September 2018

Buckfastleigh Station
South Devon Railway commemorates the last train in 1958
Author/Source:
Editorial
Friday, September 28, 2018 - 14:44

The last British Rail Western Region passenger train ran between Ashburton and Totnes and back on the first Saturday in November, 1958.

To mark this 60th anniversary the heritage railway will be running a special steam hauled service on Saturday 3rd November 2018. The service will be  leaving Buckfastleigh at 1958hrs (7:58pm) and returning from Totnes at the same time as the last train did 60 years ago, getting passengers back to Buckfastleigh at 9:21pm.

Tickets are on sale now... read the full story

Jonathan Jones-Pratt
New director appointed at the West Somerset Railway
Author/Source:
Editorial
Thursday, September 27, 2018 - 10:56

Mr Jones-Pratt is already well known on both the WSR and within the heritage railway sector through his ownership of two steam locos: former GWR engines No. 4936 Kinlet Hall and No. 7027 Thornbury Castle.

He also has strong local commercial credentials via his business interests in JJP Holdings which operates a number of commercial transport activities through North Somerset and Somerset.

WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said:” I have known Jon for a number of years on the... read the full story

1809 Dougal
Llanfair line's Dougal heads for the Far East
Author/Source:
Editorial
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 - 10:17

Andrew Barclay 0-4-0T ‘Dougal’, built in 1946 to work at a gasworks in Glasgow, and acquired in 1969 by the W&LLR’s then general manager, will be spending around six months in Taiwan, during which it will be a star guest at a major festival in December.

The initiative is the result of a twinning arrangement that has been agreed between the W&LLR and Taisugar. Similar to an agreement signed in 2017 between the Welsh line and the Alishan Railway, another major line in Taiwan,... read the full story

No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland
Classic locomotive to make first visit to the Isle of Purbeck
Author/Source:
Editorial
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 - 12:39

Also visiting the heritage line for the annual October event will be an historic 1940s ‘Black 5’ steam locomotive that helped to haul the last steam-hauled passenger train on a British Rail main line in the summer of 1968.

On the theme of the historic locomotive exchange trials in 1948 – which took place on the newly created British Railways network to evaluate different classes of steam locomotives from the previous ‘Big Four’ railway companies – the Autumn Steam Gala runs from... read the full story

DLW Measurements
State of the art measurement system helps No. 2007 progress
Author/Source:
Editorial
Friday, September 21, 2018 - 12:48

Young aspiring engineering from UTC South Durham witnessed this equipment being used. These measurements will allow the engineers from The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust working on No. 2007 to precisely align all four wheelsets within the engine’s frames. This sponsorship is a significant contribution to the project not only in its monetary value, but also giving the Trust confidence that the results are precise, meaning considerably less time will be needed than using traditional methods.

... read the full story
© Switzerland Tourism
Visiting Swiss engine on the Snowdon Mountain Railway
Author/Source:
Editorial
Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 10:35

Both the Brienz Rothorn engine and Snowdon coal-fired steam locomotives were made in the same factory in Winterhur, Switzerland. They both use the same type of rack and pinion system to travel uphill, a system invented by Dr. Roman Abt, a Swiss engineer, in the late nineteenth century. This month has been the first and only time they will be back together again, working side by side 125 years after their production.

The Brienz Rothorn train has been taking passengers on short journeys... read the full story

Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales.
UK main line 'Mikado' engine taking shape
Author/Source:
Editorial
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 - 10:41
The rear Cartazzi wheelset was fitted in early 2018 and the eight 6ft 2in driving wheels in July 2018, which means that there will be a main line ‘Mikado’ in existence in Great Britain for the first time since 1945.

The Gresley class P2 2-8-2 ‘Mikados’ were the most powerful express passenger locomotives to operate in the UK. They were designed by Sir Nigel Gresley in the 1930s to haul 600 ton trains on the arduous Edinburgh to Aberdeen route. Sadly, the design was never fully developed... read the full story

Tornado on Forth Bridge
Brand new Scottish steam tour announced for 2019
Author/Source:
Editorial
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 - 15:55

The launch train for ‘The Aberdonian’ will run on Thursday 14th March 2019 with the main series of Tornado-hauled trains running on Thursday 1st, Thursday 8th and Saturday 31st August and Saturday 7th September 2019. ‘The Aberdonian’ will depart Edinburgh Waverley station at around 09:30hrs for Aberdeen, returning at around 20:30hrs.

Passengers are invited to join Tornado, star of Paddington 2 and Top Gear, at Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations, before steaming across The Forth... read the full story

Boiler out of Atlantic House
Bluebell update on new build loco No.32424 Beachy Head
Author/Source:
Editorial
Monday, September 10, 2018 - 14:50
The group have been able to work on the crinolines which will support the boiler cladding sheets. The current plan is to assemble these parts, along with the smokebox door and ashpan, to the boiler. The clothing sheets will be temporarily removed before a final hydraulic test is undertaken. Work is also progressing on piping up the locomotives tender chassis before the fitting of the tank and coal space. Final drawings for these are in hand, with the assembly being completed by an outside... read the full story