TRANS PENNINE DELTIC REPRISE - Saturday 30th December 2017

MARK THE LAST DAYS OF THE ‘DELTICS’ ON THE TRANS-PENNINE SCHEDULED SERVICES TO LIVERPOOL. D9009 ‘ALYCIDON’ APPROPRIATELY RE-KINDLES THOSE MEMORIES.

Sunday 27th December 1981 was the last day that the legendary ‘Deltic’ locomotives worked scheduled services across the Pennines to Liverpool, when 55009 (D9009) ‘Alycidon’ worked the 12:05 Newcastle - Liverpool forward from York, later returning on the 19:10 Liverpool - York. A headboard inscribed ‘Trans- Pennine Deltic Lament’ was carried along with a wreath. The westbound routing was via Bradford Exchange, returning direct via Batley.

This special excursion, some 36 years on, re-calls the spirit of that last working. 55009 ‘Alycidon’, courtesy of owners the Deltic Preservation Society, will leave York and Leeds late morning and head westward via Brighouse and the challenging Copy Pit climb into Lancashire, through Blackburn and St. Helens to arrive in Liverpool’s Lime Street station early afternoon.

After a two hour break, and with our trainset turned*, ‘Alycidon’ will return east, taking exactly the same routing as 36 years previous, via Manchester Victoria, over Diggle and through Huddersfield and Batley to set down in Leeds and York early evening to complete its featured haulage of our excursion.

Using Riviera Trains coaching stock based in the Midlands, a range of joining stations are offered as above, with class 68 haulage to, and return from, York.

* To release ‘Alycidon’ from the buffers at Lime Street an optional hours mini tour will run via Earlestown and the Ince Moss Curve, hauled by a class 68.

The on board catering will include a full buffet service and real ale.

 

Estimated Timings
Joining Stations	Depart	Return
Willington	0800	2130
Derby	0810	2115
Chesterfield	0840	2045
Sheffield	0900	2025
Doncaster	0930	1955
York	1100	1825
Leeds	1125	1800

Fares	Adult	Junior	Party of 4
Standard Class	£92.00	£46.00	£348.00
First Class	£129.00	£89.00	£496.00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE PEACE AND LOVE TO ALL

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas for this year, I hope you enjoying a break from work (spare a thought for those still working they doing an awesome job) and get to spend time with friends and family. Also sending out the love to anyone missing this year, think of them, raise a glass too them and "Eat, Drink and be Merry".

Missing you so much Dad.

You always fulfilled my wishes, giving me whatever I wanted. Your presence in my life I had taken for granted. After your death my whole world has gone into a frightening void. When I had you, I had it all, now everything is destroyed. This is my repentance, my regret, I know you cannot hear me, but I still want to say, Dad I miss you and I'm sorry ... We had so much still to do together and despite the years that have passed I find it so hard to carry on without your love and influence. 

I think for many this year has not been that wonderful we sure lost a lot of friends and legends so it's time to remember and never forget. Let us also move forwards to the new year, life is only as good as you make it and you have to let yourself live too, although this is something I don't allow myself and it is now time to do more, stop making excuses and get out there. 






Let's remember the wisdom of the late Rik Mayall as we venture towards 2018. 

• All men are equal therefore no one can be your true genuine superior.
• It is YOUR future, It is yours to create, your future is as bright as you make it. 
• Change is a constant of life, So you must never ever lose your wisdom. 
• If you want to live a full and complete human life you have to be Free. Freedom is paramount. 
• And finally ... LOVE IS THE ANSWER.

HILLINGDON RAILWAY MODELLERS OPEN DAY -- SATURDAY 16th DECEMBER

http://www.hillingdonrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Soon to be looking forward to the sixth and final open day of this year at Hillingdon Railway Modellers which will be held on Saturday 16th December 2017.

Feels like a long time since I paid them a visit so want to be bringing along a few of Dads models for a run, I will hopefully get there for the afternoon with a few items in my bag to try out and given them a run as it's always a popular day and doors open to the public at 10:00am. 

