Trackside

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  • Classic Viennese trams fading away as new stock takes over

    Classic Viennese trams fading away as new stock takes over

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    ONE of Europe’s most numerous tram designs is fast disappearing.  Vienna tram operator Wiener Linien bought more than 500 Type E trams, based on the German Duewag articulated design, between 1959 and 1990.  The older trams have already been replaced by the Siemens-built ‘ULF’ (Ultra Low Floor) design LRVs, and most of the remaining Type…

  • New Zealand diesel preservation progress

    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…

  • Rotterdam tram museum celebrates 30th anniversary

    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…

  • Unique Arizona electrified line to close

    Unique Arizona electrified line to close

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    THE 78-mile long electrified Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad (BM&LPRR) in the USA – the world’s first to use 50kV (60Hz) AC supply voltage – will close soon as the power station it serves is being shut in the next few weeks.  The line is owned by a state utility supply company, and runs…

  • Painstaking restoration for Wickham trolley at Midsomer Norton

    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…

  • Unique Class 89 makes a ghostly appearance

    Unique Class 89 makes a ghostly appearance

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    THE sole Class 89 25kV AC Co-Co electric loco – No. 89001 (Avocet) – continues to receive attention from AC Locomotive Group volunteers at Barrow Hill (RM June 94). Technical work is focused on the internal restoration, but the body has received a protective coat of paint, as seen here on August 10. This loco was…

  • Rare trip for ‘spruced-up’ East Somerset two-colour DMU

    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.…

  • Restored Sharpness 03 at ‘extravaganza’

    Restored Sharpness 03 at ‘extravaganza’

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    THE Vale of Berkeley Railway Trust’s Class 03 No. D2069 was displayed at the Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza on August 2-4.  Its appearance at South Cerney airfield, Cirecncester, followed completion of an extensive restoration in the engine shed at Sharpness Docks.  Peter Nicholson’s Wickham 8S-type 4165 No. 156W was also exhibited by the Vale of Berkeley…

  • Peak Rail Type 3 refreshed

    Peak Rail Type 3 refreshed

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    CLASS 37 No. 37152 British Steel Ravenscraig has received extensive bodywork attention followed by a repaint in BR large logo livery from Railfreight red-stripe colours.  It has been returned to a former number, 37310, and is seen newly out-shopped on August 10. It is based at Rowsley South, Peak Rail. It was originally numbered D6852 and…

  • Ex-West Somerset Class 04 makes debut at South Devon diesel gala

    Ex-West Somerset Class 04 makes debut at South Devon diesel gala

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    CLASS 04 No. D2271 entered service at the South Devon Railway July 19-21 diesel gala. Running in plain green with no numbers or transfers it was found to be unable to keep its scheduled timings, and was the reason for late running on the Friday and the Saturday.  No. D2271 worked its first scheduled trip on Sunday…

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