A boy and his dad love railways. Come and join their adventures watching heritage trains and modern traction on the mainline, visiting heritage railways, model exhibitions and other railway attractions and working on their own model railway in their train shed.
Another spectacular job well done Simon and you too Micheal. Great to see you had a wonderful day out at the Mid Norfolk Railway and see the Wymondham Abbey a very impressive building. 80078 was built at Brighton works in 1954 and was one of many BR standard class 4 tank engines as part of the British Railways standard program, unfortunately with the inevitable coming of the diesels they were withdrawn far too early. It was very lucky that it was saved for preservation from Barry Scrapyard, I've heard the story about it many times and it is a miracle that people saved as many engines as they could. When the train reached the end of the line, that was quiet an interesting shunting movement especially with the old-style level crossing. There was also very dynamic drone footage of the engine running around its train beyond the platform, not only that it may be a tank engine, but it is actually huge. It was also nice to see you enjoying a ride on a Pacer unit, which was the train everybody loved to hate! It's a good thing that many heritage railways are taking good care of them because they are a part of railway history too. I loved the bit where you got to toot the horn on the Pacer and clip your own tickets, that's lucky. Very nice new wagon you have for your train shed, can't wait to see it. By the way, when you hovered the drone over the Abbey, one of the steeples had a large hole at the top, you can actually fit a medium size rocket in that gap won't that make an interesting launch pad. Keep your steam up Simon as well as you Micheal Wish you and your family all the best take care Kevig
Thanks Kevig. Really glad you enjoyed the video. There were so many locos saved from Barry to be restored. The Woodham brothers, who owned the site, prioritised cutting up the rolling stock over the locos so there was a much better chance of them getting saved. Lucky thing!
@@SimonsTrainAdventures They've recently restored it after an overhaul and will be visiting the Nene Valley Railway for 3 days,starting from the 24th August.
Wow, that is one comprehensive looking siding Simon! It's interesting to have siding's chocked with old trains, either to be donated for preservation, scrap or even be reused for something else. It is a clever way of what railway companies can do when recycling their old trains. Great to see that there are still a couple of HST power cars are still here as well as a couple of diesel shunters and a couple of mark 1 coaches in the mix too. Also, excellent drone footage Micheal. Since it is an authorized personal only site, the footage from up in the air is very interesting to see. It looks as if it's like a bird's eye view of a model railway. Keep your steam up Simon and you too Micheal. Take care Kevig
Thanks Kevig. The drone is great for getting a view of places you can't normally see. I was in the area back in November 2023 and there was a class 31 diesel there too then, but I didn't have the drone.
Very interested in three-way points as they have not been given the best of reviews in the past. Chocolate Block idea one of the best tips I've seen. Shame the running session did not include the new point.
Oops! I must have cut the clips of the 3 way point in action when trying to make it shorter. I’ll try and include some in the next video we do. Other than being a little trickier to install than our other points we’ve had no issues with the 3 way point so far.
Well done these 3-way points look fantastic on your train set Simon. It was really interesting to see how your dad inserted the point motors under the baseboard which is something not normally seen as often. I don't have one of those point on my train set yet, but if I have plans to expand then they will be a great addition when implementing a yard or an engine shed of some sort. I can't wait to see how you both install the turntable so the tender engines can turn around. Keep up the great work on your train set Simon and you too Micheal. It's great to see a project come together. Take care, good on you mate. Kevig
Very nice short video Simon. I didn't know that this railway was the first to convert from brunels broad gauge to standard gauge. Why was that 121 diesel rail car called the bouble car, that is a name given to a small car made by BMW in the 60s. At least the heritage train connects with the mainline so that at the right time you can catch a mainline train back to either Paddington or Reading. A similar occurrence happens at the Victorian Goldfields Railway which runs between Castlemaine and Maldon. When the train runs either on a Wednesday or Sunday. One your journey ends you can catch a regional train run by the company V/line back to Melbourne from Castlemaine railway station. Keep your steam up Simon and you too Michael. Take care Kevig
Thanks Kevig. Not sure how the bubble car earned its nickname but they are often referred to in that way. Perhaps the BMW car and these first appeared around the same time?
Certainly the ones near where we live are, yes. Mostly multiple units as well, so loco-hauled services and diesel traction is relatively rare. That said, class 66s come through with freight trains several times every day. Other classes are much less common.Thanks for watching!
