Preston in the 90s DVD

Video Scene have just released a new title which should be of interest to many Preston rail enthusiasts, particularly those who look back with fondness at the second half of the 1990s. Covering the period between 1994 and 1999, the DVD takes us back to a time not so long ago when loco-hauled passenger services were still common and class 56, 47, 37 and 31 machines still saw regular use alongside Valenta-powered HSTs. Classes 90,87 and 86 still ruled the WCML and Pendolinos were not so much as a twinkle in Mr Branson's eye...
Crucially, the picture quality and sound is excellent, as is the narration, making this an enjoyable watch.
A fuller review will appear on this site shortly.
Rails around Preston 1994 - 1999

West Coast Railway Company Woes

Unfortunately, following an incident with Tangmere last week, the subsequent RAIB investigation has resulted in the suspension of WCRC's licence.

This is sad news not only for WCRC, but for the charter market as a whole, since the Carnforth-based company are by far the biggest player.

This means that for now, ALL WCRC-operated charters and associated moves are cancelled.

There is more on the UK Steam website

Fairburn Reflections - Photo Charter

A unique opportunity to photograph the only operational LMS Fairburn 2-6-4T, in the stunning surroundings of the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.

This one-off, two-day photo charter (26th/27th March) includes access to private land to obtain views which are not normally available to the public, so is not to be missed.

Click for more information.

Preston Tram Power Update

The Planning meeting on 12th January was another frustrating affair, where once again, the final decision was deferred. This time, some new concerns were raised about noise assessment and safety at Deepdale Mill St level crossing. These are both areas which Tram Power believed to have been comprehensively covered in previous reports, but the result was yet another deferment of the decision, giving the company until 30th March to provide information to satisfy the relevant Council departments.

Tram Power are confident that they can satisfy the requirements, and in anticipation of having the scheme finally approved, they are pressing ahead with funding and land ownership details.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Welcome to 2015... I hope '14 was kind to everyone.

This year, I plan to Update the News section here much more frequently, so if you know of anything relevant which should be mentioned on this page, please get in contact via the Contact Us page.

Meanwhile Dave Stuart continues to do a stupendous job of keeping the Gen / Timetable page up-to-date. Again, if you know of anything for that page, please get in touch...


Cheers...

Life in Victorian Preston - Book Launch

David Hindle has been responsible for a number of excellent local railway books over the last few years. His latest offering isn't an out-and-out railway title, but will still be of interest to anyone with a wider interest in Preston's history. The book does include chapters on the Transport of Victorian Preston, so will cover the railway and tram systems that existed at that time.
With Christmas looming, I'm sure the book will do well. It can be purchased on-line - or you could pick a copy up at the book launch at Waterstones in Preston on Saturday 29th November.

Preston Trams... Back from the dead?

Just as everyone was writing it off, it seems that Preston City Council have shown some interest in the scheme being proposed by Tram Power Ltd. The company attended a Planning meeting last week at which its proposal to re-open part of the former Longridge branch through Deepdale, was expected to be refused. However, instead of finally quashing the scheme, a number of councilors expressed support for the ambitious plan, seemingly swayed by the environmental benefits and news of £25m of funding which Tram Power has secured.

An early motion to approve the application wasn't allowed to go forward, due to insufficient information being provided, but Tram Power have been given until December to fill the gaps, at which point the application will be considered.

The plan under discussion forms the first stage of a vision which would see trams on Preston's streets again, beginning with the line linking Deepdale Retail Park with the City, via the Longridge / Deepdale branch trackbed and terminating at the former site of Deepdale St Coal Depot, where the tram-shed would also be sited.

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