LETTERS, REVIEWS & SOCIAL MEDIA
The latest online news and chat from Twitter, Facebook and The Railway Hub, as well as topical reviews and readers' letters.
Your letters, emails, feedback and other comments are always welcome. Contact us at: Rail Express, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR; or email: railexpresseditor@mortons.co.uk. The editor reserves the right to edit all letters, and the views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine.
HST HEART TO HEART
WITH all the interest lately about HSTs, I was looking through my photos and came across the one I enclose. I have not seen any photos similar. It was taken on Tuesday, June 25, 1982 at Leeds City station. The loco is 46033 on the 09.55 to Newcastle and the HST is on the 10.00 to Plymouth with power car 43198 (in view) trailing. It took my interest because of the large heart and the words HEARTLINE over the cab window. I'm sorry, but that is all the information I have.
Richard Cresswell Wakefield
Can any reader shed more light on these unusual graphics? Ed
STARS AND STRIPES
HERE is a picture taken of a train on display at the Battlefield Line in Shackerstone, Leicestershire. The British Rail Class 25 diesel electric locomotive D7523 is named after the 35th president of the United States, John F Kennedy. Being a big follower and admirer of the late president, I had been meaning to see it for a long time, but for a while it was based at the West Somerset Railway before being acquired by Battlefield (via the Epping Ongar Railway). I managed to wangle this photograph through the assistance of a friendly curator at the museum, as it was in a siding away from the main collection. It is a little sad that the engine is in need of some loving care and restoration, but in a few years it may be back in pristine condition and another trip there will be on the cards.
Mark Dabbs Wallsall
YOUNG SNAPPER
I AM 10 years old and have attached some of my best railway photographs. I will be spending the summer developing my photography skills with the aid of my new (Nikon D3400) camera, so there will be much more to come! You can also view my photographs and blog on lwrail.com. All of the content is written and produced by me.
Lewis Kane By email
BOGIE MYSTERY
THE Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society has received a photo from Andy Walker of bogies from Class D16/1 10000 at Carlisle depot on July 12, 1968. Given that 10000 was scrapped in January of that year, the questions arise – why and how the bogies made their way to Carlisle?
The bogies fitted to Class D16/1 were very similar to those fitted to Class Em2 and the Class 600 Warships, but there are small detail differences which let us confirm that these bogies are indeed from 10000/1. Given that we have a photo of 10001 in a scrapyard with its bogies in the summer of 1968, we can be certain that these are from 10000.
It has been suggested that they were there to be used as accommodation bogies, or in connection with Workington steelworks. However, information is scarce. If any reader has knowledge about this, the IDRS would be grateful to receive it.
Andrew Hoseason By email
If you can help, please contact Rail Express and we will forward the information. Ed
We wish you many happy hours with your new camera, Lewis, and look forward to seeing the results. A couple of the images you sent are: (above left) LNER Azuma 800101 heading south through North Queensferry with the 07.52 Aberdeen to London Kings Cross service on June 26; and (above right) DB Cargo 66127, still in EWS maroon and yellow livery, heading east through MetroCentre with the 10.25 Carlisle New Yard to Tees New Yard on June 3. Ed
EVERY LITTLE HELPS
I'M surprised you haven't done a feature on the rail network Tesco uses. Its trains seem to be going all over the country now, connected to that about a feature on DIRFT. A new bridge has just been put in place to extend the rail complex even more. Both these subjects could be linked. Would make a good feature?
Dave Williams By email
We are considering a whole raft of in-depth new features for the magazine, including modern freight flows, so your Tesco suggestion would fit in well there, thank you. We are always pleased to receive ideas about any part of the magazine. Ed
Published by Crecy Publishing www.crecy.co.uk
80 pages, colour, PDF. Free
THE last edition of this popular guide to the UK rail scene was published in December 2020, and lockdown restrictions meant that many readers were unable to take their guide with them as travel opportunities were severely curtailed. However, now that restrictions are easing, many are returning to the rail network and Crecy has therefore provided a digital supplement to bring the guide up to date in summer 2021. The style and comprehensive content is consistent with the print guide, with additional information focusing on Irish railways, London Transport and light rail systems. Best of all, the supplement is free and can be delivered to your inbox by emailing railguide2021@crecy.co.uk