Mark Lancaster
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Railway Archives 1950: How the East Coast Main Line Recovered from the Devastating Floods of 1948
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The October 1950 issue of The Railway Magazine detailed the reconstruction work carried out following severe flooding on the East Coast main line between Berwick and Dunbar in August 1948. The report describes the replacement of seven bridges, repairs to a damaged culvert near Ayton and reconstruction work near Burnmouth. The floods of August 1948…
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Llangollen Railway plans Remembrance Sunday Poppy Drop and free travel for veterans
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The Llangollen and Corwen Railway will mark Remembrance Sunday on 8 November 2026 with a special Poppy Drop led by two Royal Navy veterans, the temporary renaming of steam locomotive No. 3802 and free afternoon travel for Armed Forces personnel, veterans and cadets. The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced a programme of commemorations for…
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From the 1995 Archives: Class 142 Drops Its Engine on the Track!
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A Class 142 was derailed on August 7 after its own diesel engine fell onto the track while working a Sprinter service. The October 1995 issue of The Railway Magazine reported the incident involving vehicle No. 55703 and the subsequent recovery operation. The incident THE rear coach of a Class 142 was derailed on August…
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Railway History: How British Railways Tested Hot-Box Detectors in 1967
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In March 1967, The Railway Magazine reported on British Railways’ tests of a Servosafe hot-box detector system on the East Coast main line between York and Pilmoor. The article describes how the equipment worked, the results of its first six weeks of operation and a subsequent order for equipment for the Western Region. Successful outcome…
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East Lancashire Railway puts lifesaving equipment on the move
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The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has taken another important step towards enhancing emergency preparedness across the railway with the arrival of a new portable Automated External Defibrillator (AED), secured through fundraising with the support of national defibrillator charity AEDdonate. The new defibrillator will ultimately be deployed as a mobile unit travelling onboard ELR trains, meaning…
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From the 1937 Archives: How a Forgotten Railway Station Became Will Hay’s Buggleskelly
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In October 1937, The Railway Magazine reported how Cliddesden station on the abandoned Basingstoke and Alton line had been used in Will Hay’s film Oh, Mr. Porter!. The contemporary account introduces the fictional Buggleskelly station and the elderly locomotive Gladstone, before recounting the film’s story. “Oh, Mr. Porter” Cliddesden becomes Buggleskelly CLIDDESDEN station on the…
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All Aboard for Christmas! Kent & East Sussex Railway Announces Santa Special Steam Trains for 2026
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A festive steam train journey, a visit from Father Christmas and a Winter Wonderland await families at the Kent & East Sussex Railway this November and December. The Kent & East Sussex Railway is preparing to welcome families aboard its Santa Special Steam Trains for 2026, offering a seasonal experience filled with festive entertainment, traditional…
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From the 1995 Archives: Merseyrail in Chaos – Tunnel Flooding, Signal Failures and Service Disruption
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Merseyrail services were thrown into chaos during July and August 1995 when Railtrack imposed restrictions on train operation through the Liverpool tunnels. In this special report from the October 1995 issue of The Railway Magazine, Colin J. Marsden and Fred Kerr describe the signalling problems, water ingress and disruption to passengers. Merseyrail services disrupted MERSEYRAIL…
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From the 1983 Archives: The North Express – C. Hamilton-Ellis Recalls a Forgotten Railway
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In this archive article, C. Hamilton-Ellis recalls the Midland & South Western Junction Railway and its North Express service. Drawing on his own memories of the railway, he describes its history, locomotives and the journey through the Wiltshire countryside, accompanied by his railway painting. The North Express and its origins SUCH a title as the…
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From the Archives: 1982 – The Day the Queen Mother Named Class 47 No. 47 541 at Aberdeen
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On Wednesday, October 20, 1982, the Queen Mother named diesel-electric locomotive No. 47 541 The Queen Mother at Aberdeen Station. In this article from the January 1983 issue of The Railway Magazine, Patrick Kingston recounts the ceremony, the preparations and an unexpected visit to the locomotive’s cab. A historic occasion at Aberdeen A COLOURFUL event…
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