RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
Guided walks through Chesil Tunnel, Winchester, are again available this
year. Dates are 5th June (morning and afternoon), 6th July (evening),
27th July (evening), 28th August (morning and afternoon). Tickets can be
purchased on the day from the Tourist Information Centre - 4.50 adult,
1 child. Details:
http://tinyurl.com/2vaa2yw
============
Stunning photography from Dave Gibson:
http://www.davegibsonphotography.co.uk/
A wonderful collection of photographs concentrating on the pre-group
companies:
http://pre-grouping.fotopic.net/
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Chris Dadson's heritage railway photos:
http://gallery74781.fotopic.net/
Ken Moffat's galleries:
Standard gauge:
http://galleryken2.fotopic.net/
Narrow gauge:
http://galleryken.fotopic.net/
Robert Carroll's Great Central photo collection:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertcwp/collections/72157624056292975/
Exploration of the Deepdene Southern Railway Control Centre:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=50695
And a web article about same:
http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/sites/d/deepdene/index.shtml
Superb photos inside Standedge tunnel:
http://tinyurl.com/m3b3vf
(Spotter: Nigel Callaghan)
Devon railway history
http://tinyurl.com/3a89emm
(Spotter: Nigel Callaghan)
A new website on the Erewash Valley line and Westhouses Depot:
http://www.westhousesdepot.co.uk
The Railway Heritage Trust - keeping up with our past:
http://rail-news.com/2010/05/27/keeping-up-with-our-past/
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
The Railway Heritage Trust website:
http://www.railwayheritagetrust.co.uk/
A detailed survey of Irish railway survivals:
http://tinyurl.com/2emwpk5
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
============
Haynes manual for Thomas the Tank Engine:
http://www.haynes.co.uk/thomas/
Clear Solutions - "Fenestration for the modelling nation"!
http://www.clearsolutions.me.uk/index.html
============
Videos...
Swan Hunter shipyard cranes blasted:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10239575.stm
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
London Underground
Public consultation has opened into plans to extend the Northern Line west
from Kennington through Nine Elms and Battersea to Clapham Junction.
http://www.publicpropertyuk.com/2010/05/19/views-sought-on-tube-extension/
http://www.battersea-powerstation.com/#/home
London NLL
By the time you read this the Gospel Oak-Barking section of the North
London Line should have reopened as TfL were insisting that full peak-time
service was on schedule for 1st June. From the same date, the pre-blockade
timetable between Stratford and Willesden Jn will also be reinstated.
Because of the need to accommodate freight traffic, however, the full off-
peak Barking line service will not operate until early next year when
signalling on the Stratford line is finally completed.
Reading
More details have been revealed about the modernisation first reported in
Raildate, 2nd October 2008. The new station will have five new platforms,
two new entrances and a new footbridge plus lifts and escalators whilst a
tunnel under the railway will reopen for pedestrians. Remodelling will
include a new flyover west of the station taking the GWR main line over
the Berks & Hants line. The first phase will be carried at Christmas 2010
when the station will be closed and trains diverted while signalling is
transferred to the new Thames Valley Signalling Centre at Didcot.
Birmingham New Street
Under Network Rail's 600m Gateway project, all the platforms will be
upgraded. Work started on platform 1 at the end of April 2010 when it
became the first to be taken out of use.
http://tinyurl.com/ybag6ys
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton bus station, claimed to be the busiest in the West Midlands,
has been demolished.
http://tinyurl.com/2udjs7l
Work has started on a 21m replacement interchange that will also serve
the railway station and Midland Metro.
http://tinyurl.com/2uh9lzn
Workington
The shuttle service between Workington and Maryport was withdrawn from
28th May, as was free travel. The temporary Workington North station will
remain open at present but a decision has yet to be made for the long
term.
http://www.railnetwork.info/article.php?article_id=1137
Glasgow
New signalling in connection with the 290m upgrade of the Glasgow Subway
system will allow for driverless trains, similar to those used on the
DLR. Most of the 15 stations on the six-mile-long subway are to be given
a facelift and service frequencies will be increased plus an extension of
the limited opening hours on a Sunday, currently 1000-1800.
http://tinyurl.com/36fznup
Platforms 12 and 13 came into use at Glasgow Central main line station in
May. They were built to accommodate services on the now abandoned Glasgow
Airport Rail Link.
