The Swindon and Cricklade Railway have launched an appeal to secure the future of Spartan. Spartan is a Polish Tkh 0-6-0 tank engine built in 1953 by the Fablok Company in the town of Chzanov. Remarkably, 3135 Spartan is the first steam locomotive owned by the preserved railway, despite it being established in 1978. It moved to the…
A few days ago the Kent and East Sussex Railway Saturday Gang recently published a new update. The group work in the railway’s locomotive workshops in Rolvenden, overhauling and repairing the light railway’s fleet of locomotives. Details of work on six steam locomotives and Ransomes and Rapier 30-ton Steam Crane DS81 are provided in the latest…
Icons of Steam have a collection of remarkable steam locomotives. Where possible the locomotives are kept in working order and where possible on the mainline. The locomotive in the collection that is in the news currently is world famous 46100 Royal Scot. Today Royal Scot was delivered to the Severn Valley Railway, where it will run a…
A new potash mine is to open near Sneaton, which in itself is quite remarkable, being the first to open for forty years. As part of the new development, Sirius Minerals are required to pay significant developer contributions to mitigate the transport impacts of the new site. This will provide a very useful £4.5 million…
It is important not to lose sight of the fact that railways were developed first and foremost for moving freight. On the modern day heritage railway, except when charters are run, a goods train rarely directly generates revenue, for the days of pick-up goods are long gone. It is therefore especially pleasing to see the lengths that preserved…
Speculation as to whether the Government’s announcement that they are to pause the electrification of the Midland Mainline might adversely affect the project to bridge the gap between both preserved section’s of the former Great Central Railway mainline has been mounting. Great Central Railway PLC have released the below statement to inform us of the situation. There…
Two years ago the Bluebell Railway realized a significant ambition by re-connecting with East Grinstead. The northern extension was a remarkable feat and achievement for the preserved line. The completed northern extension has proven to be beneficial to the Bluebell Railway and beyond for the local economy. Since then the railway opened the extension it has…
Somehow over a month has gone by since the last Watercress Line update. It seems that time does fly when you’re having fun and that’s exactly why many people are currently visiting the line. Thomas the Tank Engine is currently ruling the roost at Ropley, with many of his adoring fans and their parents visiting the railway. …
There are currently three vacancies being advertised to join me in working on the Watercress Line’s CanPac Project – Engineering a Future from the Past. We are looking for an Outreach and Interpretation Officer and two Apprentices (a Carpenter and a Fabricator.) The project has a number of engineering, publicity and educational elements that will see…
Today we have received some fantastic news. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S.N. Co. moved for the first time under its own steam in 51 years. 35006 becomes the fourth Merchant Navy class to be returned to working order in preservation and is currently the only one in serviceable condition. Other Sister locomotives that have run in preservation (35005 Canadian…
Loco Yard 