Explore every episode of the podcast Making Tracks Railway Podcast
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| Southwold Railway's First Public Steaming of 'Blyth', The 762 Club, Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Diesels! Mainline Pendolino Spotters' Trip around Manchester | 13 Jun 2026 | 01:00:12 | |
In this episode Alasdair Stewart visits the Southwold Railway in Suffolk on the day the volunteers mark the first public steaming of the replica engine 'Blyth'. Alasdair finds out about the Manning Wardle Project being run by The 762 Club from Martin Greenland. The group formed in 2009 to initially manage the rebuilding of replacement locomotive No. E762 LYN for the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. The MC is back in the house ...welcome back to Paddy Range, Radio Presenter and Drum and Base MC and train aficionado in particular diesels who reports from the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway in Kent. Young reporter Cynan Hughes took dad Steve – on a rail tour all of his own across North Wales and to Manchester to spot Pendelinos on a mainline detour and end up on a detour themselves! If you are the parent or guardian of a young train enthusiast then this will be a familiar weekend activity to you !! Links below to the railways and organisations mentioned in this episode: Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway 390 BluePeter Pendelino #Devon #Suffolk #Cymru # Kent #PaddyRange #Alasdair Stewart This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Talyllyn: Celebrating 75 Years As The World's First Preserved Railway, Leighton Buzzard Light Railway and Barton House Railway. Plus, Encouraging Young Volunteers At The North Norfolk Railway! | 29 May 2026 | 01:10:53 | |
This episode celebrates the contribution of young people in heritage railways ...both in the past and present day, as Alasdair Stewart and Producer Laura Raymond, sitting in for Sharon Gregory, visit three charming railways: Barton House in Norfolk, The Talyllyn Railway, as they mark the 75th anniversary as the world's oldest preserved railway and Leighton Buzzard Railway. Alasdair also talks to Michelle Bartram one the leaders of the young people's group at North Norfolk Railway. Young reporter Cynan Hughes enjoys a trip to the Talyllyn 75th Gala Weekend to travel on some of the night trains (along with dad Steve!) Please find links below for the organisations and Railways mentioned in this episode. We chat to Railwayman volunteer Chris Parrott in the Talyllyn Segment. You can find out more about his story in his book: Argentine Adventure is available from Amazon. This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Queensbury Tunnel Campaign in Yorkshire, Tanat's Steam Monorail and Young Railway Enthusiasts Report on Collection X & the Railway 200 'Inspiration Train' plus a Network Rail renewal in Sussex | 08 Dec 2025 | 01:06:12 | |
Welcome to this episode of Making Tracks Podcast with Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. In many episodes you will have heard us welcoming opportunities for young railway enthusiasts...so we thought we should practice what we preach and in this episode we welcome two teenage guest presenters. Rail enthusiasts , George Woodward and Cynan Hughes, accompanied of course by their parents and with all permissions given, went out to report for Making Tracks Railway Podcast George reviews collections X and the Making Tracks layout at the Vale of Rheidol in Mid Wales and Cynan goes on board 'Inspiration' – the Railway 200 train as it stops off in North Wales Sharon has been out in the border lands of England and Wales again on her Railway Rideouts, I hear about an ambitious community led scheme in Yorkshire to rehabilitate the currently disused Queensbury railway tunnel . I talk to Graham Bickerdike from the Queensbury Tunnel Society. And Alasdair hears from some of those involved in a recent blockade of the London Hastings line about a part of the successful renewal scheme carried out by Network Rail in autumn 2025. Links below to the Railways mentioned in this episode: More dates announced for Railway 200 Inspiration Train in the UK as it becomes a runaway success! National Highways Queensbury Tunnel Information. National Highways statement below in response to our interview aired on this podcast with the Queensbury Tunnel Society. "We didn’t receive any money for the feasibility study.We are not infilling or demolishing the tunnel. We will be filling the open shafts and providing support under the shafts, but there’s an important difference between ‘filling in’ and ‘infilling’." The definition of the latter can be found here. "We are due to meet with planners from the local authority in the coming months." Pete Waterman's Making Tracks Model Railway Layout visits Vale of Rheidol Hastings - Bexhill Network Rail Upgrade Home - Schweerbau - State of the art hybrid / battery electric railway maintenance and inspection trains #ValeofRheidol #Railway200 #Inspiration #Monorail #TanatValley #railwayenthusiast #railwayhistory #Railways #trains This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| A tale of two railway museums: Utrecht and York, the East Lancashire Railway Gala, English narrow gauge in Kent and a Dutch preserved line. | 01 Nov 2025 | 01:05:38 | |
