Sommaire pour December 2016 de Rail Express

THE last surviving Class 306 EMU has had a fascinating career. Originally designed by the LNER in the late 1930s for planned electrification of the Liverpool Street to Shenfield line, the fleet of 92 units was delayed by the Second World War and so did not enter service until 1949 in the nationalised British Railways era. They were first powered at 1500V DC, but converted to dual 6.25kV/25kV AC in 1960, reclassified as AM6 stock then Class 306, and survived in service until 1981. No. 306017 was then dumped at Ilford depot, east London – but adopted by staff for apprentices to work on, eventually being returned to main line condition. Preservation followed, mostly in store at various locations, until ownership passed to the National Railway Museum as part of…

HITRANS has announced early discussions with Serco, operator of both the existing Caledonian Sleeper to/from London and the NorthLink Ferries to Orkney and Shetland, about the feasibility of running a sleeper from Caithness to the central belt of Scotland. Serco took on the 15-year Caledonian Sleeper franchise in April 2015, and is investing heavily in the operation with new CAF-built Mk.5 stocking replacing the existing Mk.3s from 2018. However, that same year will also see the retendering of the NorthLink contract, and the Hitrans paper suggests that this may provide an alternative way of planning public services. The vision put forward is for an overnight service comprising two sleeping cars, two seated coaches and a lounge car. Leaving Thurso at 19.30, the train could call at Inverness (23.30), Aberdeen (02.30)…

THE Class 50 Alliance (C50A) has completed the acquisition of English Electric Type 4 No. 50007 Hercules from Neil Boden. In a statement, the C50A said that No. 50007 had been selected due to its overall condition and suitability for future main line work. The locomotive, which is currently based at Washwood Heath in Birmingham, will be moved to join the C50A’s four other locomotives Nos. 50031, 50035, D444 (50044) and 50049, which are based on the Severn Valley Railway. C50A chairman Jonathan Dunster said: “The purchase has only been possible thanks to the tremendous generosity of Phil Swallow and a small number of our existing shareholders, who have kindly provided the finance necessary to secure No. 50007. “The C50A has to repay this loan over the next two years,…

BIDDERS for the next Wales and Borders franchise will be expected to look at plans for the Cardiff Metro project and evaluate whether light rail operations will provide a better value for money solution than the proposed electrification of the existing heavy rail network in the Cardiff Valleys. Four companies have pre-qualified for the franchise that will start operation in October 2018: Abellio, Arriva, MTR Corporation, and the KeolisAmey consortium. Besides the usual requirement of providing a revenue forecast and delivery plans to improve service quality, the winning bidder will have to act as an Operator and Development Partner (ODP) providing funds to upgrade the rail network. The decision on who wins has been devolved from the Department for Transport to the Welsh Government, which has been looking closely at…

THE Rail Accident Investigation Branch has found that poor wagon maintenance was the likely cause for a collision between a train and a piece of plant at Barrow-upon-Soar Sidings, Leicestershire, on February 14. The incident occurred when East Midlands Trains’ 10.20 Leicester to York service, worked by a seven-car Class 222, struck a conveyor boom projecting from a stationary Tarmac aggregates train in the sidings while the DEMU was travelling at approximately 102mph. Two of the unit's vehicles were damaged, as was the conveyor boom. A fitter, who had been working on the conveyor, was seriously injured. The self-discharge conveyour wagon in question had been identified as needing maintenance earlier in the day, but as this was being carried out a subsequent failure occurred. A push-button switch controlling the movement…

LATE afternoon on June 2, 2001, preserved No. 306017 was booked on a special working to Chappel & Wakes Colne. It was expected to attend an exhibition at the East Anglian Railway Museum the following day, appearing alongside No. 66502, one of Freightliner’s then new Class 66 locos. Notably, this was believed to be the first time an electric train had appeared on the Marks Tey to Sudbury branch, albeit towed. During the day leading up to this move, however, the unit was allowed to be used in normal passenger service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield, beginning with an empty stock move from Ilford to Shenfield. We then found ourselves thrown in the deep end on the return passenger working. At Gidea Park, just three stops in, the train was…

IF the prospect of watching endless TV repeats over the festive period is too much to bear, then UK Railtours may have the cure when it goes exploring freight-only branches around the Thames Estuary on December 29. In line with many of its other ‘Forgotten Tracks’ tours, the ‘Old Father Thames’ will venture onto lines that see little or no passenger traffic on both sides of the estuary, beginning with a jaunt from Victoria via Dartford to the 11-mile branch from Hoo Junction to Grain refinery. The last regular passenger trains ran over this Southern Railway byway more than half a century ago, and the tour will follow in their footsteps, running through the North Kent countryside to the site of the former Grain station, now part of chemical group…

