Sarah Wilkinson

Heljan announces 7mm DMU plans

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Sarah Wilkinson

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19th September 2016

THE Guildex exhibition at the beginning of September saw Heljan announce a further ambitious expansion of its ‘O’ gauge range with plans unveiled to introduce no fewer than four different first-generation DMU classes during 2017-18. The chosen designs all have a strong Western Region connection and will go well with the existing diesel hydraulic locos.…
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Derby Trainman: A fistful of dust

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Sarah Wilkinson

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19th September 2016

THE majority of my turns on the Washwood Heath job were spent as guard, and I regularly coughed and spluttered my way through 23 wagons in that dusty hopper house (as limestone comes in different sizes, some wagons did just contain simply dust!) Over time, I became quite adept at setting them, which was just…
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The ‘Journey Shrinker’

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Sarah Wilkinson

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19th September 2016

AUGUST 2016 marked the 40th anniversary of HSTs starting in regular passenger service. Initially operated at 100mph until the timetable change on October 4, 1976, they were quickly taken to by the travelling public. However, HSTs were less readily accepted amongst the rail enthusiast community. They were seen as being responsible for the withdrawal of…
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Grand Hibernian takes to the tracks

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Sarah Wilkinson

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16th September 2016

BELMOND’S latest luxury train, the Grand Hibernian, began its maiden voyage around Ireland on Tuesday August 30 with a celebratory departure from Dublin’s Heuston station. The train of newly converted Mk.3 vehicles departed at 14.20 for Cork, after which it was due to visit Killarney, Galway, Westport, Waterford and Belfast over the course of seven…
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Island Line to remain part of SWT franchise

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Sarah Wilkinson

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16th September 2016

THE Isle of Wight’s Island Line operation linking Ryde with Shanklin is to stay a part of the South West Trains franchise following a major campaign, writes Gary Boyd-Hope. The 8½-mile railway, which famously employs ex-London Underground 1938 Stock converted to third rail pick-up, had been highlighted in September last year by the then rail…
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East Anglian passenger fleet to be replaced by new EMUs and bi-modes

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Sarah Wilkinson

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16th September 2016

THE new nine-year East Anglia franchise, won by current Greater Anglia incumbent Abellio (see last month), will see brand new fleets ordered for all routes as part of a £1.4 billion investment. This includes orders for the first main line vehicles for this country from Switzerland-based Stadler Rail, as well as the previously announced deal…
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Dawn of an icon

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Sarah Wilkinson

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16th September 2016

FORTY years ago, HSTs started running the first 125mph timetabled services, a job they have been doing every single day since. It is a remarkable record that has made the class a design icon and arguably the best thing to come out of British Rail. While there are older locos and units still active on…
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BBC ANTIQUES SERIES COMES TO BARROW HILL

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Sarah Wilkinson

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16th September 2016

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre near Chesterfield will host Flog It, the popular BBC One antiques programme presented by Paul Martin, on Thursday, September 29. Members of the public are invited to visit the unique heritage attraction with up to three antiques or collectables they might be interested in selling. Once valued the owner and…
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Sarah Wilkinson

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