In this episode we’ll be visiting two national railway museums, in Utrecht and York, a gala event at the East Lancashire railway, and riding on standard and narrow gauge heritage lines, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, run entirely by volunteers in Kent, and the STAR museum railway in the Netherlands, and along the way, discovering a replica broad gauge pioneer, running on rails 1945mm apart... #Utrech #York #NRM #SittingbourneandKemsleylightrailway #railwayvolunteers #railwaypodcast #railwayhistory #railwayenthusiast #trains #STARNetherlands Links to all the railways and museums below: Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway Home of 80097 BR 4MT Restoration and Ivatt 46428 - Bury Standard 4 Group The Class 56 Group – Class 56 Locomotive Preservation National Railway Museum - York Eurostar.com: Book Europe train tickets and holidays Kom naar het Spoorwegmuseum | Het leukste station van Nederland - Dutch National Railway Museum in Utrecht, Netherlands Home - Museumspoorlijn STAR - STAR Museum Railway, Stadskanaal, Netherlands Sittingbourne and Kemsley Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Hastings Diesels, 'Railway Children' performed at Keighley & Worth Valley, and Young Railway Enthusiast wins footplate experience at Rudyard Lake. | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:58:30 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks with Alasdair Stewart, Sharon Gregory and Laura Raymond, we’ll be visiting Welshpool and Llanfair Railway a rural, narrow gauge light railway, built to develop the economy of a marginal hinterland in Welsh border country, hear from competition winner George Woodward, who at 14 years old, got to try his hand on the regulator of a steam locomotive for the first time. George won a driver experience in a Facebook competition run by the Rudyard Lake Railway. Sharon Gregory is riding the rails in Yorkshire and taking in a theatrical spectacle, and I talk to one of the team for responsible for maintaining preserved multiple units, at Hastings Diesels, that occasionally tours the national railway network from its depot on the south coast….. #WelshpoolandLLanfair #narrowgauge #KVR #Yorkshire #Hastings #Diesels #railwaypodcasters #railwayhistory #railways Links to the Railways and events mentioned in this episode: Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway Sierra Leone National Railway Museum Bishops Castle Railway - bcrailway.co.uk The current run of the Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railway has sold out ( finished on Sept 7th 25 ) click here for link to the promo video for the event. Rudyard Lake Railway Driver Experience Course ( the course included in our podcast had been won as a prize by our young person interviewed with no commercial link to this podcast) This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Railway 200; 'Greatest Gathering', Sharon's Railway Rideouts to the Glyn Valley Tramway and TV Newsreader Nicholas Owen's Railway Enthusiasm. | 24 Aug 2025 | 01:05:31 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks we’ll take you behind the scenes of the 'Greatest Gathering' in Derby, England for a prestigious piece of the UK's Railway 200 celebrations. Engineer Alasdair Stewart meets some of those who made it happen, and speaks with a variety of people representing a fraction of the variety and scope of the UK railway family as the movement looks forward to the future. All aboard for the Greatest Gathering! Sharon Gregory goes on another 'Railway Rideout' to visit a rural tramway museum in the Glyn Valley in north East Wales. Also in this episode, we pop along to a Rail Fair in the Sussex town of Lewes and chat to Nicholas Owen – the well-known broadcaster and former BBC and ITV newsreader. Away from the news desk, Nicholas has a lifelong passion for railways and is a dedicated volunteer on one of England’s pioneering electric railways. We’ll hear about his love of trains, his volunteering experiences, and what keeps him coming back to the rails. On the way north to visit the Greatest Gathering, Alasdair passes through Kings Cross station – and between the statue of Sir Nigel Gresley and Platform 9 and 3 quarters…..visits an exhibition display of an LNER carriage of the future. Links to all the events and railways mentioned in this episode below: The Making Tracks Facebook page - please like our page and please do send any comments directly to Alasdair. All Aboard The 'Train of the Future' | LNER Glyn Valley Tramway - Museum at Glynceiriog The Greatest Gathering Event Website including gallery Enspired - Consultant engineers working to de-carbonise rail Loram - Leading the digital transformation of railway maintenance. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Prince 1863 at Alstom Greatest Gathering The Ashover Light Railway Society DB Cargo UK opens new ETCS training facilities - Digital signalling. Contact Us - Steam Workshop Services - Modern minimum gauge traction designers & builders, in addition to traditional miniature railway suppliers. Lewes History Group | Discovering historical Lewes - Lewes History Group The Signalman by Charles Dickens performances in Brighton Station tunnels. Nicholas Owen coverage on You Tube - launching the Railway 200 celebrations at Brighton's Volks Electric Railway. Wiki link to Nicholas Owen Biography #railwayenthusiast #railwayhistory #Railways #trains #Thesignalman #NicholasOwen #Railway200 This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| L'viv Children's Railway In Ukraine, UK Loco In Transylvania, NERHT, FEDECRAIL & UK Parliamentarians Lobby for Heritage Rail's Future plus Sharon Gregory visits a Garden Viaduct | 26 Jul 2025 | 01:01:11 | |
