The Railway Magazine
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GWR gives ‘Castle’ names to its HST power cars… and revives Class 255 designation
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GWR has unveiled a series of new cast nameplates with ‘Castle’ names that will be applied to its HST power cars. The HST power cars are used on the shortened 2+4 formations, which run between Bristol and Penzance. The plates are of a new design and feature the outline of a 2+4 HST set as…
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UK Railtours unveils Christmas charter line up
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Although summer is currently in full swing, charter operators have already turned their thoughts to the end of the year. UK Railtours is no exception and has announced a trio of days out by train visiting Christmas markets in Manchester, Lincoln and Beverley during December. On December 7, UKR will run a train from London…
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Yorkshire BLS tour raises £15k for charity
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THE Branch Line Society and West Coast Railways operated the ‘Luca Pezzulo Express’ on July 20, visiting rare freight lines around Yorkshire. Highlights included a rare trip over the remnants of the Woodhead Route, running beyond the Network Rail boundary into Liberty Steel’s Stocksbridge Steelworks, near Sheffield, and the former Tinsley Yard. The train also…
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‘Royal Scotsman’ on Grand Tour
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Belmond’s ‘Royal Scotsman’ luxury landcruise train – more usually confined to itineraries within Scotland – embarks on an annual seven-night grand tour of Britain, visiting popular tourist spots in England and Wales. On the third leg from Edinburgh to Chester on July 7, No. 66746 leads the train through Carnforth. No. 66743 was on the…
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Staff charter takes GBRf ‘50s’ back to Scotland
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July 6 saw Class 50s Nos. 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance work a GB Railfreight staff charter from Motherwell to Scarborough via the East Coast Main Line. The train worked the empty stock north from Burton to Motherwell via Lancaster and Carlisle on July 5, and then ran via Edinburgh and York to the North…
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‘Royal Windsor Steam Express’ to return in 2020
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Regular steam operation will return to London Waterloo in 2020 after Steam Dreams confirmed its ‘Royal Windsor Steam Express’ will run again next summer. Operating every Tuesday until September 3, the trains consist of three one-way, steam-hauled trips from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside and an evening dining circuit known as the ‘Sunset Steam…
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Authentic 1970s makeover for Blackpool ‘Balloon’ No. 715
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BLACKPOOL ‘Balloon’ car No. 715 has undergone a partial repaint at Rigby Road depot into authentic 1970s livery with full green cab surrounds, complete with period advertising. On one side it carries an advert for CIS Insurance (pictured), while on the other is a classic advert for Blackpool Zoo. The Fylde Transport Trust-owned car has also…
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First Class 66 worked passenger train in Sweden
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HECTOR Rail Class 66 loco T66402 hauled the first Class 66 worked passenger train in Sweden on July 7. The type has been in use in the country for many years, but there had not been any passenger workings before. The train was an enthusiasts’ charter that visited several freight-only lines, organised by a Swedish…
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New railways open in Buenos Aires
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ARGENTINA president Mauricio Macri officially opened the second new elevated commuter railway in Buenos Aires on July 10. It has replaced ground-level railways with new routes on viaducts, eliminating 11 level crossings, and releasing some land for redevelopment. The 5km section of the Linea San Martin line between and Palermo and La Paternal in the…
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Chinese-built steam back on USA main line
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One of two Chinese-built ‘QJ’ 2-10-2 steam locos – based on the Iowa Interstate freight railroad – has been in action this summer operating short-distance day trips to raise funds and awareness for local fire departments in towns along the railroad’s route. Two ‘QJs’ (Nos. 6988 and 7081, built in 1985 and 1986, respectively) were imported…
