Mark Lancaster

  • Record-Breaking Success for Llangollen Railway’s Diesel Power and Ultimate 80s Weekend

    Record-Breaking Success for Llangollen Railway’s Diesel Power and Ultimate 80s Weekend

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    The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has hailed its Diesel Power and Ultimate 80s Weekend as one of the most successful special events in the railway’s recent history after record visitor numbers attended the two-day celebration. Held across Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May, the event combined heritage diesel locomotives, authentic 1980s entertainment and live music,…

  • Postman’s Pride returns to Parcels red at Lydney

    Postman’s Pride returns to Parcels red at Lydney

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    FRESH from its hire period with RSS, No. 08888 has received attention at Lydney, this culminating with a repaint out of BR green and back into Parcels red, recreating its early-1990s look while based on Tyneside. The loco has also had its corresponding Postman’s Pride nameplates reapplied to complete the new look. Unveiled on March…

  • From The Railway Magazine, December 1979: Bodmin returns to service on the Mid-Hants “Watercress” Line

    From The Railway Magazine, December 1979: Bodmin returns to service on the Mid-Hants “Watercress” Line

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    This verbatim article is taken from an old issue of The Railway Magazine and reports on a September 22 ceremony at Alresford Station. The extract covers the restored ex-Southern Railway express locomotive BR No. 34016, Bodmin, its renaming, return to service, and restoration background. Renaming at Alresford Station ON Saturday, September 22 (as reported on…

  • Chiltern loco-hauled changeover is complete

    Chiltern loco-hauled changeover is complete

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    THE TRANSITION of Chiltern Railways’ loco-hauled operation from Mk. 3 stock to the CAF-built Mk. 5a stock was all but complete by mid-March, with the last service formed of the old order running with 68011 and AL04 on March 18 as 1H12, the 07.46 Princes Risborough-Marylebone. Pip Dunn reports… Mk. 3 operation to Birmingham ceased…

  • New East Lancashire Railway Directors appointed to Company Board

    New East Lancashire Railway Directors appointed to Company Board

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    Following an internal and external recruitment process we have two excellent additions to the company board. Both directors join the board at this challenging time to help drive up revenues and secure influential new partnerships which help achieve the board’s ambition of achieving high levels of sustainability to preserve the heritage railway’s long history. Phil…

  • Railway Launches Father’s Day Ploughman’s Pint Special

    Railway Launches Father’s Day Ploughman’s Pint Special

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    The Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced a brand-new Father’s Day experience for Sunday 21 June – combining heritage steam travel, award-winning food and a pint in the stunning surroundings of the Dee Valley. The specially created Father’s Day Ploughman’s Pint Special will run on two steam-hauled services during the day at 12.20pm and 3.15pm, with places…

  • All Aboard for Dee Valley Volunteer Adventure

    All Aboard for Dee Valley Volunteer Adventure

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    The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is inviting local people to enjoy a unique day of free train travel on Saturday, June 6, through the stunning Dee Valley while discovering the rewarding world of heritage railway volunteering. ‘Volunteer at our Stations – An Open Day on the Move’ will take place, giving visitors the opportunity to travel…

  • Ride the Rocket Returns for Spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza

    Ride the Rocket Returns for Spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza

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    A magical evening of steam, spectacle and fireworks is set to light up the Dee Valley this autumn as the Llangollen Railway launches ticket sales for its hugely anticipated “Ride the Rocket” experience on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Departing from Llangollen Railway Station at 6pm, passengers will enjoy a return steam-hauled journey to Corwen aboard…

  • From the archive: Strengthening Brunel’s Last Masterpiece

    From the archive: Strengthening Brunel’s Last Masterpiece

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    An archive feature from June 1968 detailing strengthening work on Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, including structural testing, engineering analysis, and modifications to accommodate increased axle loads. INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION of 100-ton bogie tank wagons on specified routes of British Railways has led to the examination of structures on those where use of these wagons would affect…

  • Helston Railway buys historic viaduct key to extension plan

    Helston Railway buys historic viaduct key to extension plan

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    THE Helston Railway Preservation Society has added the Cober Viaduct, also known as Lowertown Viaduct, to its land portfolio. Robin Jones reports… The six-arch curved stone structure has always been seen as a key objective and the jewel in the crown in the strategy to extend the railway as far towards Helston as possible. Often…


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