Welcome aboard this episode of MAKING TRACKS RAILWAY PODCAST with Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory – no tickets are required to travel with us and there is no fare to pay! In this episode we’ll be hearing from a teacher at one of Ukraine’s Childrens' Railways , an enthusiast and preservationist from Kiev tells me something of the current challenges in that country……Bill Parker of Flour Mill fame reflects on the two year working holiday of one of his engines in Transylvania, and the arrival of another industrial machine from further east; Sharon Gregory visits a Manchester attraction with some similarities to the lauded ‘high line’ in New York City…. Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts reveals an extraordinary statistic about her constituency in Wales and what relevance it has to the world of heritage railways, and Lord Faulkner is concerned that a law from the 1920s threatens to restrict the activities of youngsters on UK heritage railways. We also hear from historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn and Stephen Wiggs of New Europe Heritage Railway Trust, (NEHRT) a small British NGO that has forged links with a number of heritage railway organisations across Central & Eastern Europe since the end of communist rule more than thirty years ago. Alasdair also meets Mimmi Mickleson, President of FEDECRAIL whilst in Romania at a steam gala event featuring a locomotive that used to haul paper and wood pulp in Kent and has been on the Sibiu Agnita Railway in Transylvania for nearly two years. Links to Railways and Organisations mentioned in this episode: New Europe Heritage Railway Trust or NEHRT FEDECRAIL - European Federation of Museum & Tourist Railways Read about the Lviv Children's Railway in Railway Supply online Mocănita - Sibiu - Agnița - Romania Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester The Continental Railway Circle Facebook Page You can contact Cristian Marinescu here: and follow him on X @ x.com/AFeroviara for Romanian railway content #railwayenthusiast #railwayhistory #Railways #trains #Romania #Europeanrailways This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Childhood Memories from a Welsh Station House, Blackpool & Seaton Trams and Telford Steam Railway, plus Ffestiniog 70 years of Preservation | 26 Jun 2025 | 01:04:31 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks with Alasdair Stewart, we hear cherished memories of growing up at a remote station house in rural north Wales from Lynette Tucker... daughter of John Harrison—fondly known as 'Lord North'. His great uncle, John Wills and his acquaintance with Bassett Lowke, who employed him to convert the #Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway from a derelict 3ft gauge railway to “15 “inch Gauge. We also visit a uniquely gauged tramway in Devon, call in at the Telford Steam Railway where a truly whimsical narrow gauge steam tram has just returned to service alongside their conventional trains, and the famous resort of Blackpool as Sharon Gregory and her Railway Rideouts visit the seaside town. And we catch some of the 70th celebrations of the Ffestiniog Railway’s revival. Links to the content mentioned in this episode. Link to watch John Harrison on Steam is Everything 1975 You Tube if you would like to contact Lynette Tucker regarding her father's memoirs she can be contacted on ltucker@ffwhr.com #railwayenthusiast #railwayhistory #Railways #trains #FFWHR #Ravenglass #Telford #BassettLowke #Blackpooltrams #cavalcade This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Heritage Railways Improve Visitor Appeal in North Wales and Sharon Gregory's Holiday Rideouts | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:50:04 | |
In this Episode of Making Tracks, engineer and podcaster Alasdair Stewart learns about modern methods of marketing heritage railways with the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways' Osian Hughes. Helen Leslie explains how a museum is a fundamental part of the visitor experience at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in Porthmadog, and Sharon Gregory has been on tour on her motorbike visiting some of her favourite lines and meets the S4C TV dragons at the Talyllyn Railway on a week long ride-out across Wales. #Gwili #Ffwhr #whhr #Talyllyn S4C Dreigiau Cadi - Chidren's TV show The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Hastings Railway History, Kent & East Sussex Line Celebrations & Llanberis Lake Railway | 03 May 2025 | 00:56:37 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks Podcast I visit some of England's most charming, bucolic countryside to join in celebrations at the Kent and East Sussex Railway, as they mark 25 years since Bodiam station was reopened. The 'Railway 200' anniversary is marked in Hastings, with an exhibition at the town's museum and gallery, and I went to meet the , former Railwayman Kevin Boorman. We speak about his collection of railway memorabilia and some of region’s rich railway history. Sharon Gregory visits the Llanberis lake railway in north Wales in her 'Railway Rideouts' series, as she tours the nation’s heritage railways by motorcycle! Back in Season 2, Episode 1, we visited Amberley Museum in West Sussex, and saw some of their Narrow gauge collection - Peter Egdeler gives us an update on the restoration of one of the original feature structures on the site and how evidence has come to light for its maritime origin. I join the crowds on the platform in Hastings to catch a glimpse of the Sussex Steam Special as it stopped off at the station. Here are links to the Railways featured in this episode: Railway 200 exhibition Hastings Museum until 29th June 2025 This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Anglesey Line Revival, Talyllyn's Job Share GMs, Lithuanian Narrow Gauge & Bluebell Railway Volunteer's Heartfelt Fundraiser | 26 Mar 2025 | 01:01:44 | |
