Diesel
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Northern withdraws first batch of ‘Pacers’
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NORTHERN has withdrawn the first its Class 142 ‘Pacer’ units – 11 months later than planned. The first was scheduled for retirement in September 2018, but late delivery and acceptance of replacement units gave the ‘Pacers’ a stay of execution. Unit No. 142005 was ‘retired’ on August 12, with Northern holding a ceremony at Manchester Victoria…
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Branch Line Society and Vintage Trains team up for West Midlands ‘Balti bash’
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VINTAGE Trains and the Branch Line Society are offering an opportunity to enjoy the tasty combination of rare track, Class 20s and a curry – all on the same train! Starting from Solihull, the September 22 tour will run to Shrewsbury via Warwick, Sutton Park and the Ironbridge branch. After a break in Shrewsbury, the…
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Three Type 3s – to the sea!
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THREE Class 37s at the head of a heavy freight train used to be a regular sight in South Wales and around Glasgow in BR days, but such a trio has always been a rare event on passenger trains. On August 11, the Branch Line Society completed its two-day ‘Type 3 to the Sea’ trip…
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Rail operator MARC using new and rebuilt locos for Maryland commuters
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MARYLAND commuter rail operator Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) has recently taken delivery of eight Siemens-built SC44 ‘Charger’ diesel electric locos. These are currently largely used ‘under the wires’ between Baltimore and Washington DC on Penn Line services. MARC has replaced all of its older AEM7 electric locos with the new diesels, but has refurbished…
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Chicago’s Metra adds diesel locos
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CHICAGO commuter rail operator Metra is buying 24 former Amtrak California diesel locos, and has ordered 15 rebuilt freight locos to replace older diesels. Metra bought 24 F59PHI locos from Amtrak in 2018 and is currently overhauling and repainting them into its livery. They have entered service in 2019, mainly operating from Chicago Union on…
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Stadler ‘FLIRTs’ in service in Texas
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TEXAS gained a new commuter railway in January, which is operated using eight Stadler-built ‘FLIRT’ DEMUs, incorporating central diesel power pack units. Stadler assembled the trains at its new factory in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 43km TEXRail line links two stations in central Fort Worth with DFW Airport, and currently has five other intermediate…
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New Zealand diesel preservation progress
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LEADING New Zealand diesel preservation group the Diesel Traction Group (DTG) has begun restoration of New Zealand Railways’ (NZR) first mainline loco, which was built by English Electric (EE) in 1954. This follows the successful return to main line use of Australian EE-built loco No. Di 1102 last year, the only survivor of five locos…
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Rotterdam tram museum celebrates 30th anniversary
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ROTTERDAM tram museum Rotterdamsche Tramweg Maatschappij (RTM) celebrated 30 years at its base at De Punt, on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee, in late May. The relocation of the museum site, south-west of Rotterdam, was driven by redevelopment at the old site, but gave RTM the opportunity to lay much more track. They now have 10km…
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Painstaking restoration for Wickham trolley at Midsomer Norton
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A TYPE 27A MkIII gangers’ trolley (Wickham 7504) has had a thorough restoration at the Somerset & Dorset Railway, Midsomer Norton. When acquired it had been robbed of parts for the restoration of sister Wickham 7505 (Nos. PWM4302 and TR19) at Norden on the Swanage Railway. The Midsomer Norton vehicle has had to have many parts…
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Rare trip for ‘spruced-up’ East Somerset two-colour DMU
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CLASS 108 DMU DMBS No. M51909 and DTCL No. M56271 has received considerable attention, including reupholstered seats and re-flooring within the interior. The driving trailer has been repainted in BR blue but not yet lettered. The driving motor will be repainted over the coming winter. The pair are owned by the Mendip Traction & Rolling Stock Group.…
