The Railway Hub

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: Richard Branson sets out his vision for Virgin Rail in 1997

by

Mark Lancaster

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6th August 2026

In the May 1997 issue of The Railway Magazine, Editor Nick Pigott interviewed Richard Branson about Virgin Rail, the West Coast and CrossCountry franchises, proposed new trains and the challenges facing the newly privatised railway. Branson also discussed railway investment, Railtrack and his childhood interest in trains. Original introduction THE NEW RAILWAY BARONS: Richard Branson…
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Statement – Peak Rail Steam Gala Cancellation

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Mark Lancaster

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22nd July 2026

From Peak Rail: It is with great regret that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Peak Rail Steam Gala scheduled for 8th and 9th August 2026. Due to the current tinder-dry conditions and the significant risk of lineside fires spreading to neighbouring properties and land, we believe it would be irresponsible to…
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Bedford Electrification on Schedule – Railway Magazine archive from June 1979

by

Mark Lancaster

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21st July 2026

Published in the June 1979 issue of The Railway Magazine, this archive article reports on progress with the electrification of the Moorgate/St. Pancras–Bedford line. The article describes work underway, engineering developments and infrastructure improvements as they stood at the time of publication. Bedford Electrification on Schedule Work underway between Moorgate, St. Pancras and Bedford WORK…
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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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Take your passion to the great outdoors with garden railway modelling

by

Mark Lancaster

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19th June 2026

Railway modelling is a rich, creative and varied hobby — and for those with the space and the passion to take things outside, there are few more satisfying ways to enjoy it than with a garden railway. A garden railway combines the enjoyment of model trains with the creativity of outdoor landscaping, giving modellers the…
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Archive 1987: South Tynedale Railway volunteers prepare for a new season

by

Mark Lancaster

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15th June 2026

From a 1987 issue of The Railway Magazine, this archive extract records activity by South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society volunteers. It covers work at Alston, Gilderdale, locomotives, passenger figures, events and plans for the 1988 season. Volunteers and a turning point YEAR 1987 will be remembered by its regular volunteers as the most momentous in…
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New generation of steam drivers qualify at Llangollen and Corwen Railway

by

Mark Lancaster

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3rd June 2026

Two of the next generation of heritage railway volunteers have officially qualified as Steam Locomotive Drivers at the popular Llangollen and Corwen Railway following more than a decade of hard work, training and dedication. Matthew Carty, 27, from Chester, and Tim Hines, 27, from Llangollen, both achieved the prestigious qualification over the Bank Holiday weekend…
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Postman’s Pride returns to Parcels red at Lydney

by

Mark Lancaster

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30th May 2026

FRESH from its hire period with RSS, No. 08888 has received attention at Lydney, this culminating with a repaint out of BR green and back into Parcels red, recreating its early-1990s look while based on Tyneside. The loco has also had its corresponding Postman’s Pride nameplates reapplied to complete the new look. Unveiled on March…
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