RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.hpmrs.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/
NETWATCH
============
An interesting collection of old maps at Portsmouth University:
http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/geography/onlineprojects/
A recent exploration of Kettleness & Sandsend tunnels:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=58218
Mike Higginbottom's "Interesting Times" - tours, a blog and a lot of
transport history:
http://www.interestingtimestours.co.uk/
Mike Morant has uploaded 51 LNER and BR(NE) images to his Fotopic gallery:
http://gallery62603.fotopic.net/c1947338.html
A 700yd section of trackbed, which encompasses Snapper Halt on the Lynton
& Barnstaple Railway, has been cleared of vegetation. The land has been
bought and cleared by Exmoor Associates, a company that buys up sections
of L&BR trackbed when it becomes available. There is currently no plan to
open the section to train operation, but it's possible that 6 x 30ft
narrow-gauge track panels might be laid alongside the 170ft platform.
There are photos of the clearance work here:
http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/story/3544
Baby Deltic project:
http://www.thebabydelticproject.co.uk/
(Spotter: Neil Kearns)
Derbyshire Record Office's current "Featured Archive" relates to the
Cromford & High Peak Railway:
http://tinyurl.com/6gnjkam
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
A new exhibition, "The Cunard Queens", is now showing at The Bargate
Shopping Centre, High Street, Southampton from 10.30am to 4.00pm, Tuesdays
through to Saturdays, and on Sundays from Easter through to September
(closed on Mondays). It includes an impressive display, courtesy of The
Scottish Maritime Museum, about RMS Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and the
QE2. Alongside this exhibition is another - "Titanic Honour & Glory".
2.50 for adults and 1.50 for children, with a family ticket 6.50, and
concessions including senior citizens 2.00.
http://www.oceanlinerexperience.co.uk
A new online railwayana auction site:
http://www.justaclickago.com/
An interesting range of card kits:
http://www.kingswaymodels.com/
============
Videos...
Great Central Railway Mini Steam Gala:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4iStpH2kZI
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
Snow ploughing in 7.5-inch scale:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5iL_lSfVQQ
And finally... what might happen if you buy a model railroad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnkjf95Dr8I
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
On-train WiFi
WiFi is a key weapon in the battle to get more passengers onto trains and
this year's annual world Train Communications Systems Conference, being
held in June in the Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras station, looks set to
be the largest and most important yet.
http://tinyurl.com/5sc9w95
Global System Mobile-Railway (GSM-R)
GSM-R is a system that provides seamless digital clarity radio links
between train drivers and signalling and control staff. It was switched
on this week, for the first time in full passenger service, initially
covering the ECML between King's Cross and Stoke Summit, including the
line's 18 tunnels. The system incorporates immediate notification of all
drivers in the area of an incident - a feature which has already averted
more serious delays on two separate occasions on the WCML during testing.
It will be phased in over the entire British railway network by the end of
2014, replacing the analogue National Radio Network (NRN)
Intercity Express Programme
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced that the 4.5bn contract
to build the country's next generation of high-speed trains has been
awarded to Hitachi. Hitachi has already pledged to build an assembly
plant at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham if it secured the deal.
http://tinyurl.com/69m7ljw
http://tinyurl.com/6xebllb
Closed lines of the IOW
On 23rd January 2011, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway marked the 40 years
since the final train steamed out of Newport Station with "The Last Train
Walk" to Havenstreet. It began from the Hamilton & Marshall building, the
approximate location of the former Newport station building. There, a
blue plaque, commemorating the former station site, was fixed to the wall
of the building and was unveiled by Major General Martin White, Lord
Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight.
http://tinyurl.com/698dhs3
London Underground
A new entrance was opened last December at Knightsbridge station on the
Piccadilly Line. It is located at the Hyde Park side of the station where
it joins a new walkway.
http://tinyurl.com/5u8fnap
Northern Line trains will not call at Tottenham Court Road station between
April and November 2011. Major structural work is being carried out on
the platforms in connection with the opening of Crossrail in 2018.
Berkshire
Plans to build a new Wokingham station on a fresh site has won the formal
backing of the borough council. It is contributing 1.5m towards the
anticipated 5m cost.
http://tinyurl.com/6gea2co
Weymouth
Network Rail is seeking to make permanent the temporary two-year closure
of the Weymouth Tramway that started in February 2009.
http://tinyurl.com/6z78roa
Wiltshire
Wiltshire County Council and Wessex Chamber of Commerce have jointly
commissioned Network Rail to assess the viability of opening a new station
at Wooton Bassett on the GW main line west of Swindon. The site chosen is
near the Interface Business Park where the old station was located and
subsequently demolished after closure in 1965.
http://tinyurl.com/4p4nhk7
St Austell Signalbox
The St Austell Railway Heritage Trust's project is slowly progressing, but
they would like more people to be involved. They are setting up an
ordinary membership so that people can take part in their activities and,
if possible, help with fundraising.
