Railway 200; 'Greatest Gathering', Sharon's Railway Rideouts to the Glyn Valley Tramway and TV Newsreader Nicholas Owen's Railway Enthusiasm.

Making Tracks Railway Podcast

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In this episode of Making Tracks we’ll take you behind the scenes of the 'Greatest Gathering' in Derby, England for a prestigious piece of the UK's Railway 200 celebrations. Engineer Alasdair Stewart meets some of those who made it happen, and speaks with a variety of people representing a fraction of the variety and scope of the UK railway family as the movement looks forward to the future.

All aboard for the Greatest Gathering!

Sharon Gregory goes on another 'Railway Rideout' to visit a rural tramway museum in the Glyn Valley in north East Wales.

Also in this episode, we pop along to a Rail Fair in the Sussex town of Lewes and chat to Nicholas Owen – the well-known broadcaster and former BBC and ITV newsreader. Away from the news desk, Nicholas has a lifelong passion for railways and is a dedicated volunteer on one of England’s pioneering electric railways. We’ll hear about his love of trains, his volunteering experiences, and what keeps him coming back to the rails.

On the way north to visit the Greatest Gathering, Alasdair passes through Kings Cross station – and between the statue of Sir Nigel Gresley and Platform 9 and 3 quarters…..visits an exhibition display of an LNER carriage of the future.

Links to all the events and railways mentioned in this episode below:

The Making Tracks Facebook page - please like our page and please do send any comments directly to Alasdair.

All Aboard The 'Train of the Future' | LNER

Glyn Valley Tramway - Museum at Glynceiriog

The Greatest Gathering Event Website including gallery

Enspired - Consultant engineers working to de-carbonise rail

Railway Challenge - IMechE

Loram - Leading the digital transformation of railway maintenance.

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways Prince 1863 at Alstom Greatest Gathering

The Ashover Light Railway Society

DB Cargo UK opens new ETCS training facilities - Digital signalling.

This podcast is produced by Laura Raymond and presented by Alasdair Stewart and Sharon Gregory.

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.