Class 68s Take-over one Cumbrian Coast Diagram

The class 37-hauled Cumbrian Coast diagrams have been beset with reliability issues over the past several months, leading to pressure on Northern to improve the situation.
From today, the morning service from Preston, previously hauled by a class 37 and DBSO, has been handed over to top & tail class 68 traction. The set used on the northern half of the route remains in the hands of the venerable class 37s.

Work starts on bringing trams to the Deepdale Branch

It's been a long road for Trampower to get this far, but after a number of false dawns, work has actually begun to clear a section of the former Deepdale Branch / Longridge Line. A modest length of existing track is to be used as a demonstrator line for the company.

Plans yet to be submitted would see the line extended into Preston city centre and providing a passenger service.

Merry Christmas...

...to all our regular contributors and visitors.

New Book - Enjoying the Cumbrian Coast Railway

Landing on my door-mat last week, was a copy of David John Hindle's latest book. Enjoying the Cumbrian Coast Railway.
It's a pity that this is appearing so close to Christmas, because it looks to be an ideal Christmas present for anyone who enjoys travelling the more scenic parts of the UK's rail network (the Cumbrian Coast route is of course up there with the best).
Davids's book is a very high-quality hard-back, all colour publication, packed full of photos, diagrams and drawings. Apart from the railway itself, the book explores the landscape of nature which surrounds the railway, with more than a passing look at the ornithological delights which can be seen along the route.
With luck, the book should be in the shops now and will be an ideal late present for those hard-to-buy-for relatives!
It's also available at Amazon | Waterstones | WHSmith

Network North West : Images of a Changing Railway

Highly recommended - * * * * * 5/5

Read the full review HERE.

New North West Book

Out now... from the Author of the excellent Merseyrail Electric, comes this new book which should appeal to all North West railway enthusiasts.

The book is available from all the usual places, including Waterstones and Amazon, or click the image here to buy directly from the publisher.


Look out for a review here very soon.

Tram Plans Move Forward

The plans to run trams on the former Deepdale / Longridge branch are still progressing, with work expected to begin this month.

Pictured last week, the team involved in the long-awaited return of trams to Preston : L to R is Ben Gilks (Land Agent), Jane Lockwood (Solicitor), Lincoln Shields (Director Preston Trampower Ltd & ex Director AMEC), Peter Downs (Project Manager), Lewis Lesley (Director Preston Trampower Ltd & retired Professor of Transport Engineering), Paul Walton (Planning Consultant and Principal of PWA), Roger Bell (ex Chairman Planning Committee, West Lancs DC), Daniel Hughes (Principal Planner PWA), Petros Price (Traffic Consultant) & John Parker (retired Senior Track Engineer, Network Rail).