Model Forum / General / Railroads / March 2007

Is this of interest to the group if I were to post this here each week ? (I
already distribute on behalf of the editor to a fair few recipients)

Andy

RAILDATE: the weekly newsletter of the Hursley Park Model Railway Society:
http://www.ibmhursleyclub.org.uk/ss/hpmrs/

RAILDATE will take a break over Easter - next issue: 13th April.

NETWATCH

============

Links to British Rail TV ads on YouTube.

This is the age of the train:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd3NRr4SYiA

InterCity sleepers, from the Relax series, late 80s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFiIyl2MyHM

Not an actual ad, but a recent tribute to the Relax ads:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EfRcQZ6Vz0

With inspiration from Night Mail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tTJXw7xUtk

Inter-City makes the going easy, 1969:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPdq-KJaa8Q

British Rail - We're getting there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxHKX6FfGys

British Rail - Cheap weekend away:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FPQgLmoK20

This is the age of the train (in a full commercial break from 1980):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RrXB6TAdAM

The Inter-City 125 promo video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFiti6h_uPg

A BR NSE crew training video from Brighton to Hove:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhHj7C4l3mk

============

The Railwaysarchive site has pdfs of two booklets issued when the Blue
Pullmans commenced running:

Western:
http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRWR_Pullman1960.pdf

Midland:
http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRLMR_Pullman1960.pdf

============

200th anniversary of the Mumbles Tramway:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/6491379.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/swansea/mumbles_rail.shtml
http://www.welshwales.co.uk/mumbles_railway_swansea.htm
Audio: http://tinyurl.com/2bhvrc

============

Mitch Stepanovich's illustrated listings of N gauge wagons:
http://home.flash.net/~stepanov

============

An interesting North Cornwall Railway layout by Stafford Railway Circle:
http://www.staffordrailwaycircle.org.uk/treneglos/index.php

============

For anyone interested in adding a road system to their layout, there is
one made by Faller (Germany) and available from Gaugemaster at Ford (near
Arundel):
http://www.gaugemaster.co.uk/

Some websites that show what can be done:
http://home.arcor.de/infracar/ (in German)
http://modelleisenbahn-claus.de/ (in German)
http://www.miniatur-wunderland.de/data/cms/en/240/ (in English)
Minature Wonderland in Hamburg, has a fully computer-controlled car
system, where the vehicles can do many different things.  It's apparently
well worth a visit.

============

A report on the reopening of the Welsh Highland Railway received from a
Railway Ramblers member by Ralph Rawlinson

On Saturday 24th March, two supporters' specials ran as far south as
possible over the partially-rebuilt section south of Rhyd Ddu.  I was on
the second (afternoon) trip, the morning one evidently included a bus link
to the WHR (Porthmadog) to ride the newly-reopened 900m section from
Pen y Mount to Traeth Mawr.  The original intention was for WHR stock,
top and tailed by large diesel "Caernarfon Castle" and Garratt No 138, to
operate throughout, terminating short of the platform that is to serve
Beddgelert Forest camp site.  However the running of test trains on
Wednesday and Thursday resulted in a change of plan.  The WHR stock only
operated north of Rhyd Ddu, where all passengers changed on to FR stock
double-headed by works (and normally FR) diesels "Upnor Castle" and
"Conway Castle", tailed by 138 only to Pont Cae'r Gors cutting, about
half-way between Rhyd Ddu and the campsite.  No-one bemoaned this, as it
enabled us to continue almost to the head of steel at the top of the lower
S-bend at Cwm Cloch.  From this point we looked down on the ballasted, but
as yet trackless, middle section of this bend and the north end of
Beddgelert village.  The diesels then propelled in push-pull mode back to
the waiting Garratt.  At Rhyd Ddu, both trains combined and ran to Dinas
(where the FR stock was detached) forming what was claimed to be the
longest passenger train in the WHR's history.

