Mark Lancaster

  • From the archive: 42 years ago, Arthur Miller looked back on three decades of railway enthusiasm

    From the archive: 42 years ago, Arthur Miller looked back on three decades of railway enthusiasm

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    In the August 1984 issue of The Railway Magazine, Arthur Miller’s “Thirty Years On” looked back to the dawn of his railway enthusiasm. Having travelled over all the British Railways passenger lines in Great Britain then carrying a regular timetabled service, he reflected on the journeys, changes and experiences of the previous three decades. A…

  • From the archive: Glasgow museum receives one of Britain’s last fireless steam locomotives

    From the archive: Glasgow museum receives one of Britain’s last fireless steam locomotives

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    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…

  • A New Chapter for Helston Railway

    A New Chapter for Helston Railway

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    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…

  • Sankey Canal group adopts Earlestown railway station

    Sankey Canal group adopts Earlestown railway station

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    The Sankey Canal Restoration Society has formally adopted Earlestown Train Station – and you are invited to get involved. The station, located near the historic Sankey Canal, England’s first modern canal, sits in the heart of a transport corridor that shaped regional trade and engineering. Under the adoption scheme, SCRS volunteers are carrying out regular…

  • From the archive: Richard Branson sets out his vision for Virgin Rail in 1997

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

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    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…

  • From the archive: Mid-Hants Railway celebrates 20 years with a packed 1993 gala

    From the archive: Mid-Hants Railway celebrates 20 years with a packed 1993 gala

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    n September 1993, The Railway Magazine reported on a successful Mid-Hants Railway gala marking 20 years of operation. The event featured visiting locomotives, intensive services and progress on projects across the railway. A capacity gala OVER the weekend of 3/4 July, the Mid-Hants Railway held a very successful gala event to celebrate 20 years of…

  • Railwayana with canal connections makes its mark at auction

    Railwayana with canal connections makes its mark at auction

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    Railway safety instruments with strong canal connections were the star items of inland waterways memorabilia under the hammer in May and June, while a poster and a Shropshire Union Canal bridge notice also made their mark. The highest-priced canal-related safety instrument, featured in a major auction held by Great Central Railwayana on June 6, was…

  • Enjoy nostalgic memories of the past at the 2026 Shrewsbury Steam Rally

    Enjoy nostalgic memories of the past at the 2026 Shrewsbury Steam Rally

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    The ultimate family-friendly event! The 2026 Rally is a family-friendly, two-day event and takes place on the August Bank Holiday, Sunday 30th August and Monday 31st August in the beautiful setting of Onslow Park, Shrewsbury. The event has a variety of over 1200 highly-entertaining attractions that include the wonderful spectacle of working steam engines and…

  • From the archive: Swindon ‘Steam’ opens to the public

    From the archive: Swindon ‘Steam’ opens to the public

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    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…

  • From the 1973 archive: The secret operation that brought Flying Scotsman home

    From the 1973 archive: The secret operation that brought Flying Scotsman home

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    A year after hopes for an American future began to fade, No. 4472 Flying Scotsman faced the possibility of sale to satisfy creditors. This first-person account from the August 1973 issue of The Railway Magazine describes the rescue operation, its concealed movement to Oakland and the locomotive’s return to Britain. Hopes begin to fade ABOUT…


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