The Railway Magazine November 2016 preview

P

90MPH LUXURY TRAIN FOR TORNADO

BRITAIN’S BEST-SELLING RAIL TITLE November 2016

1P3AG2E ISSUE

1000 INDUSTRY JOBS AXED

Christmas Gift Guide

Fawley Finale

S&D Performance

Seldom Used Stations

HS1 ARCHITECT TO DELIVER £18M GCR MUSEUM

Contents

November 2016. No. 1,388. Vol 162. A journal of record since 1897.

Headline News

On the cover

MAIN IMAGE: The Great Central Railway's Stanier '8F' No. 48624 passes Woodthorpe with a mixed freight during the line's autumn gala on October 9.

ROBERT FALCONER

Severn Tunnel reopens after wires go up – p9.

DB Cargo sheds 900 jobs; 15,000 apply for 78 Virgin driver positions; Eurotunnel to sell GB Railfreight to Swedish buyer; final design chosen for new Leicester railway museum; InterCity 'Swallow'-liveried HST unveiled; three-year extension for CrossCountry; rail industry honours Olympians and Paralympians; Southern dispute rolls on with no end yet in sight.

INSET 1: Class 66 No. 66177 at Fawley Refinery - see p41.

RALPH MONTAGU

INSET 2: BR '9F' 2-10-0 at Shepton Mallet - p14. DAVE COBBE INSET 3: Class 47 No. 47712 Artemis passes through Scotscalder on April 16, 2006 - see p28. GRAEME ELGAR

Track Record The Railway Magazine’s monthly news digest 70 Steam & Heritage

Kinlet Hall bows out at West Somerset; Llangollen Railway to overhaul Morayshire; BR '2MT' debuts at Great Central gala; 'A1' builders announce 'V4' and 'V3' projects; Isle of Wight 'E1' to steam by 2020.

76 Industrial Steam 78 Steam Portfolio 82 Network

Wirral Line loop closure to begin early 2017; major strengthening starts on Whalley Arches.

84 Classic Traction

Future of East Lancs Class 504 secured; Scottish Class 84 returns home; rare '08s' star at Wensleydale.

87 Classic Traction Portfolio 88 Miniature 91 Metro 92 Irish News 94 Railtours 96 Railtours Portfolio 98 World 102 Traction & Stock Modifications for Caledonian Class 73s; more DB Cargo locos for Europe?; first Class 700 visits Peterborough.

104 Traction Portfolio 108 Narrow Gauge Penrhyn Manning, Wardle to return to steam; Exmoor extravaganza at Perrygrove; Rheidol No. 7 re-wheeled.

110 Freight 113 Operations Our round-up of news from the train and freight operating companies.

Left: New Gresley 'V4' 2-6-2 plan announced - p70.

Regulars With Lord Berkeley.

12 Railways in Parliament 44 Subscription Offer

60 Readers’ Platform

Your thoughts on the topics that matter to you.

62 From The RM Archives

What The RM was reporting 20, 50 and 100 years ago.

64 Panorama Our monthly gallery of the best railway photography.

DAVID STAINES

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12 Multiple Aspects

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Not something you see every day!

Harry Needle Class 20s Nos. 20107 and 20314 'top-and-tail' the 09.55 Waterloo-Eastbourne leg of Pathfinder Tours' 'Buffer Puffer' railtour across the Kingsferry Bridge on the Sittingbourne to Sheerness branch, on August 20.

‘Deltic’ No. 9008 The Green Howards leaves King’s Cross in 1972 – p64.

118 Heritage Diary

Details of when heritage railways and centres are open.

124 Meetings

Railway society meetings near you – all the details.

130 Prize Crossword and Where Is It?

Subscribe today and save money on every issue.

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Features

14 Mastering the Mendips: Part 2

Keith Farr returns to Somerset & Dorset metals for this month's Practice & Performance, taking an in-depth look at the work of the Bulleid and BR Standard types that worked over this most iconic of routes to the very end.

22 Growth and Decline of Tuxford: Part 2

Robin Stewart-Smith concludes his historical study of this forgotten railway town, which in its heyday boasted three stations and a locomotive works.

This time we move from Great Central ownership to the present day.

SOMERSET & DORSET: Practice & Performance – p14

28 Britain's least-used stations

46 Long Train Running

Every year the Office of Rail and Road publishes a report showing the number of entries and exits from every UK station. While the top 10 are largely found in and around London, here we present a survey of the 30 most seldom-used stations within these fair isles.

Nick Pigott talks to legendary British folk singer Billy Bragg about his new album of songs that were not only inspired by America's railroads, but recorded onboard trains and at stations during a journey of more than 2,000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.

36 Fawley Finale

48 Christmas Gifts Guide

September witnessed the end of an era when all ExxonMobil oil traffic ceased at the Fawley refinery.

Nick Lera charts the history of this well-known industrial site and the rise and fall of its rail traffic.

