Double Headed "Hall" class locos to Cardiff..... Via the Lickey!



Vintage trains have planned yet another assault of the Lickey next year and this time it is with 2 "Hall" class locos. For details, see the plan below:


4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" and 4936 "Kinlet Hall" are paired together for this journey to Newport along the Welsh side of the Severn Estuary. Our outbound route takes us from Tyseley Warwick Road station, through Birmingham’s Jewellery District and down Old Hill through Kidderminster and Worcester Shrub- Hill, before a water-stop at Gloucester. Unusually, we continue through Gloucester, crossing over the River Severn, then following the Welsh side of the Severn Estuary all the way through Chepstow and Caldicot to the city of Newport. The origins of Casnewydd-ar-Wysg (New Castle on the Usk) can be traced back to the Bronze-age when fisherman settled around the fertile estuary of the River Usk. Newport obtained its first charter in 1314, and grew to a large market town protected by the first of several castles, completed in 1386. The industrial revolution saw a huge expansion in the nation’s appetite for coal; Newport was well positioned to supply these needs and by 1830 had become Wales’ leading coal port.
After a luncheon break in Newport, we return to the Midlands along a similar route, pausing again at Gloucester and stopping at Worcester. However, here we turn back towards the Midland Mainline for a double-headed assault on the Lickey Incline! Coming to a stand at Bordesley Junction, the lead Hall will run-round as the train reverses for a tender-first, top-and-tailed return to Tyseley Warwick Road.
Commencing at Tyseley Warwick Road platform, with additional pickups at Worcester Shrub Hill and Gloucester.

We hope the tour goes well.
Chris Nelson

44767 to miss Titfield Thunderbolt trip



44767 digs in to the steep climb at Blackbrook on the Cauldon Lowe Branch with West Country No.34028 "Eddystone" working hard at the rear.

Steam Railway Magazine confirmed over a month ago that the unique Stephenson link Black 5 No.44767 "George Stevenson" will miss its mainline run on the "Titfield Tunderbolt" excursion as the owning group have discovered cracks in the firebox and have therefore had to stop the locomotive for repairs.

The train is to be hauled as far as Norwich by Battle of Britain No.34067 "Tangmere", where 44767 was to attach to the rear for a scurry along the branch to Cromer. GWR Pannier No.9466 will now undertake the Nowich-Cromer part of the excursion. After the run to Cromer, "Tangmere" will take charge again for the journey from Cromer to Sheringham, where the train will join the North Norfolk Railway for its journey to Holt. This will provide a unique oppurtunity for photographers to catch a Battle of Britain Pacific performing against the spectacular backdrop of the North Sea. Following this, the train will return to London. 

Despite the problems, the trip still goes ahead as planned.

Chris Nelson,

Steam Correspondent

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New RH&DR DVD available

Mountain class 4-8-2- No.5 "Hercules" comes off the turntable at new Romney after being turned.

The new Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway DVD will be available on Sunday 1st April 2012. "RH&DR Review 2011" was filmed between May and June 2011 and features much action from New Romney station itself, with the first chapter being shot during a pleasant afternoon in  May 2011.

We also cover the celebrations marking the 80th Birthday of locomotive No.10 "Doctor Syn", plenty of action with lots of multiple heading. Also featured are sequences from the May Wartime Weekend when a half hourly service was in operation providing some unique photographic oppertunities.

All the steam locos are featured in this 30 minute programme offering a delightful souveneir of your visit to the line.

If you wish to purchase this DVD please contact one of the email addresses below:

chrisnelson77@hotmail.co.uk

stevenelson77@hotmail.com

We hope you will get as much pleasure watching this DVD as we did in making it.

Best wishes,

Chris and Steve Nelson,

New Romney Productions camera crew

Chinese route upgrade forces Jitong line to close

This pair of Chinese QJ 2-10-2-'s storm up the western approach to Shandiang Summit in January 2005

Just 2 weeks ago GW Travel, operators of the famous "Jingpeng Orient Express", confirmed that the famous Jitong line is expected to close completely at the end of 2012. This is due to the building of a new line avoiding the Jingpeng Pass, and as no money can be found to keep the line running, the Chinese Authorities have no option but to close the line completely.