Fantastic coverage of recent diesel movements Simon and you too Micheal. There were defiantly quite a number of interesting movements especially when that class 37 pulled a broken EMU. Good thing you saw the same class 70 diesel that you have as a model in person, it's nice to see real locomotives that railway modelers love to make. I love the bit when both the class 47 and Black 5 44871 double headed together, it was also common to see this practice done in Australia during the days of steam, but to prevent soot and ashes from getting into the diesel exhaust's they would put the steam loco at the back of the train or in this case when double heading be coupled behind the diesel. Any livery of the class 37 is a good one, especially when in BR green. Good thing you had toots from the driver's as well. I enjoyed my day at the train show last week, it was wonderful in every way especially one layout that replicate real railway practice on the Sydney rail system in New South Wales. I also loved seeing the replica of the Rev. W. Awdry's Ffarqhuar layout especially how the connections to the signals and points being made with popsicle sticks and soldering or piano wire. I even enjoyed a ride on the old electric train to and from the show, even when it rattled about. It was extraordinary. Keep your steam up Simon, you too Micheal take care Kevig
Oh, I almost forgot. My Puffing Billy railway volunteer application has been approved! Yippee!! 😁 This means I'm going to start volunteering very soon! I can hardly wait!! Take care Simon Kevig
Beautiful, great job Simon and of course your dad Micheal. Nice little jingle you've made for the diesel report, very catchy. The engineering trains especially the flying banana are definitely worth a look at, here in Melbourne during the summer months there is an engineering train called Elvie, and it's used to ensure that the rails don't buckle under the heat of the sun. It's usually top and tailed by two old diesel locomotives that being the T and P class diesels, both types worked on regional passenger trains but were withdrawn and sold to other private operators which make up freight operations throughout the country. When the ultrasonic test unit left the station, the power of that class 37 was extraordinary as if a bee was buzzing out of its hive. It was good to see you both so excited as it departed Reading. I'm going to the big model railway show on the weekend by vintage electric train! It's going to be great fun; I can hardly wait! Keep your steam up Simon take care Kevig
What a fantastic video at the Bala Lake Railway Simon. I like the part when you and your dad Mick, got to go on the footplate of Maid Marion for a cab ride. It reminds me of the times when I had cab rides at the Puffing Billy Railway. Also, you braved the elements to ride in the carriage right behind the locomotive despite the rain coming in and seeing your excitement really was a wonderful thing to see, and I enjoyed seeing you bang the doors as well as help change the tail lamp. It's wonderful to see that you had a great trip in Wales. What other interesting rail movements did you see recently? I'm going on Melbourne's old electric train's the red rattler to see one of Australia's largest model railway exhibitions. It's really exciting, I can hardly wait! Keep your steam up Simon and you too Mick. Take care Kevig
Thanks for watching, Kevig. We were very lucky to be able to go for a ride in the cab and didn't mind getting a bit soaked. It was worth it! Glad you enjoyed the video. We've seen quite a few more diesel movements recently and should have another diesel report video coming out soon. In fact Simon is editing it right now! Hope you enjoy the electric train and the exhibition. All the best, Michael. (not Mick. I think Mick is the name of the other person who commented ;-) )
Beautiful video Simon, It was amazing seeing the two steam tours pass through Twyford station at speed! Two LMS locos in the western region quite an unusual sight, because people usually see Swindon built Great Westerns. I heard recently that Flying Scotsman is being looked after by a new company after the Riely and Son's contract expired at the end of last year, and Blue Peter is back in steam again. The blue A2 did its inaugural run from Kings Cross to York. I also saw the livestream of the Awdry Extravaganza 4 at the Talyllyn railway in Wales, although the diorama that me and my friends worked on didn't make an appearance at least we got together to make it. They not only showed models from the classic series of Thomas and Friends but also showed segments of the Rev W Awdry's models, and a recording of the Rev. W. Awdry reading sleeping beauty from Duke the Lost Engine on Vinyl record. Keep your steam up Simon take care Kevig
Thanks Kevig. I’m hoping that Blue Peter will come our way at some point. It would be wonderful to see it but so far it’s just been heading to the north.
Yet another brilliant video. You guys must be proud of how well things are going. Simon is learning some great life skills. Growing fast specially his hair.... lol. It's good to see that you have done motorised points and signals thats always a great feature on a Model Railway. I am looking forward to some scenic's, ballasting and grass. Not the finished product but a base for the next scene. Glad to hear the weather is still good enough to get out and see the real thing. 😇
Thanks for watching! Yes we're really enjoying the progress with the layout and very excited to get onto some scenic work soon. Simon says; "even the Terrier doesn't stall on the crossover."
