My friends at The Transport Treasury based locally to me in High Wycombe, have this week published two new Southern related books both written by two very well known authors. Firstly, good friend Mike King has written the second volume of his Southern Coaches Survey, and Secondly, a bit of a surprise being Locomotives of … Continue reading Two new Southern books from The Transport Treasury
Category: History
Collingwood shows you how – 3rd & 4th Rail Systems, Part 1, Background & Design
Friend and Collingwood layout builder, Simon Paley, takes a look at the 3rd and 4th Rail electrification systems. In this Part 1 Collingwood shows you how post he discusses the background to the system. Future posts will cover how to install 3rd and 4th rail on your layouts and also the conductor rail accessories and … Continue reading Collingwood shows you how – 3rd & 4th Rail Systems, Part 1, Background & Design
When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today #Remembrance #lestweforget
If you so wish, wear your poppy with pride today, pause respectfully for two minutes at 11 am this morning for Armistice Day remembering all those, both service and civilian personnel who have given their lives for the freedom that we all enjoy today, and should you feel so inclined, support the sterling work of … Continue reading When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today #Remembrance #lestweforget
81 years on – Turning left for France – Operation Overlord – the Southern Railway and the D-Day landings #onthisday
Today, 6th June, marks the 81st anniversary of the Allied forces D-Day landings, Operation Overlord, on the Normandy coast, the largest ever wartime seaborne invasion landings, and the subsequent Battle of Normandy lasting until 30th August 1944, that brought about the start of the end of the Second World War. I make no excuse for … Continue reading 81 years on – Turning left for France – Operation Overlord – the Southern Railway and the D-Day landings #onthisday
You can’t beat a bit of Bulleid (well Raworth)… a bit of a boost(er)…
Whilst being privileged to visit Strawberry Hill Depot the other weekend, as part of my role with Kernow Model Rail Centre to get close up and personal with the Southern Electric Traction Group (SETG) heritage 4-Vep EMU 3417 ‘Gordon Pettitt’, I took a chance to explore the heritage of the surroundings... Strawberry Hill depot, now … Continue reading You can’t beat a bit of Bulleid (well Raworth)… a bit of a boost(er)…
Canute Road Quay to appear at Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering as part of Railway 200 celebrations
The Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) opened on September 27, 1825, connecting places, people, communities and ideas, and ultimately transforming the world. Railway 200 is a year-long nationwide campaign an wide range of events to celebrate 200 years, based whether you agree or or not, on the opening of S&DR being the birth of the … Continue reading Canute Road Quay to appear at Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering as part of Railway 200 celebrations
80 years on – Marking VE Day – Putting the Southern Railways war effort into perspective
Today marks 80 years since Victory in Europe Day or VE Day. VE Day is the day on which Allied forces formally announced the surrender of Germany, which brought the Second World War to a close in Europe. The military surrender was first signed on May 7, but a slightly modified document with the final … Continue reading 80 years on – Marking VE Day – Putting the Southern Railways war effort into perspective
#OnThisDay… O.V.S. Bulleid passed away
Today marks 55 years since the passing of Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid CBE. He was of course Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway between 27th May 1937 and 31st December 1947 and then briefly for the Southern Region of British Railways until 1st October 1949. On the 10th May 1937 Sir Nigel Gresley advised … Continue reading #OnThisDay… O.V.S. Bulleid passed away
#onthisday Anniversary of the “The Reshaping British Railways” – the Beeching report
It is sixty two years to the day when Dr Richard Beeching’s report “The Reshaping of British Railways” was officially published on the 27th March 1963. The report and its effects are still discussed with many opinions to this to this day. To read my hopefully balanced, thoughts and discussion about the report, with of … Continue reading #onthisday Anniversary of the “The Reshaping British Railways” – the Beeching report
SR/Southern Region ‘Tram/Trolley’ style overhead cantilever mast kits available from West Hill Wagon Works in 00 gauge
West Hill Wagon Works have released SR/Southern Region 'Tram/trolley' style lightweight overhead cantilever mast kits in 00 Gauge. To enable the Bulleid Raworth Booster and class 71 electric locos to pick up / drop off (rather than shunt) trains in a number of yards away from electrified 3rd rail and its obvious inconvenience and dangers … Continue reading SR/Southern Region ‘Tram/Trolley’ style overhead cantilever mast kits available from West Hill Wagon Works in 00 gauge