Autumn breaks and back to winter!
Robin Jones and Gareth Evans present a stunning selection of autumn photographs submitted by readers, showcasing trains at work across the heritage railway sector, when steam locomotives performed in a changing, colourful landscape, in varying light and the wonderful effects a new season brings.

The next train to the Rainbow’s End!
The legendary Colonel Stephens built a mineral railway in the Peak District – and it was used to carry passengers to the Rainbow’s End! Today, a team of volunteers is working on two fronts to revive the Ashover Light Railway, writes Robin Jones.

Government throws lifeline for lines and museums...

Will this be the heritage era’s greatest achievement?
When the Talyllyn revivalists began the operational heritage railway movement inMay 1951, did they even dream that one day the sector would be building from scratch a new example of Britain’s most powerful express passenger steam locomotive? Marking its proud 30th anniversary, The A1 Steam LocomotiveTrust’s Mark Allatt and David Elliott deliver their update on the ground-breaking scheme to produce a locomotive to inspire the 21st century like never before – the second Gresley P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales, within the next three years.

NewCorwen taking shape
Robin Jones visited the Llangollen Railway early in September, to view the rapid progress which has resumed on the building of its new Corwen terminus in readiness for a potential 2021 opening, and could not fail to have been impressed.

Passing trains back on the Severn valley Railway.

Kerr's Miniature Railway to be closed after 85 years and more...

A standard tank for theWatercress Line!
BR 4MT 2-6-4TNo. 80150, formerlyamember of the Barry Ten collection, is undergoing restoration at the Mid-Hants Railway. Gareth Evans learns about the locomotive’s history–which included working trains over what is today the Watercress Line – and howagroup of friendly supporters are bit by bit returning the Standard to its former glory..

TheMiddleton Milestones
In the third of our special features of three heritage lines which celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer, editor Robin Jones looks back at the dawn of the Middleton Railway, the first standard gauge outfit to run public trains in the preservation era and which had a very unorthodox start to its passenger services in 1960..

The Line YouHave All Loved For 50Years
In the 50th anniversary year of the big-screen dramatisation of The Railway Children, which was filmed on the Keighley&Worth Valley Railway, the line is fighting a survival battle, and desperately needs donations from well-wishers to help it meet day-to-day overheads, writes Robin Jones.

Revealed: the real Railway Children station
It is possible that nothing else related to railway heritage has ever reached suchawide international audience as EdithANesbit’s The Railway Children novel. David Staines unveils the idyllic English setting where it all took place.

Breaking out of the lockdown
Gareth Evans talks to a selection of heritage lines about their experiences of dealing with the Covid-19 crisis and how they're planning to reopen their railways - and the factors they must consider in the weeks ahead.

The world's first DIY line!
While the Bluebell was setting a blueprint for the future revival of closed parts of the national network, fresh ground was being broken in Lincolnshire with volunteers building a new heritage line to run regular public transport services, write Chris Bates and Robin Jones..

Severn Valley born again!
The SevernValley Railway operated its first public trains on May 23, 1970, and had been due to hold a celebratory 50th anniversaryweekend on May 23-25 this year. However, the event has had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the astounding public response to an emergency appeal for funds to keep the heritage line afloat, with the amount raised sailing past the half-million mark, Robin Jones looks back at the ground-breaking moves which led to the reawakening of this crosscountry route.

Signalbox survivor 
Gareth Evans talks to Steve Growcott, who is leading the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway’s project to restore Princes Risborough North Signalbox, the largest surviving GreatWestern Railway example in the country..

On course for expansion
Nicola Fox visits the Northampton & Lamport Railway and meets a team of staff and volunteers full of enthusiasm to expand their operation, which lies on the former LNWR Northampton to Market Harborough line.

Magnificent Myfanwy
Alistair Grieve and Gareth Evans talk to Phil Civil, who won the Young Volunteer of the Year award at the Heritage Railway Association’s 2020 awards for his efforts in restoring Bagnall 0-4-0 diesel Myfanwy to its original condition at the Chasewater Railway..

Living the steam dream
David Buck, owner of railtour operator SteamDreams and Thompson B1 4-6-0 Mayflower, talks to Gareth Evans about the company and locomotive, as well as his private railways and railwayana collection. He also reveals his ambition for Mayflower to carry BR black livery later in its current boiler certificate.

Attention to detail!
Railway photography is undoubtedly a popular hobby, but David Rodgers did not just take railway photographs, he made them happen and not just for himself but for many others as well, and on a truly international scale. Brian Sharpe presents a photographic tribute to a man with a unique talent.

DARTMOUTH’S DAZZLING HONOUR
TOPAWARDSFOR VOLKS, BALA LAKE, WEST LANCS AND 9F.

Just how sustainable are heritage railways?
In 2021 it will be 70 years since the world’s first volunteer-run railway was established on the Cambrian coast. Now steam trains criss-cross the United Kingdom onamultitude of lines which, if combined, would stretch from London to Glasgow. Oliver Edwards asks – is this really sustainable in the long term?.

