Trackside
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Superb restoration work on APT power car at Crewe
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APT-P motor power car No. 49006 has been restored to its former glory. It arrived at the Crewe Heritage Centre (CHC) from storage at the now-closed Electric Railway Museum, Coventry in dreadful external condition at the beginning of the year. Restoration started in mid April when the former National Collection vehicle was formally handed over to…
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East Lancs ‘Grid’ back in service after repair
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CLASS 56 No. 56006 returned to traffic on the Saturday of East Lancashire Railway’s September 21-23 gala when it moved Class 47 No. 47765, which had failed. The ‘Grid’ then worked its rostered trains the rest of the weekend without any problems. It last ran at the 2017 summer diesel gala, but developed an auxiliary alternator fault,…
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October steam tours pay tribute to Nigel and Dennis
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TWO steam-hauled main line tours on October 20-21 had the sombre task of paying tribute to well-known railway figures who passed away recently.Railway Touring Company’s ‘The Yorkshireman’ on October 20 saw No. 60009 Union of South Africa carry a wreath as a mark of respect to RTC founder Nigel Dobbing (see p12). Shortly after sunrise, the…
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Flying Scotsman to haul Sir William McAlpine memorial train
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JANUARY 11, 2019 will see UK Railtours pay tribute to Sir William McAlpine, the hugely popular, lifelong supporter of railway heritage and preservation in the UK, who passed away earlier this year. Sir William began his career working in Hayes depot in Middlesex, which housed the McAlpine railway locomotive and wagon fleet. He maintained a…
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‘Northern Belle’ hired for Kent Hospice charity trip
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HEART of Kent Hospice is chartering the ‘Northern Belle’ on May 11, 2019 for a steam-hauled lunchtime excursion through the Kent countryside. A Stanier ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 from the West Coast Railway Co pool will haul the luxury train as passengers enjoy champagne and canapés, followed by a four-course meal, prepared from locally sourced organic…
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Vintage Trains starts work as an independent TOC
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VINTAGE Trains started work as an independent Train Operating Company (TOC) in October. The move comes after the company received its licence from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in September. Ex-GWR ‘Hall’ 4-6-0 No. 4965 Rood Ashton Hall was in charge of its first steam-hauled trips on October 9, working two Tyseley to Stratford-upon-Avon…
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ScotRail maps out December timetable improvements
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SCOTRAIL has confirmed one of the biggest timetable changes for many years will take place from December 9. The move follows various major infrastructure schemes having come to fruition and the arrival of new trains. ScotRail says the expanded timetable will deliver faster journeys, extra seats, and more services for its customers, including the introduction…
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New tech for NR to increase efficiency and cut costs
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NETWORK Rail is planning to spend up to 0.5% of its annual turnover, around £245million, on new technology and practices to increase efficiency and reduce costs. According to Jon Shaw, NR chief engineer and acting group director for safety, technology and engineering, the move could save the company around £1.4bn a year by allowing it…
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£9million roof repairs for Aberdeen to take a year
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ABERDEEN station’s glass roof will be repaired and improved in a £9million scheme lasting 12 months. Discoloured glass panels will be replaced with modern, lightweight polycarbonate glazing, and a new access system will make it safer for staff to work on the Grade A-listed structure in future years.Previously, a lack of access to the roof…
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‘1-in-7’ drivers wouldn’t wait for level crossing barriers
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NEW research from Network Rail reveals an alarming one-in-seven drivers claim they wouldn’t wait for barriers or gates to open at a level crossing before driving their vehicle over. In the last five years, six people have died in vehicles at level crossings, and many others have been injured. NR reports it currently averages 46…
