Sam Hewitt

RAILFREIGHT companies have given up almost 50% of their timetabled (but unused) weekly paths as part of an industry-wide initiative to create extra capacity on the national network. A major timetable reorganisation is now being implemented by Network Rail and operators that should open up more slots for passenger and freight trains or reduce congestion…

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THE 7¼in-gauge line in Wellington Country Park, Riseley, North Hampshire, has proved such a popular attraction since opening in 1980 that it has been increased in capacity through regauging to 12¼in, along with incorporating new stock. Alan Keef Ltd has relayed the track and provided a new steam-outline 0-6-0DH – Arthur – which is notable…

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THE Avon Valley Railway’s April 8-9 diesel gala welcomed Somerset & Dorset Locomotives’ (S&D Locos) Class 20 No. D8059 from the Severn Valley Railway. Also in operation for the event was resident BR blue-liveried Class 31 No. 5518 (31101). Class 08 No. 08202 and Kingswood 0-4-0D (Barclay 446 of 1959) were also in use until the latter…

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THE Heritage Shunters Trust (HST) at Rowsley South, Peak Rail, received a particularly interesting addition to its extensive collection on January 11 (RM March, p84). Former BR No. PWM650 – one of five 165DE class Ruston & Hornsby 0-6-0DEs ordered by BR(WR) for departmental duties in the 1950s – joins No. PWM654, already in the care of…

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BO’NESS & KINNEIL Railway Class 47 No. 47643 crosses Avon viaduct with the 15.35 Bo’ness-Manuel on April 2. The Type 4 was used to make sure it was in perfect working order, prior to heading the ‘Royal Scotsman’ (RS) coaches on their warm-up runs on the line. This is currently the only working loco on the…

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THE Bowes Railway received two Ruston & Hornsby diesel-electric locos from the Port of Sunderland Authority, South Docks on March 21. These were the last two locos of a one-time significant fleet of steam and diesel locos serving the once extensive rail system of Hudson and Hendon Docks, collectively known as South Docks. The port is…

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  FORMER DRS Class 37 No. 37688 ran south from Scotland to the Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) in late March, de-branded and devoid of its Kingmoor TMD nameplates. It remains mainline registered and certified, so undertook the final leg of its journey running under its own power, light engine, from Norwich to Wymondham around lunch time on…

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EX-Penrhyn Large Quarry type Hunslet 0-4-0ST Gertrude (HE995/1909) has been repatriated by Statfold Barn Railway (SBR), having spent more than half a century in Canada. It was displayed at SBR’s March 25 open day. Gertrude was withdrawn from Penrhyn Quarry service in February 1955 and sold on September 13, 1960. It was bought by Charles…

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FULLY restored ex-Burton and Ashby Light Railway Tram No. 14 made its public debut at SBR’s March 25 open day. It offered rides over the newly laid railway to Oak Tree on the fields side of the roadway line. The dedicated shed to house the tram has been completed together with a street-style terminus with waiting…

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STATFOLD Barn Railway (SBR) opened its new season with a stunning March 25 open day. The two field lines featured 17 SBR locos plus Phil Mason’s visiting Kerr, Stuart ‘Sirdar’ class 0-4-0T Diana in steam. The home fleet included the public debut of newly restored ex-Rugby Portland Cement, Southam, Peckett Liassic (1632/1923), repatriated from Canada…

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