Making Tracks Railway Podcast

Sydney's Transport Expo Extravaganza, Revisiting A Station Childhood Home in Wales, A Generous Railway Photographer and The Railway 'Radio Hams'

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode of Making Tracks Railway Podcast. In this episode we start 10 hours ahead of ourselves and head to Sydney in Australia as Alasdair chats to David Bennett of Transport Heritage New South Wales, the organisers of the annual Sydney, Transport Heritage Expo which takes over Sydney Central Railway Station for the holiday weekend in October to bring heritage transport to life. Our men in Australia, Michael Cunningham and Sean Maxwell ride a heritage electric train across Sydney Harbour Bridge to Lavender Bay. You may remember hearing Lynette Tucker's story of growing up in a Welsh Station House in the 1970s.( June 9th 2025 episode) Laura meets Lynette back at Tan y blwch 18 months on to see the results of the heritage restoration project at Lynette's childhood home, funded by the Festiniog Railway Society Alasdair meets a group of Amateur Radio Operators or the 'Railway Radio Hams' in Sussex and Young reporter George Woodward finds out why a professional railway photographer gives his work away for free! Transport Expo Sydney 2027 Transport New South Wales Photographer Chris Newsome Home - Brede Steam Amateur Radio Society #TransportHeritageNSW #railwaypodcast #Transport #history #visitsydney #ffestiniograilway #Chrisnewsome #photgrapher #heritagebuildings This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Tracking Down Your Railway Roots. A Special Episode Sharing Railway Family History Stories and Society of Genealogists' Research Tips

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to a special episode of Making Tracks Railway Podcast as Alasdair Stewart and producer Laura Raymond go on a mission to trace family railway history. They share their own family's stories and chat to others along the way. Alasdair meets Ruth Willmore of the Society of Genealogists to get some tips on where to start looking for Railwaymen and women antecedants. They also discuss with volunteers and railway staff with several generations of railway workers in their family, if being a railway fan is nature or nurture? Join us to find out if either Laura and Alasdair are lucky in their search for long lost information! #SoG #familyhistory #genealogy #railwayfamily #railwaymen #FamilyHistoriesPodcast #londonmidlandscottishRailway #Genealogy Programme Recorded in memory of Railwayman James (Jimmy) Raymond 1926 - 1998 in what would have been his 100th birthday year and his brother Stephen Raymond a lifelong Railwayman and ASLEF member 1924 - 2015. Links to rescources mentioned in this episode UK National Archives Railway Workers Records The Society of Genealogists Network Rail Where to find Railway Records LondonMidlandScottishSociety Please get in touch via comments or via Making Tracks Railway Podcast Facebook page if you would like a pdf of Stephen Raymond's memoirs his family are happy to share his story. This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Stourbridge, the Shortest UK Branchline, The ‘Bewdley Express’ Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway, Romanian Mocăniță Sibiu Agnita, Teenager's Campaign to reinstate Caernarfonshire Line & the Kent Paper Mill Locos Revisited

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to another episode. In this episode Sharon takes a Railway Rideout to the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway in Scotland. Paddy Range has been on a record breaking commuter journey – the shortest branch line in the UK in Stourbridge in the West Midlands and a we hear from Matt Hall who spotted the first day of service for Steam Hauled Auto Train being used as a Commuter Service on the ‘Bewdley Express’ Commuter Trial Service on the Severn Valley Railway. Alasdair Stewart visits Romania to catch up with developments at the Sibui Agnita Railway and Laura happens upon a familiar loco to Making Tracks Railway Podcast Chevalier at the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway, one of the Kent Papermill locos! Plus a young railway enthusiasts 20 year old Morgan Mace who is the running for a BBC Wales Make a Difference award for his work lobbying and working with politicians to bring back the Caernarfonshire Railway between Bangor and Afon Wen, which Morgan says would bring economic benefits and reconnect communities. #Stourbridge #SevernValley #Bo'ness&kinneilRailway Links to the Railways and Organisations mentioned in this episode Stourbridge Junction West Midlands Railway Bo'wness and Kineal Romania Sibiu Agnita Railway HRH the Prince of Wales’ message to the volunteers of The Ambulance for Monuments Update on Tan y Bwlch Station House - Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Moving Pictures Welsh Pool and Llanfair Light Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

The Zig Zag Railway, Australian Photographer and Author William Cope Tells The Story Behind His New Book, The Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway plus Will New UK Guidelines Open Up Opportunites For Young Heritage Volunteers?

