1981 a rusty, beat-up locomotive was saved from Woodhams’ Scrapyard in Barry. The engine in question was the Great Western Railway Modified Hall Class No. 7903 Foremarke Hall. The man spearheading the rescue effort was author John Cruxon, who would later become the restoration manager of this once-fine engine. Locomotive Recollections
Tag: British Rail
Book of the Week: Passengers Once More Scotland
Passengers Once More is a series of books charting reinstated or new stations and lines on Britain’s rail network since nationalisation in 1948. Arranged in line and geographical order, each book in the series is copiously illustrated with photographs of all the locations featured. Data provided for each location include: Opening, closing
Union calls for ‘rail rethink’ in wake of MPs’ report
A HIGHLY critical rail report from a committee of MPs published today says the Department for Transport faces 'an extremely challenging and uncertain environment in which to implement its proposed reforms'. In response, the RMT union has called for an 'urgent' government rethink. The Public Accounts Committee says the English rail
West Somerset Railway plans two galas when restrictions ease
The West Somerset Railway (WSR) has announced plans for two small galas to take place in autumn as COVID-19 restrictions ease. The events will be the first enthusiast galas held at the West Somerset Railway in almost two years since the winter steam event in December 2019. Also see The first gala will
Book of the Week: 50 Years of Railways Around Bristol
Telling the story of Bristol area railways over the last 50 years, this publication is lavishly illustrated, including many photos taken by rail employees that give a unique insight to railways around Bristol and the surrounding area. Included are well-known locations but also railway byways and those serving industrial
Book of the Week: InterCity 125: A High Speed Tribute
ORR Begins UK Rail Infrastructure Planning for 2024–2029
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has launched the 2023 Periodic Review (PR23) – the process for determining the funding needed for Britain’s rail network from 2024–2029 – in an open letter. The ORR evaluates the objectives put forward by the governments of England and Wales, and Scotland, the principal
Just seconds frustrated speed attempt on West Coast
APT’s 37 year record remains in tact – but only just
LIVE: London to Glasgow Central record-breaking attempt fails
An attempt to break the 36-year-old record for the fastest rail journey between London and Glasgow has failed. Avanti West Coast and Network Rail , in association with The Railway Magazine, had teamed up today to attempt to break the record for the fastest journey from London to Glasgow. The intercity operator’s
Avanti West Coast and Network Rail join forces for London to Glasgow record attempt
Efficient Maintenance, Effective Safety and Transformational Asset Management for Signalling Power Supplies
In Depth: The Government’s Plans to Reform Britain’s Railways
On 20 May 2021 the UK government published Great British Railways – The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail. The positive take-away is, many of the ideas in this white paper are broadly good and show a real awareness of the problems the sector faces. Some Background The Williams Rail Review was originally launched in
Book of the Week: 50 years of Phoenix
A group founded to encourage innovation, experimentation and artistry in railway photography has reached a golden milestone this year – and a new book has just been published to celebrate its members’ achievements. 50 Years of Phoenix looks back over half a century of the Phoenix Railway Photographic Circle. The
Last departure for Welsh Pacers
Government announces £401m rail funding boost
A £401 million government funding boost promises rail services in the North of England and the Midlands with new stations, faster journeys and more reliable services. The Department for Transport (DfT) said £317 million would be invested in the Transpennine Route Upgrade to improve “punctuality, reliability and connectivity” for passengers travelling
Rail reforms ‘will make train journeys cheaper and more punctual’
Photo: GOV.UK Reforms to Britain’s railways will make train services cheaper and more punctual, MPs have heard. Flexible tickets, which will offer savings on certain routes for people who travel to work two or three times a week, will be at least “20% cheaper” than current monthly tickets, Transport Secretary Grant
Government Announces Sweeping Reforms to the Railways in Britain
The UK government has announced sweeping reforms, the Williams-Shapps Plan, the how the railways work in Britain. Under this plan, the government will set up a new public body called Great British Railways. This purpose of this body is to bring together what is currently a fragmented system. It will own
REVIEW: RMT says opportunity has been missed
UK Rail services to unify under state-owned body, Great British Railways
Radical reforms lay foundation for ‘modern, green railway’
► Concessions will replace franchises► New industry body to absorb Network Rail► Fares shakeup includes part time seasons► White Paper to be presented to ParliamentTHE long-delayed reform of the railways has begun, with confirmation from the Department for Transport that franchises will be replaced by concessions, and control will be given to a
