In this issue

THE RETRO YEARS: AUGUST
More classic diesel and electric scenes dug out from the archives.

BACK TO THE FUTURE
Remembering BR’s Blue Pullman trains, which entered service 60 years ago out of St Pancras and Paddington.

No Return To Franchises Soon

Concessions are set to replace franchise agreements after the Emergency Measures Agreements expire in September.

2 mins

Heritage lines prepare to reopen

Easing of lockdown rules has allowed railways to make plans to welcome the public again.

2 mins

Powerscene

Our authoritative class-by-class review of newsworthy locomotive workings.

10+ mins

LSL expands with HST power cars

Three former East Midlands Trains Class 43s have joined the Locomotive Services fleet.

1 min

New JNAs head straight to store

The penultimate batch of box wagons for VTG have arrived in the UK, along with the final group of HOA hoppers for Touax Rail’s Mendip contract.

1 min

Hastings Diesels Limited No. 1001

Thanks to the efforts of Hastings Diesels Preservation Limited, we can still enjoy the sights, and, more importantly, the unique DEMU sound on the main line. D&E modellers interested in the privatisation era have the ideal excuse to add a main line certificated DEMU to their collection in the form of Hastings Diesels Limited’s No. 1001. The kind hospitality of Hastings Diesels Limited enabled this series of reference images to be taken at St Leonards in 2008 after No. (20)1001 was equipped with CTL and OTMR.

4 mins

Kit Corner: Modelling HDL No. 1001

Plastic kits have unlocked many a unique layout project by providing the means to model unusual or minority items of rolling stock or, indeed, complete trains. The Hastings line narrow bodied Class 201, 202 and 203 DEMUs do not have standard Mk.1 features, therefore seem a less than attractive choice for an off-the-shelf model, making the kit by DC Kits the best route forward. In the first of a series of Kit Corner articles, we show how to build a model of heritage ‘Thumper’ No. 1001, owned and operated by Hastings Diesels Limited, starting with the long frame vehicles. The same techniques apply to modelling Hastings ‘Thumpers’ in BR days.

10+ mins

Industrial details by Goodwood Scenics

SOLD under its ‘Bulkscene’ label, Goodwood Scenics continues to develop a hitherto untapped area of scenic modelling and a gritty side of the D&E scene: industrial scenic details.

4 mins

Hornby Network Rail QQA

Hornby Network Rail QQA

4 mins

Back to the future

British Railways introduced the stylish Blue Pullman trainsets 60 years ago and, while ultimately short-lived, they heralded a move out of the steam age into a diesel-powered future.

1 min

Read all stories from Rail Express

Rail Express Magazine Description:

RAIL EXPRESS is Britain's favourite modern rail enthusiast title. Undoubtedly the best for modern traction photography, the magazine keeps readers informed and entertained with undiluted coverage of Britain's railways in the diesel and electric era. First produced in 1996, RE has set a new standard for the hobby, with a clean design, high quality paper and the best reproduction. January 2008 saw the magazine relaunched in an innovative 'supersize' format, showing off the ground-breaking contents to the best advantage. Every issue includes news and analysis covering the present day railway scene, plus the latest preservation developments. Also inside: RAIL EXPRESS Modeler - Diesel & Electric era modeling magazine