Make the annual headache of Christmas shopping easier with our annual guide to the latest railway books, DVDs, calendars and railway-themed gifts to suit all tastes and pockets.

ANY PASSENGERS?: Seldom-used stations – p28

LONG TRAIN RUNNING: Billy Bragg interview – p46

November 2016 • The Railway Magazine • 5

Mendips PRACTICE & PERFORMANCE

Part

2

Mastering the

P

In the 50th anniversary year since the closure of the Somerset & Dorset railway, Keith Farr concludes his performance analysis by looking at the Bulleid and BR Standard classes that worked the route to its final day

ART one of this article (RM September) focused on ‘2P’, ‘7F’ and ‘Black Five’ performance over the Somerset & Dorset. During the Second World War, when the nation’s railway system was under Government control, the popular and reliable ‘Fives’ were transferred to areas of (allegedly) greater need.

The ‘Dorset’ was only partly recompensed by the loan of former London & South Western classes, including ‘S11’ and ‘T9’ 4-4-0s, although an LMS Compound 4-4-0, ‘Crab’ Class 5 2-6-0s and, briefly, ‘8F’ 2-8-0s also did battle with the Mendip gradients.

LNER ‘B12’ 4-6-0s, with their low axleload and high-route availability, proved ideal for hauling ambulance trains.

‘Black Five’ No. 5440 returned in 1944, to be joined by a number of the same class, and the Southern ‘strangers’ were sent ‘home’.

Three new Ivatt Class 4 2-6-0s were allocated to Bath in 1949, but the double-chimneys they then carried did not match their boiler proportions, their steaming was poor, and BR Standard ‘9F’ 2-10-0 No. 92001 passes Shepton Mallet at the head of a Bradford to Bournemouth through train on September 1, 1962. DAVE COBBE/RAIL PHOTOPRINTS

in 1953 they migrated to less arduous duties elsewhere.

So we come to the Bulleid ‘Light Pacifics’.

Disappointing trials

On February 1, 1948 S&D operational management had passed to BR’s Southern Region and, in November that year, Pacific No. 21C149 (later, 34049) Anti-Aircraft Command headed a Bristol-bound football excursion weighing some 420 tons full, former Midland 4-4-0 No. 40505 providing assistance north of Evercreech. Peter Smith, S&D fireman turned author, wrote in his book Footplate over the Mendips that “even on this initial outing…there were signs that perhaps it was not the most suitable type for the line.

There was a fair amount of slipping…and the locomotive rounded off its trip by nearly stalling on…Parkstone bank…”.

Trials with No. 34109 Sir Trafford LeighMallory in March 1951 were also disappointing, although entrusting it with 10 coaches to handle unassisted up the long 1-in-50 gradients

was ambitious. As a result, the maximum permitted load for the class north of Evercreech was reduced to 270 tons tare – the same as that for a Class 5 4-6-0. Although capable of much higher power output, the ‘Bulleids’ were unpredictable and prone to slipping; ‘Black Fives’, on the other hand, were reliable, predictable and sure-footed.

‘West Countries’ Nos. 34040-34044 were transferred to Bath for varying periods and, while they had all been moved elsewhere by the end of 1954, Bournemouth-based Pacifics continued to appear on S&D duties into the 1960s. A three-cylinder ‘U1’ and a two-cylinder ‘U’ Mogul underwent trials in March 1954 but, as with the Ivatt 2-6-0s, too much was expected of them and they were returned from where they had come.

Sharing work

In 1959, No. 34039 Boscastle became the first of the slightly heavier rebuilt ‘West Countries’ to share work on the route, subject to an overall restriction of 50mph. Logs of

FORGOTTEN RAILWAY TOWNS

The growth and decline of a

RAILWAY CENTRE PART

2

Robin Stewart-Smith concludes his historical review of Tuxford, a town that

once had a railway works and three railway stations.

The Great Central Railway and decline under the LNER

O A view of Dukeries Junction station from the only public path that accessed it. BILL TAYLOR COLLECTION

A LNER ‘V2’ 2-6-2, minus smokebox numberplate, heads an Up express past Tuxford North station towards Tuxford Junction in the summer of 1963 – track alteration/rationalisation evidence is visible. J S HANCOCK

n New Year’s Day 1907, the LD & ECR was absorbed by the Great Central Railway. Negotiations had begun with the GCR some two years earlier after talks with the GNR failed.

The LD & ECR’s business had expanded significantly over the 10 years from 1897.

Though overall passenger traffic had increased by more than 100% to more than half a million carried, coal traffic had seen a massive 500+% increase to 2.6 million tons carried, from just under half a million tons in 1897.

Gross annual receipts had increased from £42,456 in 1897 to £176,287 in 1907. Net annual receipts rose from £17,796 to £60,058 over the same period. Coal traffic was by far the most important element in LD & ECR business. The GCR also inherited the 37-strong

FORGOTTEN STATIONS

26 With a backdrop of a remote Caithness landscape, Class 47 No. 47712 Artemis passing Scotscalder with the 07.30 Inverness-Thurso 'Blue Pullman' special on April 16, 2006.

