Heritage Railway

RAILWAY200 saw pride in Britain’s world-changing transport legacy reach a new pinnacle, and the Stockton & Darlington Railway of 1825 was celebrated in a more than befitting manner. This year, we mark another momentous occasion: the 75th anniversary of the sowing of the seeds by Tom Rolt and co that led to our proud heritage railway sector, beginning with the Talyllyn marking another world first - the initial line to be saved and run by volunteers. That landmark anniversary has already been splendidly marked by a £3.7 million National Heritage Lottery Fund grant for the major redevelopment of Pendre works and volunteer accommodation at Tywyn Wharf, as reported on Headline News, pages 6 and 7. “A reunified GCR has enormous potential to become one of world’s greatest heritage lines.” However,…

THE future of the world’s first volunteer-run heritage railway is in safe hands as the Talyllyn Railway revealed that it has successfully been awarded a grant of almost £3.7 million that will help protect the line’s rich industrial heritage and strengthen the volunteer movement that pioneered railway preservation. As reported in Heritage Railway issue 318,in March 2024 the TR launched the 75 Appeal, called Preserving Our Past, Building Our Future, which looked to support a major redevelopment proposal of the line’s Pendre works and volunteer accommodation at Tywyn Wharf in order to replace life and time-expired facilities to ensure the railway survives the next 75 years. The appeal initially sought to raise £500,000 over the course of five years, which would back up what the railway hoped to receive through…

THE highly anticipated debut of the restored ‘Brighton Belle’ EMU edges ever closer, with commissioning runs expected to commence soon. In a recent update, the 5-BEL Trust has advised that the unit, which is currently at Crewe being worked on by Locomotive Services Limited, has been having its footsteps repositioned to make it as gauge-friendly as possible for use on the national network. Following this, it was due to be laser-scanned by Hitachi Rail to create an accurate digital model that will enable it to be cleared to operate on as many routes as possible. “In terms of testing the third rail equipment, Merseyrail advised that the third rail testing line on Chester depot has been decommissioned,” a spokesperson said. “This led LSL to open dialogue with Alstom at Litchurch…

THE Keighley & Worth Valley Railway will welcome two main line locomotives to its March 19-22 spring steam gala. Swapping the English Riviera for Bronte country, GWR 4-6-0 No. 5029 Nunney Castle will head to Yorkshire for the occasion, due to arrive via the main line connection at Keighley station. Returned to steam in the spring of 2025 following its most recent overhaul, it made its first heritage line gala appearance at the West Somerset Railway’s October 17-19 autumn steam gala. While there, it will be joined by SR West Country 4-6-2 No. 34046 Braunton. This visit will be the first time a Bulleid light Pacific has run on the Worth Valley since October 2016, when No. 34053 Sir Keith Park (then based at Swanage but now resident on the…

LNER A3 Pacific No. 60103 Flying Scotsman is to break new ground with two bookings for Midlands-based events in the weeks ahead. During February half-term, the legendary locomotive will head an early run of Vintage Trains’ annual ‘Shakespeare Express’ series from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon and back. Valentine’s Day, Saturday February 14, will offer the first-ever opportunity to ride behind Scotsman from Birmingham city centre. The day will see it haul three return Valentine’s Shakespeare Express’ services, providing a two-hour express train experience, with the option of either brunch, afternoon tea or a three-course evening dinner in authentic luxury Pullman cars or seating in tourist class cars with large picture windows by every seat, During the following school half-term, on Wednesday 18th, Thursday 19th and Friday 20th, Scotsman will haul five…

PRIOR to its appearance at the Great Central Railway (Nottingham), Flying Scotsman will make a return visit to the Mid-Hants Railway in March, followed by the East Lancashire Railway in June. Its visit to the MHR will span the dates of March 10-21 and will see the A3 hauling services on the line on March 13-15 and 20/21, with breakfast and afternoon tea options also available. Static footplate access days will take place on March 10-12 and 17-19, plus an evening photography session is scheduled to take place on March 11. The A3 will be hauling its ELR passenger services on June 5-7 and 13/14, boarding at Bury Bolton Street station and running non-stop along the line. No. 60103 will then be on static display on June 3/4 and June…