A bitter blow

AS both predicted and feared last issue, the

The RAILWAY Magazine

SUPER EIGHT: In a scene worthy of a

Axe falls on HS2 beyond Birmingham

Government softens the blow with promised investment in other rail projects under the banner of ‘Network North’.

SIDELINES

Ticket office closures ‘too far, too fast’ THE

Eastriggs ambitions outlined

Rail Sidings Ltd explores rolling stock storage, refurbishment and freight options as 17-acre site opens for business.

NEW-BUILD STEAM LOCO LAUNCHED:

The Ffestiniog Railway’s newbuild Double Fairlie No. 8

New rival for London to Paris?

A COMPANY called ‘Evolyn’ headed by Spanish industrialist

Viaduct parapet fails

Main line reduced to single line working for a month to repair viaduct.

14-CAR IET:

Storm Babet battered many parts of the country

Clear-out of CrossCountry HSTs

Celebrity power car No. 43007 (and 43378) pass

Judges announced for RCTS railway photography competition

SEPTEMBER saw the launch of the prestigious railway

Freightliner opens ETCS academy

New training facility will prepare freight drivers for the introduction of in-cab signalling to the East Coast Main Line

Railways in Parliament

HS2 natural impact LIFE peer Baroness Bennett

Home stretch for ‘Pendolino’ mid-life upgrade programme

With work to refurbish the 35 11-car ‘Pendolinos’ now complete, attention has turned to the 22 nine-car sets.

FIRST OUTING FOR ‘FLORA’:

PHOTOS: GORDON KIRKBY, IAIN HENSHAW Following a

FIRST OUTING FOR ‘PACER’:

Locomotive Services Ltd ran its first tour

READERS’ DAY SUCCESS:

The RM editor and team wish to thank

‘The worst of all possible decisions’

The Government is accused of taking the ‘nuclear option’ as Northern leaders and industry groups condemn the cancellation of HS2 Phase 2 beyond the West Midlands.

‘08’ goes electric

The ‘08e’ is a battery-powered version of the classic standard shunter, as Paul Bickerdyke reports

The unstoppable ‘Gronks’

First introduced in 1952 and based on an even earlier design, Class 08 shunters are now in their eighth decade of active use. To celebrate their longevity, Mel Thorley unearths some littleknown facts and figures about the fleet.

The need for flexibility

As the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway celebrates its 60th anniversary, Gareth Evans talks to the line’s chairman Steve Clews about current and future challenges.

HISTORY OF THE W&LLR

The last train to operate under BR ownership

A Yorkshire MIXTURE

John Heaton FCILT seeks out the ‘sweet’ spot in runs over the Leeds Northern and Airedale/Wharfedale lines.

SWEET CAROLINE

Network Rail operations director Chris Gee invited The RM on board inspection saloon Caroline for a rare trip along the former GCR line to High Marnham, now used as a NR test track.

And it’s goodbye from him…

Christopher Westcott spoke exclusively with outgoing boss of the London Transport Museum Sam Mullins, who has said goodbye to the role as director and chief executive after almost 29 years.

High-speed lines then and now

SO now we know, HS2 will only ever

Scotsman’s ‘rough shunt’

THE incident with‘A3’No. 60103 Flying Scotsman and the‘Royal

Clun Castle secret timing

PHIL Dalton’s letter concerning Clun Castle’s East Coast

Remembering the Class 104 DMU fleet

IWAS interested to read about the North Norfolk

PULLMAN OUT TO GRASS:

Carriages Garden Centre at Puxton, near Weston-super-Mare,

Tickets please

THERE are many considerations which are being aired

Linen not canvas

MANY thanks for Mike Jones’s superbly researched article

Pre-Grouping clothing help needed

IAM a research student working on a project

Rare Cornish china clay ‘Grid’

AS a student, and photographer of Cornish Railways

Where is it?

Our pictorial quiz, for fun only

MEETINGS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2 GCR Society. Farm Road Sports

PANORAMA

A showcase for the best in railway photography

THE ‘MUST ATTEND’ MODEL EVENT

THIS year’s Warley National Model Railway Exhibition will

From the archive

100 YEARS AGO NOVEMBER 1923 Another through service

The RCTS: then and now

IN early September I travelled by train from

SIDELINES

Crimson Mogul returns BR ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 No. 46441

‘Archie’ is back – and hopes rise for Bluebell in 2024

Exciting times for Bluebell Railway locomotive fleet as

‘Large Prairie’ overhaul to help train next generation

YOUNGER volunteers with the Erlestoke Manor Fund (EMF)

Churchward 2-8-0 breathes again!