GRAEME ELGAR

Britain’s

least-used stations Every year, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes data showing the number of entries and exits for each UK station. While London stations generally make up most of the top 10 busiest, spare a thought for the stations at the bottom of the list that see very few passengers. The RM has compiled this summary of Britain’s 30 least used stations.

O

FTEN dubbed Britain’s forgotten stations, some railway stations are used by less than one passenger each week – so are in effect ‘ghost’

stations.

In a number of cases, the service provided by the franchised train operator is one of a ‘Parliamentary’ nature, running at inconvenient times, on just one day of the week, and often in one direction only.

This kind of ‘zombie’ service keeps the line open while avoiding the costs, timescales 28 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

and formalities – which could include a public inquiry – associated with station closures.

It is inevitable that any station closure proposal would almost certainly bring with it a large number of objections. For franchise operators, having to contend with these stations is a painful business, but rather than fight it, they provide a minimal service.

Many of the stations are in remote or very rural locations, so by their nature patronage would not be great, but some are in the suburbs of big cities and lie on the route of

freight or empty stock workings, usually where local residents are better served by bus.

In the case of some stations, rail campaigners argue that if more services stopped, then there would be more use made of the trains – a classic case of chicken and egg?

Many seldom-used stations consist of just a platform, some even have a waiting shelter, but in some cases original buildings associated with the station survive, usually in private use.

Let’s look at them in reverse order of patronage.

FAWLEY FINALE For more than 80 years, ExxonMobil and its predecessors used rail to move oil products from the Fawley refinery, but all traffic ceased in September. Nick Lera charts the history of this Hampshire industrial site.

B

ORN of the oil industry and now discarded by it, the 9½-mile Hampshire branch from Totton to Fawley has stopped carrying refinery traffic; ExxonMobil has turned its back on a railway that was essential to Fawley’s operations for more than 80 of its 91 years.

A railway down the eastern side of the New Forest by Southampton Water was first planned in 1872 when the Swindon Marlborough and Andover Railway sponsored an Isle of Wight extension, terminating on the Solent at Stone Point, near Lepe, with a ferry to Cowes offering the shortest possible sea crossing. However, insufficient capital was raised, and despite periodic attempts to revive it the scheme foundered. Even a 1906 pioneer motor bus service failed in 1908 due to poor roads that weren’t improved for another 10 years.

Then, shortly after the First World War, the establishment of an oil refinery on the western shore of Southampton Water changed everything.

The Anglo Gulf West Indies Petroleum Corporation (AGWI) was formed in 1920 and acquired a square mile of marshland at Fawley.

Site clearance started in 1921, materials and plant being brought in over a 2ft-gauge tramway from Ashlett Quay, half a mile to the south, using small petrol tractors. However, this conduit was inadequate for future needs, leading to pressure 36 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

to revive the old Stone Point railway scheme as far as Fawley. The newly named Totton, Hythe & Fawley Light Railway was duly authorised in 1922, with AGWI and the LSWR as major shareholders.

Construction started in spring 1923, the contractors being Sir Robert McAlpine & Co

“In 1939 it was decided to mothball the plant; it was deemed too inviting a target for the Luftwaffe” An annotated section of the 1968 One Inch OS map showing the extent of rail sidings and jetties, with build dates. © CROWN COPYRIGHT 2016 ORDNANCE SURVEY. MEDIA 011/16

Ltd. With steam shovels discharging into tippler wagons on a 3ft-gauge light railway, excavation spoil from Marchwood and Hythe was used to make a bank across Dibden Marsh and the single track from Totton (82.42 miles from Waterloo) to Fawley (92.05 miles) was finally ready for inspection on July 8, 1925. Public passenger

Panorama

Stanier Pacific No. 6201 Princess Elizabeth is caught in a golden glint as it powers through Bromfield, near Ludlow, with Steam Dreams’‘Cathedrals Express’ from Paddington to Shrewsbury and return on September 10. BOB GREEN

A warming glow envelopes Tanfield Railway volunteer David Watchman as he goes about the business of scraping out the fire of Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns 0-4-0ST Sir Cecil A Cochrane at Marley Hill shed on December 23, 2015. DAVE HEWITT

Type 4s in triplicate at the East Lancashire Railway’s Baron Street Yard on September 23 as the Class 40 Preservation Society’s green 1Co-Co1s Nos. D213 Andania, 40135 and 40106 recall the heyday of Longsight depot for an evening photographic event. TOM MCATEE

64 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

Industrial Steam Track Record COMPILED BY

GARY BOYD-HOPE

Call: 01507 529589

email: gboyd-hope @mortons.co.uk

Your reports and pictures are most welcome.

Highly competitive rates are paid, especially if exclusive to The RM.

SIDELINES Slough Estates No. 5 returns to Embsay

HUDSWELL, Clarke 0-6-0ST Slough Estates No. 5 (1709/1939) has returned to its former home at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway after spending more than three years at the Appleby Frodingham Railway in Scunthorpe. The loco had moved to the steelworks railway for overhaul, but this was never started in earnest and No. 5 was recalled at the end of the summer.