Three classes return to West Coast Main Line
A ‘MIDDLE CLASS’ is being introduced by Avanti West Coast. Standard Premium was launched this morning on all AWC Pendolino services, and initially will be offered as an upgrade on Standard fares, such as an extra £15 from London to Birmingham and £30 to Glasgow. Avanti said Standard Premium, which uses a
‘Eddystone’ returns to Swanage Railway after major overhaul
Photo: Andrew P.M. Wright. A classic 1940s express steam locomotive has returned to the Swanage Railway after an extensive three year £350,000 overhaul by its owners. After a period of tests, Swanage Railway hopes to have 1946 Southern Railway rebuilt West Country Class Bulleid Pacific No. 34028 ‘Eddystone’ hauling trains between
Reopening plans for Locomotion in Shildon announced
British Rail Industry: Rail Decarbonisation Not Possible without Electrification
“It’s great to launch the ‘Why Rail Electrification?’ report today, as part of RIA’s RailDecarb21 campaign – calling on the Government to support efforts to decarbonise the rail network ahead of the COP26 Conference in Glasgow later this year. “The report clearly shows the rail industry will be unable to decarbonise
MPs intervene in disused railway structures debate
HIGHWAYS ENGLAND has come under more pressure over its proposals to demolish or infill more around 130 old railway bridges and cuttings to reduce maintenance costs. HE is responsible for the Historical Railways Estate (previously dubbed the ‘Burdensome Estate’) in England, Wales and Scotland, which it inherited when the British Railways
The best railway shows you need to watch on Prime Video!
Fancy watching a new railway film or series? Amazon Prime Video have a fantastic selection of railway shows featuring historical stories from the halcyon days of steam to the world of model railway enthusiasts. Check out our favourite picks… 100 Years of British Trains 100 Years of British Trains compiles the
Win superb InterCity 125 bundle with Mortons Books
Dartmoor Line services to return for first time in half a century
Regular passenger services will return on a largely disused Dartmoor Line later this year as part of Government plans to reverse the Beeching cuts. The Department for Transport (DfT) said trains will run every two hours on the Dartmoor Line between Exeter and Okehampton, Devon, all year round by the
Reopening confirmed for railway to Okehampton
FUNDING worth £40.5 million has been confirmed to restore passenger services in Devon between Exeter St David’s and Okehampton. Part of the line as far as Crediton has never lost its passenger services and is used by Barnstaple trains, but the cash injection from the Department for Transport means that the
VIDEO: Watch the moment Green Arrow returns to Doncaster
Courtesy of exclusive footage, here is the moment that pioneering locomotive Green Arrow returned to Doncaster, 75 years since it left the town. Thanks to a partnership between the National Railway Museum and Doncaster Council, Green Arrow completes the line-up of locomotives in Danum Gallery, Library and Museum by joining No. 251 in a
First of 270 GTR Electrostar Trains Back in Service after Modernisation
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is modernising 270 Class 377 and Class 387 Bombardier Electrostar trains in its fleet. The first updated unit (a Class 377) has now returned to passenger service. The modernisation programme is costing a total of 55 million GBP. Govia Thameslink Railway operates the Southern, Gatwick Express and
Welsh railways return to public ownership
Updated 10.13 THE first British railway operator to be formally renationalised is Transport for Wales, which became publicly owned yesterday. The Welsh Government said it had taken action to ‘protect services, safeguard jobs and deliver infrastructure improvements in light of the ongoing challenges of coronavirus’. Transport for Wales is now providing Wales and
Monday essay: a high speed problem
Highways England is ‘finishing off what Beeching started’
PLANS by Highways England to demolish more than a hundred structures on disused railways have been condemned for potentially preventing future railway reopenings. Responsibility for non-operational railway land was transferred to the Department for Transport’s Highways Agency and then to Highways England after the British Railways Board had been finally wound
Isle of Wight bids farewell to vintage trains
Monday essay: Thomas is a distraction the railway can’t afford
Monday essay: Is it time to let the Doctor rest?
Last of Northern’s Pacers departs later than planned
THE last of Northern’s ‘Pacer’ trains, which were built in the 1980s by British Rail to replace ‘first generation’ diesel units on local lines, has been withdrawn almost a year later than had been hoped. The Class 142 unit carried passengers from Kirkby to Manchester Victoria late on Friday afternoon. The
New technology comes to the aid of Ribblehead
THE famous Ribblehead viaduct which was at the centre of unsuccessful proposals to close the Settle & Carlisle Line in the 1980s is receiving more attention than ever, after Network Rail scanned the structure of the viaduct using drones, lasers and 3D software, turning the resulting data into a computer
Monday essay: Should the state pay our fares?
