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.

£14,000 in fines and costs for fare dodgers on Greater Anglia trains

Over £14,000 in fines and costs were recently imposed on 44 fare dodgers who travelled on Greater Anglia trains without buying a ticket.

Roger Smith 5th April 2022

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April update on new-build Baby Deltic locomotive

The ‘Baby Deltic’ project has issued its latest update on a new-build Baby Deltic, English Electric Type 2, Class 23 locomotive.

Roger Smith 5th April 2022

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£7m of major track renewals completed on Scotland’s West Highland Line

In a £7m project, Network Rail engineers have completed over 2miles of track renewals at various locations on the West Highland Line.

Roger Smith 5th April 2022

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A disused and derelict North Shropshire railway line abandoned for over 50 years has been restored by enthusiasts and has officially been reopened as a heritage railway. Cambrian Heritage Railways (CHR) welcomed local dignitaries, invited guests. CHR members and volunteers to climb aboard and enjoy a nostalgic steam train journey from Oswestry to Weston Wharf on Friday April 1st. Helen Morgan, Member of Parliament for North Shropshire, together with Shropshire Council Chairman Vince Hunt, officially opened the railway and unveiled a new platform at Weston Wharf. Volunteers have worked tirelessly since 2016 to extend the heritage railway from Oswestry. Reinstating two miles of new track and a station platform at Weston Wharf which has enabled CHR to become the latest tourist attraction in the Shropshire. The original line fell victim to the 'Beeching cuts in the 1960s while other parts of the line remained freight-only until the 1980s. Local heritage enthusiasts joined together in 1972 to keep alive memories of Oswestry as a major railway hub. Having successfully obtained European grants and financial backing from local authorities to restore the railway, the ambitious plan for the future is to extend the line in both directions towards Gobowen and Llynclys. Speaking about the reopening, CHR Chairman Rob Williams said: “It’s a fantastic achievement by all concerned to reopen a passenger railway that hasn’t existed for over 50 years. “We are grateful to Helen Morgan and Vince Hunt for officially opening the railway and I would like to pay tribute to all those individuals and organisations who have been instrumental in making this project possible. Our ambition going forward is to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to enjoy a special day out on our heritage railway.” CHR has announced trains will run every weekend, specific mid-week days and evenings, as well as Bank Holidays from the Easter weekend until September. Pre booking via our website is recommended: www. CambrianRailways.com. It is also planned that ‘special excursion’ trains will operate throughout the year linking the railway with local attractions at Weston, including the Stonehouse Brewery and Weston Pools Village. -END -

Shropshire railway line reopens after 50 years

A disused and derelict Shropshire railway line that lay abandoned for 50 years has been officially reopened as a heritage railway.

Roger Smith 5th April 2022

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Government provides further £32 million to protect railway at Dawlish

The government has announced a further £32 million of funding to protect the railway line where it runs along the sea wall at Dawlish.

Roger Smith 4th April 2022

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Passengers travelling on the c2c Line between London and Shoeburyness are urged to check before they travel as Network Rail continues it’s work to upgrade the overhead wiring system. The overhead wiring system on this line was installed between 1959 and 1962 and is vulnerable to the heat which causes delays during the summer months. When the weather is hot, the overhead wires sag. These sagging wires can get caught on the pantograph of passing trains, bringing the wires down which results in delays and cancellations. The new wiring system stays taught in all weathers, preventing delays and cancellations for passengers. There will be a rail replacement service in place between Grays, Purfleet, Rainham and Upminster and between Pitsea and Grays and passengers are advised to check before they travel. The level crossing at East Tilbury station, which crosses Princess Margaret Road, will also be closed for short periods while the wire runs take place through that section. Much of the network will remain free of engineering works the Easter weekend, with only first or last trains on some lines being affected by maintenance work. Passengers planning to travel very early in the morning or late at night should check if their journey will be affected. Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “This year, most of the network will be available for passengers to enjoy days out by rail throughout the Easter holidays. Those planning to travel between London and Shoeburyness should check how their journey might be affected by the works. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out this important work to renew the track to improve reliability on this busy line.” Across the country, over 95% – will be unaffected by the engineering works taking place, there will be disruption on some routes, so passengers are urged to plan ahead. The railway is vital to Britain’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and passengers can play a key role in boosting that recovery as they return to the network for both work and leisure. Notes to Editors A rail replacement service will run between Grays, Purfleet, Rainham and Upminster and between Pitsea and Grays. Go to www.nationalrail.co.uk for more information.

c2c rail passengers urged to plan ahead this Easter

Services between London and Shoeburyness will be subject to disruption while Network Rail continues to upgrade the overhead electric lines.

Roger Smith 4th April 2022

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Steam locomotive 75069 to visit the West Somerset Railway

75069 will visit the West Somerset Railway 75069 will be visiting the line for this year's Spring Steam Gala.

Roger Smith 4th April 2022

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Tyne and Wear Metro customers urged to switch to Pop Pay As You Go

The Tyne and Wear Metro is running a campaign to encourage customers to switch from paper tickets to Pop Pay As You Go.

Roger Smith 4th April 2022

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Alstom wins second major South London signalling contract

Network Rail has awarded phase 5 of upgrades to modernise track and signalling on lines into London Victoria station to Alstom.

Roger Smith 3rd April 2022

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LGBT performers feature in Metro’s community arts programme

The Tyne and Wear Metro has welcomed LGBT performers onto its network as part of its biggest-ever community arts programme.

Roger Smith 3rd April 2022

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