News

By David Staines THE Hythe Pier Railway in Hampshire is facing an uncertain future. The 2ft-gauge line forms part of an important commuter link between the New Forest and the commercial centre of Southampton and is worked by electric locomotives built in 1917 by Brush for the First World War. If the railway remains open,…

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TYSELEY Locomotive Works is offering people the opportunity to secure early-seat bookings on the first trains worked by its flagship Collett 4-6-0 No. 7029 Clun Castle by inviting supporters to bid for component sponsorship in the final phase of the ‘Castle’s’ overhaul. It is 50 years since No. 7029 hauled its first train in preservation, and it…

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THE Rother Valley Railway (RVR) has become connected to the rail network once again after Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy opened new sidings on December 6. The sidings will be used to store Network Rail engineering trains, but also provide a connection for the RVR, and is another step in the Kent and East…

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NEW EMUs for the Merseyrail network are to be provided by Stadler. The Swiss-based manufacturer has won the battle to provide 52 four-car trains for entry into full service from the end of 2020, replacing the 59 Class 507 and 508 units, which reach their 40th anniversary in 2018. Stadler beat off competition from Bombardier,…

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THE new Chiltern Railway service from central Oxford to London Marylebone began on December 11, the first new rail link between two major cities for 100 years. A formal opening with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling was held on the following day. Chiltern opened a new twin track line from Bicester to Oxford Parkway 12 months…

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THE first UK-built five-car Class 800 IEP has rolled off the production line at Hitachi Rail Europe’s (HRE) new £82million train building factory at Newton Aycliffe. It is just 15 months since the then Prime Minister David Cameron formally opened the facility. Set No. 800005 emerged to a fanfare from the commissioning shed on December 9…

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THE rejection by a High Court judge of an application by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) for an injunction against the strikes on Southern by rail union ASLEF has failed. GTR had been given leave to appeal but the ruling means the strikes over driver-only operation (DOO) continue. GTR had argued the strikes were a ‘breach…

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THE CUSTODIANS of Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0ST No. 3837 are appealing for help in the restoration of the Lavender Line-based locomotive after membership dropped from 40 to just 19. Brian Davis, of the Hawthorn Leslie 3837 Preservation Society, has contacted the local and railway press in an effort to drum up some support for the former…

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THE Lincolnshire Wolds Railway will have three working steam locomotives on its books during May when the Ludborough line plays host to a visit from the former Wissington Light Railway stalwart Hudswell, Clarke Wissington. The 1938-built 0-6-0ST (No. 1700) will visit the ex-Great Northern Railway line, courtesy of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway…

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FOR many the withdrawal and scrapping of Churchward ‘Saint’ No. 2920 Saint David by British Railways in 1953 was the last opportunity to see one of the graceful 4-6-0s in BR’s lined black livery. Now, 64 years later, that opportunity is just around the corner once again. Thanks to an agreement between photo-charter specialist Timeline…

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