http://staustellrailwayheritagetrust.yolasite.com
Bedfordshire
A new station at Wixams, three miles south of Bedford on the MML, complete
with multi-storey car park, would be paid for by developer Gallagher
Estates if they gain planning permission to build a vast new housing
scheme.
http://www.thewixams.co.uk/
Midland Metro
Bids for 19 new trams are being sought by Centro to provide a six-minute
service on the existing route between Wolverhampton and Snow Hill and on
the extension to New Street station due to open in 2015. They will replace
the existing Ansaldo Breda Type T69s which came into service in 1999.
http://www.publictenders.net/tender/92936
Monsal Trail
Latest news on the opening to walkers and cyclists of Headstone (533yd),
Cressbrook (471yd), Litton (515yd) and Chee Tor No 1 (401yd) tunnels. The
work is scheduled to be completed in May or June this year.
http://tinyurl.com/4alozdq
Lincolnshire
Alliance Trains says it wants to run four direct services from Skegness
to London via Spalding from 2016.
http://tinyurl.com/68udfn5
Manchester: Metrolink
A new Tram Operating System (TOS) is being introduced on the Manchester
Metrolink that will take over control of the complete network, controlling
points and signals, with the ability to monitor the location of every tram
to within a few metres. Its introduction is required before the new fleet
of 62 M5000 trams can enter service; 26 are already operating but only the
first 13 have been equipped for the existing signalling system, which is
due to be phased out.
http://tinyurl.com/4whvfvz
Merseyside
A planned new tramway in Wirral is under threat after passenger transport
authority Merseytravel decided to pull out of the deal. The plans would
see a tramway connecting Seacombe and Woodside ? linking into the huge
Wirral waters scheme being developed by Peel. The deal initially involved
Wirral council selling the Pacific Road theatre in Birkenhead and the
transport museum and tramway to preferred bidder Merseytravel.
http://tinyurl.com/64bosgb
West Yorkshire
Latest news about the proposed trolleybus system for Leeds.
http://tinyurl.com/6cgy4mb
Aberdour signal box
The 1890 North British signalbox at Aberdour (between Inverkeithing and
Kirkaldy) was closed in 1981 when control passed to Edinburgh SC, but has
not suffered serious deterioration. The Railway Heritage Trust has
contributed 15,000 towards its renovation and conversion into a small
cafe.
http://tinyurl.com/6d4zjjl
http://tinyurl.com/6a4j87u
http://www.idparchitects.co.uk/index.php?page=aberdour-signal-box
Kazakhstan
China and Kazakhstan will jointly build a 1,050km high-speed line
connecting the cities of Astana and Almaty, with the project completed in
2015.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/7296772.html
USA
At present the Alaskan railway system ends at the town of 'North Pole' SE
of Fairbanks but the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) plans to construct
and operate an 80-mile extension to serve several huge military bases SE
of 'North Pole'.
http://tinyurl.com/6avjpru
============
IN THE NEWS
Network Rail repairs damage to infrastructure caused by freight train:
http://tinyurl.com/5s6jb7o
Government starts high-speed rail consultation:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12591464
How loud will the new high speed train be?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12596619
HS2 station might be built at East Midlands Airport:
http://tinyurl.com/5rnhdbk
St Ives-Cambridge guided busway delayed yet again:
http://tinyurl.com/4je8ghm
RAIB report into fatal accident at Moreton-on-Lugg, near Hereford:
http://tinyurl.com/6dnfv9j
Selby rail crash car driver Gary Hart blames 'fate':
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-12591249
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-12601401
US company Wabtec buys Brush Traction of Loughborough:
http://tinyurl.com/4z49gdk
Bacteria to clean ballast:
http://tinyurl.com/4nawds6
In pictures - The St Pancras Hotel:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9407000/9407385.stm
Dalston Junction to Highbury & Islington extension opens:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/15397.aspx
First pictures:
http://tinyurl.com/642tmun
Grand Central Euston-Blackpool/Carlisle services rejected by ORR:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-12623203
Protest over proposed bridge demolition:
http://tinyurl.com/65jpy4o
50m store complex bid for historic goods yard:
http://tinyurl.com/5r6a8bh
Edinburgh cyclists launch interactive 'innertube' map:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-12578308
Arriva Trains Wales 48 hour strike:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12587093
Electrification proposed to Cardiff:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12606470
FGW dispute in Cardiff & Swansea:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12565061
Wragby (Lincs) station for sale:
http://tinyurl.com/6ktwd3d
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway for sale:
http://tinyurl.com/6bsvhf8
http://tinyurl.com/5w566ak
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12628695
World Heritage site suggested for Newport transporter bridge:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12572682
Spitfire 75th anniversary to be commemorated in stage play:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-12479899
(See "Events" section)
Kennet & Avon canal bridges restored:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-12625718
Referendum on the Port of Dover:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-12587152
Falmouth Docks sold:
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/8881949.Falmouth_Docks_is_sold/
And finally... train company unveils 34 syllable ticket:
http://tinyurl.com/6jmotze
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Mike Morant, Reg Nerps
TV and RADIO
05/03/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"The Box That Changed Britain" The story of containers
06/03/11 BBC1 1830-1900
"The Boat That Guy Built" Renovating a narrow boat 1/6
06/03/11 Channel 4 1730-1830
"Time Team" A 200-year old furnace in Durham
07/03/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"How Do They Do It?" Aeroplane safety and Steinway pianos
08/03/11 Channel 5 2000-2100
"Stansted: the Inside Story" 5/6
09/03/11 BBC1 1830-1900
"The Boat That Guy Built" Renovating a narrow boat 2/6
09/03/11 BBC4 2030-2100
"Time to Remember" Early newsreels
10/03/11 BBC2 2100-2200
"The British at Work - We Can Make It: 1945-64"
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.
