RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/
NETWATCH
============
Further to the railtour images uploaded by Mike Morant last week, he has
now added 72 pictures of railtours on SR metals or involving SR motive
power:
http://gallery62603.fotopic.net/c1915843.html
Midland Explorer Boy's photostream - a collection of over 500 photos, both
old and new, taken mainly in the South West:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/midlandexplorerboy/
(Spotter: Ralph Rawlinson)
Duke of Gloucester on a wet and windy Cauldon Lowe branch:
http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/
John Allen's railway photos:
http://johnallen143.fotopic.net/
An interesting "slide show" about the Sand Hutton Light Railway, created
by the late Ron Evers:
http://www.btinternet.com/~hoppitt/shlr/
Abandoned villages in Britain:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11765712
A wonderful resource for old maps:
http://archivemaps.com/mapco/index.htm
(Spotter: Nick Callaghan)
A recommended supplier - they are happy to produce bespoke decals, etc:
http://www.stationsigns.co.uk
And for gears, try:
http://www.hpcgears.com/
============
Videos...
Videos of LUL's model railway "West Ashfield" in the training centre at
Ashfield House, West Kensington:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fbJr3PW-fI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXF0DgP4Bhg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qy4Zymocb8
Mid Hants Railway 13th November:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=UuNrYlKDBqI
The Train Now Departing - Isle of Man Railway:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/steamtrains/7316.shtml
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
London Thameslink
Demolition of buildings in the triangle between London Bridge, Railway
Approach and the bus station is nearly complete. The first section if the
new viaduct between Borough High Street and Metropolitan Jn has been
erected and is expected to be completed over Christmas. London Bridge
remodelling, however, has to wait until after the Olympics so the new
viaducts will remain empty until then.
London Crossrail
Balfour Beatty will carry out the design phase for four-tracking the two
miles between Plumstead and Abbey Wood including the design for the
rebuild of Abbey Wood station - the terminus of the SE leg of the route.
Chiltern Services
Some of the changes that were due to be made next May will now start from
the December 2010 timetable change. Off-peak Marylebone-Birmingham
journeys will be reduced by 7-8min by removing most Hatton and Lapworth
stops and fewer stops at Dorridge. To compensate a new twice-hourly
service from Leamington-Moor Street will be introduced with stops at
Hatton and Lapworth.
East-West Rail
Buckinghamshire CC has been handed responsibility for preparing the long-
awaited funding bid to central government for this project.
Bletchley Area Resignalling
Signalling Solutions, a joint venture between Alstom Transport and Balfour
Beatty Rail, has been awarded a 22m contract for the Bletchley
remodelling project. Work is expected to start soon with final
commissioning in December 2012.
Severn bridges
Not rail related but could we soon see armed guards protecting the revenue
from the Welsh when we pay our 5.50 to cross the Severn as we travel into
Wales on the A4 or A48?
http://tinyurl.com/383no2e
GWR Monmouth-Chepstow
It was recently reported that Sustrans had submitted plans for a cyclepath
along 4 miles of the disused Wye Valley Railway between Tintern and Wye
Valley Jn (east of Chepstow). Last week the Forest of Dean Council gave
its approval, but similar agreement by Monmouthshire CC (who control the
west side of the river) is still awaited.
http://tinyurl.com/2vknobe
Glyn Valley Tramway
The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust has filed an application to begin the first
phase of the project which would re-open the line from Chirk railway
station to the Chirk Trout Fishery, a distance of 1.2 miles.
http://tinyurl.com/39hscau
GNR Nottingham-Kimberley (Back Line)
People living near Eastwood are supporting a third extension to
Nottingham's tram system. They want a stretch of line costing 100m to be
built to the NW of the city. The route would extend from the present
Phoenix Park terminus in Nuthall (built on the alignment of the Midland
Railway Cinder Hill Colliery branch), past Hempshill Hall and Hempshill
Vale, and utilise 1 miles of the former GNR Nottingham-Derby line to
Kimberley. It would pass Watnall and terminate at the former station next
to the old Kimberley Brewery.
http://tinyurl.com/385n8xe
Sheffield station
Railway Herald reports that the clock on a pole outside Sheffield station,
installed in 2006 as part of the development of Sheaf Square, has never
worked because there was no electricity supply. The City Council admits
that they are responsible and is looking at ways of connecting it to the
mains.
South Yorkshire
Public consultation on the proposed 54m North Doncaster flyover (Raildate
2nd July 2010) that will take freight trains from Stainforth Jn over the
ECML at Joan Croft Junction has raised concerns that barrier down times
will cause delays to road traffic. As a result the level crossing will be
replaced with a road bridge carrying John Croft Lane over the ECML.
