Innehållsförteckning för January 2025 från Railways Illustrated

The tragic accident involving a collision between two Transport for Wales Class 158 diesel multiple units on the Cambrian Coast line on October 21 has highlighted once again the hazards associated with poor rail adhesion during the autumn leaf-fall season. The accident happened approximately 800 metres west of a passing loop located at Talerddig, near to Llanbrynmair in Powys, at about 19.26. The trains collided at a speed of roughly 15mph. Sadly one passenger died, and four others suffered serious injuries, while a further 11 people sustained injuries which required hospital treatment. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch issued a statement the following day stating that its “initial inspection of the track on approach to the point of collision found evidence that wheel/rail adhesion was relatively low, suggesting that the train…

NORTHERN AND rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook have fitted remote condition monitoring (RCM) hardware to the engines of the Class 170 Turbostar fleet which are in use with the train operator. The work on the Class 170s is part of a digital transformation project and supported by Instrumental, which has built the RCM system, and Derby Engineering Unit, which installed the hardware onto the trains. The work to install the equipment was carried out at Neville Hill depot in Leeds and is designed to improve performance and reliability. It will mean that instead of relying on manual engine checks, Northern’s engineers will have access to fast and reliable data in real-time, enabling them to adopt a more predictive maintenance programme, preventing engine issues or failures before they happen. The train…

A PROJECT carried out on behalf of Network Rail and LNER has seen three roofline clocks at the front of Newcastle station restored and operating in sync once again, following a £21,000 restoration project funded by Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust. The clocks were first installed in 1893 when the entrance portico at the East Coast Main Line station was built. There were originally four, but the one on the eastern facade was taken down in the 1970s when part of the portico was dismantled during construction of the Tyne & Wear Metro’s Central underground station. This clock was subsequently lost following completion of the work, and an exact replica was manufactured and fitted to the portico in place of the missing original. New mechanisms have been fitted…

SOME OF the key cast from the new Paddington in Peru film travelled on a specially-liveried Hitachi bi-mode Class 802 Intercity Express Train on October 30, ahead of the release of the third feature-length instalment of the popular children’s film, which hit cinemas from November 8. Paddington in Peru has been developed, produced and distributed by Studiocanal and the train launch saw four of the key cast members who play the Brown family – Hugh Bonneville (Mr Brown), Emily Mortimer (Mrs Brown), Madeleine Harris (Judy Brown) and Samuel Joslin (Jonathan Brown) – travel on 802106 before a promotional photo call at London Paddington station, which is closely linked with the Paddington Bear stories written by the late Michael Bond. The cast then reboarded the IET for a journey to Newbury…

As the year draws to a close, Avanti West Coast has successfully launched its seven-coach Hitachi Class 807 Evero electric multiple units into service. The new EMUs made their first appearance on a passenger diagram on October 26 for a day’s shakedown testing ahead of their formal entry into regular traffic from November 11. The October 26 workings saw 807003 operating 1B25, the 07.21 Birmingham New Street to London Euston, before then working 9G11, the 09.16 London Euston to Birmingham New Street, 1B37, the 11.21 Birmingham New Street to London Euston and finishing the day working 9G38, the 18.16 London Euston to Birmingham New Street service, before heading back to its home depot at Oxley. Also ahead of their formal launch into service, on November 7 807004 worked 1R07, the…

CLASS 150 14/10 – 150279 5Z79 08.37 Landore-Canton following reforming and completion of fire damage repairs. Unit had still to re-enter traffic by 10/11 after various defects occurred. CLASS 153 22/10 – 153365 Reid Freight Services, Stoke to Unimetals, Beeston by road. CLASS 158 24/10 – 158752 5E17 08.59 Kilmar-nock Bonnyton-Neville Hill, ex C6 overhaul. 28/10 – 158756 5S08 09.21 Neville Hill-Kilmarnock Bonnyton, for C6. CLASS 170 31/10 – 170401 5S04 09.30 Wabtec, Doncaster-Haymarket. CLASS 196 21/10 – 37608 + 196009 + 196108 8Q94 09.41 Tyseley-Long Marston. 22/10 – 37608 + 196101 7Q65 14.40 Long Marston-Tyseley. 4/11 – 37601 + 196114 + 37510 8Q94 09.41 Tyseley-Long Marston. 4/11 – 37510 + 196112 + 37601 8Q65 14.39 Long Marston-Tyseley. 7/11 – 37601 + 196010 + 37800 8Q94 09.41 Tyseley-Long Marston. 7/11…

