Sam Hewitt

MOST of the 10 Class 88 electro-diesels for Direct Rail Services (DRS) have now been completed at Stadler’s Valencia plant and are starting to receive their final livery and nameplates. In a move likely to find favour with enthusiasts, several of the fleet carry names previously applied to BR ‘EM1’ and ‘EM2’ Woodhead Route electrics…

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The Dartmoor Railway ran a Sulzer weekend on February 4-5 with the three locos and five of the vehicles used on the Christmas ‘Polar Expresses’. The event was held in conjunction with the Dartmoor Railway Supporters’ Association. The train was formed on Friday (3rd), with Class 33 No. 33035 on the Crediton end of vehicles Nos. 9492,…

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No. D2554 – one of four surviving Class 05s out of 69 Hunslet-built 0-6-0DMs – has a unique history. Originally No. 11140, and being on the Isle of Wight, it survived in BR service and was the only example to gain a TOPS number in 1974, as No. 05001. Later departmental No. 97803, it was withdrawn in…

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WENSLEYDALE Railway Class 47 No. 47715 Haymarket, smartly turned out in Network SouthEast livery, poses beside Leeming Bar signalbox for a night shoot on January 20. This loco is available for driver experience courses on one of the longest heritage railways in the country. Packages to suit all needs are available, including a taster experience consisting…

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TRANSPORT for London has announced the planned route for the Bakerloo Line extension, which will see the line extended from its current terminus at Elephant & Castle to Lewisham. The £3billion scheme will include two new stations along the Old Kent Road, an interchange with the main line at New Cross Gate and Lewisham, plus…

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CONSTRUCTION of the Northern Line extension from Battersea to Kennington is set to get underway following delivery of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The TBMs were lowered underground at Battersea by a 750-tonne crane on February 12. They will now be fully assembled within two 77 metre-long launch tunnels before setting off in March to…

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THE 10¼in-gauge railway in Poole Park, Dorset, closed in November with uncertainty over reopening this year. The 660-yard circular lakeside line opened in 1949 and has been operated by owner Chris Bullen since 2004. The Borough of Poole (BOP) is obliged to put future operation out to competitive tender as the present lease on the…

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THE closed Lisburn to Antrim branch line witnessed some driver route-learning specials on January 25 ahead of engineering between Lisburn and Lurgan. Antrim is to be one of the locations for loading stone, and the use of the branch allows for the transfer of ballast trains by avoiding the Belfast city corridor. The work involves…

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THE boiler of Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway Historical Trust’s Peckett 0-6-0ST Jurassic (1008/1903) has been returned to the loco’s frames at the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway’s Skegness workshops. This followed the return of the boiler, firebox and smokebox after being overhauled at North Norfolk Railway’s Weybourne works. Reassembly of Jurassic is now progressing with the…

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THE January sitting of Tynwald (Isle of Man Parliament) has voted to retain Douglas Bay Horse Tramway over its full length. The 3ft-gauge tramway will remain double-track in the centre of the road along the promenade between Summerhill and Broadway, then single-track on to the Sea Terminal. The future length and location of the tramway…

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