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
Tag: Southern
Picture of the Month – June 2025
This Month's Picture... The 6th June 2025 marks the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, although taken two years later in 1946 the military transportation needs are still evident at Canute Road Quay as USA 0-6-0 tank runs around a Warwell 'A' wagon loaded with a Sherman tank, note the wooden box on the rear … Continue reading Picture of the Month – June 2025
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
Picture of the Month – May 2025
This month's Picture... May 1948 sees the start of the Summer timetable and the return of the Summer only all Pullman Devon Belle service. Unusually Bulleid light pacific 34011 in her experimental BR Apple Green livery is working East into Salisbury having been put in charge of the Belle at Wilton (usually a Merchant Navy … Continue reading Picture of the Month – May 2025
#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
Hornby announce new Merchant Navy 21c9 Shaw Savill as part of WWII VE Day 80th Anniversary Collection
Hornby have today announced a new WWII VE Day 80th Anniversary Collection that will include a model of Merchant Navy 21c9 'Shaw Savill'. The WWII VE Day 80th Anniversary collection also includes LNER Class A4 4-6-2 4469 Sir Ralph Wedgwood, LMS Streamlined Coronation Class 4-6-2 6247 City of Liverpool and LNER Class A3 4-6-2 103 … Continue reading Hornby announce new Merchant Navy 21c9 Shaw Savill as part of WWII VE Day 80th Anniversary Collection
Daffodils and Easter wishes
The daffodils are in bloom this Easter as LSWR B4 'Guernsey' in early Southampton Docks lined green livery shunts at Canute Road Quay. The budding trees, the new flowers, and birds that sing, whisper to me that it's Easter, and that the supermarkets full of chocolate of all shapes (many irrelevant), sizes and special offers! … Continue reading Daffodils and Easter wishes
Hornby announce new TT:120 LBSC Terriers and 4 wheel coaches as part their 2025 range
Hornby have today announced further new items as part of their forthcoming TT:120 gauge range for 2025. The headline news for Southern modellers is new tooled LBSC A1/A1X terriers and 4 wheel coaches. Also sneaking into the range is a basic version of an LWSR B4 'Normandy' included within a Branchline Freight Train Set. The … Continue reading Hornby announce new TT:120 LBSC Terriers and 4 wheel coaches as part their 2025 range