With the approach of winter and the busy autumn for the railway, it has also been a very quiet month for namings, with just three to report during the period under review. As reported on our news pages, LNER named Class 800 Azuma 800111 Thank You in recognition of those who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces at London King’s Cross station on October 21. Former Royal Navy petty officer Helen Firth and Royal Air Force senior aircraft-man Will Warwick launched the new-look train ahead of it working an LNER service to Aberdeen before the 2024 Remembrance Day commemorations. It carries an adapted version of LNER’s Azuma livery, with poppies applied beneath the cab side windows and on the body sides. The latest GB Railfreight locomotive…

THE VOLUNTEER team responsible for the two Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Class 14s have wasted no time in exchanging the Paxman Ventura 6Y JXL engines from their locomotives to allow D9525 to be returned to traffic in time for it to work on EVR’s Santas Enchanted Journey services in late November and December. D9525 was purchased by the Class 14 D9525 Loco Group in February 2022 and moved to Wirksworth from its previous home at the nearby Peak Rail. The locomotive was bought with a seized engine, which was stripped down and fully rebuilt with new and overhauled components over the following 18 months. The remainder of the locomotive also received a considerable amount of repairs and attention, with the intention of making its debut on the EVR during the 14s@60…

ONCE AGAIN, the period between Christmas and the New Year will see a few railways holding events featuring diesel traction. The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway’s Winter Diesel Gala on December 28/29 will see Locomotive Services Group supply its Scot Rail Mk.2/3 push-pull coaching stock set, along-side Crewe Diesel Preservation Group’s matching 47712 Lady Diana Spencer (still operating disguised as 47709 The Lord Provost and 47711 Greyfriars Bobby on either side of the locomotive) and GB Railfreight are supplying 66310. From the home fleet, recently overhauled 26038 Tom Clift 1954-2012 and 37403 Isle of Mull will be hauling trains on the BKR, with newly delivered Class 117 DMU set L425 also expected to be in service. More on the event can be viewed at www.bkrailway.co.uk/page/winterdieselgala On December 29, the Weardale Railway…

THE CLASS 507 Preservation Society is expecting to take ownership of 507001 at some point in December, as the phased withdrawals of the British Rail 1978-built electric multiple units by Merseyrail is concluded. The C507PS was set up last year by established preservationist Robert Hampton and agreement was subsequently reached with 507001’s owner, Angel Trains, along with Merseyrail and the C507PS for the unit to be transferred into its ownership following withdrawal. Mr Hampton told Railways Illustrated the original intention was for the transfer to take place in July, and a high-profile crowdfunding appeal was launched to assist with the costs of transporting the three-coach EMU to its new home at the Tanat Valley Railway. It was widely promoted in local and national media and the £10,000 target was quickly…

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It’s hard to believe that it’s now more than four years since I first ventured into railway photography using a drone. Time goes by so quickly that it feels like it was only yesterday when I made my initial drone flight over the English Channel, capturing the dramatic scene along the Dawlish Sea Wall with my DJI Mavic 2 Pro – the first drone I purchased back in June 2020. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in my photography journey and to this day I still rely on that trusty DJI Mavic 2 Pro for some of my pictures. It has proven to be a wise investment, even though the batteries for this particular model have since been discontinued. Fortunately, with regular charging and discharging during periods…

