RAILDATE - your free weekly guide to what's happening, what's new and what's on
NEWS FROM ROMANIA
Raildater Laurie Webb lives in Romania, and sends news of a restoration project he is involved
with...
I am an expat Brit living in Romania running a small bed & breakfast in central Transilvania.
For the last 16 months I have worked as a volunteer member of a small group restoring the
narrow gauge (76cm) Sibiu-Agnita Railway, which finally closed as recently as 2001. Originally
known as the Sighisoara-Sibiu Railway with a total length of 110km plus a 13km branch, it was
opened throughout in 1910. The Sighisoara to Agnita section closed in 1965 due to operational
difficulties over steep gradients and sharp curves, and the track was lifted to make way for a
new road.
Most of the track and infrastructure survives between Agnita and the outskirts of Sibiu along
with four passenger carriages, one of which was partially restored and craned back onto the
track to be hauled by a loaned 0-8-0T locomotive for the centenary celebrations in September
2010. This event was well attended and included a dozen or so visitors from UK heritage
railways; it resulted in the SAR UK Supporters Group being formed earlier this year. SARUK
have provided valuable advice, raised funds for restoration, publicised the project in
"Heritage Railway" and "Narrow Gauge News", and a small group made a return visit in September
2011.
More information on the SAR can be found at:
http://www.sibiuagnitarailway.com/index.php
The SARUK Supporters Group (linked from the main SAR website) is:
http://www.sibiuagnitarailway.com/friends/saruk.php?lang=en
A video of a carriage being lifted out of the builder's yard where four carriages were stored,
placed on the track and then being propelled back to Agnita station can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZbfLsx5wXc
NETWATCH
Rick Eborall's photos of GWR 57XX 0-6-0PT 7752/L94 at Stratford Upon Avon during its test runs
on 10th November:
http://rickeborall.zenfolio.com/p528369815
A trio of Sentinel links...
Sentinel raiway engines:
http://www.lner.info/locos/Y/y1y3.shtml
Sentinel steam railcars:
http://www.lner.info/locos/Railcar/sentinel.shtml
Sentinel lorries:
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/engines/sentinel/wagon/
(Spotter: Ted Millward)
From the early days of the internet, Mark Dewell has maintained a record of all heritage
railways. His website can now be found at:
http://www.heritage-railways.com/
(Spotter: Nick Wheat)
"We're getting there" - an Open Space programme about Peak Rail broadcast on BBC2 around 1985:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gsXyw3IoUk
The Class 37 Loco Group:
http://www.c37lg.co.uk/default.aspx
Old photographs of Lee Moor including the tramway:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111143126652322735990/LeeMoor
Butterley Engineering Site: English Heritage Desk-Based Assessment:
http://research.english-heritage.org.uk/report/?14928
The British Brick Society:
http://www.britishbricksoc.free-online.co.uk/
============
IN THE NEWS
HS2: Good case for high-speed rail link, say MPs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15619461
EU 'would not prevent' government Thameslink rethink
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-15660649
Network Rail builds icy weather trains for South East
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15653696
Freightliner Southampton - Cleveland contract service for Asda
http://www.freightliner.co.uk/en/med-centre/press-office/#ar-1
Reading resignalling contract awarded
http://tinyurl.com/cmz87r2
Railway cable thefts reach epidemic proportions
http://www.channel4.com/news/railway-cable-thefts-reach-epidemic-proportions
Railway workers to learn German
http://news.carrentals.co.uk/british-rail-staff-to-learn-german-34250984.html
Lion sighting reports disrupt rail service
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-15614294
Tesco grows rail distribution services
http://tinyurl.com/bwrjbj9
Arriva in Grand Central Railway take-over
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15592125
http://tinyurl.com/cyk8gat
Euston train services stopped by power supply problems
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-15606676
ScotRail's Bishopbriggs & Lenzie stations go 'Smart'
http://www.rail.co/2011/11/08/scotrails-bishopbriggs-lenzie-stations-go-smart/
Scotland urged to begin work for high-speed rail link
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15630269
Ex-minister: 170m rail franchise led to overcrowding
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-15659301
Arriva Trains Wales deal 'needs radical overhaul'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15677736
Bus-rail link between Ebbw Vale and Newport returns
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-15605674
Oxford swing Bridge to be restored
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-15632994
Ribble Steam railway set to expand
http://tinyurl.com/6thkrtx
Flying Scotsman ride for flame in Olympic torch relay
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-15558418
London 2012: Olympic flame heading for Snowdon summit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-15563973
Fire damages Snowdon Mountain Railway office (no connection with previous item!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-15617208