In this episode our travels to uncover Railway stories take us to Anglesey to meet Walter Glynn Davis, the 81 year old chair of Lein Amlwch – Anglesey Central Railway Ltd, a group who are working to bring the Amlwch to Gerwen line back into service. Walter, retired teacher travelled, on the last passenger train in 1964 and being a local man from Amlwch the line has been his passion ever since. We talk to the new job share General Managers: Liz Porrett and Lorraine Simkiss at the Talyllyn Railway on International Women's Day, discussing the challenges facing Welsh Railways with the tourist tax and looking ahead at the fabulous season they have planned. I made a visit to longest public narrow gauge railway in the Baltics, the Siaurukas line in Lithuania and hear from its Director, Darius Sharon Gregory heads off on another Railway Rideout, this time to the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire, and we go to Sussex where 86 year old Bluebell Railway lineside volunteer John Deane has walked the length of the line, on the ballast, for a charity close to his heart. #ChurnetValley #BluebellRailway #Talyllyn #IWD #AngleseyCentralRailway #railwaypodcast #railwayhistory Llein Amlwch / Anglesey Central Railway Limited Link to story of the damaged railway bridge 2019 Voluteer in Lithuania: Contact darius.liutikas@siaurukas.eu Director of the Siarukas Railway to find out about volunteering opportunities. The Bluebell Railway John Deane's fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Pioneering Electric Railways: A Look at Liverpool's Overhead Railway & Brighton's Volk's Electric Railway | 01 Mar 2025 | 00:56:01 | |
Two cities and two very different electric railway stories: one still thriving with its original Victorian vintage vehicles and the other, a fading memory, with just a few tangible remains left around the city. I go to Brighton beach to visit Volk's the oldest operating Electric railway in the world and we head to the National Museum of Liverpool to speak to the curator of Land, Transport Works and Industry, Sharon Brown to find out about the former Liverpool Overhead Electric Railway. The line was demolished in 1957 but fondly remembered in the city as the Dockers Umbrella for being exactly that. And Sharon Gregory is back with her Railway Rideouts to Bala and Keighley and Worth Valley Railways and a chat about workplace volunteering with Carl Burns Links below to everything we mention in this episode. Volks Electric Railway Brighton, Sussex - operating daily from 5th April 2025 for the summer season. Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Bala Lake Railway Trust appeal to build the extension National Museums Liverpool Overhead Railway Gallery - the museum is within easy walking distance of St James Street Station. Liverpool Overhead Railway Facebook Page - created and researched by the late Steven Paul Wheeler. Steven Wheeler's CGI recreation of the Liverpool Overhead Railway can be seen on this link. Shared here with kind permission of his sister Danielle in tribute to a man with a passion for the history of Liverpool's Overhead Railway. #Liverpool #Brighton #Magnus Volk #Bala #Keighley #railwaypodcasters #history #Liverpooloverheadrailway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| HST Rail Tour, Rideout to Crich Tramway Museum, My Dad Saved A Railway, Tom Bright- Rail Journalist, Progress at Rother Valley Railway and Photography at Fairbourne | 18 May 2026 | 00:48:26 | |
In this episode Alasdair Stewart travels on an iconic Intercity 125 Class 43 rail tour from Euston to the north Wales coast . He meets up with travel journalist Tom Bright, Tom is the news and features editor of Steam Railway Magazine. We hear how the love of telling stories and steam landed him a pretty ideal job. We have an update from Rother Valley Railway in Kent as they open a new station building in a million pound prjoect to link the village of Robertsbridge with the Kent and East Sussex Line and the mainline to London. Sharon Gregory reports back on her Railway Rideout to Crich National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire. The Young reporters meanwhile have been busy - George Woodward – tells how 'My Dad Saved a Railway' a model one but very much a Railway and Cynan Hughes rides on the Fairbourne scouting out the best places to photograph the upcoming Gala. Links to the Railway and organisations mentioned in this epsiode. National Tramway Museum in Crich Fairbourne Miniature Railtours Do follow us Facebook for photos from our adventures! This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| #Railway200 Celebrations Underway and the Corris Railway Extension | 13 Jan 2025 | 00:57:44 | |
Welcome to the first episode of making tracks of 2025 the start of a special year in the Railway calendar – Railway 200 Railway 200 is a cross sector, government backed, partner led campaign to celebrate Two centuries since the start of the modern era of rail travel marked by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 Alan Hyde joins us from the Railway 200 campaign, we talk to to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways General Manager Paul Lewin to get his take on the bi centenary and hear about their combined Railway 200 and FR Platinum Jubilee celebration... and historian Dafydd Gwyn puts the whole anniversary into perspective. We also visit the narrow gauge Corris Railway in Powys and talk to to David Coleman about their Southern extension which could eventually double the length of the running line. The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Whistle up Reel with Paul Lewin GM. The Volks Electric Railway Whistle Up Reel (with kind permission Ludwig Tails) This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Railway Modelling: Experts, Exhibitions and Enthusiasts! Featuring Pete Waterman | 29 Nov 2024 | 01:09:11 | |
The UK winter is a good time for indoor hobbies and like many others Alasdair's thoughts turned to model railway kits he has bought but hasn't got around to building!
