Misc steam railway, traction, station and rail-related news

[editor]

My favourite station, Monmouth. If this line had survived it would have thrived through tourism.

Watch Midland Montage: 08.01.1959: Last Train from Monmouth to Ross - BFI Player

Stopping for a glass of Champagne at Symonds Yat was probably against driver regulations but this is a special occasion: the last train to steam along the Wye Valley line.

player.bfi.org.uk

 

[editor]

The genius of Victorian engineering

 

[Dogsauce]

My favourite station, Monmouth. If this line had survived it would have thrived through tourism.

Watch Midland Montage: 08.01.1959: Last Train from Monmouth to Ross - BFI Player

Stopping for a glass of Champagne at Symonds Yat was probably against driver regulations but this is a special occasion: the last train to steam along the Wye Valley line.

player.bfi.org.uk

The Wye Valley could have been a spectacular preserved line. I reckon if they hadn’t taken out the bridge at Tintern someone might have had a go at it. Imagine bursting out of that tunnel, immediately crossing over the river with the ruined abbey off to the right.

 

[Duncan2]

The Wye Valley could have been a spectacular preserved line. I reckon if they hadn’t taken out the bridge at Tintern someone might have had a go at it. Imagine bursting out of that tunnel, immediately crossing over the river with the ruined abbey off to the right.

Yep would be like SVR with knobs,or perhaps bells and whistles, on.

 

[hash tag]

The heritage railways are certainly going to suffer. Having a look at a few websites, most are just asking for cash which is hardly enticing or Imaginitive. Could they not raffle a trip round the engine sheds for a donation or similar.
For this reason, the NYMR is brilliant. They are having a silent auction next week for a change to meet piglet Etc. Failing that, how about a virtual bacon roll or cuppa. Just a shame the railway is at the end of the earth.

Virtual Shop

Due to pandemic and the loss of income WE NEED YOUR HELP. The NYMR is a registered charity and without operating this would have a substantial impact on its future. Every item in our virtual store represents a similar product or service which supports the NYMR. Your virtual gift purchased will...

www.nymr.co.uk

 

[Duncan2]

Yep-deafening silence from Loughborough's GCR railway station-guess there is work going on but nothing in steam.

 

[editor]

Looks good

Brand new series that explores the stunning architecture that lines the railway network. Transport historian and architecture enthusiast Tim Dunn celebrates the radical design and often challenging construction of many station buildings across the UK and Europe, from grand edifices in major cities to tiny rural stations serving small communities.

The Architecture the Railways Built | Yesterday Channel

Transport historian Tim Dunn explores the stunning architecture of the railway network.

yesterday.uktv.co.uk

 

[editor]

My kind of garden!

 

[davesgcr]

New recruits carry out the donkey work at Talyllyn Railway | cambrian-news.co.uk

With most staff on Talyllyn Railway in Tywyn having been furloughed due to the coronavirus lockdown, two new recruits are doing donkey work trackside and at stations on the seven-mile line.

www.cambrian-news.co.uk

 

[hash tag]

They will be giving rides next

 

[editor]

Like building a model railway!

Latest footage by VolkerFitzpatrick of SWR's flagship depot under construction. Once finished, the depot will securely stable ten 10-car Class 701 trains and provide modern facilities for SWR’s drivers, guards, and train presentation teams to clean and maintain each train every night.

 

[waxoyl]

Noticed this on my local bike ride earlier? David Bellamy opened the old railway line in 1985. For walkers and cyclists. Closed in the 1970,

 

[hash tag]

somewhere else on my list to visit, what a great place

My5

www.channel5.com

 

[hash tag]

I'm just popping down to the village pub, for a pint

On the back of a traction engine.

There are few things better

 

[Roadkill]

somewhere else on my list to visit, what a great place

My5

www.channel5.com

Bressingham is a brilliant day out. . Alan Bloom's book on how it all started is a nice read as well. He bought an old traction engine to help out with the farm at a time when they were only worth their weight as scrap metal, and ended up with a living museum.

 

[hash tag]

I'm trying to encourage my boy to go up there and volunteer...i reckon he has useful skills they could use and he's not a million miles away

 

[Sprocket.]

Sir Nigel Gresley and one of the A4 Pacific class locomotives he designed.
This one named after him.
Outside the locomotive building works at Doncaster Plant Works October 1938.

 

[Roadkill]

View attachment 215199
Sir Nigel Gresley and one of the A4 Pacific class locomotives he designed.
This one named after him.
Outside the locomotive building works at Doncaster Plant Works October 1938.

I'll see that and raise you something a lot smaller: a Problem!

