Tonight we have a quick Flying Scotsman update. Progress towards arguably the most controversial overhaul of a steam locomotive are making more significant and positive steps that should help see it returned to steam in 2015. Flying Scotsman’s tender has now left the NRM and joined the locomotive at the workshop of Riley & Son (E) Bury, where…
2016 will be 175 years since Daniel Gooch recommended to Isambard Kingdom Brunel to locate the Great Western Railway’s main locomotive works in Swindon. Located half way between Bristol and Reading, Swindon was an ideal location. The developments associated with the GWR accelerated development of the town that is now the biggest in Wiltshire. A…
Stanier’s 8F 2-8-0 class were built as important upgrades for dated 0-6-0 Midland engines and at the beginning of the Second World War when railways were effectively nationalised they were the most modern class of freight engine. As a result they were chosen as the best freight design to be produced as a standard for War Department use until…
This week the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway launched an appeal aimed at returning Ivatt 2MT Tank 41241 back into running order in time for the preserved railway’s 50 Anniversary celebrations that will take place in June 2018.
Good evening Today it was announced that the Mid Hants Mind The Gap apprenticeship project is one of seven finalists in the Heritage category of the 2015 National Lottery Awards! The Mind the Gap project aims to preserve the railway line by providing 14 young people with two-year apprenticeships in heritage engineering and carpentry.…
That’s right, it’s back! New build A1 class 60163 Tornado has returned to service after the completion of its first overhaul. The locomotive has once again been painted in British Railways apple green after being BR express blue prior to withdrawal. This is excellent news to all those who admire this recreation of Peppercorns long…
The Severn Valley Railway is holding a competition to celebrate it’s golden jubilee. To enter, all you need do is buy a ticket on the line from 5th July. Six people lucky people will receive a golden ticket, giving them and a guest an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour – something that will surely attract many enthusiasts!
Hornby’s marketing team have to be congratulated in the way that they “leaked” the announcement that they are planning to add some new rolling stock to Southern modellers layouts in 2016. Over the previous weekend, the first video to be released of the company’s forthcoming Adams radial tank running with a set of unusual looking…
Seven years ago, after a break away from heritage railways of several years I made a trip to Ropley loco yard, on the Mid Hants Railway. Locomotive yards had always been places that I’ve loved, places where you can find a number of steam engines in one place. On this particular day two locomotives really…
A few weeks ago we reported that the Severn Valley Railway was to run two special trains from Bridgnorth to the “lost” Eardington Halt to raise money for the construction of a lost steam locomotive class – a BR 3MT 2-6-2T. The sold-out specials were hauled by ex-GWR 14xx 1450 (pictured at Bridgnorth above.) We are happy…
Loco Yard 