News

We are pleased to announce our newsletter issue 7 is available to download

 

BESTT (The Boiler & Engineering Skills Training Trust) will be holding its annual General Meeting at 11:00am on Saturday 18th January 2020 at The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, YORK, YO24 1AQ.

Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, now in its fifteenth year, passengers relive the magic of the story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Inspired by the hit movie, this Christmas favorite comes to life as you and your family take a magical trip on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride!

Once onboard the train, hot chocolate and treats are served by dancing chefs as passengers read along with the classic children’s book. Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole and then board the train, where each child is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell, just like in the movie! Families are encouraged to wear their pyjamas for the ride and join in with the magic of Christmas!

THE POLAR EXPRESS film is based on Chris Van Allsburg’s classic Christmas picture book, which tells the story of a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa. First published in 1985, The Polar Express became an instant family favourite and has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.

The Canadian Railway Museum’s Railroad Day celebrated the return of the John Molson steam engine on Sunday.

The 1850 replica locomotive was out of commission for more than a year, having undergone major restoration work. The black and red steam-powered train has been a staple on the Museum tracks for more 50 years.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sad passing of Tim Fischer, Founding Member and Patron of WATTRAIN. So this edition of the newsletter will be given over, in the main, to an obituary (written by David Morgan, President Emeritus of WATTRAIN) and other comments and expressions from friends and colleagues..

Residents in the strath are being urged to attend a consultation to help keep plans on track to bring back steam locomotives to Grantown.

The Strathspey Railway Charitable Trust is to unveil plans tomorrow for the final phase of plans to connect Aviemore and the Strathspey capital by rail once more.

A question many travelers ask themselves before embarking on a cross-European journey is “Should I buy the Eurail Pass?” Starting in 2019, changes to the pass in regard to pricing, flexibility, and the addition of new partner countries means that now might be a good time to get on board.

Talyllyn Railway passed much of its operation over to its Young Members Group (YMG) last weekend.

The popular Mid Wales railway was staffed by many young members who drove and fired the locomotives, worked the blockposts and guarded the trains on Friday and Saturday.

When the railways began carving through the countryside in the 19th century it was a major culture shock for people who had previously only known horse power.

The locomotives, with their fire and steam, must have appeared dragon-like to what was still a largely rural country.

Today, one of the steam engines on the South Tynedale Railway is called Green Dragon – but is part of a drive by the heritage line operation to be as environmentally-friendly as possible, surrounded as it is by a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

HAWORTH Station on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway was the ‘birthplace’ of a scheme that is now striving to address a future skills shortage.

Hands-on trades probably haven’t been as enthusiastically pursued in recent years as computers and technology.

Identifying the potential problem for traditional industries such as engineering, increasing emphasis has been placed on apprenticeships.

And it was from Haworth that the idea for the Boiler & Engineering Skills Training Trust (Bestt) emanated.