IN BRIEF

S&T MOVE TO TOTNES

As a result of the remodelling of Buckfastleigh yard for the new carriage shed (SR470), the South Devon Railway’s Signal & Telegraph Department has built a new storage facility at Totnes, designed to resemble a GWR lamp hut. Also at Totnes, pointwork has been replaced and the main line connection realigned.

DUBS DONS NEW COAT

Dubs ‘A’ class 4-8-2T No. 196, owned by the North British Locomotive Preservation Group and displayed at the Mizens Railway, has been repainted in 1960s South African Railways black. The new livery will only stay until the end of this season, when it will revert to Natal Government Railways green.

CARRIAGE CONVENTION

Locomotion at Shildon is the venue for the 18th annual Carriage Restorers’ Convention on October 14-15, including talks by guest speakers, a tour of the conservation workshop, and practical demonstrations of skills such as lining and use of waterslide transfers. Tickets cost £25. Book your place via locomotion@nrm.org.uk

ATTEMPTED THEFT AT AVR

An act of vandalism to a wagon at the Aln Valley Railway on July 26 is now thought to have been an attempted metal theft. The wagon was protected with SmartWater and police are investigating.

BOAT TRAIN?

Surplus rails from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway are being used to repair the slipway at Cotehele Quay near Saltash, in order to haul 1899 Tamar sailing barge Shamrock out of the water for repairs.

HONOURS FOR HOBBS

In appreciation of his campaign to reinstate passenger services on the nearby ‘Halton Curve’, East Lancashire Railway Preservation Society Vice-Chairman John Hobbs has been honoured with a plaque on Runcorn East station.

GWR SIGN RESTORED

A cast-iron GWR running-in board has been reinstated at Perranwell station on the Falmouth branch, following restoration by the station’s Friends group, funded by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

AVR GOES FOR GOLD

The Aln Valley Railway has received a Gold in the Small Visitor Attraction category of the Northumberland Tourism Awards.