HAVING led a somewhat uncertain existence for the past few years, Gloucester Class 100 DTCL (Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory) No. 56317 was finally moved to the scrapyard at EMR Kingsbury in early October. Its demise means that, of the six Class 100 cars saved in the 1970s, only three remain in preservation. No. 56317 was withdrawn from British Rail service in 1973, and entered preservation at the Gwili Railway in 1975 after being used for livery experiments at Wolverton Works. It was used as hauled stock from 1978 until the early 1990s, after which it was bought by the late Matthew Smith and moved to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway. After acquiring a Class 101 set, he sold the vehicle on, and it subsequently moved between a number of sites,…

THE five additional Class 66s that have been undergoing modifications for use with DB Cargo subsidiary Euro Cargo Rail were finally completed during October, the locos having been stopped at Toton for most of the year. Sidelined since February and March, Nos. 66193, 66201 and 66213 were the first to be noted on the move, No. 66116 hauling its sisters south from Bescot to Wembley on October 14, before the quartet continued to Dollands Moor later that evening. Externally, the three modified locos sport the same look as their predecessors, including the revised obstacle deflectors with ‘wasp’ stripes and dual ECR and DB logos on the existing dirty and faded EWS colours. This trio passed through the Channel Tunnel during the evening of October 16. The remaining pair, Nos. 66204…

OCTOBER proved to be a very quiet month for loco repaints, the most notable event being the emergence of No. 67010 from the Toton paintshop in DB red and grey. Released to traffic without DB logos, this is now the GM’s fourth livery, having already carried EWS, Wrexham & Shropshire and Caledonian Sleeper teal. Following a visit to Eastleigh Works, No. 66302 now carries the plain blue version of the DRS ‘compass’ livery, while former stablemate No. 47853 (the former Rail Express ) is now just plain blue after its DRS vinyls were stripped off at Kingmoor prior to transfer to HNRC. Great Western HST power car No. 43148 has also reverted to blue following the removal of its Bristol 2015 European Green Capital vinyls, leaving just…

Allocations 2405/12/14/24 SL/ETHQ-HQ/SCXH387301/02/03/04 Newly delivered HQ/SBXH700021/23 Newly delivered TB/ETHQ Renumbered 170303-168323 170308-168328 Modifications AC Traction Motors fitted: 5723/30/31/41/42 Sold The Quirky Nights Glamping Village, Ballina, County Mayo: 1498 Stored/stopped locations Allerton: 319218/19 Eastleigh Works: 2414/18/20/24 Ely: 2405/09/12/15/16/23 Northampton: 350233/64 Three Bridges: 2401/04/11/17 Wolverton: 319456 Disposals EMR Kingsbury: Arrival date: October 6: 56317…

Our annual survey of locations of the Class 08 and Class 09 shunter fleet includes all 261 examples still in existence, be they on the national network, at preserved or industrial locations, or languishing in scrapyards awaiting disposal. Locations are correct as of October 27. Class 08 (Total 239) D3000 Peak Rail D3002 Plym Valley Railway D3014 Paignton & Dartmouth Railway D3019 Cambrian Heritage Railways, Llynclys D3101 Great Central Railway D3255 Private Site, Leavening D3261 Swindon & Cricklade Railway 08011 Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway 08015 Severn Valley Railway 08016 Peak Rail 08021 Tyseley Loco Works 08022 Cholsey & Wallingford Railway 08032 Mid Hants Railway 08046 Caledonian Railway 08054 Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway 08060 Cholsey & Wallingford Railway 08064 National Railway Museum 08102 Lincolnshire Wolds Railway 08108 Kent &…

ANGLIA NC68 ‘SHORT SET’ SWAPPED THE three Riviera Mk.2f coaches in Anglia Railways turquoise that have been operating as NC68 on the Norwich-Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft circuit, Nos. 5921/50 and 9520, have been replaced by three blue/grey vehicles Nos. 5961, 6024 and 9504. The latter three coaches arrived from Burton behind No. 57303 Pride of Carlisle on September 30, with the others departing as the 5Z20/11.05 Norwich Crown Point-Crewe on October 13. Five days later, they completed their journey back to their home depot, when they were moved by No. 31452 as the 5Z31/14.10 Crewe CS-Burton. Another recent move involving a Greater Anglia vehicle took place on September 28, when DVT No. 82112 was briefly moved from Norwich to Crewe Electric depot for some attention, sandwiched between Nos. 68004 and 90006. DB…

THE range of 4mm scale wagon components offered by Rumney Models has expanded further in recent weeks. The largest new release is an etched brass clasp brake underframe for the BR diagram 1/448 Tube wagons (B54, £15), this being designed for use with the Parkside Dundas kit rather than Bachmann’s ready-to-run model. There are also three new detailing etches for the Bachmann Bogie Bolster C/Macaw B wagon. The first (C05, £16.50) provides full replacement brass trussing as well as brake lever options covering GWR Dean Churchward, unfitted and vacuum-braked. Also included are detailing parts for the solebars, headstocks and bolsters. For those wishing to retain the plastic trussing, there are packs containing just the brake lever and detailing etches, C05A (£9, pictured above) covering BR wagons and C05B (£6) the…