LNWR Ellenbrook-Springs Branch and Tyldesley-Leigh
Earlier this year, Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority
(GMITA) resurrected plans for a guided busway that would link Manchester
city centre with Leigh, utilising the Ellenbrook-Tyldesley section of the
former Manchester-Wigan line and the whole of the Tyldesley-Leigh line. In
September the 76m scheme was again put on hold pending a review.
Unfortunately that review has come out in favour of the work going ahead.
Work has already begun in Ellenbrook. The embankment (site of Ellenbrook
station) in Newearth Road west to the bridge over the line that ran from
Walkden Yard to Mossley Common Colliery is being removed. This is the
point where buses would join/leave the busway.
http://tinyurl.com/33gudjp
LNW/L&YJt Longridge branch
Preston City Council have been considering building a park and ride tram
system that would utilise the trackbed between the M1 and Deepdale Jn with
street running from there into the city centre. It would appear, however,
that the street running section is proving contentious and it has been
suggested that using the tunnel section through to the Maudland area
would avoid considerable traffic problems.
http://www.prestontrampower.co.uk/
Durham Coast Line Resignalling
Stranton SB at Hartlepool was demolished on Friday 12th November, and
Clarence Road and Dawdon were demolished the following day. Seaham is
remaining to work the wicket gates, and the signalling will now be between
Greatham and Ryhope Grange. Cliff House was demolished last year.
Israel
Israel's $2bn Jerusalem-Tel Aviv high speed line is running into political
trouble following the decision to divert two parts of the route into the
West Bank. Planning has also begun on an extension that will connect Gaza
with the city of Ramallah.
http://niqnaq.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/another-great-move-from-russia/
Iran-Afghanistan
The Iranian news agency Fars reports that the Iranian-backed line between
Kaf in Iran and the western Afghanistan city of Herat will open "in the
near future."
http://tinyurl.com/3yzrmw6
http://tinyurl.com/2uaflr4
Kenya-Uganda
Rift Valley Railways Investments (RVR), the operator of the Kenya and
Uganda line, has signed a management and technical services agreement with
Amrica Latina Logstica of Brazil.
http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=10607
Sri Lanka
Three sections of track in the north, destroyed in the 30-year ethnic war
that ended in May 2009, are to rebuilt.
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1411718015
China
Completion of two sections of the 1,318km (820mile) Beijing-Shanghai high-
speed line, which began in March 2008, has finished ahead of schedule,
drastically shortening the planned construction time and making opening
possible on National Day, 1st October 2011 (14 months early). Future
journeys, between China's two most important cities, will take just four
hours, ten hours less than at present.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7193403.html
============
IN THE NEWS
Waterloo retail balcony proposed:
http://tinyurl.com/23ry642
Timetables from 12th December now online:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/11111.aspx
Track changes at Perth:
http://www.railbrit.co.uk/articles.php?recno=35
Three bids for a Blackpool-London rail link:
http://tinyurl.com/3afmc8n
Sussex passenger train slides for two-and-a-half miles:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-11790330
RAIB report into failure to stop at Stonegate (above article):
http://tinyurl.com/2u8ehz4
West Somerset Railway stone trains
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-11752715
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/Latest_news.html
Flooding in Cornwall - Newquay branch blocked
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-11772262
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11773893
Strike vote on Merseyrail
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-11754773
Arriva Trains Wales drivers vote for strike
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11743176
And then call it off
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11780227
Landslip blocks Rhymney branch
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11783603
Facebook posting identifies railway trespassers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-11766192
Isle of Wight Steam Railway 40th birthday plans:
http://iwgazette.co.uk/index.php/2010/11/celebrations-are-on-track/9308
Reopening of NSR Cauldon Low branch:
http://tinyurl.com/354aybb
Railsimulator 2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11747076
Birmingham Airport MAGLEV car for sale
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11780665
Croydon Tramlink accident
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11755939
Protests on Caracas Metro
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11749346
A380 engine fault identified
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11740915
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11732017
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps
TV and RADIO
20/11/10 BBC2 1930-1950
"Coast" Sandbanks, Poole
20/11/10 Discovery Shed 2200-2230
"Central Steam" 13/15 Collecting the Goods
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
20/11/10 Discovery Shed 2230-2300
"Central Steam" 14/15 Golden Oldies Gala
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
21/11/10 BBC Radio 4 1700-1740
"File on 4: The Great Train Robbery" Ticket prices
22/11/10 Five 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" Microchips and dams
23/11/10 BBC2 1900-2000
"Coast" Cap Gris-Nez to Mont Saint-Michel
23/11/10 BBC4 2000-2030
"The Yorkshire Dales on Film" Archive film
24/11/10 Discovery Shed 2200-2230
"Central Steam" 14/15 Golden Oldies Gala
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
24/11/10 Discovery Shed 2230-2300
"Central Steam" 15/15 Wartime Weekend
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
25/11/10 Five 2000-2100
"Demolition: the Tallest Tower" Mexico
26/11/10 BBC2 2130-2200
"Britain by Bike" Using some 1940s cycling guides
27/11/10 Discovery Shed 2200-2230
"Central Steam" 14/15 Golden Oldies Gala
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
27/11/10 Discovery Shed 2230-2300
"Central Steam" 15/15 Wartime Weekend
http://tinyurl.com/32of3r7
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
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge. No responsibility is
taken for inaccuracies or changes.
