railway heritage

From the archive: graffiti, ‘jumbo’ steam trains and £25 fares – railway concerns in 1989

by

Mark Lancaster

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29th September 2026

From the September 1989 issue of The Railway Magazine, Peter Kelly considered the growing graffiti problem on the railway and the economics of main line steam excursions. The piece also looked at a proposed 488-seat train over the Settle & Carlisle line and the costs involved in operating steam-hauled services. Signs of the times PERHAPS…
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From the archive: Forty years of rail-air at Gatwick in 1975

by

Mark Lancaster

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16th September 2026

In September 1975, The Railway Magazine looked back at forty years of rail-air links at Gatwick. The article traced the story from the opening of Tinsley Green station in 1935 through to the rail connection serving the airport in 1975. FORTY YEARS OF RAIL-AIR AT GATWICK WHEN Airports Limited planned its new “air station” at…
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Historic achievement as East Lancashire Railway welcomes its first female steam locomotive driver

by

Mark Lancaster

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8th September 2026

The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is celebrating a landmark moment in its history following the successful completion of the driving assessment by Steph Elwood, who has become the railway’s first female steam locomotive driver. Steph’s achievement marks the culmination of a long journey on the railway, following the traditional route through the steam department from…
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A Good Read: Yorkshire Railway Disasters

by

Mark Lancaster

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5th September 2026

This is an intriguing book and it details all serious rail accidents and collisions across Yorkshire from 1840 to the most recent, a freight train collision in 2022, reports Pip Dunn. Each incident is given a brief review of what happened, what caused it and what action was taken in regards ascertaining the most likely…
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Upcoming events at Pendon Museum!

by

Mark Lancaster

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18th August 2026

Preschool Craft & Activity Mornings 10am – 12pm on Thursdays 27th August, 24th September & 29th October Crafts and activities for ages 3 to 5 (siblings under 3 welcome) from 10am – 12pm. Each session is £5 per child, siblings under 3 attend for free. Tickets and more information on the session’s theme on our website https://pendonmuseum.com/events/preschool-craft-activity-mornings (Please…
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From the archive: Glasgow museum receives one of Britain’s last fireless steam locomotives

by

Mark Lancaster

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13th August 2026

From the August 1969 issue of The Railway Magazine, A. Kempsell reported on the preservation of a fireless steam locomotive formerly used at Dalmarnock Power Station. The locomotive had been presented to Glasgow’s Museum of Transport by the South of Scotland Electricity Board. A permanent home in Glasgow ONE of the last fireless steam locomotives…
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A New Chapter for Helston Railway

by

Mark Lancaster

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12th August 2026

A Statement from the Board of Trustees of Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd (Registered Charity No. 1217390) The Board of Trustees of Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd is pleased to announce that the organisation is now a Registered Charity (Charity No. 1217390). This marks an important milestone in securing the long-term future of Helston Railway…
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From the archive: Swindon ‘Steam’ opens to the public

by

Mark Lancaster

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30th July 2026

We take a verbatim look back at when JOHN STRETTON was given an insight into Swindon’s new £11m railway museum. WEDNESDAY June 14, 2000 will become an important day in the history of Swindon and its railways. After many years, alternative suggestions, trials and tribulations along the way, this date was due to mark the…
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From the archive: Gorton’s Giant – the largest Garratt in the world

by

Mark Lancaster

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16th July 2026

The Soviet railways’ search for greater freight capacity led to the ordering of a Beyer-Garratt locomotive from Britain. The resulting Ya-01 was described as the largest Garratt in the world and was tested in the Soviet Union during 1933. Robert Humm recounts… Gorton’s Giant THE LARGEST GARRATT IN THE WORLD Soviet railway recovery BY the…
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From the archive: Bill Hoole’s unforgettable “Tees-Tyne Pullman” run

by

Mark Lancaster

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14th July 2026

Commander W. J. Alcock recalls an exciting journey on the “Tees-Tyne Pullman”, driven by the late Bill Hoole. First published in the October 1979 issue of The Railway Magazine, the account describes a run from Kings Cross towards Darlington and Newcastle. TRIBUTE TO A MASTER COMMANDER W. J. ALCOCK, RN (RTD), DESCRIBES AN EXCITING RUN…
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railway heritage

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