This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Out of Africa: 'Kalahari' NG15- 134 Back in Steam & Memories of Uganda , Sharon's Railway Ride-outs in Wales | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:49:47 | |
Now you know many a gem is found browsing a Railway Second hand book stall – a pastime Sharon from our Railway Ride Outs and Alasdair have in common. Well our second story from Africa this episode came to light when Alasdair was looking through books with a colleague John Gardener now retired and volunteering in Sussex. And to round off the heritage railway season and this episode more Railway Ride outs from Sharon Gregory as she visits four Welsh lines by motorbike; the Gwili, Teifi Valley, Llangollen and the Welsh Highland Heritage. Links to the railways mentioned below: #Africanrailways #standardgauge #Gwili #llangollen #Welshhighlandheritge #narrowgauge #railwaypodcasters #railhistory This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Advanced Passenger Train & Crewe Heritage Centre, Avanti's Present Day Crewe & Railways by Bike | 19 Sep 2024 | 00:56:24 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks we visit the Cheshire town of Crewe, once dubbed the ' Railway Capital of the World ' -and see how the the town's railway and industrial inheritance is being preserved at the Crewe Heritage Centre, We meet three trustees and take a walk around the museum, sit in the cab of the only remaining APT – Advanced Passenger Train and explore a signal box transplanted from Exeter, carefully rebuilt, complete with a 100 plus lever frame with working interlocking. There's a chat with the present day Crewe Railway Station management – Avanti West Coast and Sharon Gregory sets off on more Railway Rideouts to Corris and Fairbourne. #Crewe #Creweheritagecentre #railhistorypodcast #APT #Corris #Fairbourne #bikerrailfan #harley #railenthusiast This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Mail Rail:London's Underground Narrow Gauge, Biker Railway Ride-outs, Ffestiniog Gravity Train & Darjeeling Himalayan locomotive 19B | 29 Jul 2024 | 00:50:46 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks, Alasdair Stewart goes over old ground, or rather underground, as he revisits the post office railway – or Mail Rail as it has become known in recent decades, which is part of London's Postal Museum. Alasdair was keen to take a journey on the railway after working as a contracting engineer on the track upgrade underground nearly 10 years ago. Welcome to new contributor trainee fireman Sharon Gregory, Sharon's Railway Ride outs will give you some top tips on visiting railways starting with The Severn Valley , Bridgenorth cliff railway and the Welshpool & llanfair, travelling between them by motorcycle. This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Rother Valley Railway:Missing Link Restoration Underway & Tours of Boston Lodge, steam engine driving experience courses as Ffestiniog Railway Society Marks 70 Year Anniversary | 09 Jun 2024 | 01:05:23 | |
This episode is a tale of two railways both celebrating milestones. The inauguration of the RVR's new turntable coincided with the K&ESR 50th We meet volunteers from both railways and I get to speak to a former politician and Railway Royalty, Michael Portillo, Sir Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail and Chris Green a former Intercity director. You will find links to the Railways mentioned below: This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Sussex: The Lavender Line, Rother Valley Update & Stephen Cranford, Tracing the Steyning Line Rails | 24 Mar 2024 | 00:47:15 | |
This episode of Making Tracks finds us once again in Sussex visiting a gem of a Railway, The Lavender Line just outside Uckfield. It is then onward to Robertsbridge to talk over plans, now getting underway for the rebuilding of the Rother Valley Railway, which will re-connect the Kent and East Sussex Railway to the National Network. A chance while we were in Sussex to head to the west and catch up with radio and TV presenter Stephen Cranford, to talk to him about his new series, 'Tracing the Rails' exploring a Beeching casualty, the Steyning line. #Tracingtherails #Steyning #railwaypodcast #standardgauge #RVR #Kent Please find below links to information on the stories in this episode. This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Amberley Museum Narrow Gauge Visit & Volunteering Excellence | 04 Feb 2024 | 00:48:40 | |
We visit Amberley Museum in West Sussex. Get off on the main line at Amberley and you are there, at this excellent showcase of rural, transport, industrial and communications history of the south of England. They're also recent recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service … staying with the subject of volunteering ..the main stay of many heritage railways – later in this episode I chat to Doug Alldred from the Isle of Wight. There's also a word from a handful of volunteers on why they spend their free time in the loco sheds and buffet cars of the heritage railways across the UK...whats not to like....a great use of time. Amberley Museum This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Railway History with a Robert Fairlie descendant, Santa trains & Updates From Sibiu Agnita Railway & Darjeeling Locomotive19B | 17 Dec 2023 | 00:45:11 | |
This edition of Making Tracks is a Christmas Selection Box: This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Ryedale's 5" gauge mainline in miniature & 'Oil firing' on the North Yorkshire Moors railway; A Sustainable Way Ahead For Heritage Railways? | 17 Nov 2023 | 00:29:28 | |
This episode takes us to Yorkshire at the invitation of the Ryedale Society of Model Engineers to visit their mainline in miniature on a steam day in November 2023. This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Trading Places - Harz Mountain Railway and Baie de Somme Railway UK Heritage Railway Exchanges | 02 May 2026 | 01:01:15 | |