THE Department for Transport is paying National Rail operators who had been running franchises until March this year to keep going. The government takes the revenue and pays the bills, and the deficit so far has reached £4.2 billion. But does this amount to renationalisation, and should the state simply
Monday essay: A political problem (conclusion)
Hydrogen Is a Distraction
There is a lot of buzz about hydrogen trains and hydrogen technology at the moment. Hydrogen trains are already in commercial operation in Germany and are being tested in the Netherlands and the UK. And they have their place. However, their contribution to decarbonising transport is tiny and the danger is
Monday essay: A political problem (part 1)
First stage of Barmouth bridge work complete
Monday essay: Getting the message
Spooktacular savings on your favourite titles!
Trick and treat yourself this Halloween with our spookily good subscription offers on a selection of your favourite Railway titles. Click here to see all of our spooktacular savings. The Railway Magazine The Railway Magazine is the most authoritative rail publication in Britain today. Priding itself on it’s news content and unique
Centenarian cameraman: Ron Buckley – Britain’s Oldest Railway Photographer: Part Two
Chris Milner concludes his interview with 100-year-old photographer Ron Buckley, who returned from wartime military service to a railway preparing for Nationalisation. AFTER leaving England in 1940 and serving with the Worcestershire Regiment, Ron returned home after demobilisation in 1945 after four-and-a-half years away – and to a very different railway. The
Water troughs: Simple, revolutionary invention for long-distance rail travel
Making a splash: It was a relatively simple invention yet it revolutionised long-distance train travel for more than a century. Consultant Editor Nick Pigott dips into the subject of water troughs. IT’S a hot summer’s day in the steam era and you are relaxing in a Pullman car speeding along the East
Monday essay: has franchising finished? Yes, it has.
All the franchises in England were transferred to Emergency Measures Agreements in March this year, to coincide with the start of lockdown. The EMAs essentially removed commercial risk for the operators, who neither pay the bills nor keep the revenue but simply receive a management fee. At the time, the
Franchising is Dead
A Conversation with Gareth Dennis In March 2020 the UK Government suspended rail franchise agreements, instead putting in place Emergency Measures Agreements (EMAs), paying franchisees a 2 percent management fee to run trains, due to a collapse in passenger numbers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. These EMAs due to
Get your name in The North Yorkshire Moors Railway and the Esk Valley Line
The Aln Valley Railway – then and now
Network Rail signals end of the line for diesel trains
A NEW report from Network Rail is setting out plans for the future railway, and it reveals that the last diesel trains could be withdrawn or converted to other forms of traction within three decades or less. The report, an ‘interim business case’, sets out the strategy for decarbonising the network.
Monday essay: is franchising finished?
All the franchises in England were transferred to Emergency Measures Agreements in March this year, to coincide with the start of lockdown. The EMAs essentially removed commercial risk for the operators, who neither pay the bills nor keep the revenue but simply receive a management fee. At the time, the
Trips with a difference: 40 years of rail ale rambles
Dave Richardson recalls more than 40 years of connecting railways with beer festivals and brewery visits, organised by former Salisbury area BR manager Gerald Daniels. REAL ale and rail travel somehow go together, especially with heritage railways, which often hold beer festivals at stations or on board trains. Both interests appeal
Monday essay: commuting catastrophe ahead?
ONCE again some media commentators are predicting the end of commuting as we have known it for well over a century, and implying that it also could spell disaster for public transport systems (writes Sim Harris). This kind of forecast is based on the quaint notion that transport organisations – rail
Remembering Richard Hardy
Obituary: R H N HARDY
1923-2018 RICHARD Hardy, who died on February 18, aged 94, was one of the last remaining professional links with the ‘Big Four’ and a railwayman who commanded as much respect in the preservation era as he did during his illustrious career with the LNER and British Railways. Known affectionately in his autumn
Monday essay: Stonehaven answers
Monday essay: the Stonehaven mystery
Monday essay: an open cheque book?
The government has just announced a new round of funding to support English tram, light rail and bus services outside London, but Sim Harris suggests that the final reckoning, along with the billions already allocated to National Rail, will be a high one. FINANCIAL support is needed because of the continuing
Monday essay: Attlee returns?
