
http://www.watercressline.co.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/