THE first of Golden Valley Hobbies Janus 0-6-0 industrial shunters has now been approved for production following the arrival of the final livery sample. This portrays the National Coal Board example, which is finished as No.6 Roger H. Bennett. The ‘OO’ gauge model, which is being produced for the retailer by Oxford Rail, is set to reach the UK in February with both DCC ready and DCC sound versions available. The other three launch liveries are expected to follow shortly. Golden Valley has also advised that the current prices of £89.99 and £199.99 for sound are likely to increase before release because of the ongoing exchange rate fluctuations. www.goldenvalleyhobbies.com…

THE results of the annual Wishlist survey have now been published. In 4mm, the most wanted D&E-era item is more Mk.1 Travelling Post Office coaches, these taking fourth place overall. The Class 120 DMU maintained its traditional strong showing, occupying the ninth spot, while other items in the top 20 were the Class 87 electrics and Class 124 and Class 156 DMUs. In ‘N’ gauge, D&E items took seven of the first 10 places with the Class 117/118s coming second overall followed by the Cowans Sheldon 75t crane, Mk.1 TPO coaches, LMS prototypes Nos. 10000/1, Class 120, Mk.2d coaches and Class 158/159s.…

IN addition to the petrol station kit reviewed on page M37, 4Ground has recently added a modern depot building kit (00-TS-111, £65) to its growing range of 4mm scale laser-cut structures. Part of the Trackside Way range, the two-road building measures 315mm by 164mm with a height of 103mm and is typical of a small servicing depot. If desired, the kit can be modified so two or more buildings can be joined together. As with all 4Ground’s kits, the basis is laser-cut wooden parts that are simple to put together, which are then clad with pre-finished decorative sheets. The ‘up and over’ doors can be positioned open and closed while the roof is removable to give internal access if required. www.4groundtrackside.co.uk…

ALSO new from Bachmann this month is a trio of weathered wagons, all being in 4mm scale. Leading the line-up is the first weathered version of the BR 24t Covhop, this portraying unfitted No. B886096 in BR grey with ‘Soda ash only’ and ‘Return to Northwich’ brandings (38-501A, £27.95). As well as a coating of general dirt, the wagon also features the printed rust effects previously seen on the 16t mineral wagons. The effect is quite convincing but a bit more tonal variation would not go amiss. A rather more modern hopper is provided by JGA No. RMC19231, this displaying a heavily weathered version of the long-lived RMC orange livery (37-326C, £42.95). Although the RMC hopper fleet was acquired by EWS in 2007, this particular hopper avoided having its RMC…

The new ‘OO’ gauge model has been produced with the help of GB Railfreight using the same drawings from which the full-size vinyls were prepared. Re-created in exacting detail by Bachmann, the model has required the use of special printing techniques in order to reproduce the complex scheme accurately. This includes printed representations of the bodyside plaques that detail how the livery came about. With just 512 pieces being produced, this limited-edition features the usual specification for the Bachmann Class 66, including directional lighting, a 21-pin DCC socket, bufferbeam accessory pack and numerous separate parts. Available in pristine form only, the model can be ordered now, priced £159.99. Payment in full will be taken at time of order. You can order online by visiting: www.classicmagazines.co.uk/bachmann Full terms and…

NEWLY added to the Graham Farish ‘N’ gauge range is a further version of the excellent Covhop wagon. This recreates vacuum-braked No. B870799 in bauxite with a weathered finish (377-765A). Nicely finished, the wagon naturally displays the extensive lettering found on the design as well as the correct pattern of brake gear, while the presence of the CHV TOPS code in the number panel dates the Covhop to the 1970s-1980s period. • Graham Farish by Bachmann, Moat Way, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8EY. Web: www.bachmann.co.uk £ RRP: £23.95…

THE collapse in demand for carrying coal to electricity generating power stations, combined with the weak output from steel producers, has resulted in a 30% cutback in DB Cargo’s UK workforce of 2943 people as the company looks to lose 893 jobs. The reduction in drivers is particularly severe with 1116 people being required to apply for 725 posts, which will have new locations and revised terms and conditions of employment. 245 ground staff out of 530 will also be cut, and 88 out of 211 technical and clerical staff. 122 out of 398 management posts will also go. There is a danger that the strategy will leave the company short of drivers. Older drivers will retire rather than relocate, while others will find employment with alternative passenger and freight…

THE Government has announced that the next operator of the West Coast franchise will also be responsible for running the first trains over HS2 from London to Birmingham. The new franchise will be called the West Coast Partnership, which will take over inter-city services on the West Coast Main Line from 2019, then design and introduce services on HS2 from 2026 for the following three to five years. “This is a real opportunity to ensure HS2 services complement and enhance existing ones,” said HS2 chairman Sir David Higgins. “I have always been clear HS2 will not be a standalone railway, but fully integrated with the wider network.” The partnership approach means the winning bidder will collaborate with HS2 Ltd to design, launch and operate the initial HS2 services, and deliver…

