Sam Hewitt

Gauging issue scuppers ‘31’ tour to Mid-Norfolk

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

Charter from London is cancelled at just eight days’ notice after Network Rail says the Class 442 EMU stock is not cleared to use the planned route. Rail Operations Group’s keenly awaited charter to the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s diesel gala, which was to be operated by a pair of Class 31s hauling an off-lease Class 442 EMU,…
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Hornby reveals rest of 2017 range

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

With the new tooling already announced at Warley, the manufacturer has unveiled the remainder of its new catalogue. January 4 saw Hornby complete its announcements for 2017 with the unveiling of its new catalogue and with it, the reliveries of existing tooling that can be expected over the next 12 months. As detailed last issue,…
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Refurbished Class 31 from Farish

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

A quieter year for Bachmann’s ‘N’ gauge range also includes a retooled TEA bogie tanker and additional Class 40. In contrast to the 4mm announcements, the new Graham Farish range for 2017/18 perhaps has less of interest to D&E modellers but there are still some new tooling models. The first of these is the very…
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Bachmann announces DRS ‘choppers’

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

An all new EE Type 1 headlines Bachmann’s ‘OO’ gauge programme for 2017, with plenty of other D&E interest. In a change to its usual tradition, Bachmann announced its new ranges for the next 18 months or so on January 8, some two months earlier than normal. As ever, the manufacturer unveiled a diverse range…
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REVIEWS: Night Trains of British Rail

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

By Alan Whitehouse THIS book does ‘exactly what it says on the tin’ as a picture and caption collection of night shots of British Rail workings taken mostly in the 1980s. Back then, the variety was much greater than today – both in terms of locos used as well as traffic carried. Passenger, parcels, mail,…
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LETTERS: ‘Nightstar’ in Birmingham

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

CAN anyone help with more information about this photo from my collection? It shows EPS Type 3 No. 37612 heading a generator car, another ‘37/6’, and a rake of ‘Nightstar’ coaches in an enclosed compound at Washwood Heath in late 1996. Was this at the Alstom factory? Was it a newly-built rake? Or was it…
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Inside Loram

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Sam Hewitt

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27th January 2017

The Engine Shed Society held its 2016 Annual General Meeting at Loram in Derby. Dave Richardson describes the visit. ENTHUSIASTS leaving Derby on trains heading towards Nottingham or Leicester have a choice: eyes right for Loram UK (the former Derby Technical Centre and, more recently, RVEL), or eyes left for Etches Park depot. Eyes right…
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First UK-built IEP unveiled

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Sam Hewitt

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20th January 2017

Hitachi has rolled out the first Class 800 bi-mode to be assembled at its factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Five-car bi-mode No. 800005, which is destined for use by Great Western Railway from later this year, had the honour of becoming the first of the type to be assembled in the UK. The set…
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ORR looks at train dispatch

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Sam Hewitt

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20th January 2017

In light of the ongoing union disputes over driver only operation, the Government asked for a review of who controls train doors at stations. THE ongoing and highly debilitating strikes taking place on Govia Thameslink Railway’s Southern-operated services, staged by the RMT and ASLEF unions, are continuing into 2017 despite the Office of Rail and…
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Step forward in ‘50’ restoration

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Sam Hewitt

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20th January 2017

THE restoration of Class 50 No. 50030 Repulse took a step forward on November 23, with the removal of its four radiators – the first major components to be removed from the loco for overhaul. Owner the Renown Repulse Restoration Group (RRRG) has so far been following a policy of repairing its spares for use…
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Sam Hewitt

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