Southall Peckett gives Helston Railway its first resident steam THE Helston Railway at Prospidnick, Cornwall, welcomed its first resident steam locomotive on September 29, with the arrival of Peckett ‘R4’ 0-4-0ST William Murdoch.

Plans to have the 1949-built Peckett based in Cornwall have been on the table for several years, but the waiting finally came to an end in August when it was announced that the former Hilsea Gas Works, Portsmouth, loco (No. 2100) would be making the move to the railway from the Southall base of Great Western Railway Preservation Group (GWRPG).

William Murdoch’s arrival has enabled the Helston Railway (HR) to fulfil one of its key

ambitions; it is hoped the Peckett will help put the railway firmly on the tourist map.

Loan agreement

Its loan has been made possible thanks to an agreement with the owners, Portsmouth City Council, and its custodians at the GWRPG. Helston Town Council has also helped with the move, providing a grant of £750 towards the transport costs from Southall.

Previously, the only steam loco to operate at the railway was back in July 2010 when Bagnall 0-4-0ST Judy visited Trevarno from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.

Since reaching the railway

the Peckett has been inspected, filled with water and test steamed, the latter taking place on October 9.

The intention is to complete any work required for a new 10-year boiler ticket over the winter in readiness for steam operations to begin next year, with Easter being the target for the commencement of services.

The loco will also receive some cosmetic attention during this period, including a possible repaint, and it will be fitted with vacuum brakes at the same time. Crew training is also being finalised, likely in conjunction with the Plym Valley Railway.

In the meantime the railway is concentrating on the need to

erect a secure shed/workshop to house the loco, along with the essential infrastructure required for a steam line, namely a water tower and dedicated coaling facility. Funding for a GWR-style water tower was due to be finalised in October.

Working career

William Murdoch spent its entire working career at Hilsea, but saw only occasional use after the arrival of a Ruston 88DS shunter in 1961.

However, it remained on site until November 18, 1983 when it was placed in the care of the GWRPG and transferred to Southall for a return to full working order.

Track donation for North Tyneside

THE Stephenson Railway Museum has benefited from the donation of around 250 tonnes of spent ballast and 50 wooden sleepers recovered from the Tyne & Wear Metro between Benton and Monkseaton. The materials have been gifted following the completion of maintenance works by TXM Rail.

Wimblebury set for 2017 comeback

FOXFIELD Railway favourite Hunslet‘Austerity’0-6-0ST No. 7 Wimblebury should return to service in time for the railway’s 50th anniversary celebrations next year. The loco (3839/1956) is undergoing a major overhaul at Caverswall Road, including the replacement of its bunker and other plate work. The boiler will be returned to the frames in November following a full re-tube.

Re-tube for Beamish Coffee Pot No. 1

BEAMISH Museum’s 1871-built Head, Wrightson 0-4-0VBT Coffee Pot No. 1 should return to traffic next spring following repairs to its pressure vessel.

The boiler has been despatched to the Severn Valley Railway’s boiler shop for re-tubing, and while it is away the bottom end will be steam-cleaned and inspected, with the paintwork being tidying up in the process.

Newly arrived Peckett 0-4-0ST William Murdoch simmers with its first fire at Prospidnick, Helston Railway, on October 9. KEN WOOD

DIARY November 3 Ribble Steam Railway, Half-Term Open Day 20 Rocks by Rail, ‘The Rutlander’ 26-27 Foxfield Railway, ‘Santa Specials’ 26-26 Tanfield Railway, ‘North Pole Express’ 27 Northampton & Lamport Railway, ‘Santa Specials’ 27 Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway, ‘Santa Specials’

76 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

75th celebration for Chasewater’s ‘Pocket Peckett’ OCTOBER 2 saw Chasewater Railway-based ‘Yorktown’ 0-4-0ST Teddy (2012/1941) celebrate its 75th ‘birthday’ in an event postponed from August. Throughout the day the Peckett worked three brakevan specials along the full length of the line, suitably adorned with a headboard acknowledging the anniversary and the loco’s Royal Ordnance Factory heritage.

As a finale, the loco was paired with Hunslet 0-6-0ST Holly Bank No. 3 to double-head the last train of the day, the Hunslet dwarfing Teddy as they leave Chasewater Heaths for Chasetown. ALISTAIR GRIEVE

Railtours Track Record COMPILED BY

NICK BRODRICK

Mk3 train for 90mph-registered Tornado

Call: 01507 529589 email: nbrodrick @mortons.co.uk

Your reports and pictures are most welcome.

Highly competitive rates are paid, especially if exclusive to The RM.

Panniers to pack a punch over the ‘Lickey’

DENNIS Howells’beloved pannier tank No. 9466 returns to the main line this month – and it faces a stern test of its mettle.