In this episode we meet Railwaymen and Women from Germany and France, that work at two contrasting iconic European metre gauge railways, 'twinned' with UK heritage lines. 'Dampflok' is the common language in the regular Harzer Schmalspurbahnen / Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Exchange established in 2003. Alasdair Stewart joins the group in north Wales on their familiarisation train and chats to the visiting staff and organiser and originator of the exchange Driver John Bell. Alasdair also joins a trip from the Kent & East Sussex Railway in the south east of England over to their twin railway line in France: The Baie de Somme Railway in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Sharon Gregory gives us an insight into one of her favourite pastimes combining biking and spotting her favourite locos in the stunning Welsh countryside. Links to railways and organisations mentioned in this episode: Harz Narrow Gauage Railway Tourist information Harzer Schmalspurbahnen Brochure Infos Utiles - P'tit train de la Haute Somme - 600mm French line celebrating fifty years of heritage operation in 2026. Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme - Chemin de Fer de la Baie de Somme - the main french railway in the piece Accueil - La Suzanne - Le train touristique de la Voie Sacrée à Bar-le-Duc - 'Suzzane' Ffestiniong and Welsh Highland Railways This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Overseas Locos: Enthusiasts Going The Extra Mile For Railway History #ValeofRheidol Railway, #India, #China & #SouthAfrica... | 05 Nov 2023 | 00:46:03 | |
In this episode we look at engines built for service overseas that are now running or will run, on railways in the UK. We ask why travel around the world to find a loco to restore when there's no shortage in the UK? This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| New Ffestiniog Fairlie 'James Spooner' and Network Rail's Barmouth Viaduct - Iconic Victorian Railway Engineering Re-imagined For The 21st Century | 20 Oct 2023 | 00:25:49 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks Railway Podcast we look at the new 'James Spooner' Double Fairlie Loco built at Boston Lodge and now in service on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway . You can view the animation of Barmouth metallic viaduct construction methodology here. There’s also some more up to date photos and info from Network Rail here. In this episode we also here from Rebecca Butcher of ‘Wales on Rails’ and the Cambrian Partnership You can also download the free Window Seater app: Window Seater - Audio guides for train travel. Peter Johnson’s book on the Cambrian Railway and his other titles are available through Amazon. Cambrian Railways: A New History: Amazon.co.uk: Peter Johnson: 9780860936442: Books #railwayvolunteers #narrowgauge #history #railwayenthusiasts #Cambriancoast #Barmouthbridge #networkrail #Jamesspooner This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Sibiu Agnita Railway - Brits bitten by the volunteering bug travel to Transylvania to help narrow gauge revival | 17 Sep 2023 | 00:39:17 | |
In this episode of Making Tracks, we visit the Sibiu Agnita Railway in Romania for a steam gala event, known as ‘Mocanita Days’ and hear from local and UK volunteers, taking part who have been working to restore the line since it was abandoned by the state operator over twenty years ago. The weekend saw the first publicly hauled trains by a visiting British built locomotive, Manning Wardle 0-6-2T, number 1877, of 1915. You can find out more about the Romanian volunteer association and historical background information on the railway at: Acasă - Mocănița Văii Hârtibaciului (sibiuagnitarailway.com) The Sibiu Agnita Railway UK volunteer group: SARUK See also contacts for The Flour Mill, Continental Railway Solutions and Mocanita Transilvaniei. #railwayvolunteers #overseasvolunteering #narrowgauge #history #railwayenthusiasts #romania #sibiuagnita This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Bala and Llangollen railways: The contemporary planning challenges for Heritage Railway extensions. | 22 Aug 2023 | 00:37:49 | |
In this episode Alasdair visits Bala Lake Railway and chat to Julian Birley BEM, chair of Bala Lake Railway Trust to discuss the challenges they are working to overcome in their bid to extend the narrow gauge line from its current terminus to a new station site closer to Bala town centre. Volunteer Dinah Delchambre also speaks about organising fundraising activities for the Bala Lake Railway Trust appeal. #railwayvolunteers #narrowgauge #history #railwayenthusiasts For further information see: https://www.balalakerailwaytrust.org.uk For information about travelling on the Bala Lake Railway: https://shop.bala-lake-railway.co.uk/book/ A few miles to the east, Alasdair talks to Terry Pickthall of the Llangollen and Corwen Railway, before hearing in more detail from Management Team member, Peter Neve, about the development of the new station which incorporates traditional heritage features and modern design elements at Corwen. Husband and wife team, Wayne & Sue Ronneback, duty station masters, offer a glimpse of their roles as volunteers before passengers and local residents comment on the favourable impact the return of trains is having on the town. For further information, details of train times and online booking: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Making Heritage Railway Tracks With Volunteer Civil Engineering Professionals on the Ffestiniog Railway | 18 Jul 2023 | 00:21:56 | |
