Steam
-
Overhaul beckons for GWS pioneer No. 1466
Posted
by
DIDCOT Railway Centre’s Black Saint Weekend provided a final opportunity to see the Great Western Society’s (GWS) pioneer locomotive – ‘14XX’ 0-4-2T No. 1466 – on site before its departure for a £300,000 overhaul. The former Newton Abbot ‘auto tank’ provided the foundation stone for all future GWS activities when, in April 1964, it became the…
-
FLYING SCOTSMAN Print
Posted
by
There are many superb images of Flying Scotsman, be they watercolours, photographs or models, but this one is special. Painted in 1975 by renowned artist David Weston, it was presented as a gift to Bruce Lounds, a friend of David’s, and has been kept out of public view for years until now. A stunning painting,…
-
Grouping Britain’s Railways: Creating the ‘Big Four’ in 1923
Posted
by
By A J Mullay DESPITE being one of the most significant events in the history of Britain’s railways, surprisingly little has been written about the circumstances that led to the Grouping of 1923, creating the ‘Big Four’ regional giants. In this fascinating new book, A J Mullay draws together a wide range of contemporary sources,…
-
New record as Flying Scotsman nameplate sells for £64,500
Posted
by
ONE of the original nameplates from ‘A3’ Flying Scotsman was sold for a record £64,500 plus buyer’s premium at the GW Railwayana auction in Pershore on November 17. The buyer was an unnamed online bidder. The hammer price beat the previous record of £60,000 for ‘A4’ nameplate Golden Fleece. This plate is from the right…
-
Tyseley makes TOC debut with Birmingham ‘Polar Express’ festive trains
Posted
by
VINTAGE Trains (VT) was set to return to full main line steam charter operation as an independent train operating company on November 29 with the first of its new ‘Polar Express’ festive specials from Birmingham Moor Street. The trains are based upon the 2004 film of the same name, and are scheduled to run four…
-
Falkland’s veteran Simon unveils new ‘Patriot’ crest
Posted
by
A NEW crest depicting a First World War ‘Tommy’ standing over the grave of a fallen comrade has been unveiled on the nameplate of new-build ‘Patriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior by Simon Weston CBE. The unveiling took place during a special Armistice commemoration event at Crewe Heritage Centre on November 10, which also provided a…
-
Dual identity ‘Saint’ makes its public debut at Didcot
Posted
by
CLEAR skies and late-autumn sunlight provided perfect conditions for the public debut of the Great Western Society’s near-completed Churchward ‘Saint’ 4-6-0 No. 2999 Lady of Legend at Didcot Railway Centre on November 17-18. Plenty of visitors turned out during the aptly named Black Saint Weekend to get their first glimpse of the loco, albeit static and…
-
WSR to close for three-month ‘re-group’ after investigation
Posted
by
THE West Somerset Railway (WSR) has made the unprecedented decision to voluntarily close for three months from January 2 to April 1, 2019 in order to ‘re-group’ following a visit by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the issuing of its findings. As a result there will be no running during the February…
-
Railways call time on lineside photo permits
Posted
by
THE days of the lineside photography permit may be numbered as a number of preserved railways blame rising insurance costs and safety concerns for their decisions to end the issuing of permits to photographers. Lineside passes have traditionally been issued on an annual basis for a set fee. Successful applicants are then supplied with safety…
-
October steam tours pay tribute to Nigel and Dennis
Posted
by
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…
