Banbury Connections
Banbury Connections British 00 Scale Model Railway
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Operations
  • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Gosport Tramway
  • Birkenhead Connection
  • 50 years on
  • Blog
  • Rolling Stock Update
  • Special Traffic Notices
  • Resources & Publications
  • The Prototype
  • Links
  • Contact Us

Merry Christmas

25/12/2018

0 Comments

 
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. 
Picture
Picture
A new operator? Not sure if marriage works that way!
0 Comments

December Update and New Journeyman Joins BRED

24/12/2018

1 Comment

 
Not long after the failure of the "King", BC's new 'Patriot" failed on 21st December approaching West Bromwich when an axle pin fell out. This was fortunately located trackside but, unfortunately, overtightened by an apprentice from the Milwaukee Road such that it sheared in the wheel. Fortunately a retired ship's captain living locally was eventually able to extract it and Management is now moving to acquire replacement pins which are in stock at Peter's Spares.

Said journeyman also felt some responsibility for the Failed "King" which he was driving at the time of the gear wheel failure. Accordingly our new journeyman has attacked said loco using tools acquired by a previous apprentice to take out pins and remove wheels for re-gluing with Araldite. After a great deal of trauma it appears there may have been a successful solution as the loco has hauled a seven car test train from Marylebone to Chester and return. Should the repair continue to perform over the next few months it raises the question of should the loco be renamed King John.

In the meantime the Aeronautical Division of Banbury Connections was seen working up to 0400 on Sunday morning, frantically trying to complete the heritage Lancaster bomber for what is hoped to be a Xmas day flight over the crowded skies around Bannington Castle.

Merry Christmas and best wishes to you all.

Chief Ganger,
Banbury Connections.
1 Comment

STN 1/18 Revised traffic arrangements at Sheffield Victoria.

18/12/2018

0 Comments

 
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).
Picture
Now reflecting the appearance of permanence, the extension to Sheffield Victoria's goods facilities will transform rail operation on the Eastern Region leading to more reliable and cost effective service delivery.
Picture
The yards at Sheffield Victoria are now considerably larger than their initial incarnation reflecting the railway's increasing traffic density and requirement for streamlined operations.
0 Comments

Giving it the slip!

18/12/2018

1 Comment

 
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..
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Bearsden

9/12/2018

0 Comments

 
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!
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Visitors from afar...

9/12/2018

0 Comments

 
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.
Picture
Rounding the bend into Banbury
Picture
D9011 heads the rake of Mk1 Pullmans as they race through Leamington Spa.
0 Comments

Chester Horse Races

6/12/2018

0 Comments

 
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!
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Road Competition

6/12/2018

0 Comments

 
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.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    Banbury Connections General Blog

    The Banbury Connections blog looks at issues of significant interest involving the railway and its staff.

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.