Steam Days Magazine - January 2025

In this issue

A Canterbury tale: a story in three chapters of war and disaster
Created in May 1918, Roger Smith delivers the tale of a short rail connection which was at times indispensable but was otherwise destined for obscurity.

Birmingham area rail memories: when steam reigned supreme
Looking back to the mid-20th century, Robert Darlaston recalls the railways of his home city and its mix of Western and London Midland region activities.

British Railways operations – the early years
A career railway manager of the steam era and beyond, Swedebasher offers a railwayman’s perspective on the various levels of management and their everyday role within BR operations up to 1955.

The name’s the same: Britannia
New to traffi c in January 1951 as the fi rst of 999 British Railways Standards,7MT No. 70000 became Britannia – Andrew Wilson marks the 75th anniversary of this milestone event within a broad account of the various steam locomotives that have seen service as Britannia