Mark Lancaster
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From the archive: Inside Crewe’s railway power control centre in 1962
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In September 1962, The Railway Magazine examined the power control centre at Crewe as work advanced on the Crewe to Stafford section of the London Midland Region electrification scheme. The centre already supervised power feed to the Manchester-Crewe and Liverpool-Crewe sections and was the first of four centres intended eventually to cover the entire electrification…
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From the archive: Inside Healey Mills marshalling yard in 1963
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In September 1963, The Railway Magazine took a detailed look at Healey Mills, the new marshalling yard four miles west of Wakefield on the Calder Valley route to Manchester. The article described a yard capable of handling 4,000 wagons a day, with 120 sidings totalling 57 miles of track. HEALEY MILLS, four miles west of…
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Steam, diesel and electric traction to star at Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway gala
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The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway will bring together steam, diesel and electric traction for its annual Gala Weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026. The two-day event will feature a special timetable of passenger and freight workings, with a mix of locomotives in action throughout the day. ‘Rhoda the Roller’ will also…
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Pete Waterman’s final big build: 64ft Blisworth layout set for Great Electric Train Show debut
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Pete Waterman OBE and the Railnuts are putting the finishing touches to a brand-new 64ft-long ‘OO’ gauge model railway of Blisworth on the West Coast Main Line. The layout is due to make its debut at the 2026 Great Electric Train Show at Arena MK in Milton Keynes on October 10 and 11 — and…
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From the archive: Forty years of rail-air at Gatwick in 1975
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In September 1975, The Railway Magazine looked back at forty years of rail-air links at Gatwick. The article traced the story from the opening of Tinsley Green station in 1935 through to the rail connection serving the airport in 1975. FORTY YEARS OF RAIL-AIR AT GATWICK WHEN Airports Limited planned its new “air station” at…
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East Lancashire Railway adds British Sign Language interpreter to Santa Specials for first time
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The East Lancashire Railway has teamed up with foster care and special needs provider Family Care to provide a British Sign Language interpreter for children on selected Santa Special trains later this year, in what will be a first for the railway. The new facility will be available for families to book from November on…
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From the archive: ‘Snowdon’ rebuilt on the Snowdon Mountain Railway in 1963
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In the September 1963 issue of The Railway Magazine, major repairs to Snowdon Mountain Railway locomotive No. 4, Snowdon, were reported following work at the Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd., of Leeds. The article detailed the locomotive’s unusual Abt system features, its rebuilt components and its return to Snowdonia. “Snowdon” rebuilt THE recent major repairs effected…
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From the archive: School or ‘Silver Jubilee’? A 1982 look back at a forerunner of the High Speed Train
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In the September 1982 issue of The Railway Magazine, D. L. A. Smith recalled playing truant in September 1935 to see the LNER’s new “Silver Jubilee” train on its Press Run. His account records the appearance of Silver Link, the passing of the train at Oakleigh Park and the later history of the “Silver Jubilee”.…
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Halloween Ghosts Trains return to the East Lancashire Railway
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Something spooky is coming to Bury soon with the ELR’s annual Halloween Ghosts Trains. Ghouls and ghosts are making a spine-tingling return to the East Lancashire Railway, 29 – 31 October 2026. Tickets are available to book now… if you dare! This year the seasonal spectacular revolves around the sinister swamp monster of Irwell Vale.…
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Historic achievement as East Lancashire Railway welcomes its first female steam locomotive driver
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The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is celebrating a landmark moment in its history following the successful completion of the driving assessment by Steph Elwood, who has become the railway’s first female steam locomotive driver. Steph’s achievement marks the culmination of a long journey on the railway, following the traditional route through the steam department from…
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