A memorial and dedication service honoured the life of LNER Railway Police Constable Robert Smith, who lost his life during an air raid in 1942. LNER, the British Transport Police (BTP) History Group, ‘Raids Over York’ heritage project, and Normandy veteran Ken Cooke joined together to commemorate the life of Robert Smith, who served at York Railway Station during World War Two. A memorial and dedication service took place at York Cemetery on April 29, where a wreath was laid at the site of a new headstone. LNER organised for the new headstone to be placed on the site of Smith’s previously un ..read more

Locomotion has completed the movement of 46 vehicles into its new £8 million New Hall building at its site in Shildon. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Media Assignments This brings the County Durham museum’s total number of vehicles to 99,which the museum said is more than any other indoor display in Europe. The vehicles moved into the New Hall include steam locomotives, hand-powered track inspection machines, freight wagons, snow ploughs and an armoured vehicle on tracks. It took four weeks to fill New Hall in a complex operation. Sarah Price, head of the museum, said the new building is “magnifice ..read more

The Labour Party will renationalise the railways if elected, says the shadow transport secretary. James Manning/PA Wire In an announcement at the Trainline headquarters in London, the shadow secretary Louise Haigh said that “today’s broken model simply doesn’t work”. Ms Haigh said a Labour government would expect to transfer the 10 remaining privately run rail networks to public ownership “well within the first term” by folding existing private passenger rail contracts into a new body as they expire. The shadow transport secretary said the UK deserves “to be proud” of its rail legacy, but that ..read more

Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway’s upcoming Diesel Gala next month will also feature a hint of steam. The Bedfordshire-based railway will showcase its impressive collections of two-foot gauge heritage diesel locomotives on Monday, 27th May. The event will feature nine diesel locomotives pulling a mix of passenger and freight services across the line’s demanding gradients. Spectators will have the choice of nine passenger and six freight departures throughout the day, including rare double- and triple-headed trains. For the first time in over a decade, several locomotives will return to t ..read more

Here are a few different places you can find the perfect Fathers’ Day gift for your train-loving dad, from model railway products to fascinating reads. TONY’S TRAINS Surprise dad with a Father’s Day Gift from Tony’s Trains of Rugby. A wide selection of OO, N & O gauge from all of the major manufacturers with a variety of new and used products to suit all eras and budgets. If in doubt why not go for a good old gift voucher and let him choose his own model! www.tonystrainsofrugby.com 01788 543442 CHESTER MODEL CENTRE Chester Model Centre is a true Tardis! Treat Dad to a day out exploring our ..read more

A Labour peer has called for toilets on Elizabeth line trains after an incident in December when passengers were held for hours without access to one. Lord Berkeley called for facilities to be installed on any new trains built at the Alstom factory in Derby. The rail manufacturer is in talks with the Government over potential new orders, with reports that new Elizabeth line trains could be requested. Lord Berkeley told the House of Lords: “In relation to the Alstom potential order from the Government for extra trains on the Elizabeth line, this is allegedly to cope with more passengers who wil ..read more

Millions across Britain will have access to new open access train services under new rail industry plans. David Parry/PA Wire The PA news agency reported that open access services on seven routes are currently being developed. Most trains in Britain are run by operators either owned or paid management fees by the UK, Scottish or Welsh governments. However, open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. The UK Government is also planning measures to encourage further proposals, despite concerns that open access services create addit ..read more

New-build GWR 4-6-0 No. 6880 Betton Grange ran for the first time when it was steamed in the yard at Tyseley Locomotive Works on Thursday, April 11 – opening a new chapter in Great Western Railway history. Pictures and video by Robin Jones. Resplendent in its line Brunswick Green livery No. 6880 – the 81st member of its class and now its sole representative – made several runs up and down the yard in the afternoon after its first fire was lit earlier. The runs were witnessed by a small group of invited guests comprising officials and volunteers of the 6880 Betton Grange Society Ltd and Tyseley ..read more

Parts of the country will have no train services on Friday as drivers at five train operators strike. Danny Lawson/PA Wire Passengers have been urged not to attempt to travel on Friday as five train operators have said they will not run any services amid a driver’s strike. Members of Aslef at Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern will walk out, mounting picket lines outside stations. A ban on overtime at 16 companies is also continuing until Saturday, which will cause disruption to services. On Saturday train drivers will walk out ..read more

 Grab the brand-new May issue of Railways Illustrated magazine for the best coverage of today’s railway scene. Railways Illustrated reflects the energy and vitality of the present-day railway scene. Here’s what’s in the May issue: The pioneering spirit  It is now more than 30 years since Class 46 Peak D172 Ixion returned to the main line, becoming the first privately-owned heritage diesel locomotive to operate on British Rail metals. Andy Coward speaks to Ixion’s owner, Pete Waterman, recalling memories from three decades ago. Six cities  On occasions, various tra ..read more