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This episode is a tale of two railways both celebrating milestones.
A new beginning of the final stretch the two mile missing link that will join Robertsbridge to Tenterden and the Kent and East Sussex Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway Society marking 70 years.The inauguration of the RVR's new turntable coincided with the K&ESR 50th We meet volunteers from both railways and I get to speak to a former politician and Railway Royalty, Michael Portillo, Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail and Chris Green a former Intercity director.
Mainline steam locomotive 'Britannia' travelled down from Crewe, and provided motive power on shuttles between Robertsbridge Junction and Northbridge Street.
A return to north Wales and the Ffestiniog Railway Society's 70th anniversary.
This summer at the Ffestiniong and Welsh Highland Railways, National Lottery Heritage Funding has enabled new 'experience' tours at Boston Lodge. They are additional offers over and above train rides. We go behind the scenes to view the newly restored buildings, and learn some of the fascinating history of the site, before learning about how steam engines work on a very much ‘hands on’ experienceYou will find links to the Railways mentioned below:
The Boston Lodge Tours and 'How a Steam Locomotive Works
Ffestiniog Railway Society
Rother Valley Railway
Kent and East Sussex Railway
This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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This episode of Making Tracks finds us once again in Sussex visiting a gem of a Railway, The Lavender Line just outside Uckfield. It is then onward to Robertsbridge to talk over plans, now getting underway for the rebuilding of the Rother Valley Railway, which will re-connect the Kent and East Sussex Railway to the National Network.
A chance while we were in Sussex to head to the west and catch up with radio and TV presenter Stephen Cranford, to talk to him about his new series, 'Tracing the Rails' exploring a Beeching casualty, the Steyning line.
Please find below links to information on the stories in this episode.
The Lavender Line, Uckfield, East Sussex
Contact [email protected]
Rother Valley Railway, Robertsbridge, East Sussex
Stephen Cranford's Tracing the Rails series follows the old Steyning line is available on tracingtherails.com
You can watch the series on his website and on You Tube.
Govia Thameslink' Aira App for partially sighted customers.
The Great British Railway Adventure - David Jones' is visiting all of the UK's 2580 railway stations raising money for his charities Great Ormond Street and Oslo University Hospital - here is his fundraising page.This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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We visit Amberley Museum in West Sussex. Get off on the main line at Amberley and you are there, at this excellent showcase of rural, transport, industrial and communications history of the south of England. They're also recent recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service … staying with the subject of volunteering ..the main stay of many heritage railways – later in this episode I chat to Doug Alldred from isle of Wight. There's also a word from a handful of volunteers on why they spend their free time in the loco sheds and buffet cars of the heritage railways across the UK...whats not to like....a great use of time.
Amberley Museum
Tribute to Arthur Haffended 1930 -2020 on You Tube
BBC news feature Amberley and its Bond connections
Volunteering at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland
Volunteering at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
See our facebook page for photos of Making Tracks trips and to get in touch - thank youThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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This edition of Making Tracks is a Christmas Selection Box:
We talk Santa trains and seasonal specials with Eleri Mottram at the WHR , and Neil Dale from the Durango and Silverton steam railway in Colorado, who represents the Polar Express brand in the UK.
We meet artist Rebecca Kitchin, who brings Christmas to several railways, and VIP guests – a descendant of Robert Francis Fairlie, David Fairlie with some family history from South America, and historian Tim Dunn looking forward to celebrating '200 years of railways'
We re-visit some of the stories we’ve covered earlier in the year, including a return to Transylvania on Romania's ‘National Day’ for a late season steam up with the snow covered Carpathian mountains . We hear from two Romanian volunteers again, as well as talking to UK based Harry Billmore about his first impressions of the country and driving a steam locomotive in a very different context to contemporary UK lines.
Here are links to some of the Railways and People mentioned in this episode.
Artist Rebecca Kitchin
Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway
The Polar Express on the Durango and Silverton Railway
Sibiu Agnita - Acasă - Mocănița Văii Hârtibaciului (sibiuagnitarailway.com)
Railway 200
You can find out more on the history of Double Fairlie Locos here
Barmouth Bridge Network Rail News .
Darjeeling Tank Locomotive TrustThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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This episode takes us to Yorkshire at the invitation of the Ryedale Society of Model Engineers to visit their mainline in miniature on a steam day in November 2023.
The extensive dual gauge 7 1/4 and 5" gauge ground level layout has been built by members, many of whom are rail professionals in their day job and qualified drivers and fireman on a number of heritage lines .
We bumped into Ian Foot, the owner of a little 'Dame Vera Lynn' a 5" gauge model of the prototype WD 2-10-0 who is also involved in fundraising to bring the original Dame Vera back into service on the NYMR.
We discuss fuel, with the US expert Davidson Ward of FMW Solutions, who is working with NYMR to convert the 'Dame Vera Lynn' to use oil fuel, and get an glimpse of the UK coal industry from Paul Paddock from Hargreaves at the recent HRA conference.