Club Events For 2018

Date	Description
17 February	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
7 April	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
9 June	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
25 August	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
27 October	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)
15 December	Test Track Open Day (confirmed)

Address 

Yiewsley Baptist Church

74 Colham Avenue
West Drayton  UB7 8HF

* the entrance is at the side of the church down a path and the doors at the end should be open, don't try and enter the main doors of the church. 

Owing to rental costs of the hall there is a cover charge of £4 but there will be two extensive O Gauge and OO Gauge Test Tracks available and have recently added a three track N Gauge circuit too (Pic Below) all up and running so if you have anything you wish to see get a good run do please come along.

N GAUGE TEST TRACK 

There are always plenty of refreshments available, Tea, Coffee and cold drinks for the youngster, in addition the freshly made bacon rolls are highly recommended. (just don't scoff them all before I get there!!)

It should be stressed that these ARE NOT exhibitions, so please bring your own locos and rolling stock to run. At busy times we may have to introduce time slots so that everyone can get a chance to operate their stock. Here's a short clip of one of the earlier open days YouTube LINK

Below you can see a busy picture of their 8 road yard in O Gauge it's a very extensive track and will give your models a very good run. A few photo's taken from the previous open days are below, if you read back to some of the earlier postings in this blog I have tried to show the variety of excellent models on show, these guys are truly experts in their craft I only wish I had some of their talents and skills.

People will bring a wide variety of stock to run, nearly all are kit built though and the skills / detail is incredible.

Everyone will get their turn I promise.

This picture gives a good idea of the size of the O Gauge test track, you can give your models a really good work out here. This can also transform into an exhibition layout called Grindley Brook a scenic section replaces the long straight down the back.

This layout was recently shown at the Warley show at the NEC Birmingham in November. 

A few more pictures from some of last years Open Days, though they mostly focus on the O Gauge track there are also Test Tracks available for OO and N Gauge too. There are many society members on hand who are both extremely friendly and knowledgeable too so if you have any problems with modelling or questions they will be more than happy to try and help i am sure. 

THE BUSY OO GAUGE TEST TRACK

LONDON UNDERGROUND STOCK MAKE A WELCOME APPEARANCE

N GAUGE TEST TRACK

BRIGHTON BELLE IN "N". SOON TO REAPPEAR ON MAINLINE TOO

HOW TO GET THERE:

If you are Travelling by Car

Check here for Parking Options.

Nearest Railway Stations :

West Drayton [0.34 miles]

MAYFLOWER MODEL RAILWAY SHOW -- 9th DECEMBER 2017

Saturday 9th December 2017

LOCATION;
Venture Centre 2000, 
Bromley Road, Lawford, 
Manningtree, Essex CO11 2JE

OPENING TIMES:  10am - 4pm
ADMISSION:  Adults £4.00   Concessions £3.00       

A new Pre-Christmas exhibition is being held in aid of the St Helena Hospice charity. Around 16 layouts will gather with trade support at the Venture Centre 2000 from 10am until 4pm to raise funds and have a pre-christmas model show.


Refreshments provided by 1st Lawford Scouts Group including Tea/Coffee, Bacon/Sausage Baps and Burgers plus more. Accompanied children are admitted Free!

List of Layouts Attending :
N GAUGE
Circleton Village - N
Dawes Lane - N
St Nicholas Woods - N
Musbury - N
Hindenbach - N
Brankdowne Junction - N (Below)
OO GAUGE

Oakley Green - OO (Above)
Cato Pass - OO
Terminus! All Change - OO
Hopewell Springs - OO
Tobyham - OO
Stanhem Quay - OO
Jakes Yard - OO
Trinity Dock Street Bridge - OO
Grafton-On-Sea - OO
Mariposa Yard - HO
Wendsleydale - O:16.5

Nearest Railway Stations :

Manningtree [0.83 miles] 

Mistley [1.64 miles] 

Wrabness [5.41 miles] 

Great Bentley [5.92 miles]