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  • Unusual pairing sparkles in sunshine and snow

    Unusual pairing sparkles in sunshine and snow

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    THE rare combination of a Thompson ‘B1’ 4-6-0 and a rebuilt ‘Merchant Navy’ was the highlight of February 2’s ‘Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express’.  No. 61306 Mayflower and No. 35018 British India Line worked north to Carlisle via the West Coast Main Line and returned later in the day via the Settle to Carlisle Line, enjoying glorious conditions…

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  • Bahamas returns in style

    Bahamas returns in style

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    IT WAS a close-run thing, but ‘Jubilee’ 4-6-0 No. 45596 Bahamas made a triumphant return to the main line on February 9.  The immaculate Stanier ‘5XP’ passed a late trial to ensure its new and overhauled equipment was in full working order, and then worked through from Oxenhope on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR)…

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  • Hawthorn Leslie Met up for sale

    Hawthorn Leslie Met up for sale

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    Penbryn Engineering of Hengoed, South Wales, is seeking a buyer for ex-Metropolitan Electric Supply Company Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST Met (2800/1909). The forgotten loco was sent to the Hengoed works for restoration nearly 10 years ago, where it was dismantled and some preliminary work started. However, following the death of its owner, work ceased and, having…

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  • Plenty of variety for early-season Weardale Railway diesel operations

    Plenty of variety for early-season Weardale Railway diesel operations

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    The Weardale Railway (WR) heritage service began on March 23 and runs through to November 3.

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  • Daylight testing for TransPennine Express’s new train fleets

    Daylight testing for TransPennine Express’s new train fleets

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    TESTING of three types of new trains for the TransPennine Express franchise are being stepped up, with the new ‘Nova 1’ (Class 802) and ‘Nova 2’ (Class 397) now being seen making daylight runs.  Nova is the train name adopted by TPE for its new fleet.  The 125mph Class 397 ‘Civity’ EMU has been built…

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  • Steam-hauled overnight tour from Melbourne in the pipeline

    Steam-hauled overnight tour from Melbourne in the pipeline

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    AN AMBITIOUS four-day, 1,500km steam tour is planned for June, including sleeping cars and overnight steam-hauled travel.  The main tour loco will be North British-built Pacific R707 (1951/26997), constructed for Victorian Railways.  The train will start from Melbourne and visit Echuca, Deniliquin, Swan Hill and Piangil between June 7 and 10.  For more, email:  [email protected]…

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  • EMUs in Queensland built by Bombardier… in India!

    EMUs in Queensland built by Bombardier… in India!

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    QUEENSLAND Rail is over half way through the roll out of a new EMU fleet, after first introducing the train in December 2017.  Unlike all previous EMU fleets in Queensland this one is not being built in Australia, but instead is being built by Bombardier in India. The trains are being assembled in Savli, Gujarat,…

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  • Oil instead of coal for Puffing Billy Railway

    Oil instead of coal for Puffing Billy Railway

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    THE Puffing Billy Railway has converted one of its fleet of ‘NA’ class locos to burn oil instead of coal to reduce fire risk. The move will enable steam operation even in hot summer months.  The conversion is the first of its kind outside Europe, and was developed in conjunction with Dampflokomotiv und Maschinenfabrik (DLM)…

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  • Appeal to save North British 4-8-2 tank engine

    Appeal to save North British 4-8-2 tank engine

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    THE UK-based North British Loco (NBL) Preservation Group has announced an urgent appeal for funds to preserve North British-built, heavy duty 4-8-2T locomotive No. 25916.  The 1,067mm-gauge loco was one of 42 similar locos built for industrial use in South Africa between 1929 and 1955.  Over the years, most of them have been scrapped, but the…

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  • EE diesels stand in for DMUs

    EE diesels stand in for DMUs

    by

    Sam Hewitt

    –

    PORTUGUESE Railways (CP) recently ran the entire service at the eastern end of the Douro Valley line using loco-hauled trains for the first time in many years.  These operated between Marco de Cavaneses and Pocinho via Régua in January and February as the line west of Marco de Cavaneses was closed because of an engineering…

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