News

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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EAST Anglian Railway Museum-based Bagnall 0-6-0ST Lamport No. 3 (2670/1942) is on the road to a return at Chappel & Wakes Colne station, having not steamed for almost 15 years. The ex-Stewarts & Lloyds loco is undergoing a major overhaul at the museum, following its move from the Battlefield Line in March 2013. ‘Lamport’ has been…

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‘SMALL but perfectly formed’ is the hook for the Chasewater Railway’s Industrial Gala on March 18-19 when steam and diesel locomotives of varying four-wheeled types take over the railway’s operation. Chasewater’s steam operation will be largely reliant on its fleet of 0-4-0STs this year following the withdrawal for overhaul of Hunslet 0-6-0ST Holly Bank No. 3…

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THE RMT rail union is stepping up strike action over plans by two rail companies to remove or redeploy the guard. Drivers who work for Northern (Arriva Rail North) and Merseyrail voted overwhelmingly for a 24 hour walkout on March 13 after Merseyrail confirmed that the new fleet of 52 four-car trains it has ordered…

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‘MODIFIED Hall’ No. 6989 Wightwick Hall will operate with the tender belonging to Swindon & Cricklade Railway-based classmate No. 6984 Owsden Hall when it makes its first preservation runs. The decision by the 6989 Wightwick Hall Restoration Group will enable the 1948-built Hawksworth 4-6-0 to undergo testing and revenue-earning service while the group completes the loco’s own…

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