Trackside
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Eastern European railways celebrate 100 years of independence
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NOVEMBER marks 100 years since the end of the First World War, and for several Eastern European countries this signals the centenary of them gaining or regaining independence. The national operators in several countries are marking this major anniversary, which led to the establishment of state railway companies to replace the former Austrian, Russian or…
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Electrified North Island main line to convert to diesel as more new locos arrive
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FIFTEEN more DL class locomotives ordered by KiwiRail in 2016 from CRRC in Dalian, China arrived at the port of Mount Maunganui, near Tauranga, on October 10. They were transferred to Te Rapa (Hamilton) for commissioning two days later. KiwiRail now has 63 of the Chinese-built locos and eight more are on order. The 108-tonne…
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Baldwin diesel survivors in France
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IN SEPTEMBER there was a rare opportunity to travel in a passenger train operated by one of the 70-year-old former French Railways (SNCF) Baldwin-built diesel locos at the Chemin de Fer Touristique du Rhin heritage line, near Colmar, in Alsace. The train was organised by the UK-based enthusiasts behind the European Traction website. American loco…
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Class 504 restoration project making progress at East Lancs Railway
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CLASS 504 Preservation Society members have been progressing the restoration of EMU trailer car No. M77172 at the East Lancashire Railway (ELR). Work started early in the year outside in the sidings near the carriage and wagon shed at Buckley Wells. Several jobs had been tackled, including making the unit watertight and generally smartening its appearance. It…
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Devon diesels swapped
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THE Dartmouth Steam Railway (DSR) and South Devon Railway (SDR) have exchanged locos to better suit their needs. South Devon Diesel Traction Ltd (SDDTL), which keeps its stock on the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh, has sold Class 37 No. 6975 to the Dartmouth Steam Railway at Paignton. The DSR has sold Class 25 No. D7535 Mercury…
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Superb restoration work on APT power car at Crewe
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APT-P motor power car No. 49006 has been restored to its former glory. It arrived at the Crewe Heritage Centre (CHC) from storage at the now-closed Electric Railway Museum, Coventry in dreadful external condition at the beginning of the year. Restoration started in mid April when the former National Collection vehicle was formally handed over to…
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East Lancs ‘Grid’ back in service after repair
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CLASS 56 No. 56006 returned to traffic on the Saturday of East Lancashire Railway’s September 21-23 gala when it moved Class 47 No. 47765, which had failed. The ‘Grid’ then worked its rostered trains the rest of the weekend without any problems. It last ran at the 2017 summer diesel gala, but developed an auxiliary alternator fault,…
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October steam tours pay tribute to Nigel and Dennis
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TWO steam-hauled main line tours on October 20-21 had the sombre task of paying tribute to well-known railway figures who passed away recently.Railway Touring Company’s ‘The Yorkshireman’ on October 20 saw No. 60009 Union of South Africa carry a wreath as a mark of respect to RTC founder Nigel Dobbing (see p12). Shortly after sunrise, the…
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Flying Scotsman to haul Sir William McAlpine memorial train
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JANUARY 11, 2019 will see UK Railtours pay tribute to Sir William McAlpine, the hugely popular, lifelong supporter of railway heritage and preservation in the UK, who passed away earlier this year. Sir William began his career working in Hayes depot in Middlesex, which housed the McAlpine railway locomotive and wagon fleet. He maintained a…
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‘Northern Belle’ hired for Kent Hospice charity trip
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HEART of Kent Hospice is chartering the ‘Northern Belle’ on May 11, 2019 for a steam-hauled lunchtime excursion through the Kent countryside. A Stanier ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 from the West Coast Railway Co pool will haul the luxury train as passengers enjoy champagne and canapés, followed by a four-course meal, prepared from locally sourced organic…
