RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
If you would like a screen saver of Terence Cuneo's "Union of South Africa
Leaving Edinburgh Waverley Station" (mentioned last week) go to:
http://tinyurl.com/3799u69
Click "Full Screen", Shift/PrintScreen, open a graphics program, paste
and save.
(Spotter: Tom Baldwin)
Latest steam railway photographs from Dave Bowles
http://www.steamrailwayprints.co.uk/gallery_300392.html
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway had a special weekend to welcome Calbourne
back into service.
http://ronstruttsrailwaypics.fotopic.net/c1244476_126.html
Trackbed walk to Wroxall and from Shanklin to Ventnor
http://ronstruttsrailwaypics.fotopic.net/c1620668.html
A register of stationary boilers:
http://www.abrail.co.uk/stationary_boilers.htm
The Old Maps site now has the 1:1056 OS town maps of c.1850 and the 1:500
OS maps of 1890-1910. In most cases, they have also increased coverage
from the mid-19th century up to the mid 1990s. These are superb research
tools with a wealth of detail.
http://www.old-maps.co.uk/index.html
Comprehensive mapping information for Durham is here:
http://gis.durham.gov.uk/website/interMAP/viewer.htm
New yellow Metrolink trams in Manchester are now operating on the Eccles
Route from Manchester Piccadilly station. Earlier this week a new station
at MediaCityUK was in use by trams on the Eccles service. This station has
two platforms lettered A & B (A being on the left looking towards the
buffer stops). The trams from Manchester were calling at the new station
on their way to Eccles, and the same from Eccles using the new triangle.
This added a few minutes to their journey but one assumes that "through"
trams to Eccles will operate again after crew familiarisation with the
revised layout to this new station. At the moment points at the new
triangle are worked by hand. The interchange Metrolink station G-Mex has
been renamed Deansgate-Castlefield (hyphenated).
(Spotter: Neville Knight)
============
Videos...
Last weekend's Great Central Railway Autumn Gala:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1QoCw7zNEs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QenCWV6hBOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMHIgw_eiaw
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Photographs of the same event:
http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/
http://paulgildersleve.fotopic.net/
Fiftieth anniversary of the end of trams in Sheffield:
http://tinyurl.com/32x8za8
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
Disused Railways - Bescot Curve - 4th July 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG0fJkTg5uc
(Spotter: Martin Snow)
Ralph Rawlinson adds...
The Express & Star of 1st October 2010 carried a report that Centro are
continuing with their plans for a rapid transit system linking the
existing Midland Metro at Wednesbury to Stourbridge via Merry Hill and
Brierley Hill. However, to reduce costs, they are now looking at a
sharing tracks with Network Rail. This would allow freight trains to use
Stourbridge Jn-Walsall, avoiding congestion elsewhere. The Stourbridge-
Walsall route was originally GWR to Dudley (still open for freight,
Stourbridge Jn-Round Oak) and LNWR Dudley-Walsall (still open, Pleck Jn-
Walsall).
http://tinyurl.com/3a2r4ha
Northern Ireland Railways: Part 1 Yorkgate station north Belfast (and not
a passenger in sight!)
http://tinyurl.com/39c5shv
TV Commercial for Indian Railways:
http://tinyurl.com/3x7td9c
Bournemouth Trolleybuses:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=055SXuJ7FX4
(All - Ralph Rawlinson)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
Quangos
The DfT has published a list of transport quangos that are to be abolished
or merged. The following railway organisations are to be abolished:
1. The Railway Heritage Committee (RHC) is responsible for designating
railway artefacts and records of historical importance. The Government
believes that the RHC can not be justified as no equivalent protection
applies to the heritage of any other transport sector. The RHC will
therefore be abolished.
2. BRB (Residuary) Ltd is responsible for discharging the residual
functions of the British Railways Board following the divestment of
British Rail's operating railway functions in 1997. BRBR will be wound up
in due course once its programme of asset disposals is complete and its
remaining statutory functions will transfer to the direct control of the
Department for Transport.
