NETWATCH
Further to last week's report that the Isle of Mull Railway (closed December 2010) had been
operating recently, it has been decided that the line will continue to run throughout the
summer season. It is not running at present due to staffing difficulties, but it is hoped that
a service will run for the summer, finishing on the 1st of September.
http://www.mullrail.co.uk/
(Spotter: Richard Maund)
Guy Gorton has been following the saga of the tunnel collapse at Gerrards Cross during the long
drawn out building of a Tesco supermarket. The final pictures...
http://www.meadwaypark.co.uk/SiteCompletion/index.html
(Via Richard Buckby)
"Monsal Memories" is a series of six 10-minute podcasts about people who worked on, lived by or
travelled on the former Midland Railway which ran through the heart of the Peak District
national park from 1863 to 1968. Episode 1 - The Line (10 mins 4.2MB) memories of the line
and what the railway line was built for:
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/monsaltrailpodcasts-01-the-line.mp3
Further episodes will be released monthly - full details:
http://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/monsaltrail
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
SteamWeb - Nigel Kendall's photographic archive:
http://www.steamweb.net/
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
A model railway project in Derby:
http://www.famoustrains.co.uk/
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
============
Videos
Four parts of a cab ride on a German class 41:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeL5aIv1OPI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhN0CyTtoss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpKxqSBa8Uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0tyNq0STTA
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
============
Ralph Rawlinson's Railway Roundup
London Crossrail
Contractors are making a start on three Crossrail shafts - signalling the beginning of main
construction at Liverpool Street and Whitechapel stations. AECOM has been awarded the design
contract for the improvement of 13 stations west of Paddington. The work includes platform
extensions, step-free access and bridge redesign.
London Thameslink
NR claims that the solar panels that are to be installed on the roof of Blackfriars station
will be the largest scheme of its kind in the country. It is estimated the 6,000 square metres
of panels will generate 1,058mW of power and cut the station's carbon emissions by half.
Docklands Light Railway
On 1st June, a number of London figures, including the Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport
Secretary Philip Hammond, participated in a short test run on the new DLR Extension linking
Canning Town and Stratford International, but no date yet for public services other than it
will open this Summer.
http://developments.dlr.co.uk/current/extensions/stratford/stations/
GER Cambridge - St Ives
The cyclepath being built alongside the busway will have a hard surface following a grant of
150,000 from Sustrans. Judging by previous reports the busway itself was well used as a
cyclepath at one stage!
http://www.cambridgefirst.co.uk/news/150_000_completes_guided_busway_s_cycle_path_hard_surface_1_921616
Chiltern Line
On 22nd May 2011, Chiltern Railways took over the running of the Oxford-Bicester Town line from
First Great Western. This comes ahead of Chiltern's "Evergreen 3" project, which will link the
branch to the Chiltern line and allow through trains from Oxford to Marylebone via Princes
Risborough. On the main Marylebone-Birmingham line overnight engineering work on installation
and testing of signalling commenced on 6th June, but the bulk of the disruption will come
between between 13th-27th August with a 15-day blockade. The first week will see the
remodelling of Neasden Junction completed, along with the new signalling in the area. The
second week brings crossover replacement at High Wycombe along with the switch on of the new
signalling between Northolt and Haddenham & Thame Parkway. Chiltern now says it is on course
to launch its improved services on 5th September 2011.
North Cotswold Line
NR completed the first phase of the upgrade on 6th June 2011 by reinstating double track
between Charlbury and Ashton-under-Wychwood, and opening new platforms at both stations. A
second line closure takes place 6th-22nd August to allow new track and signalling to be
commissioned between Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham. Single line track will remain between
Wolvercot Jn and Charlbury (at the Oxford end) and between Evesham and Norton Jn (at the
Worcester end).
Lancashire
Work is proceeding on the new 6.8m Northern Rail station at Buckshaw village on the
Preston-Manchester line near Chorley. Completion is due in the Autumn and when open it will be
served by three trains per hour.
L&YR goods shed, Halifax
A feature in the Halifax Courier on 18th May 2011 drew attention to the plight of the 1849
grade II listed Shaw Syke goods shed, located on the west side of the line south of Halifax
station.
http://tinyurl.com/3ws6h4c
County. Durham
The Weardale Railway has announced that the seven-day-a-week "Community Rail Service" provided
by class 141 pacers will continue to operate during 2011 but, due to lack of suitable locos,
there will be no heritage trains.
Glasgow
A massive station could be built in Glasgow's East End to take new high-speed trains from
London.
http://tinyurl.com/6fq9sse
France
French tramway/metro maps plus London and important cities in Spain, Switzerland and Italy.
http://carto.metro.free.fr/
Qatar
The posh West Bay area of Doha, described by many as Qatar's Manhattan, will have its own
railway network, besides being linked to the metro rail system of Greater Doha.
http://tinyurl.com/6gwqpz3
Azerbaijan
JSC Azerbaijan Railways began work on 10th June 2011 on the reconstruction of the Baku-Boyuk
Kasik railway, which is part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars transport corridor.
http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1889507.html
India
The Assam Tribune reports that, according to a new schedule drawn up by the Railway Ministry,
Imphal (capital of Manipur) is likely to find a place in the railway map of India in 2016.