THE troubled Govia Thameslink Railway has been heavily criticised by Parliament’s Transport Select Committee for running a poor service for more than a year. The committee concluded that GTR must be in default of its franchise obligations, and the defence of ‘force majeure’ (unforeseen circumstances) should not apply because events were not outside of management control. If there was a franchise default, it would be seen as a good opportunity for the Department for Transport to restructure the contract. It has already been agreed that with the benefit of hindsight, it was a mistake to try to amalgamate the four brands of Great Northern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Southern into one huge, diverse and highly complex franchise delivered via a single operator. Operating experts are already saying that the Thameslink…

SINGLE POWER CAR HST WORKINGS I READ the letter from Dave Richardson of Oxford about whether any HSTs have operated with just one power car only and nothing on the rear (November issue) and, well, the answer is yes. On the East Coast Main Line, I remember an occasion when the rear power car was detached at Peterborough and the train went forward to King’s Cross with just the front power car. Checking back on my notes, Sunday, March 12, 1989 had the 15.30 King’s Cross to Newcastle due to depart Peterborough at 16.44, but it actually arrived at 18.03 with No. 43098 leading eight Mk.3s and departed at 18.23 after No. 43097 had been taken off the rear. No. 43097 was left in the platform, and the Newcastle train…

Promoter Codes:  A1SLT – A1 Steam Locomotive Trust; AGA – Abellio Greater Anglia; BBP – Belmond British Pullman; BGH – Belmond Grand Hibernian; BNB – Belmond Northern Belle; BRS – Belmond Royal Scotsman; CR – Charity Railtours; GBRf – GB Railfreight; HR – Hertfordshire Railtours; NER – North East Railtours; NT – Nenta Traintours; PMRT – PMR Tours; PRU – Papyrus Rail UK; PT – Pathfinder Tours; RM – Railway Magazine; RPSI – Railway Preservation Society of Ireland; RTC – Railway Touring Company; SCTR – ScotRail; SD – Steam Dreams; SR – Statesman Rail; SRPS – Scottish Railway Preservation Society; TEL – Torbay Express Ltd; TfL – Transport for London; UKR – UK Railtours; VT – Vintage Trains; WCRC – West Coast Railways…

‘TC’ TO BE STORED AT KENT & EAST SUSSEX FOLLOWING the completion of its restoration at St Leonards, 4-TC DTSO No. 76275 is to be moved to Rolvenden Carriage Shed for undercover storage pending the completion of the three other vehicles from Butterley that will make up the 4-TC unit, which will be based at the Swanage Railway. CLASS 37 SOLD AS expected, Tyseley resident No. 37263 has been sold by the 37263 Locomotive Group. It has been bought by four individuals and is due to move to a new home at the Telford Steam Railway, where restoration will continue, in early 2017. The loco, which was sold by EWS in 2003 and initially based at the Dean Forest Railway, has yet to operate in preservation. Another Class 37 which…

THE 2017 calendar is now filling up nicely, with several more railways announcing dates for diesel events. These include the Bluebell Railway, where we could see the appearance Diesel Galas December 30-31: Mid Norfolk Railway February 18-19: East Lancashire Railway March 11-12: Spa Valley Railway March 25-26: Ribble Railway March 31-April 2: Bluebell Railway April 7-9: Nene Valley Railway April 22-23: Epping Ongar Railway May 5-7: Swanage Railway of a diesel-hydraulic for the first time. Also in the south east, a Class 37 is likely to be visiting the Spa Valley Railway for an extended period during 2017. May 18-20: Severn Valley Railway June 3-4: East Lancashire Railway (Small Engines) June 3-4: Heritage Shunters Trust June 9-11: North Norfolk Railway June 9-11: West Somerset Railway June 24-25: East Kent Railway…

DB CARGO AWAY from the ‘Eurosheds’, little of note happened to the DB fleet during October, although Nos. 66250 and 67009 both headed into store at Toton and Crewe Electric respectively. Stranded at Immingham since early September, No. 60063 was recovered by road to Toton on October 25, while Nos. 92003 and 92026 spent the whole of the month at Dollands Moor awaiting onward movement to Eastern Europe. DIRECT RAIL SERVICES THE long-awaited final release of No. 37424 from its rebuild at Loram, Derby, occurred on October 10. Still physically numbered 37558 on the bodysides, the resplendent Type 3 lead No. 37419 as the 0Z17/10.10 working to Gresty Bridge. Seven days later, No. 37424 undertook a short test run from Crewe to Stafford and back, but remained at the DRS…

Allocation changes 08632 WSRC-WQAA 37099 COLS-COTS 56096 COLS-COFS 60040 WCBT-WCAT 66142 WBAE-WBAR 66183 WBAT-WBAE 66250 WBAE-WQAB 67009 WABC-WQAA 67014 WAWC-WAAC Transferred to France 66193, 66201/04/13/32 Stored/stopped locations Barrow Hill: 08865, 47853 Crewe Electric: 67009 Hope Cement Works: 08714 Mossend: 08632 Toton: 60063, 66250 Reinstated 08676/85, 37099, 56096, 66773/75/77/78 Disposals CF Booth, Rotherham: Arrival date: October 27: 37682…