The Hawksworth-design ‘94XX’will pair-up with pannier predecessor‘8750’No. 9600, from the Tyseley stable, for a circular tour of the West Midlands, culminating in what promises to be a noisy ascent of the 1-in-37 Lickey incline.

The formidable two-mile bank will have just reopened in time for the November 12 tour following a two-week shutdown in order to allow Network Rail engineers to install overhead wires north from Bromsgrove.

Banking

Vintage Trains’‘Pannier Rambler’ sets out from Tyseley Warwick Road in top-and-tail mode for a run to Stratford-upon-Avon and return through Birmingham’s metropolis, including New Street station, and on to Worcester Shrub Hill. The return leg from Worcester takes the 0-6-0PTs over the‘Lickey’and back to New Street and Tyseley.

‘94XXs’in the 8400-8406 number series were used for banking duties over the bank following the Worcestershire route’s transfer from Midland to Western Region control in 1958.

Pannier No. 9466 was due to be given a shake-down test run on the evening of November 3 between Tyseley and Stratford, following work to alleviate a tight rear axlebox, which was machined at Tyseley in October.

The reserve engine for the ‘rambler’is London Transportliveried‘57XX’No. L94 (7752).

New build meets re-build: No. 60163 Tornado drifts past the Battersea Power Station development on September 30, while in charge of the British Pullman. JAMES HAMILTON

A NEW concept in steam charter train operation has been unveiled by the A1 Trust, which will see its ‘A1’ Pacific Tornado paired with a luxury train consisting of Mk3 rolling stock.

The locomotive will be registered to run at a maximum of 90mph, fulfilling the Darlington organisation’s long-held ambition to raise its limited range from 75mph.

The new charter rake will be launched into traffic in three years time, while the 2008-built 4-6-2 will begin 90mph trials next spring.

High-speed runs are not only for prestige purposes; future 90mph derogation will enable Tornado-hauled trains to benefit from shorter journey times and fit in better with what is an increasingly congested national network.

Innovations inside the

Oliver Cromwell misses 2016 trips

‘BRITANNIA’ Pacific Oliver Cromwell will not return to main line duty until early 2017.

British Railways ‘7MT’ No. 70013 is in operable condition at the Great Central Railway after a catalogue of repairs since January 2016, but there are issues relating to its superheater elements that will require rectification before its custodian – 5305LA – has confidence to return the loco to the national network.

Its visit to the Bluebell Railway’s Giants of Steam event in late October was also called off, even though the latest plan

was for it to be transported between Loughborough and Sheffield Park by road.

Charters

The revised intention is to release No. 70013 for charter work in early 2017. Its only slated tours are part of the ‘Great Britain X’ multi-day tour, which has the 1951-built ‘Brit’ down for the EdinburghDundee-Perth-Inverness leg on April 30 and InvernessAviemore-Perth on May 2.

Oliver Cromwell’s main line boiler certificate expires in spring 2018.

94 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

refurbished train, using redundant stock from East Anglia, include air conditioning, central door locking, controlled emission toilets, power at seat and persons with restricted mobility facilities. Provision for wi-fi is also being considered.

Dining

The trust has also moved to allay fears that the use of air-con Mk3 will sanitise the steam experience, having pledged that windows will be modified so that they can be opened, with passengers still being able to hear the three-cylinder note from No. 60163.

The carriages will accommodate in the region of 250 dining passengers, served by at least one kitchen car.

There will be a new support coach and a generator coach with train staff accommodation.

The concept is in response to what the trust describes as a“market long dominated by difficult-to-maintain 60 years or older vehicles”. The stock could be finished in either blood & custard or vinyl teak livery.

The majority of railtours use Mk1s, which have occasionally come under the spotlight because of concerns over crash-worthiness and, within the last year, their current incompatibility with impending toilet retention tank regulation (Locomotive Services is fitting its charter set with controlled emission toilets).

The A1 Trust’s train will also incorporate increased water capacity that will be throughpiped to Tornado’s tender, which will increase its range to around 200 miles; the rough equivalent of King’s Cross to York.

This, combined with its higher

speed capabilities, means that running over increasingly congested routes – such as the East Coast Main Line – will still be achievable. Indeed, it opens up possibilities to make a London to York run desirable, rather than the ‘tortuous’ itineraries that befall tours hauled by 75mph-limited locomotives with limited water capacity.

Exciting

The trust’s operations director Graeme Bunker said: “The trust’s exciting plans for its own state-of-the-art train, 90mph operation for Tornado, a new main line-connected base in Darlington, and further new-build LNER steam locomotives demonstrate that after over 25 years of innovation, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust remains at the forefront of the railway heritage movement.”

‘Lizzie’ fails at Gloucester

LMS Pacific Princess Elizabeth has been struck down by another failure, early into its new main line tenure.

The crimson lake 4-6-2 was prematurely stood down at Gloucester with a failed blower valve partway through hauling Steam Dreams’‘Cathedrals Express’ on October 5.

