BrickishRail

09/09/2026

🟥🟦⬜ Network SouthEast | Throughout the Bluebell Railway's Diesel Gala, Horsted Keynes station became the place to be, with the platforms suitably dressed for the 80s/90s, with NSE branded signage, benches, bins and even the distinctive mechanical clocks which were synonymous with the NSE region. These added details, combined with the variety of toothpaste liveried locomotives and stock, added an extra level of interest and immersion to what was already a fantastic weekend!

Bluebell Railway
Network SouthEast Friends

08/09/2026

New Video! Network SouthEast Extravaganza | Bluebell Railway - NSE 40th Anniversary Diesel Gala - 04-06/09/26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs4fSJYLOzI

The 10th June 1986 saw the launch of a new passenger sector of British Rail: Network SouthEast. The NSE brand, which would see station refurbishments, new passenger initiatives and the introduction of Networker trains, became the fabric of rail services in the South of England, stretching as far as Dover, Brighton, the Isle of Wight, Weymouth, Exeter, Northampton and Ipswich. 40 years on, the days of NSE's red, white and blue continue to be celebrated by enthusiasts, many riding the nostalgia of daily commutes.

To celebrate four decades since the launch of NSE, the Bluebell Railway's diesel gala would take on a strong theme of the 80s and 90s, with many guest locomotives and stock holding some lineage to Network SouthEast. The toothpaste livery was well represented by 03179, 50026, 73128 and MLV 9002, as well as a repaint of one car from home-based Oxted Unit No. 1305, whilst Hastings Unit 201001 featured after returning to the railway for the summer season. Other locomotives of the era included Railfreight liveried Class 31 pair 31108 and 31210, whilst DC Rail's 60028 gave representation of what was new on the rails back in the 1990s, with 028 being what is believed to be the first member of the class to visit the Bluebell.

In addition to the variety of locomotives and stock, Horsted Keynes station became a central hub for all things NSE, with the station appropriately dressed for the event: NSE signage, bins and benches could be found on the platforms, whilst the station buildings featured various NSE ephemera on display, including posters, timetables, badges, signs, and a collection of OO Gauge models. One of the more unusual NSE items on display could be found outside Sheffield Park station, in the form of London Transport Daimler DMS bus/tube/train, built to promote the London Travelcard in 1991.

Bluebell Railway
Network SouthEast Friends
Hastings Diesels Ltd - Unofficial
GB Railfreight
1305 Oxted Thumper Gang
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
DCRail
Midland Railway - Butterley
Hanson & Hall Rail Services Solutions Ltd
Epping Ongar Railway

The 10th June 1986 saw the launch of a new passenger sector of Brit...

08/09/2026

The 3rd September marked 60 years since the closure of the Great Central Mainline as a through-route to London. To mark the anniversary, and coinciding with the Autumn Diesel Gala, the Great Central Railway hosted an evening photo charter at Loughborough Central Station featuring British Rail Class 37 D6700. The loco was posed in Platform 1, with reenactors providing some visual interest, making use of station facilities including the station's WHSmith kiosk. A great evening and hopefully opens up the possibility of the GCR hosting further charters like this in the future!

Great Central Railway
37 714 Heavy Tractor Group
National Railway Museum

31/08/2026

Size isn't always everything... | With Autumn Gala season fast approaching, and the Severn Valley's event this year taking on a Tank Engine theming, here's a look back at earlier in 2026 during the Spring Steam Gala, when Port of Par Bagnall 0-4-0ST 'Judy' visited the line.

Built in 1937 by WG Bagnall, 'Judy's diminutive size was for the need to shunt China Clay around the tight corners of Par docks, as well as navigating a low bridge under the Cornish Main Line, bringing her in at 7ft 6in tall and 16ft 6in long. She was later joined by a similar designed Bagnall locomotive, 'Alfred', in 1957. Judy was retired in 1969, needing extensive boiler repairs, before eventually being preserved in 1978. Today, both locomotives are resident at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

Judy most recently returned to service at the end of 2022, and at the Severn Valley this year, made the unusual pairing with BR Standard 8 Class 71000 'Duke of Gloucester'; Bringing together one of the UK's smallest and largest standard gauge steam locomotives. Her small stature is illustrated here by the engine crew and GWR autocoach towering above her at Kidderminster, 18/04/26.

Severn Valley Railway
Bodmin Railway

30/08/2026

Not just any Black Five... | Many will be aware of recent news that LMS Black Five 45212's future now sits in limbo, with the locomotive having been withdrawn in September last year and with no immediate plans for the loco to return to steam. Having been a familiar sight at various galas at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway over the years, as well as other heritage railways and appearing on the mainline, primarily on Jacobite services on the West Highland Line, her absence won't go unnoticed.

