Making Tracks Railway Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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This episode focusses on engines from Africa. The first returned to steam after 20 years of restoration work and fundraising from dedicated volunteers – the NG 15 134. Alasdair talks to volunteer project leader Adrian Strachan and some of the volunteers and staff

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: 

Watch- NG15-134 in Steam for the First Time Sept 24
on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways You Tube Channel - credit John Wooden
NG15-134 Restoration website


Norgrove Railway, California

Sharon Gregory's Railway Rideouts visited:
Gwili Railway
Llangollen Railway
Teifi Valley Railway
Welsh Highland Heritage Railway

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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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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.

Links below to the organisations and Railways mentioned in this episode.
Crewe Heritage Centre
Avanti West Coast
Corris Railway
Fairbourne
Cambrian Main line
Bala Lake Railway Planning Permission

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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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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.

For photographs of the event take a look at the Making Tracks Facebook page.

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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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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. 

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

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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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.

Here are the links to the Railways mentioned in Episode 1.

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway: https://www.festrail.co.uk

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

You can read about Alasdair Stewart's contribution to the Welsh Highland Railway in the publication: Welsh Highland Railway Renaissance by Gordon Rushton. Pages 216-217 : Phase 4 the Engineer's tale - published by www.adlestroppress.co.uk

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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.

Send us a text

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.
In a previous episode we heard about Darjeeling B class, 19B, in this episode we hear about the loco's home railway and an update on the loco herself from Peter Jordan of the Darjeeling and Himalayan Railway Society.  Producer Laura Raymond was lucky enough to be invited to travel on the Ffestiniog Railways Gravity Train, we hear her report from the FfWHR.

Links below to all the railways and organisations mentioned:
Postal Museum London
The Bridgenorth Cliff Railway
The Severn Valley Railway
Welshpool and Llanfair Light  Railway
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways Gravity Train
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Society
The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust - 19B

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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.

Send us a text

This episode is a tale of two railways both celebrating milestones.  
A new beginning of the final stretch the two mile  missing link that will join Robertsbridge to Tenterden and the Kent and East Sussex Railway and the Ffestiniog Railway Society marking 70 years.

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.

Mainline steam locomotive 'Britannia' travelled down from Crewe, and provided motive power on shuttles between Robertsbridge Junction and Northbridge Street.

A return to north Wales and the Ffestiniog Railway Society's 70th anniversary. 
This summer at the Ffestiniong and Welsh Highland Railways, National Lottery Heritage Funding has enabled new 'experience' tours at Boston Lodge. They are additional offers over and above train rides. We go behind the scenes to view the newly restored buildings, and learn some of the fascinating history of the site, before learning about how steam engines work on a very much ‘hands on’ experience 

You will find links to the Railways mentioned below:
The Boston Lodge Tours and 'How a Steam Locomotive Works
Ffestiniog Railway Society
Rother Valley Railway
Kent and East Sussex Railway

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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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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. 

Please find below links to information on the stories in this episode.

The Lavender Line, Uckfield, East Sussex
Contact Volunteer@lavender-line.co.uk
Rother Valley Railway, Robertsbridge, East Sussex
Stephen Cranford's Tracing the Rails series follows the old Steyning line is available on tracingtherails.com
You can watch the series on his website and on You Tube.

Govia Thameslink' Aira App for partially sighted customers.
The Great British Railway Adventure - David Jones' is visiting all of the UK's 2580 railway stations raising money for his charities Great Ormond Street and Oslo University Hospital - here is his fundraising page.

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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.

Send us a text

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 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 
Tribute to Arthur Haffended 1930 -2020  on You Tube
BBC news feature  Amberley and its Bond connections
Volunteering at the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland
Volunteering at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
See our facebook page for photos of Making Tracks trips and to get in touch - thank you

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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.

Send us a text

This edition of Making Tracks is a Christmas Selection Box:
We talk Santa trains and seasonal specials with Eleri Mottram at the WHR , and Neil Dale from the Durango and Silverton steam railway in Colorado, who represents the Polar Express brand in the UK.
We meet artist Rebecca Kitchin, who brings Christmas to several railways, and VIP guests – a descendant of Robert Francis Fairlie, David Fairlie with some family history from South America,  and historian Tim Dunn looking forward to celebrating '200 years of railways'
We re-visit some of the stories we’ve covered earlier in the year, including a return to Transylvania  on Romania's ‘National Day’  for a late season steam up with the snow covered Carpathian mountains . We hear from two Romanian volunteers again, as well as talking to UK based Harry Billmore about his first impressions of the country and driving a steam locomotive in a very different context to contemporary UK lines.

Here are links to some of the Railways and People mentioned in this episode.
Artist Rebecca Kitchin
Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway
The Polar Express on the Durango and Silverton Railway
Sibiu Agnita - Acasă - Mocănița Văii Hârtibaciului (sibiuagnitarailway.com)
Railway 200
You can find out more on the history of Double Fairlie Locos here
Barmouth Bridge Network Rail News .
Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart

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.