The Department for Transport has been traditionally unhappy about the n-word – nationalisation, that is. But Sim Harris has been wondering whether perhaps it is time for a u-turn. WHEN the Virgin Trains East Coast franchise collapsed in 2018, it was suggested that the Intercity East Coast operation had been nationalised
MOVING IN, MOVING ON, MOVING OUT
Britain’s biggest train flee transformation since the 1950s
A Class 385, destined for ScotRail, inside the production hall at Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe, on November 20, 2017. CHRIS MILNER Words: The Railway Magazine Britain’s train fleet is undergoing its biggest transformation since the 1950s, with around 5,700 new vehicles being delivered or on order. Ben Jones looks at what we’ll be
Britain’s biggest train fleet transformation since the 1950s
A Class 385, destined for ScotRail, inside the production hall at Hitachi, Newton Aycliffe, on November 20, 2017. CHRIS MILNER Words: The Railway Magazine Britain’s train fleet is undergoing its biggest transformation since the 1950s, with around 5,700 new vehicles being delivered or on order. Ben Jones looks at what we’ll be
Livery Design: Giving the railway the ‘WOW’ factor
While many transport companies look to external agencies and specialists to develop and maintain their brand and image, some undertake the activity in-house. Virgin Trains was one of the companies that until recently had its own design unit. Steven Knight speaks with creative designer Sam Jessup, whose artistic talents were
Alstom, Eversholt ‘jump start’ hydrogen trains project
ALSTOM and Eversholt Rail are investing another £1 million in the development of British hydrogen-fuelled trains, which will be produced at Alstom’s Transport Technology Centre in Widnes. The trains, branded Breeze, are converted from ex-British Rail electric Class 321s, and will form a new Class 600 series. They will emit
Network Rail’s Mark Langman to step down
THE director of Network Rail’s Wales and Western region Mark Langman has announced his retirement. Mr Langman joined British Rail in 1986 as an apprentice on the Youth Training Scheme. During his career he managed stations and worked in control rooms, among other jobs, before becoming general manager for Wales and
Monday essay: look, no driver
Boris Johnson risked re-igniting a storm when he advocated driverless trains on the London Underground while on a visit to Siemens’ future train-building works at Goole. Rail unions are not in favour, but recently-designed new trains for the Underground include provision for automatic and even driverless working. Sim Harris describes
Monday essay: misplaced enthusiasm?
Network Rail to celebrate 72nd birthday of NHS
Restored Cambridgeshire station gets green light
PLANS to reopen the station at Soham, between Ely and Kennett, have won planning permission for Network Rail from East Cambridgeshire District Council. The funding has come from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, and enabling works should now start this autumn. The rebuilt station will include a 99m platform, long enough
Monday essay: brave new world
Rail bailout has cost £3.5bn so far – but there’s no end in sight
THE cost of keeping the passenger railway operating during the Covid-19 pandemic has reached £3.5 billion, according to rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris. He was answering a Parliamentary question raised by Labour MP Ian Mearns, who represents Gateshead. Mr Heaton-Harris said: ‘Since the outbreak of Covid-19 the government has approved £3.5 billion
Monday essay: is nostalgia out of date?
Pacers delivered to Gobowen for Cambrian Heritage Railways
Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) has acquired a pair of Class 144 Pacer diesel railbuses from Porterbrook leasing. Nos. 144006/7 travelled under their own power by rail to Gobowen from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway on Friday, May 22, saving four separate lorry moves. <img data-attachment-id="14806" data-permalink="https://www.railwaymagazine.co.uk/14804/pacers-delivered-to-gobowen-for-cambrian-heritage-railways/chr-pacer1/" data-orig-file="http://www.railsistem.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/pacers-delivered-to-gobowen-for-cambrian-heritage-railways.jpg" data-orig-size="899,586" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}"
Tragedy on the West Coast Main Line: Defining moment in level crossing use
An aerial view of the devastating aftermath of the Hixon level crossing crash on January 6, 1968. The remains of the low-loader still straddle the rail line. The transformer lies beyond the crossing, dislodged by the electric locomotive. PRESS ASSOCIATION In the last part of our mini-series looking back to events
Promising start to Epping Ongar SOS appeal
Essex’s Epping Ongar Railway says it has had a promising start to its £200,000 Covid-19 appeal. The appeal has raised nearly £14,000 in its first week, thanks to the support of well-wishers. GWR ‘Hall’ 4-6-0 No. 4953 Pitchford Hall returned to action in late 2019 sporting 1950s British Railways lined black
Monday essay: How can operators make a profit now?