Whilst the majority of people may see 45212 as yet another Black Five in preservation, to me she's something more special. Her appearance at the 2017 North Yorkshire Moors Steam Gala was the first time I would cross paths with 45212; Not only was this my first ever proper attendance at a steam gala, but my first event with my friend Emily (Midwinter Photography), who I had only met for the first time a couple of weeks prior after starting university in York together. This event marked the start of almost 9 years (so far) for us both traveling across the UK visiting heritage railways, and was to catalyst in creating BrickishRail and improving on my railway videography and photography. The loco to haul the first train we rode together that day? 45212.

A year later, during my second year of university, I would start volunteering at the Worth Valley, having been introduced to the railway again by Emily. Whilst my time spent volunteering only lasted a year, sadly with life getting in the way, February 2019 gave me the opportunity to ride the footplate and partake in a day's Fireman training. The loco for that day? 45212. Speaking of the Worth Valley, she was also present for two of my favourite galas over the years: The KWVR 50th Anniversary gala in 2018, and the bitterly cold 2023 Spring Steam Gala.

Here's to hoping 45212's time out of the spotlight isn't long term, and if it is, perhaps there's a chance to turn her out in one of preservation's more "unique" liveries...bulk order of Solvite anyone?

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

27/08/2026

With recent (and much needed) rain perhaps signalling the end of the summer, which has seen minimal steam owing to record temperatures, here is Great Northern Railway N2 No.1744 at Weybourne, which returned to traffic at the North Norfolk Railway on the 18th July, following the completion of a £800,000 overhaul, having last steamed in 2018. The loco's return also coincides with the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley, with the N2 being the oldest surviving Gresley designed locomotive in preservation.

North Norfolk Railway PLC
NNR Engineering Works Updates

20/08/2026

New Video! Germany's 125 Year Old 'Flying Trains' | The Wuppertal Schwebebahn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AtkX1TzB5c

A recent trip to Germany provided the opportunity of visiting one of the world's most unique transit systems: The Wuppertal Schwebebahn. Running through the city of Wuppertal, predominately following the route of the river Wupper. Only a handful of suspended monorail systems such as this exist across the globe, and Wuppertal's is the oldest of its kind, having opened in 1901. Join us as we take a ride along the 13.3km line, along with a visit to the Schwebodrom Museum.

WSW Wuppertaler Stadtwerke GmbH

A recent trip to Germany provided the opportunity of visiting one o...

18/08/2026

Six years ago our cameras were out to capture 58022's move from Rowsley South Yard to the Ecclesourne Valley Railway in Wirksworth, hauled by Allelys Heavy Haulage. Since then the locomotive has been entirely stripped down to the chassis as part of The Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society's plans to construct a new build of Britain's first mainline diesel locomotive, LMS 10000.

LMS 10000
Allelys
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

16/08/2026

One event absent from 2026's heritage railway calender is the Great Central Railway's award winning 'Railways at Work' event, where visitors can enjoy imersive railway scenes and cameos from the 1960s, featuring multiple reenactors of railway staff, police, young trainspotters, protesters and more. Here is some footage taken from last year's event, showcasing the wagon loading and unloading demonstrations taking place in the yard at Quorn & Woodhouse station, whilst Dr Richard Beeching carries out his inspections.

Great Central Railway
Railways at Work - Great Central Railway
Quorn Wagon and Wagon
Quorn & Woodhouse Station

12/08/2026

What if...? | D816 'Eclipse'

Outshopped from Swindon Works in February 1960, D816 was one of 38 Class 42 Warships built by British Rail, based on the diesel-hydraulic design of the Deutsche Bundesbahn V 200 class. Named after HMS Eclipse, an E-Class Destroyer of the Royal Navy which served in WWII, D816 like many of her classmates was a common sight in the South West of England throughout the 1960s. She would be withdrawn at the start of 1972 and ultimately scrapped.

Two members of the class survived into preservation, with D821 'Greyhound' "accidentally" becoming the first BR Diesel Locomotive to be preserved. In 1971, the Diesel Traction Group had approached British Rail on purchasing Class 22 D6319. However, after agreeing a price for the loco, D6319 was mistakenly cut up at Swindon Works. BR offered up a selection of recently withdrawn Class 42s as an alternative, and with D821 being in the best condition, she was purchased instead in 1973. Today, D821 is based at the Severn Valley Railway.

Diesel Traction Group
Severn Valley Railway