Ireland's Western Rail Corridor
An estimated 16,000 journey were made in April, the first month of the new
Limerick-Galway (via Athenry) service, exceeding forecasts. Iarnrd
ireann continues to plan the next stage of the Western Corridor from
Athenry-Claremorris.
Channel Tunnel
The chances of Deutsche Bahn, etc, running their trains through the tunnel
have been prevented (for the moment) by the Channel Tunnel
Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) rejecting the operation of non-through-
corridor passenger trains shorter than 375 metres (the distance between
cross passageway doors to the service tunnel.
Greece
The Greek Government's strategy is to sell off its loss-making state
companies but it is doubtful if there will be many buyers for the State
railways. The last published official figures show OSE railways lost
?830m in 2008 and, according to the head of the Athens Chamber of
Commerce, the corruption levels within the Greek railway system are
astronomical beyond belief!
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE64P20B20100526?type=marketsNews
Macedonia
The Greek Government says that in recent years Greece has neglected the
railway network and invested more funds in motorways, and that it is high
time that it paid attention to the improvement of the railway
infrastructure. It plans to build out-of-town railways in Central
Macedonia by 2015.
http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n220782
Armenia
The South Caucasus Railway's 'Armenia' Yerevan-Batumi-Yerevan service will
run this year every day at 1410 from 3rd June. Beginning from the same
period, on Tuesdays and Fridays, an ordinary passenger train will run as
well, which will leave from Yerevan at 2320.
http://tinyurl.com/2bgnggk
Armenia-Iran
Armenia?s only railway link at present is through Georgia ? an often
unstable route. The proposed railway to Iran would give Armenia access to
ports of the Indian Ocean. The line would be 540km long with 460km passing
through Armenia, cost $1.5-2bn, and be completed in six years. The most
frequently announced route among three options is Gagarin-Gavar-Martuni-
Jermuk-Vayk-Sisian-Kapan-Meghri. The remainder of the line will be laid in
Iran terminating at Merant. Currently the Iran Network includes of more
than 9,000km of standard gauge track and this is expected to increase to
25,000km by 2020.
http://armenianow.com/economy/23369/armenia_iran_railway_construction
Azerbaijan
Summer services timetable changes:
http://en.trend.az/capital/transport/1694708.html
Uzbekistan
According to the the first deputy head of Tajik railways Uzbekistan is
preventing the transit of NATO cargo going to Afghanistan.
http://enews.ferghana.ru/news.php?id=1719&mode=snews
Ghana
The government says it is committed to revamping the ailing railways. The
immediate to medium-term will see the completion of the ongoing Accra-Tema
line, which has reached Asoprochona with the final section to the Tema
port due be be completed by July 2010. Extension of the suburban lines
will cover the Accra-Winneba, Achimota and Nsawam lines. For the long-
term, a feasibility study is being undertaken to extend the on-going
rehabilitation of the western line to the northern part of the country,
right up to Paga along the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. More than US$2b is
to be injected into the railway to improve the flow of freight along the
Accra-Koforidua-Kumasi line, which is one of the busiest lines in the
country.
http://news.myjoyonline.com/business/201005/46624.asp
Mozambique
A CFM railway museum is being constructed on the four bay platforms at the
west end of Maputo station. The rebuilding of the 342-mile Sena line from
Beira to Moatize by Rites of India has reached Moatize.
http://worldofrail.com/railwaysafrica/2010/05/mozambique-report/
Afghanistan
On 25th May, work started on a 75km line connecting the Afghan city of
Mazar-e-Sharif to the country?s bustling northern border with Uzbekistan.