■ SANDITE: The dedicated NIR four-car 8080 Class DEMU formed of Nos. 8069+8097+8752+8090 was noted on test between Belfast York Road and Carrickfergus on September 22/23, reportedly making three return trips each day. The DEMU started its first night-time tour of the designated treatment area on September 28, when it worked the 22.10 York Road to Portadown leg. The other lines treated are Belfast to Bangor/Carrickfergus and Bleach Green Junction to Antrim/ Templepatrick. Previously, the first tour of the season by the dedicated water jetter, which precedes the Sandite unit, had been on September 18. The first daytime tour of the area by the Sandite DEMU was on October 10. During the early part of the season, the Sandite unit was used to treat specific sections of the area due…

ANNOUNCEMENT season is well and truly under way, with Hattons striking first by unveiling two well-chosen new models in ‘OO’ gauge – these being the highly useful Warwell in a number of forms along with the Beilhack snowploughs, as built on former Class 40 and Class 45 bogies. Hornby has also given the first glimpse of its 2017 range by announcing the Mk.1 First Open and Brake Second Open, two of the most obvious gaps in the available range of ready-to-run BR standard coaches. Warley is expected to bring the unveiling of the rest of Hornby’s range for next year, along with confirmed new announcements from smaller players like Revolution Trains and Realtrack Models. Kernow Model Rail Centre also has further surprise models in the pipeline while January will see…

THE latest addition to the range of modern 4mm scale lineside kits in the Wills range has now arrived, this being acurrent-day level crossing (SSM318, £25). Designed for use with Peco track, it will build a single or double track crossing. Parts include the roadway, anti-trespass boards, four lowered barriers, four raised barriers and warning lights and signage. Ancillary components include a Relocatable Equipment Building, CCTV cameras on posts and lengths of palisade fencing. Although intended to be a static model, provision has been made to enable operation with the Peco servo motor control system. www.peco-uk.com…

IN a similar manner to last year, Hornby has begun to release snippets of its 2017 range in advance of the main reveal. This has included the news that the manufacturer is to expand its current range of Mk.1 coaches with the addition of two new types. Taking note of recent Wishlist Poll results, it has claimed the consistently high-scoring First Open (FO) and Brake Second Open (BSO) for production, these being two of the most obvious omissions from current ready-to-run Mk.1 ranges. The First Open will be to diagram 73, which was the last and most numerous batch to be built, with some still remaining in charter train use today. This particular FO batch was once produced by Replica Railways but has been discontinued for many years. The Brake…

THE rapid growth of Irish Railway Models took a further step in October as the company unveiled the subject of its third ready-to-run ‘OO’ gauge model. This will be the distinctive Tara Mines bogie ore wagons, as introduced from 1977 to carry zinc and lead ore from the company’s mine near Navan to Dublin for export, which still operate today. The model will follow the standards already laid down with the previously announced models, incorporating much separate detail. The variation in wagon lids seen over the years will also be catered for, these being periodically replaced with updated designs owing to the corrosive nature of the ore. CAD work has already been completed with the current bauxite livery to appear first, the models again being released in multiple packs with…

ALSO new in Bachmann’s NSE range is a further addition to the ranks of Mk.1 coaches, this coming in the form of the Restaurant Miniature Buffet or RMB (39-265). A rarity in the sector’s fleet, the vehicles were only employed on the loco-hauled services from Liverpool Street to Cambridge and King’s Lynn. Based at Cambridge depot, the buffets were formed in otherwise all Mk.2 sets, these consisting of Tourist Second Opens (TSO), a Brake Second Open (BSO) and a First Corridor (FK), the latter being either a Mk.2 or Mk.2a. Only three of the RMBs allocated to the route received NSE colours, all having variations to each other. They were displaced to InterCity during 1990 following the completion of electrification to Cambridge and the introduction of a DMU shuttle to…

PICTURED here are two 4mm scale etched brass platform shelters, these representing types commonly employed by NSE across many stations. The first is the barrel-vaulted design, these being produced by Shire Scenes. Supplied as a flat etch, the curved roof is best formed using a round piece of wood or metal. The seats are a separate etch and need to be formed to shape, while 0.5mm diameter brass wire was soldered to the legs to enable them to be fitted to the base. A similar method was used for fixing down the shelter with the wire being soldered inside the corners and to the side of the doorway. Painted using an airbrush, a coat of white was first applied to give an undercoat before spraying with Phoenix Precision NSE red.…

