Well, not literally… But this is about aircraft tech inspired train experiments. With the announcement of Chinese scientists adding wings to high speed trains to improve performance, here’s a quick look at the history of aircraft tech being used on railways. Starting briefly with the George Bennie Railplane, a test track was built north of… Read More Flying trains
A few images of the always excellent Autumn Gala at SVR, back after last years cancellation due to Covid. The early start to see several locos on shed at Bridgnorth is always worth it.
The Great Central Heritage Railway is home to Test Car 2, an Ex BR Mk1 BSK number 35386, converted in 1974 by Derby DM&EE. It was mainly used for slip brake testing on the West Coast Main Line and testing Class 92 locos in 1994 on WCML & through the Channel Tunnel. It was open… Read More British Rail Test Car 2
On this day, 2nd July 1925, a centenary event took place, 100 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The event took place on 2nd July, although the original railway opened on 27th September 1825 to freight and 10th October to passengers. My original copy of the programme is reproduced below, giving… Read More Stockton & Darlington Railway Centenary
A very hot day out at Rail Live, the UK rail industry trade show yesterday. I managed to get a look round the new Stadler 777 class units for Merseyrail. Built by the Swiss company Stadler, the first of these has just completed testing. MerseyRail has ordered 53 of these EMU’s, with two having a… Read More New MerseyRail class 777
With the UK’s biggest railway trade exhibition, Rail Live! taking place again in a weeks time, here’s a quick look at a much earlier rail trade exhibition. In 1954, Willesden in North London was the site of a joint exhibition by British Rail, London Underground & various manufacturers for the International Railway Congress. Here’s some… Read More The 1954 International Railway Congress, Willesden
Bishop’s Castle, a small market town in Shropshire, was the terminus and head office of The Bishop’s Castle Railway Company. Founded in 1860 to build and operate the line between Craven Arms, Bishop’s Castle and onto Montgomery, the line went no further than Lydham Heath and spent almost all of its opertaing life in receivership… Read More The Bishop’s Castle Railway Weighbridge
On 1st May 2021 the oldest working GWR loco returned to passenger carrying duties at Didcot Railway Centre. No. 1340 “Trojan” is an 0-4-0 saddle tank built by Avonside Locomotive Co of Bristol in 1897. It started life on the Newport Docks, which were transferred to the Great Western in 1923 as part of the… Read More The oldest GWR loco in service
Here’s another from The English Electric Company series of booklets about its electrification projects of railways worldwide. No.57 (1932) covers the London Post Office Railway – also known as Mail Rail, which opened in 1928. These scans are of the original booklet. Thanks for reading. Check out my other posts on travel, heritage railways and… Read More The London Post Office Railway
Last week I got a look at the Severn Valley Railway‘s steam crane in operation, it doesn’t get used very often. It was at Eardington station removing the water tank, for restoration and reuse at Bewdley station, further down the line. The crane is an ex British Railways 30 ton breakdown crane, built by Cowans… Read More Severn Valley Steam Crane
Random Railways 