It is pictured in the yard, where it remained until transfer to Southall on October 13 following repairs.

The return charter working to Horsham was powered by Class 47 No. 47580. Picture: JACK BOSKETT

World Track Record

General view of the Innotrans 2016 show. All images: KEITH FENDER

Thegreatest showon rails Keith Fender reports from Berlin’s Innotrans extravaganza, which takes over the city’s Messe exhibition complex every two years.

WHERE would you find the latest trains before they enter service, every conceivable piece of railway technology, and for good measure free cab rides in a steam loco?

Every two years the world’s railway industry converges on the exhibition centre in Berlin for the Innotrans trade fair – the latest trains and technology are displayed and railway managers, politicians, train builders and equipment suppliers all get together.

The event started more

than 20 years ago, initially to showcase the German rail supply industry. It had under 200 exhibitors, but quickly grew to something much bigger.

The mid-September 2016 event saw 2,955 exhibiting companies from more than 60 countries and 144,470 visitors from 140 countries.

It is not just for trade visitors willing to pay €50 or more for a ticket – the show has a tradition of making the outdoor exhibits, including

most new trains, accessible to the public the weekend after the main event for just €3, and this year, 16,000 took advantage.

Most of the 3,000 exhibiting companies have stands in the huge exhibition centre halls – all 26 of them – but for many visitors the real attraction of Innotrans is the array of new and sometimes previously unseen rail vehicles, locos and wagons.

Some manufacturers use Innotrans to heavily promote

Alstom’s iLINT Hydrogen fuel cell-powered regional unit No. 654 601, which created much interest. The crests are of the German states the unit will serve.

INSET: The clever design of the H20 mocquette inside the Hydrogen train.

100 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

their products – Siemens and Swiss company Stadler always have a wide selection on show, as do the main train builders in Poland – Pesa and Newag.

Stadler recently acquired the former Vossloh factory in Spain for the UK– and displayed DRS dual-power loco No. 88003. They were particularly proud of the fact they were the second biggest exhibitor at the show. This was largely because Bombardier decided not to exhibit any trains, despite stealing the

show in previous years with high-speed trains, monorails and locos, and even London Underground ‘S’ Stock.

While industrial espionage was mentioned as a reason

by Bombardier, some visitors do indeed take great interest in the most apparently minor components; the reason seems to be financial as displaying the trains with exhibition space is expensive.

Surprisingly, Hitachi chose not to exhibit any trains from either its UK or Italian factories.

A Newag ‘Impuls’ EMU for Przewozy Regionalne, Poland.

Heritage Diary ABBEY PUMPING STATION

December 4 (Christmas Toys and Steam Day), Magnificent Meccano (January 10) Corporation Road, Leicester LE4 5PX (0116 299 51110). www.abbeypumpingstation.org/events.asp Museum open Feb-Oct (13.00-16.30).

ALDERNEY RAILWAY

December 18 (Santa Specials) Braye Road station, Alderney, Channel Islands GY9 3DA. www.alderneyrailway.com

ALFORD VALLEY RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11 (Santa Specials) Alford station, Alford, Aberdeenshire (01975 564332). www.alfordvalleyrailway.org.uk/timetable.asp

ALN VALLEY RAILWAY

December 10-11, 14, 17-18 (Santa Specials) Lionheart Station, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 2EZ. www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk Information line 0300 030 3311.

AMBERLEY MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTRE

Wednesday-Sunday (10.00-17.00) Houghton Bridge, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9LT (01798 831370). www.amberleynarrowgauge.co.uk Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 14, 17-18, 21 Santa Specials.

AMERTON RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24 (Santa Specials) Stowe-by-Chartley, Weston, Staffs ST18 OLA (01785 850965). www.amertonrailway.co.uk

APEDALE VALLEY LIGHT RAILWAY HOME OF THE MOSELEY RAILWAY TRUST

December 10-11, 17-18 (Santa Specials) Apedale Country Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 7LB (0845 0941953). www.avlr.org.uk

AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY

November 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-24 (Santa Specials) Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JL (01799 542134). www.audley-end-railway.co.uk/

AVON VALLEY RAILWAY

November 26-27, December 3-5, 9-11, 17-18, 22-24, 26, 27, 30-January 1 Bitton station, Bath Road, Bitton BS30 6HD (0117 932 5538/7296). www.avonvalleyrailway.org Events: Santa Specials on all November and December dates (until Christmas Eve).

See website for dining trains.

BALA LAKE RAILWAY

November 1, December 10-11 Llanuwchllyn station, Gwynedd. www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk Events: December 10-11 Santa Specials.

BARROW HILL ROUNDHOUSE RAILWAY

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 Campbell Drive, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield (01246 472450). Open: 10.00-16.00. www.barrowhill.org.uk

BARRY TOURIST RAILWAY

November 5 (Bonfire Night Trains), December 10-11, 17-18 (Santa Specials) The Station Buildings, Barry Island CF62 5TH (01446 748816). www.barrytouristrailway.co.uk

BARTON HOUSE RAILWAY

December 18, January 1 Barton House, Hartwell Road, Wroxham, Norfolk NR12 8TL (01603 782470/722858). www.bartonhouserailway.org.uk Events: December 18 Santa Specials.