Returning rails to Southwold
The coming season is set to bring the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a ride on the 3ft gauge railway in Suffolk after a 90-year absence, thanks to the efforts of volunteers at the Southwold Railway Trust. Nicola Fox reports..

Shaping the dawn of railway heritage inWest Africa
At the invitation of the chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and LEGACY 1995 Joint Committee, Steve Davies andHelen Ashby recently visited Nigeria in order to conduct an independent assessment of the Nigerian National Railway Museum’s current situation and to advise on its development potential.Words and pictures by SteveDavies

Searching for the Scandinavians
What happened to the Scandinavian vintage train which ran on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway in the early 1980s? Jon Harle, who organised the stock’s delivery by road, reports on the vehicles’current status..

Still steaming underground!
Peter Brown tells the story of how the London TransportMuseum operated steam on the Underground. Gareth Evans finds out what lies in store for the museum’s steam and electric tours on the Underground in 2020, plus the future ofMet 1.

Alberta returns!
The repainting of Jubilee class No. 45699 Galatea as its former classmate No. 45562 Alberta, took everyone by surprise when it appeared on West Coast Railways’ Lancaster to Carlisle Santa special on Sunday, November 24. It also provides an opportunity to take a nostalgic look back at the highlights of the original Alberta’s last workings on BR in 1967, which included regular BR passenger trains, railtours and the very last steam-hauled Royal Train in the BR era. Maurice Burns recalls the memories and unlocks the reason why Alberta was not preserved.

Building on a successful year
Gareth Evans talks to A1 Steam LocomotiveTrust trustee Mark Allatt about the latest developments at the operator of popular A1 class Pacific No. 60163 Tornado, its current new-build £5 million class P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince ofWales and the next project – the yet-to-be-named LNER class V4. He also learns about plans for the trust’s own carriage fleet, how it raises funds and the development of its new premises at Darlington.

The‘Wansbeck Piper’– a 1960s SteamTour
Trevor Gregg looks at the history of the Wansbeck Valley Railway in rural Northumberland and recollects his journey, 53 years ago, on the ‘Wansbeck Piper’, the final train to travel over the route..

Returning Can Pac to the Alps! - Gareth Evans learns about the project to return to action the Mid-Hants Railway’s flagship locomotive, No. 35005 Canadian Pacific – a National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported scheme, which includes the restoration of two Southern Railway carriages and a package of engagement, interpretation and education, which will help secure the future of the line.

The spirit of St Trinian’s - Gareth Evans talks to well-known professional photographer Jack Boskett about howhe attempted to capture the feel of the original 1966 Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery film in 2019 through a series of black and white photographs. All photographs by Jack Boskett.

Under the cover of darkness - The sight of TV or film companies on heritage railways is always a welcome presence – for it brings welcome publicity and financial benefit. On occasions however, things have to be top secret, with even rostered locomotive crews having no detail of what is to be done. Having obtained permission and respected the embargo, Maurice Burns recorded for posterity the proceedings for filming scenes for the newly released DowntonAbbey film at the North YorkshireMoors Railway’s Pickering station on November 13, 2018.

1969 and all that - The Great Central Railway’s October 3-6 autumn steam gala is a testament to half a century of steady but stupendous progress, realising a late Sixties vision of creating an inter-city heritage line. Robin Jones looks back at the line’s formative decadewhen pioneers laid the foundations..

Carriages in the Valley! - Gareth Evans learns how the Severn Valley Railway maintains its 60-strong fleet of carriages and gets the rundown on current projects at Kidderminster, Bewdley and Bridgnorth.

Great steam engineers of the pre-Grouping period: Part Ten 1910-1918 - The first decade of the 20th century saw steam locomotive design progressing rapidly but, as Brian Sharpe outlines, the outbreak of war in 1914 brought different priorities for Britain’s locomotive designers.

Nene’s skills for the future - Gareth Evans learns about how the Nene Valley Railway runs its youth group, recently boosted by the award of a £24,000 grant from train operating company LNER to further its good work in developing talent for the national and heritage railway sectors alike.

25 years of ‘impossible’ success! …and there’smore to come! - Market-leading new-build organisation The A1 Steam LocomotiveTrust has been marking two landmark anniversaries – not just from its own history, but that of the heritage sector as a whole, writes Robin Jones..

Steaming back to where it all began - The two Vintage Trains shuttle trips from Wellington to Coalbrookdale on June 9, were billed as the last steam train on the branch line to Iron bridge. However, the railway is now at the centre of ambitious plans to turn it into one of Britain’s premier heritage lines serving the World Heritage Site where so much of the Industrial Revolution, including the age of the steam railway, had its beginnings.

