News

THE Englewood logging railway operated by timber firm Western Forest Products in the north of Canada’s Vancouver Island closed on November 7, 2017. The line was the last of hundreds of railways still in operation that were built to transport timber in both Canada and the USA, with several having been preserved as heritage or…

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GERMAN state operator DB started introducing its fleet of new Bombardier-built ‘Twindexx’ double-deck EMUs (German classes 445.0 and 446) in several parts of Germany from December 2017. The trains are being used by DB Regio to replace loco-operated push-pull trains; in some cases some of the more modern double-deck coaches previously used will be incorporated…

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DUTCH national rail operator NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) is spending around €2.5billion renewing and increasing the size of its passenger fleet. Two large EMU orders are currently in production: CAF is building 118 ‘Civity’ EMUs known as ‘Sprinter New Generation’ (SNG) – 68 three-car and 50 four-car trains – which will replace older ‘Sprinter’ EMUs and…

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THE Mid-Norfolk Railway picked up the ‘Polar Express’ franchise for Christmas 2017, running 41 trains spread over 14 days between December 1 and 23. It proved to be a great success, giving a reported sell-out passenger total of 12,300. All trains were worked by the two resident Class 47s – Nos 47367 and 47596 Aldeburgh…

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THE Severn Valley Railway has several important diesel events lined up for this year, starting with the open house weekend on April 7-8. There will be an intensive steam and diesel service and Class 50 footplate experiences at Kidderminster station. The diesel depot will be open – free of charge for Freedom of the Line…

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THE Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s Class 25, No. 25059 is seen heading down the line towards Oakworth on January 6. It was taking BR Mk 1 BS No. 43145 from long-time storage to be loaded on to road transport for transfer to the Cambrian Heritage Railways, Oswestry. The coach is being returned to operational condition following…

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THE West Somerset Railway plc-owned Class 04 No. D2271 has been out of use and stored in the sidings at Minehead and Williton since early 2011 following an engine failure. It received an overhaul, including installation of a reconditioned engine previously in WSR’s Class 03 No. D2133, with which an engine swap has been made. No. D2271’s Gardener…

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THE Strathspey Railway had the snow it hoped for, covering the Cairngorms winter landscape for its steam-hauled ‘Santa’ specials. On occasions, conditions were -13°C, with nearly a foot of snowfall at Aviemore. Class 27 No. D5394 is seen early morning on December 9 outside Aviemore shed where it was kept on standby. The railway’s next workings…

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THE Fifty Alliance’s Nos. 50007 Hercules and 50049 Defiance look set to take their distinctive EE sound back to Cornwall in June. This follows on from a return to their West Coast Main Line roots in October 2017. Pathfinder Tours has booked the 5,400hp pair for a midsummer outing from the West Midlands to the popular…

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THE Branch Line Society will be traversing unusual lines in the north- west of England on June 14, using three DRS Class 37s to raise money for The Railway Children charity. The DRS-operated train is being used to transport participants in the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ that weekend, so will have just five First Class open coaches available…

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