Teesside Cast Products – Its Railways and Their Origins. By John Cowburn. Published by The Industrial Railway Society. Softback 165mm x 227mm, 88 pages. Price £10. ISBN 978-1-901556-90-2. RECENTLY released by the Industrial Railway Society is this in-depth look at the now-closed Teesside steel operation centred on Lackenby. The book is intended as a companion piece to the society’s regular journal, but is also available to non-members via the IRS website at www.irsociety.co.uk or from certain transport-specialising book sellers. What makes the book slightly unusual is that it mainly focuses on the recent history of Lackenby and the adjoining Redcar, detailing the workings of what was known as Teesside Cast Products under the ownership of Corus. The subsequent mothballing and sale of the works to Sahaviriya Steel Industries (SSI) and…

THE range of scenic accessories offered by Scale Model Scenery has expanded further with the addition of a laser-cut kit for modern day station ticket barriers. One of those useful items that leaves you wondering why they have never appeared in model form before, the 4mm scale kit will build six standard barriers and one wider one for disabled or buggy use. The kit consists of laser-cut MDF cores for the barrier machinery which are then covered with printed paper images to give the external cladding. The barrier paddles are also MDF, these requiring painting with a suitable shade of dark grey, an acrylic paint being recommended in the instructions. PVA adhesive was used to fix the printed paper to the core, which worked fine. As the parts require folding…

CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON MK.5 CARRIAGES FOR TPE THE first of 66 Mk.5 bodyshells for 13 five-carriage sets to be operated by TransPennine Express entered production on October 27 at the CAF factory in Besain, Spain. Beacon Rail is financing the carriages. Each set will contain 287 seats and will operate on TPE’s Liverpool-Leeds-York-Scarborough and Newcastle routes. From 2019, the services will also include Middlesbrough. Traction will be provided by Class 68s leased from DRS. Each carriage will have real-time travel information and an on-board media server, allowing streaming of TV shows and films. An electronic seat reservation system will also be installed. Service entry is planned for 2018. LARGEST-EVER SHARE OFFER ISSUED BY SVR A £2.5 MILLION share issue has been launched by the Severn Valley Railway called ‘The Bridgnorth…

THE Eurotunnel Group has announced it has received an offer from private equity group EQT Infrastructure II to buy the UK’s third largest freight operator, GB Railfreight. GBRf was founded as an independent operator in 1999, but was acquired by First Group in 2003, and then by Eurotunnel subsidiary Europorte in 2010. It currently has annual revenues around £125 million, owns 130 locos, and operates more than 1000 trainloads per week – a claimed 15% of the UK’s rail freight market. Europorte’s French rail freight activities are not included in the deal, and the offer is currently with Groupe Eurotunnel’s staff representative bodies for consultation. The proposed acquisition is said to be part of EQT’s strategy to create a leading independent pan-European rail freight operator.…

THE Department for Transport has published a formal proposal for the closure of Norton Bridge station in Staffordshire. The station, which had been served by trains between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, was taken out of use in May 2004 following the removal of its footbridge in advance of the West Coast Main Line route modernisation and construction of a new flyover. The island platform was thus cut off, and a replacement bus service has been operating ever since. The DfT has carried out an assessment in line with the Railway Closures Guidance on whether to reopen the station or formally close it. The secretary of state believes that closure should be carried out with effect from October 15, 2017. The closure proposal cites the £18 million cost of constructing a new…

THE AM6 units were originally designed and ordered by the LNER in 1938, but construction was delayed by the Second World War and they did not enter service until 1949, after the creation of British Railways. In total 100 of the 1500v DC units were built at Doncaster works, 92 for the Liverpool Street to Shenfield route and eight for the Manchester to Glossop line (later Class 506). All 92 of the AM6s were rebuilt during 1960-61 at Stratford Depot to cater for a change in power supply to 25kV AC. The conversion work also involved relocating the pantograph from above the driver’s cab of the Motor Brake Open Second (MBSO) to the Trailer Brake Second Open (TBSO) car, with the guard’s compartment also being relocated under the pantograph owing…

APT: The Untold Story By David N. Clough Published by Ian Allan www.ianallanpublishing.com 144 pages, some colour, 254x203mm, hardback. £25 THIS is an impressive piece of work about a much-loved – at least within enthusiast circles – rail project, the Advanced Passenger Train. The book is described by the publisher as the first major study of the APT for more than 30 years, with the author making use of new files recently released by the National Archive for the first time. As such it covers not only the development of the project – from the gas-turbine test train of the 1970s to the passenger workings of the 1980s – but the internal politics, mismanagement, indecision and infighting that ultimately sealed its fate. The tragedy of the APT is that tilting…

THREE experimental four-car units were ordered in May 1984 in an attempt to identify a design for the forthcoming replacement Central Line rolling stock. One was constructed by BREL and two from Metro-Cammell – and even at the time the designs and equipment used were considered evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. The car bodies were constructed of welded ‘wide aluminium extrusions’, which were lighter and cheaper to manufacture. They were the first trains to have externally mounted passenger doors, with curved passenger windows extending into the roof of the cars. In addition, they were the first units to have dot matrix destination indicators internally. The two Metro-Cammell units were also the first to have windows at the car ends, enabling passengers to have a better view of the adjacent car. Known…