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jun0711/oth06
============
IN THE NEWS
Compensation for delays SWT on 9th June:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13737539
http://tinyurl.com/5rlpb7u
Traffic increase on ELL:
http://tinyurl.com/6gyf7wh
RAIB report into LUL Northern Line - Highgate runaway:
http://tinyurl.com/3pjwdp9
Thameslink setback could put Bombardier future at risk:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13792510
Video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-13792020
Video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-13797913
http://tinyurl.com/6zhnant
http://tinyurl.com/66kmtsf
Cable theft increase in Scotland:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13667392
Contractor withdraws from Border Railway bidding process:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-13791179
Fire on train at Rhyl (175001 on 1044 Llandudno-Manchester Picc):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-13684135
Top Gear trio pull latest stunt at Great Central Railway:
http://tinyurl.com/629268t
Gem of Cromer's railway history saved by enthusiasts:
http://tinyurl.com/6d7gtk3
Coal Traffic tests on Weardale Railway:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13774228
Industrial Action on NYMR:
http://www.rail.co/2011/06/07/north-yorks-moors-railway-faces-strike-action/
Rail volunteers close in on grant:
http://tinyurl.com/3r9m2cj
Chaffinch stands proud as Worcestershire railway works completes first contract:
http://tinyurl.com/3m288g3
Jackie Milburn Loco Goes On Display At Woodhorn:
http://tinyurl.com/3g3fc85
Solar panels over high speed line in Belgium:
http://tinyurl.com/5v635ft
Stagecoach investment in Istanbul ferry operator:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-13800065
Permanent Way team expands:
http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/photo/scaled/9082/
Easyjet to fly from London Southend Airport:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-13789532
Video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-13797468
Liberty Belle B17 crashes:
Video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-13764898
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Reg Nerps, Nick Wheat
TV and RADIO
19/06/11 BBC4 1900-2000
"Hammond Meets Moss" Stirling stuff.
19/06/11 BBC2 2100-2200
"Coast" New series 3/6 The Netherlands
20/06/11 BBC2 2100-2200
"Made in Britain" We still have a manufacturing industry, apparently
21/06/11 BBC4 1930-2000
"Art Deco Icons" Claridges
21/06/11 BBC2 2320-0020
"Coast" New series 3/6 The Netherlands
22/06/11 BBC Radio 4 1545-1600
"The Completists" A collection of British-made motor scooters
22/06/11 BBC4 1930-2000
"The Beauty of Maps" 1/4 Medieval maps
22/06/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"Maps, Power, Plunder and Possession" 1/3 The creation of maps
23/06/11 BBC Radio 4 1545-1600
"The Completists" Timetable collection of Middleton Press's Vic Mitchell
23/06/11 Channel 5 1930-2000
"World's Most Extreme Airports" The top ten
24/06/11 BBC Radio 4 1100-1130
"Reversing Dr Beeching" How Scotland has reopened lines and stations
24/06/11 Channel 5 2000-2100
"Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers" 6/8
24/06/11 BBC4 2305-0005
"The Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll, Sister Rosetta Tharp" Watch for the Blues Train!
EVENTS
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.
18/06/11 Solent Railwayana Auctions
Community Centre, Mill Lane, Wickham, Hampshire, PO17 5AL
Viewing: 0800, Start: 1000
http://www.solentrailwayana.com/
18/06/11- GWSG Exhibition
19/06/11 Abbeywood Community School, New Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8SF
(approx 10 minute walk from Bristol Parkway station)
1100-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)
Adult: 6.00, GWSG Members: 5.00, Partners & U16: Free
Refreshments available will include hot snacks
18/06/11- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Triumph Car Meet
19/06/11
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
18/06/11- German Railway Society, Trent Group: Small & Friendly European Show
19/06/11 Cromford Community Centre, Market Square, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE4 3RE
Layouts in various scales including Derek Gilkerson's Zwiesboden
1030-1700 both days
Adult: 3, Senior/Concession: 2.50, Child: 2, Family: 5
http://www.mount-tabor-models.co.uk/cromford_show.html
19/06/11 Peak Rail: Peak Park Preserved Bus Gathering
http://www.peakrail.co.uk
20/06/11 Friends of Cromford Canal - Talk
Ironville Church Hall, Casson St, Ironville NG16 5NN
"The Butterley Tunnel" by Tina Cordon
Starts: 1930
http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk/
21/06/11 Peak Railway Association (Chesterfield Branch) Slideshow
New Inn, 229 Mansfield Road, Hasland, Chesterfield, S41 0JJ
John G Robinson & Other Railway Artists: Pt 1, Ken Grainger
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/ChesterfieldBranch.html
25/06/11 Manchester Victoria signalling school layout operating day
National Railway Museum, York
http://www.nrm.org.uk/
25/06/11- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Duffield carnival Open Days
26/06/11 Also VW Meet (both days) and Austin-Healey Meet (26th)
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
02/07/11 Train Collectors Society Sandy Exhibition
Sandy Upper School, Sandy, Befordshire, SG19 1BL
1030-1700
http://www.traincollectors.co.uk
02/07/11- Romsey Signal Box Open Day
03/07/11 In association with Romsey Arts Festival
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
03/07/11 Twyford Waterworks: Miniature Steam & Models
http://www.twyfordwaterworks.co.uk/
02/07/11- Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Classic Transport Event
03/07/11
http://www.wyvernrail.co.uk/
02/07/11- Peak Rail: Matlock Station Festival Reopening
04/07/11
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
03/07/11 Leawood Pumping Engine Steaming Day, Cromford Canal
Engine in motion 1200-1700
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
03/07/11 Middleton Top Winding Engine, Cromford & High Peak Rly
Engine in motion 1300-1630
http://www.middleton-leawood.org.uk/
03/07/11 Churnet Valley Railway: Strawberry & Steam Sunday
http://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
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Issues of Raildate up to and including 18th December 2009 are at:
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This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in previous editions of
Raildate.
(C) Howard Sprenger 2011.