Innehållsförteckning för February 2026 från Rail Express

THE Western Locomotive Association has announced its aim to return No. D1013 Western Ranger to traffic on February 26, 2027, exactly 50 years to the day since the locomotive took part in the ‘Western Tribute’ farewell tour with No. D1023 Western Fusilier. This was the final train operated by a ‘Western’ prior to the withdrawal of the last examples by British Rail, which also meant the end of Diesel Hydraulic locomotive operation on BR. No. D1013 is currently being overhauled at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway, and the owning group felt it needed an ‘aiming point’ for the completion of the work. The WLA says it is embracing the challenge, and to quote Chairman Roger Smith, “with 60 weeks to go, the pressure really is on!” It is more…

OO GAUGE4mm scale 2021 to presentERA IT BECAME CLEAR when unboxing Bachmann’s brand new Class 69 model that it has produced a quite superb facsimile of the full size locomotives, or at least, one of them. The subject model is No, 69001 Mayflower and the real locomotive was introduced in the summer of 2021 after being rebuilt, along with fifteen of its class mates, with a new EMD engine of the same type used in Class 66s along with a revised cab design. Running lights and other equipment changed at the same time. The upgrade is intended to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and significantly extend the locomotive’s life. Bachmann announced its model of the Class 69 at the same time and showed a range of four locomotives including No. 69002, No.…

SEVERAL YEARS ago, a Hornby Class 47 from the ‘Railroad’ range was given a new livery and detail to match No. 47222 Appleby Frodingham in late 1980s condition. The model was enhanced with etched fan grilles, locomotive-specific detail and a reworked underframe. (See issue REM 222). Part of the project was to convert the model to ‘EM’ gauge using stepped axles from The EM Gauge Society, to compensate for the larger diameter of axle fitted to Hornby ‘Railroad’ models than is normal for ‘OO’ gauge diesels. The conversion was successful, with reprofiled 14mm coach disc wheels replacing the original ones fitted to the model. With the conversion came the loss of the traction tyres. Although around 100g of weight was added to the chassis frame, its tractive effort was restricted…

WITH construction still underway at WH Davis on the Heavy Haul division’s MWA box wagons, Freightliner’s soon to be divested intermodal division has contracted Porterbrook Leasing and the Langwith Junction-based company to build 150 container flats (75 twins) that will be optimised around the operator’s now standard 40ft (12.2-metre) platform length. The new wagons will be similar to the Ecofret2 design that was previously constructed by WH Davis in three-unit form for GB Railfreight in 2020, again running on modified TF20.5 bogies with UIC brakes both supplied by Axiom Rail Freight (Wabtec UK). However, the design will be significantly modified with a lighter tare weight to increase the efficiency of the fleet which will include a longer wheel life, additional fuel and CO2 savings and lower infrastructure access charges. Design…

EIGHT new train sets are to be built by Stadler for the jointly operated Belfast to Dublin ‘Enterprise’ service after the Swiss company won the contract. Stadler is offering an intercity version of its successful FLIRT design (Fast Light Innovative Regional Train), but with a single power car and superior standard of seating, catering and other equipment. The €650million (£570million) contract was contested by three bidders – Stadler, CAF and a third unnamed manufacturer. The build will be part funded by the EU and see delivery of the trains planned for 2028 with revenue earning service scheduled to begin 2030. The contract includes simulators and a 15-year maintenance element with an option for extension. Stadler was informed it had won the contract in September, but during the mandatory standstill period,…

THE long association between the Western Region and British Rail’s iconic High Speed Train came to an end at the December 13 timetable change as Great Western finally retired its four remaining Mk.3 formations (GW06-09) and the 12 associated EFPC pool Class 43 power cars. This leaves the ScotRail Inter7city network as the last bastion of scheduled HST passenger operation in the UK. All four of the 2+4 ‘Castle Class’ sets (Class 255 in GWR nomenclature) were in use on the final day, as follows: GW06 Nos. 43156/189, GW07 Nos. 43042/187, GW08 Nos. 43004/186 and GW09 Nos. 43093/198 with the planned diagrams mostly being undertaken without issue. This was a far cry from the previous two weeks of the month that saw engineering work and flooding cause havoc with the…

CLASS 20 TWO pairs of EE Type 1s were particularly active towards the end of 2025, not least Nos. 20007 and 20205. On December 3 they left Dollands Moor bound for York Yard North with another trio of new Tyne & Wear Metro units Nos. 555033/42/44. By December 10 they had joined forces with Nos. 20302+20311 to move translator vehicles from Burton Wetmore to Wembley. Early the following day Nos. 20007 and 20205 moved the two vans to Southampton Eastern Docks ready to work the 7Q28 10.30 to Eastleigh Works, formed of two coaches from ‘Javelin’ EMU No. 395008 which had been at Southampton since September following their derailment at Ramsgate in November 2024. On December 13 Nos. 20311+20302+20007 returned the barriers on the 6D30 07.55 Wembley-Burton Wetmore along with…

OOGAUGE4mm scale 1967-1977ERA THERE WERE FEW failures in the history of Southern Region traction compared to many pilot scheme locomotive classes ordered for the other regions of BR. The attempt to rebuild ten surplus Class 71 booster locomotives with an auxiliary Paxman diesel engine to create a second electro-diesel class is one of them, and it proved to be an expensive and frustrating experience for BR. They were intended for passenger, boat train and parcels traffic on the newly electrified Bournemouth line where the auxiliary diesel engine would allow the locomotives to work beyond the third rail over dock branch lines to service ocean liner terminals and to destinations beyond Bournemouth. The locomotives were fitted (rebuilt) with a Paxman 6YJXL Ventura engine instead of English Electric power plant to keep…