http://tinyurl.com/36ktn9u
Pakistan
The Asian Development Bank will lend Pakistan US $500m to improve the
country?s rail network, Express Tribune reported on 25th May.
http://tinyurl.com/385p4et
Privatisation of Pakistan's railways opposed:
http://tinyurl.com/38pxd34
============
IN THE NEWS
Government reviews carriage orders:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10233884.stm
GB Railfreight bought by Eurotunnel
http://tinyurl.com/37pj2p7
Bridge reconstruction in Winchester:
http://www.therailengineer.com/FeaturedArticles/railengineer/view/116
Station reconstruction for Olympics:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicester/10212317.stm
Potters Bar rail crash inquest opens:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8715011.stm
Re-opened North London Line pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24759744@N02/
Sharp fall in Network Rail profits:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10222728.stm
Girl found next to railway line:
http://tinyurl.com/2vdz5c7
Dictionary honour for Derbyshire train hero:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/10202541.stm
Scottish station renovation scheme:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/10196787.stm
Progress on Leekbrook Junction to Cauldon Lowe line:
http://tinyurl.com/38qmvcz
44871 on the Swanage Railway:
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news652.htm
Isle of Wight Steam Railway National Lottery Awards place:
http://tinyurl.com/387vsrg
The world's smallest railway station revived:
http://tinyurl.com/277y2ra
(Kernel Holman Stephens? Must be some kind of nut!)
EMD sold to Caterpillar:
http://tinyurl.com/2a7sawv
60th anniversary of the VW Kombi:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8704175.stm
Luton to Dunstable Guided Busway in pictures:
http://tinyurl.com/33f7rv2
Part of Southampton's Royal Pier collapses:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/10231683.stm
Isle of Wight ferry damaged in rough mooring:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8711980.stm
Welsh Paddle steamer at Dunkirk:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/10188033.stm
Southampton marks 100 years of aviation:
http://tinyurl.com/3493new
Southampton Centenary of Flight events:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/centenary-of-flight/flight-events.htm
Bid to return Concorde to the skies:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8712806.stm
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Andy Sollis
TV and RADIO
05/06/10 Five 1045-1145
"Britain's Greatest Machines" Chris Barrie 5/8
05/06/10 BBC2 1655-1725
"Coast" The Forth Road Bridge
05/06/10 BBC2 1725-1745
"The Boats That Built Britain" 6/6 The LCVP
05/06/10 BBC2 1925-2025
"Little Ships" The Dunkirk story
05/06/10 BBC2 2025-2115
"Dunkirk: The Soldiers' Story"
06/06/10 Five 1210-1310
"Warplane: The Bomber"
06/06/10 BBC2 1855-1945
"Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections" 5/6
06/06/10 BBC4 2100-2200
"Hammond Meets Moss" (Stirling of that ilk)
06/06/10 BBC4 2200-2300
"Deadliest Crash: the Le Mans 1955 Disaster"
06/06/10 BBC4 2300-0000
"Ford's Dagenham Dream"
07/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Liverpool-Scarborough - 1
07/06/10 BBC2 2320-0010
"Dunkirk: The Soldiers' Story"
08/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Liverpool-Scarborough - 2
08/06/10 BBC2 1900-2000
"Coast" South-west Scotland
09/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Liverpool-Scarborough - 3
09/06/10 BBC2 1900-1930
"The Beauty of Maps" Mappa Mundi
09/06/10 BBC4 2230-2330
"Hammond Meets Moss" (Stirling)
09/06/10 BBC4 2330-0030
"Touring Britain: the Victorian Way"
10/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Liverpool-Scarborough - 4
10/06/10 ITV1 1930-1000
"Britain's Broken Roads" A Tonight report
10/06/10 Five 2000-2100
"Britain's Greatest Machines" Chris Barrie 6/8
11/06/10 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Liverpool-Scarborough - 5
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.