============

Thief-watch website launched:
http://ukhrail.uel.ac.uk/hra/thiefwatch/ThiefWatch.html

============

For a holiday with a difference - try Dent station on the Settle and
Carlisle line (opens later this year):
http://www.dentstation.co.uk

============

Photographs of the South Devon Railway Half-Price Weekend:
http://www.southdevonrailway.org/News-and-Press-Releases/2007-New-Season.html

============

Paul Biggs's pictures from the GCR diesel day on 23rd March:
http://paulbiggsgcrailway.fotopic.net/c1238190.html

============

Chris Dadson has uploaded 18 new photos to his Fotopic website taken
recently at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.  They include a new
collection called "Beyond Killington Lane" showing the original trackbed
from Bridge 65 (Killington Bridge) round to Parracombe Halt, and images
taken at or near to the railway's Cricket Field Lane site:
http://gallery74781.fotopic.net/c1240545.html

============

Neil Dimmer has posted two small collections, the first is of the now
defunct Royal Mail services on the West Coast line:
http://west-coast-photos.fotopic.net/c1238574.html

The second is of Eurostars & HSTs on the East Coast main line:
http://eastcoastrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1238569.html

Also over 65 photos given by Keith Till, of the final years of British
steam operations, and scrapping of locos.
http://steam-diesel-photos.fotopic.net/c1239695.html

And two collections of photos taken at Doncaster Works Open Day on 26th
July 2003.  First the diesel & electric visitors:
http://eastcoastrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1241396.html

Secondly, the steam locos present:
http://eastcoastrailwayphotos.fotopic.net/c1241386.html

============

Task Force South - The Royal Navy and The Falklands War
Saturday 31st March 2007 - Friday 29th January 2008

Task Force South, a new exhibition at The Royal Naval Museum, marks the
25th anniversary of the conflict, and will focus on the Royal Navy's vital
role in the war and the deployment of over 100 ships and 18,000 personnel.
Using artefacts, models, sound and film footage, the exhibition will look
at key events, and tell stories of those involved in the defining moments.

============

And finally, don't try this at home...

Tube ski stunt blasted by police:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6501897.stm
BBC video: http://tinyurl.com/yw6k45
Actual video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fFqQOlYE4EE

============

IN THE NEWS

Rail overcrowding protest in Hampshire:
Video: http://tinyurl.com/2xedlz

Services alter after rail "chaos":
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/6494493.stm

Rail services 88% over capacity:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6494633.stm

Rail commute amongst UK's worst:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6494805.stm

Derby depot gets major revamp:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/6495749.stm

Rail firm failures led to crash:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6495475.stm

Sustrans looks at Durham viaduct:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/6493575.stm

Train project "urgent priority":
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6494737.stm

Airdrie-Bathgate rail link approved:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6504201.stm

Steam train plan for TT race visitors:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/isle_of_man/6493535.stm

Future of Wanlockhead Mining Museum secured:
http://www.scottishexecutive.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/03/01132831

(Spotter: Reg Nerps)

TV and RADIO

Discovery's programmes are no longer included, but their daily schedules
are here: http://www.discoverychannel.co.uk/_listings/ and
http://discoverywings.co.uk/_listings/

02/04/07    BBC Radio 4  1100-1130
          "Rover Two Years On"  Life after closure 1/2

02/04/07    BBC2  1930-2000
          "Nation on Film"  Newly-discovered Ramsden Film Collection

02/04/07    ITV  2100-2230
          "Mobile"  Thriller part-filmed on the Ecclesbourne Valley Rly

02/04/07    BBC4  2100-2200
          "Wainwright: the Man Who Loved the Lakes"

06/04/07    BBC2  1900-1930
          "Wainwright Walks"  1/4 Haystacks

06/04/07    Five  1930-2000
          "Mean Machines"  Submarines

EVENTS

For up-to-date information on many of the tours mentioned in RAILDATE (and
others) often with timings, see the Steam Tours pages at:
http://www.uksteam.info/index.shtml

All details are correct to the best of my knowledge.  No responsibility is
taken for inaccuracies or changes.

