Sam Hewitt

  • ‘O4’ becomes a ‘ROD’ for GCR’s remembrance weekend

    ‘O4’ becomes a ‘ROD’ for GCR’s remembrance weekend

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    GREAT Central Railway-based Robinson ‘O4’ 2-8-0 No. 63601 took centre stage at the railway’s Great War, Great Central weekend on November 10-11, six years after being withdrawn from service. The 1911-built former ‘8K’ had its BR identity replaced with that of the Railway Operating Division (ROD), with the legend ‘ROD 1912’ on its tender and the…

  • Fast-track overhaul for K&ESR ‘Terrier’

    Fast-track overhaul for K&ESR ‘Terrier’

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    STROUDLEY ‘A1X’ 0-6-0T No. 32678 will be undergoing a thorough and fast-track overhaul at the Kent & East Sussex Railway’s (K&ESR) Rolvenden works this winter. Work will start before the end of the year and taking around six months to complete. The 1880-built ‘Terrier’ is one of a pair owned by the Terrier Trust, and…

  • 45305 returns for GCR’s Last Hurrah

    45305 returns for GCR’s Last Hurrah

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    WORKSHOP staff and 5305 Locomotive Association (5305LA) volunteers put in a sterling effort to ensure the group’s flagship locomotive – ‘Black Five’ No. 45305 Alderman E Draper – was fit to run at the Great Central Railway’s Last Hurrah weekend on November 17-18 following the completion of its overhaul. The annual event is an opportunity…

  • Beautiful Bo’ness blues as ‘Caley’ duo unite for gala

    Beautiful Bo’ness blues as ‘Caley’ duo unite for gala

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    PRESERVATION history was made at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway (BKR) in early November when two of only three preserved Caledonian Railway locomotives were united for the first time in steam and on a complete ‘Caley’ train. The BKR’s Caledonian Reunion gala on November 2-4 provided the perfect welcome for its freshly overhauled John F…

  • Hagley Hall’s wheels return to Severn Valley workshop

    Hagley Hall’s wheels return to Severn Valley workshop

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    OVERHAUL of Severn Valley Railway-based ‘Hall’ No. 4930 Hagley Hall picked up the pace again at the end of October with the return of the wheelsets from Buckfastleigh. All three coupled wheelsets and both bogie sets were sent to South Devon Railway Engineering in July for assessment and tyre turning. They returned to Bridgnorth on October…

  • Llangollen Railway works last train to temporary Corwen East terminus

    Llangollen Railway works last train to temporary Corwen East terminus

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    SERVICES into the Llangollen Railway’s temporary western terminus at Corwen East came to an end on November 4 as the railway prepares for the opening of the new station at Corwen Central next year. The final train to depart Corwen East was the 15.50 to Llangollen hauled by ‘2884’ 2-8-0 No. 3802, which carried a special…

  • Overhaul beckons for GWS pioneer No. 1466

    Overhaul beckons for GWS pioneer No. 1466

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    DIDCOT Railway Centre’s Black Saint Weekend provided a final opportunity to see the Great Western Society’s (GWS) pioneer locomotive – ‘14XX’ 0-4-2T No. 1466 – on site before its departure for a £300,000 overhaul. The former Newton Abbot ‘auto tank’ provided the foundation stone for all future GWS activities when, in April 1964, it became the…

  • FLYING SCOTSMAN Print

    FLYING SCOTSMAN Print

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    There are many superb images of Flying Scotsman, be they watercolours, photographs or models, but this one is special. Painted in 1975 by renowned artist David Weston, it was presented as a gift to Bruce Lounds, a friend of David’s, and has been kept out of public view for years until now. A stunning painting,…

  • Grouping Britain’s Railways: Creating the ‘Big Four’ in 1923

    Grouping Britain’s Railways: Creating the ‘Big Four’ in 1923

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    By A J Mullay DESPITE being one of the most significant events in the history of Britain’s railways, surprisingly little has been written about the circumstances that led to the Grouping of 1923, creating the ‘Big Four’ regional giants. In this fascinating new book, A J Mullay draws together a wide range of contemporary sources,…

  • Feature | Strangers at Holbeck

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    Gavin Morrison illustrates the variety seen on Holbeck shed in its last few years of operation.

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