RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.hpmrs.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/
NETWATCH
============
A curious website that seems to be advocating the reopening of the Teign
Valley line in Devon - although it's hard to tell! I would have dropped
them a quick email, but they only seem to want to communicate via the
Royal Mail, and I can't be bothered...!
http://test.thinkology.co.uk/tvr/
The British Power Signalling Register is a free listing and historical
analysis of all power signalling equipment installations ever commissioned
in Britain from 1896 to the present day.
http://bpsr.signallingnotices.org.uk/
Photo charter at the Great Central Railway on 26th January:
http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/
Historic Station Buildings of South-East England:
http://historic-railway-buildings.fotopic.net/
A huge number of photos of former railway locations, current railway
stations, steam around the country and other railway photos,
alphabetically arranged:
http://myrailwaystation.com/
Two comprehensive websites about the Fairford Branch:
http://www.martin.loader.btinternet.co.uk/Fairford_Branch.htm
http://www.d.m.howse.btinternet.co.uk/homepage.html
East Anglian Railway Archive by Alan Moore:
http://alanmoore353.blokes.org.uk/
Tom Tait's illuminating blog:
http://tomstattle.blogspot.com/
A large photographic collection by Peter J Vincent. Largely foreign
subjects, but he seems to have visited Britain in 1979, and travelled and
photographed railways around East Anglia and the south-east.
http://www.pjv101.net/
A huge resource for anyone modelling US prototypes, although most of the
techniques described would be relevant to any modeller. Includes scans of
complete magazines.
http://www.trainlife.com/
How to get a heritage US steam loco ready for action:
http://www.sdrm.org/faqs/hostling.html
(Spotter: Richard Buckby)
============
Videos...
Fascinating film taken from the front of a train travelling through
Barnstaple in 1898:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dziGmOLe3KU
East Lancashire Railway Winter Steam Gala:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg3rhEUnKQ0
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Still photos from the same event:
http://paulgildersleve.fotopic.net/
Ian Dixon's photos.
22nd January:
http://www.iandixon.fotopic.net/c1936786.html
24th Janusry:
http://www.iandixon.fotopic.net/c1936791.html
Interesting video filmed at Ongar station:
http://www.vimeo.com/19011413
(Spotter: Andy Sollis)
Lainz Hospital railway:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcCybrLDA20
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
Railmotor
Almost everyone talks about 'steam trains' but until now a working example
did not exist in this country. Steam locos hauling coaches, yes, but not
a steam engine integral with a coach. This could soon change because,
following successful trials at Llangollen, the power bogie and boiler
assembly of the Great Western Society's Railmotor No 93 has been reunited
with the coach body. When work on the railmotor and its trailer No 92 is
finished both will be housed in a new shed at Didcot ready for their
public launch on 28th May 2011.
http://www.railmotor93.org/homepage/homepage.html
Stamps
A new set of stamps to be issued on 1st February depicts less-glamorous
locos: 1st class, Dean Goods No 2532; 60p, Peckett saddle tank "Thor";
88p, L&YR 1093 class No 1100 and 97p, WD 2-10-0 No 90662.
http://tinyurl.com/69g8q5a
Railway Security
The Daily Mirror reports that armed police could soon be patrolling the
railway network for the first time. British Transport Police chiefs want
to create a firearms unit to help fight the threat of terrorism.
http://tinyurl.com/623awm5
London
Thameslink Trains are now using the east side of Blackfriars bridge and
were due to start using the new platforms on 17th January. The through
tracks on the west side have been removed almost to the site of
Blackfriars Junction.
Jubilee Line Upgrade
The new Transmission Based Train Control signalling system was introduced
between Stratford and Dollis Hill on 30th December 2010.
North London Line
The NLL reopened as planned on 4th January 2011. Dalston Western Junction
and Camden Road signal boxes have closed with their role taken over by
Upminster IECC, although signalling from Stratford Central Jn (excl) to
Copper Mill Jn (excl) is still controlled by the North London panel at
Liverpool Street IECC. Track at Canonbury Jn has been reinstated, but the
line to Finsbury Park remains OOU. High Meads Loop and Lea Curve are due
to reopen on 23rd January, but Carpenters Road Curve is blocked until
April. The additional tracks between the newly-named Westbourne Road Jn
and Camden Road East Jn have been commissioned.
East London Line
Traction current has been energised from Dalston Jn to Highbury &
Islington, and TfL is confident that passenger services on the extension
will start running from 28th February 2011. Signalling is controlled from
the ELL SCC at New Cross Gate.
Cromer signalbox
Support from the Railway Heritage Trust has helped the restoration of the
sole surviving M&GN signal box next to the Network Rail line in Cromer.
