Railway News – Railcam UK

Half Term Heritage Bonanza!

With February half term upon us, the traditional winter break comes to an end for a number of our heritage partners. Here we take a look across the railways for a round up of where you can get your heritage fix during half term.

EAST LANCASHIRE RAILWAY

Saturday 10th – Winter Diesel Day

Sunday 11th – Orange Timetable

Saturday 17th – Blue Timetable

Sunday 18th – Orange Timetable

KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY

Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th – Half Term Happiness – Kids Go FREE

Saturday 10th – Turquoise Timetable

Sunday 11th to Tuesday 13th – Brown Timetable

Wednesday 14th – Brown Timetable + Valentine’s Afternoon Tea in a Box

Thursday 15th to Friday 16th – Brown Timetable

Saturday 17th – Lemon Timetable

Sunday 18th – Brown Timetable

LLANGOLLEN RAILWAY

Wednesday 14th to Sunday 18th – Berwyn Shuttle

NENE VALLEY RAILWAY

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th – A Winter Weekend on the Continent

Wednesday 14th – Yellow Timetable

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th – Thomas Half Term Specials

NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY

Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th – No. 46100 Royal Scot Excursions

ROMNEY, HYTHE & DYMCHURCH RAILWAY

Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th, Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th and Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th – Yellow Timetable

SEATON TRAMWAY

Saturday 10th – Yellow Timetable, Bird Watching Tram, Valentines Twilight Trams and Meal! & Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Sunday 11th to Tuesday 13th – Yellow Timetable & Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Wednesday 14th – Yellow Timetable, Valentines Twilight Trams and Meal! & Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Thursday 15th – Yellow Timetable & Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Friday 16th – Yellow Timetable, The Story Tram! & Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th – Yellow Timetable & Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY

Saturday 10th – February Half Term Service & Vintage Afternoon Tea

Sunday 11th – February Half Term Service & On-Train Dining – Sunday Lunch

Tuesday 13th to Thursday 15th – February Half Term Service & The Gruffalo Visit

Saturday 17th – February Half Term Service & Vintage Afternoon Tea

Sunday 18th – February Half Term Service & On-Train Dining – Sunday Lunch

SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th – February Half Term Trains

SPA VALLEY RAILWAY

Friday 9th & Saturday 10th – Winter Steam Gala!, Winter Steam Gala Brake Van Rides!, Real Ale & Cider Train and Fish & Chip Supper

Sunday 11th – Winter Steam Gala!, Winter Steam Gala Brake Van Rides! & The Kent Cheese Train!

Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th – Steam & Heritage Diesel Train Rides & Cream Teas

Thursday 15th – Steam & Heritage Diesel Train Rides, Magic Express! & Cream Teas

Saturday 17th – British Railways Standard Steam Weekend, Murder Mystery Fish & Chip Supper & The Kent Cheese Train!

Sunday 18th – British Railways Standard Steam Weekend & Cream Teas

SWANAGE RAILWAY

Saturday 10th to Thursday 15th – 2024 Steam Train Blue Timetable & Kids for a Fiver

Friday 16th – 2024 Steam Train Blue Timetable

Saturday 17th – The Guard Experience, Class 08 Shunter Experience, The Ticket Inspector Experience, Harmans Cross Signal Box Tour, Corfe Castle Signal Box Tour, Community Weekend & The Fish & Chips Special!

Sunday 18th – The Guard Experience, Class 08 Shunter Experience, The Ticket Inspector Experience, Harmans Cross Signal Box Tour, Corfe Castle Signal Box Tour & Community Weekend

TALYLLYN RAILWAY

Monday 12th to Wednesday 13th – Orange Timetable

Thursday 14th to Sunday 18th – Lilac Timetable

125 Preservation Debut Running Day

Sunday 9th July sees the first public running of 125 Preservation’s HST at Nene Valley Railway.

The 125 arrived at Nene Valley in January and a small team has worked tirelessly to get it ready for visitors.

The class 43 powercars last operated with Colas Rail, but before that were part of the Midland Mainline fleet for many years.

43045 “The Grammar School Doncaster AD1350” and 43060 “County of Leicestershire” will both be operating on the day.

Two of the coaches operating in the train are from the Prototype HST dating from 1972 (42000, 41002), so although they look modern they are actually 51 years old!

Currently fitted with GNER/VTEC/LNER standard class seating, the team have rearranged the seats inside the vehicles into groups of 4.

The GWR buffet car, dating from 1976 was the first built production MK3 buffet car (40001) and has full leather seating. They will be serving hot and cold snacks and drinks, as well as selling a selection of souvenirs – mugs, keyrings, badges etc.

For more information and to keep up to date with everything 125 Preservation, you can visit the website or Facebook page.

Exciting new access to Seaton Wetlands from new Tramway halt at Colyford Common

A new halt at Seaton Tramway has opened, providing undiscovered access for all to the award-winning Seaton Wetlands nature reserve.

Funded by Seaton Tramway through its ‘Travel’s Through the Axe Valley & Heritage’ project, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Fine Family Foundation, the £120k project to deliver a new tram halt is a partnership project between Seaton Tramway, East Devon District Council and the Burgesses of Colyford.

The new halt gives visitors the chance to explore Seaton Wetlands, providing views never seen before across the salt marshes of Colyford Common. The halt and 4km of level trails which extend throughout the reserve are fully accessible for all to enjoy.

Cllr Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council, said:

“Thanks to all involved in bringing this exciting addition to Seaton Wetlands to fruition. It’s a testament to those involved in the planning and delivery of the work that the local wildlife has not been affected by the construction work and visitors have continued to enjoy our beautiful marshland and reedbeds alongside the River Axe. Our Countryside team look forward to meeting new visitors and regulars alike, as they discover new sights in this countryside haven which is home to an abundance of wildlife.”

Jenny Nunn, Chief Executive of Seaton Tramway said:

“After many years in the planning, together with our partners at EDDC’s Countryside team, we have finally managed to complete the last piece of the jigsaw, by creating a circular link via the Tramway to Seaton and the amazing Wetlands for all to enjoy. This is a unique project which also opens up an area by the River Axe for the first time offering an innovative insight into the history of, not only the former railway branch line, but also the general history, tourism and wildlife of the area.”

Above: Invitees from East Devon District Council, Colyford, Seaton & Colyton Councils, Fine Family Foundation and National Lottery Heritage Fund experience a tram ride and the new halt at Seaton Wetlands.

Each new halt is completely step free and the Tramway operates low floor accessible trams every day at least once an hour. More details can be found at tram.co.uk/accessibility.

Please note to ensure the protection of our wildlife, Seaton Wetlands remains a dog-free nature reserve. The Wetlands can be accessed by car via Seaton Cemetery to the car park or from Seaton on foot via Seaton Marshes.

The new halts are best enjoyed with the Explorer Ticket, which allows all day travel on as many trams and to as many stops as you like during your day. Tickets can be booked online before your visit, or by visiting Seaton or Colyton Stations when you arrive. You can also scan one of the QR codes at any of the halts to buy your tickets via your phone. Just show your driver your e-ticket when your tram arrives. Seaton Tramway encourages you to Gift Aid your ticket. As a registered charity, Gift Aid helps your money go further as it allows the Tramway to claim an extra 25p for each £1 of your ticket price.

Seaton Tramway has recently brought home a handful of awards this season, including Accessibility & Inclusivity Award & Large Attraction of the Year Award at the Visit Devon Awards, as well as the Outstanding Visitor Attraction from the Heritage Railway Association Awards.