Send us Fan Mail Welcome aboard another episode of Making Tracks Railway Podcast with Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. In this episode we are travelling vicariously to The Zig Zag Railway in New South Wales in Australia with Michael Cunningham and Sean Maxwell They meet up with Operations and Assets Manager Andrew Fairweather Alasdair talks to author and photographer William Cope about his new book – title Branch: Lost Railway Lines of New South Wales and Victoria" Back in the UK Producer Laura Raymond visits the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway and talks to Andy Smith and find out about their new signal box due to be commissioned in November and the railways resilience during a tinder box of a hot summer . Young reporter George Woodward talks to Paul Lewin in his capacity as the Vice Chair of the Heritage Railway Association about new guidelines from the Office of Rail and Road. They are designed to help heritage railway and tramway operators give young volunteers, aged from 14 to minimum school leaving age, the chance to learn new skills while making sure the right safeguards are in place. ** Links to the Railway and subjects mentioned in this episode The Zig Zag Railway William Cope's Branch: Lost Railway Lines of New South Wales and Victoria. Jack Boskett Photography Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Baldwin 590 Returns to Traffic, Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, Chinnor and Princes Risborough and Meeting Railway Influencer Andy Miller, plus Behind the Scenes Tour Of Bluebell's Sheffield Park Station

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we feature a Baldwin loco - 590 – a war veteran in its own right as it returns to traffic on the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. Young reporters Cynan Hughes, George Woodward and Alasdair Stewart go along to find out more. Sharon Gregory heads on a railway rideout by train this time to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway in Yorkshire. Producer Laura Raymond calls in to have a chat at Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, a standard gauge rural line. Young Reporter Cynan, whose on an episode take over this time it seems, recently went along with Dad Steve to meet another dad and young son team: Railway Social Media Influencer, Andy Miller, who works full time in the bus industry and young son. And Alasdair calls in for a behind the scenes tour at the Bluebell Railway in East Sussex. Here are links to the Railways and Organisations mentioned in this episode. The Welsh Highland Heritage Railway Andy Miller - you can follow him on social media here. Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Embsay and Bolton Abbey railway The Bluebell Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Netherlands' VSM and Museum Buurtspoorweg, Bristol Harbour Railway and the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway Gala

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Alasdair Stewart heads to Holland to visit the VSM - Veluwxce Stoomtrein Maatschappij. The VSM is a heritage line that connects with the Dutch national network – and where volunteer operated steam trains run beneath electric wires at Apeldoorn. Its also home to an impressive collection of locos and rolling stock and a 'get your hands dirty approach to teaching young people about coal fired steam. A little further East, he also calls in at the Museum Buurtspoorweg at Haarksbergen to see an exquisitely restored German railbus. Young reporter George Woodward and Dad Tony travel to the English Seaside town of Cleethorpes for a Gala Weekend at the fifteen inch / 381 mm gauge line The Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway. George catches up with the owners of the Perrygrove railway who are there with a visiting loco. Alasdair also visits a heritage Railway line with a difference; the Bristol Harbour Railway, a standard-gauge industrial railway that served the wharves and docks near the centre of that city. Its also featured in several feature films, including 'The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society'. And how about a train called Norman? A choice of names for a Southeastern Mainline train being given a new livery to mark the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to England after 900 years. Links to the Railways and Organisations Mentioned in this Episode: Homepage - VSM - Stap in en reis mee! - Dutch heritage railway Apeldoorn to Erbeek Museum Buurtspoorweg - Een eersteklas dagje uit - Heritage railway in the eastern Netherlands, between Haaksbergen and Boekelo The Bristol Harbour Railway and Museum. The Cleepthorpes Coast Light Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway's 'Piglet' Talks TV's 'Steam Train Diaries', Amerton Railway and London's Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway

Send us Fan Mail This week we had some excellent news..we've made the Longlist of the #BritishPodcastAwards 2026 in the factual category.. your time listening and suggestions for stories are really appreciated! Welcome to this episode where young reporter George Woodward and dad Tony catch up with Paul Middleton aka 'Piglet' the Director of Mechanical Engineering at North Yorkshire Moors Railway during filming for his new Channel 4 television series 'Steam Train Diaries' Sharon Gregory takes a 'Railway Rideout' to Amerton Railway in Staffordshire and finds out about the 'Railway that never was' and Alasdair Stewart heads to one of London's hidden railway gems The Kempton Waterworks Railway to find out about its origins carrying coal to feed the triple expansion steam pumping engines that supplied water to London, through to the dedicated volunteers who are operating and developing it today! LISTENERS' CHOICE AWARDS #BRITISHPODCASTAWARDS We are thrilled to be on the this year's Longlist of the British Podcast Awards 2026. If you would like to vote for us in the Listener's Choice Category you can do so HERE . The first round is open until July 23rd 2026 Links below to the Railways and Organisations we have mentioned: Steam Train Diaries Channel 4 Paul Miller aka 'Piglet' - North York Moors Amerton Railway Hampton & Kempton Waterworks Railway MWB No4 - Project website This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Visiting Australia's Mornington Tourist Railway, Queensland's Mary Valley 'Rattler' Volunteers, Ffestiniog's Carol Becomes a 'Chelsea Pensioner', London's Leslie Green Tube Stations and Restoring an Art Deco Station - Bishopstone in Sussex