It was closed in June 2000 when the Norwich-Sherringham line was
resignalled. This 1920s, 36-lever, Grade II listed box is owned by NR but
leased to the Cromer Railway Signalling Society who, over the past year,
has installed a water supply, established a display area and painted the
levers the correct colours.
http://www.cromerbox.co.uk/
GER Wymondam - Fakenham
In episode 5 episode of Great British Railway Journeys a stop was made at
Wymondham to travel on the Mid Norfolk Railway which has taken over the
first 16 miles to North Elmham and is planning to extend further north to County
School.
http://www.mnr.org.uk/
The "Brief Encounter Restaurant" at Wymondham has won many national awards
but David Turner, the owner, for 23 years, has just announced that he is retiring
in February. The business is being handed over as a going concern but without
the large collection of railway relics he has collected.
http://www.wymondham-station.com/index.php?f=data_brief_encounter_restaurant&a=0
At North Elmham vegetation clearance now allows walkers to use the trackbed
in advance of eventual track laying to County School.
Glendon & Rushton
Glendon & Rushton station on the Midland main line between St Pancras and
Leicester closed on 4th January 1960, and even though a listed building,
is now just a derelict shell. Friends of Glendon & Rushton station are
trying to raise 500,000 to restore it to its former glory.
http://tinyurl.com/5svmk33
Saltley Motive Power Depot 21A
The last remaining permanent buildings at the closed Saltley loco shed
were demolished at the end of 2010. In 1868 the Midland built a roundhouse
shed between the main line and the Grand Union Canal south of Saltley
station, and eight years later opened a second along the western wall to
be followed in 1900 by a third built along the southern wall. The depot
was closed to steam on 6th March 1967, and all but the westernmost wall of
No 2 shed demolished. A three-track diesel depot was built in the shed
yard but that too was closed on 24 April 2005, and locos now use a fueling
and outdoor stabling point at Washwood Heath.
GWR Bala Jn - Blaenau Ffestiniog
Businessman, Colin Dale, has announced that he expects to secure a lease
from Network Rail "very soon" for the 6-mile section between Blaenau
Ffestiniog and the site of Trawsfynydd Lake Halt. It is hoped that
clearance and survey work can start in the spring, with trains returning
to the line by the end of 2011. Plans include linking with boat cruises
on Lake Trawsfynydd.
http://www.wix.com/maisonsauveur/onthelake
Lancashire
Ormskirk Station has been recognised at the National Railway Heritage
Awards for the full restoration of the exterior Grade II listed station
building.
http://media-newswire.com/release_1139655.html
Electrification North West
Work on the section between Castlefield Jn (Manchester) and Lowton Jn
(Newton-le-Willows) will begin in 2011, and will be energised by the end
of 2013. This will enable the present TransPennine Express Manchester
Airport - Glasgow/Edinburgh service to be operated by new EMUs, releasing
the existing Class 185s to strengthen other TPE services. Electrification
to Liverpool will be completed by the end of 2014, and Preston - Blackpool
by the end of 2016.
NBR Border Counties Railway
At Bellingham, the down platform and station building survive in a local
council yard and, following a 250,000 refurbishment in 2000, the station
became a business centre occupied by Northumberland Community Council,
Bellingham Community Trust and the Parish Council, whilst a heritage
centre/museum has been built across the trackbed at the far end of the
site. It is dedicated, in the main, to the railway, and contains a vast
array of photographs and memorabilia. The centre, which was opened by
volunteers in 1994, has now been awarded 173,000 by the Heritage Lottery
Fund which it will use to refurbish and install two Mark 1 coaches in the
station yard for use by visitors and school groups.
http://tinyurl.com/64ewyh6
Edinburgh Waverley
The famous Waverley steps, connecting Princes Street to the station, are
to close in February to allow reconstruction and the installation of
escalators.
http://tinyurl.com/4lzmpkz
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Railway Department says they expect that an electrified line
between Veyangoda, NE of Colombo, and Kalutara, south of the capital, will
be open by 2013.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_11/Jan21_1295617471JR.php
India
It is planned to connect all state capitals in the NE. These include
Itanagar-Agartala, Aizawl-Imphal-Kohima and Shillong-Gangtok. India will
also construct the Agartala-Akhaura (Bangladesh) line to connect Tripura
to the Bangladesh Railway network. In addition gauge conversion of
existing lines is to be speeded up. Presently, there is a network of only
2447km in the entire region, which accounts for 4% of the network.