On-train WiFi
East Coast is upgrading its on-train Wifi but will now charge standard
class passengers for use beyond 15 minutes.
Tram Conversions
London TravelWatch says converting more London branch lines to tram
operation could lead to financial savings and suggests Romford-Upminster
and Grove Park-Bromley North as suitable candidates.
London NLL
Further details have emerged concerning Network Rail's plans to complete
its late-running upgrade by next summer. The new signalling will be
commissioned and the NLL will be connected to the ELL at Dalston Junction
to allow the full ELL service to operate from Highbury & Islington
station. When this work is complete London Overground will be able to run
longer and more frequent trains. Four per hour from Richmond and Clapham
Junction to Stratford, six per hour between Willesden Junction and Camden
Road and eight per hour between Camden Road and Stratford. London
Overground map at:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/15359.aspx
London ELL
The second phase of the London Overground network involves just over mile
of new railway between Silwood Junction (south of Surreys Quays station)
and Queen's Road Peckham station on the existing South London line. This
work, due to be completed in September 2011, also includes foundations for
a new station at Surrey Canal Road due to be undertaken at some point in
the future. Once open the new route will link Surrey Quays (on the ELL
extension) to Clapham Junction.
Watford Junction-Croxley Green
A decision on whether the Croxley Green rail link project will go ahead
will be made by December 2010, 21 years after London Transport first
floated the idea of diverting the Metropolitan line away from its remote
west Watford terminus and, by means of less than half a mile of new
alignment, link up with this branch to gain access to Watford Junction.
In just five years costs have more than doubled to 162m with a further
38m required for the creation of a new transport interchange at Watford
Junction.
Buckinghamshire
When the permit to travel machine at Little Kimble station on the Princes
Risborough to Aylesbury branch stopped working the problem was down to a
family of glis glis (aka fat tailed dormice) who had taken up residence.
http://www.mix96.co.uk/news/review.php?article=290210
Peterborough
The postal sorting office on the entrance side of the station has been
demolished and the covered bridge across the platforms, built for the
transfer of mail trolleys, has been converted for passenger use.
Norfolk Swing Bridges
Currently the railway swing bridges at Reedham and Oulton Broad are fully
operational whilst Somerleyton, awaiting repairs, is only opened twice a
day. Trowse is non-operational but due to be repaired. Meanwhile the
Broads Authority is drawing up a legal agreement that sets out the
arrangements for repair and maintenance.
Spalding
Steppingstone bridge, the three span lattice steel footbridge that spanned
the Sleaford line, the former Boston line and the old yard area north of
Spalding station, was demolished at the end of August 2010. The original
GNR lattice footbridge at the station has been renovated.
Nottinghamshire
A new bridge, carrying the Nottingham-Grantham line over the widened A46
trunk road at Bingham, is scheduled to be installed over the Christmas
period.
http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Changes-ahead-on-A46
Sheffield
South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority is now seeking its own
legal opinion about how Sheffield station is being operated. They expect
to spend around 2,000 on advice from counsel about whether East Midland
Trains has the right to block access for pedestrians without tickets who
simply want to pass through the station as part of their journey.
http://tinyurl.com/38ajaxn
Manchester Victoria-Todmorden
Construction of the replacement signalbox at Castleton is not expected to
start until October 2011. After it is commissioned, Smithy Bridge will
become a gate box controlling only the adjacent level crossing.
Preston-Bamber Bridge
The lattice girder bridge (which dates back to 1848) over the throat of
the former East Lancs side of Preston station is badly corroded and will
have to dismantled. Known as Vicars Bridge it connects East Cliff with
Lancashire CC offices in the former Park Hotel. However, a separate
Bailey bridge which sits within the old structure will remain.
Workington
Northern Rail has announced that it is to carry out a complete
refurbishment of Workington station. This follows the closure of the
temporary Workington North station on 8th October 2010.