Spring in the Valley - Seasoned line side photographer John Titlow revels in the green magic that comes alive once winter lifts itself from the Severn Valley Railway. Based on his many years of experience, he shares some helpful hints on how to make the most of light at key locations...

A taste of the Valley on the footplate! - Ever wondered what it’s like to take part in a footplate experience course at one of the UK’s premier heritage lines? Gareth Evans recalls his half-day footplate experience course on the Severn Valley Railway, which involved firing and driving GWR 0-6-0ST No. 813 withaMk1 BSK carriage between Bewdley and Bridgnorth – and his fiancée also gives her view on the day.

Trouble on the line - Recent incidents of vandalism have forced the problem into the public gazewith national media coverage. Peter Brown takes an in-depth look at the ongoing problem of criminal damage across the heritage sector and looks at fresh preventative initiatives...

LeistonWorks line steams again in June! - Britain’s newest standard gauge heritage line starts running on June 1-2. Julian Warner outlines the story of Suffolk’s LeistonWorks Railway revival.

Manx on the up! - Gareth Evans provides an overview of what the Isle of Man can offer railway enthusiasts and also learns about the latest developments on the system, including the story behind the turnaround of the system’s fortunes in recent years – plus the planned return to steam of No. 16 Mannin...

Pragmatic preservation - Gareth Evans talks to Chris Price, general manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, who shares his views on a range of issues affecting the sector – and also what he’s doing to ensure the future survival of Britain’s most popular heritage line.

Steam in the Wild,Wild West! - In words and pictures, Robert Falconer shares his experiences of participating in a week of photographic charters in the USA, resulting in the capture of a host of wonderful images of steam amid the stunning landscape...

Counting their blessings! As the Churchward County Trust celebrates its first anniversary, project leader Gary Boyd-Hope explains more about the scheme to build Great Western Railway 4-4-0 No. 3840 County ofMontgomery and the Trust’s successes of the past year.

Brighton Belle on course - Gordon Rushton, 5BEL trustee, tells the story of the project to recreate the famous Brighton Belle luxury dining train, from its inception to how it is bringing back 1930s Art Deco finery to the main line – and how the challenges of complying with current and future regulations have been overcome. Additional reporting by Gareth Evans..

Designated charter network capacity - In the latest in our series examining the issues of operating special trains on the main line with heritage rolling stock, Andy Castledine looks at what the future is likely to hold for pathing – and the processes and implications required in planning. He also shares the view of The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s Graeme Bunker-James on the matter.

Life in the booking office - In the latest in our Volunteers Blog series, which charts life at the sharp end on our heritage railways from the perspective of an individual, Adam Carpenter shares his experiences of volunteering as a booking clerk and porter at the Epping Ongar Railway on the popular Essex line..

Returning Ropley’s S15s to action - Gareth Evans talks to volunteers of the Mid-Hants Railway-based Urie Locomotive Society and learns about the group’s two Urie S15 4-6-0s – Nos. 506, which is set to return to action in the coming months and 499, which is currently being restored to original condition.

Countdown to carriage compliance - In the first of a new series examining the issues of operating special trains on the main line with heritage rolling stock, Andy Castledine examines the effects of forthcoming legislation into the heritage sector – this time on passenger carriages...

Railways remember the fallen - Gareth Evans reports on how the UK’s heritage railway sector marked the centenary of the end of the First World War – from respecting the two-minute silence to dedicated services of remembrance.

A volunteer’s journey - In the latest in our Volunteer’s Blog feature series, reader Bob Greenhalgh shares his experiences of 27 years of hands-on involvement with the Bala Lake Railway in north Wales and describes what the narrow gauge line has to offer a would-be volunteer...

The final days of the Waverley Route - Fifty years ago, despite the huge numbers of objections, The Waverley Route from Carlisle to Edinburgh was closed. Trevor Gregg looks at the history of the route and shares his recollections of both the line and his journey on one of the farewell tours.

Embsay’sworld first! Second dawn of modern traction - October 19, 2018, is now indelibly etched in the annals of heritage railway history as this was when the world’s first internal combustion powered passenger vehicle gave its first rides in 88 years. TheNER petrol-electric autocar No. 3170 was the train the world forgot until now, reports Robin Jones...

VINTAGE TRAINS RUNS FIRST STEAM AS TOC.

STANIER 8F TO BE NAMED SIR WILLIAM McALPINE.

NEW P2£ 50K BOILER DESIGN CONTRACT AWARDED...

East Somerset’s friendly line - Steve Roberts enjoysawarm welcome at the East Somerset Railway and finds a line which is going from strength to strength, with rising passenger numbers and an excellent reputation for steam locomotive and rolling stock restoration.

The sunshine train! - Following his recent visit to Australia, Rodney Towers reports on a unique heritage railway project in Byron Bay, New South Wales, which claims to have developed the world’s first solar-powered train, a classic DMU which now runs on sunlight and has a zero fuel bill...

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Heritage Railway - Issue 274

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