Latest news with #heritagerailways
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Flying Scotsman: 'iconic' locomotive arrives in Somerset
An "iconic" locomotive has arrived on the West Somerset Railway for the Flying Scotsman pulled into Somerset on Saturday and will stay until 14 July, running services between Bishops Lydeard and was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and performed the first ever non-stop London to Edinburgh trip in 1928, cutting the journey time to eight hoursDriver, Stuart Nelhams, said: "It's always a special day to be driving steam locomotives but especially to get on one that is considered a national icon. It's become a bit of a pop star, people seem to know the name." Kerry Noble, general manager at the West Somerset Railway, added: "It's great to have it here. It's a very iconic locomotive so it comes with a lot of additional requirements. It's a massive amount of work for the railway."We are more than aware of the cost of living at the moment, so we have tried our best to create many opportunities for everyone to see the Flying Scotsman to suit all budget types." It is visiting the area on a tour of the UK's heritage railways to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the modern are being held all year as part of Railway 200 to mark the anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 27 September Somerset Railway last hosted the Flying Scotsman in West Somerset Railway stations will be closed to the public for the duration of the operating days of the Flying Scotsman, with access to Minehead or Bishops Lydeard by ticket only.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Peers debate change to 105-year-old law so children can work on steam trains
Peers have asked ministers to tweak a 105-year-old law to let young people work on heritage railways, before there is 'no-one' with a memory of steam trains on main lines. Labour's Lord Faulkner of Worcester proposed an amendment to the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act 1920, which barred children from work in any 'any industrial undertaking', including in mines, construction or transport. If agreed, his change would have exempted voluntary work on heritage railways and tramways from the ban. Government whip Lord Katz cautioned there 'may be unintended consequences' by amending the 'old legislation', but Lord Faulkner indicated he could push for a vote on his proposal before the Employment Rights Bill becomes law. Supporting the proposals, independent crossbench peer the Earl of Clancarty said: ' Steam railways are an important part of this country's heritage, and as every year passes that importance surely grows. 'We are getting closer to a time when there will be no-one with a personal memory of such trains in their working life, so as well as being an enjoyable activity for interested, enthusiastic children and young people, this is also an educational opportunity for the next generation.' Lord Faulkner said the ban was from a 'very different era' and told the Lords it 'languished unknown on the statute book for many years'. He said: 'Heritage railways managers, not surprisingly, do not wish to break the law, even if it is moribund and other safeguards exist.' Training on heritage railways 'has led to many seeking careers on the national rail network and in some cases have provided training and apprenticeships appropriate to their future career choices', Lord Faulkner added. He warned that even where regulators have said they would not prosecute a child who volunteers on a heritage railway, a legal challenge 'could be brought by a local authority or by a relative of a young people, regardless of the assurances given'. Historic England chairman and Conservative peer Lord Mendoza said: ' One of the most difficult things in the heritage sector is to encourage young people to come into it, to learn the skills, to learn the trades that we need in order to keep our heritage environment going for as long as we can.' In his response, Lord Katz said 'regulators should and do take a proportionate approach to enforcement action'. He offered a meeting with peers who wanted to change the law, adding: 'The 1920 Act is old legislation and amendment of it should only be considered after a thorough review upon other areas of law, as there may be unintended consequences.' Withdrawing his amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, Lord Faulkner said he would 'take up the minister's kind offer' but added that without solution, he believed 'the House as a whole would like the opportunity to express its view on the report' as the draft new law progresses.