Thornaby Motive Power Depot
The North Eastern Region built a polygonal roundhouse shed on the north
side of the line east of Thornaby station and an adjacent brick built 13-
track shed. The depot was opened on 5th June 1958, and closed to steam in
1964. The 13-track shed became a diesel depot whilst the roundhouse found
further use for wagon repairs until demolished in 1988. The diesel depot
is now closed and demolition is expected to begin soon following its sale
by Network Rail to Middlesbrough Council for reclamation and
redevelopment. Exploration here:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=47520
Carlsle-Riccarton Jn
Last year BRB Residual declared the Grade II listed Eden (aka Waverley)
Viaduct, that carried the Waverley route over the River Eden in Carlisle,
unsafe and erected steel fences preventing access. This year two thousand
signatures were collected in support of a petition asking both Carlisle
City and Cumbria County Councils to purchase and restore the structure.
The City Council have now responded by stating that, as the viaduct does
not belong to them, they cannot assist and, whilst they would support a
reopening, they do have have any money to use for the project.
Monmouth-Chepstow
On 23rd August 2010 Sustrans submitted plans for a traffic-free shared
path along 4miles of the disused Wye Valley Railway between Tintern and
Wye Valley Jn (east of Chepstow). It is already possible to follow most
of the nine miles between Monmouth and Tintern. At Redbrook-on-Wye it
becomes part of the Wye Valley Walk and from Whitebrook Halt a footpath
follows the trackbed or the river bank for four miles.
http://www.wyevalleycycling.org.uk/
Oswestry: Cambrian Loco shed
Back in March Shropshire County Council were considering an application to
demolish the former Cambrian loco shed in Oswestry for a development that
would include a Tesco store and cinema. Now it appears the buildings are
to be converted into a 2 million leisure and entertainment complex. It
has been bought by hotelier, Stephanie Booth who said her passion for
industrial heritage was part of the reason for buying the buildings.
http://tinyurl.com/2wjphfr
Competition through the Chunnel
After tests in the channel tunnel during the night of 18th/19th October,
Deutsche Bahn's Class 406 'ICE3' test train will be hauled to St Pancras
by Eurotunnel Krupp diesels. If DB is allowed to introduce Frankfurt-
Cologne-London services in 2013, they will use the next generation Class
407 'ICE4' to be delivered from Siemens in 2011.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11493287
Nigeria
Speaking in Lagos the Nigerian Transport Minister said rehabilitation work
on the Lagos-Kano line is divided into two parts. Lagos-Kebba is 75%
complete whilst Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is also on track.
http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5624759-146/story.csp
Egypt
The Egyptian Government is studying the possibility of introducing a high-
speed train from Cairo to Alexandra and building a high-speed line between
Cairo and Tenth of Ramadan City.
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093369260
Sudan-Kenya
An agreement has been reached between the New Sudan Foundation,
ThyssenKrupp GfT Gleistechnik, Ayr Logistics Ltd and MosMetrostroy to
commence construction of a line from Juba in Southern Sudan to the Indian
Ocean seaports of Mombasa in the south of Kenya and Lamu in the north.
http://tinyurl.com/2vl7n9c
Ethiopia
Currently the country has only one railway, connecting Addis Ababa with
the port in Djibouti. This 681km line was inaugurated 100 years ago and
remains the lifeline of Ethiopian imports and exports, but no other
railway has been built in Ethiopia since. On 4th October 2010 the
Ethiopian government confirmed plans "to launch construction of the
biggest railway complex" in the country. Some 5,000 km of new lines are
to stretch out in eight directions from Addis Ababa to various regions of
the country. This network is to be constructed in two phases. The first,
taking five years, includes the construction of six lines. One of the
longest at 317km linking Addis Ababa to Me'eso town in Afar state (317km)
would be constructed and co-funded by the Chinese.