In this first episode Alasdair talks to two experienced volunteers and looks at the challenges and positives that come with having volunteers involved in a large scale high value Heritage Rail infrastructure project. Alasdair heads to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to reminisce with former volunteer colleagues Stuart McNair and John Sreeves. #railwayvolunteers #narrowgauge #history #railwayenthusiasts #Welshhighlandrailway Lynton & Barnstable Railway: https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk Rother Valley Railway: https://rvr.org.uk Gloucester and Warwickshire Steam Railway: https://www.gwsr.com
This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| 'Bring Euro Trains Back To Kent' Campaign, Biking to Blaenavan and Borth, 34028 'Eddystone', A railway poet & The Youngest Model Railway Show Organiser & WHHR's First Class Museum! | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:59:17 | |
In this episode find out how a conversation with a Kent poet Nick Russell and his poem ' Connections' led to taking a look at a well established campaign to bring Euro trains back to Kent after Eurostar ceased serving Ashford International during Covid. Alasdair Stewart speaks to Bring Back Euro Trains campaign spokesperson Diccon Spain and we include a statement from Eurostar. Sharon Gregory takes two Railway Rideouts on her Harley to Borth in mid Wales to a rare museum open day and discovers the south Wales line: Pontypool and Blaenavon. There's an impromtu report from Radio Presenter Alex Baker as he happens upon the The 34028 Eddystone loco at Victoria Station. We get an update on how a model railway show went which was organised by probably one of the youngest railway enthusiasts to do so! And producer Laura Raymond visits the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway's museum and talks to young volunteers on a sunny Easter Saturday. Links to Railways and organisations mentioned in this episode: Campaign group Bring Back Euro Trains. Eurostar's statement: “Eurostar has no plans to resume stops at Ashford International and Ebbsfleet International. Demand at these stations has historically been very limited, with the vast majority of UK passengers travelling via St Pancras International. In 2019, Ashford and Ebbsfleet accounted for just 4% of our total passengers. Even at peak times, Ashford saw an average of only 50 passengers per 900-seat train. Over the decade to 2019, St Pancras traffic grew by 20%, while Ashford and Ebbsfleet saw no growth. Eurostar remains focused on offering city centre to city centre services, to reach our 30 million passenger goal. Any reopening would require significant additional investment in border infrastructure, particularly as new EU border systems are introduced.” Virgin Trains statement on plans to run a service through the Channel Tunnel ** Poem featured by Nick Russell of the Rye Harbour Writers from a book called The Station Poems. Poems at stations courtesy of the South East Community Rail Partnership. The Southern Locomotives 34010 Eddystone Locomotive Railtours Welsh Highland Heritage Railway #poetry #Blaenavon #narrowgauge #modelrailways #WHHR #Bringbackeurotrainstokent #Eddystone This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Rockstars and Railways: Ashford Model Railway Education Centre, Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway, A Rail Tourist in Milan, Railway 200 Final Few Stops For The Successful 'Inspiration' Train | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:38:01 | |
This episode is very much one of Rockstars and their Model Railways as Alasdair Stewart attends the official launch of the Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre in Kent. The new centre is supported by Patron Jools Holland, well know for their modelling nearly as much as their music, Roger Daltry and Peter Waterman. Sharon Gregory gets her Harley out for the proper first Railway Ride-out of the season to the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway. Producer Laura Raymond find just some of the railway highlights on a holiday to the Lombardie region of Italy visiting the Brunate Furnicular, the Rail Collection at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology and takes a ride on the 1928 #Ventotto trams in Milan. Alasdair get the lowdown on the new take on teaching Rail Safety from Network Rail's Safey Manager, Kent: Nicola Dooris with an engaging model layout. He also gets a chance to visit the wonderfully successful Railway 200 Inspiration Train as it visits Hastings at one of its last few stops of its extended tour of the UK. Links to the Railways and Organisations mentioned in this episode: Ashford International Model Railway Education Centre, Kent Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway Network Rail's Rail Safety Manager for Kent, Nicola Dooris can be contacted on her email nicola.dooris@networkrail.co.uk if you would like to find out more about the learning rescources available for schools or visit the layout in Margate, Kent. Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology New dates for the Inspiration Train Follow us on Facebook for photos of the places and people we meet making these episodes. Thanks for listening! This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Colonel Stephens, East Kent Railway, Kent Mining Museum, Severn Valley Railway DMU, Llangollen Railway Volunteer's Royal Invitation, Peak Rail, #WorldBookDay, | 05 Mar 2026 | 01:22:55 | |