20/11/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
20/11/10- Kew Bridge Steam Museum: Live Steam Model Railway Show
21/11/10
http://www.kbsm.org
20/11/10- Warley National Model Railway Exhibition
21/11/10 NEC, Birmingham
1000-1800 (Sat), 1000-1700 (Sun)
http://www.thewarleyshow.co.uk
20/11/10- Moorland & City Railways and Churnet Valley Railway
21/11/10 Leekbrook Junction to Cauldon Low reopening (2nd weekend)
CVR operations expand from 11-mile to 27-mile round trip
71000 Duke of Gloucester, 34028 Eddystone, 44767 George
Stevenson, Class 37 37075, Class 33 33102, plus 2 visiting
diesel locomotives
Intensive 3-train timetable
http://www.mcrailways.co.uk/events
http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk
21/11/10 Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum: Christmas Event
Swanwick Lane, Swanwick, Southampton, SO31 7GW
http://www.bursledonbrickworks.co.uk/
24/11/10 Moorland & City Railways Steam Running Day
34028 Eddystone, 44767 George Stevenson, 8F 48624
2 train timetable in operation
http://www.mcrailways.co.uk/events
http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/
26/11/10- Moorland & City Railways Diesel Gala
28/11/10 Class 37 37075, Class 33 33102, plus 2 visiting diesels
and Class 104 DMU
Intensive 3 train timetable
http://www.mcrailways.co.uk/events
http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/
26/11/10- Wakefield Model Railway Exhibition
28/11/10 Thornes Park Stadium, Horbury Road, Wakefield, WF2 8TY
http://www.wakefieldrms.org/index.html
27/11/10 New Forest Book Fair
The Community Centre, High Street, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
27/11/10 Letchworth MRS Model Railway Exhibition
Etonbury Middle School, Stotfield Rd, Arlesley, Beds, SG15 6XS
1000-1630
28/11/10 New Forest Model Railway Society Open Day
Brockenhurst Village Hall, Highwood Rd, off Sway Road,
Brockenhurst, SO42 7RY
Layouts include Crow Arch Lane MPD, Calshot and Aldermouth
1000?1630
Adult: 3, Child: 2, Family: 8
http://www.nfmrs.co.uk/nfmrs_exhibition
03/12/10- West Somerset Railway: Dunster by Candlelight
04/12/10
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
04/12/10 Mid-Hants Railway Real Ale Train (RAT)
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/rat.htm
05/12/10 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
11/12/10 Shaftsbury Book Fair
United Church Hall, Bell Street, SP7 8AR
http://www.fairharebooks.com/
11/12/10 Rye Book Fair
Rye College, The Grove, Rye, TN31 7NQ
http://www.woolhousebooks.co.uk/
11/12/10 Hayle Model Railway Club Exhibition
Hayle Day Care Centre, Commercial Road, Hayle, TR27 4DE
1000-1600
http://www.haylemrc.org.uk/
11/12/10- Wigan Model Railway Exhibition
12/12/10 Robin Park Arena, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UH
http://www.wiganfrm.org.uk/
Santa Specials
04/12/10- Mid-Hants Railway: Santa Specials
05/12/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
04/12/10- Swanage Railway: Santa Specials
05/12/10
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
04/12/10- West Somerset Railway: Santa Specials
05/12/10
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
04/12/10- Didcot Railway Centre: Thomas and Father Christmas
05/12/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
04/12/10- Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway: Santa Specials
05/12/10
http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
04/12/10- Churnet Valley Railway: Santa Specials
05/12/10
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
04/12/10- Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway: Santa Specials
05/12/10
http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk
04/12/10- Peak Rail: Santa & Steam Specials
05/12/10
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
08/12/10 Churnet Valley Railway: Santa Specials
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
11/12/10- Eastleigh Lakeside Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.steamtrain.co.uk
11/12/10- Mid-Hants Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.watercressline.co.uk/
11/12/10- Swanage Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
11/12/10- West Somerset Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk
11/12/10- Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/
11/12/10- Didcot Railway Centre: Thomas and Father Christmas
12/12/10
http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk
11/12/10- Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
11/11/10- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Santa Trains
12/11/10
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
11/12/10- Churnet Valley Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
11/12/10- Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway: Santa Specials
12/12/10
http://www.cleethorpescoastlightrailway.co.uk
11/12/10- Peak Rail: Santa & Steam Specials
12/12/10
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/