They were introduced in the late 1850s, and withdrawn around 1905. I have seen it suggested that the reason they hung about for as long as they did was simply that that contrary old sod Francis Webb loved them, and he certainly did treat them to a final rebuild that kept them working top-line express trains into the twentieth century despite being nearly 40 years old and thoroughly obsolete. His successor evidently didn't share his enthusiasm and had them all cut up. If I won untold millions on the National Lottery I'd pay someone to build a new one. Of course, it'd never be allowed anywhere near the main line and its feeble power would be a headache even on preserved railways so it would be pretty much useless, but they do look cute...

e2a - actually, on the subject of pointless and expensive recreations from the LNWR, another candidate would be a Webb compound, just to see if they were actually as bad as their reputation suggests.

A Jeannie Deans class would be my choice, since they were supposed to be the best of the compounds. Handsome-looking things too.

 

[StoneRoad]

Bressingham is a brilliant day out. . Alan Bloom's book on how it all started is a nice read as well. He bought an old traction engine to help out with the farm at a time when they were only worth their weight as scrap metal, and ended up with a living museum.

Actually, I made a repeat visit last year to Bressingham, I was disappointed to find the railways ran through a wilderness, instead of the productive plant nursery I remembered. The track on the 2ft needed some work, imo - they had just done the 15" route.
after my previous one, which was about 15 years or more ago.
My most memorable previous visit was about 15 or years more ago. This was before Alan B died, he was driving one of the 2ft quarry Hunslets - we had quite the chat. And both the Krupp 15" locos were working and looking splendid.

 

[Roadkill]

Actually, I made a repeat visit last year to Bressingham, I was disappointed to find the railways ran through a wilderness, instead of the productive plant nursery I remembered. The track on the 2ft needed some work, imo - they had just done the 15" route.
after my previous one, which was about 15 years or more ago.
My most memorable previous visit was about 15 or years more ago. This was before Alan B died, he was driving one of the 2ft quarry Hunslets - we had quite the chat. And both the Krupp 15" locos were working and looking splendid.

I quite liked the wilderness - although if I'm honest I was looking after my nephew, who was two at the time, so rather than looking at the scenery I was anxiously watching to make sure he couldn't fall out!

 

[cybershot]

The Archaeology of HS2 - Uncovering the Curzon Street roundhouse

Join our online archaeology event to find out about exciting discoveries in the West Midlands.

www.eventbrite.co.uk

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Actually, I made a repeat visit last year to Bressingham, I was disappointed to find the railways ran through a wilderness, instead of the productive plant nursery I remembered. The track on the 2ft needed some work, imo - they had just done the 15" route.

My only visit to Bressingham must have been mid 80s, someone I know who went a year or two back said it seemed a bit run down

 

[editor]

Fuck's sake

 

[StoneRoad]

Fuck's sake

Bliddy 'ell, can't these candidates for Darwin awards leave anything alone ?
It must be heartbreaking for the volunteers at such places.
Vandalism (& littering) are unfortunately far, far too common. Not just heritage railways, but other attractions and beauty spots seem fated to receive this unwanted attention. Even in lockdown ...

 

[ricbake]

Noticed this on my local bike ride earlier? David Bellamy opened the old railway line in 1985. For walkers and cyclists. Closed in the 1970,View attachment 213460View attachment 213462

Used to get the train from Bollington to Macclesfield just south of there.

 

[angusmcfangus]

A piece of history in the making, enabling works at the beginning of the Chiltern tunnels hs2.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

 

[hash tag]

and there's more

My5

www.channel5.com

 

[hash tag]

This will go well...East Croydon Station is moving?

Plans announced to demolish and move East Croydon station

East Croydon station could be moving to a new location if plans for a major railway upgrade in the area are approved, and funding found.

www.ianvisits.co.uk

 

[StoneRoad]

Just been scanning through the current scream jiiiihad (ie Steam Railway Mag) and lockdown is causing more than loss of revenue to the Heritage Railway sector.
The number of vandal and theft outbreaks is alarming, reports include ...
Some twunts have nicked a load of non-ferrous parts from Horden at the Tanfield - scrap value under £1k but the machined parts will cost over £20k to replace and delay the return to steam by some months, leaving aside lockdown hiatus.
Windows smashed on rake of coaches (MNR at dereham) - this has happened to several lines in recent years.
Arson at Dean Forest railway, a waggon was set alight.

Talking of Arson.
Some real TWUNTS have had anther go at Dunston Staithes. On May 16th the top deck was completely destroyed by fire.
These are (were) unique survivors of the Tyneside coal export industry, dating from 1890 or thereabouts (they say 1893, but I think the original, first version was a lot older). This follows similar arson attacks in 2003 and 2019 as well as previous dates, including one which dumped the sole remaining waggon tipper into the tidal river and severed the end section at the water line.
The schedule monument and grade II listed structure - reputed to be Europe's largest timber edifice - is owned by the Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust who are, yet again, fundraising for repairs. They are probably looking at needing a six-figure sum, although they are starting at £25,000.