By the end of the 1960s, BR’s fleet of locomotive-hauled non-gangwayed Mk.1 suburban coaches remained in passenger service on just one route. This was the Great Northern commuter network extending out from King’s Cross and Moorgate to destinations like Welwyn Garden City, Hertford North, Royston and Cambridge. The stock had to be retained on account of the restricted clearances and tight curves connecting King’s Cross to the Widened Lines, these terminating at Moorgate in the heart of the City of London. As the tunnels precluded the use of anything longer, the Mk.1 suburbans and accompanying Class 105 DMUs continued in service to Moorgate until November 1976, when the Great Northern modernisation and electrification programme was sufficiently completed to allow services to be diverted over the former London Underground Northern City…

➔ The Southern Electric Traction Group has spent the past few years tucked away at its base at Strawberry Hill depot working on the restoration of Class 423 4VEP slam-door electric multiple unit 3417 Gordon Pettitt, with the unit making its first public appearances at London Waterloo station and on the Bluebell Railway during 2024. With internal restoration work now largely complete, the SETG is pushing on with its efforts to recertify the unit for main line use, carrying passengers over the national network once again. Andy Coward heads to Strawberry Hill to catch up with the SETG team again to find out more about restoration progress and the next phase of this impressive and exciting project. ➔ The 125 Group is the leading High Speed Train preservation group and…

THE RAIL Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has revealed that its investigation into the collision between two Transport for Wales Class 158 diesel Multiple units at Talerddig on the Cambrian Line has found that the sanding hoses were blocked on one of the trains involved in the accident, leaving it unable to discharge sand onto the railhead to help with adhesion when it experienced wheel slide conditions prior to the collision. One passenger died, while four other people on the train were seriously injured and 11 sustained injuries which required hospital treatment. The RAIB, which is investigating the incident independently, alongside British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road, stated that significant damage was caused to the leading vehicles of both trains, but neither train derailed. The collision took…

THE SECRETARY of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, has launched an independent review to ensure that the costs involved in the construction of HS2 are brought under control and not repeated on future significant infrastructure projects. The Major Transport Projects Governance and Assurance Review will investigate the oversight of major transport infrastructure projects, including the effectiveness of forecasting and reporting of cost, schedule and benefits, as well as actions to deliver cost efficiencies. It will primarily draw on experiences of HS2 to date to ensure recommendations and learnings are applied to its delivery, as well as to future projects. It is being led by senior infrastructure delivery adviser James Stewart and will present recommendations back to the Government over the winter. It was announced in the budget on October 30…

A REVIEW has been commissioned by the Transport Secretary Louise Haigh into how train companies deal with cases of suspected fare evasion. The Department for Transport said that train operators are able to use a variety of methods to ensure customers are paying the correct amount – including prosecutions. However, in recent weeks there have been a number of reports stating instances where a disproportionate approach has been taken to some rail passengers who have made a genuine mistake. The Office of Rail and Road will now carry out a review of the issue and assess operators’ enforcement and broader consumer practices in this area, including the use of prosecutions. This will include how clear terms and conditions are for passengers and how they are communicated, as well as when…

EAST COAST Main Line operator LNER has named one of its Azuma trains Thank You in recognition of those who have served and continue to serve in the Armed Forces. The train was launched into service ahead of the 2024 Remembrance Day commemorations. In addition to the prominent name fitted to the driving vehicles of Azuma 800111, a specially adapted version of LNER’s Azuma livery has seen poppies also applied beneath the cabside windows and on the bodysides. Former Royal Navy petty officer Helen Firth and Royal Air Force senior aircraft-man Will Warwick were on hand at London King’s Cross to officially launch 800111 Thank You ahead of its journey to Aberdeen on October 21, 2024. LNER has a proud and long-established relationship with the Armed Forces, with ex-service personnel…