04/03/11 Kettering & District Locomotive Society: Talk
"The Wirksworth Branch" by Howard Sprenger
Cornmarket Hall, London Road, Kettering
Starts 1945
http://tinyurl.com/6zs3nf3
04/03/11- Play: Mitchell's Wings to mark the 75th anniversary of the
05/03/11 first flight of The Spitfire
Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop, Stockbridge, SO20 8DY
Tickets: 12, concessions 10 includes free entry to the
museum from 1800
http://www.ticketsouth.co.uk
http://www.maskers.org.uk
http://www.armyflying.com
05/03/11 75th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight
A Spitfire will fly over Southampton to commemorate the event
around 1130
http://tinyurl.com/68vz8dw
05/03/11 Stafford Railway Collectors Fair
GEC, St Leonards Avenue, Stafford
Starts 1030
05/03/11- Romsey Model Railway Show
06/03/11 Crosfield Hall, Romsey, SO51 8GL
1030-1700 (Sat), 1000-1630 (Sun)
http://www.rdrms.hampshire.org.uk/
05/03/11- Romsey Signal Box Open Day
06/03/11 In association with Romsey Model Railway Show weekend
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
05/03/11- Macclesfield Model Railway Exhibition
06/03/11 Tytherington High School, Manchester Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2EE
07/03/11 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch) Slideshow
The Harlequin Pub, 108 Nursery Street, Sheffield S3 8GG
35 yrs of Diesels in the Peak District, Phil Lockwood & Enid
Vincent
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/SheffieldBranch
10/03/11- Play: Mitchell's Wings to mark the 75th anniversary of the
11/03/11 first flight of The Spitfire
Solent Sky Museum, Albert Road, Southampton, SO14 3FR
Tickets: 12, concessions 10 includes free entry to the
museum from 1800
http://www.ticketsouth.co.uk
http://www.maskers.org.uk
http://www.spitfireonline.co.uk
12/03/11 South Western Circle: Talk
"The Salisbury & Dorset Railway" by Nigel Bray
St Alban's Church Hall, Wood Street, Guildford
Starts 1400
http://www.lswr.org/
http://www.kestrelrailwaybooks.co.uk/S&D.htm
12/03/11- Basingstoke & North Hampshire Model Railway Society
13/03/11 Aldworth Science College, Western Way, Basingstoke, RG22 6HA
1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
http://bnhmrs.hampshire.org.uk
14/03/11 DARC Technology Club: Talk
Weston Village Hall, Weston-on-Trent, Derby, DE72 2BL
"The Tornado Project" by Tony Lord
Cost to non-members: 3 including refreshments
Meeting starts 1930
http://www.darc-tech.org.uk
14/03/11 Peak Railway Association (Derby Branch) Slideshow
The Brunswick Inn, Station Approach, Derby, DE21 2RU
"Reservoir Railways of the Derwent Valley" by Ted Hancock
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/DerbyBranch.html
14/03/11 North East Derbyshire Industrial Archaeological Society
Friends' Meeting House, Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, S40 4AG
AGM followed by...
"Clay Cross Tunnel Construction - Plans and Reality"
by Philip Cousins
Commences 1930
15/03/11 Peak Railway Association (Chesterfield Branch) Slideshow
New Inn, 229 Mansfield Road, Hasland, Chesterfield, S41 0JJ
"Buses, Trams and Trains" by Andrew Firth
Review of 2010 & Preview of 2011, Roger Hallatt
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/ChesterfieldBranch.html
19/03/11- Nottingham Model Railway Exhibition
20/03/11 Harvey Hadden Sports Complex, Bilborough Park, Wigman Road,
NG8 4PB
19/03/11- Manchester Victoria signalling school layout operating days
20/03/11 Also "Cab It" weekend (Sunday: 1300 to 1530 only)
National Railway Museum, York
http://www.nrm.org.uk/
24/03/11 Hursley Park Model Railway Society Annual General Meeting
1230 in the Osman Room
Several more retirements this year mean that the future
viability of the Society must be discussed - please make
every effort to attend
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 2011.
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://groups.yahoo.com/group/RAILDATE/