Barnstaple to Ilfracombe #2
This is the second part of the online guide to the Ilfracombe railway and features the stretch from Braunton to Willingcott. That is near near the summit of the line just south of Mortehoe. Although around half of the route through Barnstaple, Braunton and Ilfracombe now constitutes the Tarka Trail,…
Paddington station has a brick wall to rival King’s Cross Platform 9 & 3⁄4!
Who needs Hogwarts and the magic wall that gives access to Platform 9 & 3⁄4 at King’s Cross when one can just as easily have that elsewhere too! Well that’s where Paddington station comes in! Besides having a bear from Peru, Paddington station now has a secret platform where, for…
The twopenny tube guard who got killed by his own train
In the very early days of London’s premier underground line – the Central London Railway (CLR) or the twopenny tube as it was popularly known, procured its first ever fatality. It wasn’t a passenger but a member of staff and the matter was down to the staff in question having…
Barnstaple to Ilfracombe #1
The Barnstaple and Ilfracombe railway opened in July 1874 thus 2024 is the 150th anniversary of the line’s opening. Despite opposition the line closed in October 1970 after British Railways had totally rationalised the line in an attempt to keep the costs of running it to a minimum. Ultimately the…
The Unknown Hammersmith & City Construction Calamity (London Reconnections)
A special post for the 160th Anniversary of the Hammersmith & City line has been written for and published by London Reconnections. It can be seen here: The Unknown Hammersmith & City Construction Calamity. A more substantial post is however in preparation for London Rail Blog and it shouldn’t be…
Hyperia updates
This is just a couple of updates re the ride on 7th June 2024 as well as two videos by Ryan the Ride Mechanic on what the problems could be. Basically the deliberations offered by Ryan is its all to do with the top of the lift hill, and not…
Top Thrill 2 issues
Top Thrill 2 – Cedar Point’s new (or rebuilt rather) 2024 ride has closed after just over a week of use and the news took a lot by surprise. The question is why that has occurred – and numerous theories are making the round as to what the problem could…
Cutting it fine at Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark DLR station has been responsible for a large number of visits to London Rail blog – especially the post on City Greenwich and Lewisham Rail Limited (CGL). There’s been numerous complaints about the station’s condition and the dearth of escalators available for service. Its been said the issues…
Coaster pretzel loops
Loads of theme park coasters are absolutely innovative these days. Outstanding examples in this past month or so are Nemesis Relaunched, the new Hyperia at Thorpe Park and Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Park. Whist the latter was launched just a week or so ago the former is yet to…
Alfred County Railway #2
Its three years since the publication of the first part of the Alfred County Railway feature. As detailed at the time a second part had in fact been prepared however there was a lot of missing gaps in terms of coverage of the section inland to Harding. Getting coverage as…