A SPECIAL charity photographic charter event attended by 65 photographers took place at Loco-motive Services Group’s Crewe Depot on the evening of October 25 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the completion of London to Glasgow West Coast Main Line electrification in 1974. With an InterCity theme, the event featured LSG’s electric locomotive fleet of 86101 Sir William A Stanier FRS, 87002 Royal Sovereign, 90001 Royal Scot and 90002 Wolf of Badenoch, with the AC Locomotive Group’s unique 89001 Avocet and D05 Preservation Ltd’s 47828 also taking part. All of the locomotives carry the popular InterCity dark grey, red and white colours. The event was organised by Rail-ways Illustrated columnist Chris Gee, in conjunction with LSG, and raised £5000 to be shared by Martin House Children’s Hospice, Halton Hospice, the…

SCOTRAIL HAS announced plans to implement changes to some of its ticket office opening hours, with the operator saying the move is designed to deliver more visible passenger support at stations, while reflecting changing travel and ticket purchasing patterns. A study of passenger buying habits showed that for the year 2015/16, 44% of ScotRail ticket purchases were made at ticket offices, with 25% purchased either on-train or at ticket barriers, 17% through ticket vending machines, and 5% online or through the ScotRail website or app. However, the huge growth in online ticketing has seen that type of purchase surge to 43% of all sales for the current 2024/25 period, with all other forms declining. The second most popular form now is ticket vending machine sales at 20%, with on-train or…

With the demise of mail services, Royal Mail has wasted no time in sending the fleet of Class 325 EMUs, which it owns outright, for scrap. First to go were the motor coaches of the three sets that had been stored at Mossend, these being deemed unfit to move by rail due to various defects. On October 22/23, 68345 from 325006 and 68352 from 325013 were collected by Allelys and taken across Glasgow to the EMR scrap yard at King George V Dock, while 68346 from 325007 was brought south to EMR’s Kingsbury yard, where it arrived on October 25. The remaining cars of all three units were subsequently reformed to leave them as three-car sets. The first move of complete Class 325s came on October 31, with 66168 hauling…

New slab carriers The drive to replace what is now deemed the life-expired BAA and BBA fleets has seen WH Davis embark on a new conversion programme at Shirebrook using the most unlikely of donors. This will see 25 KEA box wagons cut down in height to become slab carriers, with the rebuild following the pattern set by the conversion of MBA ‘monster boxes’ into MCA/MDA ballast wagons some 20 years ago. It represents a remarkable new chapter for the rugged wagons, which were originally built by Procor in 1987/88 to transport concrete lining segments for the Channel Tunnel between Grain and Shakespeare Cliff. October 29 saw a further seven donors delivered from Wembley by RailAdventure power cars 43465 and 43484, with VTG3182/184/199 and VTG3209/216/221/237 joining the other wagons already…

ScotRail returnees All of ScotRail’s HST sets are now back with the operator following the return of the long absent HA02 and HA08 during October. Both were moved south to Wabtec, Doncaster, in February 2021 for rectification work following their original refurbishment, with HA08 subsequently heading to Wolverton in October last year. With the two sets now to the satisfaction of all parties, 37884 hauled HA08 (40608, 42055, 42571, 42019) away from Wolverton on October 17, it pausing for the night at Carlisle before continuing on to Inverness. Exactly a week later, 37608 took charge of HA02 (40602, 42292, 42562, 42045), it heading from Doncaster to Carlisle by way of Shipley and Carnforth. The next day saw HA02 deposited in Cadder Yard to await recommissioning. West Coast round-up Another rake…

A quiet period for locomotive repaints saw efforts centred on Toton depot, with three more Class 66s appearing in DB Cargo red, 66003 and 66030 appearing in quick succession after 66106 was out shopped. The paint shop also found time to give 66137 a fresh application of the livery, its original repaint having taken place back in February 2018. Vinyls have once again been the main feature among the unit fleets, the appearance of GWR’s 802106 with ‘Paddington in Peru’ branding being particularly high-profile. These are applied at the First Class end of the unit only, over cars 837106, 838106 and 839106, and mark the unit’s second time carrying vinyls, with 839106 having previously sported ‘Lily’s Kitchen Proper Food for Pets’ advertisements. Meanwhile, Remembrance poppies now adorn Greater Anglia’s 720111,…