50 YEARS AGO… FEBRUARY 1976 ■ BR FARES INCREASE IN A MOVE to meet an obligation to keep down Government support, while also increasing revenues, British Railways Board (BRB) announced fares increases of between 5% and 17.5% on February 17. The increases took effect from March 28 with the biggest rises made to local fares, season tickets and shorter journeys in the London and South East area. BR estimated the fare rise would bring in an additional £40m a year (over £270m in current prices). The BRB added that its fare rises in 1975 brought in an extra £88m (around £595m in current prices) in revenue although there was some loss of passengers, which it blamed on inflation and the state of the country. ■ EXPLOSIVE UNDERGROUND A CABLE fault…

TO date, four examples of 24 Tube Stock (TS), destined for the Piccadilly Line, have been delivered to London Underground (LU) from Siemens at Wildenrath, Germany. The most recent example was unit 062, which was arrived at Ruislip on October 10. Reportedly this completed the test fleet, joining fellow pre-production units 001, 004 and 030, which have been housed across the network at Cockfosters, Ruislip and Northfields depots. Of these, two received unwanted attention from vandals during delivery. One incident took place in South London, whilst damage to the most recent delivery in October, occurred in France. Such incidents could be interpreted as causing reputational damaging to both TfL and Siemens Mobility Ltd. However, TfL has a reputation of not responding to such incidents, and in line with this policy,…

WITH its fleet of ‘Castle’ HST sets having been retired two days earlier, the first of Great Western Railway’s Class 175s was put into traffic on December 15. The first service to be operated by one of the recommissioned units was the 2C26 13.40 Plymouth-Penzance, which was worked by No. 175001. The unit, which retains unbranded TfW Rail colours, returned with the 2P21 15.52 Penzance-Plymouth. By the end of the year, no further sets had appeared in traffic, although training runs using Nos. 175002/003/007/009 and 175114 took place during the month. The other former ‘Castle’ HST diagrams were covered by GWR Class 150/2s, this being possible due to the lower passenger numbers over the winter period. Over the coming months, a phased roll-out of the fleet will take place, timed…

HEIDELBERG Materials received the perfect Christmas gift on December 22 with the arrival of the first production ‘08e’ conversion at Whatley Quarry. The rebuild of No. 08787 was officially announced in January last year after the aggregates giant was sufficiently impressed by the performance and efficiency of demonstrator No. 08308 during a two-week trial in October 2024. The shunter incorporates a number of improvements over its predecessor, including an increase in the number of battery packs from two to six, giving over 600 kilowatt hours of available energy. This should allow the ‘08e’ to complete a full shift of constant use with heavy loads on a single battery charge. Improvements have also been made to the traction motors and auxiliaries, while external changes include refinements to the design of the…

JANUARY IS traditionally the time of year when Hornby reveals its new ‘OO’ gauge range for the coming year. In recent times, not all of the range is revealed in January, with further new models unveiled throughout the year. Furthermore, new ‘TT:120’ scale models for release in 2026 are kept secret for a dedicated April announcement. The first tranche of new models is both varied and interesting in that it includes a brand new Class 60 model for the ‘Railroad’ range. The cost of highly detailed models from other sources has opened up a gap at the budget end of the market with a DCC-ready model coming in at £104.99 and the digital sound version at £154.99. When retailer discounting takes effect, the new model will be affordable for those…

NGAUGE2mm scale 1954 to 1988ERA ALTHOUGH THE lifespan of the BR Diagram 1/051 13t clayhood wagons was a long one, spanning thirty-four years, the models featured in this review are from a shorter snap shot of that lifespan in being coded UCV and fitted with the iconic ECC blue hoods supported by a bar which appeared at the start of the 1980s. The wagons were recoded to OOV in late 1983. No fewer than 875 wagons to Diagram 1/051 were constructed at Swindon from 1954 and all but the first batch were vacuum-braked. The angled hoods replaced the original flat tarpaulin sheets which were prone to collecting rain water and were awkward to remove without making the load wet. The hood is fitted regardless of whether the wagon is loaded…

For two weeks between January 1 to 14, the West Coast Main Line was closed for through traffic north of Preston to allow Network Rail to replace the life-expired Clifton Viaduct spanning the M6 motorway and located just south of Penrith. When news broke last summer that the line would be closed, there were concerns over moving high numbers of passengers using rail replacement road coaches, many travelling with families and luggage after New Year Celebrations. With spare capacity on the Settle & Carlisle line (S&C), a collaborative approach was adopted between Network Rail, National Highways and Avanti West Coast resulting in two weeks of planned diversions using Class 805 ‘Evero’ bi-mode units. In September, a trial run over the diversionary route took place, with a pair of Class 805s…

ATTRACTIONS FROM UK RAILTOURS A RE-RUN of the postponed charter to South Wales last November (due to late cancellation of the booked traction) will take place on March 14. With two Class 50s, ‘The South Wales Industrial Explorer 2’ takes off from Derby and calling at selected stations to Cardiff, before the delights of traversing parts of Margam Knuckle Yard and Swansea Llandore depot to whet the appetite. UKR is also trying to include Llanwern Steel Works as a bonus, but this is yet to be confirmed. Throw in haulage by ‘Gronk’ No. 08795 in Landore depot environs and this tour has the makings of an epic day out, ending with an ascent of the Lickey. To recap last month’s column, worthy of mention is a long weekend to the…