Nice one Simon There is always something new to learn when it comes to model railways, especially with installing point motors. Maybe that could be something I can do if I make an improved model railway too. How are things getting on? Any recent sightings of steam train excursions or other interesting rail movements? I can't wait to see them. I also like the part when the signal changed, it reminds me of when I went to a now defunct miniature railway not far from my home. Whilst on the miniature train, it stopped at a signal, the driver pulled the lever and the signal dropped showing the line was clear so the train could proceed without incident. Even in model form, they still require the same amount of engineering required from a real railway. Keep your steam up Simon, your model railway is looking splendid. take care Kevig
Thanks Kevig. Some of the point motors were tricky, especially the 3-way point, which will feature in our next video. We saw a couple of steam trains last week (Royal Scot and a Black 5) and Simon has been editing the video today, so we hope to have that out later this week. Also lots of interesting diesel movements for our next Diesel Report video. The miniature railway sounds like fun!
You're welcome, I'm currently writing a book about that miniature railway, it may be tricky but it's a work in progress. These new video are very exciting. Keep it up.
Gosh I remember working with those. There were two types on BR one with two aspects and one with three. Depending on the role you had, you were issued with one or the other. The BR ones had an engraved number which was recorded against John name when they were issued ho you. Walking along dark alleyways when in call, always felt a bit safer with a bardic in hand.
Well done .... i hope the rain didn't dampen the spirits. It would be so good to model that four track cutting on a layout. Maybe over the top of your storage tracks. The train movements including the special tour trains could be included in a running session. I liked the top and tail units and the light engine movements. both elements are not duplicated in model railways.
I think I read in Railway Modeller about a year ago that someone had built a huge and very detailed model of Sonning Cutting, which included that bridge. A good idea to run those formations on the model railway. We might do some of that in our next running session!
@@georgethomas7814 That sounds like the right thing. It looks incredible. And John Southern was the guy that built Dobwalls Family Adventure Park in Cornwall, which was an enormous 7.25" American Railroad based theme park. I used to love that as a child. It was a staple of our family holidays in the 90s. Very sad it no longer exists as I would have loved to take Simon.
Great video Simon, a diesel report sounds like a great idea. It's good to report current rail movements and activities within Reading and Twyford. The rail tours were very interesting and it's nice to see older classes of diesel on the mainline. I've noticed a train on your Facebook page that you were curious about, well I reckon it is another track maintenance unit possibly for cleaning weed and leaves on the line. A couple of days ago, I invited my friends over to my place and we made a diorama for the upcoming Awdry extravaganza at the Talyllyn Railway in Wales. The scene we created was from the story super rescue from the book Enterprising Engines written by the Rev W Awdry in 1968. It was great fun to make and we all enjoyed every moment of it, now it has been sent to Wales it will be on the event's Livestream! I hope you will like it too. Keep your steam up Simon. Take care Kevig
Thanks for watching. The Awdry Extravaganza sounds amazing. We’ve never been to the Talyllyn Railway but it is top of our list when we’re next in Wales.
Great video Simon, even though you didn't get to ride on the train you still had fun and enjoyed yourself. I'm on holiday in Gold Coast, I had a go on the "world's smallest car" the peel p50! The little loco Thomas Bach means little Thomas in Welsh, it used to work in the slate quarries at lamberious. Can't wait to see part 4. Keep your steam up Cheers Simon Kevig
Great video Simon, nice to see the diesels at work on the mainline. We're the class 47s and class 37 diesels assigned to an excursion or are they transferring stock to different heritage groups? How are things getting on? I'm going on holiday to the Gold Coast in a couple of days. Its a great holiday destination in Queensland. I'm really excited. Keep your steam up Simon. Cheers mate Kevig
Thanks for watching. It was a combination of railtours and positioning moves which led to such an interesting week for diesel fans at Twyford. Enjoy your holiday!
Wonderful video Simon. The festiniog railway is a fantastic trip. It's clever how the volunteers thought outside the square when rebuilding the line around the reservoir. I heard in a documentary about flying Scotsman coming home to York that Alan Pegler not only saved Flying Scotsman but also the festiniog railway and he was considered to be the father of railway preservation. Before the advent of steam locomotives, the slate trucks were pulled up by pack horses and pony's. Once they've reached the top the trucks would come down by gravity. Since you mentioned that it was like a rollercoaster, the festiniog railway is the world's first rollercoaster. Coolio 👍. The photos on your Facebook page of the festiniog is brilliant. Keep your steam up Simon. Take care. Kevig
