Category Archives: Prototype

Back to Berlin – again – 1

At the end of June Maxine and I headed off for our annual visit to Berlin to see our eldest.  For once, I got the travel arrangements right.  Berlin was hit by torrential rain for much of the day, and the U-bahn was closed … Continue reading

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The empty railways of America

Before reporting on ESNG exhibiting at the Bluebell Railway, here’s a couple of links to an article I came across on the BBC website, “In pictures: The empty railways of America.” One of photographer John Sanderson’s earliest memories was family … Continue reading

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Book review – ‘Locomotives worth modelling’

Our visit to the South Devon Railway did, of course, include a visit to the second-hand book shop.  (It has to be said, too, that we visited the bookshop at Buckfast Abbey and came out with a purchase.)  I couldn’t … Continue reading

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South Devon Railway – 2

Buckfastleigh station is very well kept, and has some good branchline touches, like the trolley for the luggage and the milk churns awaiting collection. 1930’s carriages sit next to the preserved line’s staple piece of rolling stock – the BR … Continue reading

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South Devon Railway – 1

A week’s holiday in the south-west started with a company reunion meal in the RNLI at Poole, Dorset.  Wonderful views of the harbour and the lifeboats parked moored outside the headquarters building.  We also had a tour of the training … Continue reading

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1971 – December – you can’t please everyone

Our last look at the 1971 Railway Magazine.  From the always reliable letters page, an outbreak of outrage, but from Dawlish, not Tunbridge Wells…. Ridiculous SIR – The photograph facing page 577 of the November issue of The Railway Magazine … Continue reading

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1971 – September – the Victoria line opens

September 1971 edition of the Railway Magazine included an article on the opening of the final section of the London Underground Victoria line on July 23 1971. Public opening of the 3.5 mile southward extension to the Victoria Line of London … Continue reading

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1971 – September – Nine Days to Vladivostok

Also in the September 1971 edition of the Railway Magazine, was a description of a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway.  It’s written rather in the “British Empire” style – intrepid explorer with Union Jack and pith helmet reaches the interior … Continue reading

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1971 – August – a pot pourri

A mixture of items from the August 1971 Railway Magazine, starting with a little deja vu. You could write a similar headline in 2016…. Across America with AMTRAK Uncertain future of United States passenger trains rests with new national corporation. … Continue reading

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Isle of Wight railways

The railways of the Isle of Wight have always fascinated me.  Not least because of the concentration of lines on a small island – three companies pre-1923 before they were amalgamated under the Southern Railway. And the Isle of Wight … Continue reading

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