TWO Victorian railway bridges in Manchester city centre have been restored to their former glory by Network Rail contractors.  The cast iron overbridges at Great Ducie Street have been shrouded in scaffolding for cleaning and repair since last year, leading to local road closures but no disruption to rail services

Rail companies will have to pay £26 million per year to keep the High Speed 1 train line operational. The numbers are more than quadruple the amount they were paying a decade ago, according to new figures. Analysis from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) shows that

ONE of Europe’s most numerous tram designs is fast disappearing.  Vienna tram operator Wiener Linien bought more than 500 Type E trams, based on the German Duewag articulated design, between 1959 and 1990.  Soon to be history: Two ‘E2’ trams outside Wien Praterstern station on April 30.

LEADING New Zealand diesel preservation group the Diesel Traction Group (DTG) has begun restoration of New Zealand Railways’ (NZR) first mainline loco, which was built by English Electric (EE) in 1954.  This follows the successful return to main line use of Australian EE-built loco No. Di 1102 last year, the

ROTTERDAM tram museum Rotterdamsche Tramweg Maatschappij (RTM) celebrated 30 years at its base at De Punt, on the island of Goeree-Overflakkee, in late May.  RTM diesel-powered tram MABD No. 1804 ‘Kievit’ (Lapwing) approaching Port Zelande from West Repart on July 4. The tram was built in Germany for the RTM

THE 78-mile long electrified Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad (BM&LPRR) in the USA – the world’s first to use 50kV (60Hz) AC supply voltage – will close soon as the power station it serves is being shut in the next few weeks.  The line is owned by a state

A TYPE 27A MkIII gangers’ trolley (Wickham 7504) has had a thorough restoration at the Somerset & Dorset Railway, Midsomer Norton.  When acquired it had been robbed of parts for the restoration of sister Wickham 7505 (Nos. PWM4302 and TR19) at Norden on the Swanage Railway. The

THE sole Class 89 25kV AC Co-Co electric loco – No. 89001 (Avocet) – continues to receive attention from AC Locomotive Group volunteers at Barrow Hill (RM June 94). Technical work is focused on the internal restoration, but the body has received a protective coat of paint, as seen here on

CLASS 108 DMU DMBS No. M51909 and DTCL No. M56271 has received considerable attention, including reupholstered seats and re-flooring within the interior.  The driving trailer has been repainted in BR blue but not yet lettered. The driving motor will be repainted over the coming winter. The pair are owned by the Mendip

THE Vale of Berkeley Railway Trust’s Class 03 No. D2069 was displayed at the Gloucestershire Vintage & Country Extravaganza on August 2-4.  Its appearance at South Cerney airfield, Cirecncester, followed completion of an extensive restoration in the engine shed at Sharpness Docks.  Peter Nicholson’s Wickham 8S-type 4165 No. 156W