Features

Archive: Cornwall’s industrial steam survivors in 1975

by

Mark Lancaster

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13th June 2026

From the March 1975 issue of The Railway Magazine, this archive extract looks at industrial steam locomotives still present in Cornwall after the main-line railways of the county were fully dieselised in 1964. The article covers locations including Par Harbour, Falmouth Docks and Penlee Quarries. Cornwall after dieselisation WHEN the main-line railways of Cornwall were…
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Postman’s Pride returns to Parcels red at Lydney

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Mark Lancaster

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30th May 2026

FRESH from its hire period with RSS, No. 08888 has received attention at Lydney, this culminating with a repaint out of BR green and back into Parcels red, recreating its early-1990s look while based on Tyneside. The loco has also had its corresponding Postman’s Pride nameplates reapplied to complete the new look. Unveiled on March…
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From The Railway Magazine, December 1979: Bodmin returns to service on the Mid-Hants “Watercress” Line

by

Mark Lancaster

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28th May 2026

This verbatim article is taken from an old issue of The Railway Magazine and reports on a September 22 ceremony at Alresford Station. The extract covers the restored ex-Southern Railway express locomotive BR No. 34016, Bodmin, its renaming, return to service, and restoration background. Renaming at Alresford Station ON Saturday, September 22 (as reported on…
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Helston Railway buys historic viaduct key to extension plan

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Mark Lancaster

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14th May 2026

THE Helston Railway Preservation Society has added the Cober Viaduct, also known as Lowertown Viaduct, to its land portfolio. Robin Jones reports… The six-arch curved stone structure has always been seen as a key objective and the jewel in the crown in the strategy to extend the railway as far towards Helston as possible. Often…
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Historic station for sale for £1!

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Mark Lancaster

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9th May 2026

GLASGOW’S C-listed semi-derelict Possil station, built by the Caledonian Railway in 1897, can now be bought for just £1 as it has been officially declared ownerless. This move is thanks to it passing into Crown ownership under the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer scheme, meaning it could be purchased by a community group and restored…
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British Railways Trials Microfilm System for Maintenance Records at Ashford in 1953

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Mark Lancaster

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2nd May 2026

A 1953 report outlines a British Railways Southern Region trial using microfilm to store and retrieve maintenance information at Chart Leacon Repair Shops and Inspection Shed, Ashford, Kent. The trial includes Reader/Printer machinery and multiple Mercury Readers for use across repair shops and inspection depots. Have a read of the report, as it appeared in…
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Archive 1939: G.S.R. “800” Class 4-6-0 Locomotives Introduced

by

Mark Lancaster

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30th April 2026

An extract from the May 1939 issue of The Railway Magazine describing the introduction of the new “800” Class 4-6-0 locomotives of the G.S.R., including their specifications and intended service on Dublin–Cork express trains. No. 800, the first of the new series of G.S.R. 3-cylinder 4-6-0 locomotives Introduction and purpose THE first of a series…
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Archive Extract: Redbrook “Station Without a Railway” – Railway Magazine, May 1927

by

Mark Lancaster

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29th April 2026

An archive extract from The Railway Magazine describing Redbrook, Monmouth and the Coleford Railway Company, including historical notes on the line, its construction, operation under the Great Western Railway, and later removal of the permanent way. VISUALISE a sheltered valley hamlet VISUALISE a sheltered valley hamlet, a country station complete with its signal-box and other…
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Beyer Garratt K1: A 1979 Railway Magazine Archive Extract

by

Mark Lancaster

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28th April 2026

An extract from a July 1979 issue of The Railway Magazine describing the world’s first Garratt locomotive and its restoration at York. The text includes details of its history, design, and technical specifications. The world’s first Garratt locomotive THE world’s first Garratt locomotive—built in Manchester seventy years ago for service in Tasmania—has been formally presented…
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Archive: Class 47 No. 47 813 named Bolton Wanderer at Bolton Trinity Street Station

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Mark Lancaster

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25th April 2026

A naming ceremony for Class 47 No. 47 813 took place at Bolton Trinity Street Station on Friday, June 9, 1989. The locomotive, named Bolton Wanderer, was associated with the town of Bolton and its football team. Here’s the article from The Railway Magazine, August 1989 Naming ceremony at Bolton Trinity Street Station There was…
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