BATTLEFIELD LINE

November 5-6, 13, 20, 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 23-24 Shackerstone station, Shackerstone, Leics CV13 6NW (01827 880754). www.battlefieldline.co.uk.

Events: Station open most Sats and Suns (11.45-17.00) and bank holidays.

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 23-24 Santa Specials.

BLUEBELL RAILWAY

November 5-6, 19-20, 26-27, December 2-6, 9-13, 16-19, 21-24, 26-31 Sheffield Park station, East Sussex (01825 720800). www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/ Events: October 28-30 Giants of Steam. See website for Afternoon Tea Lounge Car and Sunday Carvery dining train.

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 23 Santa Specials.

BODMIN & WENFORD RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24, 27-28, 31-January 2 Bodmin General station, Cornwall (01208 73666). www.bodminrailway.co.uk Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21-24 Santa Specials.

BO’NESS & KINNEIL RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-23, 29-31 Bo’ness station, Bo’ness, West Lothian EH51 9AQ (01506 822298). www.bkrailway.co.uk Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-23 Santa Specials.

BOWES RAILWAY

December 3-4 Springwell Village, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE9 7QJ (0191 4161847). www.bowesrailway.co.uk Museum is open every Tues and Thurs (10.00-15.00).

BRECON MOUNTAIN RAILWAY

November 26-27, 29-30, December 1-4, 6-11, 13-15, 17-23 (Santa Specials) Pant station, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 2UP (01685 722988). www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk

BRESSINGHAM STEAM & GARDENS

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21-24 (Santa Specials) Bressingham Steam Experience, Diss (01379 686906). www.bressingham.co.uk Open 11.00-16.00 Steam Days Weds-Suns, Bank Holiday Mons and every day in school holidays.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE RAILWAY CENTRE

November 26-27, December 3-4, 17-18 (Santa Specials), 10-11 (Days Out With Thomas) Quainton Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 4BY (01296 655720). www.bucksrailcentre.org See website for static viewing days.

BURE VALLEY RAILWAY

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26, December 3-4, 10-11, 16-24, 27-31 Aylsham station, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk (01263 733858). www.bvrw.co.uk Events: Santa Specials on dates in December (until Chistmas Eve).

BURSLEDON LIGHT RAILWAY HNGRT

November 6, 27, December 4 Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum, Coal Park Lane, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7GW (01489 576248). www.hngrt.org.uk Events: November 27 An Edwardian Worker’s Christmas, December 4 Father Christmas Specials.

BURY TRANSPORT MUSEUM

Open Wednesday-Sunday (10.00-16.00) Bolton Street, Bury, Lancs BL9 0EY (0161 763 4457). www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/burytransportmuseum or email: transport.museum@east-lancs-rly.co.uk

CALEDONIAN RAILWAY

December 10-11, 17-18, 24 (Santa Specials) The Station, Park Road, Brechin DD9 7AF (01356 622992). www.caledonianrailway.com

CAMBRIAN HERITAGE RAILWAYS

Llynclys running days: December 4, 11, 18 (Santa Specials).

Oswestry running days: November 5 (Last Train Commemoration), December 3, 10, 17 (Santa Specials).

Llynclys South Station SY10 8BX and Suite 1, Cambrian Visitor Centre, Oswald Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1RE (01691 688763). www.cambrianrailways.com

CARNFORTH STATION VISITOR CENTRE

Daily (10.00-16.00) Carnforth station, Lancashire LA5 9TR. www.carnforthstation.co.uk See website for exhibitions and films season.

118 • The Railway Magazine • November 2016

Where to go for steam & classic traction in December & January CHASEWATER RAILWAY

November 6, 13, December 1, 3-4, 6, 8, 10-11, 17-18, 22-24 Chasewater Country Park, Pool Road, Brownhills, Staffs (01543 412121). www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk Events: Santa Specials on all December dates.

CHICHESTER & DISTRICT SOCIETY OF MODEL ENGINEERS

December 4, 11 (Santa Specials) Blackberry Lane, off Bognor Road, East Chichester, West Sussex PO19 7FS. www.cdsme.co.uk

CHINNOR & PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22, 24, 27-29, January 1 Chinnor station, Oxon OX39 4ER (timetable 01844 353535). www.chinnorrailway.co.uk Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22, 24 Santa Specials. See website for dining trains.

CHOLSEY & WALLINGFORD RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 (Santa Specials) Wallingford station, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford (01491 835067). www.cholsey-wallingford-railway.com

CHURNET VALLEY RAILWAY

November 6, December 3-4, 7, 10-11, 14, 16-18, 21-24 Station Road, Cheddleton ST13 7EE (01538 750755). www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/ Events: Santa Specials on all December dates (except 16 Christmas Carol Service).