PATHFINDER Tours is looking to start 2017 with an exploration of non-passenger lines on either side of the Rivers Mersey and Weaver on January 14. Set to be worked by a pair of DB Cargo Class 66s in ‘top and tail’ formation, the ‘Mersey Weaver II’ will set out from Westbury at 06.00 and make pick-ups at Bath Spa, Bristol Parkway, Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street, Stafford and Crewe. From Crewe the tour gets down to the business at hand; the itinerary allowing for four crossings of the two rivers along with six reversals. The requested route takes the excursion from Crewe out to Weaver Junction, Walton Old Junction, Bank Quay Down Slow, Earlstown Down & Up and Liverpool Curve where a reversal will be made. Then onward to the…

THE seven-mile branch from Skipton to Tarmac’s works at Rylstone is the central focus of the Branch Line Society’s ‘Rylstone Cowboy’ tours on December 11. The five-coach train will make two trips over the branch, both worked by a West Coast Class 47 or 57. The first trip picks up at Skipton (platform 4) at 11.50 and is expected to reach Rylstone by the No. 1 Bunker line, returning to Skipton at 14.18. The second run departs at 14.50 and will run via the No. 2Bunker before returning to Skipton at 17.18. The tours are being run in conjunction with the Penistone Line Partnership (PLP), and any profits from the £40 per head tours will be donated to the group to assist with their work on the Penistone Line.…

THE Llangollen Diesel Group’s Class 26 No. D5310 has had to be taken out of service after afailure at the Spa Valley Railway during the line’s beer festival on October 22 A motor overload relay suffered serious damage, and it is likely the loco has suffered a generator flashover. An electrical fire was stopped from spreading thanks to action by the loco’s crew. The beer festival event was the last booked appearance for No. D5310 prior to its planned return north, the Sulzer Type 2 having been visiting the Spa Valley since August. It returned to the Llangollen Railway on October 25, where it will undergo a detailed inspection. 26007 DERAILED Another Class 26 which was involved in an incident during October was No. 26007. Following an appearance at the…

DB Cargo NEWS of DB’s final shunter tender was still awaited in late October. However, the nominally operational fleet was reduced to seven on the 18th following the transfer to store of No. 08632 at Mossend. Now in the WQAA pool, it has become due for a D-exam, which has not been authorised. Also seemingly done with are Nos. 08703 and 08752 at Bescot as, despite both receiving C-exams in recent weeks and being available for traffic, they are now stabled well away from the depot building in sidings traditionally used for stored locos. Freightliner THE woeful reliability of No. 08691 struck again in October as, having lasted less than two months at Southampton Maritime, it was heading back to LH Group Services on the 20th. A replacement had arrived…

HAVING completed its 2016 operating season, Belmond’s ‘Royal Scotsman’ set moved from Basford Hall yard to Wembley and then on to Eastleigh Works for winter storage and maintenance behind No. 66760 David Gordon Harris on October 20. In previous years, when the train was operated by West Coast Railways, it had spent the winter months at Carnforth. Another arrival at Eastleigh for attention is Direct Rail Services Mk.2d BFK No. 17159, which was brought south from Crewe Gresty Bridge by No. 57301 Goliath on October 5.…

■ DB CARGO: There are some more MPA (ex-MHA Coalfish) conversions to report, and No. 396141 has become the first MPA-A with integral brake discs (design code MP001C). Now designated MPA-B are: Nos. 394203/11/23/58/77/80/307/15/56/8/64/5/79/83 (all MP002A) and Nos. 369077/92 (both MP002C). On October 10, DBC dispatched its last rake of HEA hoppers to EMR at Attercliffe for scrapping. No. 66129 was in charge of the 6Z70/10.40 ex-Tees North Yard working with Nos. 360042/354/7/460/90/606/25/743/809/19 and 361061/9/161/224/76/305/28/57/684/757/78/839/56/928/65. Meanwhile, No. 361103 was moved to Booth’s, Rotherham, by road during the same period (ex-Toton). ■ COLAS RAIL: There were two more notable moves of redundant PCA wagons during the period under review. On September 26, Nos. 60085 and 56105 were in charge of Nos. BCC 10669/76/9/81/5/9/96/8,11000/66/120/3/4/9/35/6/40, making up a 6V24/12.01 Carlisle Yard to Aberthaw…

■ EMERALD ISLE EXPRESS: The third annual tour by this train to selected locations on the IR system departed Dublin Connolly on September 26. As in previous years, it was organised by Railtours Ireland and employed Irish Rail traction and Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) stock. The consist was ‘BR’ van No. 3173 and six Cravens coaches, which had had their interiors enhanced in order to provide temporary superior accommodation for the 50 guests. GM No. 078 worked the train from Connolly to Wexford, where the guests were transferred by road coach to Waterford. The train then ran empty via Rosslare Strand and Dublin to Waterford. The next day, September 27, No. 078 (not No. 087 as reported in the last issue) hauled the train from there to Limerick…

