One of the most exciting new-build steam locomotive projects is that to recreate a BR ‘Clan’. Robert Ife, commercial director of the Standard Steam Locomotive Company, brings readers up to speed with progress, and the next stages.  POSSIBLY not all readers will have heard of The ‘Clan’ Project, one of

NEW-BUILD LMS ‘Patriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior arrived at the Midland Railway-Butterley’s Swanwick Junction on the evening of August 12, beginning the final chapter in the construction of the new Fowler 4-6-0. The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust has been awarded the contract to complete the assembly of No.

MIDLANDS Connect has unveiled an ambitious plan to move ahead with seven rail projects in the region, which are designed to be co-ordinated with HS2.Midlands Connect said Midlands Engine Rail would boost capacity and allow another 736 passenger trains to run every day. The planners have identified 60 places which stand

Transport Scotland prepares for possible ScotRail renationalisationTHE ScotRail franchise run by Abellio could be renationalised, as performance continues to stay below target. Transport secretary Michael Matheson told MSPs that the operator is not now expected to reach performance targets for another year. ScotRail should have been running 92.5 per cent

London Underground drivers have voted to take industrial action in a dispute over the level of noise on the Tube. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) on the Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria lines backed action short of a strike by more than 95%. Tube drivers vote

A severe curve on the East Coast Main Line located at the Northumberland town of Morpeth became infamous after two railway accidents within 15 years. Fraser Pithie reflects on the events 50 years ago in May 1969, and 35 years ago in June 1984, and the significance they subsequently had

HS2 Bill moves forward in House of LordsTHE Bill authorising the second phase of HS2 from Birmingham to Crewe has made progress in the House of Lords, when it passed Second Reading. There will be no further advances for the next five weeks, because Parliament is now prorogued until 14

RIDDLES and Ivatt ‘4MT’ 2-6-0s will be open for comparison at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) later this month when resident ‘Flying Pig’ No. 43016 is joined by the Mid-Hants Railway’s BR No. 76017 at the September 19-22 Autumn Steam Gala. No. 76017 is the first ‘Standard 4’ Mogul to

I AM constantly depressed by the lack of vegetation control on our national network, as highlighted in your Readers’ Platform this month (RM August). On a recent visit to St Mary’s crossing near Stroud I was shocked by just how bad things have got.  The situation at Manchester

Scarves and blankets made from Virgin Trains staff’s worn-out uniforms are being donated to people living on the streets. Garments such as coats, shirts and trousers originally worn by Virgin Trains staff have been given a new lease of life by prisoners at HMP Northumberland at its onsite textile factory.