Sam Hewitt

‘Polar Express’ success spurs Vintage Trains to bigger things for 2019

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Sam Hewitt

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6th February 2019

THE incredible success of running ‘Polar Express’ services on the main line between Birmingham Moor Street and Tyseley has led Vintage Trains (VT) to outline an ambitious programme of steam specials and other charter possibilities for 2019. What is also remarkable is just two months before the ‘Polar Express’ specials started, VT was granted its…
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Crewe’s June open day to have more than 30 exhibits

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Sam Hewitt

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6th February 2019

TICKETS for the June 8 open day at Crewe diesel depot will go on sale at 10.00 on February 6. A planned line-up of more than 30 locomotives and units means the event is shaping up well, according to organisers. The charity All Change event is being held at the Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) depot,…
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70 YEARS BEHIND THE LENS

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Sam Hewitt

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6th February 2019

He took his first train photograph in 1949 and is still active on the lineside today. We turn the spotlight on one of Britain’s best-known and most prolific railway photographers – Les Nixon. by Nick Pigott THE name Dr L A Nixon first came to my attention 54 years ago. I’d just had my first…
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There must be a much better way to procure and commission rolling stock…

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Sam Hewitt

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6th February 2019

A QUESTION I find myself asking rather too often is: ‘Would the rolling stock crisis that is badly affecting the industry have occurred on BR’s watch?’ In excess of 22 Class 345 Crossrail EMUs – more than 200 carriages – are currently stabled at Old Oak Common, standing idle because of the delays and cost…
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FEBRUARY 2019

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Sam Hewitt

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6th February 2019

Headline News ‘Caley’ Sleeper Mk5s make London debut, Vintage Trains to expand railtour operations, Class 50 Alliance teamsup with GB Railfreight, TfL shortens ‘378s’ for GOBLIN stand-in role, Island Line decision deferred, East Lancs heritage operations threatened by commuter andtram-train proposals. Track Record The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest 70 Steam & Heritage March launch…
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It’s a breeze as Alstom and Eversholt Rail unveil hydrogen train for UK

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Sam Hewitt

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4th February 2019

ALSTOM and Eversholt Rail have unveiled plans to re-engineer a number of Class 321 EMUs to run on hydrogen. The first units could be in service by 2021. Following Alstom’s successful introduction of the ‘Coradia’ iLint hydrogen trains in Germany, there is a focus to create a similar train in the UK, and the two…
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Freightliner wins massive Mendip stone contract

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Sam Hewitt

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4th February 2019

Freightliner scored a major coup when it secured one of the country’s biggest railfreight contracts.
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WSR plc Prairie will be sold to WSRA after volunteer buyout plan is rejected

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Sam Hewitt

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4th February 2019

HE West Somerset Railway plc has agreed to sell unrestored GWR 2-6-2T No. 4110 to the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA), despite the latter not currently having the funds to pay for it. The move comes after rejection of a proposal to acquire the 1936-built Large Prairie made by a group of WSR staff and volunteers…
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Transport for London modifies Class 378s to cover ‘Goblin’ DMU shortfall

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Sam Hewitt

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4th February 2019

THERE is still no sign of any of the eight Class710 EMUs nearing service on the Gospel Oak to Barking line (‘Goblin’), leading Transport for London (TfL) to cover the shortfall of Class 172 DMU with modified Class 378s. The delay in accepting the new four-car Bombardier units – which should have been in service…
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Rossendale rail revival puts future of East Lancs Railway under threat

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Sam Hewitt

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4th February 2019

By Ben Jones TWO proposals to improve public transport links between Rossendale and central Manchester have thrown the future of the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) heritage operation into doubt. Rossendale Borough Council (RBC) is one of three local authorities which own the ELR trackbed and is driving forward plans to introduce regular peak-period commuter trains…
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Sam Hewitt

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