Author: Roger Smith

I have had a life-long interest in railways, growing up just a few yards from the complex of sidings at Gloucester docks. My interest continued when I left school and joined the signal department of British Railways. I am a published author and a a proof-reader for the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society's society’s monthly magazine, the Railway Observer. I am also a keen photographer, and have had a number of railway photographs published in monthly magazines and books.

Book Review: Great Northern Railway Gallery, A Pictorial Journey Through Time by Michael A. Vanns

This lavishly-illustrated book tells the story of the Great Northern Railway from its inception in 1846 until its absorption into the LNER in 1923

Roger Smith 14th October 2022

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RAIB report into collision between train and hand trolley in Oxfordshire

The RAIB has released its report into a collision between a passenger train and a hand trolley at Challow in Oxfordshire Last year.

Roger Smith 14th October 2022

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Members of the current W20 restoration team.

Kent and East Sussex Railway launches appeal to complete restoration of GWR railcar W20

The K&ESR has launched an appeal to raise £20,000 to complete restoration and conservation of GWR diesel railcar W20 and put it back into service.

Roger Smith 14th October 2022

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Yorkshire’s Friends of Bentham Station celebrate anniversaries

The Friends of Bentham Station recently celebrated its 11th anniversary and the 6th anniversary of its twinning with Mytholmroyd Station Partnership.

Roger Smith 13th October 2022

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LNER Azuma train in the Perthshire countryside near Dunkeld and Birnam station on the Highland line

London North Eastern Railway shows why people should ditch the car for the train

If everyone took just one journey by train instead of by car 186,200t CO2e of carbon emissions could be saved each year.

Roger Smith 13th October 2022

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Clayton Equipment introduces battery-powered shunting locomotive

Clayton Equipment of Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire has launched a 100% emission-free battery-powered shunting locomotive.

Roger Smith 13th October 2022

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Bereaved parents plead “We don’t want another family to experience what we have been through”

BTP and Network Rail have launched a rail safety film that features the parents of a boy who died after being electrocuted by overhead power cables.

Roger Smith 12th October 2022

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Nottingham residents invited to safety event after troubling CCTV footage emerges

Community event for safer behaviour at Nottinghamshire level crossing

Network Rail is running an event this Saturday where Nottinghamshire residents can get to know the need for safety when using level crossings.

Roger Smith 12th October 2022

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Aerial view of the Midland main line beside the M1 - Credit_ Network Rail Air Operations

Disruption to services between London and Luton next month

Due to a number of major upgrades there will be severe disruption to train services between London St. Pancras and Luton on weekends in November.

Roger Smith 12th October 2022

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Direct Rail Services and Tesco gains top award at the National Rail Awards

At the National Rail Awards DRS and Tesco won the Freight and Logistics Achievement of the Year award for DRS’s refrigerated rail service with Tesco…

Roger Smith 12th October 2022

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