31/03/07-   Swanage Railway: Branch Line Weekend
01/04/07    http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk

01/04/07    Romsey Signal Box Open Day
           1000-1600
           Admission free (donations welcome!)
          Romsey Infants School, Plaza Parade, Winchester Rd, Romsey
          Car park in school grounds
           http://www.romseysignalbox.org.uk

01/04/07    Amberley Working Museum: Vintage Car Show
           http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

02/04/07    West Somerset Railway Association Taunton Group
           "Southern Railway around Nationalisation" with Arthur Turner
          Great Western Staff Association Club (NE corner, Taunton stn)
           Starts 1945
          http://www.wsra.org.uk

06/04/07-   Swanage Railway: Easter Specials
09/04/07    http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk

06/04/07-   Dean Forest Railway: Prize Easter Bunny Hunt
09/04/07    http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

06/04/07-   Ecclesbourne Valley Railway: Easter Open Days
09/04/07    http://www.e-v-r.com/

06/04/07-   Mid-Hants Watercress Line: Day Out with Thomas
15/04/07    http://www.watercressline.co.uk

07/04/07-   York Model Railway Show
09/04/07    Knavesmire Stand, York Racecourse
           1000-1700 each day
           http://www.yorkshow,freeserve.co.uk

08/04/07-   Basingstoke & District Model Engineering Society
09/04/07    Public Running Days
           http://www.basingstoke-dmes.co.uk/

12/04/07-   Dean Forest Railway: Day Out With Thomas
15/04/07    http://www.deanforestrailway.co.uk/

14/04/07-   Wimborne Railway Society Model Railway Exhibition
15/04/07    Queen Elizabeth's School, Wimborne
           1030-1700 (Sat), 1030-1630 (Sun)
           http://www.wimrail.org.uk

14/04/07-   Horsham Model Railway Exhibition
15/04/07

14/04/07-   Bluebell Railway: Goods Train Weekend
15/04/07    http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/

15/04/07    Brijan Tours Charity Open Day
           The Coach Station, Abbey Mill, Bishop's Waltham
           Many preserved buses, enthusiast's stalls, free Meon Valley
           tours, free bus from Eastleigh bus station
           1000-1600

15/04/07    Amberley Working Museum: Spring Industrial Trains Day
           http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

20/04/07-   Langollen Railway: "Steel, Steam and Stars"
22/04/07    3-day gala and beer festival - up to 11 locomotives operating
           Organised by the 6880 "Betton Grange" Society
           1030-1700 (Sat), 1030-1630 (Sun)
           http://www.6880gala.co.uk

21/04/07-   Milestones, Basingstoke
22/04/07    Model Engineering Wxhibition
           http://www.milestones-museum.com/

21/04/07-   Derby Model Railway Exhibition
22/04/07    The Assembly Rooms, Derby

21/04/07-   Scalefour North Finescale Model Railway Exhibition
22/04/07    Wakefield College, Thornes Park, Wakefield
           1000-1700 (Sat), 1000-1600 (Sun)

22/04/07    Winchester 'O' Gauge Group Open Meeting
           Otterbourne Village Hall, Otterbourne, Winchester
           1000-1600
           Light refreshments available during the day

22/04/07    Guildford '0' Gauge Group Model Railway Open Day
          New Normandy Village Hall, Glazier's Lane, Normandy Village
           Near Guildford
           1000-1630

22/04/07    Amberley Working Museum: Post Office Vehicle Rally
           http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

22/04/07    Bluebell Railway: Toy and Rail Collectors Fair
           http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/

24/04/07    West Somerset Railway Association Bristol Group
           The BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton
           Starts 1930
          "Railways in WWII" - Tony Cane
          http://www.wsra.org.uk

Cheers, Howard.
editor at raildate.co.uk (spam-proofed)

Previous issues of RAILDATE are at:
http://uk.geocities.com/richardthetuba@btinternet.com/hpmrs/hpmrs.htm
This page includes a master catalogue of items that have appeared in
previous editions of RAILDATE.

(C) Howard Sprenger and Hursley Park Model Railway Society 2007.

The external edition of RAILDATE may be freely distributed without
permission as long as no changes whatsoever are made to the original
document distributed by the Editor.