Merry Christmas to you all. 2018 has been a year of very successful rail operation. Gradual fleet upgrades have contributed to more reliable running and reduced wheel cleaning. Whilst Banbury Connections continues to encounter  a small number of locomotive failures, these have generally been isolated incidences with repairs being able to take place in a timely fashion. 
Despite Christopher's absence from the regular operating crew, a number of new and old operators have stepped up to the plate! On the bright side Chris has increased the number of potential staff!
The Merry Christmas picture, below, portrays the Western Region 'InterCity' express racing along the main line. Rumour has it, the London to Wolverhampton express on Banbury Connections may become a named express in the new year!
Thanks to all who have been involved in keeping the railway running and making it such an enjoyable operating experience. 

Improving national productivity across all sectors is an area the government has prioritised in recent years. These calls to increase efficiency have not overlooked Banbury Connections with management continually searching for productivity enhancing measures. Following the success of the Bristol control panel move which allows two operators into the Birmingham Snow Hill/Banbury operating zone, focus turned to the Eastern Region.

'STN 1/18 Revised traffic arrangements at Sheffield Victoria' reflects recent work undertaken at Sheffield by the Head Ganger and is published below:

Following a successful weekend possession of the yard a new short platform has been added to the Transfesa facility and the main platform fitted with an overrun. This permits all wagons to be unloaded simultaneously. The brake van is to be stored at the station end of the new short platform to facilitate departure of the return working.

The goods shed overrun has also been extended to facilitate shunting movements

Dr R A Day. (Chief Executive and Head Ganger, Banbury Connections).

For those unfamiliar to the world of railways or have had little experience operating one, the double slip point can prove a challenge. To aid new operators unacquainted with double slips I drew up a simple diagram illustrating what lever combinations are required to successfully make each of the four available combinations. This has proven a successful measure for training operators in the use of this particular piece of permanent way. The pictures below illustrate an original diagram and the new computerised diagram for working double slips. So long as operators follow the presented instructions until competent, trains will pass smoothly to their required destinations. A downloadable version of the double slip diagram is available under the 'Resources and Publications' section of the website..

Slightly unrelated to core railway operations, a garden shed was constructed in the garden to accommodate the gardening equipment. In true railway spirit, the shed was named Bearsden after mum's nickname and the station in Scotland. The sign was placed on a light blue board fitting with the Scottish Region's colour. Mum appears pleased with the shed and has been reassured that it is not secretly the first phase of a garden railway!

A rake of visiting Mark 1 Pullmans made their way onto Banbury Connections during the operating session on December 7th. The rake of Pullmans was headed by Banbury Connections own Deltic D9011. A number of photographs of this spectacle can be seen below.

Christmas is coming and I couldn't resist a discounted Harrington Horsebox in BR livery from Antics Model Railways. The Horsebox was immediately deployed in Banbury to transport horses to the station for onward travel to Chester. Flight paths overhead appear to be congested!

The recent arrival of a Midland Red coach is set to increase competition on Banbury Connections. Perhaps the Railway's annual January fare hike will need re-evaluating! This will place pressure on Banbury Connections margins and ability to improve future services.