THE BODMIN & Wenford Railway and Bodmin Diesel Group’s end of season diesel running day on November 2 celebrated 60 years since its resident Class 47 locomotive, 47306 The Sapper, first entered service with British Railways as D1787 in 1964. The locomotive has been based on the BWR since being bought for preservation in 2007 and is the only preserved Class 47 to carry the attractive Railfreight Distribution triple grey livery. Also in service during the running day was former Chiltern Railways rail-car 121020, which was used for trips along the BWR in between the main Class 47-hauled service train. The pro-diesel BWR is also home to main line diesel locomotives 37142 and 50042 Triumph. While the Class 50 is operational, the Class 37 has been out of service for…

AFTER AN absence of several weeks following the end of the main diesel gala season, early November offered two popular events for enthusiasts. The East Lancashire Railway held its annual DMU (and ‘125’) Gala on November 9/10, featuring the ELR’s resident Class 104, 105, 122 and 144 DMUs on the Heywood to Rawten-stall line. The Class 40 Appeal’s 40012 Aureol and the Bury Valiant Group’s 50015 Valiant were also on hand to recreate classic DMU ‘drags’ with the Class 104 and Class 122 in tow. However, arguably the biggest attraction was a preserved High Speed Train supplied by the 125 Group, which visited the ELR on November 8, working a one-way charter from Derby. The HST was formed of power cars 43089 and 43159 Rio Warrior, which arrived on the…

THE SCOTTISH Railway Preservation Society has added an operational three-coach Class 117 to its fleet following the sale of set L425 by the Cotswold Diesel Railcar Group on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. The Class 117 set – consisting of Driving Motor Brake Standard W51363, Trailer Composite Lavatory W59510 and Driving Motor Standard W51405 – was offered for sale in early September by the CDRG as it sought to reduce its fleet of vehicles to a manageable level. Fully serviceable, L425 made its final working appearance on the GWSR for its Autumn Showcase during the weekend of October 26/27, prior to the vehicles being split in preparation for their move north, with the movement of the Class 117 commencing in early November. The SRPS said the purchase of the DMU…

D9525 – Wirksworth: Following the engine transplant from D9537, the flywheel cover was refitted, along with the air intake tank that sits on the end of the engine. The oil pipe to the sump was also refitted. The majority of water pipes have been refitted, and those not refitted have been left off until the pump is refitted. The exhaust stack and breather pipe have also both been refitted and D9525 is now quite close to being ready to run again. D9537 – Wirksworth: Many key components have been lifted out of D9537 recently, either for fitting into D9525, or for repairs or overhaul. The power unit was removed and installed into D9525, but also taken out were both exhausters, the cooler group, control cubicle, brake frame and the generator.…

It’s all about the light.’ Of all the hints and tips that we photographers pick up over the ‘It’s years, this is the one that resonates with me the most. That, together with the importance of good composition, is something I always come back to as one of the main guiding principles of achieving satisfactory results in the field of railway photography. Those factors become even more critical when you are considering silhouette photography, which, broadly speaking, can be defined as shooting a dark subject set against a light background. In railway parlance, it’s something of a niche form of practice, which is understandable given the limited opportunities that present themselves in terms of timing and the availability of suitable locations in particular. Get it right though, and the patience…

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NETWORK RAIL Property (NRP) has launched a consultation into its plans to transform Britain’s busiest station at London Liverpool Street, with the organisation promising to redevelop the station and make it a destination in its own right. A previous scheme put forward in 2023 generated a number of objections from heritage organisations. NRP said the new plan will deliver significant improvements to public infrastructure providing “a best-in-class, destination station that protects the station’s heritage setting.” Working with international architecture company ACME, NRP said the scheme is based on a thorough understanding of the operational needs of the station and its historic significance. It is focused, it said, on providing significant improvements to the everyday experience of passengers using the station, with highlights of the plan including: ■ Increasing the size…

