Sitting in the shadow of Snowdon in North Wales, Cliff Thomas tells the story of Llanberis Lake Railway, whose foundations stem from a former slate quarry line.  A check list of ingredients for a successful heritage railway might include: mountain landscapes (Snowdon, obviously!); running beside a lake; steam locomotives with local

The Railway Magazine Archive: March 1980 Apart from the underground trains on the Waterloo and City line, the Southern Region of British Railways has, until now, exclusively used hinged doors on its suburban trains; with the advent of 43 four-car sets of class “508” electric multiple units to the South Western

Updated 09.00RAIL timetables are being trimmed in some areas as the demand for commuter services falls, with many people now working from home in response to government advice about coronavirus risks. Tyne & Wear Metro timetables are being reduced from today. Nexus customer service director Huw Lewis said: ‘We are withdrawing

COMPANIES in the railway supply chain are being urged to help with the manufacture of coronavirus ventilators. The urgent appeal has come from Rail Forum Midlands, which is asking its railway industry members if they can help. The move follows the news that the government is seeking suppliers in the engineering industry

TRANSPORT secretary Grant Shapps has signalled that he is ready to consider easing franchise contracts, to help operators hit by sharply falling demand. Big London stations are much quieter than usual, reflecting a fall in passenger numbers which is said to be not far short of a fifth, although this has

Rail tour promoters Statesman Rail and Saphos Trains have cancelled all trains due to operate between 20 March and 10 May due to coronavirus. In a statement, Statesman Rail said: “As a professional travel promoter, we take the current situation regarding the Covid-19 virus very seriously and as everyone is aware

The Great Central Railway Model Event will not be going ahead this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The latest update from The Great Central Railway said: “It is with great regret we have decided to cancel the 2020 Great Central Railway Model Event to be held from Friday 19th

TALKS are reported to be underway between train operators and the Department for Transport about the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on passenger revenue. Franchise finances are already frail, with the future of South Western Railway in particular doubt. The DfT is also believed to have been negotiating franchise extensions with

Mangapps Railway Museum has announced that the museum is closing until further notice. In a statement on social media, Mangapps Railway said: “In view of the rapidly developing Coronavirus outbreak and constantly changing official advice, we believe it would be irresponsible to expose our staff and visitors to unnecessary risk. “We

Tree-blocked Cross City line reopens TRAIN services have returned to normal on the Birmingham Cross City line between New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley. A tree which had fallen across the railway near Wylde Green station on Wednesday night, pulling down the overhead wires, had to be removed from the tracks