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OPINION THIS issue is unashamedly an autumn gala special, celebrating the tremendous achievements of our heritage railways and the splendid seasonal vistas through which they ran over the past few weeks. It goes without saying that the past few years has been a trying time for our lines and that many have reported a sizeable increase in passenger numbers for these events, and therefore revenue in an economic climate when every pound in so badly needed – and many times over. The excellent public response to these spectacular galas stands the UK in prime position for next year’s country-wide celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the world’s first modern railway, the Stockton & Darlington. The events – big and small – arranged as part of Railway 200 and the…
HEADLINE NEWS NATIONAL Railway Museum director Judith McNicol is to step down at the end of the year to take up a new role as managing director of the British Museum. There, she will take responsibility for leading departments including human resources, information and visitor services and security. “I am thrilled to be joining the British Museum at this pivotal moment, with such an exciting future,”she said. The transformational changes ahead will reinvigorate the museum for its audiences and research for years to come. An NRM statement said: “After 19 years at the Science Museum Group (SMG) and seven as director of the NRM and Locomotion, Judith McNicol is leaving to take up a new role at the British Museum. “Judith has successfully led the NRM and Locomotion through the…
THE replica 1825 Stockton & Darlington opening train, which, as reported last issue, will run over the route from Shildon via Darlington to Stockton-on-Tees next September 26, 27 and 28 as part of the centenary celebrations, has been built to 21st century main line standards. Northern Heritage Engineering Ltd of Darlington, formerly North Bay Railway Engineering Services, has been contracted by Darlington Borough Council to build replicas of three chaldron waggons and Experiment, the train’s purpose-built passenger carriage. On September 27, 1825, large crowds gathered to see engineer George Stephenson at the controls of Locomotion No.1 as it hauled a train comprising 36 waggons filled with sacks of coal and flour, plus Experiment, which had seats for 18 passengers but no springs to make the ride comfortable, and had cost…
FOLLOWING its protracted overhaul, new-build A1 Peppercorn Pacific No. 60163 Tornado was moved by road from the Great Central Railway to the Nene Valley Railway, arriving at Wansford on the evening of October 15. During 60mph test runs on the GCR, as reported last issue, resistance was discovered when opening the regulator past 80%, and investigations revealed a repair was required to achieve full travel on the regulator. The repair was carried out at Loughborough utilising a spare regulator and associated small components returned from Germany prior to its move to the NVR. At the NVR, it was set to fulfil booked driving experience courses before hauling public trains on of the heritage line in an intensive timetable on the new dates of October 19/20 and 26/27. After that, the…
NEW-BUILD GWR 4-6-0 No. 6880 Betton Grange has been booked to appear in the Great Central Railway’s January 23-26 Winter Steam Gala, where it will join two other guests still to be announced as this issue closed for press. As highlighted in News, pages 18/19, the locomotive’s current loan period at the North Norfolk Railway has been extended until November 17, and it will then be allowed to cool for a few days before moving to the Battlefield Line for the festive season. The 81st GWR Grange will stay at Shackerstone until after that line’s January 11/12 Winter Gala, and then make a return visit to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway for the February half term.…
WITH the Christmas season a prime earner for heritage railways, several lines are set to introduce variations on the Santa special theme this year. The Great Central Railway (Nottingham) is selling tickets for its first Christmas trains in five years. The ‘Jingle Bell Express’ will see trains with family entertainment on board leave the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre and travel along the GCR main line towards Rushcliffe Halt via DMU. Andy Fillingham, from the GCR(N), said: “We put tickets on sale on October 4 and several thousand pounds worth were sold within the first 24 hours. It’s incredibly encouraging that travellers are coming back to the line, and visiting the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre too.” The line has arranged a bespoke event featuring singing and dancing performers and story- themed…