SOUTHEASTERN HAS announced plans to deliver improvements to more than 100 of its stations over the next six months in a £2 million project to enhance its station assets. The work will see 116 stations deepcleaned, while repairs and improvement works will be completed at 20 Southeastern-managed stations. The deep cleaning being carried out under the project will be additional to the ongoing cleaning already taking place at stations, while the repair and improvements works will see public areas repainted and passenger facilities either repaired or replaced. Southeastern said the work is part of the wider goal of building a better, more reliable and sustainable railway, with the number of passengers travelling with the train operator continuing to grow. To further support this growth, Southeastern will be introducing a new…

THE FIRST test trains operated over the first completed section of the East West Rail project on October 21 between Oxford and Milton Keynes. Departing Oxford station at 09.43, Chiltern Railways 168328 made a full journey along the reinstated line, travelling via Bicester, Winslow and Bletchley, before arriving at Milton Keynes Central 42 minutes later at 10.25, with the train reaching the full line speed of 100mph over several sections. Network Rail worked with Chiltern to operate the first train over the newly-rebuilt section as part of testing on the route. This work brings the line a step closer to reopening to passengers for the first time in nearly 60 years. The £1.2 billion East West Rail project is being delivered by Department for Transport, the East West Railway Company,…

THE POPULAR World Cup of Stations took place in mid-October, with the Merseyrail station at Maghull beating 47 other nominations to win the fiercely-contested competition. More than 100,000 votes were cast for the now-annual online contest, which showcased 48 shortlisted stations from around the country. This year’s focus was on highlighting the variety and quality of local and independent businesses operating in or around the stations, which enhance the experience of passengers and the wider economy. The World Cup of Stations also seeks to highlight the work done by volunteer station adopters and community groups who help maintain and improve the appearance of their local stations, working in conjunction with the train operating companies responsible for them. The Rail Delivery Group, which organises the online event, said that Maghull’s success…

The ongoing project by DB Cargo to regear 10 Class 66s is reaching an advanced stage, with the seventh completed locomotive re-entering service with the freight operator at the beginning of November. 66657 emerged from Toton in Nottinghamshire on test, accompanied by 66114, to Doncaster and back on November 1, with the locomotive subsequently entering traffic a few days later. The latest conversion was originally numbered 66183 and now joins the other six DBC regeared Class 66/6s which entered traffic between April and September. The regeared locomotives have a lower gear ratio, enabling them to haul heavier trains than a standard unmodified Class 66. A further three locomotives from the DBC Class 66 fleet are still to be regeared, with 66147/171/181 currently identified as the trio still to be treated…

Work on the reactivation of 90040 by Freightliner at Crewe Basford Hall was understood to be at an advanced stage in mid-November, as this issue was being prepared, with testing of the locomotive thought to be imminent. It has retained its DBC red and grey paintwork, but with Freightliner branding applied to the body sides and cab fronts, in advance of a future full repaint to the revived electric locomotive. The Class 90 was purchased from DB Cargo – along with 90018 – in early 2024, with the two loco-motives moving the short distance from Crewe Electric Depot to Basford Hall on April 26. 90040 was stored by DBC in May 2020, with 90018 having been taken out of service in August the previous year. They were part of a…

Northern reforms 150s Two more three-car Class 150s are to be formed by Northern to help strengthen services in Yorkshire, such as on the Penistone line. November 2 saw 150226 released from overhaul at Wolverton finished in plain white in preparation for being disbanded and forming the required centre cars, the set running to Heaton. Four days later, 52226 could be found inserted in 150132 at the depot and awaiting renumbering as 150007. Mean-while, 57226 is provisionally earmarked to go into 150111 when it returns from its current overhaul at Wolverton. EMR begins refurbs East Midlands Railway has commenced its long-awaited C6 overhaul programme on its Class 158 fleet with the dispatch of 158847 to Bristol Barton Hill. As well as the overhaul, the unit will receive a repaint in…

