Sam Hewitt
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Chinese steam swansong
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THE world’s last bastion for standard gauge steam locomotives continues its 24-hour daily operation in the giant Sandaoling open cast coal mine near Hami in Xinjiang Province, China. About a year ago, the coal mine’s management unexpectedly decided to retain and overhaul some its extensive steam fleet after assessing the cost and benefit of steam…
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Brush Type 2 Sister Dora moves to Spa Valley
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CLASS 31 No. 31430 Sister Dora has joined the Spa Valley Railway fleet on an extended visit. The loco is owned by Martin Staniforth and arrived on October 17 from the Mangapps Railway, where a comprehensive restoration had been undertaken. Running numbers carried previously by this loco have been D5695, 31265, 31430 and 31530. The name…
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Successful test run for West Somerset ‘Hymek’
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CLASS 35 ‘Hymek’ No. D7018 completed its first loaded test run over the West Somerset Railway on October 24. This was a significant landmark in the extensive overhaul being undertaken by its owners the Diesel & Electric Preservation Group (DEPG). No. D7018 failed at Williton station in August 1995 while heading a Saturday evening dining train. The…
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Weardale getting readyfor the Christmas rush
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THE Weardale Railway is again running the ‘Train to Christmas Town’ this year. An e.c.s. train was run on November 14 to move the Class 31s and coaching stock from Wolsingham depot to Stanhope. This comprised Nos. 31190 and 31459, 10 Mk2 coaches and No. 31465 on the rear. The train is seen with No. 31190 at the head,…
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Red ‘Crompton’ takes starring role at Churnet Valley anniversary gala
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CLASS 33 No. 33021 made its debut at the Churnet Valley Railway’s (CVR) October 19-21 gala following an extensive overhaul and repaint. The event marked the 40th anniversary of the North Staffordshire Railway Co (NSRC), incorporated on November 2, 1978. The charity provided the basis for the establishment of the Churnet Valley Railway, and continues to…
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Ryde Pier tram formally gifted to IoWSR
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A UNIQUE Pollard & Sons electric tram was formally handed over to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IoWSR) on October 18 by Coun Dave Stewart, leader of Isle of Wight Council. The tram had once operated back and forth along Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight. The single-deck standard gauge car is understood…
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Birkenhead No. 20 makes its much-belated Blackpool debut
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THE Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society’s (MTPS) Birkenhead Corporation open-topper No. 20 made its Blackpool debut on October 18. The appearance came 15 months after it arrived on a 12-month loan from its home at the Birkenhead Heritage Tramway/Wirral Transport Museum. The outing marked the completion of a number of repairs to the 1900-built Milnes double-deck car,…
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Special ‘A4’ charter as UK Railtours outlines 2019 plans
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WHAT could be the final chance to enjoy ‘A4’ No. 60009 Union of South Africa over the Settle to Carlisle Line heads a varied programme of days out being organised by UK Railtours for the first half of 2019. On March 9, the popular ‘Streak’ will take over the as-yet untitled train in York and head…
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Bahamas to return to the S&C after 25 years
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TICKETS are selling quickly for one of the most eagerly anticipated main line returns of recent years. After a restoration costing almost £1million at Tyseley Locomotive Works, Stanier ‘Jubilee’ No. 45596 Bahamas will make its comeback with the ‘Bahamas Renaissance’ from Oxenhope to Carlisle on February 9, 2019. It will be No. 45596’s first main line passenger…
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Trio of VoR tanks as No. 7 returns to steam
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VALE of Rheidol Railway’s (VoR) 2-6-2T No. 7 (nee Owain Glyndŵr) has returned to steam following a four-year £370,000 overhaul. The project amounted to restoration of a loco, which last ran in 1998. No. 7, built at Swindon in 1923, holds the distinction of hauling the last steam-hauled train operated by British Rail prior to the…