http://www.afrol.com/articles/36699
Kenya-Uganda
Fresh bids have been invited for the preliminary design and environmental
assessment (for the section between Mombasa and Malaba at the Kenyan
border) of a standard gauge line to run between the port of Mombasa and
the Ugandan capital Kampala. The new line will triple train speeds and
increase regional trade but Kenya Railways cancelled a first bid when
expressions of interest came in too high.
http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE6970EY20101008
============
IN THE NEWS
Train shortage fears as 200m fleet is refused:
http://tinyurl.com/36y8u5s
Cable theft at Newark:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-11500386
Scarborough station upgrade progresses well:
http://tinyurl.com/3xkr8c3
Refurbishment of Gatwick Airport station:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-11531118
http://www.heart.co.uk/sussex/local/news/gatwick-railway-station-upgrade/
http://tinyurl.com/2vuq4yb
New rolling stock for NXEA:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11540206
Proposed reopening scheme for Trawsfynydd branch:
http://tinyurl.com/25krcsj
Enterprise failure at Newry:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11539856
Replacement foot and cycle bridge on Weymouth-Portland trackbed:
http://tinyurl.com/35c7xxe
http://tinyurl.com/357urv2
http://www.akweb.org.uk/weyroute/bill.html
Light rail in Radstock:
http://tinyurl.com/2uqhwo6
"Cheltenham" steam engine returns to Eastleigh works:
http://tinyurl.com/369cftv
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/272
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/News/Loco/View/273
Race against time to move vintage loco from Leatherhead Leisure Centre:
http://tinyurl.com/3a5c2e3
A new future for the Snailbeach Railway...?
http://the.snailbeach.com/staticpages/index.php/works_proposal
Gothard Tunnel breakthrough:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11548845
Pakistan's Prime Minister allocates Rs 5bn for PR restructuring:
http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=1108707
Philippines government reviews contract with China:
http://tinyurl.com/294rb6m
Edinburgh tram route to be shorter:
http://www.railway-technology.com/News/News98503.html
Ferry fire in Baltic:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11507261
Tanker collision on English Channel:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11504113
Queen Elizabeth arrives in Southampton:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-11507303
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Ralph Rawlinson
TV and RADIO
16/10/10 Discovery Shed 2200-2230
"Central Steam" 3/15 Wedding
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
16/10/10 Discovery Shed 2230-2300
"Central Steam" 4/15 Steam Gala
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
17/10/10 BBC4 1930-2000
"The Beauty of Maps" 3/4 Dutch cartography
17/10/10 BBC2 2000-2100
"Dambusters Declassified" New light on the raid
17/10/10 BBC4 2000-2130
"All Our Working Lives Revisited" 4/4 Coal
17/10/10 BBC2 2330-0130
"The Dambusters" 1954 feature film
18/10/10 Five 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" A container ship and an American truck
18/10/10 Channel 4 2100-2200
"Titanic: the Mission" Reconstructing the ship to scale 4/5
18/10/10 BBC2 2320-0020
"Dambusters Declassified" New light on the raid
18/10/10 BBC4 2325-0055
"All Our Working Lives Revisited" 4/4 Coal
19/10/10 BBC2 1900-2000
"Coast" Berwick-upon-Tweed to Aberdeen
19/10/10 Five 2000-2100
"Motorway Madness" Life at a motorway service station
19/10/10 BBC4 2000-2030
"Britain's Best Drives" The Lake District
19/10/10 BBC4 2030-2100
"A Time To Remember" Technological advances on newsreel
20/10/10 Discovery Shed 2200-2230
"Central Steam" 5/15 David Shepherd
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
20/10/10 Discovery Shed 2230-2300
"Central Steam" 6/15 Hallowe'en
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
22/10/10 Five 2000-2100
"Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers" 5/6
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.