http://tinyurl.com/4maclpz
============
IN THE NEWS
Train companies accused over parking charge rises:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12252538
RAIB report: Train struck by object at Washwood Heath:
http://tinyurl.com/4an292u
University to look at Southeastern punctuality figures:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12262166
Rail survey: Passenger Focus says satisfaction 'high':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12289250
Complaints over removal of catering on Charing Cross-Hastings service:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-12284327
Network Rail workers 'feared reporting injuries':
http://tinyurl.com/46vmgxy
Yapton station building destroyed by fire:
http://tinyurl.com/6zrpudp
New plans for smaller Hornsey rail depot:
http://tinyurl.com/6b96lyq
Gang steals Severn Valley Railway copper sheets:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-12299167
http://tinyurl.com/4e6c89r
Funding for North East's railway heritage:
http://tinyurl.com/4ocn2mp
Head of Steam Railway Museum success:
http://tinyurl.com/6hjk3c3
Trio of locos arrive at Shildon museum:
http://tinyurl.com/5uk7kq4
Wrexham-Shropshire-London direct rail link to end:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12284468
The "last train" between Wrexham and London:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-12305519
Arriva Trains Wales rail strike on Six Nations opener:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12289758
Replacement of Briwet timber bridge, Penrhyndeudraeth:
http://tinyurl.com/3377ndn
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildwalesdotcom/3396548202/
Pontypridd accident 100 years on:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/533.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12258811
Proposal to reopen the Amlwch Line:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12246945
http://tinyurl.com/6h5eter
Griffithstown Railway Museum to close its doors:
http://tinyurl.com/5u7t5em
Heritage project to breathe life into Ffestiniog railway's history:
http://tinyurl.com/49qhmjf
Book details fascination with Barry and its steam locomotives:
http://tinyurl.com/68xprew
Concrete left on railway line:
http://tinyurl.com/67hzzzs
Disruption to Fife rail network (with a worrying picture):
http://tinyurl.com/4mam5d4
Track work at Newtonhill SB, Stonehaven (4th picture):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12249698
Transport chiefs still not on board with bid to restore Kintore Station:
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2105018?UserKey=
Tyne & Wear metro engineering works:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12261876
Railway historians call for help to recover long lost, stolen treasure:
http://tinyurl.com/4jey6lf
Expert says Irish State must invest more in high-speed rail:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0124/1224288165032.html
Refurbishment of Middlesborough transporter bridge:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-12273818
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Mike Price
TV and RADIO
28/01/11 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Hythe to Hastings
30/01/11 BBC1 1900-2000
"Countryfile" Yorkshire and the Industrial Revolution
30/01/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"Ride of My Life: the Story of the Bicycle"
31/01/11 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Ayr to Paisley
31/01/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" Stainless steel and a monster motorbike
31/01/11 Channel 4 2000-2100
"Birth of Britain" Gold mining in Britain
01/02/11 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Dumbarton to Tyndrum
01/02/11 BBC4 1930-2000
"The Beauty of Maps" 19th century maps
01/02/11 BBC4 2000-2030
"Britain by Bike" The Welsh Borders
01/02/11 BBC4 2100-2200
"Children of the Revolution" The Industrial Revolution
01/02/11 BBC4 2300-2400
"Explosions: How We Shook the World"
02/02/11 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Oban to Corrour
02/02/11 BBC4 1930-2000
"The Boats That Built Britain" Bristol Channel pilot cutter
02/02/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"The Box That Changed Britain" The story of containers
03/02/11 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Roybridge to Glenfinnan
03/02/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"Top Trumps: All Terrain Vehicles"
03/02/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"The Golden Age of Liners"
03/02/11 BBC4 2300-2400
"Behind the Scenes at the Museum" Commercial vehicles
04/02/11 BBC2 1830-1900
"Great British Railway Journeys" Lochailort to Skye
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/tours/index.htm
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge. No responsibility is
taken for inaccuracies or changes.
29/01/11- Southampton Model Railway Show
30/01/11 Barton Peveril College, Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 5BX
1030-1700 (Sat), 1000-1700 (Sun)
http://www.smrs.hampshire.org.uk
06/02/11 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
19/02/11 Manchester Victoria signalling school layout operating day
National Railway Museum, York
http://www.nrm.org.uk/
21/02/11 Friends of Cromford Canal - Talk
Ironville Church Hall, Casson St, Ironville, NG16 5NN
"Rails to Ripley" by Howard Sprenger
Starts: 1930
http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk/
http://www.kestrelrailwaybooks.co.uk/ripley.htm
25/02/11- Model-Rail Scotland
27/02/11 Scottish Exhibition Centre, Glasgow
1100-1800 (Fri), 1000-1800 (Sat), 1000-1700 (Sun)
http://www.modelrail-scotland.co.uk
26/02/11- Eastleigh Model Railway Show incorporating Eurotrack 2011
27/02/11 Fleming Park Leisure Centre, Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh SO50 9NL
1000-1730 (Sat), 0930-1630 (Sun)
http://fdelaitre.perso.sfr.fr/Smrg.htm
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
Issues of Raildate up to and including 18th December 2009 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 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/