It is a full house this episode we have all been out visiting railways across the UK. Alasdair goes to East Kent Railway – a Colonel Stephens Line ..if you are not familiar with that name...he was an engineer who built and managed his own empire of branch lines up and down the UK around the early part of the last century. Alasdair chats to Chris Jackson from the Colonel Stephens Society to set the scene before setting off to Kent Sharon has been considering her favourite railway books as we mark World Book Day in the week we publish. Young reporter George Woodward visits the Peak Rail at half term and Paddy Range has been out on a diesel hunt, this time to the Severn Valley Railway and producer Laura Raymond popped along to chat to volunteers at Llangollen Railway on the first day of their season and a meets a very special volunteer who will soon be having tea with the King! Links Below to the Railways and organisations in this episode. The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum - Kent & East Sussex Railway #SharonGregory #Paddyrange #Alasdair Stewart #Laura Raymond #WorldBookDay This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Winter Work at Snowdon Mountain Railway, Biking to Ironbridge Gorge, Diesels at Spa Valley & Chiltern's new 'Explorer' trains. | 06 Feb 2026 | 00:48:15 | |
We visit the UK's only public rack and pinion line, Snowdon Mountain Railway which is also the highest railway route, going to the Summit station from the foot of Snowdon – or Y Wyddfa its official name in the Welsh language. Sharon heads to England on her Harley on a 'Railway Rideout' to explore a tranquil corner of the birthplace of the industrial revolution, IronBridge Gorge Museum in Telford. Paddy Range goes to Kent, for a ride on the Spa Valley railway behind a Class 33 from Tonbridge Wells…. Alasdair catches one of the new Chiltern Railways Explorer trains, offering greener services every 30 minutes between the West Midlands and London on weekdays. And we catch up with a friend of the podcast Bluebell Railways' Permanent Way volunteer John Deane, now in his eighties, who for the second year running will be walking the ballast for the full length of the line raising money for a charity close to his heart. We also meet heritage volunteer and fomer mainline staff, Clive Wallace with some turntable advice! Links below to stories and Railways in this episode: Ironbridge Gorge Museum under ownership of National Trust John Deane's fundraiser for Heart Valve Voice UK Rother Valley Railway - blog - turntable #SnowdonMountainRailway #Spavalley #IronbridgeGorgemuseum #ChilternRailways #paddyrange #Sharongregory #alasdairstewart #railwaypodcast #railways #railenthusiast #diesels #DMUs #volunteering #Bluebellrailway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| Touring India's Railways, Steam at Oswestry Station, The Locomotive Club of Great Britain and Dapol Wagons for #WorldBookDay! | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:58:56 | |
We've revamped for 2026 with new branding, featuring presenters Sharon Gregory and Alasdair Stewart marking our 4th year of chatting about Railways. In this episode Alasdair meets a couple of UK Railway volunteers Dan Holbrook & Caleb Lovegrove, They, and a group of friends and colleagues have recently been on what we could refer to in the UK as a bus man's holiday, taking a tour of railways in India. Sharon travels to Oswestry this time to catch the steam train on the Cambrian Heritage Railway. Alasdair calls in at a Locomotive Club of Great Britain Meeting and we hear about a delightful Dapol model launched to celebrate #WorldBookDay. #CambrianHeritageRailway #Darjeeling #railwaymodelling #Dapol #Oswestry #railwayenthusiast #railwayhistory #Railways #trains Here are links to the Railways and Organisations mentioned in this episode: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Wikipedia link) The Dapol Model Railway Company including links to the World Book Day fundraising wagons. Browsers Book Shop, Porthmadog Facebook Page The Locomotive Club of Great Britain This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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| 'Mr Hornby' - Simon Kohler's memories, Manchester Model Railway Society, Scottish Mainline Adventure, Stockton & Darlington Locomotion No 1 Railway 200, Southern Rail Driver Embraces Christmas! | 20 Dec 2025 | 01:19:01 | |
In this episode, Mr Hornby himself, Simon Kohler chats to Alasdair about his new book 'My life at Hornby' and his career at the model manufacturer. Alasdair travel to Manchester to visit an exhibition put on by one of the most senior railway modelling societies in the world and young rail enthusiast Cynan Hughes reports from a grassroots model railway club exhibition in north Wales, Sharon Gregory leaves her bike in the garage and a very looong day trip, to Scotland . And I catch up with one of the footplate crew of Locomotion number one, to hear his reflections on the 200th anniversary celebration runs on the Stockton & Darlington railway. And his hats off to a Southern Railway train driver Matthew Staniforth who tells us how he spreads Christmas cheer to passengers! #railwayenthusiast #railwayhistory #Railways #trains #simonkohler #Horby #Southernrail Links to the Railways mentioned in this episode: Simon Kohler 'My Hornby Life' Colwyn Model Railway Club in Abergele, north Wales. Southern Rail 'X' post about Driver Matthew Staniforth who wears his Christmas hat to spread cheer at what can be a difficult time for many. Carnog Working Horses / Ceffylau Gwaith Carnog – specialist land management using horsepower The Grand Finale of the Awdry Extravaganza in summer 2025 at the Talyllyn Railway. This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Our 'Making Tracks' music is with kind permission of composer and musician Richard Durrant. It is a unique piece inspired by the rhythm of the historic rolling stock on the Ffestiniog Railway on the scenic journey from Harbour Station to Tan y Blwch. You can listen and download the full 'Tan y Bwlch' Ukulele Quartet here: Thank you to voice artist David King - for the Railway Ride outs voice over. Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Ukulele Quartet No. 1 "Tan y Bwlch" Richard Durrant · Single · 2019 · 3 songs.
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