CHURCHWARD 2-8-0 No. 2807 took another significant step

Partnership signals mutual benefits

A FORMAL partnership has been established between Network

New home for two Darlington rail groups

Watercress gala: Visiting from the Bluebell Railway,

DIARY

Nov 1 NorthYorkshire Moors Railway: Sir Nigel Gresley

SIDELINES

Battlefield steam GWR ‘Large Prairie’ No. 5199 has

Stanier Mogul steams at Severn Valley Railway

All systems go as several members of the locomotive fleet progress towards active service at Bridgnorth.

Cylinder block delivered

A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the

Tributes paid to ‘Mr Llangollen Railway’

A FOUNDING father of the Llangollen & Corwen

‘T3’ relaunched in style

Resplendent in its new lined out 1890s Drummond

Scotsman back in action after ‘shunting incident’

Visiting traction: The two guest locos at

Nene Valley to welcome ‘Black Five’ visitor

The Keighley &WorthValley Railway’s LMS‘Black Five’ No. 45212

Worth Valley gets ‘game-changer’ funding for bridge rebuilding

£1m Central Government grant paves way for vital bridge renewal project.

Birthdays celebrated at Ribble Steam Railway gala

THE anniversaries of two historic items of rolling

KRM preserving sole survivors

The collection at Kidderminster Railway Museum includes vehicles which are now unique.

Locomotive projects progress at Tunbridge Wells West shed

Volunteer efforts at the Spa Valley Railway pay dividends as ‘forgotten’ Hunslet loco reaches restoration key point.

Former McAlpine locos reunited for award presentation

HISTORY was made on September 21, when the

Cathryn is back in action

LEFT: Cathryn is seen at Rowsley station

SINGLE LINES

■ BRESSINGHAM Steam Museum’s ex-Penrhyn Hunslet 0-4-0ST George

Significant steps for Welsh steam and diesel loco projects

First steam raised in Welsh Highland Railway NG15 ‘Kalahari’ – and Kerr, Stuart 6wDM undergoes gauging test on Ffestiniog Railway.

Burnhope steam reunion at Beamish

BEAMISH Museum’s September 9/10 Autumn Transport Gala featured

More components for new-build Yeo and Exe

Coming out of the woods: Although Sittingbourne

Works and numberplates reunited with original locos

Hunslet haulage on Exmoor: Hunslet 0-4-0STs Hugh

Six steam at Apedale gala

MOSELEY RailwayTrust’s September 16/17 gala at the Apedale

SIDELINES

More Manx anniversary celebrations THE 130th anniversary of

Rheidol loco livery changes

THE livery ofVale of Rheidol Railway’s (VoR) 2-6-2T

15in gauge Britannia moves to Margate

THE 15in gauge 4-6-2 Britannia, which was owned

Ex-Tongaat Bagnall duo unveiled to the public

A. Boulle displayed at Statfold, overhauled Sir George Newnes, unveiled at Woody Bay.

TR volunteers to build replica gunpowder van

THE Talyllyn Railway’s (TR)Young Members Group has been

Staffordshire line on the market

New owner sought for 10¼in gauge Leek and Rudyard Railway due to retirement.

Pembrey Country Park train rides prove popular

MEMBERS of the Llanelli & District Model Engineers

STEAM PORTFOLIO

1 RURAL IDYLL: Framed by the ivy-covered

SIDELINES

Anniversary for Crich’s oldest tram SEPTEMBER saw horse

Portuguese tram will provide events space

After its Christmas duties at Crowle Peatland Railway, Lisbon No. 711 will be prepared for use as a hireable venue.

Beamish Museum boosted by better weather

AFTER a drop in expected visitor numbers due

Western Lady joins WLA fleet at Kidderminster

Severn Valley diesel depot now home to trio of Class 52 hydraulic locomotives.

SIDELINES

‘107’ on the move THE Keith and Dufftown

Pairing up!

Once again the Severn Valley Railway’s Autumn Diesel Bash did not disappoint, with four days of intensive timetables running from September 28 to October 1 that included these spectacular double-headers.