Great Western Railway Long-time Laira favourite 08641 has made a welcome return to traffic at the Plymouth depot after more than five years on the sidelines. The shunter was originally stopped with wheelset defects and stored inside the workshops. More recently, depot apprentices were handed the task of repairing the locomotive, with the final jobs being completed in mid-October. Its return was well-timed; with 08836 now based at Penzance, it left only 08644 available for use at Laira. Positive Traction Battery conversion 08308 under-went two weeks of trials with Heidelberg Materials at Whatley Quarry following its arrival from Barrow Hill on October 11. This involved moving stone trains of more than 1000 tonnes between the reception sidings and quarry loading area, both hauling and propelling the trains, to test the…

VOLUNTEERS FROM the Class 50 Alliance visited the Mid-Hants Railway during the weekend of November 9/10 to help reinstall the English Electric 16CSVT engine into privately-owned 50027 Lion, which has been out of traffic for the past three years after suffering a main generator failure on December 31, 2021, while conducting a line-checking run along the MHR’s route. 50027 was originally bought by Mike Fuller in early 1992 following withdrawal by BR and made its preservation debut on the MHR on May 17, 1992. Following Mr Fuller’s death in August 2019, it is now maintained by his son, Andy, and a supporting team of volunteers. It remains in the Fuller family’s ownership. The C50A owns a specialist lifting beam which allows for the safe removal and reinstallation of Class 50…

A REMARKABLE mass preservation scheme has seen 21 of the 41-strong second-generation 4ft-gauge Glasgow Subway trains secure new homes and avoid scrapping following their withdrawal from the subway system last summer. The trains operated on Glasgow’s six-and-a-half mile ‘clock work orange’ subway and were originally built by Metro-Cammell at Washwood Heath in the West Midlands between 1977 and 1979. The fleet originally consisted of 33 motor cars, numbered 101-133, and these were joined by eight trailer cars, 201-208, in 1992 to provide additional capacity. They continued in service on the subway pending the entry into service of a brand-new third-generation fleet built by Stadler. The first of the new trains entered service in December 2023 and following their phased introduction, the last operational members of the second-generation fleet were withdrawn…

THE FIRST Class 101 diesel multiple unit vehicle cosmetically restored to resemble one of the long-scrapped Yellow Diamond Metro-Cammell Lightweight (Met-Camm) diesel multiple units has emerged from the workshops at Weybourne on the North Norfolk Railway following repainting. Owned by the NNR’s supporting charity, the Midland & Great Northern Society, Driving Trailer Standard Lavatory E56062 is in as-built condition and now renumbered E79263 as a replica of the very first Met-Camm set to be delivered to the Eastern Region. The original E79263 was allocated to Norwich and would have worked over the line now operated by the NNR while it was still operated by British Railways. The cosmetic changes have focused on those areas different on the Met-Camm sets to those of the Class 101s. On the cab, additional marker lights…

From as early as I can remember, the click of a camera shutter has been part of my life. Brainwashed from birth, my father would take me out to see the passing trains and this then led on to photographing the engines as they passed. With great encouragement, Dad gave me my first camera at just five years old. It was a Pentax K1000 35mm, the model that would lay the foundations for what became my career and passion. Being an enthusiastic amateur photographer himself, Dad played a pivotal role in nurturing my skills. Together we would venture out to photograph steam locomotives across the country; here my path crossed with esteemed railway photographers such as the late Peter Skelton and Malcolm Ranieri, who were very keen to help me…

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Locomotive No 32 Tamerline became the first steam locomotive to be completed at Crewe Works on 10 March 1843. One hundred and fifteen years later BR 9F No 92250 became the 7,331st steam locomotive to be built at the Cheshire works, when completed in December 1958. This publication is a tribute to the thousands of people employed there during the steam locomotive building era. In 1913 The Railway Magazine proudly described Crewe as “the most famous railway works in the world”. Indeed, railways throughout the world benefited from adopting ‘best Crewe practice’. Many who worked at Crewe in its heyday, first under the London & North Western Railway and later the London Midland & Scottish Railway, held the firm belief that the works was the ‘beating heart’ of the Cheshire…