Great Western Railway (GWR) is proudly showcasing the history of their network and celebrating the rich heritage of Britain’s railways with brand new animated images By delving into the historical railway image archives and commissioning a photographer to capture the stations in their present-day glory, GWR has successfully showcased the gradual development of Britain’s railways over […]
Recovery Fund Boost for Churnet Valley Railway
The Churnet Valley Railway is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. This award will secure the future of the railway following the global pandemic that has thwarted many heritage sites and operations around the country. The Churnet Valley Railway ‘CVR’ in […]
Steam locomotive County of Montgomery at the GWSR
New-build Churchward ‘County’ class 4-4-0 No. 3840 County of Montgomery steam locomotive could be based on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), following the signing of a new agreement between the Churchward County Trust which is building the new engine, and the railway. The agreement, which supersedes an earlier ‘agreement in principle’ between the GWSR […]
Were the 1960s railway closures a conspiracy?
Many remember 1966 as the year England won the football world cup but as many know, it marked significant railway closures. In 1966 marked the closure of two iconic main lines. The Great Central, that marvel of railway engineering, and the much loved Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway.
Model Railway Layout Video
Video of my entire model railway layout and the thinking behind it.
Do you agree with my list of top ten steam locomotives?
Do you agree with my list of top ten steam locomotives? Some locos have held a special place in my heart over the years. I’d like to know what your favourite is and whether it’s on my list or not?
Loco hauling – should it be returned?
I’m a big fan of locomotive hauled trains and I think this type of traction offers great benefits to passengers.
Studying Locomotives at Crewe Works
Perhaps the most exciting part of my engineering training was studying locomotives at Crewe Works. I was really looking forward to getting up close and personal with actual locomotives!
How to go on holiday via the West Somerset Railway
I mentioned in another one of my blogs about going on holiday by train when I was a child. Trains are still a big part of our family today. Last Summer, we had a walking holiday with HF holidays at Selworthy near Minehead. My wife suggested that we travel there by train alighting from the mainline […]
Locomotives Stories
Have you ever wondered about locomotive stories? Through historical files and the words of working volunteers, we can tell some of those tales.
Mid Norfolk Railway Review
I visited the Mid Norfolk Railway with a group of working volunteers from the Somerset and Dorset. This was my first visit to this line which operates between Dereham and Wymondham Abbey station. British Railways closed the line in 1969.
How to rebuild a Mark 1 carriage
Understandably many railway enthusiasts focus on locomotives. For this Blog post though I should like to consider M34527 – a British Railways (BR) Mark 1 BSK carriage. British Railways introduced Mark 1 carriages in 1951 and they now form the backbone of heritage railways rolling stock. M34527 is based at the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway Trust’s Midsomer Norton station.
Kings Cross Suburban Railway DVD Review
Recently, I saw an advert for a video by Transport Video Publishing called Kings Cross Suburban Railway. We all reminisce about our childhoods and when we see something that provokes a memory, we often explore it further. This DVD took me back to my childhood where I lived at Stevenage on the East Coast Main […]
Crewe Works Apprentice Training School
On the 23rd September 1974, I started my railway career which was to last for over 40 years. It was only a week since I had had my successful interview the works general offices (GO) Crewe Works. I was now an Engineering Apprentice.