05/06/10 Guided walks through Chesil Tunnel, Winchester
1115-1245 and 1415-1545
Purchase tickets on the day from the Tourist Information Centre
4.50 adult, 1 child
http://tinyurl.com/2vaa2yw
05/06/10- Mid-Hants Railway: War on the Line
06/06/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
05/06/10- Bluebell Railway: last opportunity to walk across the viaduct
06/06/10 and beyond up to the face of the Imberhorne waste tip
http://tinyurl.com/kvgmx
05/06/10- North Norfolk Railway: Mixed Traffic Gala
06/06/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
05/06/10- Peak Rail: Local Residents' Weekend
06/06/10
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
05/06/10- Leawood Pump Steaming Weekend, Cromford Canal
06/06/10
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
06/06/10 Romsey Signal Box Open Day
Admission free (donations welcome!)
1000-1500 followed by AGM of the Friends
ex-Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey
Car park in old school grounds
http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk
06/06/10 Twyford Waterworks Communications Open Day
1100-1600
http://www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk/
06/06/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Alf Tunstall Classic Bus Rally
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
07/06/10 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch)
The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery St, Sheffield, S3 8GG
Round Britain Tour - a slideshow by John Morten
Pictures taken by John and his father (the late ER Morten)
from the 1920s through to the 1960s
Starts 2000, requested 2 donation on the door to include
sandwiches at the interval
To see some of ER Morten's Peak District photos go to:
http://www.davidheyscollection.com/page34.htm
09/06/10 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/
10/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Victorian Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
12/06/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
12/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Rover Retro Weekend
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
12/06/10- Swindon & Cricklade Railway: GWR 175 Steam Gala (1)
13/06/10
http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org
12/06/10- North Norfolk Railway: Ivor the Engine Weekend
13/06/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
12/06/10- demu Showcase 2010
13/06/10 Bretby Conference Centre, nr Burton-upon-Trent, DE15 0YZ
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
http://www.demu.org.uk
12/06/10- Churnet Valley Railway: Victorian Weekend
13/06/10
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
12/06/10- Bakewell Model Railway Show
13/06/10 Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell, Derbyshire
1000-1700 both days
http://www.wingfieldrailway group.co.uk
12/06/10- Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway: The Seaguill Has Landed
13/06/10
http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk
12/06/10- West Somerset Railway: Mixed Traffic Weekend
14/06/10 GWR 175 "Diesels in the West"
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
13/06/10 Minstead Model Railway Exhibition
Minstead Village Hall, Minstead, Lyndhurst, SO43 7FX
1000-1600
Adult: 3, Seniors & Children: 2, Family 8
Free Car Parking
Light Refreshments available - bar open 1200-1500
Supporting Diabetic for Solent & the British Heart Foundation
HPMRS member Derek Gillkerson will be attending with "New"
Stanton Lees in its newly-extended format
13/06/10 Chatsworth Bus Gathering
Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
17/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Victorian Train
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
19/06/10 Solent Railwayana Auctions
Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham, Hants, PO17 5AL
http://www.solentrailwayana.com
19/06/10 100 Years of Flying in South Hampshire
Lecture: Amelia Earhart in Southampton June 1928
Lecture Theatre, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LP
(Use Art Gallery/Library entrance by fountain)
Starts: 1100
http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
19/06/10 100 Years of Flying in South Hampshire
Lecture: Women in Aviation
Lecture Theatre, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LP
(Use Art Gallery/Library entrance by fountain)
Starts: 1400
http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
19/06/10- Swindon & Cricklade Railway: GWR 175 Steam Gala (2)
20/06/10
http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org
19/06/10- Bodmin & Wenford Railway: Heritage Transport Festival
20/06/10
http://www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk
19/06/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Teddy Bears Days
20/06/10
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
20/06/10 Mid-Hants Railway: Father's Day
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
20/06/10 Talyllyn Railway: Father's Day
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
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
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