More loco-hauled Cambrian Coast excursions set for 2024

Class 37 haulage for several ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ trips from a variety of originating points.

Busy time ahead for ‘Blue Pullman’

LOCOMOTIVE Services Group’s‘Blue Pullman’HST set is proving a

Freight line and loop ‘bash’ with DB ‘Tugs’ planned

A PRE-Christmas‘bash’of freight lines and loops on a

‘Scotsman’ to feature in RTC Christmas tours

Farewell CrossCountry: With the Purbeck Hills and

SIDELINES

More ticket barriers for London Victoria LONDON Victoria

Major disruption after Ayr hotel fire

Train services set to be suspended for several weeks over building safety concerns.

World’s first railway station listed status is upgraded

NEW research by the Friends of the Stockton

Oxford’s Botley Road to remain closed

NETWORK Rail has said that the expected reopening

Piccadilly upgrade gets underway

Network Rail began the overhaul of the lounge

Headbolt Lane station opens

MERSEYRAIL’S new station at Headbolt Lane opened for

Latest grants from Railway Heritage Trust

RECENT grants from the Railway Heritage Trust (RHT)

Wymondham prepares for a subway

PREPARATORY work for a subway under the railway

£34m invested in Scottish bridge protection

PROGRAMME of works valued at £34 million and

Line diverted for HS2 near Aylesbury prepares to reopen to traffic

CONSTRUCTION of a new section of line nearly

SIDELINES

GBRf Peterborough maintenance hub opens FOLLOWING 10 months

‘Pushing the boundaries’ to switch freight from road

Freightliner sets sights on a shift of traffic to rail with the launch of new services offering simple and ‘streamlined’ solutions.

Varamis Rail service provides Carousel network link

LOGISTICS specialist Carousel says it is looking forward

Trams start running to Wolverhampton station

West Midlands Metro says £50 million extension is ‘huge hit’ with passengers, despite opening three years later than planned.

Nexus explains delayed Class 555 introduction

A SEPTEMBER meeting of the North East Joint

£13m is estimated cost of Edinburgh Trams inquiry

AN inquiry established over nineyearsagotoinvestigatea five-yeardelayanda £400millionoverspendonthe projecttocreatetheEdinburgh

SIDELINES

Peak service restored A PEAK time service between

First c2c Class 720/6s phased into service

Summer 2024 target for introduction of all 12 units to augment existing train fleet.

DB Class 90s up for sale

FOLLOWING its decision to withdraw its last remaining

Class 150 LNR comeback fast approaches

Class 150/1 No. 150137 was the first of

Another chance to buy a DRS ‘Tractor’

MYSTERY OF THE GREEN TRAIN: The cast

Grand Central extends hire of ex-East Midlands Railway Class 180s

GRAND Central has confirmed to TheRM that it

Pendolino honours Asquith Xavier

Maria Magdalena-Xavier alongside No. 390103 Asquith Xavier, named

Northern plans more ‘leaf-busters’

Eleven more units are expected to be fitted with rail head treatment equipment by autumn 2024.

Wagon Report

CHINA clay shipments from Goonbarrow Junction to Fowey

STOCK UPDATE

LOCOMOTIVES Allocations 37240 COFS-MBDL 43010 LA/EFPC-HQ/SCEL 43025 SCEL-ICHP

The network’s notable moves

Rail Head Treatment Trains Reports are now coming

‘Enterprise’ to get new fleet

Tender issued to replace rolling stock dedicated to high-profile cross-border service.

Tralee & Dingle coach restoration reaches halfway mark

THE restoration ofTralee & Dingle Railway carriage No.

IÉ issues tender to build Navan rail link

IARNRÓD Éireann issued a €45 million tender for

End of the line for classic French locos

Multiple units to phase out locomotive haulage on passenger train diagrams.

BART ‘train of the future’ in service

SAN FRANCISCO area metro operator BART (Bay Area

Californian electrification progress

Ex-Amtrak Class AEM7 electric locos Nos. 929 and

SIDELINES

New coaches ordered for Italian night trains ITALIAN

Canada to Mexico by steam in 2024

A FORMER CP steam locomotive is due to

New ORION units for Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn

SWISSmetregaugerailway MatterhornGotthardBahn(MGB) hasintroducedthefirstof37new ‘ORION’EMUs.The name‘ORION’ is an abbreviation

Hoovering around Taunton and Exeter

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