Here’s what you didn’t know about Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid CBE
SR Merchant Navy Pacific No. 21C11 General Steam Navigation passes Clapham Junction with the ‘Devon Belle’ in August 1947. Photo: COLOUR-RAIL.COM SR 3 / P. Hughes In a historical review of locomotive engineers, Heritage Railway magazine highlights the career of Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid, who succeeded REL Maunsell in 1937. When Richard
From the archive: Princess in waiting
Monday essay: could the Great Central be used for HS2?
Construction of HS2 is going ahead, after the Government authorised the issuing of Notices to Proceed to the main contractors for Phase 1 between London and Birmingham. But alternatives to the route, or details of it, are still being urged by some transport campaigners. Sim Harris considers the possibilities offered
Tuesday essay: the end of franchising
The era of risk-taking rail franchises appears to be over. In this week’s essay, Sim Harris tries to predict what will happen now. EVEN before the current emergency and the replacement of all franchises with management contracts for at least six months, transport secretary Grant Shapps had coined a new term
Talyllyn Railway to host Titfield Thunderbolt ‘Watch Party’ online while 1950s classic film is on TV
Former Corris Railway 0-4-2ST No. 3 Sir Haydn is seen slowing to stop at Pendre station on December 29, 2018. GARETH EVANS As part of the BBC’s programme of Classic Films being aired during the Covid-19 lockdown period, the classic Ealing Comedy ‘The Titfield Thunderbolt’ is being shown on BBC2 this Wednesday
WIN! Selection of railway books worth £100 up for grabs!
WIN a selection of rail books from Gresley Books to keep you entertained while you’re stuck at home! We’ve teamed up with Mortons Books to offer you the chance to win a selection of rail reads worth over £100. You will win: British Railways Stinks British Railway Disasters Before Rocket Flying Scotsman On the Iron Road to the
Mortons Books launch brand new book catalogue brimming with new titles
The people who bring you The Railway Magazine, Heritage Railway and Rail Express have just launched their latest book catalogue – brimming with fantastic new titles to explore while you’re stuck at home. Among the many new books included is Locomotives of the National Collection by Heritage Railway editor Robin Jones.
Industrial Locomotives & Railways of Wales
By Gordon Edgar THE ‘Industrial Locomotives & Railways of…’ series by Gordon Edgar has made fascinating reading, but this latest volume covering Wales may arguably be the best yet. For this book covers the many industries that made Wales famous the world over – namely steel, slate and coal. After a short introduction
From the archive: First batch of class “508” electric multiple-units in service
The Railway Magazine Archive: March 1980 Apart from the underground trains on the Waterloo and City line, the Southern Region of British Railways has, until now, exclusively used hinged doors on its suburban trains; with the advent of 43 four-car sets of class “508” electric multiple units to the South Western
The Golden Age of the ‘Big Four’
No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth near Mossley Hill, Liverpool, on an express to London Euston in 1938. The 1930s were the golden age of the ‘Big Four’ railway companies that arose from the Railway Act of 1921 following the experience of placing the country’s many diverse railway companies under government control during
From the Archive: Railway Personalities: George Dow
The story of railway historian supreme George Dow
An official portrait of railwayman and author George Dow. The life of the great communicator and railway historian supreme, George Dow, is recounted by Robert Humm. George Dow was a man of many parts. Professionally he was a career railwayman for his entire working life, much of it spent in public relations
From the Archive: Britain joins the European high-speed network
Government confirms £500m railway reopening fund
A FUND of £500 million has been promised by the Government as the first step in reopening railways around the country, although only £21.9 million has been allocated so far. Transport secretary Grant Shapps visited the Fleetwood area, where the line from Fleetwood to Poulton-le-Fylde lost its passenger services in 1970,
From The Archive: Sir Allen Sarle
Original article excerpt from The Railway Magazine, January 1898 Illustrated interviews: Sir Allen Sarle, General Manager, London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. The retirement of Sir Allen Sarle in the course of the next few weeks means the disappearance of an old familiar face from the management of the London, Brighton and
From the Archive: A Dales delight
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway going from strength to strength
16 January: news in brief
MD of troubled Caledonian Sleeper franchise steps down THE managing director of Caledonian Sleeper Ryan Flaherty is to leave his post after almost two years. Franchise owner Serco said Mr Flaherty was leaving for ‘family reasons’, and would be returning home to the south of England. He will move to another