THE range of own-brand commissioned models offered by Hattons is set to expand significantly after the retailer announced two new rolling stock items during October. The first of these is the much-requested Ministry of Defence 50t bogie well wagon, better known as the Warwell, which will appear in both 4mm and 7mm. The highly detailed models will include all of the refinements expected today, including sprung buffers and many separate parts. In ‘OO’ gauge, no fewer than 20 models are planned, these covering the amazing 74-year lifespan of the wagons from their 1940s as-built War Department condition with diamond-frame bogies through to today’s modernised version with Gloucester GPS bogies. The Warwells acquired by BR and modified with bolsters or false decks to carry steel and rail will also be produced,…

THE latest surprise Bachmann limited edition locomotive to be released by Kernow Model Rail Centre has now arrived, this being a representation of No. 47973 Midland Counties Railway 150 1839-1989 in ‘OO’ gauge. Unveiled in May 1989 when numbered No. 97561, the BR Research Type 4 was repainted in maroon to mark the 150th anniversary of the railway. Renumbered as 47973 two months later, the scheme was always intended to have a short life, the loco appearing in Mainline colours in April 1990 following works overhaul. The standard model is priced £149.99 with DCC fitted available at £169.99 and DCC sound for £249.99. www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com…

■ TWO more models have been added to the list of Class 92s that DJ Models is proposing to produce. Available in both 2mm and 4mm, these are No. 92029 Dante in EPS two-tone grey with yellow-backed EWS ‘beasties’ as well as a completely unbranded and unnumbered loco in the same two-tone grey. Both are being offered in either DCC ready or DCC sound forms in both scales. www.djmodels.co.uk ■ ONLY unveiled on October 24, Railtec Models has already added the Welsh dragon emblems now adorning Great Western green HST power cars Nos. 43187 and 43188 to its range. The 4mm scale sheet (2476, £3.90) also includes the bilingual ‘The Welshman’ silver lettering. www.railtec-models.com ■ Bachmann has expanded its model portfolio once more with the acquisition of the Exclusive First…

IN a surprise development, Kernow Model Rail Centre has acquired outright the tooling for the ‘OO’ gauge SPA wagons previously produced by FTG Models. A new batch of the air-braked opens has also been produced by the retailer, these going on sale at the start of November. This includes the much-requested ZAA ‘Pike’ departmental incarnation in civil engineers’ grey/yellow, four different running numbers having been produced (£29.99 each). There is also anew run in Railfreight flame red but with a quite heavy weathered finish, again with four models available (£32.99 each). www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com…

QUITE a lot of suitable station furniture is available in 4mm scale, the items here being the work of Paul Wade. The Bachmann Scenecraft range is a good starting point, this providing the lampposts (44-543) and kiosk (44-506), which have been repainted red. The station modernisation pack (44-502) is the source of the ticket machine, complete with NSE signage. Pictured here as supplied, the casing can be repainted with NSE red to give a newer look. Although not illustrated, this same station pack includes clocks, visual display units and a permit to travel machine, all of which are suitable for use with a coat of red. S Kits makes the whitemetal litter bin and bucket seats while Ten Commandments is the source of the Macemain bench seats. These are available…

NOVEMBER 26-27 The Isle of Thanet MRS Exhibition, St George’s School, Westwood Road, Broadstairs, Kent. 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun. Adult £4.50, concession £4, child £2.50, family £12. Layouts include King’s Park (N), Fairs End (OO), Tonbridge West Yard (OO) and Hobbs Warren (O). DECEMBER 3-4 The Manchester Christmas Model Railway Show, The Barnes Wallis Building, Altrincham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester. www.mmrs.co.uk 10am-5.30pm, 10am-4.30pm Sun. Adult £8, accompanied child free. Layouts include Crimson Road (OO), Dewsbury Midland (OO), The World’s End (OO), Elcot Road (P4) and Portchullin (P4). DECEMBER 10-11 TMS – The Model Show, Poynton Leisure Centre, Yew Tree Lane, Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire. www.themodelshow.co.uk 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4.30pm Sun. Adult £5.75, accompanied child (under 14) free, child aged 14-18 £3.75. Layouts include Burshaw North Western (N) and Glasgow Queen Street (EM).…

ALBION Alloys has sent in anumber of useful products that it imports and supplies to hobby shops and other retailers. First up is the well known Flex-I-File, the starter set being illustrated here. Useful in particular for filing and forming curves, the set includes the lightweight aluminium frame and six grit tapes, these all being to different grades. Refill stripes are available separately. Also in the same range is the Touch-N-Flow System, the centrepiece of this three-part set being the glue applicator. Intended as a better alternative to brushes and nozzles, the applicator is filled with your chosen liquid glue and then uses capillary action and a small bore nozzle to precisely apply it to the required area. As the applicator can hold a fair amount of glue, there is…