Links to the Railways and Groups mentioned in this episode:
No. 3672 Dame Vera Lynn Appeal North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Ryedale Society of Model Engineers
FMW Solutions
Hargreaves Services PlcThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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In this episode we look at engines built for service overseas that are now running or will run, on railways in the UK. We ask why travel around the world to find a loco to restore when there's no shortage in the UK?
We hear from enthusiasts behind the restoration projects of engines which have journeyed to the UK from China and India - The Darjeeling tank engine 19B and the C2!
We visit the Vale of Rheidol railway to see their Garratt and find out about a fundraising initiative for another 'Out of Africa' loco.
Keeping with the overseas theme, we chat to a volunteer who has to have one of the longest journeys to volunteer, don his guard's uniform and blow his whistle!
You can see photos of the engines and guests mentioned in this episode on our Facebook page.
Here are links to the Railways and projects if you would like to find out more:
The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust
The Vale of Rheidol Railway
The NG15 Kalaharis Restoration Project
The C2 Project
Volunteering at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway
Oh, and we have branched out onto twitter do give us a follow @makingtrackspodThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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Episode 4 of Making Tracks looks at the new Double Fairlie Loco built at Boston Lodge and now in service on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway .
We also look at another Railway investment, this time on the mainline and the £30M refurbishment of the iconic Barmouth Viaduct.You can view the animation of Barmouth metallic viaduct construction methodology here.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/video-successful-test-lift-of-160-tonne-metallic-span-marks-countdown-to-final-stage-of-barmouth-viaduct-restoration
There’s also some more up to date photos and info from Network Rail here.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/one-step-closer-latest-video-and-pictures-show-movement-of-new-spans-onto-the-iconic-barmouth-viaduct-north-wales
In this episode we also here from Rebecca Butcher of ‘Wales on Rails’ and the Cambrian Partnership
You can also download the free Window Seater app:
Window Seater - Audio guides for train travel.
Peter Johnson’s book on the Cambrian Railway and his other titles are available through Amazon.
Cambrian Railways: A New History: Amazon.co.uk: Peter Johnson: 9780860936442: Books
This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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Send us a Text Message.
In this episode of Making Tracks, we visit the Sibiu Agnita Railway in Romania for a steam gala event, known as ‘Mocanita Days’ and hear from local and UK volunteers, taking part who have been working to restore the line since it was abandoned by the state operator over twenty years ago.
The weekend saw the first publicly hauled trains by a visiting British built locomotive, Manning Wardle 0-6-2T, number 1877, of 1915.
You can find out more about the Romanian volunteer association and historical background information on the railway at:
Acasă - Mocănița Văii Hârtibaciului (sibiuagnitarailway.com)
The Sibiu Agnita Railway UK volunteer group: SARUK
See also contacts for The Flour Mill, Continental Railway Solutions and Mocanita Transilvaniei.
For photographs of the event take a look at the Making Tracks Facebook page.
This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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Send us a Text Message.
In this episode Alasdair visits Bala Lake Railway and chat to Julian Birley BEM, chair of Bala Lake Railway Trust to discuss the challenges they are working to overcome in their bid to extend the narrow gauge line from its current terminus to a new station site closer to Bala town centre. Volunteer Dinah Delchambre also speaks about organising fundraising activities for the Bala Lake Railway Trust appeal.
For further information see: https://www.balalakerailwaytrust.org.uk
For information about travelling on the Bala Lake Railway: https://shop.bala-lake-railway.co.uk/book/
A few miles to the east, Alasdair talks to Terry Pickthall of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, before hearing in more detail from Management Team member, Peter Neve, about the development of the new station which incorporates traditional heritage features and modern design elements at Corwen.
Husband and wife team, Wayne & Sue Ronneback, duty station masters, offer a glimpse of their roles as volunteers before passengers and local residents comment on the favourable impact the return of trains is having on the town.
For further information, details of train times and online booking:
https://llangollen-railway.co.uk
This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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Send us a Text Message.
In this first episode Alasdair talks to two experienced volunteers and looks at the challenges and positives that come with having volunteers involved in a large scale high value Heritage Rail infrastructure project. Alasdair heads to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to reminisce with former volunteer colleagues Stuart McNair and John Sreeves.
Here are the links to the Railways mentioned in Episode 1.
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway: https://www.festrail.co.ukLynton & Barnstable Railway: https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk
Rother Valley Railway: https://rvr.org.uk
Gloucester and Warwickshire Steam Railway: https://www.gwsr.com
You can read about Alasdair Stewart's contribution to the Welsh Highland Railway in the publication: Welsh Highland Railway Renaissance by Gordon Rushton. Pages 216-217 : Phase 4 the Engineer's tale - published by www.adlestroppress.co.ukThis podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart
Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch.
You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here:
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch"
Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