COLEFORD GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY MUSEUM

Open on Fridays, Saturdays and bank holidays (14.30-17.00) The Old Railway Station, Railway Drive, Coleford, Gloucs GL16 8RH (01594 833569/832032). www.colefordgwr.150m.com/aboutus.html

COLNE VALLEY RAILWAY

December 10-11, 17-18, 22 (Santa Specials) Castle Hedingham, Essex CO9 3DZ (01787 461174). www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk

CORRIS RAILWAY

December 10-11 (Santa Specials) Station Yard, Corris, Machynlleth SY20 9SH. www.corris.co.uk

CREWE HERITAGE CENTRE

See website for opening dates Vernon Way, Crewe CW1 2DB (01270 212130). http://creweheritagecentre.org/

DARLINGTON RAILWAY MUSEUM HEAD OF STEAM

Open Wednesday-Sunday (11.00-15.30) North Road Station, Darlington DL3 6ST. (01325 460532). www.darlington.gov.uk/culture/headofsteam

DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY

November 2-3, 5, 9-10, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30, December 3, 7, 10-11, 14, 17-18, 20-24 Queens Park station, Torbay Road, Paignton TQ4 6AF (01803 555872). www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk Events: December 10-11, 17-18, 20-24 Santa Specials.

DEAN FOREST RAILWAY

November 2, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21, 24, 27, 31 Norchard, Forest Road, Lydney (01594 845840). www.deanforestrailway.co.uk Events: December 10-11, 17-18, 21, 24 Santa Specials.

DERWENT VALLEY LIGHT RAILWAY

www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21-22 Thomas and Father Chrstmas.

EAST ANGLIAN RAILWAY MUSEUM

Daily (10.00-16.30) for static viewing Chappel station, Wakes Colne, Colchester CO6 2DS (01206 242524). www.earm.co.uk Events: December 4, 10-11, 17-18 Days Out with Thomas and Santa.

EAST KENT RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-24 (Santa Specials) White Cliffs Colliery Line, Station Road, Shepherdswell, Dover CT15 7PD (01304 832042). www.eastkentrailway.co.uk/

EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4, 7, 9-11, 14, 16-18, 21-24 Bolton Street station, Bury, Lancs BL9 0EY (0161 764 7790). www.east-lancs-rly.co.uk Events: November 5 DMU Theme Day, 26-27, December 3-4, 7, 9-11, 14, 16-18, 21-24 Santa Specials.

EASTLEIGH LAKESIDE STEAM RAILWAY

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-24, 26-31 Lakeside Country Park, Wide Lane, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 5PE (02380 612020). www.steamtrain.co.uk Events: December 10-11, 17-18 Santa Specials.

EAST SOMERSET RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-24 Cranmore station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 4QP (01749 880417). www.eastsomersetrailway.com Events: See website for dining trains, October 26, 29-30 Spooky Specials, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-24 Santa Specials.

ECCLESBOURNE VALLEY RAILWAY

November 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29, December 3-4, 7, 10-11, 14, 17-18, 21-24, 31 Wirksworth station, off Coldwell Street, Wirksworth DE4 4FB (01629 823076). www.e-v-r.com Events: December 3-4, 7, 10-11, 14, 17-18, 21-24 Santa Specials.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY MUSEUM

See website for open days Rowley Road, Baginton, Coventry CV3 4LE. www.electricrailwaymuseum.co.uk

ELSECAR HERITAGE RAILWAY

November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 4, 11, 18 Elsecar Heritage Centre, Wath Road, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8HJ (01226 746746). Open daily for static viewing. www.elsecar-heritage.com/

EMBSAY & BOLTON ABBEY STEAM RAILWAY

November 6, 13, 20, 27, December 3-4, 6, 10-11, 17-18, 24, 26 Bolton Abbey station, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6AF (01756 710614). www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk Events: November 6, 13, 20 Vintage Stock Sundays, 27, December 3-4, 6, 10-11, 17-18, 24 Santa Specials.

EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21-24, 27-28, 31 Ongar station, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex CM5 9BN (01277 365200). http://eorailway.co.uk/ Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21-24 Santa Specials. See website for details of dining trains.

EVESHAM VALE LIGHT RAILWAY

December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 22-23 (Santa Specials) Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park, Murton Lane, Murton, York YO19 5UF (telephone enquiries via Murton Park 01904 489966). www.murtonpark.co.uk/the-railway/

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 20-24, 27-January 2 Evesham Country Park, Twyford, Evesham, Worcs WR11 4TP (01386 422282). www.evlr.co.uk Events: December 3-4, 10-11, 17-24 Santa Specials.

DIDCOT RAILWAY CENTRE

Daily (until November 6) Exbury Gardens, Southampton SO45 1AZ (023 8089 1203). Open 10.00-17.00. www.exbury.co.uk Events: See website for details of Santa Specials.

November 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 21-22, 28-31 Didcot, Oxon OX11 7NJ (01235 817200).

EXBURY GARDENS RAILWAY

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