Threat to Charters - ePetition

If a charter causes delays to other services, the operator is fined according to the amount of delay caused. At present that fine is capped at £5,000, but the Office of Rail Regulation is proposing the removal of that cap. This is a serious threat to all rail-tours, since the organiser runs the risk of a huge bill, which could instantly bankrupt a tour company. For that reason, it is fairly certain that the majority will decide that the risk is too great and stop running trains.

If this change happens, it seems likely that the rail-tour / charter market will be wiped-out at a stroke.

Please oppose this plan by signing the ePetition

Happy New Year

A big thank you to all our regular visitors. 2012 didn't see many changes to this website, other than some big changes to the Timetable / Gen page, which is now far more comprehensive and up-to-the minute. I'd like to take this opportunity to say thanks to Dave Felton for all the work he's put into that over the past few months.

There's a spruced-up version of the site waiting in the wings as well as some interesting new features (hopefully), so watch this space!

As usual, if you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch...

All the best for 2013!

Merry Christmas

A very Happy Christmas to one and all!

Virgin Extension

Yesterday, the 9th of December, saw the introduction of the new Winter Timetable and should have seen the start of a new era on the West Coast Main Line, as First Group took over from Virgin. As we all know, that all went horribly wrong in October, leaving the line in limbo since then.

Virgin were asked to continue to run the WCML while the various reviews into the debacle were completed, and a new bidding process was started. However, with days to go before the end of the franchise period, nothing had been agreed. Directly Operated Railways had long since abandoned any idea of taking over the line (as happened on the ECML), leaving Virgin holding all the cards.

Last week though, agreement was finally reached on a deal which will see Virgin in the driving seat for another 23 months. A new bidding process will begin following the completion of two reviews, with the winner of that competition beginning their tenure on 9th November 2014.

Whittingham book review

David Hindle's new book about the Whittingham Hospital Railway is available now.

The book will appeal to anyone with an interest in local history, but especially those with a leaning towards railways. It tackles the darker reasons for the WHR’s existence and looks at the how it affected those who were incarcerated at the hospital, those who worked there and the considerable number who simply took advantage of what became something of a local, yet world-renown tourist attraction!

This is a comprehensive and very readable account of one of the most curious and quaint railways ever to have existed.

Read our full review here

Lizzie

Although the tour didn't actually pass Preston with 6201 Princess Elizabeth in charge, it seems wrong to miss the chance to post a photo of her...

This outstanding image of Lizzie departing from Carnforth, is courtesy Mark Baczkiewicz.

Railway Growth Animation

Here's an interesting little gem; an animated map of the UK, showing the opening of stations down the years.
http://www.thetrainline.com/news/british-railway-stations