16/10/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
16/10/10- Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Big 4 Weekend
17/10/10
http://www.steamtrain.co.uk
16/10/10- Christchurch MRC Model Railway Exhibition
17/10/10 Bishop of Winchester School, Mallard Road, Castle Lane,
Bournemouth, BH8 9PW
1030-1630 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
http://www.christchurchmrc.org.uk
16/10/10- Uckfield MRC Model Railway Exhibition
17/10/10 Uckfield Civic centre, Civic Approach, Uckfield, TN22 1AE
1030-1700 both days
http://www.uckfieldmrc.co.uk
16/10/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Model Railway Exhibition
17/10/10
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
16/10/10- National Festival of Railway Modelling
17/10/10 East of England Showground, Peterborough, PE2 6XE
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1630 (Sun)
http://www.brmodelling.co.uk
17/10/10 Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum: Steam
Swanwick Lane, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW
The editor of Raildate will be attending with the
Kestrel Railway Books sales stand
http://www.bursledonbrickworks.co.uk/
17/10/10 The Isle of Wight Bus Museum: Annual Running Day
http://www.iowbusmuseum.org.uk
17/10/10 Horndean Book Fair
Merchistoun Hall, 106 Portsmouth Rd, Horndean, PO8 9LJ
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
17/10/10 Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre: Autumn Industrial Trains Day
http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk
22/10/10- Bluebell Railway: Giants of Steam
24/10/10
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/
23/10/10 Solent Railwayana Auctions
Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham, Hants, PO17 5AL
http://www.solentrailwayana.com
23/10/10 Didcot Model Railway Exhibition
Willowbrook Leisure Centre, Bowmont Water, Didcot, OX11 7AF
23/10/10 Folkestone Book, Paper & Print Fair
The Grand, Folkestone
http://www.pbfa.org/
http://www.ephemera-society.org.uk/
23/10/10 Carmarthen Model Railway Exhibition
Community Education Centre, Furnace Road, Carmarthen SA31 1EU
1030-1630
Adult: 3.50, Concessions: 3, Child: 2, Family (2+2): 7
Refreshments available, disabled access
23/10/10- Didcot Railway Centre: GWR 175 (last of four special events)
24/10/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
23/10/10- Rail-Ex Southwest (Taunton)
24/10/10 Taunton School, Staplegrove Road, Taunton
http://www.somerset-modellers.co.uk
23/10/10- North Norfolk Railway: Altogether Now! Kids help run the railway
24/10/10
http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/
23/10/10- Foxfield Railway: Autumn Gala
24/10/10 Includes recently restored Dubs crane tank
Early morning photo charter at Foxfield Colliery on Saturday
(contact
d.fletcher47@btinternet.com)
23/10/10- Peak Rail: Shunter Hunter Extravaganza
24/10/10
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
23/10/10- Mid-Hants Railway: Wizard Week
31/10/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
23/10/10- Swanage Railway: Half-term Fun Week
31/10/10
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
24/10/10 Crich Tramway Village: Red Oktober
http://www.tramway.co.uk/
28/10/10- Talyllyn Railway: Hallowe'en Specials
29/10/10
http://www.talyllyn.co.uk
29/10/10- Kew Bridge Steam Museum: Ghostly Tours
31/10/10
http://www.kbsm.org
30/10/10 New Forest Book Fair
The Community Centre, High Street, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
30/10/10 Churnet Valley Railway: The Ghost Train
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
30/10/10 Crich Tramway Village: Starlight Halloween
http://www.tramway.co.uk/
30/10/10- Leawood Pump Steaming Weekend, Cromford Canal
31/10/10
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
30/10/10- Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway: Hallowe'en Ghost Trains
31/10/10
http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk
31/10/10 Chinnor & Princes Risborough Rly: Hallowe'en Spooks Express
http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
04/11/10 100 Years of Flying in South Hampshire
Lecture: Possible Futures in Education by Dr Kenji Tekeda
Lecture Theatre, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LP
(Use Art Gallery/Library entrance by fountain)
Starts: 1900
http://www.centenary-of-flight.co.uk
06/11/10 Mid-Hants Railway: Sponsored Walk
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
06/11/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
07/11/10 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
07/11/10 Peak Rail: World War II Winter Camp
http://www.peakrail.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
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/