Automatic operation on Paris Metro Line 1
http://tinyurl.com/6z62fgx
CSX sells route to SunRail commuter service in Florida
http://tinyurl.com/cwhz9au
Queensland Rail coal haulage contract
http://tinyurl.com/cb3hmla
Man crushed by garden model train at his Wilmcote home
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-15613032
Hornby boosted by strong sales in Europe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15689609
Jerusalem Tramway
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15590267
London 2012: Torch on canal and tram in Black Country
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-15573872
Cooking oil to power buses in Gwynedd
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-15580992
Waverley steamer kept sailing by Euromillions winner
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15678523
MoD flight suspension after Red Arrows ejector seat death
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15655865
The Spitfire guns firing after 70 years buried in peat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15652440
Flybe plane passengers 'saw wheel fall off'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15668364
Supermarine Swift for sale
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-15636592
25th Anniversary of Chinook helicopter crash off Shetlands
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-15587942
Spotters: Richard Buckby, Neil Kearns, Ted Millward, Reg Nerps, Mike Price
TV and RADIO
12/11/11 BBC2 1900-2000
"Dam Busters: the Race to Smash the German Dams" A fresh look
12/11/11 BBC2 2000-2100
"Come Fly With Me (The Story of Pan Am)" Documentary
12/11/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"Wellington Bomber" How one was built in 24 hours
13/11/11 BBC1 1825-1925
"Countryfile" Visits the Derwent Valley and Cromford Canal
13/11/11 BBC4 1900-2000
"The Story of British Pathe"
13/11/11 BBC2 2000-2100
"How to Build... A Super Jumbo Wing"
13/11/11 BBC4 2000-2100
"Spitfire Women" The Air Transport Auxilliary
14/11/11 BBC2 2350-0050
"How to Build... A Super Jumbo Wing"
16/11/11 BBC2 2320-0020
"Come Fly With Me (The Story of Pan Am)" Documentary
EVENTS
All details are correct to the best of my knowledge, but no responsibility is accepted for
inaccuracies or changes.
12/11/11 Manchester Victoria signalling school layout operating day
National Railway Museum, York
http://www.nrm.org.uk/
12/11/11 Midland Railway Society Members' Meeting
The Chatsworth Room, Chesterfield Hotel, Chesterfield (opposite station)
An illustrated talk on building the tunnels of the Dore & Chinley line
By Ted Hancock
Guests and non-members welcome
12/11/11- Hull Model Railway Show
13/11/11 Costello Athletics Stadium, Anlaby Park Road, Hull, HU4 6XY
1000-1700 both days
Adult: 4, Child: 1
18 layouts in scales ranging from 0 to T
http://www.hullmrs.org
13/11/11 Rob Foxon Film Show
Phoenix Square, Leicester - 2.30pm
15/11/11 Peak Railway Association (Chesterfield Branch) Filmshow
New Inn, 229 Mansfield Road, Hasland, Chesterfield, S41 0JJ
Classic Film Night, Mick Hayes
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/ChesterfieldBranch.html
19/11/11- Warley National Model Railway Exhibition
20/11/11 NEC Birmingham
http://www.thewarleyshow.co.uk
21/11/11 Friends of Cromford Canal - Talk
Ironville Church Hall, Casson St, Ironville NG16 5NN
"The High Peak Trail" by Andy Pollock
Starts: 1930
http://www.cromfordcanal.org.uk/
21/11/11 Peak Railway Association (Sheffield Branch) Filmshow
The Library Theatre, Tudor Square, Sheffield, S1 1XZ
Flying Scotsman & The East Coast Main Line, Rob Foxon
Starts 1930 (doors 1900)
Tickets: 6.50 (6.00 concessions) on the door.
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/SheffieldBranch
26/11/11 The "Thames-Ecclesbourne Express" from Wirksworth to London
Dep Wirksworth 0715, Idridgehay 0733, arr Duffield transfer to main line
Dep Duffield 0807, arr St Pancras 1006
Dep St Pancras 1825, arr Duffield 2025, arr Idridgehay 2042, arr Wirksworth 2100
Fare: 58, with reductions for children and railcard holders (41)
Tickets by phone: 01629 823076
Book online at:
http://www.e-v-r.com
28/11/11 Cromford Canal: High Peak or Leawood Rail Aqueduct reopening
Meet at Wharf Shed, High Peak Junction (Cromford Goods) at 0930
Free parking available at Lea Bridge car park (High Peak Junction) until 1130
01/12/11 Rob Foxon Film Show
Palace Theatre, Newark - 7.30pm
02/12/11- West Somerset Railway: Dunster by Candlelight
03/12/11
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
03/12/11 Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Wirksworth Christmas Extravaganza
http://www.www.e-v-r.com
03/12/11- Swanage Railway: Santa Specials
04/12/11
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/
03/12/11- Isle of Wight Steam Railway: Santa Specials
04/12/11
http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/
03/12/11- West Somerset Railway: Santa Specials
04/12/11
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/
04/12/11 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
04/12/11 Peak Rail: Santa and Steam Specials
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
Cheers, Howard.
editor(at)raildate.co.uk replace (at) with @
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This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in previous editions of
Raildate.
(C) Howard Sprenger 2011.