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we are delighted to have been made so welcome at the Mornington Tourist Railway, a broad gauge railway in Victoria , Australia, as Mikey Cunningham rides the footplate and chats to Secretary Robert Read. Regular listeners will know most of us are based in the top left hand corner of Wales and at the same time Mikey was in Melbourne, volunteers from Queensland were working on the Welsh Highland Railway. Producer Laura Raymond catches up with Darrell McCulloch ,Mary Ann Martin, Ben Gardener and Chris Banks who are involved with the Mary Valley Rattler back home. Sharon Gregory visits her favourite London Undeground Stations - designed by architect Leslie Green. Ffestiniog Railway Volunteer Carol Younger tells us about her new life in 'Scarlets' as a Chelsea Pensioner – a prestigious army veteran role in the UK ! Alasdair Stewart goes to a wonderfully restored art deco railway station in Sussex ahead of the summer open days to meet the friends of Bishopstone Station. It is one of the only stations with gun emplacements in the UK! Social media content for Mornington Railway kindly produced by Sara Walker and can be viewed on our facebook page Links to the Railways and organisations mentioned in this episode below: Mornington Tourist Railway Mary Valley Rattler Leslie Green Tube Stations - Tiles of the Unexpected by Douglas Rose Friends of Bishopstone The Chelsea Pensioners The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Southwold Railway's First Public Steaming of 'Blyth', The 762 Club, Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Diesels! Mainline Pendolino Spotters' Trip around Manchester

Send us Fan Mail 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: Southwold Railway Trust 762 Club 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. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

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!

Send us Fan Mail 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. The Talyllyn Railway 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. Leighton Buzzard Railway Barton House Railway North Norfolk Railway This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

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

Send us Fan Mail 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 Rother Valley Railway Branch Line Society Railtours Vintage Trains 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. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Trading Places - Harz Mountain Railway and Baie de Somme Railway UK Heritage Railway Exchanges

Send us Fan Mail 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: Baie de Somme railway Harz Narrow Gauage Railway Tourist information Harzer Schmalspurbahnen Brochure French Railways Society 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' Kent and East Sussex Railway Ffestiniong and Welsh Highland Railways This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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!

Send us Fan Mail 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 Borth Railway Museum Blaenavon's Heritage Railway #poetry #Blaenavon #narrowgauge #modelrailways #WHHR #Bringbackeurotrainstokent #Eddystone This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

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

Send us Fan Mail 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 Brunate Furnicular, Como Railway 200 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! #VentottoTrams #GloucestershireandWarwickshireRailway #Milan #AIMREC #NetworkRail #AlasdairStewart #SharonGregory #joolsholland #Rogerdaltry #Petewaterman This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

• Chapters

Colonel Stephens, East Kent Railway, Kent Mining Museum, Severn Valley Railway DMU, Llangollen Railway Volunteer's Royal Invitation, Peak Rail, #WorldBookDay,

Send us Fan Mail 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. Colonel Stephens Society The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum - Kent & East Sussex Railway East Kent Railway Trust World Book Day Llangollen Railway Betteshanger Country Park Peak Rail Severn Valley Railway #SharonGregory #Paddyrange #Alasdair Stewart #Laura Raymond #WorldBookDay This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

• Chapters

Winter Work at Snowdon Mountain Railway, Biking to Ironbridge Gorge, Diesels at Spa Valley & Chiltern's new 'Explorer' trains.

Send us Fan Mail 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: Snowdon Mountain Railway Chiltern Explorers Ironbridge Gorge Museum under ownership of National Trust Spa Valley Railway Ironbridge Kinlet Engine John Deane's fundraiser for Heart Valve Voice UK Bluebell Railway 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. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

Touring India's Railways, Steam at Oswestry Station, The Locomotive Club of Great Britain and Dapol Wagons for #WorldBookDay!

Send us Fan Mail 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 Cambrian Heritage Railway 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 World Book Day Charity The Locomotive Club of Great Britain This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

'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!

Send us Fan Mail 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' Manchester Model Railway Show 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 Locomotion Number 1 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. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

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

Send us Fan Mail 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! Queensbury Tunnel Society 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." Tanat Valley Railway Vale of Rhiedol Collection X 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. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.

A tale of two railway museums: Utrecht and York, the East Lancashire Railway Gala, Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway and a Dutch preserved line.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we’ll be visiting two national railway museums, Alasdair travels to Utrecht in Holland and visits the STAR museum railway and along the way, discovering a replica broad gauge pioneer, running on rails 1945mm apart...and Sharon takes a Railway Rideout to the National Railway Museum in York, UK. A gala event at the East Lancashire railway, and riding on standard and narrow gauge heritage lines, the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway the preserved southern half of the former Paper Mill- Bowater’s Railway built to move the raw materials for paper making and the finished products. It is run entirely by volunteers in Kent. #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. Radio Presenter and Diesel Fan Paddy Range regularly guests. Young Rail Enthusiasts George Woodward and Cynan Hughes (plus parents!) report back from interesting railways and events. 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.