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Sam Hewitt

  • Chinese-built steam back on USA main line

    Chinese-built steam back on USA main line

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    One of two Chinese-built ‘QJ’ 2-10-2 steam locos – based on the Iowa Interstate freight railroad – has been in action this summer operating short-distance day trips to raise funds and awareness for local fire departments in towns along the railroad’s route.  Two ‘QJs’ (Nos. 6988 and 7081, built in 1985 and 1986, respectively) were imported…

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  • Time running out for Italy’s ‘Tartarughe’

    Time running out for Italy’s ‘Tartarughe’

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE last few remaining Italian Railways Class 444 ‘Tartarughe’ (Tortoise) electric locos are expected to be withdrawn by December. They are being replaced by more modern locos, and most recently by second-hand, Italian-built ‘Fyra’ high-speed trains from The Netherlands. Italian State Railways introduced the first Class 444 locos in 1967 when they were the most…

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  • Rare ex-BR shunter still working at Worth Valley

    Rare ex-BR shunter still working at Worth Valley

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    FORMER BR 0-6-0DM No. D2511 (Hudswell, Clarke No. D1202 of 1961)  – the only survivor of a class of 10 – serves as the yard pilot at Oxenhope, where it is seen on June 16. It was withdrawn from Barrow-in-Furness (12C) in December 1967 and passed to the National Coal Board’s Brodsworth Colliery, Doncaster the following…

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  • EARM Drewry restoration completed

    EARM Drewry restoration completed

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE East Anglian Railway Museum’s Class 04 No. D2279 has been repainted in BR green with wasp stripes each end, and now sees regular use at Chappel & Wakes Colne.  It was away for some time while receiving attention by Peter Briddon at Darley Dale, returning in July 2018. The Drewry shunter will soon be joined…

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  • Great Western railcar progresses at KESR

    Great Western railcar progresses at KESR

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    GWR diesel railcar No. W20W is receiving a thorough overhaul at Tenterden on the Kent & East Sussex Railway (KESR). No. 20 was built at Swindon in 1940, withdrawn in 1962, and after four years of storage was bought by the KESR.  It arrived by rail as an ‘out-of-gauge load’ in April 1966. Years of restoration followed,…

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  • ‘Shakespeare Express’ 2019 season underway

    ‘Shakespeare Express’ 2019 season underway

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    Vintage Trains reintroduced its popular ‘Shakespeare Express’ between Birmingham Snow Hill and Stratford-upon-Avon on July 21.  Two return trips per day will operate on August 4, August 18, September 1 and September 15, with BR ‘Castle’ No. 7029 Clun Castle taking charge, except on August 4 when ex-LMS ‘Jubilee’ No. 45596 Bahamas is booked to…

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  • Bo’ness & Kinneil Class 27 makes long journey to Kent

    Bo’ness & Kinneil Class 27 makes long journey to Kent

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE Class 27 Locomotive Group’s No. 27001 received attention at Bo’ness prior to making an extended visit to the Spa Valley Railway in Kent (RM June, p93).  It is seen outside the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway’s modern motive power depot at Bo’ness on July 12, ready for departure, set for the 29th. The Sulzer Type 2…

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  • Avon Valley buys a ‘Gronk’ for £1

    Avon Valley buys a ‘Gronk’ for £1

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE Avon Valley Railway took delivery of fully operational Class 08 No. 08663 on July 8 – being in effect a donation from Great Western Railway (GWR). The loco has been used in recent years at GWR’s St Philip’s Marsh depot, Bristol for moving diesel multiple units and high-speed train carriages around the depot. The 350hp…

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  • NNR launches Reedham signalbox appeal

    NNR launches Reedham signalbox appeal

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    THE North Norfolk Railway (NNR) has launched a £35,000 appeal to cover the costs of transporting Reedham Junction signalbox in Norfolk to its new location at Holt, and its restoration as a working museum, reports Richard Horner. The 1904-built Great Eastern Railway ‘box has been gifted to the NNR by Network Rail  (RM May, p85),…

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  • Stoneblower derailment causes chaos at Victoria

    Stoneblower derailment causes chaos at Victoria

    by

    Sam Hewitt

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    GATWICK Express and Southern services suffered severe disruption on July 9 after a Network Rail stoneblower derailed at London Victoria.  The vehicles had been engaged in overnight track maintenance in the station throat when one of the three sections became derailed on pointwork at around 03.00.  GEX services were suspended and Southern operated an emergency…

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