To pay tribute to this wonderful line, GW Travel have partnered up with "Steam Railway Magazine" to offer one last tour encompassing this spectacular railway. The 2012 "Jingpeng Orient Express" takes place over the final weekend of January. You can join the fabulous GW Travel Rolling Hotel or have some fun with the Steam Railway readers as they spend the day walking up and down the line recording the very last QJ hauled trains before the famous line closes for the forseable future. Details of this tour will appear later in January.

Of course it may re-open, but there are no plans for this at present.

We are all sorry for the passing of this legendary steam railway.

Best Regards,

Steve & Chris Nelson

Severn Valley promises spectacular line up for 2012 Spring Gala

During its record breaking visit to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in February 2010, Gresley N2 No.1744 climbs the bank just outside Oakworth station



A4 No.4492 "Dominion of New Zealand" stands at Corfe Castle station during the 2011 Autumn Gala at the Swanage Railway in Dorset



Caledonian Railway 0-6-0- No.828 makes a fine sight paired with the SVR's L.M.S. Maroon coaches during the 2011 Autumn Gala

Organisers of the Severn Valley Railway Spring Gala have promised a line up that will certainly draw in the crowds. Caledonian Railway 0-6-0- No.828 will be appearing in the Gala after spending the 2011 Festive Season at the railway.

L.N.E.R. fans will get their wish as A4 No.4492 "Dominion of New Zealand" has joined the line up and, of course, the blue A4 will be paired with the SVR's fabulous set of Teak carriges. N2 No.1744 makes another apperance on the line and is also pencilled in to be paired with the teak set. L.M.S. "Ivatt" No.43106 has returned from the North Norfolk Railway and will participate in the 2012 event.

The Gala is running in partnership with Steam Railway Magazine. Definately something to look forward to.

Regards,

Chris Nelson,

Steam Correspondent

NRP joins "Tangmere" for "Sussex Belle"

30467 pilots No.70000 "Britannia" on the second leg of Steam Dreams "Atlantic Coast Express" tour

I am extremely pleased to announce that we will be joining No.34067 "Tangmere" at the head of the Railway Touring Company's "Sussex Belle" railtour, a circular trip around the delightful Sussex Weald to Hastings starting from London Victoria station. This wonderful tour takes in the Bromly South Line, the Otford Loop, the Marshlink line and the direct Tonbridge line. The train also takes on the steep climb out of Victoria as well as the climb through Wadhurst and Kemsing, the steep climb through Ore station and the climb to Mountfeild Tunnel on the Hastings line. This trip will feature in the NRP 2011 Review DVD.

See you on 21st December!

Regards,

Chris Nelson

A1 Trust confirms 2012 preserved visits for "Tornado"

60163 rolls into Meadsted and Four Marks during the Mid Hants Autumn Steam Spectacular



60163 makes a spirited start from Ropley



This side-on photograph shows "Tornado" stretching her legs on the climb of Meadsted Bank



All of this is a long way from the grey primer carried back in 2008 

The A1 steam locomotive Trust has confirmed the first 3 preserved railway visits for 2012. "Tornado" still has more mainline work to do before her year is over. in 2012, the lco will be very busy from word go. Mainline runs have already been confirmed and 3 preserved railway visits have been planned.

First, The locomotive is to visit the Nene Valley Railway near Peterbourugh in Camebridgeshire for its Spring Steam Gala over the weekend of the 6th/9th April 2012. The loco is due to arrive under its own power, only the second time in a row that this has happened for the NVR.

The second visit is to the Llangollen Railway in North Wales for the Steel Steam and Stars 3 event. The loco will be operating alongside other guests such as No.70000 "Britannia", N2 No.1744 and LNWR Super D No.49395. This is sure to be a contender for "Gala of the Year 2012".

The last visit will be to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, where it will be starring in the newly arranged A1, A2, A3 A4 line-up, which was postponed earlier this year due to the unavailability of No.4472 "Flying Scotsman". There is also speculation that she will make a visit to the Ribble Steam Railway in Lancashire. However, this has to be confirmed.

Regards,
Chris Nelson,
UK Steam Correspondent,
NRP