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Tyseley makes TOC debut with Birmingham ‘Polar Express’ festive trains

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd December 2018

VINTAGE Trains (VT) was set to return to full main line steam charter operation as an independent train operating company on November 29 with the first of its new ‘Polar Express’ festive specials from Birmingham Moor Street. The trains are based upon the 2004 film of the same name, and are scheduled to run four…
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Falkland’s veteran Simon unveils new ‘Patriot’ crest

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd December 2018

A NEW crest depicting a First World War ‘Tommy’ standing over the grave of a fallen comrade has been unveiled on the nameplate of new-build ‘Patriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior by Simon Weston CBE. The unveiling took place during a special Armistice commemoration event at Crewe Heritage Centre on November 10, which also provided a…
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Dual identity ‘Saint’ makes its public debut at Didcot

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd December 2018

CLEAR skies and late-autumn sunlight provided perfect conditions for the public debut of the Great Western Society’s near-completed Churchward ‘Saint’ 4-6-0 No. 2999 Lady of Legend at Didcot Railway Centre on November 17-18. Plenty of visitors turned out during the aptly named Black Saint Weekend to get their first glimpse of the loco, albeit static and…
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WSR to close for three-month ‘re-group’ after investigation

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd December 2018

THE West Somerset Railway (WSR) has made the unprecedented decision to voluntarily close for three months from January 2 to April 1, 2019 in order to ‘re-group’ following a visit by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the issuing of its findings. As a result there will be no running during the February…
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Railways call time on lineside photo permits

by

Sam Hewitt

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3rd December 2018

THE days of the lineside photography permit may be numbered as a number of preserved railways blame rising insurance costs and safety concerns for their decisions to end the issuing of permits to photographers. Lineside passes have traditionally been issued on an annual basis for a set fee. Successful applicants are then supplied with safety…
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October steam tours pay tribute to Nigel and Dennis

by

Sam Hewitt

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28th November 2018

TWO steam-hauled main line tours on October 20-21 had the sombre task of paying tribute to well-known railway figures who passed away recently.Railway Touring Company’s ‘The Yorkshireman’ on October 20 saw No. 60009 Union of South Africa carry a wreath as a mark of respect to RTC founder Nigel Dobbing (see p12). Shortly after sunrise, the…
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Flying Scotsman to haul Sir William McAlpine memorial train

by

Sam Hewitt

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28th November 2018

JANUARY 11, 2019 will see UK Railtours pay tribute to Sir William McAlpine, the hugely popular, lifelong supporter of railway heritage and preservation in the UK, who passed away earlier this year. Sir William began his career working in Hayes depot in Middlesex, which housed the McAlpine railway locomotive and wagon fleet. He maintained a…
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‘Northern Belle’ hired for Kent Hospice charity trip

by

Sam Hewitt

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28th November 2018

HEART of Kent Hospice is chartering the ‘Northern Belle’ on May 11, 2019 for a steam-hauled lunchtime excursion through the Kent countryside. A Stanier ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 from the West Coast Railway Co pool will haul the luxury train as passengers enjoy champagne and canapés, followed by a four-course meal, prepared from locally sourced organic…
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Vintage Trains starts work as an independent TOC

by

Sam Hewitt

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28th November 2018

VINTAGE Trains started work as an independent Train Operating Company (TOC) in October. The move comes after the company received its licence from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in September. Ex-GWR ‘Hall’ 4-6-0 No. 4965 Rood Ashton Hall was in charge of its first steam-hauled trips on October 9, working two Tyseley to Stratford-upon-Avon…
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Tinkerbell celebrates its 50th at Moors Valley

by

Sam Hewitt

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22nd November 2018

THE Moors Valley Railway’s (MVR) Tinkerbell 50 event on September 22-23 featured 19 examples, including the original Tinkerbell. All five of the original 1978 production batch – of what was then termed the Type F 0-4-2T – were also at the event, namely Adam, Gurkha, Sir Robert, Susan Jane and MVR resident Talos. It was…
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